Watch The Guild
August 18, 2009 12:35 AM Subscribe
Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? The Guild (previously) releases a music video prior to the start of Season 3. Direct youtube link.
Felicia Day and gang are helped out by Maurissa Tancharoen and Jed Whedon, collaborators from Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog (previously). To complete the circle, The Guild was one of Joss Whedon's inspirations for Doctor Horrible.
Since the last time The Guild was on the blue, they've picked up several Streamys and a sponsorship deal with Microsoft and Sprint.
Felicia Day and gang are helped out by Maurissa Tancharoen and Jed Whedon, collaborators from Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog (previously). To complete the circle, The Guild was one of Joss Whedon's inspirations for Doctor Horrible.
Since the last time The Guild was on the blue, they've picked up several Streamys and a sponsorship deal with Microsoft and Sprint.
Well, I liked it! (Except for the rap part, holy god that was bad, they need to take notes from the Lonely Island crew on how to do rap pastiche parodies properly).
Looks as though Joss Whedon's social circle is showing the rest of the industry how to be viable (i.e. make money) on the internet. Currently they're #1 on iTunes music videos, and #1 on Amazon MP3 download.
posted by amuseDetachment at 1:13 AM on August 18, 2009
Looks as though Joss Whedon's social circle is showing the rest of the industry how to be viable (i.e. make money) on the internet. Currently they're #1 on iTunes music videos, and #1 on Amazon MP3 download.
posted by amuseDetachment at 1:13 AM on August 18, 2009
Oh Felicia, can you do no wrong..?
amuseDetachment's point is a good one too... There is money to be made with internet content, as long as: a) you understand the medium (and we've only be saying that for that last fifteen years, and b) the content is good...
posted by benzo8 at 1:32 AM on August 18, 2009
amuseDetachment's point is a good one too... There is money to be made with internet content, as long as: a) you understand the medium (and we've only be saying that for that last fifteen years, and b) the content is good...
posted by benzo8 at 1:32 AM on August 18, 2009
you encounter FELICIA DAY
you are +5 SMITTEN
-10 CHR and -20 INT for 80 TURNS
posted by EatTheWeek at 1:36 AM on August 18, 2009 [14 favorites]
you are +5 SMITTEN
-10 CHR and -20 INT for 80 TURNS
posted by EatTheWeek at 1:36 AM on August 18, 2009 [14 favorites]
Felicia Day was pretty awesome in the DVD-only Dollhouse episode "Epitaph One".
And being a total WoWhead, I loved the video.
posted by WolfDaddy at 4:24 AM on August 18, 2009
And being a total WoWhead, I loved the video.
posted by WolfDaddy at 4:24 AM on August 18, 2009
"Do you wanna date my avatar
she's a star
and she's hotter than reality by far"
Nnnnnno. That statement might be true for 99% of the MMORPG crowd (including myself) but... Felicia Day? Nope. She's hotter than anything computer-generated that does not immediately melt the monitor.
/fanboy
posted by PontifexPrimus at 4:26 AM on August 18, 2009
she's a star
and she's hotter than reality by far"
Nnnnnno. That statement might be true for 99% of the MMORPG crowd (including myself) but... Felicia Day? Nope. She's hotter than anything computer-generated that does not immediately melt the monitor.
/fanboy
posted by PontifexPrimus at 4:26 AM on August 18, 2009
Felicia's going to be a star. A star with a great intellect. Yes, the two CAN exist peacefully in the same person.
/fanboy also, too, as well
posted by Hugh2d2 at 4:41 AM on August 18, 2009
/fanboy also, too, as well
posted by Hugh2d2 at 4:41 AM on August 18, 2009
Would someone please compile a list of things that I should have been aware of, but have gone completely under my radar?? 'cuz this is neat and I didn't have a clue (yeah, yeah..."what's new"!)
posted by HuronBob at 5:36 AM on August 18, 2009
posted by HuronBob at 5:36 AM on August 18, 2009
I would be happy to HB, but first make a list of everything neat you already know about, because I don't want to recommend the Beatles or Super Mario Bros. or sandwiches if you already know about those.
posted by ND¢ at 6:04 AM on August 18, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by ND¢ at 6:04 AM on August 18, 2009 [2 favorites]
At first I was all "Finally, someone has crafted a song about how wonderful love can be on RP servers!"
