Festival Fun: 4 Webseries From the LA Web Fest

Dumper Entertainment is pleased to announce that Big Bother is an Official Selection of the L.A. Webseries Festival. It will be screened on Saturday, March 26^th at 5:25 p.m. at Stage 52 Theater. Lots of other great webseries will be screened over the weekend too. Many of which we’ve covered in the past, like GOLD, SOLO, In The Rough, Hard Drive 13, Suck and Moan, Miss Behave and Out With Dad. But there are many shows we haven’t yet covered, so this month’s webseries category focuses on a few of the LA Web Fest’s Official Selections.

Asylum

St. Dympna is a hospital for the criminally insane. Only the most difficult patients end up here. The methods of head Dr. Suli Urban (Sophie King) and her disturbingly close-knit staff seem unorthodox, but you can’t argue with the results they achieve. But when an outbreak of violence draws the attention of Department of Mental Health Agent Patrick Aubert (Dingani Beza from SOLO), Dr. Urban has some explaining to do – starting with the whereabouts of her predecessor.  Asylum is written by Dan Williams and directed by Scott Brown (Both from Blue Movies) and produced by Matthew Arrevalo (From GOLD: NOTZK).

Who…

Men, did you ever wonder what women discuss when no-one else is around? “Who…” has the answer. In each episode, a pair of African American gossip queens (Played by Shoneji Loraine and Nafeesa Monroe) discuss everything from “Who… Needs Jesus” to “Who… Better Not Look At My Man” to “Who… Needs To Shut The Hell Up” to “Who… I’d Do” to “Who… Be Workin’ My Nerves” to “Who… Can Kiss My @$$.” Besides the episodes themselves, AjakweTV.com features a wide selection of music you can listen to as well. Who… was created by L.A. Web Fest founder Michael Ajakwe Jr.

The Best Friend

Our next selection is about Sooze (Allie Smith) the beautiful girl the boys adore. But this is not her story. This is really the story of her best friend Millie (Marilyn Anne Michaels). We first meet the duo when Millie’s date is smitten with Sooze. Next, Sooze’s stalker does nothing to make Millie feel better about herself (Though it does allow Millie to break into a great “Stalker” musical number). The Best Friend is created and produced by Smith and Michaels; written by Smith, Michaels, Dominic Conti and Krystel Schley, and directed by Tarique Qayumi and Wednesday Standley.

Cell

Last but not least is Cell, the story of … a cell. It’s actually two cells, but that’s not important. What’s important is how the cell inhabitants got there. Or maybe it’s “where do they go from here?” We’ll see. Brian (Danny Cameron) wakes up in said cell looking for answers. Instead, he gets a cattle-prodding from his jailer (Kevin McCarthy). Brian’s only other company is the woman in the cell next door (Jourdan Gibson). Together, they attempt to find out why they’re here, and more importantly, who they are. Cell is written, directed and produced by Mark Gardner.

Canadian Kudos: 4 Webseries North of the Border

We’re happy to announce that Dumper Entertainment’s Gym Shortz won Best Animated Webseries of 2010 by the podcast Indie Intertube. Who’s Indie Intertube? Funny you should ask. They’re Destini and Shad, the  Canadian WebTV fanatics. Congrats also to Gym Shortz’es Cooper Harris who won Smexiest Actress (For Squatters) and Max Glick who won Most Loveable Geek (For Gold: NOTZK). Tune in to Indie Intertube every Wednesday at 4 p.m. (Pacific Time) to hear their latest webseries news and reviews. In honor of the Canadian co-hosts, this month’s webseries category focuses on WebTV from The Great White North.

Heroes of the North

Our first selection is Canada’s answer to The X-Men, Heroes of the North. The story begins during World War II, where concentration camp experimentation to create the super human results in the evil Zombots. We pick up in the present where an elite team of heroes is being assembled to defend Canada against evil:  The Canadian (Larry Vinette), Fleur-De-Lys (Edith LaBelle), 8-Ball (Anderson Bradshaw), Nordik (Vanessa Blouin) and Black Terror (John Fallon). Heroes of the North is written by Sergio Rico and Christian Viel and is also an Indie Intertube winner for Best Credit Sequence (You need to see it).

