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Me Myself & Riggins

Tag Archives: TV

LUV VOD

24 Thursday Apr 2014

Posted by wendynewell in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Amazon, Amazon Instant Video, Amazon Prime, Favor, HBO, iTunes, movie, on demand, Time Warner Cable, TV, VOD

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I’ve mentioned before my extreme love for VOD.  It’s the best thing since sliced bread I tell ya!  I’ve been waiting for the perfect time to try to influence you to give this “on demand” thing a shot and now I have the perfect reason.  Remember when my friend Leslie did a guest post on the movie she co-produced, Favor?  No?  Well then you should probably go read it before continuing on (click here).  Now that you are up to speed we can continue.

Favor has done very well on the festival circuit but that audience is limited to those who … well … go to festivals.  Let’s face it that’s probably not you (and me).  Team Favor has worked very hard to make it so their movie is available to the masses (aka you and me).  According to the picture I stole from Favor‘s Facebook page it is now available on every VOD platform that exists.  Most folks tend to flock toward iTunes.  Favor is doing very well there and even I, in my odd anti-iTunes ways, could easily find it on the TOP MOVIE CHARTS.  That’s right.  My friend’s movie is right there at #48 (as of right this minute) tucked nice and cozy between Labor Day and Bad Country.  It’s my understanding it is much higher in the genre specific charts but I didn’t look.  I trust the Favor folks and didn’t feel the need to verify it.

For my VOD viewing I almost exclusively use Time Warner Cable.  Mostly because it is available on my TV.  All the VOD (or almost all) have the ability to stream to your TV but require a box or stick or subscription or whatever.  TWC is my cable provider so is already on my TV ready to take advantage of my need for instant gratification.   Luckily for me Favor is available there.  Along with TONS OF TV SHOWS AND OTHER MOVIES.  It’s were I watch the shows that don’t make the DVD list for space reasons.  All those Discovery, Syfy, and USA shows.  It’s so wonderful.  Not to mention they have every children’s show known to man.  When my niece and nephew come over I don’t have to worry about what is available for them.  I turn on the on demand and we are good to go!  Any TV shows that you normally get with your cable subscription are free on demand.  Most movies and special events have a charge that goes directly on your next cable bill.

FavorMy second favorite place to watch shows on demand is Amazon.  Many people don’t know that you can stream movies/tv shows from Amazon.  Well you can!  They even have Amazon Fire TV which allows you to stream directly to your TV (they also have a brilliant ad campaign using Gary Busey that makes me giggle every single time I see it).  If you are a prime member many shows are free.  That’s right … FREE!  It’s how I got caught up on Downton Abbey.  Something I highly suggest you do as well.  Amazon recently made trade news by inking an exclusive deal with HBO.  Now I’m assuming those shows aren’t free but starting May 21st HBO owned content will be available through Amazon Instant Video!

Now that I’ve plugged my friends movie, which you should definitely see, while embracing one of the on demand options available at your fingertips, I want to point something out to advertisers.  If I was an advertiser there are two places I would put a chunk of my money:

1. TV On Demand – On demand has already focused your audience to folks that REALLY want to be watching a specific show.  Unlike DVD’d TV most “on demand” network options through cable providers don’t allow fast forwarding.  Personally as a viewer this kinda pisses me off but it is the ONLY time I watch commercial breaks all the way through.  Just be careful when placing ads in on demand as you need to be aware that these shows can be watched at any time so any spot that is time sensitive doesn’t work well there.  Also showing the same ad over and over each break makes a viewer want to hit you not purchase your product.

2. Podcast Live Reads – There are a few very highly rated podcasts that are well worth advertising on.  Once again you can do a good job of targeting a very engaged consumer.  You are also asking someone who they adore or look up to, to be part of your ad.  Many podcasters (or ex-radio folks) are very good at live reads.  If they are let them do it.  They know how to speak to their audience and if their audience is loyal they will do what they are told.  I don’t like Howard Stern but I’ll give him this much … he was king of the live read.  Move your radio dollars to podcasts.  That’s where you will find the new Howard Stern like audience.

Ok enough of my preaching … get to watching Favor!

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Lights Camera … Wait Who Owns that Dog?

