Idea for a Webvideo Series

[Vanilla Gorilla]

Okay then escapists, I require your opinions (uh oh)!

A friend and I have embarked recently on the creation of a series for our own amusement. The idea idea can really be summed up as Spinal tap meets Rock Band (practically writes itself!). The main crux of the idea revolves around 3 band members, 2 of whom will take things utterly seriously whilst the third member is principally there to point out the ludicrous behaviour of the other two. We have several scenes planned out, including the obligatory egg cartons attached to the walls to recreate a recording studio.

My questions relating to it are twofold:
1) Is this a terrible idea that should never see the light of day (don't be too cruel please, my ego is bruised enough )
2) Any ideas for jokes/scenes?

The whole thing will hopefully grow fairly organically (corporate buzzwords ahoy!) with plenty of improvisation, but obviously we need some direction and specific comedic ideas would be more than welcome!

 

[Endangered Puma]

Until the egg cartons part I thought this was machinima. Sounds alright, if you have some contest the last song should defently be the barbie song.

 

[Zac_Dai]

1) Some people will hate it some will like it and even if it fails badly as least you gave it a shot, which is more than most people would do.

2) I charge per joke

 

[Falien]

It sounds like fun, but I'd like to ask: if I understand correctly, they will play Rock Band all the time? Or is it just a reference point?

If it does center around Rock Band it will probably use up its source material quite fast. How about making them a band that makes music for games, trying (and more often than not, failing) to strike the right tone for a particular game? Or, a band of game fans who want to make covers of game music (though that could have copyright issues)?

As for ideas, it has to have at least one scene where the guitarist tries to "activate star mode" (or what it was called, been a while since I played Guitar Hero - I mean the thing where you raise the guitar vertically and it starts playing loudly, to frenzied cheers from the public).

Hope I've helped!

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

We were going for more of a rock band taken too seriously vibe, there would be a variety of situations completely away from the game but with characters being unable to seperate virtual rock stardom from the real thing (already have an old TV to be thrown from a window for instance).

I hadnt even considered the star power aspect! Thanks, that actually gives me an idea for a whole plot thread

 

[Trivun]

(2) I charge per joke

How much do we all owe you for that one then? xD

 

[Jonathan Hexley]

Okay then escapists, I require your opinions (uh oh)!

A friend and I have embarked recently on the creation of a series for our own amusement. The idea idea can really be summed up as Spinal tap meets Rock Band (practically writes itself!). The main crux of the idea revolves around 3 band members, 2 of whom will take things utterly seriously whilst the third member is principally there to point out the ludicrous behaviour of the other two. We have several scenes planned out, including the obligatory egg cartons attached to the walls to recreate a recording studio.

My questions relating to it are twofold:
1) Is this a terrible idea that should never see the light of day (don't be too cruel please, my ego is bruised enough )
2) Any ideas for jokes/scenes?

The whole thing will hopefully grow fairly organically (corporate buzzwords ahoy!) with plenty of improvisation, but obviously we need some direction and specific comedic ideas would be more than welcome!

If I catch your drift, I've begun doing the same thing acutally. Except mine was a little more like some 'Behind the Music' special, with the frontman for the band talking about key parts of the history, and then there would be practice for concerts, which would have three band members. (All obviously played by me) Sadly, I dare not put it up, because it has me singing, and I'm very soft when it comes to criticism.

 

[Ace of Spades]

Go for it, even if no one but you likes your idea. (I like it though)

 

[mark_n_b]

Besides a straight man against two clowns (I'm assuming their cartoonish depictions of failed rockers) how is it funny? You hardly have enough there to make a series out of, maybe a single skit.

As for improv... don't. Unless y'all have been members of an improv troupe for a couple of years it is never better than a properly scripted and rehearsed scene, even if you do have improv experience I find successful improv a rarity. On the internet it always seems to be the same trat garbage, excessive slapstick and toilet humor, which is fine for certain audiences but doesn't connect back to the theme.

If it's because you want to play in front of the camera with your friends instead of writing things down first, which does not impact the "organic" quality of the production, then I'd give up on the idea of a series, you're not committed enough and it's not going to happen.

These are things you have to think of.

Assuming the through line is "a band trying to make it" I'd suggest checking out Flight of the Concords for some inspiration. Needless to say there should be some actual comic music in there.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

Besides a straight man against two clowns (I'm assuming their cartoonish depictions of failed rockers) how is it funny? You hardly have enough there to make a series out of, maybe a single skit.

As for improv... don't. Unless y'all have been members of an improv troupe for a couple of years it is never better than a properly scripted and rehearsed scene, even if you do have improv experience I find successful improv a rarity. On the internet it always seems to be the same trat garbage, excessive slapstick and toilet humor, which is fine for certain audiences but doesn't connect back to the theme.

If it's because you want to play in front of the camera with your friends instead of writing things down first, which does not impact the "organic" quality of the production, then I'd give up on the idea of a series, you're not committed enough and it's not going to happen.

These are things you have to think of.

Assuming the through line is "a band trying to make it" I'd suggest checking out Flight of the Concords for some inspiration. Needless to say there should be some actual comic music in there.

By series we're obviously talking 5-10 minutes an episode, but I certainly take your point, the same thoughts had occurred to us. As for improv I mean having a direction for a scene and for specific events to happen within, scenes will be intentionally mapped out...but I am aware of the dangers of it just being a bit flat, ah well, if you dont try you never know!

Watched all of series 1 of Flight of the Conchords a few months ago, I wish I'd thought of the name Hip-hoppapotamous first!

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

Okay then escapists, I require your opinions (uh oh)!

If I catch your drift, I've begun doing the same thing acutally. Except mine was a little more like some 'Behind the Music' special, with the frontman for the band talking about key parts of the history, and then there would be practice for concerts, which would have three band members. (All obviously played by me) Sadly, I dare not put it up, because it has me singing, and I'm very soft when it comes to criticism.

Get a link in! I would be really interested to see it man, I understand the embarrassment of people witnessing you singing but its for a good cause (hopefully I can steal some ideas wholesale, and then claim they were my own! HAHAHA THE PERFECT CRIME)

 

[Jonathan Hexley]

Okay then escapists, I require your opinions (uh oh)!

If I catch your drift, I've begun doing the same thing acutally. Except mine was a little more like some 'Behind the Music' special, with the frontman for the band talking about key parts of the history, and then there would be practice for concerts, which would have three band members. (All obviously played by me) Sadly, I dare not put it up, because it has me singing, and I'm very soft when it comes to criticism.

Get a link in! I would be really interested to see it man, I understand the embarrassment of people witnessing you singing but its for a good cause (hopefully I can steal some ideas wholesale, and then claim they were my own! HAHAHA THE PERFECT CRIME)

No, I mean I haven't put it up on any video sites. I've wanted to, but as I said, I'm too scared. This is the internet man, where everything can become a meme.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

You need to do a bit on recruiting someone! Like some awesome guy on Guitar Hero or something. It makes more sense inside my head.