 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Evolution of B.J. Fletcher - Better With Age
Posted on Wednesday, April 7, 2010
There is a comment I have heard about B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye the web series more than once. In fact, I've even said it myself on multiple occasions. The comment is, or is a variation, of the following: "It gets better as it goes along."
Quite frankly, I couldn't agree more. Fletcher was conceived on the basis that myself and Lindy Zucker (the fabulous actress who plays Fletcher) wanted to enter a contest on AfterEllen.com to "find the next great lesbian web series". When we first started plotting Fletcher out, we had only about three or four weeks to get three episodes written, shot, and edited in time for the deadline. It was a scramble to do so, and it really didn't allow time for any kind of a development process. We developed as we went along. Now this is not to say that the story or characters were completely random or not thought out. I myself am a huge fan of the P.I. genre - both in print and on the screen - and the character of Fletcher is a mash-up of my love of detectives, and Lindy's love of physical comedy. That said, for most of Season One we were just finding our feet with these characters - something that is usually done during a lengthy development process. I was getting to know them as we went along just as the viewers were. Winning the contest enabled us to take a moment and really delve into who these characters were, and what we wanted to see from them. The rest of the balance of Season One shared a similar speedy deadline as the first three episodes, however, knowing I had 7 eps to work with allowed me the freedom to plot out overall characters arcs and relationship development. I don't think there'd be any argument that there is a huge difference between episodes 1 and 10 of Season One. Not only in the way the story was being told, but also the meatiness of the characters that gave our talented cast the ability to bring more depth and layers to them - which made for great viewing.
Season Two is when B.J. Fletcher really hit it's stride. The characters found their voices, the episodes had a more solid length (average of 16 mins per), and the series had a mature and definitive direction and style. We also had a huge amount of fun making it. I was blessed with a very talented cast and crew, which I'm sure any film-maker out there would tell you is the ingredient that makes or breaks a show. Especially one that is being funded by one's Visa or Mastercard.
When I look back on the two seasons of Fletcher, the first half of Season One does feel like our development process. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. As a viewer, you grew with us and with the show, as we all got to know and love the characters personalities and quirks together. The real treat for me about doing this series was the freedom I had in writing these stories. Better still, our target audience was one that actually wanted to see strong lesbian lead characters and storylines playing out in these adventures. Even just two years ago in early 2008 when we started this journey, the landscape and selection of lesbian characters both online and in TV/film was thin to say the least. Now there's a wide variety in all kinds of different styles and genres. And that's a wonderful thing!
Labels: afterellen, bj fletcher, dana puddicombe, lesbian, lindy zucker, regan latimer, web series
Show me more!
2 individual(s) commented on this post.
Click to add your comment!
Thank you, 2009!
Posted on Wednesday, December 23, 2009
What an incredible year 2009 has been for Fletcher! We saw the exciting finale of a hilarious second season - now that's a cliffhanger - which saw our incredible fans either settling in the Fletcher/George camp or heading to the George/Jenna team.
We also signed the television development deal that will usher B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye into the television genre. Owing to it's top secretitude, I can't reveal too many details about the current status of the development process, but know that things are progressing nicely. I do want to share with you the series trailer found at the beginning of the demo reel we have created for the show. Lindy and Dana never fail to make me laugh. Those two have some serious talent - not to mention our outstanding supporting cast!
In this holiday season of being thankful, I would like to express my appreciation to all the people that made B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye the web series a reality. From our talented cast and crew to our incredible behind-the-scenes champions, Fletcher is a huge team effort that I am so grateful to have been a part of making a reality.
Most importantly, an enormous thank you to our fans and advocates for the continuing support. We hope you will continue with us on this exciting wicked awesome journey through the New Year.
For more Fletcher news, be sure to check out our latest newsletter.
All the best for a happy and safe holiday season, from Regan Latimer and all the Fletcher gang!
We also signed the television development deal that will usher B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye into the television genre. Owing to it's top secretitude, I can't reveal too many details about the current status of the development process, but know that things are progressing nicely. I do want to share with you the series trailer found at the beginning of the demo reel we have created for the show. Lindy and Dana never fail to make me laugh. Those two have some serious talent - not to mention our outstanding supporting cast!
