THE TEMP LIFE – Season 5 Announced

Revealed: Season 5 Guest Stars and More!

TempLife

Illeana Douglas (Easy to Assemble, Entourage), Craig Bierko (Damages, Cinderella Man) and Milo Ventimiglia (The Divide, Heroes) will guest star on the upcoming fifth season of The Temp Life (http://www.thetemplife.tv), the original comedy web series sponsored by and produced for Spherion Staffing Services since 2006, premiering December 6th on My Damn Channel.

Temp Life creator/producer and star Wilson Cleveland enlisted The Legend of Neil’s Tony Janning and Gabe Uhr to write the new season which finds Nick “Trouble” Chiapetta (Cleveland) resuming control of hiring temps at Celltons, now the number-two cellphone button-maker in the country. When Celltons’ icy CEO, Eve Randall (Douglas reprising her role), believes one of Nick’s temps is sabotaging the company from within, everybody is a suspect including Nick’s estranged stepbrother Eddie (Bierko), a socially-ungraceful cafeteria temp (Ventimiglia) and other temp hires played by new and returning guest stars Tony Janning, Sandeep Parikh (The Guild, The Legend of Neil), Taryn Southern (Rules of Engagement) Mark Gantt (The Bannen Way), Jessica Rose (lonelygirl15, Greek), Ben Blair and Anyone But Me’s Rachel Hip-Flores.
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ALTERNA-TV – Review

The Bannen Way Webseries Review
Anthony Letizia

While the webseries medium provides the opportunity for talented television wannabes to tell their stories, hone their skills and get the finished product out to the masses without having to play the Hollywood game, it also provides Hollywood insiders to likewise bypass the system and prove what they are capable of on their own. Joss Whedon’s Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog is the most prominent example, but The Bannen Way likewise demonstrates what media professionals can accomplish with talent, a handful of credit cards and calling in favors from connected friends.

The Bannen Way stars Mark Gantt—an industry veteran who has worked behind the scenes on over a hundred productions as well as created a dozen or so short films—as Neal Bannen, a small-time criminal trying to escape from his life of crime. Bannen’s “one last job” turns into more, however, when he loses the $150,000 he owes underworld boss Sonny Carr (Ski Carr) in a poker game and agrees to steal a mysterious box for his ruthless mobster uncle (Robert Forster) in order to get the money back. The assignment takes a turn for the worse when an attractive picket-pocket (Vanessa Marcil) seemingly double-crosses Bannen, the target of the theft (Michael Lerner) hires three female assassins to protect the box and Bannen’s police chief father (Michael Ironside) threatens his son with jail time.
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Tubefilter – Mark Gantt as Ken?

Mattel Planning Big Web Series Push For Barbie’s Beau Ken

by Marc Hustvedt on September 16th, 2010

Genuine KenBarbie gets all the attention—the outfits, the special editions, the SNL parody sketches—but what about her forlorn beau Ken?

Mattel has been looking to reinvent Ken with an ever so clever product placement as a central character in Toy Story 3D this summer. Now it looks like they are turning to the world of web series to revamp their plastic bachelor.

We came across this site for a new reality web series Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend that seems to have just gone up this week. It looks like a casting call for now to find the real-life eligible bachelors who will star in the 8-episode series this fall. Is it just me or would Bannen Way star Mark Gantt be a shoo-in for this?

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Mingle Media TV Network Community

Saw a Tweet Today Wondering About Creating a Web Series… Or NOT?? Ask Mark Gantt About Being FEARLESS!

Okay, so I’m not going to get on a soapbox and preach but I think it’s pretty amazing that web series creators are making their “Passion Projects” as my friends from the WebTV Workshop say… and that in itself says a lot about where the entertainment industry is going, everyone now has access, PLUS you have unlimited opportunity to reach everyone who has a smart phone or Internet access, so what are you waiting for?

