YouTube Creator Space LA: Free Classes, Equipment and Studios all for You!

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I recently got the chance to tour the new 41,000 square foot YouTube Studio that opened last November in Playa Del Rey.  YouTube/Google has four of these spaces around the world: NYC, LA, Tokyo and London, full of equipment and studios for YOU.  Almost none of the web series creators I talk to know about the space and those that do don’t think it’s available to them, but it IS.  There are events and classes in the space open to anyone with a YouTube channel.  In addition, every quarter, YouTube takes about 25 new YouTube channel partners (that just you allow ads before your video), as part of their Creator Class.  You apply with a project proposal and spend the quarter learning and creating in the space.

For major YouTube creators, there’s a residents program and those residents often mentor the creator class along with YouTube strategists.  There’s also a NextUp competition for additional creators to get a chance to spend two weeks learning and creating in the space.  For creators just starting out on YouTube or trying to boost their views, the space offers free classes open to ANYONE with a YouTube channel, as well as  a constantly growing Playbook of info and advice on their site.  So follow me below as I tour the space with YouTube Strategist Rob Polonsky (Chad, Matt & Rob) and the head of the YouTube Space LA, Liam Collins to learn about this incredible resource that you could be using. There’s an additional interview with them below.

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Follow Tangled Web on Twitter!

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As I recently announced on our Facebook page, Tangled Web is expanding and will now be publishing Web Series reviews and recommendations in the print edition of the LA Weekly!   I love receiving emails from readers about the web series they are working on and am hoping to find more ways to help share and promote the ones I love.  That will include revamping the Awesome Shows section in the near future, and for now, giving Tangled Web it’s own twitter feed: @TangledWebBlog.

I’ll be able to share shows you send me that I think are great, web series industry new, and connect more quickly with readers. So follow me there if you’re a writer, working on a web series, or just want to stay on top of #webseries industry developments as more eyes move to the web.  Click the button below and remember to @TangledWebBlog about your #WebSeries!

FOLLOW @TANGLEDWEBBLOG on Twitter!

Community’s Inspector Spacetime, Travis Richey & Co-Writer Eric Loya Explain How They Launched A Hit Web Series *NOT* Based on his Role

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Eric Loya & Travis Richey - Photo by Catherine Farmer Loya

Eric Loya & Travis Richey – Photo by Catherine Farmer Loya

LA actor Travis Richey was lucky enough to be cast as Inspector Spacetime, the main character of a Dr. Who parody on the TV show Community. His part lasted for all of ten seconds, but was such a huge hit with fans that he was brought back for several additional episodes. A successful YouTube vet, Richey tried to pitch a web series concept to NBC based on the character, but heard nothing back. So he and his writing partner Eric Loya launched a successful Kickstarter campaign instead and made the show themselves. (Changing the name after NBC insisted.) They now have hundreds of thousands of views and are selling out panels at Comic Con. Their story is a great example of how true luck is when opportunity meets preparation and how indie creators are far ahead of the networks with regards to capitalizing on viewers across platforms. Here’s how they did it.

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Streamy Awards: Online Video’s Biggest Night Accepts Old Hollywood Into the Fold

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Creators & Cast of Husbands: Brad Bell, Jane Espenson, Sean Hemeon, Alessandra Torresani

Check out my article for the LA Weekly on Sunday night’s Third Annual Streamy Awards.  I was lucky enough to get to talk to Jane Espenson (Caprica, Battlestar Galactica, web series Husbands), Brad Bell (Husbands), Felicia Day (The Guild, Geek & Sundry), Yuri Baranovski (Leap Year, Break a Leg), Shira Lazar (What’s Trending), Burnie Burns (Red Vs. Blue), the creators and stars of web series Mortal Kombat Legacy and more.

In the article I observe how the worlds of old and new Hollywood are beginning to merge and the mixed feelings of creators on both sides.  Check it out!

Streamy Awards: Online Video’s Biggest Night Accepts Old Hollywood Into the Fold

Streamy Awards are Today.

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“Content creators who are making web stuff are legitimate quality creators” (no shit Chris Hardwick!) “And we’re gonna celebrate ‘em. We’re gonna give ‘em awards!” (Thank you Chris Hardwick!)

You can watch the Streamy’s live streaming HERE. I will also be AT the Streamy awards, covering the event for the LA Weekly.  So stay tuned for my article on show recommendations, digital biz info & creator tips coming out next week.

For the past few years (this is only the 3rd annual) these awards have been patting the same group of creators on the back and congratulating each other, and based on the nominee list, it doesn’t look like this year is much different. But as more quality content (yours) arrives on the scene, these awards will get more competitive and hopefully help driving views towards good content as opposed to just honoring those who are able to gain a following.

Competition to win $15,000/ Episode to Produce Your Web Series

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Zoomtilt is a really interesting company combining branded entertainment with web series. Sure, it might make your stomach turn a little to think of bending your artistic vision to incorporate a brand’s desires, but maybe there’s a brand out there with a similar mission statement, interested in the same stories as you.

Vistaprint, the company partnering in this competition, is looking for web series to partner with.  I’m not willing to turn my nose up at this, especially since… network TV is a slave to it’s sponsors too and we don’t judge writers who want to work there. Hell, I want to work there. So check out this company and see if this competition might be right for you. Share your thoughts below and if you submit, keep me updated on your story.

Announcing the Launch of the Vistaprint Micro-Business Web Series Competition

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To Season Two, or Not To Season Two? That was the Question for Shilpi Roy and Hipsterhood. Read Why (& How) She Went For It

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What made you personally want to do a season 2?

I will be totally honest. After season 1 I was totally burned out. If I never heard the word hipster again, it would be too soon. All I wanted to do was move onto my next project, which I envisioned would be – an artsy, dramatic feature film that would only be appreciated by art lovers; the opposite of Hipsterhood. But then all these little twitter and youtube comments kept popping up for me, and it was Hipsterhood fans who really wanted to know what happens to Cereal Guy and Faux Fur Girl. Like, they REALLY wanted to know, and they were upset the story was over. It wasn’t an overwhelming amount of comments, but I started to feel a responsiblity to my fans.

And so, I got over myself, and I wrote season 2. Believe me when I say season 2 is not about money, or fame, or even career-building. Season 2 is happening because the fans made me realize that the story of Hipsterhood is not over.

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