New Webisode: Cowtown Gypsy Cinema

Dear Webisode Critics,


We would very much like your comments on our pilot episodes.  They can be seen here: http://www.cowtowngypsycinema.com/episodes.php  We have an intro to the series in which the two wacky and insightful hosts, Leenda and Carlitos explain the show.  Our program showcases Tucson-made films and in each episode Leenda and Carlitos introduce and comment on each film using edgy comedy sketches.


Thank you for your help,


Jean Jessup, director, co-writer and co-producer.

Tags: Cinema, Cowtown, Films, Goofy, Gypsy, Short, Tucson, comedy, series, web, More…webisode

Views: 65

▶ Reply to This

Comments

Permalink Reply by Rich Mbariket on July 20, 2012 at 8:32pm

Jean, Welcome to WSN. One, your website took forever to load (maybe its my Internet connection). Two, there is no information about this series above fold (meaning, the area of the website the visitor sees without scrolling). Three, I click to watch the first episode and that too takes forever to load, and when it finally plays I see a talking head with poor audio and a very bad pixelated green screen job. Gotta be honest, the production value is below average. Thumbs down for me!

Permalink Reply by Rich Mbariket on July 20, 2012 at 8:35pm

Interested in knowing your production process if you don't mind sharing because it looks like you just threw this thing together. 

Permalink Reply by Cowtown Gypsy Cinema on July 20, 2012 at 8:47pm

Hi Richard,

The next group of episodes will have much improved production values.  But I guess for you, production values are everything?  Did you get to watch any of the videos that were featured? or the skits at the end of the featured video?  There is also a blooper after the credits in each episode.
We didn't just throw this together.  We spent a lot of time writing and editing and planning the shoot.  Shooting will be cleaner next time.

Thanks for your comments,

Jean

Permalink Reply by Rich Mbariket on July 20, 2012 at 8:58pm

Production values aren't everything. Just said it was subpar. I watched what you presented on your website. After the first video, interest wasn't there to continue watching based on your presentation. I look at everything from presentation to quality of material. 

Permalink Reply by Cowtown Gypsy Cinema on July 21, 2012 at 8:03am

Hi Richard, Tina here.

Jean and I are co-producers and share email and accounts for the show. Sorry that the episodes didn't load for you properly. Here is the bliptv link. http://blip.tv/cowtowngypsycinema. Please let us know if that works better for you. This is the first complaint we have had about loading.

At the bottom of the page, which we will move to a highlighted spot is "About." That is the starting point to "explain" the contextual purpose of the show. This is done in the vein of "Up All Night" or "Elvira", where the hosts spotlight and introduce an independent film or media piece to the audience. We craft the bookend pieces to comment or set the mood. It's comedic in tone.

The bookends are all done in front of green screen and leave room for the audience to poke a bit of fun at the green screen value. The intent is for the audience to relax and get away from "high production values." We did have a bit of difficulty with the first round in the studio, which we are addressing. I would like to maintain the Variety Show intent.

The idea is to have fun and enjoy while opening up a platform for independent filmmakers. All three episode bookends were shot in one day along with the About. For the next shoot, we have higher end cameras. We are addressing the sound as well, we had a bit of trouble with the lavs. We are also rewriting the Intro/About and reshooting that piece. We have an exceptional team all around.

We don't disclude (I'm a poet, I can make up words) a film based on production value. It just has to grab us. Deep Universe and Gingerbread Man are brilliant all unto themselves. And the Funny Kitty Song is just that.

When you say presentation, do you mean the website? If so, I totally agree, it's very bare-boned. I wanted so badly for a place to where crew and friends would have easy access before we are totally accepted onto blip. We are still working on the website. The show is still in its infancy. We are still waiting for Blip to accept the youtube connection and we will take their lead.

We have also kept this project as a co-op with all members receiving payment for services strictly on returns. It's a very tiny team, as you can see by the credits. I do apologize Rich if I have made this a bit lengthy. For more about me please visit http://www.surealworks.com/awards.php


blessings tina

Permalink Reply by Rich Mbariket on July 21, 2012 at 8:12am
Hi Tina,

Thanks for the reply. I believe overall presentation should be an extension of the series. With a website you have 4 seconds to hook the visitor and give them a reason to stay. With video you have 15 seconds to hook the viewer and give them a reason to keep watching. At first glance the website is all black space. Then the font is in italics and no description of the show. Not trying to be a pain, just providing feedback as requested.
Permalink Reply by Cowtown Gypsy Cinema on July 21, 2012 at 8:17am

Thank you for the specifics Rich! I can certainly work with the comments you have provided in all your posts.

I had chosen the black background based on the energy efficiency of millions of screens! The more black screens in use worldwide, the more energy we save!

I will definitely work on the descriptions and layout!

blessings, out for the day!

Permalink Reply by Cowtown Gypsy Cinema on July 25, 2012 at 3:51pm

Hi again Rich,

So here's what we did to shore up until we can reshoot the About episode - it doesn't grab within the 15 second marker. We took The About off the bliptv site, which is where most of the traffic is being directed. We are pulling that episode onto the CGC site via youtube, where we have another channel. We changed the appearance of the site a bit, I am still not happy with it. I will work on that a bit more. Just wanted you to know that we took your observations to heart and want to improve! tina

Permalink Reply by Rich Mbariket on July 25, 2012 at 5:59pm

That's awesome Tina. Always room for improvement, even WSN. :)

Permalink Reply by Rich Mbariket on July 21, 2012 at 8:14am
Oh and it's Rich, not Richard. Only my mama calls me Richard. Lol. :)

RSS

© 2013   Created by Rich Mbariket.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service