Cosmic Comedy: 4 Webseries With Universal Appeal

Happy New Year! While 2009 saw the release of Big Bother, 2010 will bring (God willing) the completion of our webseries. Also in 2010, the second annual Streamy Awards will be held. These are the honors for the best in WebTV. Here’s how you can help: All categories select one nominee by viewers’ choice. So please go to Streamys.org and vote for Big Bother in any categories you like – Best Comedy, Best New Show, Best Ensemble Cast, etc. You can even vote for a specific cast/crew member. Learn more at BigBotherShow.com or The BB FB Page. And now, this month’s WebTV category – Cosmic Comedy.

The Crew

Deep beneath the important decks of the Starship Azarius, The Crew of the engine room is hard at work ... or something. Through a bureaucratic mix-up, the incompetent Captain Tom (Philip Bache) runs the show, much to the chagrin of experienced crewmen Tim (Show creator Brett Register) and Patrick (Craig Frank from Compulsions (Compulsions creator Bernie Su co-produces The Crew as well)). Other crewmembers include Mike Hart (The voice of Big Bother’s Boticelli) and Ariel Lazarus (from A Guy And His Beaver). The Crew had several WebTV guest stars in Season 2, including Jessica Rose (from Lonelygirl15), Robin Thorsen (from The Guild) and Taryn O’Neil from…

Hurtling Through Space At An Alarming Rate

The cast of our next selection are also Hurtling Through Space (At An Alarming Rate), but without a ship. HTSAAAR takes place in the apartment of Mike (Davies, show creator) and Stuart (Paap, from Live From The Future With Stuart Paap). For reasons not entirely clear, their apartment is on a cosmic journey, visiting such otherworldly realms as the Planet of Dirty Laundry. Also for reasons unknown, the boys can receive visits from neighbors Stephanie (Thorpe) and Taryn (O’Neil, both of whom are from Davies’ After Judgement). The season finale also gets a visit from Casey McKinnon (from Galacticast and A Comicbook Orange).

Zerks Log

We move from Babelgum.com (Where The Crew and HTSAAAR can be found) to Koldcast.tv for our next spacely selection, Zerks Log. “Three time fragments ago, Captain Zerks Ganymedewski (Ben Alpi from Star Trek: New Voyages), and his ship, the Venturi 553, disappeared without a trace. What happened to Zerks and his ship? No-one knew -- until the recent discovery of the Venturi’s log capsule” (From the Zerks Log website). Other crewmen include Abel Farnspet (Dave Condon), Lt. Suva (Sarah Babb) and Cilanjoe (Rob King). King is also a show creator, along with Steve Lettieri and Chris Conway.

The Cabonauts

The final selection, for the first time on the BBlog, is a webseries that hasn’t been released yet – Daily Motion’s The Cabonauts. But creator Hayden Black (from The Occulterers and Abigail’s Teen Diary) has a great track record, so we’re confident it will be a hit in 2010 (And who knows when we’ll feature space comedy again). Black and Norm Thoeming play galactic cabbies in a sci-fi musical Black calls “Hichhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy meets Flight of the Conchords.” The cast is completed by Monica Young (from Black's Goodnight Burbank) and sci-fi legend Nichelle Nichols (From the original Star Trek).

December Drama: 4 Webseries That Put a Chill in the Air

Happy Holidays! We’re excited to announce the release of our seasonal special, “I’m Dreaming of a Big Bother.” This musical romp features the BB cast playing Santa’s elves and dancing to hip-hop, country, disco and more. It also contains previews from BB’s upcoming weeks 3 and 4. Look for the return of new episodes in January. You also may have noticed the mini-redesign our website has undergone. We’re doing our part to be green. And now for our latest selection of webseries to see. We may not like it among our friends, but on the small screen, we love Drama!

