Monthly Archives: February 2011

A Web series is a diverse television program in relation to films; it utilizes the internet to stream videos with various storylines and characters. This new medium has transformed the way viewers can enjoy independent films and homemade videos.  Most web series are created with several episodes featuring the main characters taking part in a new plot each week. For fans that enjoy watching more than five hours of television daily, they could be introduced to a web series and find interest in it as well. Personally, I think the one good thing about television is the unique way a storyline in a show can captivate you and draw you in. With so many shows broadcasted on several networks, how can a web series compete or even begin to capture your interest to watch them? 

Many web series are sponsored by advertisers who are involved in the creative and production process in making the videos. Companies take advantage of this media outlet to promote their products and generate feedback from the public. With the aid of video streaming technology, more diverse independent films are being produced and broadcasted on the internet for viewers.  For example, the WB network, has steadily created many original online web series on their website, http://www.thewb.com/shows/high-drama  for fans of popular TV shows such as The O.C, Smallville, One tree hill, Friends, Veronica Mars, etc.  

In my opinion, the few web series that I’ve watched were extremely creative and a little weird, but they had some attention-grabbing elements such as a funny script that made me want to watch another episode. For instance, in the web series: “Oh, the Inverted World, a brief filmed production about characters who are facing the nostalgic ordeal of returning home from college, small town life, and oh yeah the inevitable tale that the moon is going to crack and fall.  I felt the different scenes were fascinating and a bit crazy. Granting my classmate Alex Torres, viewed the show differently, she said” Although I admire the creativity of the film makers who made Oh, Inverted World, I did not find the film interesting because I did not fully understand the plot and found it to be weird”.   

I feel that film is meant to be spontaneous, thrilling, crazy, strange and the more different the better. That being said, I almost always enjoy the simpler, polished films on web sites such as lifetime or the WB.com. These websites broadcast original well-made short films like the “Company” starring Shannen Doherty which captured my interest.  Although, it was a brief film and there were awkward moments where I couldn’t understand her character, Shannen’ performance was pretty good.

The power of three, evoked by the charmed sisters starring Shannen Doherty, Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs

Perhaps, it is my absolute love of her late role as a witch in “Charmed”, a TV show where three sisters fought evil demons on a daily basis in order to protect the innocent that has made my solid decision for enjoying those creative web series. Overall, the production of new web series is underway and I’m looking forward to viewing more.

For Richer or Poorer

In response to a recent NYtimes blog by Mike Hale, he raised a question to his audience “Do you prefer the polish (relatively speaking) of works subsidized by sponsors or prominent Web-video sites? Or do you look for the rougher, let’s-put-on-a-show feeling of the D.I.Y. independents?”

Preferably, my vote goes to the sponsors’. After watching a short clip on the Indie’s Neighborhood #1 and a trade group’s Suite 7, it was no doubt that I had to watch the laugh-out-loud Suite 7 again.

Before I start babbling away with Suite 7, I do have to give credits to the producers, actors, and actresses of Neighborhood #1. Pamela Bell, who plays Mina was the star of show. With very little resources, the actress brought her best performances on set. One of the most entertaining parts happened when her 3 bearded pals from college left her in a jiffy when a hottie walked in, whom in turn, turned out to become more than beyond the grave.  She created a believable situation that relates to the audience, or at least it does happen to most of us.

Now, Suite 7’s For Richer or Poorer, was hilarious and engaging. A short 6 minute clip sums up the plot of the film, 2 newlyweds finds out how little they actually know about each other on the night of their wedding. Tony Janning and Tara Perry, the couples fought about a stash of money found under their hotel bed. In every scene, the drama builds from verbal fighting over the uses of their newfound fortune whether it is a chicken slap to the face, caking a gal’s most memorable wedding dress, or sword fighting in ridiculous manners. It was just too sad that the fun had to end.

Viewer Robert commented on the ‘dull and obvious’ storyline and acting. He said, “The storyline and acting was cheesy and boring. I didn’t like any of it (films) at all. But perhaps it’s due to my generation liking.”

Emotionally distraught female hotel guest meets hotel manager. In the midst of her sadness, she has become an interior decorator; she rearranges furniture as she tries to determine a new layout to the already well-maintained and orderly hotel room. It is early in the morning— 4 a.m. to be exact— but she is more awake than ever. She creates a clutter— a disorganized mess— that closely mimics her own confusion and her attempt to reorganize her thoughts and perhaps, even her life. Hotel manager walks in with a replacement pillow in hand, and offers not the pillow (because the pillows on her bed are actually fine, she later says) but instead, despite his emotional disconnectedness, offers his much needed company.

Sounds familiar? Like many films of today, Lost in Translation for example, strangers are apparently better company than most because they offer new and unfamiliar perspectives. But unlike Lost in Translation, a 2003 film that was nominated for four Academy Awards, this plot was much too forgettable.

