IAWTV: Voting for the Board ends Friday - why it matters!

Let's rewind to 12 months ago...
The call for nominations for the Streamys 2010 went out in December 2009, and voting for the nominations ended on January 15th 2010. Anticipation was already building for the event and everyone expected it to blow minds. Which it did, but not exactly in the way imagined. As many will remember, the ceremony itself unfortunately detracted severely from the fact that there were Award winners, and the fall out from that is still being felt.

We are all doomed
...to repeat history if we don't remember it. Immediately after the Streamys last year there were all sorts of questions, accusations and intrigues around the Streamys and the International Academy of Web Television. It was not a comfortable time for anyone and there was inevitably soul-searching. But good things have come from that. The questions asked then have led to changes and new directions for both the Streamys and the IAWTV, and I think this is very positive. Last week the IAWTV held the first round of voting for the new Board of Directors, which has left 12 people in the running for the 6 positions.

The IAWTV, renewed
The idea of a dedicated body for web television is sound. And even while people can argue about terms (even 'web television' is contentious), reach, focus and goals, I don't see a better alternative anywhere. The election of the new Board will set the path ahead. The 12 nominees all bring their own ideas, enthusiasm, perspective and experience, and all of them will serve the Academy well. I have voted for the people I think will serve the Board the best, but every one of the nominees has much to offer. If you are a member of the IAWTV don't forget to vote - use your voice and make a difference!

The end of the beginning
There is still so much to do it would be foolish to imagine that the having a new Board will magically make things better. And yet, in a way it will. The new Board will be able to build on the work that has already been started and set the IAWTV on course to become the leader it needs to be. There will be a focus and that is the key to making progress. When there is so much to be done it is hard to get anything done. I'm looking forward to seeing what the Board sets as priorities so we can move things forward.

I'm ready to pitch in and help in any way I can. Are you?

P.S. I'd like to underline the fact that I think the IAWTV has made big progress in the last year. I am incredibly grateful for the hard work that has gone on there, often behind the scenes with little recognition. Thank you all.

The IAWTV and Streamy Awards part company

UPDATE: Interview with Amber J. Lawson, Chair of the Awards Committee of the IAWTV on rocketstail.com (via Jeff's link on indieintertube.tv/Backchannel)

In an announcement today, the International Academy of Web Television revealed some of its plans for the future which include detaching from The Streamy Awards and creating their own awards due in Fall 2011. This has been met with surprise in some quarters, but most of the reactions I've seen have been positive. And the IAWTV and members have stressed that the parting is amicable and based on how best the IAWTV can serve the community.

Zadi Diaz, (Epic Fu, New Mediacracy Podcast and much more), the well-respected new media creator and commentator, posted her take on the announcement on her blog:

"...This change will allow the IAWTV to focus on investing all of its efforts into providing valuable resources to its membership.

Three months (six for veteran board members) and dozens of meetings (between the board and all the committees) later and I am confident that we are on a path to creating an organization that will provide great value to our community as a whole. .."

Zadi also published the announcement letter sent to IAWTV members which outlined the main reasons for the split:

"... Non-Profit vs. For-Profit: Due to the IAWTV’s legal structure as a non-profit entity with the mandate to serve the community for which it was established, all profits from an award show in which the IAWTV is involved should go back to the Web television community through programs and resources established by the IAWTV. The Streamy Awards is currently structured as a for-profit entity. We have found it impossible to harmonize these competing objectives and desired ends.

· By the Community, For the Community. IAWTV membership is growing now that open enrollment is in place. We have an awesome Executive Director, a fantastic, professional Board of Directors, and terrific members taking leadership roles at a grass-roots level. Due to these realities, we agreed producing our own awards event is possible and makes sense. Therefore, we believe it is important that the IAWTV create a non-profit award show for the community, by the community that benefits the community.

· Financial Responsibility. The primary obligation of the Board is to do what is financially responsible for the organization. We have very limited funds presently at the IAWTV. If we were to work with a for-profit entity to produce an ambitious event for the sake of maximizing profits, we would likely put the IAWTV under severe financial stress. We decided it is best to live within our means and not spend money we do not have..."

Felicia Day, (The Guild, Dr Horrible and much more) also set out her views on the announcement in a blog post:

"...My biggest hope with this change is that we can move on and focus on how the IAWTV can serve the community at large, to help and educate people who want to make their own content, but need more tools.  Opening enrollment to EVERY qualified member recently was a big step. There’s a lot of mobilization with the current members to form writing groups, producers groups, creation of a new website to connect members from around the world etc.  THERE is where the future of the non-profit IAWTV lies: in servicing the members.  And if we can have a low-key awards show to honor the members of our community for their talent, then that will be the icing on the web video cake...."