Okay – so you hear people say “Be Fearless” and maybe you think it’s a cliche’ but when you look at the example of how web series creator/actor Mark Gantt took what was in HIS HEAD and made it into a webseries that now has international distribution by Sony…. you want to know more about how it was done, right?? How it can help you be FEARLESS!

Well… let’s start with what happens when you don’t let the word “NO” or the phrase “you can’t do it” rule your world…and you follow your dreams…
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Tubefilter – Professor Gantt

Professor Gantt? Win Tickets to ‘Bannen Way’ Star’s Class
by Marc Hustvedt on August 24th, 2010

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Mark Gantt is a mysterious man. Ok, actually if you’re been paying even passing attention to web series over the past year then you’re no doubt familiar with the story of him and partner Jesse Warren hustling together a spec trailer to a web series (The Bannen Way) they hadn’t even shot yet and landing full season order and distribution from Sony Pictures Television.

But there’s still a mystery to this guy. And this weekend Streamy-winner Gantt plans to share some of his secrets to carving out his own path in the entertainment industry and not waiting for success to just come to him.
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BuzzEdition – Tired Of Hearing No?

Interview: Mark Gantt – How To Create Your Own Career
by: BuzzEdition
 

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Tired of hearing no? There are other ways… When your career hits a speed bump, and opportunities seem non-existant, there are two paths you can take: the easy way or “The Bannen Way.”  No longer are we limited by the opportunities people present to us. Current technology allows anyone to be an actor, producer, director or writer. The secret is to never settle for less that your dreams desire.

A quick check of Mark Gantt’s website or his IMDB page reveals he had a career, just not the one he had mapped out for himself.  “I had my foot in the door and people were at the party saying ‘Hey come on in,’ but I was like ‘no, I gotta be an actor.’” He seemed to be gaining ground on a career path many would cherish, but even after appearing in a Sundance Short, and knowing the industry pros, his own agent still had no faith Mark would actually be getting auditions. Luckily Mark doesn’t acknowledge the word no.

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August 2010 Newsletter


 

AUGUST 28, 2010
12M-6PM

Register for CREATE YOUR OWN CAREER - A Kick Ass Web Series Workshop with MARK GANTT in Los Angeles, United States on Eventbrite
 

WHY A WORKSHOP

I’ve been doing a lot of panels recently and one of the things I keep hearing from attendees is that they “Still don’t know how to do it.” I’ll break down what we did with Bannen as well as several other successful web series and will also take a few projects from participants in the workshop and we’ll build a strong foundation for them to move forward and create their own career.

TOPICS COVERED

CASE STUDY: THE BANNEN WAY
CREATE A UNIQUE PROJECT
FIND YOUR VOICE
BENEFITS OF A PITCH WEBSITE
BUILD YOUR TEAM
 PRODUCING FOR THE WEB
DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS
USING SOCIAL MEDIA
MONETIZING YOUR CONTENT
PLUS YOUR SUGGESTIONS

CONNECT ON TWITTER
I’ve created a twitter account to begin the discussion to help build the workshop that you want:

 


HELP A FRIEND
Know someone that needs a little more info and encouragement to get to the finish line, forward them this newsletter!
* The Bannen Way was created by Jesse Warren & Mark Gantt, produced with Sony Pictures Television and Crackle.com. Mark starred as Neal Bannen. The show has accumulated over 14 million views, won 4 STREAMY AWARDS, nominated for 2 WEBBY AWARDS and is currently being developed into a TV Series.
 
 
NEW GANTT WEBSITE


 


STREAMY AWARD WINNING actor, writer and producer MARK GANTT presents a down and dirty web series workshop. In this one day event, Gantt will speak about the practical details of developing and producing online content. You’ll learn the nuts and bolts of creating a hit web series from concept to distribution.

This workshop is for YOU – Sign up and tell Mark what you want. What are your biggest struggles, issues or fears? Get the ANSWERS and the WORKSHOP YOU WANT!

This will change your life. NO… really it will! Stop procrastinating and blaming your agent, manager or the business. Stop feeling like you have to wait for your opportunity. The opportunity is here. The time is NOW. No more excuses! COME GET INSPIRED!


