Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Virtual Set Visit: Unit 207

This unit was used as Xal's apartment. We spent some time in the kitchen and office but primarily shot in the den area. It also served as our home base while filming. The wardrobe was sorted out and the prepped equipment in this unit.




Xal (Kirsten Scoles)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Trailer Announcement

Watch events unfold through the eyes of the security system's mysterious operator.



“Neighborhood Watch at The Hollywood” incorporates an innovative storytelling device called "Forced Perspective." Forced perspective is essentially first person point of view, which is nothing new, however the difference is that the viewer is forced to see the entire story through a character's perspective. The powerful aspect of Forced Perspective is that the viewer doesn't get to see what they want to see or even what they are used to seeing. There is no hand holding. There are no zoom shots to direct your attention to where clues might be-you're going to have to find them yourself. In “Neighborhood Watch at The Hollywood” the viewer is immediately introduced to the control panel of The Hollywood's state of the art security system and it becomes evident that they are watching someone use it to monitor the tenants. The console is completely functional and the operator has access to not only security cam footage but also video from cams hidden in apartments as well as mobile cams. Only the security system's operator controls what is seen and when and discovering their identity is central to the plot.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

One Year: My Turn

As I sit here it's 4:30 am early Wednesday morning. Later today I'm meeting with my editor to lock down a final cut of the trailer for Neighborhood Watch at the Hollywood. I can't sleep as thoughts of how to best promote it race through my head. It could prove to be a crucial test for the show. For the last year I have ate, slept and breathed this project. (Which is a funny expression because as I just indicated, I don't sleep much.) It is my white whale. Welcome to my world.

Inspired by Chris Preksta's One Year post celebrating the one year anniversary of wrapping principal photography of his show, I decided to follow suit. A year ago today we weren't quite wrapped but in the middle of our 58 pages in 6 days shoot. First I need to acknowledge the cast and crew for their fine work and others behind the scenes for their support. They are ever present in my thoughts, a constant reminder that I'm responsible to the people who have shown faith in me which is a great source of motivation.

I keep replaying the decisions I have made for the project this past year. Did I zig when I should have zagged? The truth is I made the best decisions I could have at the time. While I may have done things differently today, it's because there are some options today that weren't available back then. It's comforting to know that there are other independent unestablished self-funded(ind-uns for the sake of brevity) out there like me who share the same struggles. By the same token, it's disconcerting to know these struggles have not gotten easier by now when really, they should be.

There is no Sundance for ind-uns. Those championing our cause are too few and far between. There are many that could be. There are a few that should be and perhaps a couple that are making an effort, but for the most part we are in no better position then we were a year ago. I've heard all the excuses none more than "it's the economy." Well I got news for you, smart people seem to find a way to make plenty of money in a bad economy. I knew when the wallets slowly cracked open they would be for project with "names" attached or for players already established in New Media and if you look at the deals that have happened in the past few months, that has been the case. It's a good thing I didn't listen. It was apparent that on top of everything else I was going to have to get familiar with the advertising biz. So I refined my own pitch, identified my own targets, researched my own contacts and enlisted help to shop the show whenever I could. The good news is that I've recently found a kindred New Media spirit to storm the beach and carry the flag for the show.

So other than the trailer, where are we? I feel like we have a really unique opportunity to show that ind-uns shows can integrate brands. That's an honor I'd be proud to have. As I said, fortunately the show really provides some organic seamless spots for integration. Unfortunately, we really need the funding to finish the project the way it should be finished. While we have the footage "in the can" the concept requires a great deal of animation and some effects. It makes me wonder sometimes if the concept was just too big for me to pull off. That being said, I believe you should go big or go home. Preliminary feedback has been great and I'm convinced the show will be well received.

My greatest source of stress this pass year is that I will let everyone down. The cast. The crew. My family. My friends. Mel Kimman of the Hollywood, who saw something in me that made him provide an awesome location to shoot in. (It shall be served.) And myself. The thought that I have so many projects I'd love to do that may never see the light of day. I take solace in the fact that whenever I put my mind, heart and soul to something I get it. To those who kept the faith, I'll remember it. To those who lost faith I won't hold it against you, but I'll remember that too. I shall finish the game.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Virtual Set Visit: Unit 302



Recently, there was a conversation on twitter about whole web series taking place in one apartment. Neighborhood Watch was filmed entirely at the Hollywood (hence the title.) The character's "apartments" are actually the completely furnished and decorated models of luxury condo units. In addition to the units we had access to all the amenities the Hollywood has to offer. In this first of a series of Virtual Set Visit post we'll take you to one of the locations we used as sets.