08 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by wendynewell in Uncategorized

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Tags

filming, Griffith Park, movies, Observatory, Riggins, TV

photo 3 (24)Have I told you about my disdain for film crews?  It is absolutely irrational how irate I get at having to be put off by on-site  filming.  An event that happens quite often living in Los Angeles.  A normal person would take it with a grain a salt and just go about their business and/or be excited at a possible glimpse at a celebrity.  Not me.  I see those big white movie trailers parked in an area I’m headed to and I start to get all red with steam coming out of my ears.  I don’t know why.  Maybe it is jealousy.  I’m jealous that they get to be doing their fun job while I am not.  More than not though I think it is the fact that I’ve come up against many an actor/crew member who feels entitled by their position.  I don’t do well with those type of folks.

At one point in my college life I did extra work during my school breaks.  Because of my age I mostly was background where “over 18 to look younger” was needed.  If you want to come face to face with entitled actors TV series that feature teenagers is a pretty good place to start.  More than once I had to sit around in short shorts and a crop top freezing my ass off while someone had to convince the lead actress to shrug off her big warm jacket to do her scene.  You know it’s bad when the crew starts asking if you are okay and mention that you are starting to turn blue.  I soon learned that my “acting” skill wasn’t really needed in this specific setting and learned to do the minimal amount of work possible.  Most of what you do “on set” as an extra is sit around and wait.  Due to boredom I sometimes missed out on the getting up and moving part.  I was once asked if I could at least read my book inside the shot.  A quick shrug and I mosied on over to some steps where the lead actors where going to be, plopped down, and got back to reading.

I was on a set of a TV show where the lead male actor was such a cocky ass that I managed to get caught making fun of him.  I was taken off camera that day.  But not off set!  I got to sit next to the bagels and eat, read and get paid for it.  Since no one really knew who I was it didn’t hurt my working on more sets either.  There was always a need for the “over 18 to look younger.”

What is worse than the studio productions are the independent ones.  The ones that are shooting on the fly, without permits, and with minimal crew.  I once almost killed myself and some dude holding a mic by the LA River.  They were filming some period piece on the bike path and as I turned a blind corner (on my bike) the crew guy came running down a bank right in front of me.  There is film somewhere that shows a biker from the future (aka me) screaming and cursing bloody murder at everyone on and off camera.

photo 1 (31)Just a couple of years ago I was in NY and late for a meeting.  I was power walking down the street only to get stopped by a “studio cop” who was holding  up foot traffic to film some scene from some TV series.  “Hellz no!” I thought.  Granted I was in a bad place right that moment in my life but the last thing I needed was to be even later for a meeting.  In my mind I was working like a dog and I wasn’t going to let some TV series tell me what to do.  I walked through.  I heard someone yell cut and like you would expect from good NYers had a number of people follow my rebellious ways.

Today Riggins and I headed to Griffith Park for a fun hike.  My plan was to park near the start of Fern Dell to take the fun little path up to the cafe then continue up to the observatory.  Of course my plan went to hell in a handbag as soon as I saw a zillion white trailers and orange cones.  They were filming.  Damn it!  Despite the fact that they felt like they could take up 90% of parking at Griffith Park I was able to find a spot for my car.  My anger subsided as I had a gay ol’ time with my buddy Riggins and didn’t even remember I hated these people until it was time to get back in the car to leave.  At that point I went up to the GIANT parking lot to turn around.  There is no way they could take up the ENTIRE PARKING LOT.   I was wrong.  There was no one to be seen but one lonely traffic directing woman who thought she was all that AND a slice of bread.  She stood in front of my car frantically giving me the STOP sign.  I pulled up and rolled down my window telling her I was just turning around.  She was not okay with this and started to go crazy.  Luckily I was in a car and all I had to do was roll up my window and drive around her.  Then I turned around, drove by her again as she glared angrily at me, and headed on my way.  Now explain to me why I couldn’t turn around right there when they were filming a good 1/2 mile further down the street?  This is just where the crew was supposed to park and even then the lot was nowhere near full?  THAT is why I dislike these  people.  You aren’t that important.  Seriously.  You just aren’t.  There is absolutely no reason you need to act like you are guarding the President of the United States.  Riggins cares way more about your craft service table than anything else and I care about nothin’.

Here is my theory on how on site filming could make things better.

photo 2 (32)1. Stop being entitled asshats.