Then I realized that by even mentioning her avatar she's behaving grossly OOC and that kind of activity would be heavily frowned upon. Ask in character, girl! Who wants to have cybersex with Felicia Day, when you could be having sex with Honeypot, her level 18 Night Elf Rogue?
Best use of "tank 'n spank" yet.
Actually, Honeypot is probably a name used by those "To Catch a Predator" people
posted by graventy at 6:16 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
Then I realized that by even mentioning her avatar she's behaving grossly OOC and that kind of activity would be heavily frowned upon. Ask in character, girl! Who wants to have cybersex with Felicia Day, when you could be having sex with Honeypot, her level 18 Night Elf Rogue?
Best use of "tank 'n spank" yet.
Actually, Honeypot is probably a name used by those "To Catch a Predator" people
posted by graventy at 6:16 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
what the heck are "sandwiches"?
HB's list:
Fishing
dogs
cats
ok... ND¢, what have I missed?
posted by HuronBob at 6:25 AM on August 18, 2009
HB's list:
Fishing
dogs
cats
ok... ND¢, what have I missed?
posted by HuronBob at 6:25 AM on August 18, 2009
A note to anybody, anywhere, making a "funny video". It's not funny when you rap. It's just embarassing and cliche. Fucking stop it.
posted by autodidact at 6:32 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by autodidact at 6:32 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
I figured out the Felicia Day character... the "why is she so familiar", thing .....a cross between Pam and Willow.
posted by HuronBob at 6:34 AM on August 18, 2009
posted by HuronBob at 6:34 AM on August 18, 2009
They're premiering the first episode of season three at the Blizzcon panel they're doing... which was one of the best parts of last year's Blizzcon... which Blizzard should probably be kind of bummed about.
posted by Huck500 at 6:40 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Huck500 at 6:40 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
Do people actually have twitter accounts for their avatars? Or is this just poetic license?
posted by honest knave at 6:54 AM on August 18, 2009
posted by honest knave at 6:54 AM on August 18, 2009
I never realised that she's the same person as the future woman from Dollhouse. Wow! I knew I'd seen her somewhere before.
posted by seanyboy at 6:56 AM on August 18, 2009
posted by seanyboy at 6:56 AM on August 18, 2009
If I was a few years younger, I'd wanna date Marisa Stole the Precious Thing's avatar.
posted by gman at 7:24 AM on August 18, 2009
posted by gman at 7:24 AM on August 18, 2009
>A note to anybody, anywhere, making a "funny video". It's not funny when you rap. It's just embarassing and cliche. Fucking stop it.
You're confused. It's not funny when you rap. When Vork and Zaboo do, it's hysterical.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 7:26 AM on August 18, 2009 [2 favorites]
You're confused. It's not funny when you rap. When Vork and Zaboo do, it's hysterical.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 7:26 AM on August 18, 2009 [2 favorites]
I think we've hit most of the important stuff HB. I would just add: beer, body surfing, Choose Your Own Adventure books, rolling down hills, the first three months of a romantic relationship, tire swings in conjunction with lakes or rivers and the first Matrix movie and I think that about covers it.
posted by ND¢ at 7:41 AM on August 18, 2009
posted by ND¢ at 7:41 AM on August 18, 2009
HuronBob: If you haven't seen The Guild, you need to get yourself over to their website and watch all of Seasons 1 and 2 right now. It should only take about an hour of your time.
I liked this a lot. It was great seeing the cast actually IN their avatar costumes, which I believe had only been cartoon drawings up until now.
And I have a gay man's crush on Felicia Day. *dreamy sigh*
posted by hippybear at 7:44 AM on August 18, 2009
I liked this a lot. It was great seeing the cast actually IN their avatar costumes, which I believe had only been cartoon drawings up until now.
And I have a gay man's crush on Felicia Day. *dreamy sigh*
posted by hippybear at 7:44 AM on August 18, 2009
>I liked this a lot. It was great seeing the cast actually IN their avatar costumes, which I believe had only been cartoon drawings up until now.
