Vuguru, the Eisner-helmed company behind webseries Prom Queen and The All-For-Nots has announced plans for a new series (via Tilzy)
“Vuguru will launch a autobiographical comedy series this summer titled Back on Topps, featuring a “group of executives seeking to succeed Marvin Topps, the company’s fictional founder.” The series will star Randy and Jason Sklar of ESPN’s Cheap Seats and Super Deluxe’s Layers in 24 five-minute-episodes.”
So far, Eisner is pretty much 1-and-1 with the first two series. Prom Queen might not have made a ton of noise but it was successful and continue to strike remake deals in foreign territories. The word on All-For-Nots has not been as good, as far as I can tell. I see little mention of it in the blogs and can’t remember the last time it came up in conversation. I watched the first two eps and then lost interest.
Having watched a few eps of Layers and being fairly familiar with the twin Sklar brothers I have to say I am a little worried that this won’t be breaking any new ground in the world of entertainment.
Will Topps be funny enough and unique enough to draw a crowd?
Just watched the first two episodes of a new webseries out of Montreal called Take Me Back (via Neatorama)
The key elements of note are very nice production value and a complete lack of schticky humor. In the first two episodes we meet a young guy who is followed and the kidnapped by a masked man who then seems to take over the life of the protagonist.
Although this is not the sort of breakthrough series I keep hoping to see, it definitely continues to raise the bar in terms of mature storytelling and solid filmmaking. It feels far more compelling and sophisticated than things like Kate Modern or The All-For-Nots.
Looking forward to the next episode.
The latest news on the significant webseries front is that some folks are spinning off from the UK Bebo webseries Kate Modern to launch a new Brit-set webseries for MySpace.
“Big Balls Films and Pete Gibbons will make a pilot of the UK-set I Love Chieftown drama this month, with a full 60-”webisode” series launching in mid-September.
The drama will be based in east London and follow lead character Jamie, an aspiring filmmaker, as she follows an up-and-coming band and its journey to make it big.” (via)
Well, it sure does sound a bit like The All-For-Nots, Vuguru’s followup to Prom Queen from the makers of The Burg. It is also another example of trying to find an excuse for the camera – something I think we are ready to move beyond in terms of webseries. Everyone doesn’t have to either speak into a webcam or cameraphone.
Still, it sounds like a pretty big production with a 60-episode order. I’ll certainly be checking it out.
Tags: all-for-nots, bebo, burg, chieftown, kate modern, katemodern, lg15, lonelygirl15, myspace, myspacetv, prom queen, vuguru
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April 15, 2008 2:14 pm | 
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There is a lengthy post over on NewTeeVee for those who would like a bit more insight and opinion regarding the latest large-scale web-series The All-For-Nots:
“Cranky old folks may be reminded of the candy-colored, network-produced attempt at cashing in on psychedelia known as The Monkees. Gen X’ers who’ve complained for years that Sub Pop totally sold out might savage the show, meanwhile tuning in to every episode and lurking on the fictional band members’ online profiles for snark-fuel. But the show sends up the cynical, tight-jeaned indie rock snobs even as it reaches out to that audience, and hey, even Pitchfork has thrown its hat into the online video ring, so who’s judging?”
Has anyone watched this yet? Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
So, ReelPop does not seem very impressed by the latest offering from Michael Eisner’s Vuguru, THE ALL-FOR-NOTS, a sort of mockumentary about a small indie rock band touring the nation.
“Though proffering a derivative brand of “Spinal Tap”-like faux-reality humor — awkward glances at the camera, hyperbolically flawed characters, pregnant silences — the just-launched series is commendable for its achingly self-conscious hipster patois…”
Following up his relatively successful PROM QUEEN, which was shooting squarely at the ‘tween crowd, this new series is aiming for an older and somewhat more sophisticated audience. Having watched the 3-part first episode I can’t say I’m hooked. It looks good, the production value is nice, but there is just something overly self-aware about the whole thing, like it’s trying to prove how cool it is yet trying hard not to be too cool about it… or something like that.
Unfortunately, the music from the band isn’t all that exciting either. That’s too bad, since a lot of the story takes place around their music.
It’s still too soon to tell if Eisner’s new show will be a success. Is this what the hipsters of America want to watch. Only time will tell.
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