Thursday, December 15, 2011

It's Great To Be Nominated!


Yes, awards season is in full swing with the SAG Awards announcement, today's Golden Globes announcement and the International Academy of Web Television (IAWTV) announcement.  Wait...what?  What's the IAWTV?  It's exactly what you think.  The Academy recognizes the work of those creators, directors, and actors whose shows air on your laptop, iPad, and mobile device.  Ah, I bet some of you didn't even know there was original programming on the web, did you?  There is a lot of great content out there and it is worth exploring on sites like Blip, My Damn Channel, and Hulu.  So, check it out over the holiday break.  You might find a show you like and I'm happy to recommend a few. (Just hit me up in the comments below.)

A Mashup of the IAWTV nominees.  I want to thank Melissa Anchondo for the good hair in the clip they used. When I do my hair, it never looks that good.  (Mashup by Jojo Dodd):




Anyway, I am proud to say that the show I worked on, The Web Files, was honored with three nominations for Best Hosted Taped Web Series, Best Director (Non-Fiction), and Best Host (Taped).  The Web Files truly was a labor of love and countless hours of hard work, so it is exciting to see our whole team recognized:  Sandra Payne (director), Perry Payne (editor/DP), Jenn Bobiwash (Renaissance Woman who did it ALL), and Melissa Anchondo (Hair/Makeup).  I celebrate this nomination with them because I know the blood, sweat, tears, and efforts that went into creating this show.  The awards show is on Thursday, January 12th in Las Vegas during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).  I'll keep you posted on another fun adventure since I will be commuting from Detroit in order to attend the ceremony. (A big thanks to Toyota for giving me the day off to fly to Vegas!)

Here's the live announcement with Shira Lazar and Ethan Newberry from yesterday:



A full list of the nominees:


Inaugural IAWTV Awards Nominees
Best Comedy Web Series
Best Drama Web Series
Best Hosted Taped Web Series
Best Hosted Live Web Series
Best Animated Web Series
Best Documentary Web Series
Best Variety Web Series
Best News Web Series
Best Educational Web Series
Best Writing (Comedy)
Best Writing (Drama)
Best Writing (Non-Fiction)
Best Directing (Comedy)
Best Directing (Drama)
Best Directing (Non-Fiction)
Best Female Performance (Comedy)
Best Female Performance (Drama)
Best Male Performance (Comedy)
Best Male Performance (Drama)
Best Host (Taped)
Best Host (Live)
Best Cinematography
Best Design
Best Costume Design
Best Makeup/Special Effects
Best Visual Effects
Best Editing
Best Original Music
Best Supplemental Content
Best Interactive/Social Media Experience
  • CliffsNotes Films
  • Kids React
  • RCVR/Web Series
  • Stupid For Movies
  • What's Trending with Shira Lazar
Best Web Site Design
Best Distribution Platform




Tuesday, December 13, 2011

New Year's Eve With Zac Efron

At the press junket for the film, New Year's Eve.

I had a pretty amazing birthday this year.  I had the opportunity to spend the day with Michelle Pfeiffer, Abigail Breslin, Hector Elizondo, Lea Michele, and Zac Efron from the movie, New Year's Eve.  Not a bad day on the job at all.  I headed over to the Beverly Hilton Hotel to ask the cast about their experiences on the set and if they believed in New Year's resolutions.  Not surprisingly, most did not share their New Year's resolutions because I think we all make a list each year and often fail or forget about the list.  If a celebrity makes that resolution public, I'm sure the tabloids would love to hold them accountable for it. I expected everyone to be excited about the Lea Michele interview, but I found out on Twitter that Zac Efron has some fervent fans.  So fervent, they call themselves "Zanessa" fans.


