As Allen Stern noted on his blog, earlier this week The Media Kitchen held the Digital Media Venture Conference, introducing their clients to innovative VC-funded startups that are changing the media plans of tomorrow. The Media Kitchen’s Darren Herman approached us about helping them create an icebreaker video to kick off the spirit of the day, and we jumped at the chance to work with them on it, as Darren and The Media Kitchen have been big supporters and cheerleaders of our work.

After a bit of brainstorming with Darren and MK’s president, Barry Lowenthal, we came up with the video embedded above (here’s an HD version), featuring Gary, Indy Mogul’s incomparable puppet co-host (mostly because he’d be available for all the shoots) in a whirlwind tour of some of the better-known companies in Silicon Alley. All glory due to the amazing Justin Johnson, NNN’s superstar associate producer and first hire, who wrote, directed and produced the piece in a couple days’ time with no budget and a supplemental crew of one, which to me is just incredible.

Special thanks to Barry, Darren and Nicole DelVecchio from The Media Kitchen, David and Marco from Tumblr, Richard Blakeley from Gawker Media, Jake and Amir from CollegeHumor, Erik Beck, Derek D, Rob Czar and Corinne Leigh from Next New Networks, and Lindsay Campbell and Julie Alexandria from CBS Interactive for being such good sports, and to all the other people from NNN and Frederator who helped out as Rock Band partygoers or Gary stand-ins (especially Ben Ross). And special props to Kyle Fassenella, who DP’d and contributed all the amazing steadicam work; Rachel Garcia, for coming up with the idea to have Gary be the star; and Liam Collins, our super-nice VP of Finance and Business Affairs, for playing against type as the jerk who tells Erik to get back to work.

Working at Next New Networks has its perks. Two weeks ago I received a random email invite to a screening of the new Indiana Jones movie, The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull. At first I was wondering what PR list I had managed to get myself on, but what I didn’t know it at the time was that it was actually a Next New Networks field trip set up by Tim Shey and our awesome contact at Paramount, Casey. With permission slip in hand, I hopped in a cab to the premiere with Tim, Rachel, Justin, Erik, Steve, Scott, Vanessa, and a few others.

When we arrived there were a TON of lines set up outside with fans, photographers, and Dr. Jones look-a-likes! Of course, being the cool kids that we are (well, that and Casey being the bomb), we didn’t have to wait in line and we walked right in to grab our seats, and then predictably made a mad dash to the concession stand. Hot dogs, popcorn, and nachos in hand, we returned to our seats on the balcony (which were sweet!) to relish in the delight and excitement brewing within the theater. As we relaxed into our seats we were serenaded into anticipation by the Indiana Jones theme music. Right before the film got started there was a ruckus at the balcony entrance, and low and behold, it was Shia LeBeouf hanging out! Next walked in Karen Allen and Harrison Ford! With all the stars in place, the lights dimmed, and the adventure began continued.While I won’t spoil ending for you, I will leave you with a few online features to warm up with before you go see what many of us have been waiting almost 20 years for! (more…)

Have you ever watched Indy Mogul and thought to yourself, “Hey, this Erik guy is one sharp looking dude”? Well, you’re not the only one. Daisy Whitney from TV Week thinks so too. She’s compiled a list of The Hottest Male Web Hosts, and our very own Erik Beck is up against Eric Gunnar Rochow from Greenhouse. So if you’ve ever entertained those thoughts, now is the time to let those feelings rush forth. Vote Now! Polling ends Friday, May 2nd.

GO ERIK!

Wesley over on the Indy Mogul blog posted this video of Indy Mogul being covered on CNN Headline News’ News to Me over the weekend.

The blog commenters said it best:

GEORGE: Amazing guys I love this site and it is almost unreal to see it be on NATIONAL TV after only a year. 2000000 views a month is insane, and I’m sure it grows every month.

PUNKANDSKA66: You realize you guys haven’t even been around for a full year. Think about what indymogul will be like at this time next year.

Congrats, Erik and the Indy Mogul team!

This year a number of us from Next New Networks will be at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, and if you’ll be there we’d love to meet you and hang out at the event.

Three of our networks will be covering the Film, Music, and Interactive portions of the Festival — Indy Mogul, ThreadBanger, and Epic Fu — with episodes both during and after the event. If you see anyone you recognize from the networks walking around, please say hi!

In addition, we’re joining with our friends at Tumblr to sponsor the most epic Rock Band party the world has ever known on Monday night. Party attendees can play Rock Band onstage (first come, first serve for signups), and SXSW Showcase bands Brenn and The Vettes will be playing to close out the night. More details on our SXSW party page, and you can RSVP on Upcoming or Facebook to make sure you get in the door.

For those of you attending the Film or Interactive portions of the festival, I’ll be moderating a Joint Film/Interactive Panel on Saturday morning at 10am called “Quit Your Day Job and Vlog,” with Lindsay Campbell from Wallstrip and the upcoming Mob Logic, Zadi Diaz from EPIC-FU, LisaNova’s Lisa Donovan and Bre Pettis of Make / Etsy fame. Please come on out and join us, and hope to see you there.

Who isn’t gushing over the new MacBook Air? Well, not everyone — but heck, there are always some complainers. The response has been relatively positive. In Meredith Viera’s case, that’s an understatement, as Engadget recently noticed.

Technology comes and goes, and I for one don’t think we mark the passing of old technology with as much ceremony as it deserves. That’s why I was thrilled to see the Indy Mogul team take a masonry drill to one of the old iBooks in the office. The ending is the best part.

So now that we’ve drilled it, which NNN employee (or other celebrity) do you think should lick it? Let us know.

I mentioned a little while back that the Wall Street Journal covered Indy Mogul. Seems only fair that the guys would return the favor.

I assume you’ll see the results next Monday on the Indy Mogul website, which right now is running an awesome new Backyard FX featuring Bre Pettis from Make Magazine’s Weekend Projects podcast.

Ian Mount of the Wall Street Journal wrote up Indy Mogul this weekend in their Weekend “Picks” section — here’s an excerpt:

Twice a week the site, called IndyMogul.com, hosts a new instructional video on basic filmmaking techniques and what it terms “BFX” — backyard special effects. In a typical recent video, host Erik Beck responds to a video request from a graduate film student looking for a way to create realistic on-film rain. After explaining that cinematic raindrops need to be larger than real ones if they are to appear on film, Mr. Beck demonstrates how to make a $50 “Hollywood rain machine” out of wood, a garden hose, twist ties and eyehooks. The final effect is remarkably realistic.

Congrats to Erik, Vanessa, Justin and the whole team.

Great way to cap off a week when Rob and Corinne from ThreadBanger were on Rachael Ray, Faran from Girls Gone Styled was profiled on ABC News’ i-Caught, Oksana Baiul hosted Fast Lane Daily, and Josh Marshall interviewed John Edwards, not to mention Internet People continuing to round the globe, showing up on places like Yahoo’s The 9 and VH1’s Best Week Ever. Whew!