We are a couple of weeks into 2011, so it is time for a look to the future with The IndieNet and Beyond! More news and web series episodes, plus a look at a new web series close to me. We have some very fun interviews coming up the next few weeks, but I would like to take a little time this week to talk about a new project that hopefully you’ll want to hear about: Reality On Demand.
Web series and other types of new media storytelling have come a long way over the last few years. While the concept of the web series is still relatively young, the leaps that have happened since the first advertiser-supported web series that premiered (The Spot,1995), or the first companion web series—or as the WGA calls it, Derivative New Media—(Homicide: Second Shift, a tie-in to Homicide: Life on the Street), have been amazing.
So many shows have left their mark in web series history: Lonelygirl15, Ask A Ninja, Red Vs. Blue, Joss Whedon’s Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, The Guild, The LXD, Riese: Kingdom Falling, The Annoying Orange, Prom Queen, I Kissed A Vampire, The Legend of Neil, Fred, Chad Vader, Children’s Hospital, Gemini Division, The Bannen Way, etc. And so many new web series are being created that promise to do the same: Asylum, Western X, Vampire Zombie Werewolf, Bite Me, Throwing Stones, Mind’s Eye, etc.
This new medium has ushered in the birth of the independent television movement, including the formation in 2008 of the International Academy of Web Television (IAWTV), then the Streamy Awards and soon, a whole new set of awards to be created by the IAWTV.
It’s no secret that I’ve been a fan of web series since 2007. That was the year I interviewed Damien Kindler (Sanctuary) and John Kenneth Muir (The House Between) and was inspired by the promise of new distribution freedom for indie filmmakers everywhere. When I interviewed Damien Kindler at his office in Vancouver, his passion for the new medium of storytelling excited me so much that I created three TV show concepts that would make, in my humble opinion, great web series.
One such idea got shelved for a bit, while working on other film projects. After writing/directing/producing Silence of the Belle, I revisited the show and in-between 70+ hour work weeks, I wrote a complete draft of a 45 page script. Then I asked my wife, Julie, to join me in writing the next million drafts (okay, maybe not a million, but close), to refine the tale to a story that we hope everyone will enjoy.
I had to modify the concept to make it more low-budget friendly, but I think this new sci-fi web series still has some nice bells and whistles. So, in 2011 my production company, Alien Jungle Bug Productions, LLC, will shoot a new scifi web series called Reality On Demand. I beg… er, I mean… kindly ask…all of you to give it a view when it premieres. Auditions start January 22nd, but those details can be found on the Alien Jungle Bug website.
Here is a quick blurb about the web series and a teaser video. Enjoy!
Four strangers playtest a highly advanced virtual reality game that puts them into their favorite TV shows and movies. But when they become trapped, a fun adventure takes a dangerous turn where cancellation means death.
Science Fiction, comedy, fantasy, and horror–any genre is game on Reality On Demand.
My friend T. Shawn Hardy is the mastermind behind the music (“You’ll Never Take Me Down”), and you’ll hear more of his, and his band’s music, on the web series. But enough about my new project. Let’s take a look at what else is going on out there in online land.
Elsewhere On The Web…
The Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) and the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) have announced their nominations for the WGA New Media Writing Awards. This is the first year the WGA has awards for new media writing. The winners will be honored at the 2011 Writers Guild Awards on Saturday, February 5, 2011, with simultaneous events in New York and Los Angeles.
Want to see the nominees? Click on over to see the complete nominee list.
What I’m Watching… Are You?
Mind’s Eye – Episode 7 “Visions of Gold”
The adventure of the Dreamweavers and the Chosen One continues. Illia goes to sleep, but dreams become a little too real as he is reunited with an old friend and discovers the courage to push his boundaries.
Throwing Stones: The Web Series – Trailer & Episode 1 “Don’t You Forget About Me”
This new 8-part horror web series is based on a feature film script written by writers/producers Bart D. Van Bemmel and Jason A. Wheeler. A high school horror web series that shows promise.
Vampire Zombie Werewolf – Episode 4 “Please Feed The Vampires”
Woohoo! A new episode. We finally learn how Tad got the Vampire part of his Vampire Zombie Werewolf gifts/curses.
That’s A Wrap
Got a web series, web comic, web… whatever, then I want to know about it. Contact me at: marxpyle@scifipulse.net
That’s a wrap for now. Take care friends. Until next time… marX out.
You can find me on Twitter @MrMarx
Follow ScifiPulse on Twitter @SciFiPulse.
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Marx H. Pyle is a writer, martial artist and American independent filmmaker. A graduate of Vancouver Film School, he has worked on a number of projects including the short film he wrote and directed, Silence of the Belle.
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