-
on September 15, 2011
Justin Kownacki
commented on a project updateFunny, someone else just asked that. The nutshell recap of that answer is: not yet, because we're caught between "sending everything out before the DVD is ready in 2012" and "just waiting until the DVD is ready." Plus, we have a secret extra perk that's a whole side project all by itself. So, while it hasn't all gone out yet, half of it has been ordered and the other half is being cooked up. (The cast members who are storing the perks are certainly looking forward to shipping them, I guarantee it...)
-
on January 31, 2011
Justin Kownacki
Posted project update #9The Baristas Is Live!
Hey friends and supporters, the day you thought would never come -- or, the day that was supposed to come at 10 AM today but got delayed -- is finally here!
After a last-minute tech problem (which I spent the last 19 hours troubleshooting), the first episode of The Baristas has launched!
Thanks for all your kind words, your support, and your initial belief in the idea. It's been an uphill climb at times, but the end result has been worth it. This is a show that I'm happy and excited to share with everyone, and I hope you feel the same way. (In fact, I hope you DO share it with everyone you know, because views are the magic ingredient that help a show like ours get the attention of advertisers. So please, DO spread the word!)
The you can watch the episode on Blip TV (where we currently get a tiny tiny portion of the ad revenue served), or on YouTube, where we don't currently have an ad deal in place, but which, paradoxically, plays much more smoothly than the Blip player does. (Go figure.)
If you like the show (and I hope you do), here are a few ways you can help spread the word:
* "Like" the video on YouTube, Blip, iTunes, or wherever you happen to be watching it. (The more likes a video gets, the more popular it is in search results.)
* Share the videos on Facebook. (Incidentally, the show has a Facebook fan page.)
* Mention the show on Twitter. (Our Twitter handle is @TheBaristasTV)
* Review the show on iTunes. (Search "the baristas" in the iTunes store; our show is currently the top result. You can subscribe to it there, too, and then you can download the full-size episodes every week for free.)
* If you have a blog, embed the video in a post (or just link to it).
* Tell your friends, family, coworkers, lovers and debtors about the show. Word of mouth is what keeps us moving.
Also, feel free to leave comments on the show. Let us know what you like, and what you'd like to see more of. We'll have a new episode every Monday (by 10 AM, barring any *new* tech problems I might encounter this week), and we like knowing that you like what we're doing.
Finally, this should be the last major update I'll be sending out through Kickstarter. I'm well aware that some of you may have only supported the show because you know me, or you know one of our cast members, or you just had a morbid curiosity, and in those cases you might prefer NOT to be inundated with more updates now that the show is live.
However, if you DO want updates, you can opt in to our official The Baristas Email List. You can do this either by using the little "Sign Up for Our Email Newsletter" widget in the righthand column of our website or by using the form on our Facebook fan page.
Once again, thanks for all your help and support. I hope you enjoy the show as much as I enjoy making it. And please, tell everyone you know that it's awesome, because it is.
And now I'll finally have time to send out those swag packages...
Best wishes,
Justin Kownacki
http://thebaristas.com/
http://justinkownacki.com/
http://twitter.com/justinkownacki
Post Comment -
on January 20, 2011
Justin Kownacki
Posted project update #8The Baristas: A Promo & A Pre-Launch Update
Post CommentHey folks;
The past few months have been busy busy busy on our end! We've been writing, scheduling, filming and editing the first 7 episodes of The Baristas. Check out the show promo at the end of this message to pique your curiosity for our series launch on January 31st!
Also, some updates about websites, swag and such:* The Baristas website will be undergoing a drastic overhaul in the next week, with a redesign, cast pages, and an ongoing "series summary" page, so viewers can catch up with the story even if they miss a few episodes. (But, of course, why would you?)
* The Baristas is also on Facebook, where we post behind-the-scenes photos and news articles about our extremely talented cast. "Like" us there and help spread the word!
* Three new characters will be joining The Baristas Twitter feed prior to January 31st, and more will be added as they're introduced on the show. If you want a different look at the characters (and their often contentious relationships), be sure to bookmark their tweets. (And follow the official Baristas Twitter account for show updates!)
* The last of the swag is in the works, and once the pens and pins arrive safely in my entertainment laboratory (AKA once I pry my hyperactive dog off the UPS guy's leg), your thank-you packages of Baristas swag will be mailed out. (I'll send you a little email alert once they've hit the mail chute, so you can be on the lookout.)