Hard Drive 13

Our next pick is another web thrill ride, but with fewer heroes and more hackers. Nomad (Video D.J. C.B. Shaw) is a world-class computer hacker who is investigating the mysterious death of his father. But his efforts result in the disappearance of fellow hacker Lifer38 (Terry Levergood) and the discovery of the mother of all conspiracies. Nomad and secret agent and femme fatale Dee Thompson (Denyc) soon find themselves outrunning Agent 01 (M.E. Lewis) and the Interplanetary Security Department. Hard Drive 13 was created by Stephen H. Plitt and is produced by Plitt, Lewis and Michael Chmarca.

Venus Spa

Next, we head to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where the ladies of Venus Spa give the Gym Shortz crew a run for their money. It’s 1983. Phones have cords, Charles has Diana, legs have warmers, and aerobics instructors have attitude. Molly (Braeley Hobbs) is the blonde one, Ally (Danielle Brincheski) is the smart one and Nancy (Leilanie Giordmaina) is the one you don’t want to mess with. But Nancy meets her match when newcomer Andrea (Amy Simoes) challenges her to an intructors’ duel. Venus Spa is written and directed by Chris Greenaway and features the ‘80s music of Winnipeg’s The Pumps and Orphan.

In the Rough

Our final selection is the brand new golf webseries, In The Rough. Will Ryan (Jake Michaels) is a great golfer who never went pro. He’s dismayed one morning to learn that his club membership has been suspended because he hasn’t paid his dues. Things get worse when Will heads home early to find his girlfriend Quinn (Adele Gigantes) in bed with his best friend Danny (Bryan Stanley). But with the help of his old coach O’Rielly (Len Greenaway), Will just might get his game back. In The Rough was created and co-produced by J. Michael Dawson and Chantal LeBlanc-Everett and written by Reece Crothers.

Drama Queens: 4 Webseries With Chicks in Charge

Dumper Entertainment is proud to announce our latest animated webseries – Sketch 22. This month saw the release of the debut episode, Sarah Failin’s Disasta’.  Devin Mills (From Dating in the Middle Ages) plays Sarah Failin’ while yours truly (Justin Marchert J ) and Katie Wilson play Todd and Bristol Failin’ (respectively). Check it out at www.DumperFilms.com. For this month’s webseries category, we decided to look at drama – not dramatic thrillers like After Judgment and The Fall of Kaden, but rather real-life drama. It turns out all of our picks feature strong, female lead characters. Who knew?

Diary of a Single Mom

Ocean Jackson (Monica Calhoun from The Best Man) is a single mom hoping for a fresh start in life. She has a new boss, played by Richard Roundtree (From Shaft) and a new apartment. Here, she meets neighbor single mom Lupe (Valery Ortiz) and single grandmother Peggy (Janice Lynde). The three initially clash, but soon become each other’s baby-sitters, career support group, and even closest friends. Diary of a Single Mom is produced and directed by Robert Townsend and written by Cheryl L. West. The show recently won the Webseries of the Year award from podcast Indie Intertube (More on them next blog).

Anyone But Me

Our next selection finds another young woman in strange new surroundings. Vivian (Rachel Hip-Flores) is forced to leave New York City when her dad Gabe (Dan Via) suffers from 9/11-related asthma. A difficult enough move for any teenager, the transition is further complicated by Vivian’s courtship with Aster (Nicole Pacent), which suddenly becomes a long-distance relationship. New friends like Archibald (Joshua Holland) and Sophie (Jessy Hodges) have their ups and downs, but slowly help Vivian adjust. Anyone But Me is written and executive produced by Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward and received the 2010 Streamy Award for Best Female in a Leading Role.

Miss Behave

We go from east coast to west with our next pick, Miss Behave. Tori Archer (Jillian Clare from Days of Our Lives) is an affluent Malibu teen. School is for hanging with BFFs Dylan (Brett DelBuono from The Cleaner) and Danielle (Jenna Stone). Home life is shared with her brother Billy (Trevor Nelson), as their parents are rarely around. But Tori may lose her good girl reputation when Riley (Marco James) becomes the new bad-boy-friend. Miss Behave, known also for its extensive soundtrack, is written by Frances Gilbert and executive produced by Clare, Susan Bernhardt and Anne Woodward.

