Category: Bonusodes

Bonusode #23 – Andra Sheffer, Executive Director of the IPF

IPF = Independent Production Fund

One does not simply fund a webseries. Established 20 years ago as a means to finance and support Canadian television productions, the IPF (Independent Production Fund) has over recent years broadened its scope to include web series in its mandate. Many a web series creator owes their story to the IPF for breathing much-needed life into their productions and giving them the ability to carry it from paper to screen. Currently they invest over $1.5M a year into web series, knowing full well most of the time that they may not make their money back.

Bonusode #22 – ‘Prison Dancer’ producer Ann Serrano

This ain’t your usual prison-set, Filipino musical webseries. Prison Dancer is something for those of us who are sick of watching Glee, not satisfied enough with karaoke or DDR, and wanting more out of a Broadway show experience.

You may remember a viral video showing some 1,500 inmates of a Philippines prison all rehearsing their dance routine to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. This phenomenal display became the inspiration behind both a stage musical and webseries, all under the production title “Prison Dancer“.

Self-described as “Glee meets Miss Saigon“, the story follows the lives of 6 inmates within the walls of the notoriously violent prison who get swept up in a new dance rehabilitation program that unifies the once aggressive population. The dancing serves as an outlet for some, a form of expression for others, and even offers hope to those who otherwise wouldn’t survive incarceration.

With its use of transmedia, multi-platforms, and simply being one of very few musical webseries emerging, Nick just had to ask the Producer of Prison Dancer just how such an idea is born and produced with such production quality and talent.

Bonusode #21 – Ruby Skye P.I. creator Jill Golick

You ever seen a Sergio Leone western standoff where the good guy and the bad guy are about to dual each other? The street is quiet. Locals shut their windows and clear out. A tumbleweed goes bouncing past. I’m not entirely sure what this might have to do with this particular bonusode with Jill Golick from Ruby Skye P.I., but maybe you can figure it out.

Does everybody here remember Jill Golick, creator of the webseries Ruby Skye P.I.? Or the review we gave the series in Episode, the Eighth?

For those who missed out, I (Nick) didn’t show a lot of love for Ruby. And perhaps my opinion came across a little bit more hateful than I wanted it to (okay, it definitely did) so I’m glad I got the opportunity to clear the air and chat with Jill in person about my thoughts on her show. Luckily for me, Jill is a very understanding person and our conversation was a pleasant and peaceful one.

Ruby Skye P.I. is a webseries that follows Ruby, a young detective-in-the-making, who actively seeks out mysteries to solve in her neighbourhood. It’s very Nancy Drew-ish for a younger generation and is very similar to something you’d expect to see on YTV, in regard to both content and production value. It’s shot well, edited well and packaged well. And Candice enjoys it immensely. But for Nick…not his cup o’ tea.

Jill and I talked not only about my personal opinions of the first season of the series but also what’s coming up for the second season of Ruby et al. As Jill puts it, this new season will “blow the first season…out of the water”. They’ve upped everything in the production, including the gear and the budget.

Watch all twelve episodes of the 1st season of Ruby Skye P.I. right now and keep looking for upcoming season 2 episodes expected to be released around October 2012.