* Also, the four of you whose donations earned you the perk of having an off-camera character named after you will be pleased to know that your names will be immortalized (comedically) in episodes 3 (Blynn), 4 (Wilbur), 5 (Emily) and 8 (Eileen).
And lastly...
SPREAD THE WORD!
We're really proud of how The Baristas is coming together, and we think it's a show that a LOT of people will enjoy -- but they need to find out about it first! So...
>> Tell your friends!
>> Blog about it, tweet about it, share it on Facebook!
>> The cast, crew and creators of the show are happy to be interviewed on blogs, podcasts, radio and print (and we're also quite photogenic)!
>> Wear your Baristas t-shirts in crowded places, like the airport or the gym!
>> Boldly sign checks with your Baristas pen!
>> Tag nearby abandoned buildings in upscale parts of town with the Baristas logo!
The only limit to the ways YOU can help the Baristas are your own imagination and the vagaries of federal law -- so be creative!
We'll see you all on January 31st when we launch our first episode. In the meantime, remember: we can't spell "The Baristas" without "rib hats."
Caffeinatedly yours,
Justin Kownacki & The Baristas team
If you'd like to share this video, you can send people to its Blip TV page.
-
on October 12, 2010
Justin Kownacki
Posted project update #7Logos, Sizes, and YOUR Chance to Meet the Cast in Person!
Post CommentHey folks;
We have lots of loose ends to report, so I figured I'd do so all at once.
First, as a reminder, The Baristas have a blog, a Twitter account and a Facebook page, so you can get updates about our goings-on in your social media channel of choice. Plus, the characters themselves are tweeting all day long, so feel free to bookmark them and follow along with their chicanery.
Second, we've decided on a logo. Your feedback on the two designs was great, but it was also basically 50/50, with most women preferring one design and most men preferring the other (which was a result that we found fascinating). In the end, we went with Option B, in a variety of colors, one of which can be seen here...
... and will soon be available on t-shirts, mugs and all kinds of merch. (Yes, that means I'll be asking everyone for their t-shirt sizes and mailing addresses quite soon, so start measuring yourselves now.)Lastly, the actual reason for this update: filming for The Baristas has been scheduled to begin!
Cameras will roll starting the weekend of October 22nd, and if YOU live in the Pittsburgh area, you're invited to join us!
Our kickoff icebreaker will be held at the Affogato Cafe in Bellevue at 9 PM on Friday, Oct 22. If you'd like to be there, let us know in the comments (or tell me on Twitter) so we have an idea of how many people to plan for. (Also, Affogato only has so much square footage, so we may have to limit attendance to avoid being overwhelmed.)
And if you don't live in Pittsburgh, or you do but you can't attend the icebreaker, don't worry. You'll see plenty more behind-the-scenes updates and sneak peeks between now and the show's launch in 2011.
As always, thanks for your support, and remember: we can't spell "The Baristas" without "hair stash."
Caffeinatedly yours,
Justin Kownacki
http://justinkownacki.com/
http://twitter.com/justinkownacki
http://thebaristas.com/ -
on September 29, 2010
Justin Kownacki
Posted project update #6Voting Has Ended, and Your Newest Barista Is...
Post Comment... actor Will McMahon!
Will's competition was tough, but he garnered the most votes from our Kickstarter supporters. However, several of the actors and actresses in this talent pool received similarly strong support, so don't be surprised to see a few of them cast in other roles by the time The Baristas comes to your laptop in 2011.Thanks to everyone who voted, and we look forward to dazzling you with Will's comic mania in the coming weeks. (In the meantime, don't forget to keep up with the baristas on their Twitter feed!)
Caffeinatedly yours,
Justin Kownacki
http://justinkownacki.com/
http://twitter.com/justinkownacki
http://thebaristas.com/ -
on September 22, 2010
Justin Kownacki
Posted project update #5We've Been Successfully Funded! So... Now What?
Post CommentFirst of all, THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this happen! We couldn't have done it without you.
And what did we "do," exactly? We raised $3660 to help produce and launch The Baristas, a web sitcom that's guaranteed to make you laugh awkwardly in public. (At least, that's our intention; your own propriety and sense of decorum may still prevail.)
NOW WHAT HAPPENS?
A few things.