Out With Dad

Rose (Kate Conway) is another teenage lesbian. Or so she thinks -- or doesn’t she? We’ll see. The one thing she’s learned thus far is that her best friend Vanessa (Lindsey Middleton) is not (Or is she?). Things are further complicated by the men in her life. Guy pal Kenny (Cory Lof) is presumed to be her boyfriend, much to both of their chagrin. Her dad Nathan (Will Conlon) suspects her alternative sexuality, but is having as much trouble broaching the subject as she is. Out With Dad is shot on location in Canada and is written and directed by Jason Leaver.

Performers’ Pieces: 4 Webseries in the Actors’ Arena

We’re very excited to announce the next animated release from Dumper Entertainment.  November marked the premiere of The Film Bowl -- your typical movie review show except for one thing -- the critics are fish.  Check out the opinions of Gillbert C. Weed (Nathan Baker from Big Bother) and Finley Fitzwater (myself, Justin Marchert) as they scrutinize the cinema in “good cod, bad cod” fashion.  Hopefully, they’ll go easy on the actors in this month’s webseries category:  Acting Shows.  From celebs on their second careers to child protégés waiting for their start, Hollywood has them all.

EASY TO ASSEMBLE

What does an actor do after she’s hit it big?  Go  to work at IKEA, of course.  Illeana Douglas (From The Temp Life) has accepted a celebrity spokesmodel position at the Swedish furniture megastore, only to find out that they expect her to sell furniture.  When frien-emy actor Justine Bateman (From Wake Up and Get Real) joins the staff as well, the battle begins for the coveted Employee of the Month award.  Michael Kang directs guest stars out of every Swedish aisle.  Besides playing herself, Douglas writes and produces the show, which won the 2010 Streamy Award for Best  Ensemble cast.

THE DAY PLAYER

Before stardom and Ikea, celebrities begin as day players.  At least they strive for day player roles while they wait tables.  Leena (Helenna Santos from The Ex-Convict’s Guide) is just such an actor.  Her career frustrations manifest themselves in fantasy sequences such as stabbing angry customer Miranda Allgood (Also co-executive producer) in the face with a fork.  But on the other end of her imaginaton’s spectrum, Leena can sing her troubles away, with the help of co-workers Jane (Jackie Clifford), Marci (Jill Klopp) and Chef Al (Patrick Gallagher from Glee).  Santos also executive produces, writes and directs The Day Player.

WORKSHOP

Our next selection expands on the trials of one actor and introduces us to a network of Hollywood hopefuls.  Writers/producers Nate Golon and Kimberly Legg play Jeff and Kaitlyn, a pair of actors struggling to launch their careers.  To do so, they enroll in acting workshops, which may lead to the right audition, which just may lead to stardom.  Also enrolled are actors Adam (Phillip Jeanmarie), Vivian (Leanne Wilson), Matthew (Jonathan Schwartz) and Sarah (Audra Marie).  Some actors have good fortune, others bad.  But the one thing they all learn is that no-one has it easy.  Look for WORKSHOP: Season 2 early next year.

PRETTY

Some stars begin their careers before their 20’s.  As early as the age of 5, some children know they’re destined for greateness … or at least their parents do.  Annette Champagne (Stacy McQueen) is a contender in the Star Eyes beauty pageant. Annette’s advantage over the other 5-year-old girls is that she recently grew three feet (and two breasts).  Her father Michael (Sam Pancake) is the driving force behind Annette’s pageant ambitions, which leaves time for her mother Ribina (Dee Freeman) to carry on her affair with Michael’s brother Ethan (Troy Conrad).  Look for new episodes of Pretty: Season 2 every Monday.

The New Dumper Blog: & 4 Webseries With Bite

Welcome to the first edition of The Dumper Blog. Yes, if you're a follower, this will be very much like the old Big Bother BBlog -- a new category of webseries featured every month. The difference is that we've expanded from Big Bother news to encompass all of Dumper Entertainment's projects. We're extremely excited to announce that our newest webseries, Gym Shortz, launched this month on 10/10/10.  This animated comedy educates viewers on what to do (& not to do) at the gym. It features the voices of Taryn Southern, Maxwell Glick, and Jim and Justin Marchert. Check it out at www.GymShortz.com.

