Scifinal Interview

I recently interviewed Steve Lettieri the creative head/producer behind my new favorite website SciFinal.  Find out why and how he started and what’s coming up next.  Yay for grassroot!

Q: What was your first Internet experience? (I have two, my sisters friend printed out Animaniacs lyrics for us, and my dad pulled up Xena fansites for me, I was hooked)

A: Wow, I’m not sure I want to reply to this one, as my answer will expose just how old I am! Well I think my first email address was from CompuServe, so that’ll give you some idea! It was one with assigned numbers, before you could choose your name! As for content I think I was mostly checking out sci-fi and movie newsgroups.

I totally think that was before my time, but difficult to say, my parents kept on kicking me off the internet for spending too much time in TV forums and not enough time in the math books.

Q: What was your first webseries you watched?

A: A: First actual series? Hmm. Well, I remember watching videos on sites like AtomFilms.com – lots of flash animation like Jib Jab, Happy Tree Friends, Odd Todd, etc. In the post YouTube era, the first series I probably really paid attention to was Chad Vader: Day Shift Manager.   Still enjoy that one!

Q: What’s your favorite webseries now?

A: One of my regular favorites is A Comicbook Orange. That’s a fun, well-produced hosted show. As for more dramatic fare I enjoyed the recent runs of The Bannen Way and Trenches on Crackle.com. Feature-length shows with decent budgets. I’m really forward to finally seeing The Mercury Men which launches soon.

Q: How did you come up with the idea of SciFinal (which I love btw)

A: When we launched our Zerks Log web series last year, we found it really challenging to get noticed by the sci-fi blogs and websites. It’s tough as an independent to compete with the likes of Star Wars, Star Trek, Terminator, Battlestar Galactica, and the like. Other indie producers said the same thing. So we thought what if we could team up and help each other out somehow? From that SciFinal was born. We launched the site back in October 2009 and it’s been growing slowly but surely ever since. We’ve got almost 90 shows listed now! (Note, this was at time of interview, it’s now 91)

Q: Whatcha working on now?

A: We continue to work on SciFinal, improving the site, adding content and features. We’ve also begun working on a SciFinal web series. It’ll be a newsy, entertaining take on the indie sci-fi scene. Hopefully launching that in May. We are also in production on another sci-fi project called s01dier (soldier zero one). It’s about a clone soldier trying to figure out where he comes from. We’re also started work on Zerks Log season 2 and a few other things. So lots going on!

Q: Do “dear diary” style webcam narratives feel too cliche for you? (they’re starting to get to me)

A: Yeah, I understand your feelings there. That was probably one of the drawbacks of our Zerks Log show. A little bit too ‘one note’. That’s why we’re planning to expand things in Season 2 with additional characters and locations. Not just Capt. Zerks in his log room (although we’ll still include that element).

After watching the first six episodes or so of Zerks, I see your point, but since that was the original concept I’m ok with it.  It’s when people put them in as a narrative that really doesn’t need to be there where I get pissy. Maybe because I never watched people’s webcam videos much to start with. My favorite so far was when Zerks had a hangover and you could tell his eyes just weren’t focusing.  And the fact that the janitor is just some random dude.

Q: What’s the most awesomest thing that’s happened as you’ve put SciFinal together?

A: Without a doubt it’s been the connecting with all the really diverse creators of all the cool sci-fi shows out there. When we launched we had barely 10 shows listed. We now have 90 and counting! It’s amazing all the great work being produced all around the world. We have shows on SciFinal from Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and even California.

I’m glad somebody decided to start filming in my state!

Q: Has your original goal for SciFinal been surpassed or do you have more ideas you’d like to implement in the future?

A: The site is getting a lot more notice and traffic then we originally expected and more and more shows are getting listed.  So I think our goals have been surpassed.  As I mentioned, we’re starting to work on a SciFinal web series with a launch planned for May (hopefully). We are also implementing some additional advertising on the site soon. Our plan is to use any revenues we get to put into marketing SciFinal more.  We love to get comments and suggestions about the site, so if visitors to GeekSix have ideas on how we can improve SciFinal, please let us know!

Will do, thanks Steve! Autumn out!