In this blog post I'm going to discuss what it felt like unleashing the web series Twisted Showcase onto the world through the internets.
It's not a blog about how to make a web series, which by the way is lots of hard work but quite straight forward: script, cast, film, upload, promote. This blog, which will be in two or three parts, is about the month of March from my perspective.
Twisted Showcase launched on March 1st, St Davids Day, and it's last episode of Series 1 was launched 29th March. It was a hectic month, and theres more to come before the end of the year!
But I'm getting way ahead of myself because this all kicked off a week before the launch as we inflicted the trailer onto our website and all over the internet including
Ok I'll admit I didn't expect any of that to happen, I knew the involvement of Gareth David Lloyd would bring us some attention but was still blown away by it all. There seemed to be anticipation for Episode 1.
Peter & Paul
Nerves. Bloody fear. Most of all excitement. These were all buzzing around as we launched episode 1. We knew we had a great central performance from Gareth David Lloyd (for more on how Gareth came to star in our web series check out the Peter & Paul commentary on the Twisted Showcase website, it's not as interesting as you hope though) but feared how we'd be judged, this was a no budget series and maybe the promotion we recieved made us look bigger than we were. The episode launched as the clock turned midnight to take us into the new month. Here's where we discovered one of my favourite things about the series, the instant feedback we recieved over Twitter. Mostly positive. I still want to thank everyone who watched and commented, still can't believe it really. But, I also came across negative feedback. which do you think I focused on most? Hours and hours stweing over it, analysing what they said, watching the episode again to see if i could see it from their point of view. I couldn't. I learnt that week to let people have their opinions and not to let them affect me. not everyone is going to like what you're doing. Can't please everyone and all that.
Eyeball
Episode 2 was even more stress. this week we didn't have a star name to hide behind. This week was a more experimental film, our star was someone's Eyeball for fucks sake, oh and an egg we'd painted a face onto. It was a three minute film rather than a more conventional ten minute that our first episode was. There's plenty more reasons we were worried, we thought there may be a backlash from people expecting a continuation of the first story not realising it was an anthology show, how would this one go down? Bloody well as it turned out. People even stcuk with us and reviewed us, thanks Gores Truly and Blazing Minds. We felt this episode summed up Twisted showcase, it was a truly weird tale. So were glad it went down well, but we ralso realised the downside of the anthology series, it's really hard to keep an audience who have no reason to return. They've seen a complete story so why come back. We thought Gareth would bring some people back, but why, he's only in our first episode. Oh shit! Maybe TV executives are right not to go for anthology shows, it's a whole new sell every week. No they're wrong. Fuck them, it's a challenge but the anthology show needs to come back. Our thinking is once people get a feel for what Twisted Showcase is they'll come back for that Twisted feeling, which is happening and will hopefully build.
NEXT TIME: We launch episode 3, Fear of Living, I may go into some depth here as it's a film I have a lot to say about. Bob Dracula and Devil Inside Her may be part of Part 3, we'll see
Showing posts with label Twisted Showcase. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Twisted Showcase. Show all posts
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Monday, 27 February 2012
Web Series Interview 1: Danny Stack
In the run up to Twisted Showcase a web series you may have heard of in the last week or so, I'll be running a couple of interviews with the minds behind some great web content that I've enjoyed.
First up, Danny Stack whose comedy web series Liquid Lunch gained quite a following, and a definite fan in myself. Danny is one half of the UK Scriptwriters podcast and has a great blog that is essential for anyone interested in writing, that can be found here.
So, here's the interview.
You made a genre specific web series , a comedy, we’re going for psychological horror, do you think you have to be blatant with the genre for a web series or should this be a platform to try new things that would never be commissioned for TV and film?
I think it's probably a little bit of both! Genre always helps to classify what kind of show you're doing, and why an audience would be interested, but the internet gives you the freedom to do whatever the hell you like. So, yes, by all means, experiment or really push the genre boundaries. It all depends on the story, though. Stick to story as much as possible. Forget about gimmicks. Or at least, let the gimmicks feed or compliment the story, rather than distract or undermine it. Liquid Lunch was unashamedly a straight forward comedy web series - two blokes chatting in a pub - and I deliberately shot it like a comic strip (like panels in a newspaper). Kept it very simple, and let the story/dialogue be the focus.
