Category Archives: Web Series

Reminder: Kiefer Sutherland’s web series ‘The Confession’ premieres tonight on Hulu

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The Confession, fully previewed here, is a thriller that follows a hitman (Kiefer Sutherland) who has a theological discussion with a priest (John Hurt) about why his victims deserved to die. The series streams exclusively on Hulu; 10 five-to-seven-minute webisodes have been produced. The first batch of “chapters” have been made available to watch starting today. In “Chapter 1” Sutherland enters a Catholic church confessional where he confronts a priest at gunpoint and forces the holy man to listen to his sins. Sutherland makes it a point that it has been 35 years since his last confession. The episode switches back and forth between the confession and action-packed flashbacks highlighting the hitman’s misdoings. Having watched the first episode I can say though this new character is not Jack Bauer, Sutherland certainly can’t contain the man he played for so many years. Also of note, 24‘s composer Sean Callery has produced the music for this series, and you can hear (ever-so-slightly) hints of 24‘s sound effects. Whether or not you’re a fan of the genre-defining FOX show you should make some time to watch this top notch, high caliber series being distributed over the web. Graphic scenes do pop up, so if you haven’t signed up for a free Hulu account you’ll have to do that to access the video page.

Watch the intense trailer above, then head over to Hulu and stream the first three chapters of The Confession.

Dr. Horrible, the book

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Well what do we have here? Something to hold us all over until the hotly anticipated Dr. Horrible sequel–that’s what! The Brothers Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen have put together a Horrible book that includes exclusive new material from the production team including a full transcription of the script, sheet music, a costume feature, a section highlighting the merchandise spawned by the musical, and contributions from the cast and crew. Said contributions from the cast include a discussion between Joss, Zack, Jed, and Maurissa, words from stars Felicia Day (Penny) and Simon Helberg (Moist), an afterward written by Neil Patrick Harris, a Horrible Haiku written by Nathan Fillion, and this introduction straight from the mouth of Captain Hammer himself:

People often ask me me to write the introductions to their books. They ask me to speak at their school, be the Godfather to their child, or make a spurty in their lady place.

I usually say no. Books don’t interest me, school is for sissies, and the Godfather was a bad man who did mob crime. The lady thing is okay, as long as it’s between consenting adults and no one gets hurt/slapped with a paternity suite. But to conclude this word section, books are for coffee tables.

But this book is different.

So yeah, this is a must-buy for every Horrible fan out there. It goes on sale March 29 and Amazon has it up for preorder at $13.57.

[Via SciFiMafia]

Felicia Day is ready to up the ante with new ‘Dragon Age’ web series

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BioWare, the studio behind the role-playing game franchise Dragon Age, has tapped web series guru Felicia Day to produce a brand new series based in the world of the game. Dragon Age: Redemption takes place in Ferelden, the same environment Bioware’s original Dragon Age and upcoming Dragon Age 2 games are set in. Day, who penned the story, will play Tallis an Elven assassin who she describes as being “headstrong, she fights dirty, and she has a really sarcastic sense of humor.”  She adds, “I wanted to bring a modern sensibility to a fantasy character in a fantasy world.” Day teamed up with director Peter Winther (associate producer of Independence Day), cinematographer John Bartley (Lost‘s DP), and props extraordinaire Greg Aronowitz to up the ante in terms of web series creation. “They are going to take this a step above what we have seen on the Web before,” says Day. Comedy web series The Guild this is not. Expect higher production value and kick-ass action sequences to boot. More than serving as a marketing device for Bioware (and parent company EA), Redemption will further propel the art of the web series into an entirely new realm of respectability…certainly if Felicia Day has anything to say about it.

Last night Day was a featured guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and there she premiered a teaser trailer for the series. Watch the trailer above and click after the break to find the Fallon segment. Dragon Age: Redemption is slated to begin its six-episode run this summer.

[Via USA Today] Continue reading Felicia Day is ready to up the ante with new ‘Dragon Age’ web series →

‘The Guild’ gets picked up for season 5

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Do you watch the fantastic web series The Guild? Well I’ve got some great news for you: sponsors Microsoft and Sprint have picked up The Guild for a fifth season! In case you’re living inside a bubble, the long-running web series follows the on- and off-line lives of a group of MMORPG gamers. The wildly colorful characters and the laugh-out-loud words they speak to one another were imagined by co-creator and writer Felicia Day. Says Day to GigaOm, “We’re lucky that we have such an eager fanbase and that our numbers have stayed so high. Partnering with Xbox increased our fanbase in a real way–it introduced us to millions of people who never would have seen it before.” She adds, “Every season has had a different style and sensibility. That has been on purpose. We’re always exploring different aspects of our characters. This season will be no different!”

After last season’s cliffhanger of an ending, it’s expected that Day will take the gang to a convention for the game they play. According to co-creator Kim Evey, cosplayers may or may not be involved. Director Sean Becker, confirmed to helm season 5, adds to the conversation. “The convention based story line will allow us to take these characters further out into the unknown (meaning away from their computers), which will be new to us as well on the production side,” he told Tubefilter. “I look forward to personally exploring this new environment as well as seeing the characters interact in it. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and by fun I mean extremely hard work.”

