Saw a Tweet Today Wondering About Creating a Web Series… Or NOT?? Ask Mark Gantt About Being FEARLESS!

Okay, so I’m not going to get on a soapbox and preach but I think it’s pretty amazing that web series creators are making their “Passion Projects” as my friends from the WebTV Workshop say… and that in itself says a lot about where the entertainment industry is going, everyone now has access, PLUS you have unlimited opportunity to reach everyone who has a smart phone or Internet access, so what are you waiting for?

Okay – so you hear people say “Be Fearless” and maybe you think it’s a cliche’ but when you look at the example of how web series creator/actor Mark Gantt took what was in HIS HEAD and made it into a webseries that now has international distribution by Sony…. you want to know more about how it was done, right?? How it can help you be FEARLESS!

Well… let’s start with what happens when you don’t let the word “NO” or the phrase “you can’t do it” rule your world…and you follow your dreams…

It’s been lots of fun to actually have seen Mark’s passion project and of course purchase “The Bannen Way” … can’t be a true fan if you don’t support the cause!! We did talk to him on the Red Carpet before winning a Streamy Award for best actor (this should get you pumped – yes I know, this is backwards storytelling, but it’s my story!):

Now that you see you be a True Hollywood Story and can achieve your dreams… don’t you want to meet the man, the myth, the legend? Here’s Mark sharing a tip after a recent Web TV Workshop Pro-Panel: WebTV Workshop tip.

Wait a minute… you’re not getting all pumped up and ready to be “Rocky” running up those steps in Philadelphia yet?? Well watch this clip and you’ll be that and cocky….Here’s the trailer for The Bannen Way:

Well, I hope I didn’t scare you off… Mark started off with a dream and didn’t settle. Now here’s the awesome part… Mark is holding a ONE day, open the kimono and share all in Los Angeles this Saturday. This is your opportunity to sit down with other web series creators – dreamers – and talk straight to Mark Gantt about how YOU can do it too. Here’s all the info about the workshop http://createyourowncareer.eventbrite.com/.

This special Saturday workshop covers finding YOUR voice to how the Bannen Way became the success it is — and he didn’t have a huge budget to start with. I can tell you we met Mark via Twitter and he has built a fan-base on Facebook and his pitch-site was amazing… but don’t let me be the spoiler… you should check the workshop out today… and if you have questions… and you should have a Twitter account anyways, ask him your questions about the workshop… You can find him here http://www.twitter.com/Mark_Gantt (tell him Stephanie sent you… oh, if you’re a casting director and want to have a successful project… cast Mark Gantt!)

This message was not paid for by Mark Gantt… but I did drink the Koolaid…. and soon you will drink it too!

More about Mark Gantt: Mark’s latest project that he co-wrote, produced and starred in called The Bannen Way (http://thebannenway.com) has been an incredible success. Financed by Sony’s Crackle distribution arm, this unique Web Series/Feature Film, has broken records with over 14 million views, won 4 Streamy Awards including Best Actor (Mark), Best Drama, Best Director and was nominated for 2 Webby Awards. Due to its vast success, Sony Pictures Television is currently developing the project into a TV series.

Be sure to check out the workshop information here…

3D TV – Web Series? Yup, Award-winning “Safety Geeks” Releases 1st 3D Comedy Series

If you haven’t been following what’s happening with video online – or the growing community of Web TV Series (oh, yeah… hello, all of us here at Mingle Media TV want you to go to sign up for our weekly reminders for our 30 LIVE web shows...) then you will want to start at the TOP with the “Safety Geeks: 3D” award-winning, scripted, web series.

Some background… Mingle Media TV met the cast of Safety Geeks on the Red Carpet at the Streamy Awards…

They hinted about their 3D production for season 1 and then invited Mingle Media TV to a LIVE press conference where we were able to SEE with our own eyes (using 3D glasses that are super cool looking – not like the ones from the 1950’s) the awesome FX of what 3D looks like in your living room… (Sony, Samsung, Panasonic – this is a shameful plug in hopes of sponsorship)… All I can say is Christmas can’t come soon enough, I want a 3D HD TV (my son says 72″ but I don’t think I can sell him for enough money to pay for that model).