Why did you want to make a web series?
I really liked the idea of Liquid Lunch, and knew that I could achieve it on a no-low budget. So, I did it! Initially, it was supposed to be a short film but early on, I realised that the style & story would be far more suitable for a web series.
How does your writing change when writing specifically for the net?
Your style of writing doesn't change (i.e you don't become a different writer), but the nature of webisodes has you looking at story in a slightly different way, in terms of pace and story development. Ideally, web audiences like things short and snappy, and nicely visual, too. And always try to end your webisode on a hook, to keep 'em interested.
What do you think you can achieve with a web series that can’t be achieved in other mediums?
You can do whatever the hell you like! You don't have to wait for permission. You don't need a lot of money. You don't need ANY experience. You can just do it! That's terrifically exciting. The internet is ours! Let's own it. It bothers me when budding filmmakers complain about what's on the internet. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT THEN! Show us what you got.
Are you targeting a different audience on the web than you would be for TV?
Slightly. Probably. Or, more precisely: the audience is the same, but the audience expectation is different. Web audiences can be more forgiving on rough production values, and give something a go based on the idea, and if it's any good. And preferably if it's short. This way, they can feel like they've "found" something, and attach ownership on it, and share it with their mates/network etc, and that's cool. On the flip side, web audiences can be very savaging on what they perceive to be bad acting, script, direction etc. But that's the internet for you.
Will Liquid Lunch have a second series?
Possibly! We could do it 'one year later', when Alex has returned from his travelling. Hmm... Am currently developing it as a pilot for a sitcom, as I still believe in the idea, and think it has loads of potential.
I'd like to thank Danny for the interview, and make sure you check out Liquid Lunch and don't forget about Twisted Showcase which launches on Thursday March 1st.
First up, Danny Stack whose comedy web series Liquid Lunch gained quite a following, and a definite fan in myself. Danny is one half of the UK Scriptwriters podcast and has a great blog that is essential for anyone interested in writing, that can be found here.
So, here's the interview.
You made a genre specific web series , a comedy, we’re going for psychological horror, do you think you have to be blatant with the genre for a web series or should this be a platform to try new things that would never be commissioned for TV and film?
I think it's probably a little bit of both! Genre always helps to classify what kind of show you're doing, and why an audience would be interested, but the internet gives you the freedom to do whatever the hell you like. So, yes, by all means, experiment or really push the genre boundaries. It all depends on the story, though. Stick to story as much as possible. Forget about gimmicks. Or at least, let the gimmicks feed or compliment the story, rather than distract or undermine it. Liquid Lunch was unashamedly a straight forward comedy web series - two blokes chatting in a pub - and I deliberately shot it like a comic strip (like panels in a newspaper). Kept it very simple, and let the story/dialogue be the focus.
Why did you want to make a web series?
I really liked the idea of Liquid Lunch, and knew that I could achieve it on a no-low budget. So, I did it! Initially, it was supposed to be a short film but early on, I realised that the style & story would be far more suitable for a web series.
How does your writing change when writing specifically for the net?
Your style of writing doesn't change (i.e you don't become a different writer), but the nature of webisodes has you looking at story in a slightly different way, in terms of pace and story development. Ideally, web audiences like things short and snappy, and nicely visual, too. And always try to end your webisode on a hook, to keep 'em interested.
What do you think you can achieve with a web series that can’t be achieved in other mediums?
You can do whatever the hell you like! You don't have to wait for permission. You don't need a lot of money. You don't need ANY experience. You can just do it! That's terrifically exciting. The internet is ours! Let's own it. It bothers me when budding filmmakers complain about what's on the internet. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT THEN! Show us what you got.
Are you targeting a different audience on the web than you would be for TV?
Slightly. Probably. Or, more precisely: the audience is the same, but the audience expectation is different. Web audiences can be more forgiving on rough production values, and give something a go based on the idea, and if it's any good. And preferably if it's short. This way, they can feel like they've "found" something, and attach ownership on it, and share it with their mates/network etc, and that's cool. On the flip side, web audiences can be very savaging on what they perceive to be bad acting, script, direction etc. But that's the internet for you.
Will Liquid Lunch have a second series?
