Get Your Fix: ‘Coffee Break’ Hits the Web
By: Stephanie Sigafoos
It seems that just a few short years ago, the Internet was abuzz with the potential for Web video. Hollywood agencies, already bustling with hoards of young stars looking to get a foot in the door, suddenly turned to online ‘talent departments’ in a rush to create new material.
Fast forward now to 2010, when the exuberance and influx of web series has undoubtedly started to dissipate. What went wrong? Major studios began courting development deals, flooding the market with celebrity-backed projects (We’re looking at you, Jim & Pam from The Office). Known quantities have replaced the stars of YouTube, seemingly sending the stripped-down, grass roots approach to webisodes the way of the dinosaurs. Still, a do-it-yourself ethos has persisted, at least among one group of hard-working, fun-loving folks who want you to take a little break – a Coffee Break.
Truth be told, the cast members of the new web series Coffee Break work for nothing (except your approval ). They write, film and edit during time off from regular jobs – not to mention on holidays and weekends. Publicity and marketing are all done through social networking sites, allowing the first part of Episode 1 (released Feb. 24) to garner more than 1,300 page views.
I caught up with the co-creator and writer of Coffee Break, Neal Fischer, via email. He filled me in on the concept of the series, the challenges of production and more…
Where’d the idea for Coffee Break come from?
Coffee Break has a funny and interesting origin. Over a year ago, David and I were writing screenplays and TV Pilots. One screenplay was actually going to be made by a big producer of a successful horror franchise, but some random turn of events stopped that from happening. We wrote several pilots for reality TV shows that were “oh so close” but, same thing, weird events prevented them from being made. All the time writing that we did, we realized we weren’t passionate about what we were writing. We would spend at least an hour or two procrastinating before each writing session talking about random movie ideas, our own opinions on life and how “there should be a show about how we never ACTUALLY write anything and the audience sees us procrastinating and brainstorming ideas” and thus, Coffee Break was born.
How long does it take to do one webisode from start to finish?
This is a tricky question. My initial answer is: “We don’t know yet.” To go in more detail, the way we wrote the show was in a 22min pilot format. We decided to shoot it all together before editing it, like a pilot. We did this in case there was a chance that Comedy Central, F/X, Adult Swim or any other network would be interested in our concept, which we think is pretty unique in the way it blends different genres into each episode. When we knew we were going to be on the web, because it’s a great gateway to getting attention (a la It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia) we decided that the average online video watcher might not want to spend more than 7 or 8 minutes in front of the computer for a new show or concept. So we chopped up the 22min pilot into 3 parts. That’s why it’s Episode 1: Part 1, 2 and 3. When all have been released a full 22min version will be released as well. We think we are going to continue to do this but edit and release more efficiently, so that when we can release a DVD, it will have 22min episodes to watch. This first pilot was all shot on weekends or time off of work, Christmas vacation etc…it took about 3 months.
What kind of budget has gone into it?
We hope people gasp at this answer. Our budget = $0.00
We’ve never had any money except a few hundred dollars I got from focus groups and playing drums for a staging of MacBeth. We used the money to get food for the crew and actors since we couldn’t pay them. So, the one thing I am most proud to admit out of everything we have done leading up to this first part, and this is for you heads of development at the networks too, is this: Look what we did with absolutely no budget, the quality, the angles, the production value. Imagine what we could do with a budget, a sound stage, a crew of more than 4 or 5 people. I can’t even fathom the idea yet. I’m excited for new possibilities though!
What kind of equipment are you using to shoot/edit?
We shoot on two different cameras. They are the Canon 7D and the Panasonic GH1 with Canon FD lenses. They are actually photography cameras that have the ability to shoot video in HD quality. It’s very versatile. Of course, we would love to shoot an episode in the RED camera format, my DP has been showing me some great stuff…the only problem is: Money. I think what we have shot and will shoot with these camera’s will still put us ahead of the game. I can guarantee that you won’t find another web series with these special effects and this quality made on no budget and all passion like ours.
We were editing on an old AARP certified Macbook, with a non-functioning keyboard due to milk spillage. Luckily, our saving grace, Shakers Vodka, a sponsor we acquired late in the game, graciously donated money for us to buy a new Mac Pro computer to edit Final Cut on. It has helped us out tremendously.
We are so excited for people to watch this web series. We hope they decide to take a Coffee Break with us whenever they can. Just so the public knows, this is our plan. In a one month period, the first and third weeks are when we release parts (episodes) the second and fourth weeks, we release several ESPRESSO SHOTS which are little 30-60second jolts of comedy, in character, to keep the watchers with us for the next episode. This schedule allows us to shoot/edit/distribute in time for the public.
We love our fans and we can’t wait to welcome more!
Viewers can check out Coffee Break at http://www.coffeebreakseries.com – Part 2 of episode 1 is premiering today! Also be sure to check out the video of the hilarious photo shoot the cast did in prep for their web release – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ1sufjEMXk&feature=player_embedded
If you know of other web series that deserve feature recognition on the site, be sure to leave a comment or shoot us a note on Twitter. We’d love to showcase more of the great work being produced for a global audience.
Posted by Adam Wright
on March 11, 2010. Filed under Features, News, Preview.
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