What Did You Think of LAWEBFEST 2012?

The third annual Los Angeles Web Series Festival (LAWEBFEST 2012) went down almost entirely as expected, so pretty much the only thing left to talk about was how the festival itself was.

What did you think of the festival? Be the first to comment below.

Tags: 2012?, Did, LAWEBFEST, Think, What, You, of

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Permalink Reply by Gabriel Nicolas Perez on April 9, 2012 at 10:25am

I thought it was great!  I met a lot of great people and had a good time.  It was a touch disorganized and I know a few people were a little upset about that, but in the end it was worth the time spent.  I'm sure when the web series medium matures so will the Webfest. 

Permalink Reply by Rich Mbariket on April 9, 2012 at 10:53am

What specifically did you think was unorganized?

I thought the awards/presentation ceremony was too long. I understand what Mike is trying to do, but 5 awards per category would cut down the time significantly and make the awards more special and deserving.

Also, at one point I counted almost 40 people on a stage that ideally holds about 10. Also didn't think the band needed to be on stage. They could have moved them to the corner somewhere out of view. The festival isn't about the band and having them on stage [FRONT AND CENTER] took up valuable real estate that the award recipients could have used.

It would have also been nice if Mike had "presenters" instead of presenting the awards entirely solo. Another thing that went awfully wrong was people lining up for food behind the ballroom when the awards ceremony was ongoing. Totally uncool of those who did that. Apparently they came to eat. Overall, I thought the festival ran like a well-oiled machine and I see and support Mike's vision.

Permalink Reply by Gabriel Nicolas Perez on April 9, 2012 at 11:00am

I felt the scheduling of the actual blocks was a bit chaotic.  Again, it didn't matter to me personaly, but I know a few people were a little grouchy about it.  I agree with you about the awards ceremony. Some presenters might have been nice, but that might have taken longer too.  I think Mike has the right idea and it will only get better with time and experience.

 

Permalink Reply by Rich Mbariket on April 9, 2012 at 11:07am

"Some presenters might have been nice, but that might have taken longer too."

Disagree. Not if you limit the award to about 5 shows per category and get rid of the photographer. What you do is collect the award and go back to a designated area outside of the ballroom for photo ops. You need presenters trust me, just like the Oscars or any other awards shows. The host doesn't present awards... he simply hosts. I would have also loved to hear from the winners... maybe give one person from the winning show 30:seconds to speak? Anyway, LAWEBFEST is only gonna keep improving and I'm looking forward to what the future holds.

Permalink Reply by Rich Mbariket on April 9, 2012 at 11:14am

Oh and I'm sorry... unfortunately you can't be everything to everyone. We all can't be "award" winners, but that doesn't make us losers. Ideally, one winner per category, simple as that, and maybe limit the festival to 100 shows instead of 178? Doing this will intensify competition because people will be fighting for spots. Then from the 100, select 10 to go to France. Mike said 300 shows were submitted and 178 selected to screen... that's way too many shows selected to screen in my opinion.

Permalink Reply by Gabriel Nicolas Perez on April 9, 2012 at 11:21am

Absolutly, I agree with that %100.  And I believe this would make the block scheduling easier as well.

Permalink Reply by Rich Mbariket on April 9, 2012 at 11:29am

Agree. I believe LAWEBFEST potential could someday rival Sundance. Mike has nothing else to prove at this point. Less is more. Less shows in the future so we can have more time to watch selected shows and connect with the makers of these shows.

Permalink Reply by Todd Marks on April 9, 2012 at 12:58pm

Hey Rich I totally agree. LAWebFest was a blast and I met lots of great people. Totally get the concept of giving people awards to recognize excellence, but that was a LONG ceremony. But yea it was lots of fun.

What you're describing seems more along the vein of the web series festival that happened last week HollyWeb. They were just one day but they only had one winner per category. Admittedly it's always nice to win an award but I do agree that it makes the award worth so much more when there is one winner and you want to strive to be better. I was so impressed with some of the shows screened and realized I really need to step up my game if I want one of those trophies haha!

Permalink Reply by Rich Mbariket on April 9, 2012 at 2:33pm

Personally, I think around 75 shows would work best... 25 per day to maximize eyeballs and not wear people out. At this stage at LAWEBFEST it should be about quality, not quantity and this last festival was all quantity. Plus, growth doesn't necessarily mean more shows.

