Four years ago today, Rudy and I launched the first episode of Kitkast. Though Rudy had made some web videos (video blogs, vlogs, video podcasts, umm… vodcasts?) before, this was the first time we launched a web series… a serialized show. We’ve devoted countless hours to our passion ever since, and I thank every single person whose clicked play, commented on, and shared our videos with their friends.

So what am I doing today to commemorate the occasion? Acting in another web series, of course! I’m up in Vancouver right now, and I can’t say anything much, but it’s going to be EPIC… and reminiscent of Galacticast in some respect. I’ll give you the details when they’re public.

Year five promises to be even better. More guest spots, collaborations, and new content! Thanks for all your support… you make the late nights worthwhile.

Speaking of late nights… this week’s A Comicbook Orange video gave me a late night a couple of nights ago. Enjoy!

For over two years I’ve been advocating the need for a web series category on IMDb. At SXSW this year, I was given hope when IMDb founder Col Needham announced their plan to roll out tags for both web series and individual web videos in the second or third quarter of this year. Well, the third quarter ended a week ago, and I still don’t see either tags on the title submission page.

How much longer do we need to wait? How much longer must we submit our web series as “TV Series” or (straight to DVD) “Video” titles?

I sent Needham an email the other day asking for an update, and just sent an email through the IMDb contact page last night. If you’re a producer with the same concerns, I suggest trying to touch base with them through your own networking channels. Let’s get this pushed through!!!

Thanks to Rick Rey, NewTeeVee, Tubefilter and Tilzy.tv (David Nett) for also writing about this subject earlier this year.

I launched the first episode of season 4 of A Comicbook Orange last week and what a week! We have a new segment called “Pop Reviews” with 3 brief reviews that come after the featured in-depth review. We had a lot of feedback last season from fans who were sad that the show went from having three reviews to just one, so this was our way of buffing up the show without killing ourselves with all the added work (it’s still a lot of work to do for free… but we just want to make a good quality show). So far the fans are liking the segment

We were featured on YouTube this week (thanks, Mark!) and later got an invitation to join the partner program… w00t! We already have a partnered channel on YouTube for Galacticast, so it’ll be a nice wee bonus to get a second check. Onward and upward!

Aside from that, we’re wheeling and dealing on the back end… I sometimes wonder if I’ll see the sun again. Someday…

I was interviewed by the lovely Amber Mac on her new show Girls Go Geek. The episode originally aired on XBox 360 in the US and is finally available on the web for all the non XBox users/non-Americans.

It’s a great interview, but I wince every time I hear myself say “Jennie 2.0″ since it’s actually “Jennie 2.5″! Oops…

Famous last tweet…

I’m currently looking for a video editor for a potential upcoming gig. Sounds easy, right? Wrong… I’m finding it difficult because I’ve been working as my own editor for the past 4 years. As a result of making over 120 videos (over 10 hours of viewing, longer than the ENTIRE Lord of the Rings trilogy), it’s hard to find someone with the same, if not more experience.

Though my editing 4 years ago was basic, I’ve since learned a lot of tricks and have developed into a pretty darn proficient editor. While I do most of my editing in Final Cut Pro, I also use Motion for special effects and green screen (I used to use Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects). Most recently, I’ve been working to make stationary shots look a little more natural using handheld camera effects and appropriate color correction. Example:

At this point, when I say I’m looking for an editor I’m looking for someone who can already demonstrate his/her ability to do what I’ve already taught myself over the past 4 years. Scott Hampson suggested on Twitter that I “should give someone with less experience a chance, so they can learn.” Definitely an admirable idea, but then what would be the point of hiring and paying someone if I could do it better myself? Sure, it could free up more of my time… or it could mean losing time to tutor them instead. I responded saying “People with less experience can gain more by making their own content, like I did.” Eventually, if we all work hard enough, we all get picked up for our talents.

Another problem I’m worried about is that even if I find a professional TV/Film editor, they won’t have the experience I need to make things short and snappy for the web. Sure there are some talented people out there, but I need the kind of person who can edit fast-paced MTV intro-type stuff! That’s what the web is all about after all… curing your A.D.D. My golden standard for web video editors is Mike Ambs, former editor of Epic Fu. The show was always dynamic and exciting to watch. Example:

If you think you have the experience and creativity I’m looking for, and live in the Los Angeles area, please contact me and send me a link to your reel. The hunt is on!

Zod bless the Dominion of Canada! I’ll be judging the Social Media category of this year’s Canadian New Media Awards. No, I will not take bribes (unless they’re Dark Chocolate cupcakes from Sprinkles in Beverly Hills which would be next to impossible for any Canadian entrant… HA!).

All jokes aside, I’m really happy to be chosen…

The event will take place at nextMEDIA Toronto on December 1st, so go enter your web site or show so I can judge it, fellow Canadians! (Warning: it’s not free to enter, but there’s an early bird special of $125 if you enter before September 18th.)

And to those yanks out there who didn’t already know it… I. Am. Canadian!

My internet buddy Nick Douglas just put out a new book called Twitter Wit which includes a collection of funny tweets from various web peeps, including one from moi! Also included in the book are tweets from Sarah Silverman, Stephen Colbert, Stephen Fry, and many more. You can order the book on Amazon.

This isn’t the first time I’ve been quoted in books, however. I also contributed my knowledge in an interview conducted by fellow Canadian Leesa Barnes for her book Podcasting for Profit, which you can also order on Amazon.

And, last but definitely not least, my best friends Tara Platt and Yuri Lowenthal have just put their new book on voice acting up for pre-order on a new site I helped them design! Check it out here… Rudy did all the code work and I created all the banners.

You know you’ve “made it” when there’s a Latino copycat profile of you on MySpace :/

I just reported the account, mentioning that they used my likeness without permission and infringed on the copyright of my photos and this awesome video shot by Tara Brown at her recent Rock Band party:

Let’s see if MySpace actually does anything about it. It’s not a big deal at this point since the profile only has 29 friends and there are no external links to web sites… but best to crack down before that happens, no?

Thanks to Druzhba for the tip! XOXO

And, for the record… this is what my REAL MySpace profile looks like:

1. Today is the season 3 finale of A Comicbook Orange! Don’t worry, though, we’ll be back in a month with all new episodes. Until then, here’s today’s episode with a special preview of the guests we’ll be interviewing next season:

2. *WE’RE HAVING A PARTY!!!* If you’re in Los Angeles TONIGHT (Wednesday, August 19th, 2009), come to Meltdown Comics (Map) between 7:30pm-10pm to meet me and comic creators interviewed on the show, and watch a live performance by hip hop violinist/DJ duo and YouTube sensations Paul Dateh and Inka One, with photography by The Bui Brothers. The details are here:

   

Living in Los Angeles, I run into stray shopping carts on the side of the road ALL THE FUCKING TIME. It’s about time someone chronicle this silliness with a “Fuck Yeah” Tumblr account, no? Check it out: Fuck Yeah Shopping Carts.