What You Should’ve Watched Online in 2010

2010 was the Year of the Creative Voice in Online Video. Mainstream stars did make a big play for online video this year, but the real “stars” of online video were still the independent creators who came in and made their own rules. So we thought we’d take a moment to mention some of the creative voices that have emerged and why you should take notice.

Drama:

Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward, Anyone But Me: One of the few dramas on the web, Anyone But Me first aired in late 2008 and had to pave their own way in web television. But when executive producers Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward brought their show back for a second season in 2009-2010, they did so with a highly devoted following. In a year where bullying became a huge topic of concern in this country, Anyone But Me’s authentic depiction of teens, both straight and gay, and their struggles as they come of age couldn’t be more relevant. With ABM on hiatus until 2011, Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward have also begun to lend their talent to other online dramas this year, spreading their stamp across drama developed exclusively for the web.

Sonya Steele, Celeste Bright: This tight, well-produced drama debuted in July, bringing a strong, complicated female lead to the forefront. Brimming with tension, the series debuted the strong writing of Sonya Steele, which should establish her as one of the top writers of character-driven crime drama on the web.

Ann Noble, We Have To Stop Now: Created by playwright Ann Noble, this almost entirely female-driven dramedy features very strong performances by a top-notch cast and definitely finds itself on the DCTV list of best shows in 2010. However, it is also one of the few web shows hidden behind a pay wall, which makes it a bit more difficult to discuss. Ms. Noble is a successful playwright with a very realistic voice that really gives the actors room for some great performances, and some exceptional work happened in this relationship drama.

Otessa Ghadar, Orange Juice in Bishop’s Garden: This stylish and ambitious independent show depicts the angst of a group of Washington DC teens in the mid-1990s. Created by DC native Otessa Ghadar, this independent show really captures the experience of a generation defined by a letter, shaped by Otessa’s naturalistic style and keen attention to detail.

Comedy: (Dramedy)

Daryn Strauss, Downsized: This independent New York show began quietly in 2009, when the majority of online content was geared for younger audiences, and without much publicity, garnered critical attention for its Crash-like storytelling structure and sophisticated HBO/Showtime feel. Focusing on intertwining stories of people trying to adjust to life during the economic crisis and written and directed by DCTV creator Daryn Strauss, Downsized finished out its first season at the beginning of 2010 and still remains on the Best of lists. Season 2 will go into production in early 2011.

Julie Ann Emery, Then We Got Help: Julie Ann Emery’s “little dramedy that could” focuses on the dysfunctional characters who for one reason or another attend a couples therapy group. Relying on strong, smart writing by Julie Ann Emery and layered performances by an ensemble cast of experienced vets, the independently produced Then We Got Help then got an audience and then got an array of awards. Season 2 is in post-production with an early 2011 release.

Comedy: (Romantic Comedy)

Jessica Mills, Awkward Embraces: Created by Jessica Mills, Awkward Embraces follows the dating life of a flirt-challenged, self-proclaimed geek, as she seeks solace, compassion, and advice from her girlfriends. The independent show was self-produced in 2010 and developed a loyal following that helped finance an upcoming second season, largely due to the show’s quirky and relatable style.

Devin Mills, Dating in the Middle Ages: When 2010 first rolled in, if you were trying to find a web show geared for viewers over the age of 25, you were in for some serious googling. But 2010 then brought an array of smart, sophisticated shows for viewers over thirty, including this romantic comedy, Dating in the Middle Ages. Created by Devin Mills, DITMA is part of an emerging trend in online video: musical comedy. Devin Mills has some very sharp observations about what it’s like to date when you’re over forty and delivers them in each episode with silliness, wit and maturity… except of course when it comes to poo.

Comedy: (Friendship Comedies)

Carmen Elena Mitchell, The Real Girl’s Guide to Everything Else: The Real Girl’s Guide emerged in early 2010 as one of a very small group of female-centric web series to tackle sexuality and friendship for women. A feminist take on Sex and the City (or akin to Sex and the City when it was feminist), Real Girl’s Guide follows a group of girlfriends as they try to help their feminist lesbian journalist friend pretend to be a straight fashionista in order to research the chick lit book her agent is making her write. Carmen Elena Mitchell’s focus is on creating a diverse group of women with lots of opinions, and we’re sure she’s got a lot more stories to tell.

Marilyn Anne Michaels and Allie Smith, The Best Friend: This comedy brought to you by Marilyn Anne Michaels and Allie Smith came with an agenda: to empower women. The show focuses on the friendship of an “imperfect” songwriter and her size 2 blonde adorable BFF and all of the insecurities that come with it. The show succeeds because of both girls’ willingness to poke fun at their strengths, weaknesses, and the stereotypes that try to define them, ultimately proving that women are fabulous in all shapes, sizes, and hair colors.

Heleya de Barros and Vivian Kerr, We are With the Band: Created by Los Angelenos Heleya de Barros and Vivian Kerr, We are With the Band follows the comedic exploits of two hipster friends in East LA. One of the first female comedy team shows to emerge in a narrative web series, de Barros and Kerr not only showcased their charm as comediennes but also put together a fun show with two hilariously flawed twenty-something characters.

