Update - LG15: The Show Is Yours
I will be using the stickam account “eqal” for the chat at 4:00 pm. Thanks
Update from Greg:
We understand that many of you are disappointed and so are we. But please understand that we did not mean for this to happen. When we created the pilot process we did not mention anything about financing the pilots.
We imagined that you, the community, would submit shows like lonefox, the facility, the coalition . . . shows that many of you are already doing for fun as a creative outlet in your spare time. We never imagined that at any time any applicants would be “giving up their day job” or produce a show that would take up their whole life. We imagined this as something that many of the talented creators in this community were already doing in their spare time, after school, or on the weekend and that your production teams would be made up of family and friends (just like we were in the beginning).
We only asked for two videos per week (16 total) because we knew from experience that this could be done over a couple of weekends. This was never intended to be a full time job/commitment for the TSIY winning producer.
When we saw The Misfits, we expected that they got the actors and other friends to participate for the exposure. We expected that they would take a couple weekends and shoot a bunch of videos - just like we used to in the early days.
We never expected to be asked for money as we never promised giving money for the productions.
I think that all of the other pilot contestants did not think they were getting financing. If I am wrong, I apologize, but we were NEVER asked by any of the entrants if we would finance any of the shows. I know for a fact that LG15: The Last didn’t expect financing. We tried to set up a cool experience for producers who before TSIY were making shows without any promotion. We wanted to take one of these shows, or a new show, and give it great promotion.
If it will help mend wounds, I would be happy to do a live chat with everyone and answer as many questions as you have.
The last thing we want is to upset anyone.
Also, with all that being said, we are REALLY excited to watch LG15: The Last and we hope that you will support them as much as you would have supported The Misfits.
Thanks
Greg
Earlier Post:
There have been a few changes to “LG15: The Show Is Yours” and we will now be featuring “LG15: The Last,” the talented group from Sydney, Australia. We are SO excited about the new cast of characters, international location, and story that “LG15: The Last” will bring to the LG15 Universe. We are confident that with their amazing creative concept, ingenuity, and community participation, “LG15: The Last” will be AWESOME!!!
This change was brought on by “The Misfits” production team’s decision to back out of “LG15: TSIY.” The production team incorrectly believed that EQAL was going to fully finance their show even though we made it very clear in the rules that we were not going to finance the chosen pilot. This project is about giving you, the community, a chance we never had – a platform to showcase your talent and gain experience and exposure. This was never about financial reward, but rather an opportunity for the best community show to be featured front and center on LG15.com and to become part of the ever expanding canon. In our minds, and the other producers who submitted pilots, this is a fantastic opportunity.
So please join us in welcoming The Last to the LG15 Universe and we hope that you embrace their show with same passion and fervor you have shown us.
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:04 pm
so does this mean no Misfits showing?
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Uh oh… I feel some tension in the room…
Anways, while it would have been nice to see “The Misfits” in action and find out what Taylor and Spencer were up to, I’m ultra-amazingingly-uberly excited to see “The Last”! It seems like a fairly different spin on things for the LG15 universe, AND it’s filmed in AUSTRALIA! You know…. the place where kangaroos and koala’s roam the streets? haha, just messin’ around
So…. does this mean that there is a new runner up? Lol, just sayin’
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Oh dear.
Well this throws a wrench into things now doesn’t it…
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Seriously? You thought you were going to get Becki and Max for free?
I’m sorry, that’s silly. It seemed pretty obvious to me that they were going to/should get paid.
Good luck to the Misfits crew - they’re certainly going to go places.
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Congratulations to LG15: The Last!
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:54 pm
*Scratches head*
I’m very confused right now.
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Right now, I just hope that this doesn’t delay the show anymore…
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:09 pm
The so called “rules of the competition” were nebulous at best. Eqal, Inc. had plenty of opportunity to discuss this openly with the community when many said it would be only fair for the show to be compensated if their was any “profit”. Instead Eqal chose to be silent as they have so many times before. This time however they got burned and it was their approach to the contest that generated this situation.
The community is always here and always willing to engage in a dialogue. Eqal, Inc. on the other hand chose to exercise their right as a private company to make their own decision and this is what it led to. One has to question if it would not have been better for Eqal, Inc. to sit down with the community and work out what would serve in both parties mutual interest instead of embarking on a poorly thought out project with very fuzzy guidelines.
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:37 pm
…w-w-what?
No Spencer? No Taylor?
B-but…ooooh…*sighs sadly*
This sucks…=(
I like The Last a lot, but still…
I was really looking forwards to The Misfits…
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:50 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wannted to see The Misfit’s, I am soo bummed out right now.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Well, that stinks. But, still I can’t wait to see The Last
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:31 am
WOW, What?