I believe they wore them at SDCC, but (as of S2) they only appeared as cartoons in the show's open.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 7:48 AM on August 18, 2009
I believe they wore them at SDCC, but (as of S2) they only appeared as cartoons in the show's open.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 7:48 AM on August 18, 2009
yep, I'm watching season one (should be working...oh well)... funny stuff... and I now know what dog crates are really used for...
and, thanks ND¢, those are now on my bucket list.
posted by HuronBob at 7:50 AM on August 18, 2009
and, thanks ND¢, those are now on my bucket list.
posted by HuronBob at 7:50 AM on August 18, 2009
My only complaint about The Guild is that their Season 1 DVD has all the credit sequences in place when you choose the "play all" button. It would be nice to have short and sweet chapter cards instead. I mean, don't get me wrong. The theme song is great and all, but wow does it start to wear on you by the 8th or 9th time you've heard it in an hour.
posted by hippybear at 7:56 AM on August 18, 2009
posted by hippybear at 7:56 AM on August 18, 2009
Wow. Felicia Day is almost as popular here as she is with Tycho.
posted by The Bellman at 8:10 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by The Bellman at 8:10 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
I really hate auto-tune.
I really love Felicia Day.
My head exploded.
p.s. seanyboy - thanks for the spoiler, working my way through the Dollhouse DVDs as we speak.
posted by Bonzai at 8:27 AM on August 18, 2009
I really love Felicia Day.
My head exploded.
p.s. seanyboy - thanks for the spoiler, working my way through the Dollhouse DVDs as we speak.
posted by Bonzai at 8:27 AM on August 18, 2009
Something tells me Felicia Day has some of the more awkward fan encounters in show business.
posted by bondcliff at 8:30 AM on August 18, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by bondcliff at 8:30 AM on August 18, 2009 [2 favorites]
I really couldn't get into The Guild. Not being much of an online gamer, maybe it just went over my head.
I anxiously await new episodes of Legend of Neil though.
posted by Ziggy Zaga at 8:34 AM on August 18, 2009
I anxiously await new episodes of Legend of Neil though.
posted by Ziggy Zaga at 8:34 AM on August 18, 2009
>Something tells me Felicia Day has some of the more awkward fan encounters in show business.
Yes, yes she does.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 8:43 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
Yes, yes she does.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 8:43 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
Something tells me Felicia Day has some of the more awkward fan encounters in show business.
They aren't ALL awkward.
posted by hippybear at 8:45 AM on August 18, 2009
They aren't ALL awkward.
posted by hippybear at 8:45 AM on August 18, 2009
I have a total girlcrush on Felicia Day. Intelligent, talented, tech-savvy woman generating her own killer content and promoting the hell out of it. So effing awesome.
Also, I didn't realize Tink could dance. As in, actually dance. I love this show in big ways and small.
(And yeah, no more Dollhouse spoilers PLZKTHX.)
posted by somanyamys at 8:51 AM on August 18, 2009
Also, I didn't realize Tink could dance. As in, actually dance. I love this show in big ways and small.
(And yeah, no more Dollhouse spoilers PLZKTHX.)
posted by somanyamys at 8:51 AM on August 18, 2009
Not being much of an online gamer, maybe it just went over my head.
But you paid your $5 to join the most free-form MMO on the Internet! Just think of your MeFi screenname as your avatar, every FPP is a new quest, and the opportunity for leveling has actual real world ramifications!
posted by hippybear at 8:52 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
But you paid your $5 to join the most free-form MMO on the Internet! Just think of your MeFi screenname as your avatar, every FPP is a new quest, and the opportunity for leveling has actual real world ramifications!
posted by hippybear at 8:52 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
(And yeah, no more Dollhouse spoilers PLZKTHX.)
Yeah, go watch Epitaph One RIGHT NOW if you haven't seen it. It almost justifies the 50% awful that was season one of Dollhouse.
posted by graventy at 8:59 AM on August 18, 2009
Yeah, go watch Epitaph One RIGHT NOW if you haven't seen it. It almost justifies the 50% awful that was season one of Dollhouse.
posted by graventy at 8:59 AM on August 18, 2009
Yeah - turns out that Felicia Day is Alpha. And that the slices have been infiltrated with an Alien Info-Virus. Plus - it may be that the only true "doll" is Paul Ballard. Who may or may not be crazy.
