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Posted by Rick Rey
Just to reiterate what Steve said, welcome to the new blog! I'm looking forward to posting here every week, and I'm hoping to throw in an occasion audio or video podcast, too. Actually the Smashface blog comes at an ideal time for me. Just a few days ago I took down my personal blog while I re-think its purpose and explore some new ideas about what a personal portal should look like. Until that happens, I don't have to worry about not having a place to express myself and talk about stuff going on in the industry and beyond.
So first things first. Who am I and how do I fall into the Smashface equation? It's a question I get asked often. Most people don't know there is a third person working on JETSET every week. Yes, that person is me. Keep in mind Steve and Zadi do most of the heavy lifting, so my role as associate producer is more supportive than anything else. I guess you could say I fill in the gaps. Whether it be researching stories, editing, writing script drafts, playing with new apps to review, shooting feature segments, or the occasional correspondent piece -- I do whatever needs to get done. Basically, I try to make Steve and Zadi's life less hellish by alleviating some of their workload.
Another important part of my job is working with our segment producers, people like Annie Tsai and Eric Rey. Aside from writing and producing segments with them, I act as a filter (lubricant, really) to Steve and Zadi -- so everyone is on the same page and we're all in sync with the JETSET brand. This particular job -- keeping things (and people) in sync -- will become much more important as JETSET grows. Thankfully, I can rely on S&Z's input and advice to guide me through the untested waters we consistently tread.
That's pretty much the gist of it. But just like everything in the new media world, my role at Smashface is constantly evolving. And you know what, I prefer it that way! So stick with us here, subscribe to the blog, and see where we can take this thing. I'm thinking it will be a heck of a ride.
Thanks for reading,
Rick Rey
Associate Producer & Editor
Posted by Steve Woolf
Welcome to the new Smashface site and blog!
Smashface was founded in 2003 in New York. At that time, we were doing small-scale documentary work and doctoring screenplays. Seems like a lifetime ago.
When we came out to Los Angeles in January 2005 online video was maturing into a force to be reckoned with. After some experimentation we developed JETSET, where we were free to explore the best ways to interact with the people who watched the show.
After a couple of months creating that show we realized we were not utilizing the concepts and tools that make web shows unique. To truly engage and interact with our audience we needed to set up the show in a way that made them a part of it. It took some trial and error, but we experimented with our format, our calls to action, and we developed a community tool that works quite well.
Now well over a year and half into JETSET, we have serious experience cultivating a community around a web show and we're going to use that knowledge to inform all of our projects going forward. And we intend to push that interactivity as far as present technology can take it, as long as it's a good experience for the audience.
The Smashface definition of Immersive entertainment is character-driven narratives that make the viewers an indispensable part of the show. This means a time-tested narrative story arc, but one structured in a way that is intelligent enough to use audience contributions to mold the voice and feeling of the show. That sense of ownership is empowering to an audience, and they remember the experience.
Immersive entertainment can be non-fiction, as well. JETSET is a good example. We constantly hear feedback from viewers who tell us about the sense of intimacy they feel with the show and how different that experience has been from other video they have watched on the web. To say nothing of their experience watching television, which is almost totally passive.
We'll use this blog to discuss some of our thoughts around immersive entertainment and the landscape of the online video world. We are actively developing shows that are intended to bridge all forms of media, and to use the different experiences to inform each other.
This is a transformative time in the world of media, and now is when we can afford to experiment with the ideas that will shape the face of entertainment for many years to come.
Let us know what you think about immersive entertainment and online video by posting a comment or sending us a message.
Later,
Steve
Co-founder & Principal