No way…
Now I’m very happy for The Last, they deserved it 100%, but what?
I mean I’m pretty disappointed about this, I really wanted to see the original characters team up and finish this off!
All I’m saying is that, you really really really really need to get The Resistance back, because while I care about The Last and where thats going, I am dying to see what YOU guys are presenting. Nobody does it like you guys:(
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:37 am
Do you have a question for the chat with the creators?
http://lg15today.blogspot.com/2009/02/live-blog-do-you-have-question-for-chat.html
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:49 am
I agree completely with modelmotion…
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:24 am
i don’t wanna see any user-generated stuff, honestly. i just want the show to continue on… this is so lame. the idea is fine, for “THE LAST” that is… i just am sick of the delay and excuse to not create new content.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:32 am
Um…wow.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:32 am
“The Last”…I don’t think I like the title…it insinuates something so…FINAL. But I’m happy to see that the next big thing is up and running. I actually had a dream about the LG15 characters last night, and I haven’t checked this place in months! Thanks for keeping me entertained.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:37 am
Im with Eqal on this one, I got the clear impression this was all fan work for this competition, after all it was “your show” not “you write a show, we pay you”.
However i thought that the winners would get some revenue e.g advert clicks from youtube ect.
Sad to see the Misfits not continuing, but i really like The Last. I just hope fans will give them the backing it deserves and i hope this drama doesnt let them down.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:55 am
Well I was looking forward to the Last, don’t get me wrong. But I really wanted to see the misfits. It’s probably the best thing LG15 could get right now and get LOADS of viewers seeing is of how popular Taylor and Spencer are. Maybe LG15 can figure something out seeing as that is just throwing away views right there. I know I’d watch ever last minute of the misfits.
Well good luck to The Last on being featured and good luck on your production.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:50 am
i agree with stretch that a new runner up would be nice, if it can be arranged.
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:49 am
To be honest, I liked “The Last” a lot more than “The Misfits.”
Also, It’d be lovely to see a scrolling thing of all the community videos, like what we had on the old LG15 page. It looked like this: http://i42.tinypic.com/2vdrw5e.jpg
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:01 am
This really sucks. Don’t get me wrong, I think that LG15: The Last will be phenomenal, and I have been looking forward to it, but I was also looking forward to the Misfits.
I’m assuming this means that the project won’t be pursued. If that’s the case, is the pilot that was produced still a part of the LG15 canon, because if it is not, it will definitely cause some confusion, as Taylor and Spencer are canon characters. Perhaps an agreement could be reached so that 3-5 videos could be produced (a mini-series if you will). I know that a lot of people would be willing to contribute to see the project, at least partially, go forward, perhaps functioning as a special set of videos that take place between Seasons One and Two of the Resistance (like those Jumper videos were for Seasons 2 and 3 of lonelygirl15). I know Jenni has been able to produce a series of quality videos in the past (a la Lonelyjew15), so I’m confident that they could be made awesome even without a big budget.
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:55 am
I’m extremely disappointed as I really wanted to see the misfits. Don’t get me wrong you guys are giving fans a great opportunity but the real fan in me just wants to see LG15 continue… to see the resistance. I understand you have other projects under your belt to do… but a part of me doesn’t want to wait anymore. I’ve been here from the start and kind of feeling everyone is just giving up on the lonelygirl storyline… yeah its a cliffhanger but… months later starting up again? it looks odd… especially with continuity.
the last were excellent… I don’t want them to think otherwise because others want the misfits. They impressed me, but I feel as if the misfits would have brought a new aspect to the storyline and brought everyone and everything back together, starting the resistance again where the misfits left off.
I thought the initial post was a bit harsh, but I thank you Greg for clearing some things up, or at least putting it in better words.
-Kelly
( PS. I’m still waiting for my tshirt from halloween
)
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:00 am
we would love to chat with you Greg because i have a question
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:20 am
Aww that sucks,
but I’m sure The Last will be great!
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I like The Last a lot, but I really wanted to see the Misfits with Max and Becki! I’m sure the Last will be good but seeing characters like Taylor and Spencer back, would have been amazing.
I must say, I’m more with Eqal then with the Misfits crew on this one. Eqal said fro the beginning that they wouldn’t finance anything. That was pretty clear. So I don’t understand why the Misfits crew thought they would get any money after their pilot was chosen as the winner. I’m can’t believe it really. This was so clear from the beginning. I understand that Becki and Max want to get paid for being in the show but then the Misfits crew should have thought about that before they’ve entered the competition and not after they’ve won, asking Eqal for money.
