H + Me = Update
Okay, so it’s long overdue isn’t it? A little update of what I’ve been working on these past few months. A little one though. I’m very superstitious so I try to steer clear of jinxes as much as possible.
So some of you probably know by now that I’m working on a writing project for Warner. If you don’t know… I’m working on a writing project for Warner. More specifically, the digital arm of Warner Brothers, Warner Premier, responsible for creating content for iTunes and other digital platforms.
What is the project? Well, that’s not altogether easy to explain, so I’ll just give you some of the facts. A lot of this stuff is already common knowledge… but a few bits are exclusive newbies. So here we go:
The story is about technology… or more specifically our relationship to it. Everything from social media software to gadgetry.
The genre is sci-fi. But I always refer to it as soft sci-fi. Think Lost rather than Battlestar. Think Children of Men rather than iRobot.
It’s titled H+. Why is it called H+? Well, if you don’t already know (or at least have a strong guess), I’d say about a minutes worth of googling will give you some solid hints.
It’s very… um… multicultural. Let’s just say that. Takes place in a variety of cultures worldwide. Language and customs play just as large of roles in the story as technology does.
@cosimo179 and I are writing and executive producing the series. Which is both exciting and daunting, since the scope of this thing is pretty big.
Bryan Singer (director of X-Men, The Usual Suspects) and his amazing Bad Hat Harry team are executive producing it as well. Together with the Warner Premiere folks, I don’t think we could ask for a more passionate, thoughtful, and intelligent development team.
Stewart Hendler (@veryuniquename) just joined the group to direct (he’s so buttering us up in this Tweet… crafty, hehe). I’m particularly excited about this new addition. When Cosimo and I first conceived the project (god almost 3 years ago) I imagined I would probably be directing. So why am I not? Well, aside from the fact that I’d probably have a stroke if I was doing that too… the short answer is… this dude is better than me. Check out the trailer for his new horror film Sorority Row, which opened yesterday. Warning: I almost passed out when I first watched it. But I don’t really have a stomach for horror.
I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve been hearing and reading pretty much all positive reviews. Twitter, in particular, seems to really like it. Which doesn’t surprise me. Stewart’s a really smart filmmaker. In just the few months he’s been on our project, H+ has grown and evolved in some exciting and unique ways that I can’t wait to see realized.
The plot? Well to be honest, I don’t really want talk about about the plot… mostly cause, well… don’t you want to be surprised? I hate spoilers. And this story has lots of mystery. And we’re planning to unfold that mystery in some very new ways. That being said, if you absolutely must spoil the concept/set-up for yourself, Hollywood Reporter put out a small piece on it last year in which they revealed a bit of the premise. I should warn you though, it’s a little misleading how they word it. It isn’t exactly as its described.
And of course the big question: When is it premiering? Last year when the Reporter wrote about it, it was assumed the project would come out this year. But that’s looking less likely, since we’re still in the midst of script development. Will it be next year? Hopefully. 2011?! Man, I seriously hope not… but I guess I can’t totally dismiss the possibility.
The truth is, in this turbulent economy, Studios are taking their time with new endeavors like this. It’s safer to churn out preexisting franchises and tested content types, while taking their time with the new stuff. I’d say there’s a good drive and sense of excitement around the project, but an equal amount of cautiousness as we move forward. Which is probably a good thing.
And as I learn more, I’ll share it here with you. For example, several weeks back I tweeted from Baja. A bunch of the team headed down there to take a look at what a Mexican shoot might yield. I have to admit, the diversity of the Baja terrain was mighty impressive.
So anyway, I think that should be enough for now. And I’ll tell you what… If you have any questions, ask them here in the comments. If I can answer them, I will.
Oh and yes, I realize the tweets and tumbls have been minimal lately. I’m running social media Cabrera at 25% this month as I take in some fresh air. This has been a misanthropic summer for me, so I really needed to just get out of the house. I’ve been traveling a bunch, visiting friends all over… a lot of planes and trains, that’s for sure.
I’m right now in Deutschland, and I’m brushing up on my German.
So… bis bald!
Itzel on 12 Sep 2009 at 7:18 pm #
I’ve been waiting for this post a loooong time, so it makes me happy
And the project overall sounds pretty cool, I mean just with the examples you put (Lost, Children of Men), they immediately get my interest. And ok while I loathe spoilers, I couldn’t help but google “webseries h+” and I got the Gilmore Girls News page as the first result, it had a little bit of the description. My question here would be, why did you decided to make it a webseries instead of a tv series? Or was it Warner’s idea to do it that way, like the GGN sites says?