None of these are spoilers b.t.w. I'm just making shit up to mess with you.
And nothing else I've said really gives anything away. You can relax.
posted by seanyboy at 9:02 AM on August 18, 2009
None of these are spoilers b.t.w. I'm just making shit up to mess with you.
And nothing else I've said really gives anything away. You can relax.
posted by seanyboy at 9:02 AM on August 18, 2009
And Felicia Day totally dies at the end of Dr Horrible!
Was that cruel?
posted by hippybear at 9:07 AM on August 18, 2009
Was that cruel?
posted by hippybear at 9:07 AM on August 18, 2009
Ben is Glory.
posted by kmz at 9:14 AM on August 18, 2009 [5 favorites]
posted by kmz at 9:14 AM on August 18, 2009 [5 favorites]
Though she's not a member of MeFi (unless Matt's comp offer was accepted), Felicia has mentioned on Twitter that she drops by here from time to time.
posted by RavinDave at 9:15 AM on August 18, 2009
posted by RavinDave at 9:15 AM on August 18, 2009
(And yeah, no more Dollhouse spoilers PLZKTHX.)
Y'know, you guys, it's fucking Whedon and the 2nd season is almost upon us. Not my problem if you've been lax in your religious obligations.
SPOILER ALERT FOR DOLLHOUSE
LOTS of near-naked Helo. 'nuff said! Enough to make the first five episodes bearable til' you get to the good stuff.
posted by WolfDaddy at 9:29 AM on August 18, 2009
Y'know, you guys, it's fucking Whedon and the 2nd season is almost upon us. Not my problem if you've been lax in your religious obligations.
SPOILER ALERT FOR DOLLHOUSE
LOTS of near-naked Helo. 'nuff said! Enough to make the first five episodes bearable til' you get to the good stuff.
posted by WolfDaddy at 9:29 AM on August 18, 2009
I have a fantasy where I'm hanging out with Felicia Day in a hot tub and we're sipping champagne and eating chocolate-dipped strawberries and I tell a joke about a gnome illusionist and a gelatinous cube and she laughs and laughs and laughs.
There's no punchline. It's a real fantasy.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 9:51 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
There's no punchline. It's a real fantasy.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 9:51 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
hippybear: "But you paid your $5 to join the most free-form MMO on the Internet! Just think of your MeFi screenname as your avatar, every FPP is a new quest, and the opportunity for leveling has actual real world ramifications!"
*thinks about Felicia Day post*
I put on my robe and wizard hat...
Although I imagine a meeting between me and Felicia Day would probably run more like the first meeting between Governor Elaine Marley and Guybrush Threepwood (I'm not that old! I bought the special edition re-release! And I remembered almost everything!):
Felicia Day says: "Hi!"
What do you reply?
a) "Glllptz."
b) "Wstfgl."
c) "Hrrgrrrr."
d) "Hello, nice to meet you!"
Your choice: d
You say: "Gnnnhrrh. Wrhhlhhpff!"
posted by PontifexPrimus at 10:05 AM on August 18, 2009
*thinks about Felicia Day post*
I put on my robe and wizard hat...
Although I imagine a meeting between me and Felicia Day would probably run more like the first meeting between Governor Elaine Marley and Guybrush Threepwood (I'm not that old! I bought the special edition re-release! And I remembered almost everything!):
Felicia Day says: "Hi!"
What do you reply?
a) "Glllptz."
b) "Wstfgl."
c) "Hrrgrrrr."
d) "Hello, nice to meet you!"
Your choice: d
You say: "Gnnnhrrh. Wrhhlhhpff!"
posted by PontifexPrimus at 10:05 AM on August 18, 2009
Y'know, you guys, it's fucking Whedon and the 2nd season is almost upon us. Not my problem if you've been lax in your religious obligations.
I know, I know. I am dragging a non-Whedonite through the DVDs with me, but he won't sit through a marathon. So I can only do one or two eps a week. It's killing. me.