In the nine-minute long webisode, Company, part of the the Suite 7 web series sponsored by Lifetime, Shannen Doherty plays the role of the hotel guest, coping with a recent breakup with her lover. Wilson Cleveland plays the hotel manager, who offers to help her rearrange furniture and figure out how and why her relationship ended. Their performance is not going to win any awards for sure, and their dialogue is shallow and somewhat bland. The script is clichéd and their reactions are excruciatingly agonizing to watch. Even with such entertainment sponsored with the efforts of corporations and big-name performers, Company definitely failed to please.

Web series, which are posted on the Internet, provide a new facet of entertainment for a widely different audience that scours and surfs the online world.  Often they are children born in the Internet Age, or right before— they are the ones who know how to navigate through the multiple layers of the Internet world.

Oh, Inverted World, on the other hand, a black-and-white film low-budget web series, produced out of Long Island, leaves viewers in just the first episode, hanging. We are left to wonder to ourselves why the moon is to come crashing down and why the three bearded men have been bound and gagged. There’s no denying that this was an unbelievable storyline that was a far stretch from reality, but I preferred it to Lifetimes’s butchered attempt at portraying one example of a low point many of us experience in life.

I didn’t love it immensely, but overall, on first impression, the film made me more curious than Suite 7 ever did. The performances weren’t stellar, but for novice actors, their efforts were laudable.

Sherese Francis, however, said, “I did not like Oh, Inverted World because the acting was not convincing enough for me. She also stated, “The lines were delivered awkwardly and I could not take it seriously.” True, maybe not too seriously, but it certainly left me wanting more.

TV or Computer - Is there a difference?

Slowly but surely everything is moving over to the Internet, even television-like series. This new kind of Web series could be described as a mix of  amateur YouTube videos and high-budget TV series, varying both in quality and context. Mike Hale, a blogger for New York Times raised the question of which is preferable, the “pretty looking” series backed up by sponsors, or the indie version series that could be made by anyone with a camera. I decided to take look and decide for myself.

The first Web series I came across was a black & white production called “Oh, Inverted World.” This series literally screamed “indie” with its unprofessional actors, “hip” language with words like “douche” and a sense of humor directly pointing to a young audience. The concept could best be described as an indie version of a teen-movie (American Pie, Never Been Kissed, etc). Personally I enjoyed this, but I have to point out that “Oh, Inverted World” and series alike are definitely made for the Internet, falling more into the YouTube category of “make-your-own-and-share” videos. If broadcasted on TV, I doubt this production would be able to compete with the “real stuff” a.k.a. the sleek, high-definition  series.

The second series I took a look at was the total opposite of the black & white “Indie-kick.”  “Suite 7,” a selection of clean-looking short films with a professional cast, reminded me of any other show I saw on TV. Although the concept is something that almost everyone can relate to, and even willingly watch, it was nothing new or groundbreaking – a confused man attempts to comfort a sad and emotional woman.  As a Web series I can’t say that this worked so well for me, as it just felt like zapping through your basic TV channels. A fellow student of mine, Lisa Gomez, agreed that the concept lacked originality: “It felt over-dramatic…quite phony to be honest!”

So, what works on the web?                                                                                                Personally I prefer “Oh, inverted World.” Despite its bad acting and corny “teen-movie” feel, the video produced a “rawness” that made it stand out from all the sitcoms you are used to. Maybe it is just me, but if I wanted to watch something like “Suite 7,” I would just turn on the TV. Sure, it works for the mainstream, but I think that audience still prefers watching their series on TV, not on a computer screen. But in the future, who knows?

In the end, it’s all a matter of taste. And now with the internet, why even have to choose?

Webseries as a whole can garner attention for multiple reasons. They could be super hilarious viral sensations, well thought out, highly stylized works of cinema or used to generate some kind of revenue.

Websites that host user generated content, such as YouTube and Vimeo, have opened the door for aspiring filmmakers to showcase their work for the world to see.  It has also created a new way for companies to advertise their products to consumers.

Clearly, massive corporations have access to a lot more resources than the average amateur moviemaker.  However, the unpolished content generated by these lesser known film makers bring something that corporate establishments cannot and that is a sense of authenticity and genuineness.

The webseries Oh, Inverted World is an example of this.  Created by young adults

from Long Island, this series chronicles the story of a group of friends who have just graduated from college and instead of worrying about trying to find a job and moving out of their parents’ homes, are faced with a world of zombies and the threat of the moon falling to the Earth.

The series is low budget, shot in black and on location, reminiscent of a film noir.  The four awkward, but endearing characters feel familiar and true.  Something that is undoubtedly linked to the fact because of the restrictions of small budget, all parties involved have to, in some form, work closely together to produce and promote the miniseries and make it a success.

“It’s cool. It’s like anyone can do it, “ said Oh Inverted World viewer, Elsa Saatela.

A larger corporation, such as, The Better Sleep Council, doesn’t particularly have this same effect. It certainly wants to create a successful webseries, but more from the perspective of trying to sell something. It uses high profile actors such as Milo Ventimiglia and Shannen Doherty to gain viewers instead of unknown actors that viewers might be able to connect with better.  In BSC’s case, the message of the importance of getting enough sleep is what’s being promoted (versus the promotion of creative content as entertainment).