And, the question I really really really wish you could answer is: will the people outside the US be able to watch it? cause TheWB.com can just be viewed over there and that sucks. Or is it too soon to tell?
Well, whatever the case may be, this sounds pretty exciting! I’m really looking forward to it!
Catherine on 13 Sep 2009 at 2:48 am #
You are in Germany again and you don’t say anything?!
H+ sounds really interesting and I can’t wait to read or see more of it! I’m not going to ask you anything about the plot, but I have a question concerning the format. I guess it will be an online show, so how long will the episodes be? Or is this not defined yet?
John Cabrera on 13 Sep 2009 at 5:26 am #
Catherine, ha! Well I haven’t been here long, and I guess I’m having fun showing up to places unannounced.
Format is a tough question to answer, because what we’ve come to know as web-series is changing very fast. That’s why I’ve been referring to it either as digital series or simply as series.
There are serveral places this project can live… some even simultaneously. So what am I saying here? Hmm… I guess, I’m saying that episode length has been one of the most talked about areas of this project… and there may not be one answer to your question.
Itz, we did play with the idea as a TV series. But I think we realized pretty early that the story and structure fit serveral formats. And as I just said to Catherine, the definition for web-series is changing fast. I think by the time we get this on its feet, there will be several new distribution outlets online and new delivery devices in the home. We have to stay flexible to that throughout this process.
I have no idea how that will effect foreign markets, but personally I hope it moves us closer to a simultaneous global distribution. Especially for a story like this that deals with world cultures.
And fyi, WB.com is not an exclusive distribution outlet for Warner’s digital content. They also syndicate to myspace youtube and other social media sites. And I may be wrong, but Warner Premiere has so far only developed digital content for download through iTunes. Warner Horizon is responsible for the web series’ that have premiered at WB.com. I think.
Rae on 13 Sep 2009 at 6:30 am #
2011?! I don’t want to wait that long, John. I remain eager to see this project.
I have questions but I don’t want to ask them because they have to do with the part you’re trying to be vague about anyway.
There are several places this project can live… some even simultaneously.
I like that idea… it’s an area where I don’t feel like people are truly taking advantages of the possibilities out there. Would love to see more projects embracing the idea and running with it.
In other news, I’m jealous of your Germany trip. Have some Yogurette for me.
Itzel on 13 Sep 2009 at 10:11 am #
Awesome! as long as people outside the US will be able to watch it, I’m happy. And yeah, I didn’t know the WB also syndicated in other places and distributed in iTunes. It’s all good then
Let us know about further developments, I hope we’ll be able to watch it next year! Also, I wanna read the script! lol.
Have fun in your trip around the world! next stop… Mexico? haha.
Johnny Hugel on 14 Sep 2009 at 6:22 pm #
I’m glad you’re finally able to share some of this info. The project sounds awesome. I look forward to following along as this goes through the various phases. I’ve been very interested in digital series for a while and have been trying to pinpoint what works and what doesn’t. I’ve got my own sci-fi project short that I wish I was further along with. Hopefully this will inspire me to finish it up and do something with it.
Catherine on 15 Sep 2009 at 1:30 pm #
OK, online show was just a guess. I’m fine with every kind of digital distribution. I mean, I studied Digital Media or more specifically Online Media, so this is what I’m interested in, isn’t it?! I think so. I know that the internet is changing and there are always new ways and possibilities. You describe it yourself that it’s hard right now to specifiy the format of your show cause there are so many possibilities to distribute it later and who knows what possibilities there are next year or 2011. (I hope it will not take so long until you are finished…
)
I’m a TV-show-junkie, so “Lost”, “Heroes” etc. all sound very good to me. Really can’t wait what exactly you and Cosimo are developing, but as far as I got to know you from your blog, Twitter and Tumblr it seems to me that it’s going to be amazing and fitting my interests and nerdiness.
Have fun in Berlin and wherever you will be next! Oh and if you want me to comment on your blog posts in German, just say so! Or answer me in German, I’m fine with that too.
Vanalam on 21 Sep 2009 at 10:07 am #
Thanks for the update, John. I’ve been wondering what’s going on with the project. It’s great to get more details. I certainly hope it doesn’t take until 2011 for it to come out! I’m looking forward to it.