(The price I pay for proselytizing, I suppose...)
posted by somanyamys at 10:08 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
I know, I know. I am dragging a non-Whedonite through the DVDs with me, but he won't sit through a marathon. So I can only do one or two eps a week. It's killing. me.
(The price I pay for proselytizing, I suppose...)
posted by somanyamys at 10:08 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
Well, she's either swung by, or been told about this thread...
Felicia, you should really sign up!
posted by benzo8 at 10:27 AM on August 18, 2009
Felicia, you should really sign up!
posted by benzo8 at 10:27 AM on August 18, 2009
In her irresistible campaign to be crowned the Internet's sweetheart, Day also has a role in the Zelda parody "The Legend of Neil" - as a glitter-covered, bikini-clad fairy, who, in this sneak preview, sings about the *NSFW* things she adores.
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:29 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:29 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
oh wow...she knows we exist.
from her twitter stream
posted by ShawnString at 10:30 AM on August 18, 2009
from her twitter stream
posted by ShawnString at 10:30 AM on August 18, 2009
jinxs benzo.
posted by ShawnString at 10:30 AM on August 18, 2009
posted by ShawnString at 10:30 AM on August 18, 2009
Jinx is the same minute. Three minutes later is not previewing... :-)
posted by benzo8 at 10:33 AM on August 18, 2009
posted by benzo8 at 10:33 AM on August 18, 2009
woa. i didn't know about epitaph. just downloaded and watched. daaaaamn that was good.
posted by fuzzypantalones at 10:36 AM on August 18, 2009
posted by fuzzypantalones at 10:36 AM on August 18, 2009
I probably should have put this earlier in the thread, but I've been a Felicia Day fan ever since the Buffy DVDs, and I've always wondered if I ever saw her at UT. I'm pretty sure our math majors overlapped by at least a year or two.
posted by kmz at 10:40 AM on August 18, 2009
posted by kmz at 10:40 AM on August 18, 2009
Did you all see the pictures she posted to Flickr from a recent photoshoot? Holy hell. This gaymer could give up his y because of that sexy librarian photo!
posted by greekphilosophy at 10:41 AM on August 18, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by greekphilosophy at 10:41 AM on August 18, 2009 [2 favorites]
The absolute "Felicianess" of that vid comes in at 3:04, when she starts getting annoyed at all the stuff raining down on her. That's the appeal of FD in a nutshell.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:00 AM on August 18, 2009
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:00 AM on August 18, 2009
I agree that after all the nerdgasms over the [awesome, catchy, hysterically funny] music video start to peter out, perhaps the real story here will start to gain traction too. And by "real story" I mean the intelligent and savvy way that Felicia and her production company are using the web's strengths to their advantage in order to connect with fans and get them to willingly pony up actual cash for their content.
It's really a fascinating story from a business perspective. She started with a very targeted audience, MMO gamers, and built a small but rabid fan base. The fans helped support Season 1 of The Guild - not just with cash, but with things like production support and shooting locations, which allowed them to create a show with pretty high production values. She then managed to retain the creative rights while doing a deal with Microsoft, a deal that allowed the series to move from it's tiny niche to a more general gaming audience for Season 2. (And MS got some great independent content to put on their Xbox Live distribution network at the same time, which was win/win.) Now they are using that preexisting fanbase, and the buzz they built at SDCC, to propel The Guild promo music video to the top of the iTunes video and Amazon Mp3 charts, which is opening the show to an even wider audience.
It doesn't hurt to have friends like the Whedon brothers, or to have also starred in Dr. Horrible/Dollhouse, or that she's also very pretty. But the way that Felicia has used sites like Twitter, Facebook and Youtube to connect with her fans, and with fans of the show, in order to grow the audience for it has been very instructive.
posted by gemmy at 11:03 AM on August 18, 2009 [7 favorites]
It's really a fascinating story from a business perspective. She started with a very targeted audience, MMO gamers, and built a small but rabid fan base. The fans helped support Season 1 of The Guild - not just with cash, but with things like production support and shooting locations, which allowed them to create a show with pretty high production values. She then managed to retain the creative rights while doing a deal with Microsoft, a deal that allowed the series to move from it's tiny niche to a more general gaming audience for Season 2. (And MS got some great independent content to put on their Xbox Live distribution network at the same time, which was win/win.) Now they are using that preexisting fanbase, and the buzz they built at SDCC, to propel The Guild promo music video to the top of the iTunes video and Amazon Mp3 charts, which is opening the show to an even wider audience.