2okl9eih0su8rPermalink Reply by 2okl9eih0su8r on April 9, 2012 at 12:06pm

Rich, I agree with you 100% in your thoughts around the Web Fest. I’m being the devil’s advocate so you can see both sides. As we only attended your panel on Friday evening and the awards ceremony it is hard to comment on the overall perspective if it was unorganized. However based on what we did attend please see my list of pro's and con's below: 

Pros:

  • The turnout! It seemed as though there was an awesome turnout. For the awards ceremony I counted how many chairs in a row and how many rows to estimate the room would hold 400 people.
  • Looking over the panels all of the topics seemed to be good and relevant that creators would be interested in.
  • Everyone looked to be enjoying themselves whether just relaxing in the lobbies or while networking.

 Cons:

  • The panelists need AV next year (audio/visual). I was in the first row and it was hard to hear your panel so just think about those in the back of the room.
  • The panel started and ended late. Need to be prompt throughout the day to keep the schedule on track.
  • Too many people on your specific panel. I understand they wanted everyone represented but I think there were 8 people up there. Could have done with just one from the French team and maybe also have the moderator stand aside so she’s not in focus and allows more room at the table.
  • The volunteers or those checking in seemed to confused about what the process was. This should be more organized and clear.
  • The awards ceremony was great in regards to it being an awesome ego boost and lift for the creators
    • DRESS CODE! I'm not talking red carpet here but flip flops and hoodies? Come on....
    • As you mentioned the band should not have been on stage and it seemed as though they were not told when or how loud to play as Mike had to ask them to be quiet numerous times.
    • The awards were too long! If the show is organized and presented correctly it could be this long but Mike lost our attention.
    • As you also said presenters would be a great idea, he could have had yourself, steph, any of the other panelists or moderators to help present.
    •  Pictures shouldn’t be taken on stage. It loses everyone’s interest and slows things down.
    • The food issue, there should’ve been a break announced about refreshments and then he should have had that kid play his song. Instead nothing was said and then the kid played his song while everyone else just talked over the poor kid.
    • As the individual said who commented earlier, as web series grow so will the festival. This was Mike’s first year at the hotel so with that being said it all seemed great! You ask one of those creators that was complaining about how it was unorganized to plan this event as a side project and see how well they do it. Mike’s passionate about this and you can see through it. He does need to get over the everybody is a winner mentality though b/c it doesn’t make the awards feel as special, nor as competitive as you mentioend about narrowing the festival to only 100 shows. Maybe just narrow the awards down to three awards per category within the genre if he doesn't want to choose just one. Overall I was glad I got to go with you to not only support you but the Web Series community as well!
Permalink Reply by Rich Mbariket on April 9, 2012 at 12:18pm

Thank you for your well thought out observation, Jen. It's good reading comments from [non web series folks] such as yourself and I can't disagree with what you said.

Permalink Reply by Sean Oliver on April 9, 2012 at 2:52pm

I loved the festival this year. I think it's good to be critical, but this is still the early stages of everything. Mike himself said that it felt like year one again. Each year it should get a little bit better. Remember the Beatles!

I think the awards ceremony could use some reconstruction in order to make things move a bit quicker, but I personally really value their approach on not over emphasizing awards. It sounds like you really want the "honor" of being one of the few or as you said increase the competition, but those go against everything the Fest stands for. Which is that we aren't competing and no single show is truly the best. I personally could do without awards entirely, but I think people would freak.

Also a point on dress code, Jen I was in sandals with socks at the awards ceremony and I had plenty of people come up and say the appreciated that I came as "me" (including some of the ppl running the festival). I personally don't even own a suit and am curious why it is so important to dress up for awards? I may just be some rag tag kid who doesn't know better, but I personally prefer seeing people being themselves rather than gussing up for an awards ceremony. I like the laid back feel of the festival and that it is about meeting other creators and seeing their shows.  I don't really respect anyone more because they are in a suit or less because they aren't. That being said if the festival required a dresscode in the future I would totally abide it.

I don't know if they should accept more or less shows honestly. Mike said the original cut off was around 120 but felt that there were 50 shows that really deserved to go. I can respect that. LAWeb Fest isn't about competition and it isn't about who's the best, so I really appreciate that Mike and his team simply want to celebrate web series. And this weekend was a fantastic celebration.

I love how un-important Mike makes awards. Everyone really is a winner and like another poster mentioned Hollyweb Fest and other festivals provide the heated competition, LA is about coming together, not standing apart.

I would be disappointed if awards became more important.

The festival was amazing and I has a fracking fantastic time meeting tons of people.

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