Liz Shannon Miller broke the news on NewTeeVee with the headline "IAWTV Dumps Streamys For Its Own Award Show". Reading through the article and those above, though, it seems that rather than simply 'dumping' The Streamys, the IAWTV have taken some tough decisions and come up with some solutions that should best serve the community.

It has been a long six months since The Streamys and during that time, like many people, I've been doing a lot of thinking, trying to work out what has been going on and what role I want to take (if any) in this community. I love creating, commenting and being part of the new media/webseries world, and I've made some amazing friends in the process. I wouldn't be making a new webseries if I wasn't committed.

I held off applying for IAWTV membership because I simply had no real clue what I was signing up for. The path still isn't crystal clear but I am very happy with this announcement and the direction things seem to be going in. I'll be applying to the IAWTV next week. If I get in I will take an active part in the forums and discussions because this community excites me, fires me up and inspires me. You can discuss this over at the IndieIntertube 'Backchannel' message board, where several people have already commented.

What do you think of the announcement?

IAWTV: changes afoot. Meetings today and Thursday

Like many people, I've been waiting see what would happen at the next two IAWTV (International Academy of Web Television) meetings held in New York today, and LA on the 17th. After the May meeting in LA, Jenni Powell did an excellent summary, as did Liz Shannon Miller from NewTeeVee. Felicia Day, who is a member of the Board couldn't attend but wrote about her thoughts regarding the future of the IAWTV post-Streamys. The excellent podcast, New Mediacracy, also recorded a show straight after the May meeting, with Tony Valenzuela, Casey McKinnon, Barrett Garese, Brett Register, and Rudy Jahchan. This podcast is hosted by Zadi Diaz,  Steve Woolf and Chris McCaleb. I highly recommend listening because it touches on many of the pertinent matters related to the whole new media/web video community in a straightforward and personal way.

Earlier today Brady Brim-DeForest tweeted a link to an open note from him to the members of the IAWTV:

"...I am writing to inform you of my intention to resign my position as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Academy of Web Television, in concert with three of my fellow founders, Joshua Cohen, Marc Hustvedt, and Jamison Tilsner. Jamison and I will also be resigning our respective offices as Treasurer and Executive Director of the IAWTV..."

Mr Brim-Deforest and the other members will not be leaving the IAWTV but will remain members and still contribute as such. A letter from Elizabeth Flack dated May 26th, which was been posted on webseriesnetwork.com, said that this would happen and also outlined the new committees being set up. It also announced a new 'Director Emeritus' seat to be held by one of the six founding members of the IAWTV.

Real changes are afoot and it looks like the June meetings might bring about some positive plans for the future. I'm looking forward to seeing feedback from people who attend.

Interview with "Webventures" Producer, Wilson Cleveland

Wilson Cleveland with Felicia Day, who guest starred in "Webventures"

Want to know more about "The Webventures of Justin & Alden"?
Last week I said I was going to be interviewing the multi-talented Wilson Cleveland, producer of "Webventures", co-founder of CJP Digital Media and new media veteran. I asked if anyone had any questions for him and Huck, Eva, Osiramon and Bryan all stepped up. I put their questions and mine to Wilson and he replied with some really in-depth answers. Part 1 is on PinkRaygun.com today.

Part 2 tomorrow...
The second part of the interview is out tomorrow where Wilson talks about the Streamys and offers some advice to aspiring web video creators.

Thanks Wilson!

The Streamys: Rebuild the trust?

This is what the Streamys 2010 should be remembered for - excellence rewarded. Felica Day FTW

EDIT: Added link Derek Housman's tumblr post

These wounds are made for picking
The last two weeks have tested the mettle of many supporters of Web TV, webseries and web communities as a whole. After the events three weeks ago there have been claims and counter-claims across the web. And now there is a new movement afoot. Here are some recommended reads:

http://news.tubefilter.tv/2010/04/26/the-truth-about-the-streamy-awards-and-the-iawtv
A special Tubfilter Editoral from the creators of the Streamys Awards, Drew Baldwin, Brady Brim-DeForest, Joshua Cohen, Marc Hustvedt and Jamison Tilsner

http://rebuildthetrust.org/
The Manifesto from RebuildTheTrust

http://www.caseymckinnon.com/blog/personal/2010/04/26/the-elephant-in-the-room/
A rebuttal from Casey McKinnon, new media creator