It doesn't hurt to have friends like the Whedon brothers, or to have also starred in Dr. Horrible/Dollhouse, or that she's also very pretty. But the way that Felicia has used sites like Twitter, Facebook and Youtube to connect with her fans, and with fans of the show, in order to grow the audience for it has been very instructive.
posted by gemmy at 11:03 AM on August 18, 2009 [7 favorites]
The funny thing about The Guild is that it accurately reflects a healthy sampling of MMO social groups.
The sad thing about The Guild is that it accurately reflects a healthy sampling of MMO social groups.
posted by Spatch at 11:17 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
The sad thing about The Guild is that it accurately reflects a healthy sampling of MMO social groups.
posted by Spatch at 11:17 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
Gemmy, I'm largely with you on that but, as with the whole 'free music' thing, the biggest deal isn't venue, but quality. Also veracity.
The Guild has that in spades. I've never been involved in an MMORPG, but anyone who has spent any time online knows these characters. It doesn't take much for me to map the surly teens and pedantic self-appointed leader onto another frameset.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:21 AM on August 18, 2009
The Guild has that in spades. I've never been involved in an MMORPG, but anyone who has spent any time online knows these characters. It doesn't take much for me to map the surly teens and pedantic self-appointed leader onto another frameset.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:21 AM on August 18, 2009
gemmy: I'm with you, too but haven't we—and when I say "we" I mean the collective Internet consciousness who cares about this kind of stuff—already discussed and don't we already know how Earnest Creativity + Real Content + Regular Updates + Interactivity with Fans = How to Successfully Use New Media As Your Bitch?
And I really hate playing the devil's advocate here, but what makes the Felicia Day model any different from what the Penny Arcade guys did, what Wil Wheaton did, what Pete Abrams did (back in the day), what Randall Munroe did, what Cory Doctorow did/does?
How is that different from what Lea Franco (formerly Hernandez) is trying to do, what the Loading Ready Run guys have been doing for five years, what garage bands have been doing ever since rock and roll was invented?
By god, we could be here for days.
posted by TrishaLynn at 11:40 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
And I really hate playing the devil's advocate here, but what makes the Felicia Day model any different from what the Penny Arcade guys did, what Wil Wheaton did, what Pete Abrams did (back in the day), what Randall Munroe did, what Cory Doctorow did/does?
How is that different from what Lea Franco (formerly Hernandez) is trying to do, what the Loading Ready Run guys have been doing for five years, what garage bands have been doing ever since rock and roll was invented?
By god, we could be here for days.
posted by TrishaLynn at 11:40 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
...what makes the Felicia Day model any different from what the Penny Arcade guys did, what Wil Wheaton did, what Pete Abrams did (back in the day), what Randall Munroe did, what Cory Doctorow did/does?
As I said, quality. PA doesn't do a whole lot of outside stuff (aside from PAX) RM either (aside from meetups) etc.
The biggest entry to internet fame and fortune is producing good shit. Period. (Full Stop, whatever.)
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:55 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
As I said, quality. PA doesn't do a whole lot of outside stuff (aside from PAX) RM either (aside from meetups) etc.
The biggest entry to internet fame and fortune is producing good shit. Period. (Full Stop, whatever.)
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:55 AM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
PA doesn't do a whole lot of outside stuff
I don't want to go on a link-fest (mostly because they're blocked at work) but in yesterday's blog post, Mike Krahulik posted a link to an alternate cover that he did for the comics-version of The Talisman. For their new publisher, Del Rey Comics. And what about the Child's Play charity is not "a whole lot"?
And apparently—if what I heard in a bonus video from LRR is correct—site-creators Graham Stark and Paul Saunders are doing "Unskippable" at The Escapist on a freelance basis.
posted by TrishaLynn at 12:31 PM on August 18, 2009
I don't want to go on a link-fest (mostly because they're blocked at work) but in yesterday's blog post, Mike Krahulik posted a link to an alternate cover that he did for the comics-version of The Talisman. For their new publisher, Del Rey Comics. And what about the Child's Play charity is not "a whole lot"?