First, over the next 2 weeks Amazon and Kickstarter will be sorting through your donations to The Baristas. (This is the part where your credit cards will actually be charged, as opposed to the part when you first pledged that cash but it stayed in your account until the project ended. Please update your personal ledgers accordingly.)
As for the show itself:
* The Baristas website is being temporarily converted to a blog format, so you can keep up with our changes, announcements, etc., while we begin production on the series. (From time to time, we'll also post periodic updates here on our official Kickstarter project page.)
* Scripts for the first 13 episodes will be completed, and shooting days in October and November will be scheduled among the core cast.
* The characters will be on Twitter every day, where you can follow the off-camera lead-up to the actual episodes. In fact, Dierdre and Sam will be hiring some new cafe help by 3 o'clock today, so be on the lookout for a new face or two in the Baristas tweetstream this week.
* Those of you who pledged at least $25 will be contacted shortly with instructions on how to vote for the actor YOU want us to cast as the last new barista. (And if you pledged $20 or less, you'll just have to wait and see which of these 12 aspiring actors your peers want to see more of.)
* Plus, we'll finally make a decision about our logo.
And, of course, swag.
From postcards to t-shirts, they'll all be in the works in the coming weeks. We'll be in touch to gather any relevant information (mailing info, sizes, etc.) as each swag item is designed and birthed into the world. Those of you who've pledged $50 or more will also be receiving a DVD of the show's first 13 episodes, although we'll obviously have to produce those episodes first. (One step at a time, folks.)
Lastly, for those of you who wonder what it's like behind the scenes of a Kickstarter project, I'll be posting a summary of my experience called 10 Tips for a Successful Kickstarter Project on my blog next week.
Meanwhile: Questions? Comments? Digital high fives? I'm on Twitter (and so is the show itself, although it's been quiet so far), so drop me a line and we'll exchange a virtual hug of goodwill.
Once again, thanks for everything. And remember: we can't spell The Baristas without "bath siesta."
Caffeinatedly yours,
Justin Kownacki
http://justinkownacki.com/
http://twitter.com/justinkownacki
http://thebaristas.com/ -
on September 22, 2010Funded!
The Baristas: Comedy, with Room for Cream. by Justin Kownacki
The creators of the long-running web sitcom Something to Be Desired are launching a spin-off -- and YOU could help cast the show!
-
122% funded $3,660 pledged
- 78 backers
- Funded Sep 22, 2010
-
-
on September 16, 2010
Justin Kownacki
Posted project update #4Two Logos, But Only One Show. DECISIONS!!!
F.O.B. (that's "friend of The Baristas") Rachel Arnold Sager and I have been coming up with possible logos for The Baristas, and we've settled on two possibilities. She favors one, I favor the other, and so we're doing the adult thing and getting some outside perspective -- yours.
So, which logo do you prefer? (And why?)
(Note that elements like font, size and the "sarcasm face" may still be tweaked before we come to a final design.)
By the way, we're past the halfway point of funding, so THANK YOU to everyone who's pledged their undying love, support and spare change to our project. It's all downhill (or uphill) from here, as we roll on toward the magic $3000 mark, at which point the funding becomes guaranteed, anyone who's pledged $25 or more gets a vote on casting, and marshmallow unicorns fall from the sky. So, by god, tell a friend.
PS If you'll be at PodCamp Pittsburgh 5 this weekend, so will I. LET'S BE FRIENDS ZOMG.
And remember, we can't spell "The Baristas" without "heat bra."
Justin Kownacki
http://justinkownacki.com/
http://twitter.com/justinkownacki
http://thebaristas.com/3 of 17View Previous Comments-
-
-
Benjamin on September 18, 2010
Bottom w/ different font and a dryer (drier?) smiley face. Great use of negative space.
-
-
Post Comment -
-
on September 14, 2010
Justin Kownacki
Posted project update #3The Baristas are on Twitter. Let the Distraction Begin.
Post CommentUh oh. As if the web wasn't already awash in sarcasm and irony, now The Baristas (and their customers) are tweeting.
Although each character has his or her own account, if you follow this Twitter list, you'll be able to see all of their conversations, collected in one easy-to-read stream.
Longtime fans of Something to Be Desired (from which The Baristas is being spun off) will recognize some familiar faces among the cast, including Dierdre, Sam and Leo. And new (and old) characters will join the fray over the coming weeks.