In this holiday season of being thankful, I would like to express my appreciation to all the people that made B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye the web series a reality. From our talented cast and crew to our incredible behind-the-scenes champions, Fletcher is a huge team effort that I am so grateful to have been a part of making a reality.
Most importantly, an enormous thank you to our fans and advocates for the continuing support. We hope you will continue with us on this exciting wicked awesome journey through the New Year.
For more Fletcher news, be sure to check out our latest newsletter.
All the best for a happy and safe holiday season, from Regan Latimer and all the Fletcher gang!
Labels: dana puddicombe, life on fletcher, lindy zucker, regan latimer, web series
Show me more!
2 individual(s) commented on this post.
Click to add your comment!
Fletcher update - October 2009
Posted on Saturday, October 3, 2009
Posted by Executive Producer/Writer/Director, Regan Latimer
Fantastic news! The B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye pilot script is finished. It has been a long process, but we are all very pleased with the result. Now the job of finding a home for Fletcher begins.
A little bit about writing the script. I had the absolute privilege and pleasure of working with the incredibly accomplished and talented George F. Walker throughout this process. He has been a mentoring guide through the crazy world of writing and producing for television. Working with him has been a wonderful experience. He has a wealth of knowledge and background in the television genre including the creation of the CBC series This Is Wonderland and the current TMN series, The Line. Having a mentor like this has been a dream come true, and the Fletcher pilot shines as a result (if I do say so myself).
It’s been a new adventure to be able to write Fletcher without the inherent limitations of an unfunded web series as the ultimate goal. In the past, I have always had to limit Fletcher’s adventures and mischief to what knew I would actually be able to afford to produce – locations, actors, and production. It has been quite freeing to open up Fletcher’s world to all kinds of new possibilities – and the pilot is a wicked awesome adventure as a result.
Working with Matter of Fact Media has also been a positive experience. Going from the full responsibility and workload of producing Fletcher solo to having an experienced and knowledgeable production company and producer behind us has been amazing. Working with Vanessa Dylyn (our intrepid Producer) and MOFM has definitely created a more freeing environment in which to create and develop the series.
Little to say it has been great experience so far and I am looking forward to the continuing process of finding a new home for Fletcher in the world of television. For those who have asked through the website and Twitter, a third season of Fletcher is currently on hold while we are in this development process. The ultimate goal is to create a television series that will incorporate the best of B.J. Fletcher so far and to expand those storylines and characters into a full-fledged long form series. I will certainly keep you all updated as this adventurous process develops.
As always, thank you so much for supporting the show. Exciting times lie ahead. Lock and load!
Fantastic news! The B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye pilot script is finished. It has been a long process, but we are all very pleased with the result. Now the job of finding a home for Fletcher begins. A little bit about writing the script. I had the absolute privilege and pleasure of working with the incredibly accomplished and talented George F. Walker throughout this process. He has been a mentoring guide through the crazy world of writing and producing for television. Working with him has been a wonderful experience. He has a wealth of knowledge and background in the television genre including the creation of the CBC series This Is Wonderland and the current TMN series, The Line. Having a mentor like this has been a dream come true, and the Fletcher pilot shines as a result (if I do say so myself).
It’s been a new adventure to be able to write Fletcher without the inherent limitations of an unfunded web series as the ultimate goal. In the past, I have always had to limit Fletcher’s adventures and mischief to what knew I would actually be able to afford to produce – locations, actors, and production. It has been quite freeing to open up Fletcher’s world to all kinds of new possibilities – and the pilot is a wicked awesome adventure as a result.
Working with Matter of Fact Media has also been a positive experience. Going from the full responsibility and workload of producing Fletcher solo to having an experienced and knowledgeable production company and producer behind us has been amazing. Working with Vanessa Dylyn (our intrepid Producer) and MOFM has definitely created a more freeing environment in which to create and develop the series.
Little to say it has been great experience so far and I am looking forward to the continuing process of finding a new home for Fletcher in the world of television. For those who have asked through the website and Twitter, a third season of Fletcher is currently on hold while we are in this development process. The ultimate goal is to create a television series that will incorporate the best of B.J. Fletcher so far and to expand those storylines and characters into a full-fledged long form series. I will certainly keep you all updated as this adventurous process develops.
As always, thank you so much for supporting the show. Exciting times lie ahead. Lock and load!
Labels: regan latimer, web series
Show me more!