Vampire Zombie Werewolf

Halloween is nearly upon us, so what better webseries category could we feature than vampire shows? Today marks the release of Vampire Zombie Werewolf, the latest webseries from Rob Padgett and the cast of Life From the Inside. In the first episode, webseries producer Padgett is seeking funding for his latest project (Aren't we all?). Hollywood power couple Tad and Bunny (Steven Lekowicz and Tanya Ihnen, also from LFTI) are happy to help him out. But there's something creepy about the pair. Are they vampires? Are they zombies? Are they werewolves? Padgett writes, directs and even composes Vampire Zombie Werewolf.

Vamped Out

It seems like everyone is getting cast as vampires these days. Everyone, that is, except the vampires. Undead Alowisus Hewson (Jason Antoon, recently in No Ordinary Family) is fed up with being a vampire who can’t get cast as a vampire. His agent, Billy Goldborg (Samm Levine from Freaks and Geeks) isn’t much help. Through documentarian Elliot Finke (Kevin Pollak from Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show) we soon learn that there’s a side of vampirism not meant for the “Twilight” crowd. Pollak also directs and produces along with Antoon, Amber J. Lawson from Babelgum and Mike Rotman from Stupid For Movies.

Suck and Moan

If you thought life as a Hollywood vampire was rough, our next selection adds another twist to the tale -- zombies. This month marked the release of the vampire/zombie hybrid, Suck and Moan. Just when vamps Banyan (Courtney Geigle) and Henry (Eric Hailey from Dwelling) thought modern life was tough enough, anchorwoman Valeena McQuarry (Deven Green from Betty Bowers) announces an outbreak of zombies. Craig Oullette DPs while WebTV horror make-up specialist Caryn Coblio brings the zombies to life (or death). Joel Bryant (From After Judgment) performs in and produces the webseries, along with writer / director Brendan Fong.

Vampirism Bites

Our final selection plays on many different vampiric myths: Dracula, Twilight, True Blood, Castlevania, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, etc. These pieces of undead lore add up to one conclusion -- Vampirism Bites. Writer/director James Fernandez begins the story with Belle (Natalie Baxter), a newly made vampire, and her BFF Kristy (Lindsey Black), a newly made vampire slayer. Other vampires and slayers include Jesse Dunsmore, Jacquie Floyd, Jason Cale, Ryan Falchek, Miranda Tully, Dan Hiebert and Adiva Wayne. If you’re still looking for more vampire tales, check out our Valemont blog post as well as last October’s Horror Blog. Happy Halloween!

The Final BBlog: A Super Sayonara

All good things must come to an end, and with this post, so ends the Big Bother BBlog. We've covered the development of BB and featured over 50 other webseries. But have no fear! We’ll be returning with a new blog soon. Following the release of Big Bother: Season 2, there won’t be a lot of Big Bother news until we return next summer with the third and final season. BUT, Dumper Entertainment has multiple animated webseries in the works. We’ll bring you all of the latest news on them in the new monthly blog. We just haven’t decided what to call it yet J. On to this month’s WebTV category: Super Hero Shows.

The Greatest American Hero

Believe it or not, America’s favorite TV super hero of the ‘80s is back … on WebTV. Writer/producer Frank Zanca has reimagined the adventures of Ralph Hinkley (Allen Rueckert), the high school teacher who inherited a super suit, but not the instructions. This time around, Hinkley is joined by cheerleader sidekick Ashley Rizzo (Brittany Ross). Other cast members include Morgan Snyder, Duane Daniels and Don Stark (From That ‘70s Show). The Greatest American Hero can be viewed at Zanca’s video website StayTunedTV.net, which also hosts such webseries as The Darkness Descending, Safety Geeks: SVI, Murder Squad, Workshop and Big Bother.

Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog

Our next show is one of WebTV’s biggest success stories. Its super hero, Captain Hammer, is actually the antagonist to protagonist Dr. Horrible, the evil genius. Dr. Horrible (Neil Patrick Harris from How I Met Your Mother) has his wicked heart set on acceptance in the Evil League of Evil. But he encounters two obstacles: 1) His nemesis Captain Hammer (Nathan Filion from Castle) and 2) His love interest Penny (Felicia Day from The Guild). Joss Wedon (Creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) directs this family project, written by Maurissa Tancharoen and Joss, Zack and Jed Whedon, who also composed.