Compulsions

Today marks the premiere of DailyMotion's new thriller, Compulsions. Creator Bernie Su draws us into a world where everyone has a secret. Justine (Janna Bossier) is the girl next door, except for her need to hunt -- people. This is handy for Mark (Craig Frank from The Crew), who has an insatiable need to hurt people. The compulsive trio is completed by Cassandra (Annemarie Pazmino from Sorority Forever), whose need remains a mystery. Director Nathan Atkinson and company were all on-hand for Monday night’s premiere event, complete with interviews by WebTV personalities Kristyn Burtt (The Web Files) and Cricket Lee (Fangirl's Guide).

After Judgement

Our next selections can all be viewed at KoldCast.tv, beginning with the post-apocalyptic drama, After Judgement, which garnered six Streamy nominations. Writer/director Michael Davies Jr. (from HTSAAAR) offers a grim picture of the future. The sun never sets, the oceans are poisonous and the world’s population is quickly dwindling. But one day, survivors Steven (Joel Bryant from Hillers), an ex-priest, Michelle (Taryn O’Neill, also from HTSAAAR), an ex?-prostitute and a cop (Jim McMahon) learn that things may be changing when they see a child for the first time in 100 years. Has humanity been forgiven?

The Darkness Descending

Deep beneath the streets of New York, a network of dark tunnels, hundreds of miles long, provide shelter for the homeless, escape routes for criminals and, possibly, answers for the rest of its inhabitants. In The Darkness Descending, some of these inhabitants, like ex-cop Jake Armstrong (webseries creator Frank Krueger), addict Skeeter (Michael Walton) and artist Harmony (Wylie Small), will soon learn there’s more to be afraid of here than the dark. “The Chosen,” a cult of sorts, have now laid claim to the tunnels. Director Mark Clebanoff and company have already begun developing the webseries into a feature film.

The Fall of Kaden

We travel from beneath the streets of New York to the mean streets of Chicago in our final dramatic selection – The Fall of Kaden. Loan shark Kaden (co-creator Adam Leiphart) has enough to deal with in his ne’er-do-well brother Danny (Joe Andaloro). Loose cannon Burke (Brian Troyan) has his own problems with unstable wife Nerissa (Diane Hren). But when Burke gambles away Kaden’s last $10,000, the fall truly begins. Director and co-creator Matt Doubler shot the series on location in Chicago. Wilson Cleveland (From the last Bblog post’s The Temp Life) associate produced (Perhaps during his 33-week vacation).

Office Humor: 4 Webseries You'll Be Discussing at the Water Cooler

What’s this? A new “Big Bother Bblog” just two weeks since the previous one? There are so many new webseries popping up that we may start Bblogging a little more often. Tell us what you think by becoming a Bblog follower (Link above, or comment below), a Facebook fan, a Twitter follower, and or a YouTube subscriber. Before we get to the new webseries picks, check out the new poster artwork for Big Bother (right). Find a larger version in our Facebook Pictures. And now, what you’ve all been waiting for. Our latest WebTV category – Office Humor.

The Office: Subtle Sexuality

The mockumentary style of The Office (BBC & NBC) has influenced the look of many different webseries, like The Crew and MyJobESearchOnlinester.com. But Dunder Mifflin fans may not realize that the show branched into WebTV with its own webseries, The Office: The Accountants, and several follow-ups. The latest of which is the recent The Office: Subtle Sexuality. In this newest incarnation, Kelly Kapoor (Mindy Kaling, who also directs) and Erin Hannon (Ellie Kemper) take advantage of their co-workers’ absence and shoot a music video for their girl band, “Subtle Sexuality.” Kaling also writes and stars in Strike.tv’s, House Poor.

Blue Movies

Intern Tom began his first day of work in a very different type of office – a porn office. Blue Movies, created by Scott M. Brown, is the story of what goes on behind the scenes of some of our favorite films (Adult films). Though Tom (Beck Bennett) has always dreamed of working in Hollywood, Pornamount Pictures was the last thing he had in mind. But with a little coaxing from Pornamount execs Max (Jareb Dauplaise) and Anna (Sascha Alexander), Tom learns that there just may be some dignity in films like “The Porn Identity,” “Forrest Hump” and “Men in Black Men.”