2. Give something back to the people you are putting off.  If it is a movie you are filming give out free tickets to a screening.  You can even make it a test screening for you if you want to get something out of it.  Frankly most won’t even show up but it is the thought that counts.  TV folks?  Give away anything.  At a hiking spot?  Give away bottled water with your logo.  Anything to show you appreciate the fact that you are in someone else’s space.  Even if you are paying the city to be in that space … acknowledge the individual.

3.  Don’t take up all the parking.  It’s already a pain in the ass to park in LA.  You are already busing some folks to and from their cars would it hurt  you to drive a little further?

4.  Don’t be angry when I screw up your shot because you have pissed me off.  I can’t control myself.  I just get so enraged.

I know all folks in the “business” aren’t bad.  After all I have many friends who work in it and I love them dearly.  Don’t get me wrong though.  If their filming gets in my way Riggins and I are walking right through their shot.  Look for us the next time you watch your favorite TV show.

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Daddy Knows Best

04 Wednesday Aug 2010

Posted by wendynewell in Uncategorized

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

dad, TV


I’ve already suggested in a post that my Mom is brilliant so it makes sense that dad deserves his own blog post too. Last night I was in a deep depression due to the fact that my back log of NCIS episodes (I only started watching this last season so had lots of old ones saved up) had been depleted. I quickly went through the TV Guide to find some more to record all the time wondering why I didn’t start watching this show earlier. I LOVE IT. In fact one of the characters, Special Agent Anthony, made my top TV character lists (lists found here and here). In fact, I love all the characters. Well not Abby. Her character is like fingernails on a chalk board but, based on the research my company does, my opinion is not the norm. To each his own.

How did I get hooked on NCIS so close to it’s final season? Dad. See mom and dad don’t have cable so TV options at their house are limited. Visits home require you to watch an actual broadcast network (although with digital they now get those sub channels like This TV which my dad insists is as good as any cable movie channel). This very much limits my program options. One such evening dad insisted NCIS was worth my time. He was right! In fact he is often right. If it wasn’t for him I’d never have started watching Bones, How I Met Your Mother (which I don’t think he watches anymore but I’m a loyal supporter of anything NPH does), The Big Bang Theory, and Boston Legal (I have to give some credit on this one to a co-worker) just to name a few. How empty my life would have been without these lovely programs.

It makes me think of things I’ve missed out on when he told me I’d like a something and I refused to give it a shot. Perhaps Buffy was the best TV show of all time and I missed out. Naaaaaaaah.

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Counting is Fun! – Note

18 Monday Jan 2010

Posted by wendynewell in Uncategorized

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Tags

crazy talk, TV


Just wanted to let you know that as TV shows come out of their holiday hiatus I stand strongly by my choices of top 10 (see postings below). Well somewhat strongly as I feel I need to add Special Agent Anthony from NCIS. Darn my dad for getting me hooked on that show. In fact I love all the characters from that show except Abby. I may be the only NCIS watcher to dislike her. That wacky crazy scientist chick thing is annoying. I find it hard to believe that someone in a mini skirt, dog collar, and unhealthy caffeine addiction would be taken seriously in a male driven corporate environment. No matter how good she was at her job. (I speak from experience.)

Now that I’m talking NCIS I adore LL Cool J. I have no idea what his character name is so I can’t officially put him on the list but I still adore him.

P.S.
I heart Kendall.

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Counting is Fun!

22 Tuesday Dec 2009

Posted by wendynewell in DVR

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Tags

DVR, Lists, TV


I love end of the year countdowns and lists. ADORE THEM! I’m not sure why. No matter the topic I have an opinion and will happily share it with anyone who will listen. I’ve even been known to watch end of the year list countdowns on ESPN and honestly I couldn’t tell you if I even have access to that channel any other time of year.

So! I decided to make my own end of year top 10 list of the best (aka my favorite) TV characters of 2009. Now I realize it doesn’t make sense to compile this list mid network season but I don’t care. I also freely admit I stole this idea from someone on Twitter who, with ties to the industry, was probably more qualified to make this list than I am. Still, with hours of programing currently recorded on my DVR I’m confident in my opinion on this matter.

