Jamie Fishback

I’ve had this conversation with a few people about what the difference between a series and a mini-series is, and how it relates to new media.  From what I see and know, there are major differences between a tradition series, and a mini-series.

Tradition series’ episodes are self contained, meaning that you can watch a single episode and see a beginning, middle, and end story arch.  Now, of course this does not mean you’re going to get the back story of the characters, their relationship with each other, etc.   What it does mean, is that you can watch one episode in one season and watch another episode in another season and still enjoy each episode independently.

With a mini-series, you are looking at a series of connected pieces that are broken up into episodes.  Really, if you took all of the episodes from a mini-series and crammed them into a single stream, you would have a really long feature film (speaking of traditional 1 hr. mini-series episodes).  Mini-series have the tendency to be on a singular topic, i.e. World War II or John Adams.

Where there is similarity is the long story arch of the characters between episodes.  Of course with mini-series, it’s expected that you’re going to see character development happen over the course of the episodes.  However, with tradition series, you should also see the characters evolve.  Even with a 30-min sitcom you should see character arches through a season.

Take “How I Met Your Mother”, you can watch every episode outside of the season and get an independent arch.  But, if you watched the entire show, you would see that (DEEP BREATH) Ted was dating Robin, they broke up, Ted got left at the alter, Robin dated Barney (NPH) who’s a “ladies man”, Lily and Marshall are married, but they’re looking for the perfect married friend couple, and in the end they’re still all friends.

Also, if there is an idea that NEEDS to get passed from one episode to the next it’s normally done through “What you missed” at the beginning of the next episode.  There’s also a teaser for the next episode after the episode you just watched.

So, new media; what does new media look like when it comes to episodes, series, seasons, etc.?  I believe that a majority of web series are mini-series.  You have to watch them from beginning to end to understand what is going on.  There is rarely a time that you can watch an independent episode.  If there is overlap they don’t provide a “what you missed” prior to the episode to fill in the watcher.  They rarely make a second “season”.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  there is a time and a place for mini-series.  And, I know, that most of the comments will be something along the lines of “but, we want to make a 2nd season, we just don’t have the money.”  Okay, that’s fine, but do I have to still go back to season 1, episode 1, and watch all of it just to understand what is happening in season 2?

So, if currently new media is a mini-series world there’s a few ways this can go.  One, admit we’re in a mini-series world, add “what you missed” to the beginning of each episode, and allow each season to end in such a way that it closes a majority of the story holes.  That way, if you get to make a second season you have somewhere to go.  Two, admit that new media is trying to take the place of traditional television, and make it so that we’re not isolating people.  Allow each episode to be independent of each other (ESPECIALLY if you’re a comedy show).  Add “what you missed”, if necessary to the beginning of those episodes that need it (i.e. 3 part episode arch).  Or, do both, there IS a time and a place for each, and that’s okay.  If a story can only go one season, let it end there.  I know that this is probably hard right now, since new media episodes are in the range of 3 – 10 minutes long, but if we as content creators make sure the content is kick ass, we won’t have a problem making the episodes longer.

I just wanted to fill everyone on what’s going on with the Resurrection of Serious Rogers. We’ve been really fortunate to have an amazing crew behind this project. Because of this, there is already a quick preview of behind the scenes and some shots from the show: watch the preview here.  Also, we’ve been able to get out to a few events to help promote the show.  Below are a few shots of us at The Resolve Premiere and New Media Vaults 1 year anniversary.

As always, keep an eye on the calendar page for up to date information on when I’ll be on television, in the movies, on the web, and at the premieres.

So, The Resurrection of Serious Rogers is finally done with principle photography.  I wanted to show you guys some on set photos as well as some still shots of what will be the final look of the movie… Enjoy

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So, it’s been a few months in the making but Wienerschnitzel has finally started the “Wiener Cash” campaign, staring yours truly. You can check me out here Wiener Cash. This is the first major print campaign that I’ve done. I’m hoping that it’ll get me some eyes at a larger commercial agency. It’s not a bad way to start off 2010!!!