Comedy: (NYC Comedy)

Leila Cohan-Miccio & Caitlin Tegart, Vag Magazine: Created by New York City Upright Citizens Brigade Sketch Writing teachers, Leila Cohan-Miccio and Caitlin Tegart, Vag Magazine is an absurdist look inside a hipster third-wave feminist magazine, which features a cast of many of the top NYC comediennes out of UCB, all of which you should totally know. Vag was created independently of UCB but still retains UCB’s flair for the inappropriate.

Abbi Jacobson & Ilana Glazer, Broad City: Broad City is the brain child of NYC sketch comediennes Abbi Jacobson & Ilana Glazer. A series of comedic situations with a very distinct comedic style, Broad City takes you on a journey through New York City life through the odd and often awkward experiences of the quirky duo of Ilana and Abbi. Think Curb Your Enthusiasm with a uterus… or uteri?

Experimental:

Jamie Lou Mouniz and Genie Willett, Stalker Chronicles: If you appreciate classic film theory and the history of playwriting, you’ll appreciate this very artistic project by Jamie Lou Mouniz and Genie Willett. Through the arc of nine episodes, you will follow the story of two stalkers told in nine different classic film/playwrighting styles: greek tragedy, silent movie, Sam Shepard, Fellini/David Lynch, Neil Simon, Beat Generation, German Expressionism, Tennessee Williams, and Samuel Beckett. These girls have proven themselves as artists who think outside of the box (or inside the box, if you may).

Amanda Cole, Peripheral City: This intelligent social issue drama is a bit of a non-conformist, as is its creator Amanda Cole. Described as “an absurdist social melodrama,” the series focuses on a group of troubled, lost Williamsburg-ians who end up crossing paths at a soup kitchen, with Amanda Cole’s slow, melancholy style carrying the foreboding air of Kushner’s Angels in America.

Melissa Center, Missed Connections Live: Inspired by real postings in the Missed Connections section of Craig’s List, New York actress Melissa Center decided to bring these postings to life. First released as a series of monologues depicting various postings, Missed Connections Live then took a break for Melissa to revamp the series, with each new episode exploring a different woman who was inspired to post about a missed connection.

Kids:

Jill Golick, Ruby Skye P.I.: With kids spending more and more time online, it is a great time to find this clean-cut, well-produced detective story for kids, made exclusively for the web with support from the Independent Production Fund. Ruby Skye P.I. is a fun series created by Jill Golick with the support of a team of highly talented women (and a few men) that makes perfect viewing for your young and curious kids. We also should commend Madison Cheeatow, a lovely lead with natural talent and a big future.

Boys We Love:

Mark Gardner, Cell: The Web Series: This Austin, Texas production was another quiet independent creeper, a psychological thriller focusing on two strangers locked in an underground cell. With impeccable production, strong writing, and fearless performances, web fans quickly became hooked. Then just as we thought we settled into the show, Cell surprised us by killing off its lead character! How Hitchcockian. From then on, it became clear that nothing was clear! Creator Mark Gardner proved he will keep you guessing every single minute of each episode. With a huge cliffhanger at the end of Season 1 and a surprise guest star, Beth Chamberlin, Cell fans are still on the edge of their seat waiting to see what Mark Gardner has up his sleeve for Season 2.

Steve Silverman, Pretty the Series: This hilarious parody of child beauty pageants was so successful and well-loved in its first season in early 2010 that creator Steve Silverman brought the team back for a second season in November! If you’ve watched the show, you know why everyone came back. With sharp comedic writing and an equally sharp ensemble cast of experienced vets who can pretty much pull anything off, this show definitely showcases Silverman’s ability to bring you some sharp, biting comedic characters!

Michael Cyril Creighton, Jack in a Box: Created by New York actor Michael Cyril Creighton, this sharp comedy focuses on an adorable curmudgeon box office attendant named Jack (played by MCC) as he crosses paths with an array of eccentric New Yorkers played by some of the best acting talent in New York City. Not only did this little independent series win Best Web Series at the New York Television Festival but Michael Cyril Creighton has also gone on to make guest appearances on 30 Rock and the very successful CollegeHumor series, Very Mary Kate.

Jesse Pomeroy, World Full of Nothing: This timely social issue drama focuses on the effects of growing up a part of the social media generation. Mixing drama with satire, tabloidism, youtube-ism, pundits, this independent show brings you a study of human behavior, in the style of Citizen Ruth.

Tony Clomax, 12 Steps to Recovery: Parrish Diaz has been dumped, and his friends make him go on 12 dates to recover. That is the basic premise of the romantic comedy 12 Steps to Recovery from Tony Clomax, which quickly snatched up distribution deals and sponsors. We love a sensitive, sexy dude.

Dan McCoy and Matt Koff, 9 AM Meeting: This animated (and by animated we mean basically stick figures) is one of the most charming little comedies on the web thanks to the hilarious comedic writing of Dan McCoy and Matt Koff. The show, which consists of episodes of small talk between two office coworkers as they wait for their boss to arrive for their 9 AM meeting, has won a variety of awards, including Best Animated Series at the New York Television Festival.