If you aren’t caught up on all the seasons, run–don’t walk–to portals like Xbox Live, MSN Video and the Zune Marketplace to watch them. I can confidently say that The Guild is bar none the greatest web series of all time. And I’m not just saying that because I contributed to the production of season 4. It’s smart, funny, witty, and best of all it’s a feel-good comedy that always leaves you wanting for more. Expect season 5 to hit the ‘Net this summer. But will season 5 be the last? According to Day, don’t even think about. “For the end of this season, I have an idea for what I want to do and it’s definitely not closing a door. I’m definitely not planning to make Season 5 the final one. The characters are a vast well. I can’t stop coming up with ideas for them.”

[Via GigaOm; Tubefilter]

Kiefer Sutherland transitions from ’24’ to upcoming web series ‘The Confession’

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The trials and tribulations of Jack Bauer have come to an end, so what’s next for the incredible actor who played our nation’s hero for eight years?  In a surprising move, Kiefer Sutherland has decided to test the Internet waters in an upcoming web series produced by Sutherland, Chris Young, Joseph Gomes, and Maura Mandt.  It’s called The Confession and Sutherland stars as “a hitman who has a theological discussion with a priest (played by English actor John Hurt) about why his victims deserved to die.”  The series, written and directed by Brad Mirman, was shot in New York during the snow storm last month over nine days.

Sutherland shared with EW his excitement about this new project.  The origin story: “It came about in such a different way,” Sutherland said.  “I was meeting a couple friends of mine, who wanted to introduce me to Chris Young (of Digital Broadcasting Group). I know so little about the internet, but that’s what a lot of friends do for work. Most of that stuff being produced for the internet is comedy, very much like Jackass kind of material, which is great but didn’t appeal to me. Chris started talking about wanting to do a drama, but his criteria was so different. A drama in five-minute episodes! It was one of those things, like a puzzle over the course of the lunch. It can’t be that complicated to figure out a story in five minutes, right? I couldn’t, and it frustrated the crap out of me. So I went home that night, still thinking about it, and it stayed with me for three days. I was falling asleep when I literally got this idea of a confessional.”

He thinks that creative content distributed over the Internet is the wave of the future.  “None of us were paid what we normally get paid,” Sutherland admitted. “Everybody found their own challenge in it, and that was the reason to do it. All of us believe very strongly that the internet is the future, the largest network in world, with the ability to reach a big audience.” Continue reading Kiefer Sutherland transitions from ’24’ to upcoming web series ‘The Confession’ →

‘The Jeff Lewis 5-Minute Comedy Hour’ premieres on YouTube

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As promised, the first episode of The Jeff Lewis 5-Minute Comedy Hour is here!  The (web) series premiere “Tag” stars comedian Jeff Lewis (The Guild) and fellow Guild castmates Brett Sheridan and siblings Vince & Tara Caso.  There’s minor instances of NSFW language, so beware.  The video is embedded after the break.  In my opinion the preview episode “Dinner” screened at Comic Con’s Celebrate the Web panel is laugh out loud hilarious on a whole different level for its gracious use of explitives and gross humor; but that’s just me.

The ten-episode first season was written by Lewis and directed by Sean Becker (The Guild, Awkward Pictures).  Guest stars will include Felicia Day (The Guild), Vince Caso (The Guild), Tara Caso (The Guild), Brett Sheridan (The Guild), Jamie Kaler (My Boys), Kyle Bornheimer (Worst Week), Tom Konkle (Safety Geeks SVI), and Kim Evey (Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show).  Watch out for new one-sketch episodes every Tuesday on YouTube.

[Via TubeFilter] Continue reading ‘The Jeff Lewis 5-Minute Comedy Hour’ premieres on YouTube →

Jeff Lewis stars in the The Jeff Lewis 5 Minute Comedy Hour

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The name of this new web series gets me every time: The Jeff Lewis 5 Minute Comedy Hour.  “Coming soon” is this new foul-mouthed, crazy hilarious series that brings The Guild‘s Jeff Lewis into the spotlight.  The first season is directed by Sean Becker (The Guild, Awkward Pictures).  I was given a taste of the first few episodes this summer and I must say they truly are freaking laugh-out-loud hilarious.  Lewis is riot; it’s about time he’s starring in his own series.  The video above was shared last week at Comic Con during the “Celebrate the Web” panel.  It was received extremely well by the crowd.  Do yourself a favor today and watch this sneak peek and prepare yourself for the hilarity that will surely ensue when the “5 Minute Comedy Hour” hits the web soon.

Warning: This video contains lots and lots of swearing.