Here’s some background on how they made the 3D web series along with our reaction to viewing it during the press conference yesterday:

Now, if you still haven’t seen the Safety Geeks series… we’re gonna make it easy for you -> here’s Season 1 Episode 1 entitled: Sexy Lap Dance of Doom!

Here’s the back story: Produced by Dave Beeler and Tom Konkle, “Safety Geeks: 3D”, follows the comic adventures of a semi-elite force of safety experts; the P.O.S.H. (Professional Occupational Safety Hazard) team who is obsessed with making the world along with bits of Canada a safer place. The CSI-like team investigates accidents to find out what went wrong and who is to blame, however, their involvement causes far more damage than they prevent, leaving a trail of chaos and destruction in their wake.

Be sure to visit http://www.yabazam.com to download your 3D version of this hysterically funny web series today!

Mingle Media TV Network to Air New Web TV Talk Show Series: In Bed With…Jeff and Melissa Debuts with Mark Gantt!

MMTVN is excited to be executive producing and broadcasting a New Web TV Series from New Media Correspondents Jeff Rago and Melissa Jun Rowley – taking an intimate look at the most interesting people making headlines today with their show “In Bed With…”

The “In Bed With…” web series is the brainchild of hosts Jeff Rago (entertainment reporter and producer) and Melissa Jun Rowley (TV and online journalist). Jeff and Melissa are the shows under-the-cover agents getting the latest scoop from some of the most interesting and influential celebrities, entrepreneurs, and activists making headlines today in both traditional and social media. The show is intelligent, fun and disarming, its pillow talk, as you’ve never seen before. The audience will be surprised what they uncover, as you never really know what’s going to come up in bed.

In the debut webisode of “In Bed With…” Jeff and Melissa interview actor, producer, writer, Mark Gantt, winner of the 2010 Best Actor Streamy Award in his starring role in the Sony Pictures Television hit series, The Bannen Way. Gantt has also written, directed, produced and edited over a dozen short films (including the award-winning Martine), as well as acted opposite Brad Pitt in Ocean’s Eleven, Burt Reynolds in The Hollywood Sign, as well as in many other films and TV shows.

About the show hosts:

Jeff Rago is a freelance entertainment reporter and producer who has contributed to both national (Extra) and international (CNN International) l news programs as well as entertainment websites (ComingSoon.net). From red carpets to one-on-one rooms to intimate sit-downs, Jeff has gotten up close and personal with some of the biggest names in Hollywood including Johnny Depp, Zach Braff, and Beyonce. Prior to his entertainment news life, Jeff spent 13 years working in the meetings and events industry sleeping in some of the most comfortable beds both nationally and internationally. Learn more about Jeff at www.jeffrago.com

Melissa Jun Rowley is a television and online journalist who has covered business news from the New York Stock Exchange for CNN Business News, red carpet glamour from the Oscars for CNN Entertainment and social action movements for Causecast. She has also produced and reported for Associated Press Television News, AMC, TV Guide Channel, E! , Entertainment and TechTV. She blogs about behind-the-scenes happenings at Hollywood events, activism, social entrepreneurship, family, love, and self-evolution. Melissa writes for the social media guide Mashable and for the LA Weekly. Melissa rarely sleeps, and she has moved around the country so much throughout her career that she has yet to invest in the kind of decadent bed she’s always dreamed of having. Perhaps, the time has come. Learn more about Melissa at www.melissajunrowley.com.

We Interview Honolulu Film Festival Silver Lei Award 2010 Winners: Diamond Confidential

Okay, so I never claimed to be the best interview and film correspondent, (and why MMTVN has professionals) but I was so stoked to interview Graeme Finlayson and Gary Klavans at the Streamy Awards on April 11th. Gary and Graeme were on their way to receive the Silver Lei Award at the 2010 Honolulu Film Festival – and I wanted to go with them!

