inside LG15

Hey Everyone,

As I mentioned in my last post, we have exciting news regarding the LG15 Universe.  As you know, back in the early days of lonelygirl15 a fan just like you created an incredible LG15 spin-off called OpAphid.  The OpAphid ARG added a dark and mysterious depth to the LG15 franchise and we were incredibly excited to see what someone could do with very few resources and a lot of talent and hard work.  It truly inspired us and showed the potential of “social entertainment.”  It’s what led us to found EQAL.  We reached out and incorporated OpAphid in the LG15 narrative and hired its creator, Glenn Rubenstein, as a writer on lonelygirl15.  For months, the OpAphid ARG was interwoven with lonelygirl15 and the two series elevated the franchise to its heights in terms of both audience and engagement.  Unfortunately, in 2007 we parted ways with Glenn and the status of OpAphid has remained uncertain ever since.

Well, all of that is now behind us.  I’m excited to announce that the rift in the LG15 Universe has been mended.  OpAphid, Tachyon, Brother, and the entire OpAphid ARG is now officially part of the LG15 Universe canon.  Yup, you heard me right.  We’ll be featuring all of the OpAphid videos in their own section of the the new LG15.com just like lonelygirl15, KateModern, LG15: The Resistance, and LG15: The Last.  We hope this will be the beginning of a newly invigorated and ever evolving LG15 Universe.

But that’s not all.  To commemorate this momentous event we’re launching LG15: TSIY2.  In this second iteration of TSIY, you can tap into the entire OpAphid back-story and characters along with the LG15 mythology you all know and love.  In fact, Glenn Rubenstein will join the producers at EQAL as a judge determining the winner of LG15: TSIY2 and will provide some audiovisual assets to the winner if they choose to incorporate OpAphid characters in their show (details in the official rules).

We’ll post official rules and more information about TSIY2 in the very near future.

Hey Everyone,

I received several emails from members of the LG15 community asking that we “turn on posting” in the old phpBB lonelygirl15 forum.  Thanks for emailing, I didn’t know that this was something you wanted and I appreciate your feedback.  It’s actually good timing because we have some exciting announcements about LG15 coming very soon.  It’s been a long and bumpy road for all of us, but I hope that you can open up your hearts and give LG15 a chance to win you back.  I miss the old days just like you and I hope this community can flourish again.

Cutting to the chase, we are happy to turn on the phpBB forum for you guys. We just changed the settings so you should be able to login and post right now.  Unfortunately, we’re getting  SQL errors from new user registration, so we can’t turn that feature on.  The old forum is on our old servers and we don’t have the resources to support those servers or code.  This was why we turned the forum off in the first place, but I understand your desire to continue using it and we’re happy to provide the functionality that is currently available.

I also want you to know that I appreciate your concerns and I have no problem admitting my mistakes.  Inside the company we encourage each other to talk openly about our mistakes so that we can analyze them, learn from them, and do a better job the second time around.  So, I’m happy to admit to my mistakes publicly.  Here you go:

1. We shouldn’t have launched such an immature software product on LG15.com unless we had the resources to add features and upgrade it.  Unfortunately we immediately had to work on Harper’s and that work didn’t transfer back to LG15 “automatically” like I wanted it to.  I’m sorry.
2. We shouldn’t have shut down the phpBB forum considering that the new software wasn’t up to par.  I’m sorry.
3. We should be better about communicating with you guys, our first and most loyal fans.  Again, I’m sorry.

Here is our plan for LG15 going forward.  It’s not perfect, but it’s the best we can do given our resources.  I hope these actions help move us towards mending this broken community.

1. We will be re-launching LG15.com on the newest version of our servers and software within the next couple months.  It will feature new forums, profile pages, and publishing just like you’ve experienced on Harper’s Globe and Level 26.  It will continue to be upgraded along with all of our other websites.  Unfortunately because of changes to the underlying database structure we will NOT be able to port user data from the current LG15 site.  This means that comments on “LG15: The Resistance” and “LG15: The Last,” discussion threads in the new Resistance/Last forums, and photos/board posts on profile pages WILL NOT be integrated seamlessly on the new site.  You WILL be able to login to the new site with your same email/password just like you can across all EQAL sites, and create new profile pages and connect your YouTube, Twitter, and FB accounts.  This was not an easy decision.  However, we felt that it was better to get a new site up rather than continue “indefinitely” on the old software.
2. When we launch the new site, we’ll preserve the current LG15 site in an “archived” state, and at some point in the future we will integrate it into the new site.  This includes the “lonelygirl15,” “KateModern,” “LG15: The Resistance,” and “LG15: The Last” comments/profiles/forums/etc.  For the sake of clarity, ALL LG15 CONTENT that is currently online will stay online and remain visible, this includes the newly reopened phpBB forum.
3. Greg and I are going to make a concerted effort to be better about communicating with you guys about what we’re doing with LG15.  We aren’t perfect and sometimes we get incredibly busy with everything that we are doing with EQAL, but we understand the need for better communication and will do a better job.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, we have some exciting announcements about the LG15 Universe coming out really soon.  I know that the lonelygirl15 community is what got us our start and I intend on helping it to grow over time.  It will take some time, and I know it’s been a rocky path, but hopefully you can give us a chance.  Trust me, the past few years have not been easy for us either.  It’s difficult because we can’t always tell you what’s going on internally, but we have been working like maniacs over the past few years to help turn this hobby into an industry so that all independent content creators like ourselves will benefit.