#10. Dr. Jack Hodgins from Bones.
Honestly he almost got bumped by the son in Cougar Town but he made it so there you go. I really like the show Bones which is odd since I find the main female character horrifically annoying. I give full credit to Hodgins. Although I liked him better when Angela and him where “doing it.”

#9. Sarah Walker from Bothers and Sisters.
Her character is just tragic. It hurts my heart. If you can watch an episode of Brothers and Sisters without crying you are dead inside.

#8. Michael Western from Burn Notice.
Come on! The ultimate bad boy who does good. “Somebody needs you Michael.” Yah. Me.

#7. Hardison and Parker from Leverage.
I realize it is cheating having this spot shared by two characters but they kinda come as a pair and it’s my list so I’ll do what I want! I love all the characters on Leverage but these two are my favorite. He is crazy smart and she is super skilled — in the art of the con (is that how you spell that? Seems wrong.). Again bad guy/gal who does good. I say recipe for success!

#6. Kendall Cho from The Mentalist.
Okay I admit it. I had to look up this characters name. I usually just refer to him as the Hot Stoic Asian Dude. This is pretty high on the list for a character whose name I don’t know but EVERY time I watch The Mentalist I say out loud, “I love that Hot Stoic Asian Dude.” So there you go! I actually do love all the characters on this show especially Lisbon but Kendall still takes top honors. Watch the show. You honestly want to tell me they’d get anything done without him? He is calm, cool, and collected and knows more about law and life than the other 2 lower detectives combined. (I liked the “2 lower detectives” aka Grace & Rigsby, better when they weren’t “doing it”.) Without him they would fail. And who wants a fake government agency failing? Not I!

#5. Dr. Gregory House from House.
HOW CAN HOUSE NOT MAKE YOUR LIST? You heard me so called “TV person” who wrote that list I am blatantly stealing the idea of. HOW? I love that show and I’ll tell you this much it isn’t for any of the other annoying spineless characters. It’s all about House, all the time! A brilliant character who you should despise and yet love due to his wit and extreme intelligence (gross Moody from Californication could take some tips from him).

#4. Cappie from Greek.
That’s right a character from ABC Family made it on my list. Have you watched Greek? No. Then zip it and stop judging. Cappie is an adorable loser whose heart is bigger than the Grinch’s at the end of that story (after the growth spurt). My friend, the only other person I know who watches the show, agrees that the fictional Cappie should stop futzing around at college and just marry me! We can have jello shots at the reception.

#3. Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother.
Again didn’t make that other list making that other list invalid. How I Met Your Mother is often times seconds from being unwatchable. The lead male character is so annoying I’m shocked none of the other fictional characters just don’t off him and end his misery. BUT NEVER FEAR. BARNEY IS HERE. How can a character that is so disgusting and such a male chauvinist be so lovable? Comedy. That’s my answer. Even when he is saying nothing and almost out of the shot he is who I watch because his reaction is funnier than whoever is the focus of the scene … always!

#2. Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory.
One Sheldon line can explain my love for him, “That’s not a reason to cry. One cries because one is sad. For example I cry because others are stupid and that makes me sad.” Ha! How can you not love him? I have also recently learned that the actor who plays Sheldon, Jim Parsons, is older than me so I can actually love him without some dimwit calling me a cougar. (May be my top pet peeve of the moment. The next guy who calls me a cougar and then follows it up with, “Why are you angry? That’s a compliment.” I’m going to call a pot bellied pig. When they look hurt I’ll add, “What, it’s a compliment. I hear they are very loyal and make lovely pets.”)

#1. Drum roll please ….
Mary Shannon from In Plain Sight.
That’s right! A list over run by men is topped by a woman. As it should be! With an honorable mention to her partner Marshall, Mary is easily my favorite character on TV over the past year. Why you ask? Simple. She is me. Honestly. Watch the show. She is me. Go to Hulu right now and watch — http://www.hulu.com/search?query=in+plain+sight&st=0. You wont be disappointed!

Honorable mention to Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise. ST:TNG has to be in reruns on some channel somewhere and Picard should ALWAYS make any TV character list. When I get married I plan for Patrick Stewart to do the honors but instead of saying, “I now pronounce you man and wife.” he will say, “engage” (with the hand gesture). It’s going to be glorious! You just wait!

That’s all folks! Although I reserve the right to edit this list as I think of others …

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