So, it’s that time of year again; time to make your next years goals. What are you going to accomplish physically, spiritually, in your industry, in your workplace? My goals are below, I hope it helps encourage you to think of yours for 2010. It’s going to be a year of movement, can you feel it!

Physically: start working out more regularly
Spiritually: Read the bible on a more regular basis
My industry (acting):
- Make at least $2000
- Get my SAG vouchers

UPDATE – Produce and star in my own web series / feature film ( which ever happens first )

These are small, but challenging goals. I hope they encourage you to think of your own

I’ve talked to a few people who have these accounts, but don’t use them often. They either forget, don’t have time, or honestly just don’t go to the sites because of lack of commitment. I personally find that getting the emails is the most effective way to be submitting myself consistently. I’m honestly not sure how quickly they’re sent to me once the audition posting has been created, but it’s better than not submitting at all.

LA Casting

LA Casting sends out individual emails, it’s a good and a bad thing. Good in that you can delete projects that you don’t care about, but bad because you can end up getting a ton of email to sift though. As far as I can tell there’s no way to select which kind of projects you’d like to receive not receive, i.e. theater, student, print, etc. To get to what LA Casting calls their “Direct Cast”, click on your profile, then click Direct Cast Prefs. In there you’ll see “Send Email Notices for following types of projects:”. It should be at the very top of the preferences. Select the emails you’d like to receive. Select your “union” status, your age range preferences, extra’s preferences, and direct contact. After getting everything setup, hit “Save & Return to Main Menu.”

Actors Access

Actors Access sends out periodic emails with a list of all the breakdowns that meet your “About Me” under your profile. Again, pluses are that it’s a single email, it’s broken down into the different breakdowns, and the coloring of the email also helps you scan the email pretty quickly for submissions. Honestly, right now, I can’t think of a downside to these emails. I’m not a fan of digest emails, but in this case, I can live with it. Setup is simple. Log in to Actors Access. Hover over my tools and select my account from the list. On the bottom of this page there’s a check box to turn CMail notification on / off; select it, and hit save. That’s it.

Now Casting

Now Casting does a very similar email like Actors Access. It’s easy to skim and search for submissions you want to target. What I find hard is once you get to the submission page it’s hard to see the part you’re looking for. Same pluses as actors access, but I think that Now Casting comes less in a day than Actors Access Email. Setting up: Log in to Now Casting. Hover over “My Account”, and click “Edit My Email Lists”. Look for “Now Casting Notices Alerts”. Click the subscribe button next to the email address you want to use.

And of course, if I missed anything send me an email or post a comment. Hope this helps make your acting lives easier.

Here’s a list of the workshops that I know of around town. Let me know if you guys have more, and I’ll add them

www.oneononeproductions.com
www.itaproductions.com
www.talenttogo.net
www.actorskey.com
www.thenetworkstudio.com
www.actorsco-opgroup.com
www.aiastudios.com
www.actnownetwork.com

Mashable is having a twitter/facebook voting awards. The Open Web Awards (OWA) is their “international online voting competition that covers major innovations in web technology and achievements in Social Media. This year, we’ve extended the length of the campaign by one month and also have created some new and engaging categories for our audience to reflect the changes in web culture since 2008.” (Mashable.com, 2009). Look to the right for the blue image to nominate me.

I had an awesome privilege to work with a great director, editor, crew, and makeup artist on the set of the web series End Results. Here are some links to pictures and their personal blogs. Enjoy!!!

Here’s a few pics from twitpic of my own:

Hey everyone, just a quick post. Wanted to make everyone aware that my first television appearance will be on the Bold & Beautiful June 16th or 17th. I’m the dude walking through the security entrance. Keep an eye out for me!! Leave a comment below after you watch it!!

[Update]
Hey guys, just found the episode that I’m in on CBS.com. Watch, leave a comment below, and let me know what you think. The 1st official television premiere of Jamie Fishback. Oh, and if you need to get to the point, skip ahead to 14:50.