You can add this one to the “Election-Themed Videos Late to the Game but Still Worth Watching” list. In six decades, the Swift Kids for Truth and the cute lil’ guys and girls on Vote For Me Because I Can’t are going to grow into the geriatrics below:
Commercial production house and online studio HungryMan TV produced a set of these for MTV’s Choose or Loose campaign. No word yet on if it caused youth voters to stop playing Super Mario Bros. and head to the polls.
Years of build up and it’s finally here. Election Day 2008. With voting results already coming in, this week’s Tuesday picks may be the last political ones for a while. A web video void will have to be filled by some other national obsession — more Britney perhaps? But for now, we take a look at some of the standout political series who’s streaming hijinks charged up voters making this election the largest turnout in history. Congratulations everyone, and thank you to the creators who brought some creativity to the political scene.
Obama Girl: “I’ve Got a Crush…on Obama”
The original video that launched the Barely Political‘s Obama Girl franchise, vaulting star Amber Lee Etinger into the web video super-stardom. Some thirty more Obama Girl videos would follow with appearances of the character on Saturday Night Live, MSNBC, Hardball, FOX News, and more.
Hott4Hill: “She’s Hott For Hillary!!”
Sorority Forever and Private High Musical star Taryn Southern is a web series standout these days, though some may remember her YouTube stumping for her lady Hillary in her Hot4Hill series. This video kicked it all off, even notching Taryn the “Foxiest Presidential Groupie” award at Spike TV’s 2008 Guy’s Choice Awards. With Obama winning the Democratic nomination, Hott4Hill had a tough choice to make in who she would throw her support to — Obama or McCain?
JibJab: “Time for some campaigning!”
In 2004 JibJab made it’s name on the political web with their breakout “This Land is Your Land” and the “Swift Boat” videos. This time around they faced stiffer competition with all the YouTube friendly hotties in the game. But the original viral politicos still know how to make them and keep a healthy YouTube following happy.
After I saw Amber Lee Ettinger’s Sarah Palin impression on Geraldo I wondered, “What are Obama Girl and Barely Political going to do after November 4?”
Political sites have seen a HUGE surge in traffic leading up to the 2008 Presidential Election. Those numbers can’t possibly sustain themselves once it’s back to politics as usual. How are sites and personalities that have thrived in this ultramarathon race to the White House going to maintain their high level of relevancy come next week?
Earlier this year, I asked Amber Lee Ettinger about her post-election plans:
Granted it was a few months back, but like a skilled politician, Ettinger didn’t really answer the question. So, I went higher up the ticket to the viral video mastermind behind Obama Girl and Barely Political, Ben Relles.
Eighteen-year-old filmmaker Nicholas Carlton hopes OzGirl will be “Australia’s first social web show where you get to truly interact with the characters and establish a dialogue with them.” The Aussie-based web series will launch this coming January with two episodes posted per week on Mondays and Thursdays. OzGirl will chronicle the journey of Sadie (Sophie Tilson) as she journeys to the big city in search of love and adventure.
Fans can keep up with Sadie through her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail. Based on the trailer (above), the series does not look like more than a video confessional, shot as a documentary. But Carlton is well aware of the comparisons when shooting a video blog show (LonelyGirl15, RedEarth88). On his blog, he says the show will avoid death, and instead focus on “good, old-fashioned melodrama.”
Carlton is still in film school, and lead actress Tilson happens to be a high school chum of Carlton’s. “The role was written with Sophie in mind and around her personality.” Carlton says of their working relationship. “I think Sophie and Sadie are very much alike in many ways, and we hope the audience will be drawn to Sophie’s personality which really comes through on camera.” Perhaps a fresh-faced story told from the perspective of someone still exploring the art of filmmaking, and life away from home could actually work, given it’s genuine origins.
Adorably, Carlton picked the title of Oz Girl, comparing Sadie’s fish out of water journey to Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. “Everyone can relate to being a fish out of water,” Carlton says. “Our hope with the show is to create a universal story everyone can relate to.”
As far as Sadie finding her Wizard, only time will tell. The original launch date of December 8th has been pushed back to January to let some buzz grow before releasing.
This season finale has been a long-time in the making. Two and half years ago, Yuri and Vlad Baranovsky’s Hollywood-bizarro sitcom, Break a Leg didn’t win a Myspace FX contest, but it did garner enough interest to give its creators incentive to continue producing the show online.
What started out as a professionally produced passion project wasn’t supposed to stay that way. By trying to make Break a Leg as much like a TV show as possible – real actors, real scripts, real HD cameras – the Baranovskys were hoping TV was where their show would end up.
It’s been a long, critically acclaimed road, but it hasn’t led to broadcast television (or a sponsorship that would pay broadcast television salaries). At least not for Break a Leg. At least not yet. The last installment of their multi-part season finale aired last week online. In it, there’s a Keyser Soze-inspired character twist, a couple cute games of kissyface, and your usual “up the weird” dose of alternative Hollywood reality:
To find out if our charmingly confused leading man, David Penn actually dies, we have to wait until season two. That might be a while.