And apparently—if what I heard in a bonus video from LRR is correct—site-creators Graham Stark and Paul Saunders are doing "Unskippable" at The Escapist on a freelance basis.
posted by TrishaLynn at 12:31 PM on August 18, 2009
Oh, totally, CHT. The material has to be good enough. You need both quality and "veracity" (that she is a gamer herself - good word to describe it, btw) to pull it off. And it's not at all the first time this type of model has been successful (as TrishaLynn pointed out). Just look at all the examples out there, like Amanda Palmer, of people who have leveraged their form of fan interaction into actual income and more fame.
I think I just find this particular example fascinating because a) I am an MMO gamer and geek, and b) I've been following it since the beginning. Also, it's web video - which is still in it's infancy, really. With the entertainment industry generally (TV, music, movies, etc.) still trying to figure out how to fit into the new landscape, it feels to me like this is one of the first good examples of a potentially successful model for scripted online video content. That is, for scripted video content beyond just as another distribution method for traditional TV shows (e.g. Hulu).
posted by gemmy at 1:15 PM on August 18, 2009
I think I just find this particular example fascinating because a) I am an MMO gamer and geek, and b) I've been following it since the beginning. Also, it's web video - which is still in it's infancy, really. With the entertainment industry generally (TV, music, movies, etc.) still trying to figure out how to fit into the new landscape, it feels to me like this is one of the first good examples of a potentially successful model for scripted online video content. That is, for scripted video content beyond just as another distribution method for traditional TV shows (e.g. Hulu).
posted by gemmy at 1:15 PM on August 18, 2009
"We could not process your order. The sale of MP3 Downloads is currently available only to US customers located in the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, Hawaii, and the District of Columbia."
Waaah!
OK, I've purchased the video in iTunes. If it doesn't play on my iPod Mini I feel morally okay with pirating the MP3 now.
posted by alasdair at 1:19 PM on August 18, 2009
Waaah!
OK, I've purchased the video in iTunes. If it doesn't play on my iPod Mini I feel morally okay with pirating the MP3 now.
posted by alasdair at 1:19 PM on August 18, 2009
Trisha, what I was really going for (rather badly) is that Felicia wasn't leveraging another success to launch this one. Apparently some people remembered her from Buffy. I wasn't one of those, but I fell in love with The Guild quite early, despite never having played WoW (or any MMO, actually.)
Gemmy, actually, I think this vid is as successful as it is precisely because it falls into a pre-conceived category ("wacky music video.") As you said, the entire idea of what a web-series even is is getting sussed out, but I don't think this particular iteration is helpful. (Although I do love it.)
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 3:25 PM on August 18, 2009
Gemmy, actually, I think this vid is as successful as it is precisely because it falls into a pre-conceived category ("wacky music video.") As you said, the entire idea of what a web-series even is is getting sussed out, but I don't think this particular iteration is helpful. (Although I do love it.)
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 3:25 PM on August 18, 2009
The hammer is my penis.
posted by greekphilosophy at 9:14 PM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by greekphilosophy at 9:14 PM on August 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
What is wrong with you fanboys/fangirls? This is goddamn terrible. At least I find it too precious by half and really unimaginative. Paint by numbers nerdsploitation - and I even loved The Guild so by rights I should eat this up with a spoon.
(I will however concede that yes, Tink can dance)
posted by thedaniel at 12:05 AM on August 19, 2009
(I will however concede that yes, Tink can dance)
posted by thedaniel at 12:05 AM on August 19, 2009
thedaniel is sadly correct. I mean, for fuck's sake (or FFS). Her cuteness is already established. The talent of the Whedons for a catchy tune is already established - I've paid for CDs myself. There's some nice production, probably done on a shoestring which can only be a good sign for people in LA who know some people in LA who know some people who might winter in LA
But the song is about as clever as a Benny Hill novelty number. The best line is the spank and tank one, which takes a peurile gamer reference and makes it... peurile.