3 individual(s) commented on this post.
Click to add your comment!
What I wish I had known before making Fletcher
Posted on Sunday, August 9, 2009
Posted by Executive Producer/Writer/Director, Regan Latimer
This week, our Associate Producer, Rochelle Dancel, had an article published on Tubefilter.tv called Confessions of Indie Web Series Creators: Things They Wish They Knew. I contributed to the article, together with producers from five other web series’.
As we recently announced our development deal, it was a great time to reflect on everything that I’d learned making Fletcher in the past year and a half.
As our contributions were quite long and varied, it was impossible for everything we wrote to be included in that article, but you can read our complete contributions on Rochelle's blog.
You can read mine below.
“If you had asked me a year and half ago if I'd ever considered making a web series or producing web content, I probably would have responded with something very close to, "the what?". My knowledge of web series, or producing any kind of content for the web was in it's absolute infancy. That said, I believe that my ignorance on the subject probably worked in my favour. Having no idea just how absolutely all encompassing and life absorbing it would become is probably one of the main reasons Fletcher came into being. Not to say that if I had known then what I know now I wouldn't have done it, more that I certainly would have adjusted my expectations and game plan accordingly.
“The one thing I was not prepared for was the amount of time, and constant flow of energy it takes to make this kind of content happen. To make your work stand out, to get it noticed, to create a product that is going to catch people's attention and keep them coming back. I don't think I'd be too remiss to say every waking moment it is somewhere in the forefront of my mind. Having no budget means you have to beg, borrow, and plead for every single aspect of the production - actors, crew, locations, equipment, understanding from those around you that it's worth all this time and effort even though there's no money coming from it!
"You are (with perhaps a precious one or two other dedicated people) the only driving force behind creating this content, getting it out there, trying to keep interest when you're between episodes or seasons, trying to find your niche in an absolutely flooded medium and market. From trying to juggle the schedules of your 'volunteer' cast and crew, to the hours upon hours upon all nighters of work it takes to get your work planned, shot, edited, and posted, whilst also trying to work around the day jobs that actually pay for you to live and eat, one might wonder - why do we do it?
"Ask any artist (that includes any actor, creator, writer, anyone trying to make a living through their art) what it means just to be able to do your art - to perform, to create, to express. It is worth all of the above and more to be able to do that. There is so much freedom online in being able to produce the content you want to produce (without outside interference), and that is what is so attractive about it...and in turn worth the monumental struggle to get it done and out there. Finding an audience is the next major step. We were especially lucky to have won the contest with AfterEllen.com which provided us with our initial introduction on the web. That said, it has been a learning curve in networking and marketing in getting the show out there beyond that. Don't be afraid to ask for advice, send emails, support other's projects, you'd be surprised how many others out there are in the same boat as you and appreciate any advice or support you can give in return.
"Don't be afraid to ask for help. I spent all of season one trying to do everything the show required (a much bigger task than I'd first anticipated) which resulted in a certain amount of burn out by the end. Getting other people on board who have knowledge or skills you don't, though hard to give up the control, can really take some of the weight off and free up your time to focus on tasks and aspects that you were willing to forgo for lack of the time or energy to do them. Also, if you don't know how to do something, chances are there's a forum or how-to posting somewhere online that does.
"One saying that has become a bit of a catch phrase for the small team working on the Fletcher series has been "I'll figure it out, how hard can it be?". What this saying actually means is if it needs done, we'll find a way to do it, or teach ourselves how to make it happen. I've learned more about production, website building and digital formats in the past year and half creating this series than I ever learned in film school. Producing B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye has been a wicked learning curve, but absolutely invaluable experience in the ever changing online broadcast medium.
"Web series production is still in it's infancy in the overall grand scheme of media, and therefore lacks the infrastructure and support that can be found in traditional television, film and theatre production models. In a sense, every one of us currently out there making this content are (in so doing) designing and creating the standards and practices on which the future of this medium will be based. One of the most important things I wish I had known back when we first started on this journey was that online content producers are essentially an emerging community and for the most part we are all in this low-to no budget, DIY boat together. I truly believe that supporting each other in any way we can will be the most significant aspect to the realization and continuation of our own online achievements and success."
This week, our Associate Producer, Rochelle Dancel, had an article published on Tubefilter.tv called Confessions of Indie Web Series Creators: Things They Wish They Knew. I contributed to the article, together with producers from five other web series’.