The Baranovsky borthers are putting Break a Leg on the back-burner to focus on a new series, Lurker, which they hope will find a home/sponsor/investor to pays the bills. Over e-mail, Yuri elaborated:
Read On…
This is part 1 of a multi-part review of the initial lineup of Strike.TV’s original web series.
Life In General is a fictional behind the scenes look at a daytime drama called ‘Greenville General’, by writer Karen Harris of such real daytime dramas as General Hospital, Port Charles and All My Children. A bit of a mini-soap with a light touch that ultimately misses the mark.
Now, look, I’m a writer, so I want to be supportive, I respect the endeavor and the work put into these things. And with Life, A LOT of work has gone into it. There’s great production value from the costumes to the camera work to the sets. It’s clear that Ms. Harris has a lot at her disposal here and uses it to her full advantage.
However, great production value does not a great show make. It’s just a pilot, so maybe things will get better, but the acting is slightly over the top (either an actor or director problem – I’m suspecting a little of both). The story, well, it’s serialized, like a soap, so there are a lot of starts, but I’m not yet invested in any of the characters to care about any of the stories. And the music gives the impression that it’s supposed to be funny, but it’s just not happening.
My suggestion to Harris and crew is this: ten minutes is too long, cut at least two or three minutes, focus on one story, let it begin, middle and end, and PLEASE give Jo Beth Williams more screen time (she plays the show’s exec producer and she’s the best thing in it). There are a lot of good elements here, but unfortunately, until they’re put together right, Life In General will be a general mess.
First of all, I have such a crush on Kristen Wiig. Have since the first time I saw her on SNL. This has nothing to do with my review, but I had to say it. So, the show is a funny premise. In fact, it feels like the show creators, Rob Kutner and Sheryl Zohn were sitting around and Sheryl said, ‘I think I have a crush on the tech support guy.’ And Rob said, ‘You mean the guy in Bangladesh?’ and voila, a show was born.
Unfortunately, the show isn’t as funny as the premise. And in fact, it makes me wonder where the hell the show will go now that (spoiler alert) Aasif Mandvi’s, Ace, has come to America to be with his beloved Kristine, played by my future wife, Kristen Wiig.
Wiig has moments of funny like when she mistakes Ace for a food delivery guy, then a practical joke before realizing he’s the Indian tech support guy she’s in love with. There is mild funny from BJ played by Oliver Vaquer, Kristine’s jerky co-worker. But oddly, the funniest bits come from Mid-West accented secretary, Rachel, played by Alissa Ford, who has the second smallest part in the piece. The smallest part is played by Mindy Kaling of The Office, as Ace’s manager in India. I only mention it to illustrate the star-studdedness of the cast, however her part is basically an unfunny cameo.
Ultimately, again, this show suffers from the same thing as Life In General, which is, great production value from animation (the animated transitions here are some of the best parts), to locations, camera, lighting, casting, etc, but unfortunately just a flatness to the performances and overall show. I’m a little worried about Strike.TV at the moment, I mean, I love the site, but so far, the shows leave something to be desired.
[Ed. Note: We know you guys don’t always agree with our reviewers’ opinions, so please post a comment to let us know what you think of the series! Read Part 2 and Part 3.]
Jennifer Van Grove is a “social media consultant.” It’s a title/job description that’s been adopted by so many denizens of the Web 2.0 World that its meaning is nearly lost (at least to me). So, Jennifer was kind enough to explain:
“I help companies use social media/new media/web tools etc to connect with their customer communities online. Essentially I provide companies with web strategies focused on community building – this could be consulting on anything from a blog to a full custom community/social network.”
If her ability to build an online community around herself is any indication, she’s good at her job.
In a fantastic blend of self-promotion and entertainment, Jennifer will provide the inspiration for an online series with a premise that’s a slightly fictionalized version of her own life. Jenn2.0 is a lighthearted, dramatic comedy about a web-savvy twentysomething living in So Cal, trying to build a virtual cult of personality and “find balance between her online personas and her ever-present reality.” Sounds like The Guild, except for people who read Mashable and Chris Brogan instead of play World of Warcraft.
Charles Schultz’ Peanuts are hitting the web with a 20-episode original series from Warner Brothers released exclusively through iTunes. The series is releasing episodes two at a time, with the first two episodes available for free as a little hook to lure fans into the $7.99 season pass. (Two-episode bundles can be snatched up for $.99 a piece.) A day before Election Day, the series kicks off with few political comics — like a Linus/Charlie Brown campaign for class president where despite a sure lock on the election, the ticket collapses due to a fateful final speech.
Produced by Warner Premiere, the studio’s digital production company, the series is being released through Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and is being billed as the first fully animated series in the company’s Motion Comics digital content category. This summer the company rolled out motion comics of Superman, Batman: Mad Love and Watchmen also through iTunes, though none of them in fully animated form. Flash animation was handled by the award-winning Canadian animation outfit Studio B Productions, known for their animated series George of the Jungle and What About Mimi?
