Back with New Ways of Storytelling

Old Stories New Telling...

Up until a year ago, I was mostly interested in web series, particularly in YouTube series. I was working for Copa 90, one of the most successful British YouTube channels:

I was convinced online video was the future. I still think it is the future. I hardly ever watch traditional TV, I binge watch on Netflix. However, I'm not that excited about online video anymore. Therefore, I was planning on closing this blog. But instead I have decided I will start writing about all the really exciting new ways of storytelling that are out there, including apps, games, graphic novels etc. 

About a month ago, I attended the Bavarian Transmedia Day and one of the hot topics were wearable technology, such as Google Glass. Storytellers all over the world are currently trying to figure out how technology can enhance a narrative.

An interesting project I recently came across is 'Loading Human', a virtual reality adventure game. Players take the role of a man's disembodied consciousness as he relives his memories, in order to store them in a new robot body before dementia erases them forever. The game will use the Oculus Rift headset and motion tracking devices to give the player bodily awareness inside the game. Have a look:

Italian actor and filmmaker Flavio Parenti who recently starred in Woody Allen's 'To Rome with Love' has teamed up with development studio Untold Games for 'Loading Human'. The game will be released for Windows and Mac OS later this year. 

The Vines of Sauvignon Blanc - a Vine series

Facebook has confirmed that around 5 million videos were uploaded to Instagram's new video-clip feature within 24 hours of launch. Have you tried Instavideo yet? Or do you prefer Twitter's Vine?

The Twitter-owned video app has been chosen as the medium in which logo will air a soap opera called,  "The Vines of Sauvignon Blanc". Within 22 episodes, the series tells “the heart-wrenching tale of a wealthy vineyard owner who is told he only has two minutes and six seconds to live as his family plots for power and prestige, all while being incredibly pressed for time.”

Here is Episode 1: 

The series even has an impressive cast, including Sue Galloway (“30 Rock”); Stephen Guarino (“Happy Endings,” “Big Gay Sketch Show”); Jamie Lee (“Girl Code”); Leslie Meisel (Second City, Upright Citizen’s Brigade); Reichen Lemkuhl (“Amazing Race,” “The A-List: New York”): Michael Hartney (Upright Citizen’s Brigade) and Jarvis Derrell (#SheHasHadIt).

Will there be an Instavideo Telenovela next?

Brothers With No Game - a Hit UK web series

Back in April, UK web series Brothers With No Game won a record six awards at the LA Web Festival. The comedy drama took home awards for producing, directing and editing, while the talented cast, comprised of David Avery, Isaac Sosanya, Zephryn Taitte, Jay Marsh, won 'Ensemble Cast'.

#BrothersWithNoGame follows the social and romantic lives of four friends: Theo, Dorian, Junior and Marcus. Facing a 'quarter-life crisis', the 20-somethings come to terms with the responsibilities and dilemmas that revolve around work, family, friendships and most notably, women. Their distinctive personalities and ever-changing love lives are paralleled with a strong friendship and one evident, common, trait...they have no game....

Check out the 1st episode where Theo discovers what it means to play the #HeskeyRole after a night out with Nicole: 

The first episode, launched last year and received over 10,000 views within five days. Their YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/BrothersWithNoGame has almost 400,000 video views to date.

The web series is the creation of Justin Credible (JC), Maverick, Don Kwelu and The Yak and is produced by Socialize Media: http://www.socializemedia.co.uk
Earlier this year, the creators launched a fundraising drive to help finance the second season. They raised over £3,000 and will start filming soon.

If you want more information, please visit: http://www.brotherswithnogame.com

Kam Kardashian - a satirical web series

A lot of my friends actually enjoy watching "Keeping up with the Kardashians". I bet, though, none of them has ever heard of Kam Kardashian. Have you?
Kam is the long-lost lesbian Kardashian sister with the world on her shoulders and a cocktail in her hand.

Kam Kardashian is a satirical web series by Fawzia Mirza (who also stars) and Ryan Logan that follows Kameron, the fictional Kardashian sister who was cut off, kicked out, and left to fend for herself.
This Kardashian sprout loves whiskey and women, and most of all: yearns to re-insert herself into the Kardashian krown by any means possible. Check out Episode 1:

If you want to keep up with the other Kardashian sister, go to: http://kamkardashian.com/
According to Ryan Logan, the first season was made with no budget at all. They raised $5,000 on Kickstarter for the second season which was shot in February.

The Office - a farewell web series

All good things must come to an end...and for The Office it's gonna be on May 16th.
After nine highly entertaining seasons we have to say goodbye to our favourite characters. But in order to help sending the series off in style, NBC launched a farewell web series.

In the first episode, Will Ferrell fondly remembers his multi-episode appearance as Deangelo Vickers, while enjoying his lunch. Have a look: 

There will be all in all ten webisodes, with the final one hitting NBC.com before next month’s finale.
Who would you like to see bidding farewell and reminiscing about the good old times at the office?