Now, let's talk about this for a moment: Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens met and dated during their High School Musical years.  They were a very cute couple and they lived in my neighborhood, so I saw them quite a bit with the paparazzi constantly on their trail.  Like many first loves, they broke up.  This happened about a year ago.  Well, the Zanessa fans relentlessly hounded me on Twitter to ask Zac about Vanessa when I'm supposed to be asking about New Year's Eve.  They called me a bad reporter.  Giggle and sigh.  I understand when fans get excited about their favorite stars, I think that is why it is so enjoyable to interview the Disney Channel stars.  However, at a certain point, you have to understand that these stars have a life and feelings and sometimes things should just be private.  Zac hasn't ever discussed the Vanessa break-up and I doubt he will beyond saying it was a lovely time in his life, she's a sweet girl, etc. (You know, the standard answers to the press.  So, foolish me for thinking everyone wanted to hear a Glee interview, they wanted a Zac interview.  I definitely learned something that day and it convinced me that having enthusiastic fans is pretty powerful in Hollywood these days.  I should have remembered that from my Angie Harmon Twangels encounter......maybe that's my New Year's resolution? Remember the fans, KB, remember the fans!!



Anyway, enjoy my interviews for iVillage with Zac and Michelle Pfeiffer, who is perhaps the most stunning celebrity I have ever interviewed and so NICE to boot,  as well as Lea Michele, who gave a great answer to her red carpet/Twitter disagreement with Modern Family star Sarah Hyland.



What's your New Year's resolution?  Let me know in the comments below.

Don't forget to enter my Holiday Giveaway!  You have until Sunday, December 18th to enter.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Holiday Giveaway!

Graphic provided by Yolanda Beatty.

It's that time of year, a time to look back and give thanks.  So, I am giving thanks to all of you this year. Thank you for coming back time and time again to experience my adventures with me.  I decided to do a giveaway just for you.  I cleaned out my prize closet and I came up with an awesome pack of gifts as a way to say "thanks for a great 2011!"  Let's give you the lowdown on the gifts:


-Silk Culture Scarf in Silver
-One Set of Piggy Pillows (insoles for your flip-flops!), One Size fits most.
-Animal Planet Envirosax reusable grocery bag with a bird motif.
-A Hot Iron Mat.  (Protects your counter from the hot curling iron or flat iron.)
-Papaya Art Parisian Luggage Tag.
-e.l.f. cosmetics nail kit:  nail file, toe separators, and nail art.
-Toyota aluminum water bottle in red.
-Purely Pro lip kit:   lipstick in Vixen, lip gloss in Crystal Clear.
-Escents Lavender Scent Bag.
-Axe Hold + Touch Spiking Glue
-Santa Barbara Design Studio Soy Candle (Unscented).
-Proton Energy Systems Lip Balm with SPF 15
-Floral Picture Holder.

Phew!  Quite a list, right?  Well, I am not going to make you work hard for this at all.  Just fill out the form below.  Here are the rules:

1.  US residents only.

2.  18 Years or Older.

3.  Please enter by 11:59 PM PST on Sunday, December 18th, 2011.  Winner will be announced on Monday, December 19th and name will be drawn via Random.org.

- Disclosure: All items were given to me complimentary by the respective companies. Axe was given to me via Klout Perks.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Radio Disney's NBT Finals: We Have A Winner!

Me and Shealeigh after she won!

Wednesday night was the big night for the preteen set:  Radio Disney's Season 4 finals of Next Big Thing (NBT).  Disney has been an incredible studio for discovering and creating stars on their networks and the two finalists: Shealeigh and Zack Montana are no exceptions.  It was a close race to the finish with a powerhouse voice from a petite girl like Shealeigh and the smooth moves and choreography of Michael Jackson in Zack, but it was Shealeigh's big night.  It was fun to watch this journey and talk to the contestants throughout the process with Red Carpet Report.  To see Shealeigh's face when she won, it was that much sweeter even from my perspective.  Both Zack and Shealeigh will be stars in the Disney realm, so look for more of their work in the coming year.  Here are my interviews with Shealeigh and all of the Disney Channel stars you and your kids watch each day:  Bella Thorne, Debby Ryan, the cast of Jessie, A.N.T. Farm, Austin and Ally, Lab Rats, and more!

Bella Thorne from Shake It Up!


The interviews!



The very sweet Calum Worthy from Austin and Ally.

The Jessie cast is so much fun.  Debby Ryan is always a class act.

Right before they announce the big winner!

With season 4 contestant, Ladina Spencer.

Cody Simpson mentored contestants, Zack Montana and Shealeigh throughout the process.

Okay, admit it, you watch the Disney Channel too.  Who is your favorite Disney Channel star?  Let me know if the comments below and don't forget to come back on Monday for a Holiday Giveaway!

Photos courtesy of Mingle Media TV.

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