http://rebuildthetrust.org/community/comments.php?DiscussionID=6&page=1#Item_2
@theonetruebix has asked for details about who does what at the IAWTV, Tubefilter and the Streamys

http://rebuildthetrust.org/community/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&page=1#Item_1
@Jeff_Koenig has asked for clarification on the 'takeover' section of the RebuildTheTrust manifesto

http://www.barrettgarese.com/post/551640683/my-total-speculation-on-what-the-truth-about-the
@SpyTap, Barret Garese, speculates on what it all might mean

http://kentnichols.com/2010/04/26/streamys-and-iawtv-there-can-be-only-one/
@kentnichols (AskANinja.com) looks at what might happen

http://derekhousman.tumblr.com/post/551571819/building-the-future
Derek Housman adds his take on the situation (thanks to Jeff_Koenig for commenting with this link)

The road to hell is paved with good intentions
My Gran was fond of that saying, usually applied when one or other of us had neglected to do homework, dishes or another decade of the Rosary but really meant to do it very soon.
Most people mean well but the gap between the intention and the result can be - well, very gappy indeed.

Confusion Reigns
I have no idea what is going on.
You have no idea what is going on.
We have no idea what is going on.

All I know is the following:

• I love me some webseries and have a lot of respect for the creators out there doing their thing
• I cannot shake the suspicion that money, influence and things unrelated to promoting new media/online entertainment are behind many of the issues being aired in public on both sides
• Transparency is a good thing as long as it works both ways
• Change is not always good, or bad

What I hoped the Streamys would be about:

• Celebrating achievements and efforts of the whole community of creators in the new media space.
• Promoting online entertainment as an industry to the world as a whole.
• Showing that creators can come from anywhere - that the quality of the product and the sincerity of the pursuit of the craft is more important than where you live, who you know and the funding you receive.

What I hoped the IAWTV would be about:

• Setting standards of propriety and openness that the rest of the new media/online entertainment industry could work towards.
• Building on the efforts of the creators to establish online entertainment as a vibrant and diverse community with common goals, standards and aspirations
• Organising, or at least setting standards for, outreach, learning and technical workshops for ALL the community

What happens next?
I have no clue. Letting the dust settle seems an appropriate response at this juncture because I have no idea what is really going on. The last three weeks have left me heartsore for all our community. There is more shock and disbelief today. People are trying to do the right thing. It's just a pity that there is no consesus on what that might be.

Kim Evey and Jenni Powell: Celebrating the web video community

Jenni Powell and Kim Evey

The Heart of the Matter
In testing times it is often hard to know what to do to help. There have been many thousands of words written and spoken about the Streamy event last Sunday. That conversation is necessary and worthwhile. The web entertainment community is built by people who want to make things happen, who do not sit back and wait for permission, who, above all, want to make a difference. That might be making people laugh, or think, or escape for a short while. Or make them want to party. Kim and Jenni have stepped up to organise a special event tomorrow.

A Winning Celebration
In the heat of emotions unleashed on Sunday one thing - the one thing that really mattered - was lost:

"In response to a Streamy Awards ceremony that felt like it didn’t serve to fully honor the very deserving winners in all areas of web entertainment, Kim Evey (producer of The Guild) and myself have decided to put together an informal gathering of as many of the winners as are available this Thursday, April 15th for an evening of celebration. We have asked each winner to speak for 1 – 2 minutes on their creation and what working in web video means to them, why they love working in web video, as well as sharing thoughts on the issue of net neutrality, which effects our industry as a whole.

This is not about airing out grievences about the Streamy Awards ceremony, it is about celebrating those who were chosen by their peers as the best representations of web video in a variety of categories..." (From Jenni Powell's blog)


How you can participate
This event is being held for the web entertainment community. Those who are in the Los Angeles area can attend in person (but please let the organisers know in advance). Everyone else can join in the live stream. These are the details:

Thursday, April 15th at 8 PM PST (7:30 drinks at Amalfi next door)
Acme Comedy Theater
135 S. La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036-2911

Live stream: http://www.acmecomedy.com/livebroadcast.shtml

You could also show your appreciation to Jinx.com who donated the funds for renting the Acme by tweeting them (or even buying one of their cool tees)- THANK YOU JINX!

Search for a #tag
I tweeted a short time ago that we are looking for a suitable #tag for twitter so we can all use the same one tomorrow. We've had some suggestions:

#doneright
#streamystoo
#streamykudos
#betterstreamys
#streamycelebration
(thanks to @theonetruebix, @GrrArrgh and @jennipowell)

If you have a suggestion for a short tag that encapsulates the spirit of the event then let us know!

