Innovative, and that's just the start

watch the first episode on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl_wdODKGtM


It's mercy, compassion and forgiveness I lack. Not rationality...

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Honestly it's hard to accurately describe this show succinctly. Fire-baby's right, you should just watch it.

Here again just in case:
http://youtu.be/Fl_wdODKGtM

And JGL at the beginning of the first episode explains it.

But basically it's a variety show (some describe it as Sesame Street for adults) put on by JGL's production company hitRECord. hitRECord is an online artist community that anybody with an internet connection can join, for the purpose of sharing and building on each other's work to make things like short films, songs, live performances, etc. together.

Each episode revolves around a theme (e.g., the number "1") that's explored through these creative works, with JGL as director and host.

That's as well as I can sum it up, but the unique thing is how this show is put together, and I think watching it is the best way to get what it's about.

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ccr1633, no, I'm not employed by hitRECord (seriously, who would pay someone to talk this much? ). I'm passionate about the things I enjoy, and I enjoy connecting with people over them. In fact it mirrors one reason that I like this show and the concept of hitRECord.

I think it's a socially positive use of the internet, which to me is a welcome development in itself when things like Twitter can have thousands of people following inconsequential daily minutiae, and when things like Facebook can encourage a culture of social posturing rather than fostering real interactions. Not saying Twitter and FB don't have social value--because I think they do--but I feel like they can also be used to create a culture of noise and superficiality, competing for our time and disposition for deeper connection.

That's why I like forums like this*, because we can have ongoing, organized conversations that get as deep as we like. (Can you imagine a conversation like this on Twitter, via 140-character tweets with #s, @s, RTs and whatnots all over the place?) I love that this is a sphere where conversations can span years between everybody and anybody, where thoughts can be refined, followed up on or resurrected essentially indefinitely. And sure, to anyone who's been around these boards long enough, I know that's a rosy way to think about it, but to me that's the exciting thing about online forums, and it's similar to how I feel about hitRECord.

For example, on hitRECord anyone with an internet connection can join and post their creative work. And then everyone else in that community can respond to and build on any part of it, theoretically indefinitely (if I understand correctly). The work can take on a life of its own, be revisited, catalyze entirely different things. Just like how conversations and threads here can evolve beyond whatever you and I say. I think that's very appealing, because that's how it works in the physical world, too. Someone says something in a public space, that someone else might incorporate into something they say, which might influence yet another person and trigger something completely unexpected, etc. The "original" thought in whole or in part can help shape a larger social consciousness that's unbounded by time and the original parties. So even just philosophically, in terms of its attitude toward the genesis of art, the concept of hitRECord feels right to me. In addition to it encouraging human connection through active, group creativity rather than isolated personal entries.

Anyway, I have a feeling your eyes have probably glazed over , but like I said, I do enjoy whatever connection can be had while we're on these boards, so I glimpsed through your post history for shared interests...

Clint Eastwood? Love his collaborations with Sergio Leone, esp. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Goodfellas? Favorite Scorsese film hands-down. The use of soundtrack has a lot to do with it.

Heat? One of my favorite neo-noir crime dramas, and, like you, I've wondered why Michael Mann shot the DeNiro-Pacino diner scene the way he did, alternating separate close-ups and not showing the two actors in the same frame together. Between that, the pacing of the scene, and the characters' tense conversation, this scene felt strained, like two magnets of similar poles repelling. I think that'd be an apt metaphor considering their conversation; Hanna and McCauley cut from the same cloth but unable to coexist. If we saw them in the same frame here, who knows, maybe that might've undermined such a metaphor. (OTOH if it's true that the reason is it would've been "too epic," well, that to me is all the more reason to have done it!)

Well, that's all for now.

--
*And no, just in case you're wondering, I don't work for IMDb, either.

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I can understand not liking or agreeing about a show because everybody responds to art differently. What's perplexing to me is that some people can't believe that someone loves something. Because I think it's pretty easy to believe--just watch this show!

Anyway, agreed! Such a fresh show. Creativity for days and days. I just saw the 5th episode "The Other Side." The segment "Adieu"--FABULOUS.

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First off, it was renewed almost straight away as a show of support and confidence by the network, so no issues there.

Second, I do understand what you're saying and I do think part of it is likely to do with what you said -- not only is this JGL'S baby, but he's also a big-name draw to a show that people may otherwise know nothing of or care little about. It may interest you to know that all of his profits from this production are being put right back into the hitRECord company so that they have more finances for their artists in future projects, which I think is wonderful.

I do think that, as more people become more aware of hitRECord, there may come a time where we see a bit less of Joe. That might take some time since I've noticed there are still a lot of people who don't know what it is, but that's constantly changing. I think it might also take some time to figure out how to get more people physically involved with the show, in terms of seeing their face and hearing their voice in a part of an episode not otherwise pre-recorded (via their RECord on hitRECord), as many controbutors are international and that sort of thing is simply not feasible.

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Yep. I like that it's people talking with each other through work and not just words. Not that there's anything wrong with words. :)

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The above 'review'

No, it's a reaction, like your post is a reaction. Except mine was more like this guy's:

http://live.wsj.com/video/joseph-gordon-levitt-shakes-up-traditional-tv/9BE1DCF0-6258-4657-9D27-43531CA04B11.html#!9BE1DCF0-6258-4657-9D27-43531CA04B11

I wonder if this is an age thing, because maybe it's just that I'm old enough to see how refreshing this is, or maybe I'm young enough not to be jaded.

comes courtesy of JGL and hitRECord and their desperate PR department. Not surprised if it was JGL himself.

Nope. Though I'm not sure you need me to tell you that, since you seem aware that you're projecting your own cynicism. Either way your post reminds me of the saying, "People will believe what they want to believe." If you really can't believe that people could be interested in other people's work, or new media, or ideas (not being condescending, this show is really into ideas)... If you can only imagine that people only invest in themselves and would only be motivated otherwise by money... that's an unfortunate mindset and I'm sorry to hear you really think that way. But I can assure you that at least some people aren't like that.

As if he doesn't come across as super needy and desparate for acceptance on his show.

I see it as wanting connection with others. That's so human and a good thing, isn't it? And isn't it what we're doing on this board? Why'd you come here and reply to my post, if not to voice your opinion on or reaction to something, and put yourself out there? Even if you don't expect or think you care for a response, posting is reaching out. So what are you looking for here? To put it out there that you don't like this show or that you're vexed? Well, I hear ya. :) Or at least, that's what I'm hearing. But I'm not clear on the rest...

He can do it, and so can you. Let's be revolutionary!' Blah blah.

Not sure what you're getting at. Are you telling me you'd rather hear, "He can do it, but you can't, haha!"?  Are you saying that a show like this shouldn't be done, that it can't be done (viably), or that it isn't being done well? Or all the above?

Sure, it's premature and grandiose to call this show revolutionary, but that doesn't negate that it's a much more active and interpersonal approach to TV. You don't care for it, cool, that's your thing. But likewise I don't get why you're riled by those who welcome the idea. 

Spare us

Dude, you're on the internet. The whole point is connection. If you don't want to hear what someone else has to say, you should avoid reading their posts and replying to them. You have the power. :)

the convoluted, pseudo-intellect crap.

Nothing pseudo about it. People don't have to think and express themselves in similar ways, nor be on the same page, for their perspectives to be valid. I mean, some people might think your post is trolling, but I think wherever you're coming from is real, and that's fine by me. 

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