30 SGU Webisodes Are In The Works

[DWF]

http://www.gateworld.net/news/2009/08/thirty-sgu-webisodes-in-the-works/

The Stargate franchise is entering the increasingly popular (and, some might say, necessary), world of webisodes, with 30 shorts now in production to accompany the first season of Stargate Universe.

The bonus content will presumably be made available on a weekly basis on either Syfy.com or Stargate.MGM.com in the U.S., and the Web sites of other broadcasters around the world (SPACE in Canada is already confirmed).

But these aren’t just deleted scenes (which SCI FI briefly toyed with for Stargate SG-1 several years ago), or a stand-alone miniseries (such as Battlestar Galactica’s well-received series “The Resistance” and “The Face of the Enemy”). Instead, the webisodes will tie directly into the episodes seen on screen.

The device tying the two media together is the kino, a softball-sized sphere that floats independently around the halls of the Destiny, the Ancient ship on which SGU is set.

“It’s flying around and spying on people,” series co-creator Brad Wright told the Toronto Star. “They are literally just voyeuristic scenes we’re shooting specifically for the Web.” An entire production unit is dedicated to the task of creating the material.

“It’s an extra way to get a window on our program and gives fans a slice of life look at our ship,” Wright said.

I hope they make them available on the DVDs.

 

[bigdaddy]

This seems stupid and a terrible idea. Here's a thought for SYFY (), just take out 2 minutes of commercials from each episode! If these were important to the show then they would be in the show.

I rather have the episodes be a story not told on screen, or during the mid-season break.

 

[Hyperspace05]

Well they aren't important. So why not?

Did you not read the description?

 

[Brent]

Instead, the webisodes will tie directly into the episodes seen on screen.

Does that mean if you don't see these there will be pieces to the characters and story lines we will miss?

 

[Harvey]

So, they're not deleted material from the episodes, but they're not a serialized web series. I don't see 30 second segments working, but I'd love to be proven wrong.

 

[bigdaddy]

So, they're not deleted material from the episodes, but they're not a serialized web series. I don't see 30 second segments working, but I'd love to be proven wrong.

Also if they aren't deleted from the episode, won't they feel like they are anyways?

Just seems kind of lame...

 

[cultcross]

The webisodes format has consistently annoyed me because of the difficulty of accessing them in any format outside the United States. Not that I've tried that hard, but I still haven't seen the BSG ones.

 

[Broccoli]

So, they're not deleted material from the episodes, but they're not a serialized web series. I don't see 30 second segments working, but I'd love to be proven wrong.

Who said anything about them being 30 seconds?

This idea sounds like we'll be seeing stuff that, while it ties into the episodes, won't effect the viewing experience if you miss out on them. Reminds me on how The Office uploads its deleted scenes, which "count" in the show's canon, online after an episode airs.

Anyway, the webisode/Internet marketing thing is becoming more and more popular. They'd be stupid if they didn't do something like this. At least they are trying something new.

 

[Harvey]

Apparently only me, when I made the tremendous error of reading 30 SGU as 30 seconds. My bad. In the longer format, these could certainly work, although on The Office they had a continuing storyline and jokes. I'm still trying to see where these will fit in without dealing with the main storyline.

 

[Broccoli]

Apparently only me, when I made the tremendous error of reading 30 SGU as 30 seconds. My bad. In the longer format, these could certainly work, although on The Office they had a continuing storyline and jokes. I'm still trying to see where these will fit in without dealing with the main storyline.

Nono, you are misunderstanding me (or I wasn't clear). With The Office, I am not referring to the webisode mini-series such as The Accountants or Kevin's Loan. Rather the deleted scenes from the actual episodes. Stuff they filmed, but ultimately cut for timing issues or other reasons. The deleted stuff is "counted" within the shows continuity/canon even though it never aired on TV (unlike other shows that don't take the deleted stuff into account when making new episodes).

 

[Harvey]

No, you were clear. But since these aren't deleted scenes, and are being written and filmed as webisodes, I don't know if your comparison is quite apt. But I'm blowing a lot of smoke. We haven't even seen the series, let alone these little things...

 

[Broccoli]

No, you were clear. But since these aren't deleted scenes, and are being written and filmed as webisodes, I don't know if your comparison is quite apt. But I'm blowing a lot of smoke. We haven't even seen the series, let alone these little things...

Oh, I know it isn't a 100% alike...I was merely responding to people who were wondering if you miss the webisodes, you miss out on the show, which I highly doubt will be the case.

And, yes, you are right. It's all smoke and speculation at this point.

 

[firehawk12]

The webisodes format has consistently annoyed me because of the difficulty of accessing them in any format outside the United States. Not that I've tried that hard, but I still haven't seen the BSG ones.

Yeah, pretty much.

The length is a similar problem... but I think you can do something interesting in the format. The 24 webisodes were actually pretty decent.

 

[PG15]

This seems stupid and a terrible idea. Here's a thought for SYFY (), just take out 2 minutes of commercials from each episode!

Now that's a terrible idea. 2 minutes = 4 commercials, roughly = $$$. Losing them = losing money. You basically end up with a longer episode (i.e. costs more) with less revenue coming in from commercials.

Financially, the webisodes is pretty good since you'll also get ad revenue from those short ads they'd surely play in front of them.

 

[James Bond]

This seems stupid and a terrible idea. Here's a thought for SYFY (), just take out 2 minutes of commercials from each episode! If these were important to the show then they would be in the show.

I rather have the episodes be a story not told on screen, or during the mid-season break.

It's absolutely shocking that you would not be in favor of this. Shocking.

 

[bigdaddy]

How about you read what I said instead of acting like you normally do?

 

[Mr. Adventure]

This seems stupid and a terrible idea. Here's a thought for SYFY (), just take out 2 minutes of commercials from each episode!

Now that's a terrible idea. 2 minutes = 4 commercials, roughly = $$$. Losing them = losing money. You basically end up with a longer episode (i.e. costs more) with less revenue coming in from commercials.

What are you a producer?

I have yet to find "webisodes" where I found the entertainment value was greater than the annoyance it takes to watch them (small screen, ads, narrative flow broken every two minutes, cheap substandard material and writing).

 

[PG15]

This seems stupid and a terrible idea. Here's a thought for SYFY (), just take out 2 minutes of commercials from each episode!

Now that's a terrible idea. 2 minutes = 4 commercials, roughly = $$$. Losing them = losing money. You basically end up with a longer episode (i.e. costs more) with less revenue coming in from commercials.

What are you a producer?

That'd be AWESOME.