So now you'll be able to keep up with the story (and the occasional pop culture or Pittsburgh tidbit) between episodes. And since The Baristas series won't actually debut until 2011, there's a lot of tweeting ahead of us. Stay caffeinated.
Oh, and if you're wondering why The Baristas doesn't have a logo in their Twitter avatar, stay tuned -- this week is just full of project updates.
REMINDER: Our Kickstarter project ends on Sept 22, and if we don't reach $3000 -- AND if you haven't pledged at least $25 -- by then, you won't be able to vote on casting for our final new barista role. Don't miss your opportunity to be a pantsless Simon Cowell, crushing dreams from the privacy of your own laptop!
-
on September 10, 2010
Justin Kownacki
Posted project update #2Casting Update: Say Hello to 3 of our New Faces!
Post CommentCasting Update: Say Hello to Three of our New Faces!
On August 28th, over 30 actors auditioned for a role on The Baristas. Several of them have been invited for callbacks on September 19, which YOU'LL get to vote on if you've pledged at least $25 to support the show.
But some of the actors we saw on August 28th were a perfect fit for a variety of roles we'd been developing, and we've cast them straight away. Here are a few of the talented actors and actresses you'll be seeing on The Baristas.
Robyne Parrish
This past season, Robyne Parrish directed MERCY SEAT and played in THE CLUB at Off The Wall, Washington PA. Pittsburgh theatrical credits include LA RONDE and DEATH OF A SALESMAN/Pittsburgh Rep, MOUTH TO MOUTH and CANDIDE/Quantum Theatre, WEIRD ROMANCE and NOISES OFF/Theatre Factory Trafford and B.U.S. 4 and 5 and MIDNIGHT RADIO at Bricolage. Off-Broadway: The Times-York Theatre, Sherlock Holmes: The Early Years, New York Music Festival (’07 TAM award winner), Take Me Along –York Theatre, Welcome to Our City - Mint, Me and My Girl, Oh Lady!Lady!, and Paris/ Musicals Tonight! Founder, Sonnet Repertory Theatre in NYC. UP NEXT: Directing STOP KISS at Off The Wall in Washington PA to run December 2010!
Joel Ambrose
Originally from Johnstown, PA (Hey Flood City!), Joel graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 with his BA in Theatre Arts and Communications and has stayed in the city ever since. He has worked in various capacities for City Theatre, the Pittsburgh New Works Festival, Phrase Three Productions, PittRep and Prime Stage Theatre. After working far too many jobs simultaneously, Joel (and his mother) is thankful to be a full-time employee with Pittsburgh CLO.
Jillian Vitko
Jillian Vitko thinks being a part of The Baristas is sweeter than Hazelnut Coffeemate. She graduated in 2007 from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Arts. Since then, she's done both theatre and film with various groups in and around The City of Champions. Companies include: Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks, Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Comtra Theatre, Pittsburgh New Works, Theatre Factory, Pittsburgh Pride Festival, Pittsburgh Scarehouse, Coldfront Productions, Dreamworks, and Lionsgate, among others.
********Robyne, Joel and Jillian will definitely be joining the cast of The Baristas, but several more roles have yet to be cast. That's where YOU come in. Once we film our callbacks on September 19, you'll be able to see video from those test scenes and vote on who YOU think should play our newest barista.
And don't forget, if you've pledged less than $25 to The Baristas, you won't be able to vote. :(
But if you boost your pledge to $25 before our project ends on Sept 22, you WILL be able to vote. (And if you boost to $35, you'll get a vote AND a t-shirt! THE WINNING DOES NOT STOP.)
Thanks for your support, and remember, we can't spell The Baristas without "bear hats."
Yours in caffeination,
Justin Kownacki
http://justinkownacki.com/
http://twitter.com/justinkownacki
http://thebaristas.com/
Justin Kownacki
Baltimore, MD
Social media by day, antisocial behavior by night. Creator of web sitcom Something to Be Desired. Armchair sociologist & perpetual contrarian.
Did you find time to send out those 'swag' packages earlier this year? :)
Funny, someone else just asked that. The nutshell recap of that answer is: not yet, because we're caught between "sending everything out before the DVD is ready in 2012" and "just waiting until the DVD is ready." Plus, we have a secret extra perk that's a whole side project all by itself. So, while it hasn't all gone out yet, half of it has been ordered and the other half is being cooked up. (The cast members who are storing the perks are certainly looking forward to shipping them, I guarantee it...)