More about Kim and Jenni
Kim Evey is a web entertainer with years of experience including her own Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show and as producer of The Guild. Kim was a live guest on eGuiders yesterday and you can see the recording here.

Jenni Powell also has years in web entertainment from LonelyGirl15 to Production/Admin Assistant for The Guild and Associate Editor at Tubefilter. Jenni also co-hosts the Knights of The Guild Podcast, which you can listen to here.

Thank you for organising this, Kim and Jenni - you are amazing.

The Streamys 2010: What can we expect tonight?

Felicia Day accepts (one of) her Streamy Award in 2009

They say you always remember your first time...

...and I certainly remember the First Streamys. It was a dark and stormy nig....er, no, that's not quite right. It was a highly exciting night. No one was sure of what to expect. Who would be there? Who would win? Who would scream the loudest if the live stream didn't work?

Sandeep Parikh and Felicia Day kick off the action in 2009

Breathlessly waiting

Like many people gathered on Twitter and WatchTheGuild chat room, I anxiously waited for the live feed to finally start. After a couple of small hiccups we were thrust right into the heart of the Streamys. Felicia Day and Sandeep Parikh set the ball in motion and the awards came thick and fast. For a great summary read this article from Tubefilter. It was an uplifting evening.

Jane Espenson (we are not worthy) tells us that BSG is like chopped liver in her 2009 Streamys acceptance speech

So many winners, a few surprises and lots of hard work rewarded. It's a bit of a blur but I managed to remember enough about it to cobble together a blog post. So what will we see this year?

Joss Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen accept the Dr Horrible Streamy in 2009

Vanity Fair gives us a taste
Surprisingly (to me, anyway), the only place I've seen any real hint of what's going to happen on the night has been in this article. No real spoilers except that Keanu Reeves will be there....and no word if NPH will sneak along just for the heck of it (we can hope).

Neil Patrick Harris thrills at the Streamys 2009 with tales of Nathan Fillion's junk

Submit to a night of web history
There will be winners and losers but we can all share in the experience of seeing the future of web entertainment blossoming before our very eyes. The red carpet pre-show starts at 3:30 PST and the ceremony itself starts at 5:30 PST. Make sure you are locked onto http://www.streamys.org/ to be a part of history and I'll see you there (and on Twitter)! I'll be adding pictures from the ceremony on my Flickr account as quickly as they will upload.

The Guild looked fabulous last year but....

Who hopes that The Guild will show up in their Avatar costumes?!?

Cricket Lee, Felicia Day, The Streamys and Whedonage

Firstly: did you meet Cricket yet?

Cricket Lee was kind enough to let me interview her about her experiences as an extra on The Guild set. I have posted the edited version of this on Whedonage along with some background biography. (It was especially kind of her because this was the second time. I had mucho trouble with the first one because iMovie would not import it correctly - so thank you Cricket!). I first met Cricket on the WatchTheGuild.com community site after the Dr Horrible screening last year and she shared her experiences about that on another blog post. But it was brilliant actually talking to her via Skype. Because YouTube only allows videos of 100 megs/less than 10 mins I had to edit it down quite a bit. But if you'd like to hear some more then Cricket has uploaded another part of it where she talks about Joss at the Dr Horrible screening - it's a funny story!

The 'People's Choice' Streamys are announced...

...and my blog post about my choices was a 'very Honorable Runner-up'. Cool! Unfortunately I didn't win the tickets for the Awards Ceremony (that honour goes to Ben Shult from St. Timmy Productions) but it's good to know that my hit rate of 4/10 (The Guild, Dr Horrible, After Judgement and Legend of Neil) and wasn't too bad. And now - have you voted today yet? You can vote once every day up until the 28th March for your favourite so if you love more than one special webseries you can alternate your votes. Just remember to vote every day! Even though I won't be there at the Awards, I'll be watching the Live Feed. To me, this is much more exciting than the Oscars! I've followed many of these people for a while now and to see them honoured in the Streamys Awards is a huge thrill.

Felicia Day: new media guru?

After appearing at the SXSW 2009 and then in Improv again last night, where else might you find Felicia this year? She blogged recently about her appearances in 2009 and the fact they are going to be limited this year due to the heavy commitments she has. But she and The Guild will be at San Diego Comic Con in July and Felicia will also be at the Starfury Con in England in April. And what is she doing in the meantime? Writing Season 3 of The Guild, working on other projects such as an upcoming Machinima production and making guest speaker appearances such as the one she will be making at the 'Future of Television West'. It is heartening to see that Felicia is being asked to speak at such events because it shows that web shows, and the people who create them, are being taken seriously.