Spend 6 hours with Mark Gantt
Includes: Step by Step Resource Kit & Light Snacks

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What Indsustry Leaders say about Mark Gantt

The Bannen Way came to us a complete package. They had a unique show, great concept,interesting characters, knew who their audience was and how to recoup the money. Mark has that rare quality of being able to lead and inspire a crew while balancing many hats including, writing, executive producing and starring in a large production.
Eric Berger, Senior VP Digital Networks, Sony Pictures Television

Mark’s passion, talent and conviction around The Bannen Way caused something of a bidding war among the digital executives at major networks. While our network did not pick up the show, we continue to applaud how Mark and team raised the bar in terms of production values, talent and distribution in the nascent digital arena from the first pitch to the finished product.
Cameron Death, VP Digital Content – NBC Universal

Mark Gantt is an example of not waiting for someone to tell you it is O.K. to do something. He believed in their vision and found a way to execute brilliantly.  In today’s climate you must not only think beyond the creation of the video but how the content will make money in various platforms.
Amber J. Lawson, Comedy Publisher – Babelgum.com

Mark didn’t sit back waiting for something to happen for him. He took the initiative, developed his
own vehicle, and was very creative in figuring out how to get it financed, marketed and distributed.
Larry Tanz, President, – Vuguru
 
FACEBOOK    |   TWITTER    |   WORKSHOP TWITTER  

 

The Bannen Way

Status: Distributed worldwide: DVD, VOD EST and on Crackle.com
Genre: Action
Format: Web Series/Feature Film
Website: The Bannen Way


The-Bannen-Way_DVD

 Produced by
Sony Pictures Television & Crackle.com

Created & Written by
Jesse Warren & Mark Gantt

Executive Produced by
Mark Gantt & Jesse Warren

Produced by
Bailey Williams

Directed by
Jesse Warren
 
Starring
Mark Gantt, Vanessa Marcil, Gabriel Tigerman, Robert Forster, Michael Ironside and Michael Lerner
Autumn Reeser, Brianne Davis, Brittany Ishibashi, Ski Carr, Jim Dowd

The Bannen Way poster

 

FAST COMPANY: Fifteen Independent Spirits Using Web Video to Forge Their Way in Hollywood

Felicia Day blazed the trail. Here are 15 more creators using Web video to forge their way in Hollywood. [Web exclusive expanded list]

By

The Bannen Way

The sexy drama about a charismatic crook trying to straighten out his life won four Streamys (Web video’s Oscars) this year, including Best Male Actor in a Drama Series for lead (and creator) Mark Gantt. Season one attracted 13 million views, and as season two develops, execs are exploring options for both Web and TV.

The Bannen Way on Crackle

Derrick Comedy

Actor/comedian Donald Glover formed this sketch group with Dominic Dierkes and DC Pierson while a student at NYU, and it proved more important than his education: Glover’s first job out of school was writing for 30 Rock, and he now stars in NBC’s Community. The group still posts videos online—don’t miss Gink, its Web 2.0 parody—and released the feature film Mystery Team last year.
* derrickcomedy.com/home

Held Up

This fall comedy about a bank robbery is the latest project from Randy and Jason Sklar (whose Web series Back on Topps is the gold standard in Web-branded entertainment.). The series will also feature Kaitlin Olson (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and comedian Jon Dore and is directed by Steve Carr (Paul Blart: Mall Cop). “We didn’t make this because it’s good for the Web,” Randy says. “We made it because it’s good.”
* crackle.com

The LXD

After his online dance-off challenge to Miley Cyrus became an Internet phenomenon, director Jon Chu gathered his dancing troops and created The LXD, an original Web series about a Legion of Extraordinary Dancers fighting a war of good versus evil. The cast performed at this year’s Academy Awards and TED, and opened for the Glee live tour, all before the series’ summer premiere.
* thelxd.com

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