The Guild’s latest music video goes Bollywood! [Update: iTunes DL link]

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I still can’t get “(Do You Wanna Date) My Avatar” out of my head and now there’s this!  At this year’s Comic Con acclaimed web series The Guild unveiled their latest creation, Bollywood-inspired music video.  The lyrics are catchy (again), the production value is top notch, and the art direction is superb (thanks to the enormously talented Greg Aronowitz).  So watcha waiting for?  Jump in and GAME ON!

Update: Great new, Guildies!  “Game On” is now available to purchase for keeps at iTunes.  Since it was placed in the digital store it quickly climbed the charts to become the #1 top-selling pop music video in the US and UK, surpassing the likes of Justin Bieber and Katy Perry.  The video currently stands at the #2 spot behind Kenny Chesney for top-selling overall music video.  Help the cause, purchase a copy, and let’s make “Game On” the top-selling music video today!

Rob Corddry’s “Childrens Hospital” web series coming to Adult Swim this summer

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You know Rob Corddry.  He started as a correspondant on The Daily Show and he starred in the failed FOX series The Winner and movies Harold & Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay and Hot Tub Time Machine.  Well he’s a got an award-winning web series called “Childrens Hospital” and it’s downright hysterical.  Created and written by Corddry and collaborators David Wain and Jonathan Stern, “Childrens Hospital” is a satirical medical comedy that “explores the emotional struggles and sexual politics of a group of doctors charged with healthy libidos.  Their dedication to their personal lives is relentless, interrupted only by the occasional need to treat sick children.” 

Check out this all-star cast: Rob Corddry, Malin Akerman (Watchmen), Lake Bell (How To Make It In America), Ken Marino (Party Down), Megan Mullally (Will & Grace), Rob Huebel (Human Giant) and Henry Winkler.  And the guest stars are even better:  Ed Begley Jr. (Arrested Development), Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation), John Cho (Star Trek), Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters), Kurtwood Smith (That ’70s Show), Lizzy Caplan (Party Down), Rachel Harris (The Hangover) , David Wain, Paul Scheer (Human Giant), Kerri Kenney-Silver (The State), Marion Ross (Happy Days),  Erinn Hayes (Worst Week),  Jason Sudeikis (SNL),  Ed Helms (The Office), and Michael Cera (Arrested Development).

What started as a web series is being turned into a television show to be aired on Adult Swim (late-night Cartoon Network) this summer.  You can watch season one in its entirety right now at TheWB.com, or you can wait to watch it on TV starting July 11 at 10:30PM.  Watch the trailer here.  Ten episodes have been produced and they’re each about 4-5 minutes long.  Season two will follow in August.

[Via IGN]

The Guild issue #2 is out now

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Web series-turned-comic book The Guild is back with issue numero dos today.  Go ahead and preview it at Dark Horse Comics.  You can buy it there for $3.50.  Missed out on issue #1?  Download it from the App Store for a mere 99 cents here!  Here’s the synopsis for the latest issue:

Since discovering role-playing games, Cyd Sherman spends more and more time in-game as the healer Codex. As her boyfriend ignores her in favor of his fledgling band and her therapist questions whether or not she has “real” friends, Cyd decides to form her own group within the game after meeting Clara, who teaches her about reputation points, and Zaboo, who introduces her to “friending” within the game.

[Via ComicsAlliance]

Dr. Horrible shines in 8-bits [Update: Acts 1, 2 & 3 are up!]

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Calling all Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog fans!  Graphic designer Doctor Octoroc has put together the story of Dr. Horrible in old school 8-bit fashion.  He calls it “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Game” and it plays out like an old Pokeman Nintendo GameBoy game.  Says the good doctor: “All music, sound effects, graphics and animation were created by me as a tribute to Dr. Horrible (Joss Whedon) and the NES.”  This really is a must-watch if you’re into the story and music of Dr. Horrible.  It’s quite brilliant, actually.

CLICK HERE to watch Act 1.  If you have troubles viewing it there, watch it on YouTube.  DocOc promises the next two acts are on their way.  (I will alert you when they’re available to watch.)

Update: Act 2 is now up in all its 8-bit glory!  CLICK HERE to access the homepage and click “Load Game” to select Act 2.  Or watch it on YouTube.  Act 3 is in the works…

Update 2: The final act is up!  Again, CLICK HERE to access the homepage and click “Load Game” and select Act 3.  Or opt for the YouTube page.

[Via Doctoroctoroc]

Felicia Day fools us all with ‘Lil Guildies’

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On April 1 word got out that Felicia Day’s web series The Guild was to expand its dominance to the television with a children’s program called Lil’ Guildies.  The opening segment for the animated series was put on YouTube and it received a ton of positive buzz.  Greg Aronowitz co-created it with Day, and Paul and Storm came up with the catchy theme song.  The miniature Guild members even included an embryonic version of Bladezz, since he is the youngest of the group on the web series.  That little nuggest of information should have made me roll my eyes and figure that this was an elaborate April Fool’s hoax.  But it didn’t.  And now I’m disappointed that it’s not real.  It all started at Tubefilter and it came to a screetching halt when Day screamed April Fools on Twitter.

[Via Tubefilter]