The Temp Life

One of the longest-running shows on the web is The Temp Life. They’re about to launch their 4th season (Imagine 10th season in TV world) in which Nick “Trouble” Chiapetta (Writer and creator Wilson Cleveland) returns to work at the temp agency after his 33-week vacation. Employee Mark Sebastian (Mark Jude) informs “Trouble” that he has been demoted from CEO to temp. WebTV fans will recognize many faces in this office: Sandep Parikh from The Guild and The Legend of Neil, David Nett from Gold, Taryn Southern from Private High Musical and Sorority Forever, and Wendy Rosoff and Angela Espinosa from:

Goodnight Burbank

“Breaking news -- broken reporters.” Long before Hayden Black was summoning spirits in The Occulterers, he was spinning tales in an even more fantastical realm – broadcast news. Goodnight Burbank, a fictional local news program (and what goes on behind the scenes there) has garnered praise from USA Today, TV Guide, L.A. Times and a slew of other publications. Co-anchors Gordon Winston-Smythe (Black), Kelly Jones (Shulie Cowen), Susan Jones (Jamie Denbo) and the rest of the newsroom do their best to keep the public informed, even if they aren’t. Look for Black in the upcoming sci-fi comedy, The Cabonauts.

The Horrors!: 4 Webseries that bring Halloween to the small screen

Big Bother is still on hiatus for a bit, so be sure to watch (and tell all of your friends to watch) the first 10 episodes if you haven't done so already. I can tell you that housemates will be "checking out" at a faster pace in upcoming episodes, be it by way of eviction or more dangerous challenges. But while you wait for the BB season to continue, check out our next selection of other great webseries. This month we feature horror webshows that set out to make you nervous, make you shiver and, some of them, even make you laugh.

Circle of Ei8ht

Today marks the official launch of Circle of Ei8ht, the new horror series from MySpace (and a list of other producing partners). Jessica (Austin Highsmith) has just moved into the Dante, a creepy apartment building whose residents include Ed (John Bishop), the superintendent who anticipates your EVERY need, Bale and Elaine (Josh Kelly and Katie Lowes), the expectant couple with TMI, and the always comforting stranger-with the camera, Randall (D.J. Qualls of "Hustle and Flow" fame). We first believe Jessica's only problem is neighbors with boundary issues. But by Episode 3, she'll learn what horrors lie in the Dante.

The Occulterers

Another long-awaited horror series releasing this week is Babelgum.com's The Occulterers -- a comedy of terrors. It features paranormal "experts" Jennica (Ellen Sandweiss of "Evil Dead"), Kevin ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer"'s James C. Leary), Chelsea (Amy Kline) and Herve (Not that one) Villechez (Hayden Black). The foursome investigates the dark secrets of Count Vampire's Castle and receive help from audience members who tweet about ghostly activity in various rooms. Black, who also produces, directs, and composes for The Occulterers, is widely known in the WebTV world for his webseries: Goodnight Burbank, Abigail's Teen Diary and the upcoming The Cabonauts.

Bumps in the Night

Continuing with the comedy-horror genre, we come to Strike.TV's Bumps in the Night. Got ghosts? Hard water? Look no further! Pool cleaners Emmet (Furey), John (Reha) and Greg (Benevent) discover a haunted swimming pool on their first day of work. Though John remains skeptical, it's hard to disprove paranormal activity when Emmett is dragged into the pool by unseen forces and Greg has his own wet nightmare. Unfortunately, catching their haunting on film will be difficult with a camera man afraid of ghosts. Furey is also the creator and star of the "Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-Long Blog"-inspired webseries: Fury of Solace.

Penny Dreadfuls

Finally, we return to true tales of horror with Penny Dreadfuls, another Strike.TV offering. We almost expect to see Rod Serling lighting a cigarette and offering his two cents in this Twilight Zone-esque collection of short films. Penny Dreadfuls is written and shot beautifully. But that's where the beauty ends. These tales of neglect, abduction and apocolypse have one thing in common -- their lovers suffer a gruesome fate. Creator James Arnall paints a grim picture of what love can do to castmates Carolyn Hennesy, Donald Agnelli, Christopher Collard and Michele Boyd (from The Guild).

