The Daily Online Video Fix: The Obama Special

In case you didn't catch the Obama Special that aired last night on CBS, NBC, FOX, MSNBC, etc... YouTube is now showing the video in it's entirety. I've also posted the two segments I did as well.

This video is especially close to my heart since Davis Guggenheim hired me to direct & produce two of the segments in the video. I worked on the Ohio senior-citizen couple and Ford family segments. Please check out the video and make sure you vote on Nov 4th!

Juanita & Larry Stuart from Marc Ostrick on Vimeo.


Mark Dowell Family from Marc Ostrick on Vimeo.

The Daily Online Video Fix: Strike.tv's House Poor

Strike.tv just launched about 10 original online web series.  Some have real potential.  I just finished watching Mindy Kaling's HOUSE POOR.   I thought the concept is simple, but engaging and the cast of characters were excellent.   The best part about the series however is Mindy and her brand of offensive humor.   The other great aspect of the site is how they organized and displayed the cast and crew credits as well as the overall design and navigation.   Check out the site to catch the other series that have just launched.

The Daily Online Video Fix: More Halloween Fun

Halloween is just around the corner and I thought I'd add a few of my favorite original online videos that pay tribute to our pagan holiday.  

First up is College Humor's take on those cheap local commercials that made people like Crazy Eddie famous.  They nail the tone of these so-awful-their-awesome spots.  Great performance from Nick.  

Next up is a video that would make David Lynch proud.  This is the strangest, scariest political web video yet.   I won't go into details, you'll have to watch for yourself.

Enjoy!

The Daily Online Video Fix: Small and Creepy

In honor of Halloween this week, I wanted to share one of my favorite scary websites with you.

SMALL AND CREEPY is a truly horrifying space to visit.   The website was created in part by my friend Peter Lebow, who was one of the founders of Instant Films.   I highly recommend checking out this site. It is a great example of what happens when you get some very creative and talented people together who are not restricted by studios or committees.  There is a real blend of quality design and content and it really feels like you are in a haunted environment.   I had a to take a cold shower after being on the site for a few minutes.  

Check out who is also behind this really creepy site.  I think you'll be surprised.    

I am also adding an example of an episode from their epic horror web series, THE HILLS ARE ALIVE.    

The Daily Online Video Fix: Ron Howard on Funny Or Die

My close buddy Ezra Soiferman just turned me onto this video. It has only been up for a day but it is already a classic in my book. If you're like me, whenever I see Ron Howard today, I still can only see Richie Cunningham and Opie. It's hard to see him as the aging, bald director he has become over the last 30 years. That's what makes this web video so powerful. He actually goes where back in time to the most fondly remembered shows in TV history - All in the name of keeping our great democracy strong. You know this election is important when Ron Howard, Henry Winkler and Andy Griffith decide to take a trip back to their past characters for this first time in decades. What a treat.

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

The Daily Online Video Fix: Sarah Palin on SNL

Finally, NBC is starting to get the idea of web video.   Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Now you can finally take the embed code and share their comedy gold with others, while SNL still reaps the benefits of having their hit count skyrocket.  I don't know who finally got this going, but they should get a promotion.  And congrats on the quick turnaround.  

The Daily Online Video Fix: WB.com's Childrens' Hospital

Looks like WB.com is diving head first into some very funny waters.   Check out this preview for their upcoming web series, Childrens' Hospital.   I found it hysterical.   This is the type of original content that I am hoping will soon flood the internet.   Great production value, good actors and packed with attitude.   I'm sure the series will offend some, but comedy isn't a pretty business. Rob Corddry (Daily Show) is the creator of the show and it looks like it may be a big big hit.   

The Daily Online Video Fix: Studio Visit

Here are some additional webisodes from my series STUDIO VISIT.  The series was originally created in 1999 for Eveo.com.   These videos represent one of the first web series created and explores the creative process of emerging artists working in NYC.    Eveo.com was a predecessor to YouTube.  These videos were to seed the site for launch so viewers could see what kind of stuff they should be making and uploading to the site.  It's unfortunate that Eveo.com was ahead of its time.  People didn't have broadband and the streaming was painfully slow.   The result was the internet bubble bursting in 2000.   

So, hope you enjoy this bit on online video history. Enjoy and please share your thoughts. 

The Daily Online Video Fix: The Genius Of PES

I was thinking about my last post and was wondering what other online videos are on the internet that pay homage to games of our youth. Then I remembered the brilliant stop-motion animation short from PES called GAME OVER. To the side, is a still image from the short where we see the classic FROGGER in action.  CLICK HERE to check out this video that gives viewers a chance to relive those agonizing moments when the game was finally over.  It's not nostalgia that puts a smile on your face, but the playful ideas and blissful imagination behind the video that go into recreating these moments.  

Check out his website to see the outrageous ROOF SEX.  But beware, this hot video is NSFW.   

Below are a couple of my favorite PES shorts.   They are so sweet and delicious you just want to eat more and more and more - which is why I think artist known as Pes has chosen the perfect name.   Enjoy!!!

The Daily Online VIdeo Fix: Mario Brother Parodies

Since Donkey Kong's inception over 25 years ago, American pop culture has been fascinated with Mario, the hero character from the Nintendo's addictive video game. Soon after the success of DK, Mario was given his own adventure, starring Mario the plumber and his brother Luigi. CLICK HERE to get the full history of Mario Brothers according to Wikipedia

There has been a ton of merchandising, spin-offs and other schlock out there that has furthered the Mario Brothers legacy, but in terms of original online video I think the two videos below are great examples of quality content that have stuck a chord with audiences. Both videos are very different, but each are successful in their own way.

"Mario: Game Over" by POYKPAC was nominated for Best Comedy Video of 2007 in the Youtube Awards. The talented comedy troop had racked up an impressive 9,600,000 views and was originally posted in May 2007. Writer/Director Ryan Hunter does a great job with the cast. The down-home effects add to the charm of this indie production as well. I love that these guys just went out and made this on their own. No branding, sponsors, etc., just some good old fashion talent and determination.

On the other side of the spectrum comes Seth McFarline's short, which is part of his new original online series CAVALCADE. The series are a bunch of humorous shorts that are made for those with severe ADD. The pieces are quick, funny and have that McFarline flair. In case you have been living under a rock, Seth MacFarlane is the creator of Family Guy and American Dad. This online venture is sponsored by Burger King, which I think is a very smart move for the burger flipping giant. This Mario video has reached 6,100,000 people in one month. My only issue with the video is I wish it was longer.

Nintendo, thanks for giving us Mario. Hopefully, someone will soon make a few online videos with Activision's PITFALL hero. That guy was nuts, too!