The Gap Year - First Interactive Web Reality Show

I know it's an oldie, but a lot of school graduates have probably just started or are about to start their Gap Year and that's why I would like to present today Endemol's web reality show 'The Gap Year' which was the world's first interactive online reality travel adventure.

In 2009 TV production company Endemol, best know for shows such as 'Big Brother' and 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition", and online platform Bebo started an interactive audition process to look for extremely entertaining graduates who would like to go on a trip to New Zealand. The Bebo online community voted then for the following young people who went on the Gap Year of their wildest dreams:

To mirror Bebo's global reach, 'The Gap Year' contestants travelled the world for six months, including far flung destinations such as Iceland, Africa, Thailand, and Russia. They also ventured to high profile events like the Rio Carnival in Brazil, the Chinese New Year, Zen Week in Sri Lanka and the Full Moon Party Season in Thailand. Over the course of their travels, each contestant faced an array of challenges and surprises as they experienced different cultures, met new people, savoured exotic food, went in search of outdoor activities and entertainment and even hung out with local celebrities.

The new part about this project was that Bebo users could engage directly with the contestants, share travel tips with them and voted in weekly polls which had a direct influence on how the journeys unravelled. If you wanna see the whole series (again), go to: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheGapYear

Trigger Point - Uncover the Conspiracy

And another UK web series. This action thriller is called 'Trigger Point" and is produced by Pure Grass Films one of the leading cross-platform entertainment producers. They launched it in partnership with break.com a male-skewing video site.

'Trigger Point' is an action thriller about a group of intelligence agents that combats government corruption. Have a look at the first episode:

UK-based Pure Grass Films is already well-known for 'Beyond the Rave' which was MySpace’s first original web series outside the US, and 'Kirill', an online drama coproduction with Endemol UK.
To get more information, go to: http://www.puregrassfilms.com/

Nordwest - a Swiss web series

I was actually looking for another German web series and stumbled upon this Swiss web series.
It's called Nordwest which is the name of a fictional neighbourhood in Bern.

It's about Samuel Schäfer (Fabian Guggisberg) who grew up in Nordwest and works now as a security assistant at a shopping centre in Nordwest.
About one year ago he was involved in a mysterious accident and was sent to prison. By being a part of this special programme, he is trying to become a part of society again.
But in order to be able to live in the present, Samuel has to deal with his past first. He has to remember what really happened back then. Sam goes on a journey to look for his identity....

Have a look at Episode 1:

Unfortunately, there have only been published two pilot episodes so far. If you are interested in knowing more, please visit their website: http://www.nordwest-webserie.ch
And if you can help financing the whole series.

YouTube cookery show soon on TV

And another web show got commissioned by a broadcaster!
The US channel ABC has picked up a cookery show which was funded by YouTube as part of their original channels push. A TV remake of Recipe Rehab will be aired in the US from next month.

The cookery show which is part of the Everyday Health channel on YouTube was created by TV producer Mark Koops (The Biggest Loser, Masterchef), the former MD of Reveille. Recipe Rehab shows chefs teaching viewers how to cook popular dishes in a healthy way.
Have a look at how to make dairy-free cupcakes:

Alex Carloss, YouTube’s global head of original programming, told Reuters: “Recipe Rehab is the latest example of creators harnessing the combined attributes of TV and the web to build scaled, engaged audiences.”

One Step Closer to Home - Live the Australian Dream

When you are in your late 20s, early 30s you might belong to the so-called "Nesters". It's this awkward stage after your fun times as a 20-something and before the settled domesticity of life with kids. One Step Closer to Home mocks exactly this "nesting phase".

Nat (Alyssa McClelland) and Paul (Ryan Johnson) have recently gotten married and bought their first home together. It's a busy phase of life. There are schedules to be sorted, short-term plans to be made and long-term goals to be achieved... But all the while the newlyweds are wondering what comes next?

Have a look at Episode #1:

The humour of One Step Closer to Home is quite subtle. But not only the awkward moments between the couple are hilarious, I also like the subtly lampooing of the visual language of Australian TV soap operas.

This web series - which is written and directed by Alyssa McClelland and also produced by her and Ryan Johnson - has 11 episodes which are between 2 and 5 minutes long.
If you want to watch more and to get further information, please visit:
http://www.onestepclosertohome.tv/