Even though Graeme and Gary were not nominated for a Streamy, they were so very sweet and gracious to give us some time to find out about their new film “Diamond Confidential” which is done in a film-noir style.

If you like a good mystery the the intrigue and high stakes of “Diamond Confidential” are for you! (and me!)

Here’s a trailer for Diamond Confidential – tell your friends and look for this film:

The Streamy Awards 2010: Red Carpet Report – LIVE WEB TV

It’s so sad to see the criticism of the Streamy Awards that were held last night by some folks who were not there. As a producer of over 30 live web TV shows every week, I have to say, as much as I’ve done it (11 months) nothing ever works right 100% of the time – which is why Hollywood HATES Live TV.

With that said, there is much to be said about elevating the content of the show so we don’t have to apologize for what we are doing – hey most of us do it for free – or little money. We do it because we are passionate, we do it to entertain and some day, we will have money in our pockets for doing it. It’s gonna come. But if we keep pointing to the the lack of recognition and funding, people will think we’re “not worthy” which is not true.

As Mingle Media TV covered the red carpet and was in the the press room, where we had no audio for the majority of the show, I can’t speak for the content of what was happening on stage. We couldn’t tell from our vantage point if anything was going wrong. I figured I’d catch it on the replay.

Don’t let what happened on stage change the view of what is happening here. Web TV is here to stay. I heard a news broadcaster say yesterday that there was going to be an awards show for “New TV” later that day, I chuckled, really? OK? If you look past the #streamysfail tweets, and spend that time on viewing the content (found here: winners) then you will know what you’ve really been missing.

I will tell you that the red carpet action was simply wonderful, we met and spoke with many of the talented cast and producers who were nominated.
We have over 350 photos from the red carpet posted on our home page. We’ll have the interviews coming shortly and will let you know when they are ready to watch.

As someone who lives every day with tech issues from show to show (we produce 30 live web hour long shows each week) we do everything we can to stay positive, even when our “for women” programming is interrupted with graphic content or when you think you’re off mic and you’re not. I realize that it’s one thing to be on-set, in a controlled environment and then go to a production where it is live and streaming live on the Internet and then tech issues mount. But you can either pull your hair out or move on… let’s move on.

Hey, its life. I’m sorry to hear that there were so many mis-steps felt by folks who were nominated or didn’t get tickets or didn’t get to go on the red carpet. The greater good of the whole process is what we need to keep in mind and push past it and support the community. As for the content – well, I can’t comment and will leave it up to the others in the community to speak their peace.

Get to know: The Bannen Way: Trailer – Up for @StreamyAwards w/ @Mark_Gantt

If you love Burn Notice – you gotta watch the Bannen Way! Mark Gantt’s hot and this is a terrific series.

We’ll be on the red carpet tomorrow at the Streamy Awards and wish the cast and crew of The Bannen Way the best!

See you on Mingle Media TV.

From Crackle: Trailer

It’s the Streamy’s! HUH? Yeah, You Should Know!

Okay, I’ve been in the digital media space for a while… in the early 90’s (yeah, I’m that old) I was working in the newspaper industry developing technology that helped newspapers adopt WYSIWYG pagination systems output digitally in one page – which meant you needed digital images… and very expensive digital cameras. Fast forward to 18 months ago when I started working with Mom Bloggers handing out FLIP video cameras and then partnered with Creative Labs and handed out over 150 more VADO pocket video cameras while I was creating, launching and managing MomTV, a site where we streamed live web shows for Moms by Moms. It’s great to see the number of mom bloggers now using video for more than capturing memories but to do vlogs on.

On February 8th, I officially launched Mingle Media TV, a web TV network hosting a variety of shows with content providers who are experts in Parenting, Travel, Health, Fashion, Relationships, Lifestyle, and Fitness as well as popular Mom & Dad Bloggers. These live streaming webshows are marketed and syndicated across many sites including streaming on your smart phone with the ability to chat with the show host and the audience. Many of our show hosts capture a lot of video outside of their show and feature video segments during their live broadcasts. We’ve gone from a few hundred to several thousand live viewers during shows in a short time (love SEO and sphere’s of influence using Twitter!).

