The Exciting Beginning of 2013 - Hosting

This is the first time that I am able to look at the year ahead and to be excited about it. There are projects, field trips, zombie runs, and who knows what else this year. These are the basics.

I'm gonna break it down for ya, so this isn't a super long post.

PART THE 1ST:

HOSTING!

My friend Cindy Marie Jenkins and I entered a partnership last Fall to discuss the rapidly growing world of the webseries. Since then, we've grown out of a Google Hangout format and we've begun to shoot and produce a true show. We've been very busy in this new year, what with the Vegas Trip, and with our new world of interviews. Have a look-see over here.

Our friends Kristen Nedopak and Bill Ostroff, founders of The Geekie Awards have asked us to lead weekly G+ Hangouts with their judges. The RUGeekie Weekly Hangouts begin this Sunday at 1:30 to talk with Bonnie Burton. *cue Mom squeeing over Bonnie*

On top of all that goodness, we were also asked to start a podcast on CSICON.com. Eeee, a podcast!

This is all truly amazing because after Comic-Con last year, I was left feeling a little out of it. I was so happy to be around friends and fellow creators, twitter peeps, it was such a Nerd Summer Camp. However, after the last dinner on the last night, (and it was a fantastic time, let me tell you), I was overcome with the feeling that I wanted more. I wanted to be able to proudly declare that I was part of something, that I had created, or co-created a project that had an impact among my peers. Because really, I was introducing myself as "Jessica Mills' old roommate." And as much as I love Jessi, and I am so thankful for the time we had working on Awkward Embraces, being the old roommate of someone doesn't really give you creative clout. I couldn't lean on Jessi's achievements any longer.

I started wondering what I could create. I'm not a writer, I don't even have ideas to create shows or characters that another person can write. On my road trip home that summer, I began listening to The Nerdist Podcast. About halfway up, I realized that a podcast was something I could do! I mean, get me with a group of friends and let's start talking! My parents don't call me Chatty Patty for nothin'. But how do I create a podcast? My funds are limited right now, I could do a G+ Hangout... maybe? I dunno. Then, out of the blue - Cindy says, "Hey, we should do a show about the webseries world." You can imagine my glee. It's like The Universe/Higher Power/Gods and God Alike all said, "here - have Cindy" and she's a fantastic partner. She steps in easily in places I don't even think of, she's a total social media maven, she's super smart, and laughs at my dorky jokes. She also has pets that I adore. This is what you want from a creative partner, yes?? I'm feeling very lucky, and very grateful.

So in just the past two months projects have been taken to the next level. Ideas are flying in my head. I've even begun a weekly massage therapy series where I answer questions about the biz and my experience in the world. It's all very new, just one episode up, but it's something that I've been wanting to do for quite sometime.

I have a few more big projects to announce, but I'll save 'em for another day. This is what has started off my year, and I really couldn't be more excited.

The Latest Jeff the Cat: Merchant of Darkness Episode

Awhile ago I introduced you to Jeff the Cat.

In the first episode we saw how poorly Jeff treated my dear friend Jim. In this episode, we'll get to meet Stacy, who broke Jim's heart.

WARNING!

This is a foul, foul, and highly inappropriate episode. If you offend easily, you really shouldn't watch this. It you have a deep, dark, twisted sense of humor, this is for you.




Click here to know more about Tricia Pierce, and here for Jim Hanna. Hire them. They are some funny, talented people.

The Adventures of Dude and Bro

From time to time, you'll hear me mention The Hothouse. The Hothouse is a magical place for the actor/director/normal person alike to learn about improvising on stage. I have met many a fantastic person through my playful studies. There are lots of people to brag about from that corner of the world, let me tell you!

My friends Nate Messina and PJ Myers-Chase have gotten together with their friends to make their own webseries, The Adventures of Dude and Bro.  No, I haven't seen it yet, but below is a NSFW trailer on what's to come. It looks like we can expect some over the top fun. My favorite part of the trailer? The last moment involving some keen driving skills.



They've launched a Kickstarter Campaign to help them finish the last three episodes of their series. If you see something you enjoy, please spread the word and contribute as you see fit.

You can find their Kickstarter page here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/richardkeith7df/the-adventures-of-dude-and-bro

Awkward Bragging

I have to say, the Pattyverse is filled with inspiring talent. I'm surrounded by such determined, dream-oriented people. It's thoroughly inspiring.

In the past three years or so, many friends have started working in the world of the webseries. It's still a new frontier, a Wild West, if you will. You may of heard of The Guild, The Bannen Way, and Stalker Chronicles. 

My roommate, Jessica Mills is amazing. Last year, she created a webseries called Awkward Embraces. I got to help out a bit, and if you look closely, I'm the Skank in Episode 5, and if you don't blink you'll see me briefly in Episode 9. Hee. Jessica got tired of the "industry" telling her in order to get seen in the world of acting you had to A + B +C, and there's no way to bypass a damn thing. She got her good friends together and decided to make a webseries. Just about a year later, she's blown up all over Twitter, the Geek World has embraced her, and the premiere of Season 2 is just around the corner!! (February 18th, yo!).

The neatest thing about it all? Jess asked me to help co-produce! Weeeeee! What it means right now? Oh, I have a wide assortment of random duties. Is that normal? Dunno. But it's pretty fun. So far, my biggest job is to help get the word out about our fundraising to complete Season 2. Also, if you follow the hashtag #AwkwardTrivia you will see what happens when we start to tweet random silly "facts" about the cast and crew. Last night, the damn thing blew up with fans coming up with their own trivia, and damn was it fun! And really humbling when you think about it - so many people, from so many different places like Awkward Embraces that they want to engage and play along with us!

You know what else is grand? A week ago, Jessica launched the second Indiegogo campaign with the dreamy goal of raising $10,000! Holy cow! Holy mackerel! Holy holy! You know what else is even more amazing? Right now, at this very moment in time, we've raised $5,303!!!!! Just over half way there, and we have two months to raise the full $10,000.  Jessica and the gang are so delighted, in awe, thankful, and downright giddy. I can tell you right now, the emails are on fire within the troops. Just you wait, you're going to be amazed at what we have in store for you.

I'm gonna finish this blog with one final plug: On February 18th, we will be celebrating the premiere of Season 2. What's the icing on that cake, you ask? The party is sponsored by Comikaze, an expo for the Los Angeles fan of anything geektastic. It's doubly a charity fundraiser, to benefit Gamers United, an organization that brings video games to children's hospitals across the world. If you're in the Los Angeles area - please, please come! You get in by either donating $10 to Gamers United, or you can bring a new comic book or video game. How cool is that? AND there will be dancing, fun gifts, and even Michelle Rodriguez will even be guest DJing. Ah-mazing.  Reserve your tix here.

All right, here's the Season 2 trailer:


And here's our Indiegogo video:


Please spread the word about Awkward Embraces! It's truly a work of love and fun.