The Fury of Solace

Our next selection was inspired by Dr. Horrible. At ComiCon 2008, Joss Whedon announced a contest that would accept video submissions for the Evil League of Evil; the top picks would be included on the Dr. Horrible DVD. Thus, The Fury of Solace was born. In the musical pilot episode, we learn of the mysterious Fury of Solace (Creator Emmett Furey from Bumps in the Night), and the crime he once committed. We also learn of The Orphan (Played by Laurel Rankin), a blue-haired hero with a tragic past. Look for BB's Carly Jones in new episodes later this year.

Johnny Raikou

Our final show is a cross between super drama and super slapstick comedy. Johnny Raikou (Writer/director Jonathan Hance) is a hero for hire. With the aid of his friend, Friend (Portis Hershey), no case is too small. But their half efforts to engage in just enough heroics to pay the bills quickly spiral into a super adventure when they get involved with Jaden Adventure (Hana Mae Lee) and battle a human trafficking ring. Producer Amber Thomas mixes conventional comedy staples, like thought bubbles, with unconventional staples, like staples (you need to see it) to create a unique super show experience.

WebTV Wizardry: 4 Webseries of Fantasy Fun

We’re proud to announce the completion of Big Bother: Season 2 with the release of Episode 20: The Fast and the Furry-ous. Cast, crew and fans were treated to the entire season, as well as other webseries episodes, on the big screen at the recent season finale party. We’re also pleased to reveal the Big Bother T-Shirt; order yours today at www.BigBotherShow.com. The third and final season won’t be released until the summer of 2011. But this fall, look for a brand new webseries from Dumper Entertainment (Watch website for updates). And now for this month’s webseries category – one of my favorites – fantasy.

Doraleous and Associates

In a world ruled by barbaric warlords, the oppressed, fearful masses now have someone to turn to – Doraleous and Associates (for a small fee). Legendary warrior Doraleous fights for justice with the aid of his not-so-legendary companions: Neebs the archer, Mirdon the wizard and Drak the dwarf. Available on EscapistMagazine.com, this animated fantasy comedy is currently releasing Season 2 episodes every Thursday (Like BB!). The tale of the band of bumbling brothers is written and voiced by Brent Triplett, Nate Panning, Bryan Mahoney, Jon Etheridge and Tony Schnur, collectively known as Hank and Jed Movie Pictures.

A Good Knight’s Quest

Also from Escapist Magazine.com comes our next selection, A Good Knight’s Quest. Video gamer Dorian (Craig Frank from Compulsions) has a geek’s dream-come-true when video Princess Adriana (Show creator Paula Rhodes) zaps out of the game and into his living room. But the dream becomes a nightmare when she’s followed by wicked vixens Raine (Cathy Baron from Valley Peaks) and Sandrine (Angie Cole from Sorority Forever), servants of the evil Galen (Douglas Sarine from Ask a Ninja). Dorian, Adriana and Gabriel (Charlie Bodin) must save the world by completing A Good Knight’s Quest, directed by The Crew’s Brett Register.

305

One of WebTV’s biggest success stories is 305. After their webseries, a parody of the film 300, received millions of views, creators David and Daniel Holechek produced a feature-length, DVD version (Available at Blockbuster and Netflix). You know the story of King Leonidas and the 300. But what you don’t know is the tale of five other Spartans who were hand-picked to remain behind and protect the goat gate. This mockumentary style webseries focuses on Claudius the boss (Tim Larson), Darryl, his incompetent assistant (David Schultz), Shazaam (Edward Portillo), Demetrius the Blind (Sunny Peabody) and the almost competent Testicleese (Brandon Tyra).

Spellfury

Our final fantasy selection strays from the comedy realm into pure fantasy with Canadian W.T.S. Entertainment’s Spellfury. In this mystical world, Druinia, the heroic and beautiful elf (Julie O’Halloran), finds herself in possession of a mysterious sword. Evil forces like the ghostly Straos (Darian Tibert) will stop at nothing to reclaim the powerful weapon. Druinia’s only companion is the thief Tarek (Matt Ficner), whose incompetence makes him more of a hindrance than an ally. Additional cast members include Rob Drebitt and Penu Chalykoff. Spellfury releases new episodes monthly on Koldcast and is written and directed by Travis Gordon.