Dice vs. Mice: 4 Webseries That Turn Geek to Chic

Hey Big Bother fans, we're continuing to feature other webseries we hope you'll enjoy with a different theme each month. Wondering what's with WoW? Don't know your charisma from your constitution? Are you baffled by dice with more than six sides? Then RPG webseries can help. From the traditional table-top games like "Dungeons and Dragons" to the high-tech, online versions like "World of Warcraft," role playing games have provided a fountain of source material for some of the internet's most popular webseries (Upon completion of this bblog, you will be awarded 400 experience points).

The Guild

If you know WebTV, then you know “The Guild.” This viral series attained legions of fans and even a sponsorship from Microsoft. You may have caught creator/star Felicia Day in the Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-Long Blog sketch on last month's Emmy Awards (Look for "Dr. Horrible" in a future, musical-focused BBlog). The show centers around Day and her "guild" of online gamers, including Sandeep Parikh, whose other webseries, The Legend of Neil, was featured in last month's BBlog. Other cast members include Jeff Lewis, Robin Thorsen, Vincent Caso, Amy Okuda and new to this (third) season – “Star Trek: TNG”'s Wil Wheaton.

GOLD

The "World 'Goblins & Gold' Role Playing Game Championship" is only a few short weeks away. The perennial second-place American team has undergone an upheaval -- their longtime team leader, Jonathan Drake (Webseries creator David Nett), has suffered a tragic, gaming-related accident. Maverick player Richard Wright (Rick Robinson) takes the reigns and tries to wrestle his new team (Nathan Mobley, James Paul Xavier and Gary Karp) into shape before the competition. Writers Nett and Andrew Deutsch pull us into the world of table-top RPG. "GOLD" was recently featured in the 2009 New York Television Festival.

Project Lore

If you're a serious gamer and interested in play rather than the players, then "Project Lore" is for you. This unscripted webseries provides strategy tips and other vital information for "World of Warcraft" fans. Each episode, we watch Joshua Brentano play a Draenei Warrior, Zand Broumand play a Dwarf Hunter, Jeff Cannata play a Draenei Paladin and Brandon Sato play a Draenei Shaman. Several roles are also played by host/creator Alex Albrecht. Albrecht also co-hosts the podcast Diggnation and is a member of improv troupe Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em along with "Guild"'s Day, Lewis and Parikh (small world wide web).

Chaotic Good Online

Finally, we return to the table-top with newcomer "Chaotic Good Online." In this RPG webseries, the game of "Magic and Monsters" is ruthlessly played out by "Game Master" Bri (Amy Vorpahl), Grant as "Fortinall" (Matthew Buchholtz), Taylor as "Nefariel" (Barbara King), Anthony as "Ra'Assinmatta" (Jake Regal) and Kyle (Ian Gary). Vorpahl also cowrote the webseries along with Essiem Buchholtz. Jason Axinn directs this geeky realm where "emotions run high and dice roll higher." Episodes 1 & 2 are available now. Keep an eye out for a "rockin'" third episode this fall.

Release the Bother!

Welcome back to another "Big Bother Bblog." In the last six months of Bblogs, we've covered everything from begging the actors to show up to multiplying gorilla suits through the magic of Final Cut. The final phase in the process was the June 18th release of "Big Bother." We must have done something right, because everyone loves it! We're still looking for all the viewership we can get, so be sure to spread the word. Since there isn't a whole lot else to say about the release phase, I thought I'd use the rest of this Bblog to share some other great webseries with you:

B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye

Just when you thought you'd never see a lesbian detective web comedy, along comes "B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye." Creator Regan Latimer and Associate Producer Rochelle Dancel have already won the 2008 AfterEllen.com Web Series Contest. With an all Canadian cast and crew, featuring Lindy Zucker and Dana Puddicombe in the leading roles, "B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye" is a distinctly new and unique production bringing to life strong female characters with the right balance of action, comedy, and diversity (Source: "B.J. Fletcher" website).