Thanks.

M

Jayde is getting bored sitting around with nothing to do in that house.  To pass the time, Jayde has decided to hold a video chat during which she might be able to share a bit of information with you. Write a question or a suggested topic of conversation in the comments below and watch Jayde to see if she addresses your question.

Jayde will be chatting on her stickam account this Friday, April 3.

International times for the chat:

9:30am Saturday the 4th April Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)

3:30pm Friday 3rd April Pacific Standard Time (PST)

7:30pm Friday 3rd April Eastern Standard Time (EST)

11:30pm Friday 3rd April Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

Tonight at 7:00 PM PST (1:00 PM AEST) Chas from LG15: The Last will be chatting live on stickam.com/chas_sings.

Chas will be setting the record straight about her motives and answering your questions.  Do you have a question you’d like answered tonight? Leave it in the comments below.

Here’s your first look at LG15: The Last, the exciting new LG15: The Show Is Yours series from Down Under. The full series will launch on Monday, March 9, 2009.  In the meantime, begin discussing the show at www.LG15.com/TheLast and check out the website’s new look designed by the creators of the show.

NewTeeVee, Tilzytv, and Tubefilter have joined together to host The Streamy Awards, which celebrates and honors excellence in web television. Please nominate all of your favorite LG15 shows, cast, and crew for The Streamy Awards.

LG15: The Resistance:
Best Dramatic Web Series
Best Directing for a Web Series - Yusuf Pirhasan
Best Writing for a Web Series - Joshua Hale Fialkov and Jim Campolongo
Best Male Actor in a Dramatic Web Series - Jackson Davis, Brett Ryback
Best Female Actor in a Dramatic Web Series - Alexandra Dreyfus, Marnette Patterson
Best Ensemble Cast in a Web Series - Jackson Davis, Alexandra Dreyfus, Marnette Patterson, and Brett Ryback
Best Editing - Jerry Pyle, Chris Ryder

lonelygirl15:
Best Dramatic Web Series
Best Directing for a Dramatic Web Series - Marcello Daciano
Best Writing for a Dramatic Web Series - Jake Coburn and Thomas Petit
Best Male Actor in a Dramatic Web Series - Yousef Abu-Taleb, Jackson Davis
Best Female Actor in a Dramatic Web Series - Alexandra Dreyfus, Melanie Merkosky, Katherine Pawlak, Crystal Young
Best Ensemble Cast in a Web Series - Yousef Abu-Taleb, Jackson Davis, Alexandra Dreyfus, Melanie Merkosky, Katherine Pawlak, and Crystal Young
Best Editing - Kevin Schlanser and Matt Vanselow

KateModern:
Best Dramatic Web Series
Best Directing for a Dramatic Web Series - Yusuf Pirhasan
Best Writing for a Dramatic Web Series - Luke Hyams
Best Male Actor in a Dramatic Web Series - Giles Alderson, Sam Donovan, Ralf Little, Jai Rajani
Best Female Actor in a Dramatic Web Series - Emma Pollard, Lucinda Rhodes Flaherty, Tara Rushton
Best Ensemble Cast in a Web Series - Giles Alderson, Sam Donovan, Ralf Little, Emma Pollard, Jai Rajani, Lucinda Rhodes Flaherty, and Tara Rushton
Best Editing - Yusuf Pirhasan and John Palmer

LG15: THE SHOW IS YOURS
Submit Your Social Show Pilot!

Do you think you have what it takes to make the next LG15 series?  Here’s your chance! Submit your ORIGINAL LG15 PILOT and get the chance to see your show be the featured content on LG15.com.

The chosen video pilot may be turned into a full-length social show, which will be the featured content for eight (8) weeks beginning in February 2009.

