New Mediacracy

At long last - it's Part 2 of the 2013/early 2014 Year-In-Review! Recorded way, WAY back in February, we are again joined by a powerful group of New Media professionals, titans, and darlings, to discuss The Year (or so) That Was. Come along for the PART 2 of the ride with Bree Essrig (PopTrigger, YouTube sensation, who unfortunately had to run before we took the group photo), Kai Hasson (Portal-A, White Collar Brawler), Woody Tondorf ( Machinima , Dark Knight Legacy), Brett Register (DC All-Access, Lost & Found Season 2), and the triumphant return of New Mediacracy co-founders Zadi Diaz and Steve Woolf (YouTube Nation, which recently surpassed 1 Million subscribers!!!). Join NM regulars Bernie Su and Chris McCaleb for PART 2 of this free-form, insightful discussion about the exponential rise of Multi-Channel Networks (MCNs), New Media consolidation, online stars migrating to television and print media, controversial fan films, the tragic death of Net Neutrality, drinking blood, branding yourself, and SO

Just in time for Summer 2014 - it's the 2013 Year-In-Review! Recorded way, WAY back in February, we have assembled a powerful group of New Media professionals, titans, and darlings, to discuss The Year (or so) That Was. Come along for PART 1 of the ride with Bree Essrig (PopTrigger, YouTube sensation, who unfortunately had to run before we took the group photo), Kai Hasson (Portal-A, White Collar Brawler), Woody Tondorf ( Machinima , Dark Knight Legacy), Brett Register (DC All-Access, Lost & Found Season 2), and the triumphant return of New Mediacracy co-founders Zadi Diaz and Steve Woolf (YouTube Nation, which recently surpassed 1 Million subscribers!!!). Join NM regulars Bernie Su and Chris McCaleb for PART 1 of this free-form, insightful discussion about the exponential rise of Multi-Channel Networks (MCNs), New Media consolidation, online stars migrating to television and print media, controversial fan films, the tragic death of Net Neutrality, drinking blood, branding yourself, and SO MUCH MORE!!!

When you love what you do - and the people you do it with - working rarely feels like "work" at all. This axiom is true for the members of Natural Disastronauts, some of the hardest working people in new media. On this episode, we sit down with 3/4 of the internet juggernaut - multi-hyphenates Katy Stoll (Cracked, Prom Queen), Daniel Vincent Gordh (Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Hipsterhood, Cracked Advice Board) and Will Gordh (Cracked Advice Board, lots of other stuff!) - upon the release of their latest original series, "Hollywood Acting Studio" (created by 4th Disastronaut Kevin Best, and produced by Starz Digital). Join NM regulars Bernie Su and Chris McCaleb for this candid discussion about actually making a living in new media, the pros and cons of working with your best friends (and family!), the perilous and addictive immediacy of audience interaction via social media, the recent YouTube migration to "Saturday Night Live," the now-Emmy-winning "Lizzie Bennet Diaries," Bernie's new series "Emma Approved

For seven years, a young filmmaker tried unsuccessfully to get his script, an unconventional noir-ish detective story set in high school, made into a feature film. Everybody passed. Frustrated but not defeated, he decided to take matters into his own hands and raise the money himself. The resulting film was BRICK, and it launched the inspiring career of the film's writer-director, Rian Johnson. Join host Chris McCaleb for a special, shorter-than-usual episode, as we discuss Rian's directing work (including LOOPER and "Breaking Bad"), his interest in New Media, shooting film vs. digital, and MORE! Direct MP3 link

We're back with a lengthy year-end wrap-up! This time around, new media veteran Kathleen Grace (The Burg, The All-For-Nots, and now Manager of Production and Programming at YouTube Space LA) joins GigaOm writer and Attack of the Show staff writer Liz Shannon Miller, IAWTV Award winner and writer/director Brett Register, and Lizzie Bennet Diaries co-creator and showrunner Bernie Su. Joining them are the founders of New Mediacracy, Zadi Diaz (Head of Content Development at Disney Interactive Entertainment) and Steve Woolf (President of Blip Studios, SVP of Content at Blip), once again anchored by writer/director Chris McCaleb. In this freewheeling discussion, we explore the ongoing problem of discovery, YouTube's funded channel initiative, the newly-founded Blip Studios, the opening of YouTube Space LA, Hannah Hart's incredible tour fundraising campaign, the high profile departure of Ray William Johnson from Maker Studios, the mysterious industry blog "Working With Webseries Producers," our hopes for the y

In April 2011, Hank Green (VlogBrothers, VidCon, Project for Awesome) approached Bernie Su (Compulsions, co-host of this very podcast) to discuss the possibility of bringing "Pride and Prejudice" to life for the YouTube generation. Less than a year later, they launched The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, and within days the show had already attracted a dedicated fan base and the attention of international media. On this episode of New Mediacracy, we sit down with stars Ashley Clements and Mary Kate Wiles (also of Squaresville), producer Jenni Powell (Video Game Reunion, VidCon), and co-creator/writer/director Bernie Su. Join NM regular Chris McCaleb as we discuss the meteoric rise of this independent series, the highs and lows of interacting with fans (in and out of character), adapting a beloved novel for the digital age, interactive storytelling, their epic VidCon experiences, Tumblr feelz and so much more! Direct MP3 link