I really hope this will not influence the crew of The Last. I’m sure they will make a good show and I’m looking forward to it. But this definately is a shame and leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Y’know, I never really thought money would become an issue with videos like these…I don’t know why, it just seemed like this kind of a show was above that…oh well, I guess nothing can really escape the trap that money provides.
The one thing I could see is maybe taking the Misfits and making it part of season 2 of LG:15 the resistance. Since Taylor and Spencer are already part of the canon series, it wouldn’t be any trouble to include them in the second season.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Kelly, I don’t think we ever got your address. Please send it to amanda@lg15.com and I’ll make sure you get one.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Hmm, I think this is a case where both parties may be at fault.
1. In writing the rules, Eqal should have stated in 100% clear English that they were not going to offer financial compensation. For example: “Eqal will not provide financial support for pilots nor the winning production. By submitting your pilot, you agree that neither you, your production team nor your actors will receive any financial compensation from Equal should your show be selected as the featured content on LG15.com.”
This simple line would have made it ABSOLUTELY clear and removed any doubt from people’s minds. From the way the contest rules were written, it looks as though some people (me included) understood that there would be no financial reward, others didn’t.
2. Even so, the Misfits production crew should have contacted Eqal at some point to confirm whether or not they would receive financial backing. They should never have just assumed they’d get money from Eqal. I’m rather astounded that they didn’t, considering that they have a close relationship with the company. But I’m not involved in the situation so it’s not my place to comment on that. I just think they should have taken care to confirm the money situation before submitting a pilot.
So, both parties are at fault. The lesson to be learned from this: never make assumptions. Always ask questions, even if they seem obvious. Always make sure you are on the same page as everyone else. It’s too bad, but I am looking forward to The Last.
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:00 pm
I was just reading through the comments on the LG15: Today, and I like what fh14 asked. We would all be happy with just a few videos!
Plus, now I’m not sure if Taylor is okay or not, because that video is not really ‘real’ anymore…and that makes me sort of worried.
She could be dead for all we know!
=S
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:19 pm
“I will be using the stickam account “eqal””
do you have a URL for this Eqal stickam?
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:25 pm
That sucks, and you know what? The whole time, I was under the impression that the winners would get funding also, TBH for some people they dont have the stuff it takes to make a show, sure some people do, but pulling off a pilot with a webcam is easier than a whole season, just saying, the playing field, in reality, was not level for everyone, because in the end, factors such as video quality and funding would have or did come into play.
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:41 pm
In response to Greg’s request, here is the current list of questions from fans via LG15 Today that Greg requested.
http://lg15today.blogspot.com/2009/02/live-blog-do-you-have-question-for-chat.html
There maybe a few last minute additions so please check back closer to show time.
Good luck, and thanks.
meep
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:05 pm
good explanation, greg. but i still don’t think you should discontinue doing “the resistance” for THIS long. ridiculous.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:58 pm
I have to say that I am glad of this turn-around. While Taylor and Spencer were 2 of my favorite characters, TSIY was supposed to be a fan based show in a completely different direction. Using Becki and Max again is not going in a different direction, and Becki and Max are not fans– they did lg15 for work. And considering that they are both working actors, I dont blame them for wanted to be paid. When I start theater acting professionally after college, I expect to be paid.
Congrats “The Last”!!!!
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Thank you, Greg, for that live chat. It really cleared things up! =]
I’m very happy for the cast of The Last!
Good luck with everything!
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:35 pm
I think that it’s fair to give everyone the benefit of the doubt here and just call it an internal misunderstanding. Although I am disappointed, I still love Jenni, Logan, Amanda, and Greg. =D
Best of luck to The Last - I’m sure it’ll be great!
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Eqal made it clear many times that if you ever had any questions you could email them (Amanda was even upset that no one wanted to use Virgil in their pilots
haha)
I created a pilot, and I didn’t expect money. I was however preparing myself to put my heart and soul in to it anyways because I wanted to. I have passion for a thing like this, money wouldnt be needed.
The Misfits and The Last did great jobs. Its unfortunate that both This Misfits and Eqal came to an agreement that they werent going to continue because of money.. I feel like The Misfits have an obligation to continue and they can’t just drop out. They easily could of asked about money and this isn’t a movie set kind of production, its about vlogging (like greg said about the old days, think of bree infront of her camera people!! the eyebrows!!)
I am very happy beign a member of this community. I love everyone in it.. I love reading the news that Amanda posts in here every day (kind of like a replacement to daily videos of Jonas XD )
I’m worried because the resistance is taking too long to start up, i dont want the fan base to go away. I neeeeeeed the LG15 EQAL-MADE story line to continue! It just can’t go away! I don’t know polish and I don’t watch tv! I’ll never see Harpers Globe and N1ckola.
