AFI BLOG: Media and Technology

The New York Times
Google is experimenting with a new method of distributing original material on the Web, and some Hollywood film financiers are betting millions that the company will succeed.
In September, Seth MacFarlane, creator of “Family Guy” on television, will unveil a carefully guarded new project called “Seth MacFarlane’s Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy.” Unlike “Family [...]

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LA Times Blogger David Sarno discovers online sensation Fred, here:
Last week, someone in the online video business gave me a simple tip.
“Fred,” the guy said.
“Fred?” I said.
“Yes,” he said. “Kids love Fred.”
I had not heard of Fred, much less known that kids loved him. But that would swiftly end. As soon as I could, [...]

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At his old jobs — running Paramount, and then Disney — Michael Eisner was paid to pick winners, and he did a very good job. But that track record doesn’t mean much in the world of Web video. Eisner started out on the Web with a hit: With a push from MySpace, and then Veoh [...]

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NewTeeVee
Quarterlife creator Marshall Herskovitz and I haven’t always seen eye-to-eye, so when I introduced myself to him at the Digital Media Summit in Hollywood, I wasn’t sure if he’d shake my hand or pop me in the face. Turns out Herskovitz was a nice guy and has been very thoughtful — almost meditative — about [...]

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Variety
HBO is getting into bed with Will Ferrell’s FunnyorDie.com Internet vid venture.
Pay cabler has bought a small equity stake in the 2-year-old comedy website and has commissioned 10 half-hours of programming from Funny or Die as part of the deal.
The wide-ranging pact also envisions the two sides partnering on a host of future projects, from [...]

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Disney.com announced today that for the first time ever the site will stream full-length movies online, featuring selections from the Wonderful World of Disney. The films will first air on ABC as part of the network’s weekly Wonderful World of Disney presentation on Saturday nights throughout summer 2008. The full-length films will then be available [...]

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TV Week
NBC Latest to Test a Realm Ruled by Upstarts
When NBC debuts the Rosario Dawson science fiction Web series “Gemini Division” online next month, it will mark a return to a programming genre that broadcasters haven’t had much success with—the online original series.
Broadcast and cable networks are building hearty businesses streaming their TV shows on [...]

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NewTeeVee
Larry Strong and Kevin Arbouet, who directed the first few Obama Girl shorts for Barely Political, are shifting gears this summer — the two have tipped NewTeeVee that they’ll be producing a feature film tentatively starring DJ Qualls (Road Trip, Hustle and Flow) and Jerry Stiller (King of Queens, Ben Stiller).
Strong and Arbouet were already [...]

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NewTeeVee
Wow, just when we question those EQAL guys’ reasoning for doing something dumb by pulling a hit series, they show they have something much more interesting up their sleeves. Today at CBS’ upfront, a major partnership between the network and the just-funded startup was announced.
Under the terms of the deal, CBS will have a first [...]

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The Hollywood Reporter
Focus on adult-oriented, alternative, subversive content
The creators of HBO’s “Taxicab Confessions” have relaunched the video site CrushedPlanet.com with a focus on subversive, alternative and adult-oriented content.
Curated by Joe and Harry Gantz, the site features 15 channels with videos covering sexuality, relationships, the environment and other topics told through comedy, animation and documentary genres. [...]

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