Heroes. Gossip Girl. The Vampire Diaries. House. Nikita. Fringe. All of these television shows have had successful companion web series, and the common thread between them is Retrofit Films, the upstart production company founded by filmmakers Chris Hanada and Tanner Kling. Join NM regular Chris McCaleb as we discuss making web series based on properties with rabid fan bases (and high expectations), navigating the world of branded content with some of the largest brands in the business, the irritating new media buzzwords that have worn out their welcome, the challenges of making cross-platform content to exist on both the web and television simultaneously, and their latest projects with Disney/Marvel, "The Fury Files" and "Marvel Mashups." We recorded this podcast in May 2012, and in the many months it has taken us to post the episode, Retrofit has hired former guest Ryan Copple as their VP of Digital Development. Congratulations all around! Direct MP3 link

Making an independent web series is always challenging, whether you're working with three million dollars, or three hundred dollars. On this episode of New Mediacracy, we sit down with veteran director Scott Brown (Larry King Now, Blue Movies, Asylum), multi-hyphenate Kristen Nedopak (Geek Girls Create) and producer/consultant Brian Rodda, to discuss their work in new media, as well as their two new series, Stockholm and Skyrim Parodies. Join NM regular Chris McCaleb as we talk about making porn funny, crafting your own wardrobe (and the surprising cost of fake fur), creating high-quality work on a tight budget, working with the actual Larry King, shooting in a basement, finding inspiration in video games, and spending special time with Denise Richards. Direct MP3 link

Still basking in the glow of VidCon 2012, here's a trip in the wayback machine to VidCon 2011, and a panel entitled "The Battle for Narrative & Relevance: Long-form serial storytelling and the search for an audience on YouTube" Join the group of adventurous convention-goers who managed to find our panel, moderated by frequent NM guest Liz Shannon Miller (Attack of the Show, GigaOM Video), featuring David Nett (Gold: The Series), former NM guest Ryan Copple (Riese: The Series, Halo: Forward Unto Dawn ), Kaleena Kiff (Riese: The Series), Celebrate the Web 6 winner Terence Krey (Oh, Inverted World) and NM regular Chris McCaleb. Direct MP3 link

What is it like to actually live the life of a professional YouTuber, an often all-consuming, 24/7 job that regularly blurs the line between entertainment and private reality? On this episode of New Mediacracy, we sit down with three prolific YouTube personalities - Olga Kay, Exotic Jess and Joe Nation - who have been living in the YouTube trenches (and for a while, under the same roof) for years, and survived to tell the tale. Join NM regulars Chris McCaleb and Bernie Su ("The Lizzie Bennet Diaries") as they discuss building and maintaining an audience, the importance of quantity vs quality, working in the circus, raising a teenage daughter, and the scary, crazy, exciting and wonderful life of a professional YouTuber.

In 2006, a group of young San Francisco filmmakers banded together to make the independent web series Break A Leg. Six years and countless struggles later, they're more successful than ever. On this episode of New Mediacracy, we sit down with most of the members of creative powerhouse Happy Little Guillotine - Yuri Baranovsky, Justin Morrison and Dashiell Reinhardt - the award-winning team behind Leap Year, 7-Eleven Road Trip Rally, Slurpee Unity Tour, and much more. Join NM regular Chris McCaleb as they discuss working with brands and celebrities, maximizing your resources, how to avoid getting arrested while making a web series, the old-timey importance of being featured on the YouTube homepage, and how their little series might have toppled a government (seriously).

So you made an independent series that is 100% true to your voice, your vision, and your passion... now what?  On this episode of New Mediacracy, we sit down with writer/director Matt Enlow (Squaresville, Mountain Man), writer/producer Tai Fauci (Whole Day Down, Palisades Pool Party) and producer/consultant Brian Rodda (Songs From Series). Join NM regular Chris McCaleb and Bernie Su as they discuss the challenges of remaining independent, the importance of a great marketing strategy, finding your voice amongst the noise of modern culture, and the very nature of art.

Part 2 of our 2011 year-end roundup! Most of this episode is about the IAWTV Awards happening this week! With GigaOm writer and Attack of the Show staff writer Liz Miller, writer/producer Bernie Su, IAWTV Award nominee and writer/director Brett Register, and What's Trending CEO (also an IAWTV Award nominee) Damon Berger. Joining them is producer and Disney creative exec Zadi Diaz, and producer and Blip VP of Content Steve Woolf, all anchored by two-time Emmy nominee, writer/director Chris McCaleb. Timeline! 0:00 First IAWTV Awards are happening 1:15 Disclaimers about everyone's current and former relationships to the IAWTV 2:30 Reference to the post-Streamys New Mediacracy episode 3:20 Some talk about the IAWTV LA annual member meeting 5:00 Bernie asks Zadi and Chris why they didn't run for re-election as IAWTV board members 8:00 Bernie talks about why he doesn't run for the board 10:00 Damon talks about his views on the IAWTV 12:30 Zadi talks a bit about the structure of the organization 15:40 Steve t