As we recently announced our development deal, it was a great time to reflect on everything that I’d learned making Fletcher in the past year and a half.
As our contributions were quite long and varied, it was impossible for everything we wrote to be included in that article, but you can read our complete contributions on Rochelle's blog.
You can read mine below.
“If you had asked me a year and half ago if I'd ever considered making a web series or producing web content, I probably would have responded with something very close to, "the what?". My knowledge of web series, or producing any kind of content for the web was in it's absolute infancy. That said, I believe that my ignorance on the subject probably worked in my favour. Having no idea just how absolutely all encompassing and life absorbing it would become is probably one of the main reasons Fletcher came into being. Not to say that if I had known then what I know now I wouldn't have done it, more that I certainly would have adjusted my expectations and game plan accordingly.
“The one thing I was not prepared for was the amount of time, and constant flow of energy it takes to make this kind of content happen. To make your work stand out, to get it noticed, to create a product that is going to catch people's attention and keep them coming back. I don't think I'd be too remiss to say every waking moment it is somewhere in the forefront of my mind. Having no budget means you have to beg, borrow, and plead for every single aspect of the production - actors, crew, locations, equipment, understanding from those around you that it's worth all this time and effort even though there's no money coming from it!
"You are (with perhaps a precious one or two other dedicated people) the only driving force behind creating this content, getting it out there, trying to keep interest when you're between episodes or seasons, trying to find your niche in an absolutely flooded medium and market. From trying to juggle the schedules of your 'volunteer' cast and crew, to the hours upon hours upon all nighters of work it takes to get your work planned, shot, edited, and posted, whilst also trying to work around the day jobs that actually pay for you to live and eat, one might wonder - why do we do it?
"Ask any artist (that includes any actor, creator, writer, anyone trying to make a living through their art) what it means just to be able to do your art - to perform, to create, to express. It is worth all of the above and more to be able to do that. There is so much freedom online in being able to produce the content you want to produce (without outside interference), and that is what is so attractive about it...and in turn worth the monumental struggle to get it done and out there. Finding an audience is the next major step. We were especially lucky to have won the contest with AfterEllen.com which provided us with our initial introduction on the web. That said, it has been a learning curve in networking and marketing in getting the show out there beyond that. Don't be afraid to ask for advice, send emails, support other's projects, you'd be surprised how many others out there are in the same boat as you and appreciate any advice or support you can give in return.
"Don't be afraid to ask for help. I spent all of season one trying to do everything the show required (a much bigger task than I'd first anticipated) which resulted in a certain amount of burn out by the end. Getting other people on board who have knowledge or skills you don't, though hard to give up the control, can really take some of the weight off and free up your time to focus on tasks and aspects that you were willing to forgo for lack of the time or energy to do them. Also, if you don't know how to do something, chances are there's a forum or how-to posting somewhere online that does.
"One saying that has become a bit of a catch phrase for the small team working on the Fletcher series has been "I'll figure it out, how hard can it be?". What this saying actually means is if it needs done, we'll find a way to do it, or teach ourselves how to make it happen. I've learned more about production, website building and digital formats in the past year and half creating this series than I ever learned in film school. Producing B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye has been a wicked learning curve, but absolutely invaluable experience in the ever changing online broadcast medium.
"Web series production is still in it's infancy in the overall grand scheme of media, and therefore lacks the infrastructure and support that can be found in traditional television, film and theatre production models. In a sense, every one of us currently out there making this content are (in so doing) designing and creating the standards and practices on which the future of this medium will be based. One of the most important things I wish I had known back when we first started on this journey was that online content producers are essentially an emerging community and for the most part we are all in this low-to no budget, DIY boat together. I truly believe that supporting each other in any way we can will be the most significant aspect to the realization and continuation of our own online achievements and success."
Labels: life on fletcher, regan latimer, rochelle dancel, web series
Show me more!
1 individual(s) commented on this post.
Click to add your comment!
B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye - The T.V. Series?