This unit primarily functions as Brenda's apartment although we used rooms for Pia and Cam's apartment as well.

For more info. on the Hollywood condos visit: www.livethehollywood.com

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Sneak Peak of the New Trailer

Showed a sneak peak of the new trailer to our friends over at Anchor Cove that was covered up by lg15Today: http://bit.ly/148Kjx

Lots of positive reaction!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Cast Bios: Becki

Becki Kregoski has been acting since she was six, and making a living from it in Los Angeles for the past two and a half years. When not thriving in the busy world of Hollywood, she resides in the back pocket of Nathan Fillion.
Currently, Becki stars in the most highly revered internet reality show, MaxterBexter, with her friend Maxwell Glick. They have nearly 6.2 billion subscribers, and are excited for the next generation to be born and join the rest of the world in the joy that is…MaxterBexter.
In her spare time, Becki enjoys taking bellydancing classes, lighting candles, stargazing, camping, rolling down grassy hills in big-rig tires, climbing trees, climbing mountains, and wrangling rabid penguins.
Becki would like to thank the cast and crew of Neighborhood Watch at the Hollywood for all their amazing loveliness, friendships and inside jokes, and wants Andrew to suck it up and finally deal with the fact that if, given the choice, Babs would always choose Bren first.
So now, we’ll just jump and see if we can fly.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Cast Bios: Lisa

Lisa Kowalski began acting at a young age studying at the National Institute of Dramatic Art and the Australian Theatre For Young People throughout high school. In 2006 she made her feature film debut in the award winning Australian film 'The Black Balloon', in addition to working on stage (ATYP, Ensemble Theatre, New Theatre), in commercials as well as short films, including 'The Last Cherry' which she recently wrote and directed and which has gone on to win several awards including Best Short at the Feel Good Film Festival. She is currently completing her BFA at Sydney University in addition to studying at Playhouse West.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Cast Bios: Sharon

Sharon Ingram hails from Silver Spring, MD where she began acting, dancing and singing at an early age. She began her performance training at the Howard University Children's Theater. She went on to graduate from Howard University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and minor in Theatre Arts. While in her teens she was a member of a vocal quintet, Phoenix that signed with Warner Bros. Records. While in the group, she worked with many great artists and producers including Boyz II Men, Rich Harrison and Chucky Thompson.

Sharon always knew she would return to acting. While in New York, Sharon performed in an off-broadway production of HAIR and toured the country with Theatreworks. Since moving to Los Angeles, Sharon has appeared in the Underground Theatre production of GETTING OUT. On screen she has appeared on Hanna Montana, the ABFF short film finalist HOLY FIT, IS LOVE ENOUGH, BETRAYAL and feature film CORDIALLY INVITED. Sharon is presently training in Los Angeles with the Tasha Smith Actors Workshop and looks forward to many happy years of working on many more great productions!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Cast Bios: Kirsten

Kirsten Scoles is a recent transplant from New York where she worked steadily in theatre and independent film. Past credits include: Film: “Imagine That” and “Clones Gone Wild” (Deadeye Films), “Leave Me Behind”, “Calm Like a Bomb”, “Exclusive” and others, including the forthcoming “Technicolor Llama” (Victory of the People Prods.). TV: “Guys Like Us” (pilot for Showtime), “Cinemania” (AMC). NYC Theatre: Hamlet and Servy-N-Bernice 4Ever (BOFA Prods.), The Cascade Falls (Bat Country), Pleaching the Coffin Sisters (Ensemble Studio Theatre), The Period Fairy (Young Mirror Rep.), Reckless, Ghosts, and others. Kirsten is also a co-founder and co-artistic director of Bat Country, an NYC-based theatre company. BFA-Acting, Hofstra University.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Feb. Tubefilter Meetup Clip



Ian Deitchman (CCO, co-founder, Strike.TV) and Anthony DeLosa (Creator, NW@TH) discuss production quality at the indie level.

Clip begins at 2:40

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

New Promo Image



Pictured L-R: Kirsten Scoles, Windham Beacham, Sharon Ingram, Lisa Kowalski, Becki Kregoski and Andrew Lander.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Introducing the Cast!



Pictured L-R: Becki Kregoski, Andrew Lander, Dylan Ramsey, Sharon Ingram, Lisa Kowalski, Windham Beacham and Kirsten Scoles

Not Pictured: Michael Moon, Elizabeth J. Carlisle, Charlie Heydt, Logan Rapp, Joshua Weiner and Daniel Weiss.

Thursday, January 29, 2009