A feisty year-end wrap up doubleheader! This is Part 1 of 2 with GigaOm writer and Attack of the Show staff writer Liz Miller, writer/producer Bernie Su, IAWTV Award nominee and writer/director Brett Register, and What's Trending CEO (also an IAWTV Award nominee) Damon Berger. Joining them is producer and Disney creative exec Zadi Diaz, and producer and Blip VP of Content Steve Woolf, all anchored by two-time Emmy nominee, writer/director Chris McCaleb. Timeline! 0:00 Intros! Shout outs to Cindy Register 14:00 Shout out to Steve Garfield, part of the old school New Mediacracy from '06-'07 15:30 First mention of The Process, a web video podcast that never was 17:00 Can you cancel your own show? 21:00 The rise of the 7-figure web series 22:00 The inevitable discussion about the term "web series" 23:45 Opening the door on "independent television" 25:00 LouisCK's self-distributed success 25:35 Chris tries to table the LouisCK discussion 29:30 Chris officially gives up trying to table the LouisCK discussion

In the summer of 2008, a fiercely determined group of LA filmmakers set out to make a feature film with virtually no money. The film was BELLFLOWER, and under the leadership of writer/director/star Evan Glodell, and producer/co-star Vincent Grashaw, they spent the next three years achieving a fierce, singular vision that practically defines the term "independent spirit." Join NM regular Chris McCaleb as they discuss no-budget filmmaking, building your own digital camera system, sleeping on couches to survive, collaborating with 5 Second Films, creating an iconic movie car, and pursuing a dream against all odds. UPDATE! BELLFLOWER has been nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards - The John Cassavetes Award (Best Feature under $500,000) and Best Cinematography. Congratulations to Evan, Vincent, Joel and the entire Coatwolf team! BELLFLOWER is now available on Blu-Ray and DVD. Direct MP3 link

TV Line named it a "Web Series Worth Watching" in 2011. On this episode of New Mediacracy, we sit down with the creative team behind "Husbands" - co-writer/executive producer Jane Espenson (Battlestar Galactica, Buffy The Vampire Slayer), director Jeff Greenstein (Desperate Housewives, Friends), and co-writer/star Cheeks. Join NM regular Chris McCaleb as they discuss scoring huge cameos from Nathan Fillion and Michael Buckley, the differences between writing for TV and Web, the challenges of being subversive, the excitement of remaining passionate, and the dangers of having your wisdom teeth removed. Direct MP3 link

Direct MP3 link Perhaps no other web video series has been as successful or influential as "lonelygirl15". This week, we get a view from the trenches with original cast members Jessica Rose (Bree), Yousef Abu-Taleb (Daniel) and Jackson Davis (Jonas) as we talk about their experiences bringing this landmark series to life. What began as the fictitious videoblog of a young girl named Bree spawned a worldwide phenomenon, garnering hundreds of millions of views, launching its cast and creators into the spotlight, and redefining how a story could be told online. Join NM regular Chris McCaleb as they discuss the days before LG15, the highs and lows of massive success, Bree and Daniel's first kiss, getting shut down by the police, relationship drama, and MORE!

Direct MP3 link It's a very rare thing in life to achieve a childhood dream. In this episode, we have two women who have done just that: Paula Rhodes (A Good Knight's Quest, Hollywood Wasteland) and Stephanie Thorpe (After Judgement, Hurtling Through Space At An Alarming Rate), who discovered a shared love of a certain graphic novel: ElfQuest . Join NM regular Chris McCaleb as we discuss the saga of bringing ElfQuest: A Fan Imagining to life, as well as the pros and cons of IndieGoGo vs. Kickstarter, (almost) dying for your art, the experience of being a woman in new media, and the dangers of jetpack transportation.

Direct MP3 link Are you afraid of the dark? Buckle up for a triple dose of "T," as we return from our hiatus with three talented web creators who have been to the dark side (and lived to tell the tale!): Taryn Southern of Private High Musical and Sorority Forever, Taryn O'Neill of After Judgment and Compulsions, and Tony Valenzuela of Black Box TV and 2009: A True Story. Join NM regular Chris McCaleb as we discuss YouTube, the pleasure and perils of doing it yourself, the culture of distraction, the art of pitching, and ghosts (seriously).

Direct MP3 link It's a special episode with screenwriter and director John August (writer of Go, Big Fish, Charlie's Angels, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, writer/director of The Nines), talking about the entertainment industry, independent films, web series business models, and how he approached writing for his web series pilot, The Remnants. Join John and NM regulars Zadi Diaz, Chris McCaleb, and Steve Woolf for a great discussion that runs a little over an hour. We chat about John's incredible blog, how he got into filmmaking, working with Ze Frank as an actor, the initiatives that got started and fizzled during the writer's strike, and writing stories for a new medium and for new technologies.