The Legend of Neil

After a drunken game of "Legend of Zelda," Neil wakes up in the fantasy world of Hyrule. Here, he must battle Ganon's minions -- from Tektites to Dodongos. If he can vanquish these foes and avoid an oversexed fairy, he just may save the princess. "Neil" has just begun its second season. "The Guild" star Sandeep Parikh created the fantasy comedy, which is a co-production of EffinFunny.com, Atom.com and Comedy Central. "Big Bother" fans may recognize "Neil" star Tony Janning as the voice of Lou the Dog.

The IT Chicks

What do you get if you add Playmates to "Office Space"? "The IT Chicks" comes pretty close. Written by National Lampoon's Scott Rubin and Phil Haney, this new webseries follows Stephanie (Elspeth Keller) and Chloe (Jade Catta-Preta) as they take on the biggest computer challenges an office can offer. But the real problems in this workplace are the workers. The worst of the bunch is Barry, played by Kato Kaelin (Who interestingly is mentioned in an upcoming "Big Bother").

Engaged: the Show

“A fake reality show made by a real couple about a fake couple who have trouble facing reality on their way to the altar,” is how creator Matt Enlow, half of the aforementioned "real couple," describes his latest venture, "Engaged." Matt's previous WebTV offerings include "Mountain Man" and "MyJobESearchOnlinester.com." In addition to the webisodes, "Engaged" couple Chrissie (Christine Weatherup) and Keith (Ted DeVirgilis) offer supplemental video "Quick Tips," such as: Call the waiter a prick, so that everyone knows who's boss.

Don't Bother -- We'll Fix It In Post

It's been another great month for "Big Bother." Fans got to see several new episodes this July, including "Big Bother: Family Edition," edited for all ages. We also recently switched from YouTube as our main webcasting site to Break.com, so let us know what you think of the new site. I have a small apology to make for the month of August. I'll be visiting family in England for the first two weeks, so "Big Bother" will be on a brief hiatus. Look for a the next new episode on August 20th.

Last month, I finished discussing the principal shooting of the web series. The next step in the process was (& continues to be) post-production. This turned out to be the longest phase of the (ongoing) project.

After we finished shooting, I thought I'd go to Shawn, our editor, with the footage and we'd start slapping together some scenes. Turns out there's a great big step that I wasn't aware of which needs to come first -- capturing. This is the process of transferring the recorded footage into digital files as well as labeling and filing them efficiently. As a first-time capturer working in programs and using methods I was unfamiliar with, this took me months.

Alas, between Thanksgiving '08 and Easter '09, I captured the entire project. Shawn and I were finally ready to cut a teaser -- a 30-second promo of the show. It took us eight hours. But we released it on April Fool's Day to rave reviews.

Next step was the trailer -- a 3-minute promo of the show. Composer Ben was hard at work coming up with some great stuff for the show, but it wasn't ready yet. So we added some of my favorite music by The Killers. We released the trailer in May, but got some immediate static from YouTube.

It seemed Universal Music Group caught wind of The Killers music and was not happy. I got an e-mail telling me they were deciding what to do about the situation. In the end, it was decided that the trailer could remain online, but it would have a link to The Killers music available for purchase on I-Tunes. Fantastic! It now looked, to the untrained eye, like we had some kind of cross-promotional deal set up with Universal Music Group. Works for me.

In June, we were finally ready to edit the web series itself. Though we shot a lot of great footage, we frequently found that we were missing a shot, an angle, a cut-away, whatever. This is where Shawn worked his magic and unceasingly found ways to execute the creative ideas we came up with to fill the gaps.

There were many video elements that ended up looking better than I could have imagined -- like the shrinking fairy, the gorilla filmmakers, and other visual effects in nearly every episode. What surprised me most about post-production (And it shouldn't have) is how long it takes. Each 3-minute episode amounted to over 20 hours of editing for Shawn and I.

Another major part of post-production were the voiceovers. Actors Nick, Perry, Mike T., Lavonne, Jen L., Mike H. (of web series "The Crew") David (of web series "Ghost Town") and Tony (of web series "The Legend of Neil") all lent their voices to bring the "fuzzy" characters to life.

As of this Bblog, we've edited and released the first six episodes. Just 24 more to go. :-)