The Streamy Awards are important to us as they represent the emerging industry of “Web Television” and how we are all part of changing the entertainment industry. Plus, Mingle Media TV will be on the red carpet with Jeff Rago (new show host) as our correspondent so we are excited to see the event from our birds-eye viewpoint.

The Streamy’s will be held on April 11th so between now and then, we’re going to feature each of the Audience Choice Award finalists and their shows in a special post on our MMTVN blog so you can get to know them too and because they need your vote… we all need your vote. You will be supporting not only the amazing talent that are nominated but supporting the efforts of your digital peers as they follow their passion in creating video for more than capturing memories, but sharing opinions, ideas, interviews, and more.

Oh and if you want to host a live web TV show on Mingle Media TV – connect with @MingleMediaTV or email stephanie@minglemediatv.com with your idea.

Web Television Viewers: 2nd Annual Streamys Audience Choice Awards Voting Begins

We’re excited to see who’ll win this year’s Streamys Audience Choice Awards – which means YOU get to vote. Click on the links in this post to check out who’s up for this year’s awards. You can also visit Mingle Media TV and check out more info regarding the Streamys and tell us what your favorites are.

We’ll be talking about the Streamy Award nominated web shows on Mingle Media TV and welcome you to join the conversation – who’s gonna win? Post your favorites on this blog for a chance to win $100 Gift Certificate to Restaurant.com.

Go vote at www.streamys.org and then watch the live online broadcast of the Streamy Awards Ceremony, Sunday, April 11 starting at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific)

Audience Choice Awards Finalists

The Streamy Awards Audience Choice Finalists for Best Web Television Series are:

·         Agents of Cracked – http://www.cracked.com/video_18099_the-end-beginning.html

·         Anyone But Me – http://www.anyonebutmeseries.com/

·         Dorm Life: Semester 2  – http://www.dorm-life.com

·         Elevator – http://www.youtube.com/user/ElevatorShow

·         Noob – http://www.noob-tv.com

·         Star-ving –http://crackle.com/c/Star-ving

·         The Guild – http://www.watchtheguild.com

·         Legend of Neil – http://effinfunny.com/legend-of-neil

·         The Totally Rad Show– http://revision3.com/trs

·         The Young Turks – http://www.theyoungturks.com/

About The Streamy Awards

Presented by the International Academy of Web Television, the Streamy Awards recognize excellence in global web television programming for broadband distribution across 35 creative categories, from acting and directing, to editing and special effects. Members of the International Academy of Web Television review shows submitted through a free, public submissions process and vote on the final nominees and winners for each category. The Audience Choice Award for Best Web Television Series is selected by members of the public. Winners of the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards will be announced at the Streamy Awards Ceremony on April 11, 2010 at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. The Streamy Craft Award winners will be announced at a separate ceremony on April 7, 2010 at the Barnsdall Art Center in Hollywood. Founded in 2009, the Streamy Awards are co-hosted by a consortium of new media companies including Tubefilter News (www.tubefilter.tv) and NewTeeVee (www.newteevee.com), and are produced by Tubefilter, Inc. (www.tubefilterinc.com). For more information, visit www.streamys.org, follow @streamyawards on Twitter and become a Fan at www.facebook.com/streamys.

About The International Academy of Web Television

The International Academy of Web Television, an independent member-run organization comprised of digital entertainment leaders was founded in 2009 to promote and recognize artistic excellence and technological innovation in online entertainment. Members of the Academy are invited to join based on achievement in their respective fields, and include actors, agents, composers, content developers, directors, journalists, producers, technologists, and writers who actively participate in and support the web television and digital entertainment industries. The Academy oversees the annual Streamy Awards, which honor and recognize excellence in original episodic web television programming. For more information, visit www.iawtv.org, follow @iawtv on Twitter and become a Fan at www.facebook.com/iawtv.