While all of the three to four minute episodes are original works, the story lines are pulled right from the old Peanuts comic strip which dates back to 1964 from the late Charles Schulz, who passed away in 2000. We’re told to expect short-from versions of the Great Pumpkin, A Christmas story, Charlie Brown’s baseball team, Charlie Brown’s first crush, Valentine’s Day, Snoopy survives a flood along with others.
The whole project is being overseen by the Schulz estate, and has the blessing of the family. “Our Motion Comics lineup continues to expand with the addition of the highly entertaining Peanuts series to our slate,” said Diane Nelson, President of Warner Premiere. “We’re proud to be the Studio selected by the Schulz family to take these classic strips and create all-new content for the next generation of Peanuts fans.”
This incarnation of the gang means new children’s voices for the timeless characters and even a fresh score from jazz composer Randall Crissman (Ozzy & Drix, Fatherhood).
In September, Austin-based “new media company” ON Networks announced an original series aimed at giving adolescent females a healthy dose of You go girl! Hosted by Saturday Night Live alum Amy Poehler, Smart Girls at the Party will celebrate “extraordinary individuals who are changing the world by being themselves.”
[HTML1]
The show seems like it’s been a long time coming (but I bet at least part of it’s influenced by the play Keep Your Eyes Open, about a junior high schooler who uses her video blog to talk issues and not gossip, and that I know Poehler saw because she was sitting behind me during the performance).
We’ve been hosting the Hollywood Web Television Meetup for a couple of months now – and we’ve heard from many of you that you wanted more time to mingle. Well, this month’s meetup is all about face time. Our last two meetups featured insightful talks from guest speakers like Sandeep Parikh, George Ruiz, and Kim Evey – this time you’ve got the spotlight. Come mingle with the cream of the web television crop.
This month’s meetup is purely social. We’re circling the wagons on November 12, 2008 from 8-11pm at Barney’s Beanery (8447 Santa Monica Blvd) in West Hollywood. Come early—the first round’s on us! Bring plenty of business cards and get to know your fellow creators, agents, and other industry professionals. And stay tuned for the next meetup, December 3rd, at the Screen Actors Guild. Please RSVP to: meetup@tubefilter.tv
Please visit the Hollywood Web Television Meetup on Upcoming and Facebook.
All while studying at New York University, Alana Taylor has become a social media sensation and technology blogger by sharing her life and views on technology through Twitter and UStream, attracting thousands of followers.
Her talent and popularity were quickly noticed by Mashable which, in April, nabbed this student-cum-blogger to host Mashable Conversations, video interviews with movers and shakers of the Web 2.0 world.
Earlier this year, when Alana had just started out as Mashable’s newly minted conversationalist, we caught up with her to discuss Mashable Conversations, technology and her rise to internet stardom.
College coeds looking for a career in new media should take note.
On the internet, we have learned to accept that anything goes: behind an innocent-looking link could lie a “shock site” (or some other unexpected destination). We’ve also learned to accept that we’ll end up seeing ads for everything from Bibles to iPods to Rick Astley. It’s easy to forget just how unpredictable the internet can be, and companies that focus on children must be vigilant about protecting their audiences.
Sesame Street has tackled all of these problems head on, and has done very well in securing its place in children’s entertainment on the web. Sesame Street has been on the air since 1969, airs in over a hundred countries, and has had over 4,000 episodes so far in its run. The show mainly features puppets teaching basic words and numbers, oftentimes alongside celebrities ranging from the Goo Goo Dolls and Anderson Cooper to Busta Rhymes and Robert De Niro.
To keep up with the changing times, Sesame Street has gone online, with one of the best designed websites I’ve seen in terms of simplicity and organization. The main sections include games, videos, playlists (for dynamic lessons), profiles of the characters, and “My Street” where parents can bookmark their child’s favorite videos and games. The videos are also available on Hulu, completely free of advertising . All over the site text is minimized where possible, and buttons are large, colorful, and require minimal reading skills. In some places, the arrow disappears and turns into a large star, making it easier for children to see what they’re clicking on.
I spoke to a few parents about Sesame Street online, and checked out various forums to see what their reaction has been. One comment on Hulu summed up the majority of responses: “We’re huge Sesame Street fans but don’t have TV, so we’d catch some clips on YouTube. Problem? My kids could accidentally wind up watching objectionable stuff if they clicked on other links after their clip was done. Enter the Hulu Queue to the rescue! I feel this is a safer place for them to watch and I hope more PBS programming follows.”
Sesame Street is one of the biggest names in children’s entertainment, so it was no surprise to me to see that they’ve gone online—the surprise was in how well they’ve done it. As someone who has their computer plugged into their TV more often than the cable box, I can easily see using Hulu to watch Sesame Street with my children some day. I hope that other shows follow suit, and make at least a tiny part of the internet safe for children.
Subscribe for daily Tubefilter Top Stories
© Copyright 2007 - 2026 Tubefilter, Inc.