I also am not as interested in it like I am in the lg15 story line.
i heart bree
i heart jonas
i heart danie
February 4th, 2009 at 12:15 am
I’m pretty glad the Last gets to have a step up! I don’t think anyone should mess with the original characters anyway.. it just didn’t even sound like Spencer and Taylor to me, honestly.. the dialogue was amature at best, and it made me not even able to appreciate those two as actors, so I think we avoided a bit of a train wreck here. That’s my personal opinion. The Last, I’m looking forward to your videos.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:24 am
Greg says: “If I am wrong, I apologize, but we were NEVER asked by any of the entrants if we would finance any of the shows.”
Start apologizing then. Jenni did ask about that very issue on the day the announcement was made:
Jenni Powell Says:
December 16th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Will there be any sort of monetary compensation for the picked pilot and subsequent 8 week run of the series? Because that is a lot of work to be done!
I’m just concerned that a lot of quality ideas may not make it to the table for fear of the time commitment involved.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:34 am
Weeeell, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t EXTREMELY disappointed in seeing Spencer go YET AGAIN from the LG15 world. I was kinda hoping for a lasting romance for he and Taylor. (Which would have been my only reason for welcoming her back.) I guess we can only hope that the Misfits team will have a change of heart or something.
I give my congrats to The Last team. The pilot was put together very well, even though the use of the word “fuck” in only the pilot disturbed me a tad. Sure hope it won’t be a cuss fest. Otherwise, I am hoping that the team will work hard to fill the void that The Misfits team has left me with. I like to think of myself as a tough audience…but despite that…I will love anything you put your heart and soul into. Do your best!!! =o)
February 4th, 2009 at 1:04 am
Just to throw in my two cents, I had assumed the whole time that the winner would be paid for their work. This was presented as a chance to create a new chapter of lg, not a chance to have fan work showcased on lg15.com. To the extent that they were producing episodes that would be integrated into the lg series and that EQAL was continuing to receive revenue from the LG series, I thought it was clear that that they would be compensated as EQAL employees.
I have to say, I am a little disappointed here. If this were going to be a chance to showcase fan work only and not actually a chance to join the show, then different wording would have been appropriate. Also, assuming that EQAL is still receiving revenue, it doesn’t seem right not to pay the new kids.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Wow, could your guys sound anymore harsh? You act like they tried to take the company over or something.
I guess I misread the rules then too, since I thought this was a chance to “work with Eqal on producing a show.” Producing usually requires a budget. To me it seemed that Eqal was going to be an active participant in this project, not just feature a fan show for eight weeks while they all take a vaction or whatever.
At that point why not feature all the shows on a page then? Since they are going to be just like the other fan shows that had to be made before. I really thought the whole point of this was to give someone a chance to become part of the storyline, meaning lg15 style production quality with canon characters to help bring in the new ones along. I guess the words were empty since we couldn’t read the unspoken meaning behind them.
Shame on you guys for not being clear and dashing the hopes of so many and for taking advantage of other people.
And just to anyone who’s going to say how mean I’m being, that’s the point cause I feel taken advantage of too. I feel like Eqal mislead me too.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:42 am
i have posted the audio from the Feb 3 chat (90% i got) on youtube, about 33 minutes.
Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNo953W6eDY
Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS0AJNhVok0
Part 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlAeMrcMM2g
Part 4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScUK2V2-AAY
(Lots of gems, glad greg did this despite the circumstances.
Greg’s mention of the connection between President Obama and a potential season 2 of The Resistance - around 4:30 of Part 3).
February 4th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
I never got the impression for a moment moeny was involved. I personally was expecting EQAL to just promote, maybe get a sponsor as well as some music that could be used, advice on filming, things like that. Quite frankly I don’t get how it came this far.
Ah well, lesson learned. Your first attempt at something has to have highs and lows. The high was the amount of people that submitted, which was pretty impressive, but this here’s what I’d call a low.
February 4th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I listened to the audio of the chat and it doesn’t really make me feel any better. The most important question of all wasn’t addressed in my opinion. Jenni did ask about monetary compensation; it was the 6th comment, made just 5 hours after the contest was announced back in December. The fact that she asked this question makes it obvious that the issue was not clear to everyone as Greg kept insisting. So why was her question never answered? Other questions did get a response and I would think that this one would have been addressed, especially since it came from someone they have worked with in the past. One simple, short post in response could have avoided this entire misunderstanding.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Hm, we at LG15: The Threat were also clear. I thought it was actually stated somewhere. Glad The Last is taking the chance though, the pilot was amazing, and that they posted a Thank You video was great.