The Guild is a fairly harmless affair, a bit painful to begin with and yet coming into its stride as the characters progress. They occasionally do some clever stuff. I like the season 2 ending a hell of a lot, for example. Unexpected and yet totally fitting. But this is an ad, and by every metric a successful one, but about as rewarding as those terrible music videos that used to have movie scenes spliced in with them. You keep on waiting for the moment when they break out into something exceptional, but all you get is the tonal equivalent of yakkity sax, a Weird Al song where jargonistic references take the place of actual jokes or points or poignancy. It's a novelty, but it's not clever and it's not funny.
Cute redhead though.
Meh.
posted by Sparx at 9:42 AM on August 19, 2009
But the song is about as clever as a Benny Hill novelty number. The best line is the spank and tank one, which takes a peurile gamer reference and makes it... peurile.
The Guild is a fairly harmless affair, a bit painful to begin with and yet coming into its stride as the characters progress. They occasionally do some clever stuff. I like the season 2 ending a hell of a lot, for example. Unexpected and yet totally fitting. But this is an ad, and by every metric a successful one, but about as rewarding as those terrible music videos that used to have movie scenes spliced in with them. You keep on waiting for the moment when they break out into something exceptional, but all you get is the tonal equivalent of yakkity sax, a Weird Al song where jargonistic references take the place of actual jokes or points or poignancy. It's a novelty, but it's not clever and it's not funny.
Cute redhead though.
Meh.
posted by Sparx at 9:42 AM on August 19, 2009
>Her cuteness is already established. The talent of the Whedons for a catchy tune is already established ... There's some nice production...
Huh. Cute girl sings catchy tune in a nicely produced video. What's not to hate?
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 10:26 AM on August 19, 2009
Huh. Cute girl sings catchy tune in a nicely produced video. What's not to hate?
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 10:26 AM on August 19, 2009
Also, seems to have gone over rather well at SDCC.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 12:53 PM on August 19, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 12:53 PM on August 19, 2009 [2 favorites]
Huh. Cute girl sings catchy tune in a nicely produced video. What's not to hate?
Clearly we must harness the untapped powers of the intertubes to rectify the horrifying global shortage of cute girls singing catchy tunes in nicely produced videos. To the 'tubes!
posted by Sparx at 4:02 PM on August 19, 2009
Clearly we must harness the untapped powers of the intertubes to rectify the horrifying global shortage of cute girls singing catchy tunes in nicely produced videos. To the 'tubes!
posted by Sparx at 4:02 PM on August 19, 2009
Well, I actually like the song - but I do like Europop dance numbers. And I liked the video too - bright, fun costumes, cuts that fitted the music, some great dancing, and little vignettes that fitted the characters (which I know now the video has made me watch the two series.) Slick, fun, attractive, high quality.
In terms of "is the song any good as a comedy song," well, I guess it's not Tom Lehrer, but then what is? It's niche comedy, and unless there's a whole tranche of MMORG music videos I don't know about, it's the best of the niche. The "touch my +5 to dexterity vest" is probably the best line, and it's in-genre and funny. As a comparison, my wife thinks "Scary Mary" - "Mary Poppins" re-cut into a horror movie trailer - is hilarious, but doesn't get "Shining" - "The Shining" cut into a feelgood relationship movie trailer - because she hasn't seen "The Shining". It's not necessarily a reflection of how good each is.
posted by alasdair at 9:19 AM on August 29, 2009
In terms of "is the song any good as a comedy song," well, I guess it's not Tom Lehrer, but then what is? It's niche comedy, and unless there's a whole tranche of MMORG music videos I don't know about, it's the best of the niche. The "touch my +5 to dexterity vest" is probably the best line, and it's in-genre and funny. As a comparison, my wife thinks "Scary Mary" - "Mary Poppins" re-cut into a horror movie trailer - is hilarious, but doesn't get "Shining" - "The Shining" cut into a feelgood relationship movie trailer - because she hasn't seen "The Shining". It's not necessarily a reflection of how good each is.
posted by alasdair at 9:19 AM on August 29, 2009
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* shudders *
posted by seanyboy at 1:02 AM on August 18, 2009