Posted on Monday, July 20, 2009
WEB SERIES B.J. FLETCHER: PRIVATE EYE GETS DEVELOPMENT DEAL WITH MATTER OF FACT MEDIA
Regan Latimer, creator and producer/writer/director of web series B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye, has signed a development deal with Toronto‐based production company Matter of Fact Media. Under the terms of the agreement, Latimer will work with MoFM Executive Producer Vanessa Dylyn to develop a television broadcast proposal for the web series, including a new pilot script based on the hilarious characters and adventures from B.J.Fletcher: Private Eye.
The online team behind the web series will continue to produce original content for the show’s website and blog during the development period. Regardless of the format in which it continues, unique content from the show will continue to be made available online.
Latimer announced, “It’s an exciting time for everyone involved with B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye. We need to thank our wonderful fans and viewers, whose tremendous support has been a huge part of this development. We’re also very grateful to the blogs and websites that have actively promoted us.
“We want to say a special thank you to Sarah Warn and all of the team at AfterEllen.com for giving us our break and supporting us through the first two seasons. They are very much part of the Fletcher family and we have learned so much from them.
“Our talented cast, including Lindy Zucker, Dana Puddicombe, Vanessa Dunn and Karim Morgan, and all of our production team, including Rochelle Dancel and Rikki Zucker, are committed to supporting the show as it develops and we are confident that our partnership with Matter of Fact Media will take Fletcher in a positive new direction. We look forward to bringing Fletcher back to your screens in the near future, more wicked awesome than ever!”
Labels: dana puddicombe, life on fletcher, lindy zucker, regan latimer, rikki zucker, rochelle dancel
Show me more!
14 individual(s) commented on this post.
Click to add your comment!
Life On Fletcher: The Men of Fletcher
Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009
In this week's episode of Life On Fletcher, we bring you the handsome Men Of Fletcher. Join Magnum, Doyle and Louis (Karim Morgan, Jonathan Thomas, Sean Tasson) as they discuss Magnum's hypoglycemia, how Dana's stronger than she looks, and attempt to pitch a spin-off for Louis. What do you think of the Men of Fletcher? We look forward to reading your comments!
Labels: life on fletcher karim morgan jonathan thomas sean tasson, regan latimer
Show me more!
11 individual(s) commented on this post.
Click to add your comment!
Life On Fletcher: Producer Podcast Part Two
Posted on Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Episode Eleven brings you Life On Fletcher: Producer Podcast Part Two, featuring Fletcher creator Regan Latimer dissecting the special effects and intentions behind the Quantum Leap dream sequence in Season Two, Episode Ten. Regan also talks about the plans for a third for the series! What did you like about the dream sequence? Would you like to see a third season of Fletcher? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
Labels: dana puddicombe, life on fletcher, lindy zucker, regan latimer, vanessa dunn
Show me more!
7 individual(s) commented on this post.
Click to add your comment!
Life On Fletcher: These Are A Few Of Our Favourite Scenes
Posted on Tuesday, May 12, 2009
In Episode Nine of Life On Fletcher we bring you a collection of some of our favourite scenes from the series. Tune in to see Vanessa’s fave moment with Dana, Regan’s favourite cliffhanger, and Lindy and Dana’s favourite almost Fletch & George moment! What were your favourite Fletcher moments? Be sure to tell us in the comments!
Labels: dana puddicombe, life on fletcher, lindy zucker, regan latimer, vanessa dunn
Show me more!
5 individual(s) commented on this post.
Click to add your comment!
Life On Fletcher: Producer Podcast Part One
Posted on Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Episode Three of Life on Fletcher: Producer Podcast Part One, features Fletcher writer/director/producer Regan Latimer and associate producer Rochelle Dancel with insights into the production. We look forward to reading your comments. Enjoy!
Labels: life on fletcher, regan latimer, rochelle dancel
Show me more!
5 individual(s) commented on this post.
Click to add your comment!
Subscribe to RSS
Archive
- March 2009
- April 2009
- May 2009
- June 2009
- July 2009
- August 2009
- October 2009
- December 2009
- April 2010
Quick Links
Previous Posts
- This blog has moved
- Evolution of B.J. Fletcher - Better With Age
- Thank you, 2009!
- Fletcher update - October 2009
- What I wish I had known before making Fletcher
- 10 tools that power the Fletcher website
- B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye - The T.V. Series?
- Life On Fletcher: Toronto, Canada - Pride!
- Life On Fletcher: The Men of Fletcher
- Life On Fletcher: Producer Podcast Part Two
 |
 |
 |