PS: Were we supposed to get an email or something for the participation signed surprise thing Amanda mentioned in chat yet? We haven’t gotten anything, I don’t think.
February 4th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Look, I know I have been around since the beginning! First I commented on the deception of it being fake and resonded with a lame rhyme dissing it, i got into it due to the order videos or opaphid if that suits you better!
Im estatic The Last won due to the dark side! The obvious element that has been ignored for far too long!
THANKS!
February 5th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
I assumed there would some monetary compensation for the winner. I thought that EQAL would provide so funds for production for the winner. I though the winners would get a chance to work with EQAL. I don’t get the point of just featuring a fan made show on the site. People can see those anytime. Really thougtht that the winners would get a chance to work with EQAL and become a small part of the show. The contest doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. I hope in the future EQAL will be more clear.
I am very disappointed that The Misfits and EQAL couldn’t come to so agreement. I was looking forward to see Taylor and Spencer. I think that would have a great way to start the new season.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:56 am
I appreciate that EQAL gave fans the chance to become part of something so powerful. I had no idea that some people would desire money for this - to me, the LG15 community seems so happy to simply be together to even consider money. I understand that, as professional actors, the Misfits could have expected to be paid. I don’t think that EQAL mislead anyone - and least of all, if they did, I sincerely doubt that it was intentional. EQAL is pioneering a whole new generation of media; as the pioneering fans, we must expect that events like this will occur. I hope that this has not deterred anyone from the LG15 fandom; it would be a shame to see such a tight-knit community - one that wraps around the entire earth - crumble because of a simple misunderstanding.
February 6th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
[…] follow-up posts, both sides have admitted to miscommunications and misunderstandings, with the major issue being that of […]
February 7th, 2009 at 2:25 am
…Seriously I could care less about this fan made show stuff….I just want to see some new episodes of the LG15 everyone loves!
February 10th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
finally, someone who agrees with me… thanks cassie. props to you. lg15 staff…c’mon… no more excuses. give us our show back.
February 11th, 2009 at 11:54 am
they’re not making excuseses guys. they really can’t make LG15 - the resistance without funding.
February 11th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
That’s highly unrealistic Randomness. You want the show that everyone loves now in spite of a lack of cash? If history has taught us anything, sequels that are pandered out just for fans only piss them off, with examples like Spider-Man 3, Silent Hill Homecoming and, with history as a guide, most likely The Dark Knight Returns if people don’t shut up about it and let it happen when it happens. Rushing something out to please impatient fans is never a good idea. Of course, I’m not saying as fans we shouldn’t want a new series, but we need to be realistic or we’ll end up like those 4 year olds you see at bus stops asking for something to eat and then throwing away the muffin their mom gives them because it isn’t what they wanted.
In other words, have patience, not anger. Just make sure to have an alert ready for when the stuff you want appears.
February 12th, 2009 at 6:44 am
It’s not that they don’t want to make season 2 of the Resistance, they just don’t have any money for it right now. Accept it and enjoy the Last when it starts.
February 12th, 2009 at 8:07 am
I think Eqal was being naive in thinking they could get something for nothing especially if the quality promises to be good, no matter what the contest rules say.
OTOH, the creators of The Misfits were equally naive in thinking they would get compensated despite the (perhaps vaguely written) terms of the contest.
IMHO, a cash prize for the contest winners in exchange for a fixed number of videos would have made sense. In any case Eqal needs to be absolutely clear in the future of what it expects from future contest winners, and what they will and won’t give them in return.
I hope this is posted…my previous posts at the beginning of the contest expressing concerns regarding compensation were ignored.
February 16th, 2009 at 10:50 am
LOL, Greg… you guys really shouldn’t be in the business of management. You’re all obviously over your heads. Like, how many times have you disappointed/mislead your fanbase? Far more than every necessary, I’d say.
February 20th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Okay, so now that we’ve dealt with this whole snafu, when is this thing gonna start? I can’t find a release date anywhere, only “February 2009″ and hey, it’s here! 8 days left to get some info - I sure hope it starts soon.
February 21st, 2009 at 2:16 am
I just spent the past two weeks watching all of OpAphid, Maddison Atkins, RedEarth88, and The Home Office (AKA Zero Sum) to catch up on Linc’s back-story because you said he was about to become canon. And now he’s not?
Where’s the donation site for the Misfits? How much funding do they need? I don’t care whether they’re featured on TSIY or not, but I want to see the rest of their show eventually!