The Pilot:

• Your pilot must be derivative of the LG15 Universe by building upon the mythology of lonelygirl15, KateModern, and LG15: The Resistance.  For more information on LG15, please read the LGPedia, the #1 resource on all things LG15.

• The pilot can either be Episode One of your proposed show or a Pilot Presentation, which gives a general idea of the look and feel of the proposed show.  It must be no more than 5 minutes in length.

• Upload your video to YouTube and send the link with your social show treatment to pilot@lg15.com.  All pilots will be showcased on Inside LG15 and the LG15 YouTube page (this channel will now be the center of the LG15 Universe, so please subscribe!).

• All video submissions must also include an 8-week social show treatment that outlines your story, characters, and interactivity.  Your treatment must incorporate all aspects of a social show.  A social show is an experience on a website where a community participates in a specific entertainment property by viewing and discussing videos and other multimedia content, and by interacting with the characters through profile pages, commenting, and chat.

• We will begin accepting videos on December 29, 2008.  The deadline for submission is Monday, January 19, 2009 at 3:00 PM PST.  The selected pilot will be announced on January 26, 2009.

If Chosen:

• If your pilot is chosen to be the featured content on LG15.com, it will become part of the LG15 canon.  You will be asked to assist in the creation of  one piece of content each day, Monday through Friday.  This will require at least 2 videos per week, plus additional content such as pictures, text blogs, and interactivity.  Other members of the LG15 community and EQAL may also contribute to the creation of the featured content.

• An EQAL producer may consult with you and your production team and review scripts and videos to ensure that your story is consistent with the LG15 Universe and uploaded in a timely manner for the benefit of the community.

• EQAL may also create a custom show page for your show that will be a sub-domain of LG15.com (e.g. LG15.com/yourshow).

• For more information about how your content will be used on LG15.com and by EQAL and others about your obligations and the rights you will grant without monetary consideration, please refer to our Terms of Use.  Your submission of material further confirms your acceptance of the Terms of Use.

Good Luck!  We look forward to watching everyone’s pilots and seeing what the LG15 Community will do with the Breeniverse.

Who will make amends? Who will fall from grace?

12 videos

12 hours

12.12.08

the day begins at 8:oo am PST

Spread the word! Download this photo from flickr, upload to facebook, and post on your myspace page.

MySpace Badge (copy+paste):

LG15: The Resistance

Season 1 Finale

12 Videos in 12 Hours

12.12.08

LG15: The Resistance LIVE EVENT

FIND THE CURE

Who: Show up and find out…

What: An in-character event unfolding live!

When: Friday, November 14th @ 11:00 AM EST

Where: Boston, Massachusetts

CONTEST: YOUR CHANCE TO BE IN AN OFFICIAL VIDEO!

The challenge: Create and submit materials for a “Find the Cure” campaign.

To Enter: Submit a poster design or 60 second (maximum) video.  Each submission is open to the artist’s interpretation, but all must feature, somewhere on the creation, the following phrase: “Go to LG15.com to Find The Cure”. Download official photographs for your design.

Send your submissions to: amanda@lg15.com.

Deadline: Saturday, November 8, 5:00 pm PST

Winner: The winner will be featured in an upcoming LG15: The Resistance video.

On Thursday, October 30, InsideLG15 will be throwing a Halloween party from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm PST (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM EST). The party will kick off on the comment board and in the chat room on LG15.com.  I will also be broadcasting live on stickam from my very own haunted house (i.e., my office at EQAL) with contests, prizes, and more!

I will be in costume so make sure you are too.

Contests and Prizes

Over the past past few weeks many of you have changed your avatars, submitted spooky Halloween graphics, and even carved LG15 inspired pumpkins.  Keep these submissions coming because prizes will be given out during our party.  I’m especially interested in seeing LG15 inspired costumes and videos.  C’mon people, there will be prizes!!!

See you on Thursday.

- Amanda “Boo!” Goodfried

We’ve decided to extend this week’s Scissors For Lefty/Autographed Cast Member CD for another week!

All you need to do is leave a comment here AND head over to the SFL myspace page and leave a comment about the show.

Multiple entries are always welcome, spread the word!

The following announcement was made from the Hymn of None:

As we move forward in our battle against the enemy, it has become increasingly clear that some of you remain suspect of our intentions. This does not benefit our cause. It is counterproductive and a waste of time. In order to rectify this problem immediately, the Hymn of None has decided to allow one of its most valued agents to appear before you.

This Friday, October 24th at 3 PM PST (6 PM EST), said agent will participate in a live video chat here on LG15.com.

You will be able to ask questions. But know that you may be asked questions in return.

Prepare as you see fit.