Possibly! We could do it 'one year later', when Alex has returned from his travelling. Hmm... Am currently developing it as a pilot for a sitcom, as I still believe in the idea, and think it has loads of potential.
I'd like to thank Danny for the interview, and make sure you check out Liquid Lunch and don't forget about Twisted Showcase which launches on Thursday March 1st.
Thursday, 23 February 2012
Twisted Showcase Launch & Writers
Today the TWISTED SHOWCASE website launched with the tantalisingly teasing teaser trailer. Already I've had questions about it. What's the guy staring at in the garden? And what is going on with Gareth David Lloyd's hand? Being the main two so far.
I urge you to check it out when the series launches next Thursday, March 1st. A lot of hard work from myself, Rhys Jones, Leigh Jones as well as everyone else who helped on the series, has gone into this.
Not to mention the writers. Where it all starts, and where it began on this blog nearly a year ago with a call out for scripts.
So it seems to make sense to announce the writers on teh same blog that the opportunity launched. Writers on series 1 include me and Rhys Jones. But enough about us, what about the other writers.
Well, we have Richard Holland who runs an amazing website Uncanny UK on the paranormal.
And Leslie Cummins, who describes herself as a writer of comedy and horror, and a social hermit.
I'm practically fizzing with excitement from the news stories about Twisted Showcase today. Please tell your friends and gather around next Thursday to watch Episode 1 Peter & Paul.
I urge you to check it out when the series launches next Thursday, March 1st. A lot of hard work from myself, Rhys Jones, Leigh Jones as well as everyone else who helped on the series, has gone into this.
Not to mention the writers. Where it all starts, and where it began on this blog nearly a year ago with a call out for scripts.
So it seems to make sense to announce the writers on teh same blog that the opportunity launched. Writers on series 1 include me and Rhys Jones. But enough about us, what about the other writers.
Well, we have Richard Holland who runs an amazing website Uncanny UK on the paranormal.
And Leslie Cummins, who describes herself as a writer of comedy and horror, and a social hermit.
I'm practically fizzing with excitement from the news stories about Twisted Showcase today. Please tell your friends and gather around next Thursday to watch Episode 1 Peter & Paul.
Friday, 25 March 2011
Twisted Showcase Presents...
Hello,
Recently my film maker friend Rhys Jones (you really should check out his night killer films on the you tube) told me about this idea for a web series he had and brought me on board. Now, if you're a writer, we'd like you to be involved.
Here's the brief:
We are looking for writers to submit scripts for a series of short films in the horror genre.
The films need to be:
• 5 minutes in length.
• Horror/sci-fi/comedy and all the permutations that could come from that
• Domestic setting (when the normal meets the abnormal theme)
• 3 characters max
As we are working with no budget it would best to keep things small, as fun as a film about space men from mars battling a roman legion with a cast of hundreds set 3000 years ago would be, it would also be impossible for us to do. So keep it simple, but also let your imagination run wild as we are looking for interesting ideas here.
The rest is up to you.
The best 2 or 3 submissions will be made into episodes of the series.
We will be shooting during the summer and looking to upload the episodes around October/November time.
If you'd like to submit a script or if you have any questions please send them to
twistedshowcase@gmail.com
Deadline for Submissions is Wednesday 20th April
Cheers
Recently my film maker friend Rhys Jones (you really should check out his night killer films on the you tube) told me about this idea for a web series he had and brought me on board. Now, if you're a writer, we'd like you to be involved.
Here's the brief:
We are looking for writers to submit scripts for a series of short films in the horror genre.
The films need to be:
• 5 minutes in length.
• Horror/sci-fi/comedy and all the permutations that could come from that
• Domestic setting (when the normal meets the abnormal theme)
• 3 characters max
As we are working with no budget it would best to keep things small, as fun as a film about space men from mars battling a roman legion with a cast of hundreds set 3000 years ago would be, it would also be impossible for us to do. So keep it simple, but also let your imagination run wild as we are looking for interesting ideas here.
The rest is up to you.
The best 2 or 3 submissions will be made into episodes of the series.
We will be shooting during the summer and looking to upload the episodes around October/November time.
If you'd like to submit a script or if you have any questions please send them to
twistedshowcase@gmail.com
Deadline for Submissions is Wednesday 20th April
Cheers
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