The Council has launched Suite 7 an attempt to use the webseries as a tool for advertising.   However, the series falls short of actually making a connection with viewers. Its overdramatized scenarios seem false and drawn out. BSC should just stick to commercials and leave filmmaking to the amateurs.

Oh, Inverted World

“On, Inverted World” [OIW] is a video shot in black and white with unknown [and perhaps amateur] actors. “MyLifetime.com” [MLT] “Suite Seven” episode is in color and has two known TV actors, one being Shennen Doughty [also listed as the “MLT” producers] and Warner Cleveland. Mike Hale in his 14 January 2011 blog pegs them in his “Watchlist: Web Series With Promise”.
OIW’s opening episode introduces us to four young people — one young woman and three young men — returning to their suburban town after graduating from college. The opening scene is in an automobile with Mina at the wheel and the bearded Art, Finn, and Rob crowded in the back seat. Immediately, we know that a sense of “ennui” and apathy will dominate the series shot in grainy black and white, to emphasize the distance from them and the hometown to which they are returning.
The main scene takes place in a “local dive”. It is not much of a “dive” but a small town bar. Our three “protagonists” set the tone of boredom and shallowness in meeting “Douchy” McNeil who never left town, but lives in the real world. He has set up his own business–a gun shop and a tanning salon. The use of the adjective “douchy” tells us everything we want to know about the three college boys who look down at McNeil; for his part, McNeil makes a remark about their beards. In an amateurish scene, as Mina arrives outside the bar and finds McNeil smoking a cigarette, Art, Finn, and Rob charge to defend their hairy faces, in a shot that reminds one of a poor man’s Japanese Samurai film. Inside, we see our bruised heros and Mina.
Suddenly Selena enters the “dive” asking for three strong men to help change a tire for her, leaving Mina alone. The use of a full moon makes us think of vampires and the mysterious unknown. The story line is obvious and shopworn. The acting is hardly engaging.
As for “Suite Seven” in the MLT series although better acted, the script is also obvious and hardly keeps our attention. It is 4 am in a hotel. The reception [Cleveland] brings the guest [Doughtery] a pillow. We find her rearranging the furniture. She cannot sleep. She is lonely and wonders why she and her boyfriend cannot connect. Everything separates them, she explains; he works night, she days. The line from Kipling comes to mind: ‘east is east, west is west, and twain never meets’. That more or less sums up the 8 minute episode. Doughty asks Cleveland why loneliness. He rightly cannot answer. Oh, those philosophical questions which complicate life! Nevertheless, even trying to adumbrate an answer to life’s “unanswerable why’s”, Doughty and Cleveland “connect”. In the closing scene as Doughty’s head hits the pillow, and Cleveland gently lifting her head and putting the pillow she requested atop the other pillow, our “heroine” falls asleep.
Technically MLT is superior in production elements–props, color, acting, etc. As far as the story line is concerned, it suffers from a strong dose of the sophomoric. The French call this “un age bete”, it can happen at any age. it seems. Mike Hale might find promise in these two video series, but he does not really say why. Were I an investor, I could spend my money better.
Classmate quote: “I did not like the first video. The sponsored video was engaging; the characters more believable; a good use of props to set the atmosphere.  And, I found it funny.”

www.ohinvertedseries.com [Episode 1: “Neighborhood #1]

www.myliftime.com/original-webisodes/suite-7/video

I remember being in school about 5 years ago and I would always have this conversation with my friends: “How awesome would it be if we could watch television from our computers?” That was a dream my friends and I had, and to our surprise, that dream is becoming a reality.

Suite 7

Thanks to the advances in technology in today’s world, we are now able to watch television from our computers wherever we are and wherever we go.

Today many companies, such as Fox International Channels, are developing television sitcoms to be shown on the web. These sitcoms are referred to as web series. Nowadays, people have much more access and possibilities to create and star in their own shows and publish them on the web. There are a variety of sitcoms available on the web. These sitcoms have been created by different companies or by different means. For example, the web series Suite 7 is promoted by Lifetime Movies. This series counts with big-star actors and large amounts of money behind it.

Oh, Inverted World

On the other hand, there are the independent films. An example of these films is the web series Oh, Inverted World. This show lacks the money it needs to be promoted but it promises to be good and entertaining.  In my opinion, I prefer those series that are promoted by big companies with big-star names. The lifetime series Suite 7 showed a better style and acting skills. The feelings were much better portrayed and it was easier to sympathized with the actors and their feelings. Nevertheless, we all have a different opinions and that is perfectly normal. To Izabella Zaydenberg, “The independent movie had more of a home video film and it made it that much more personable and easier to like.”

Thanks to the technological advances, we are now able to watch sitcoms from the comfort of our own computers at anytime. Whether you like the independent films or you prefer those series with big-star actors and great amounts of money behind them, all you have to do is search the web and you will be sure to find one or a few series that fits your personal interest.

But if you disagree with me or are not sure which films you prefer, feel free to check the two sitcoms I mentioned previously and judge for yourself. I’ll love to hear your comments and opinions.