I've started wandering into the world of SEO (search engine optimization) thanks to a project I'm working on these days.
I realized, I've never really checked google to see how we're doing- odd, since google is pretty much the metric by which your success is based these days. Especially for a movie about the interwebs.
I googled "Second Skin" (which I've done plenty of times)- no worries there, we're the #1 and #3 entry, and 4 of the first 10 hits. Whew.
I googled "Pure West" - not too shabby- we're the #2, 3 & 4 hit, and 6 of the first 10 hits.
Then I tried something a little crazier. How about just "skin"? Surely we've got hordes of dermatologists and skin care products duking it out with us for those coveted links...
Out of 589 MILLION results we are number 42 - FORTY TWO.
Okay, let's get a little crazier... How about just "second"? Now we're competing with a slew of things...
Out of ONE BILLION results we are number 39 - THIRTY NINE.
This is all without any special SEO tricks or spider-shenanigans.
Life is good... remind me to send Sergey a fruit basket sometime.
We're getting a BlizzCon Street Team together! If you're heading out to Anaheim on your annual trip to MMO-Mecca, please let us know. We have some sweet schwag...
Posted by: Juan Carlos in Untagged on
Oct 08, 2008
We have a screening coming up on Saturday at the Manitoba Comic Con. So for all you Canadians who need a "Second Skin" fix. Please go check out the screening at 5pm.
Yesterday we screened at one of Victor's old alma maters... New York Film Academy. It was a lot of fun to be in a more intimate setting, and talking with new filmmakers. The students were interested in a lot of the production aspects, and so the Q&A afterward was very different from the norm.
Otherwise projects are filling up our timeline. We're making good progress on the next film, and we've got deals closing left and right. (Keep on knocking on wood)
We're also getting a great new intern. So a warm welcome to Kyle. Who is joining the Pure West umbrella.
As you all know last night was the debate, and I there is nothing better than social politics. The Manhattan Young Dems host events all over the city, and I've been going to pretty much all of them. They're a lot of fun, and kudos to Nexeus who made it! Glad you could come. From MMO's to politics...
Thank you everyone who came out that night. It was a great crowd, and copious amounts of fun hanging out afterward. I am actually really elated. Lots of thanks to all the guys at ACE film festival for putting on a great show, and taking the time to get everything just right for our screening.
Peter, Juan and I first met Leo Newball Jr waaaaay back in 2006, when we were still taking our first babysteps in creating Second Skin. He hit his first interview out of the park, being more candid, intelligent and entertaining than anyone we'd interviewed up to that point. So we decided we wanted to stalk him for the next two years and make him a subject of the movie.
So it began. We spent the next two years hanging out with Leo, becoming super close friends with him, and having many a late night gaming. He was also the guy who helped me level my mage in WoW, and introduced me to Azeroth. Nowadays, we call just him hermano.
Though we couldn't fit his entire story into the movie (it would've helped if you got pregnant or married, Leo- lol) he's definitely the opening scene of the film, as well as the most poignant scene in the movie (as Nexeus Fatale). He also came aboard as our official virtual world consultant, helping us navigate the deep waters of el mundo virtual.
Because of his huge hand in the movie, we weren't content to show Second Skin to Leo on the small screen. In fact, we were adamant. He had to see it in a theater. He missed SXSW, almost made it to Boston, had the SLCC during our NYC premiere... and FINALLY saw it last Thursday at a screening.
After the showing, Leo probably asked the most intelligent question of the Q&A. He then elaborated, and made it into a full review. And without further ado (God, there's already been way too much ado- apologies...) Leo's review of our little movie! [After the jump!]
While one Andy begins work at Mythic (this is his first week!) another has taking up writing.
Andrew Monkelban, who stars in what many consider the most poignant scene in the movie, keeps in pretty fantastic touch with all of us Second Skinners (filmmakers and subjects). Andy and Andy. So fares my post-movie life.
In the Andy Monkelban side of the news, I just received an awesome essay he wrote detailing his life story as a disabled gamer. I'd publish it here, but because of the quality of the writing and the fascinating subject, we have our sights set higher.
Hopefully I can link to the article soon, when it gets snatched up by The Escapist, Wired or another big blog/site/mag.
We've been sitting on this one far too long, but we couldn't say a word until Andy gave the thumbs up...
Second Skin's own Andy Belford now has a job with Mythic Entertainment! The guys who are making the Warhammer MMO!
We couldn't be prouder of Andy. Two and a half years ago we received an email from one Andy Belford, responding to our Casting Call post. He spoke of living, working and gaming with his best friends & neighbors, which was enough to draw us out to the Fort. Talk about taking a risk- he let three strangers crash at his house for a week, film every aspect of his life, somehow convince the other Ft.Wayne Boys & wives to do the same, and keep visiting him for the next two years.
I wish I could say that being in Second Skin helped Andy nab the job, but really it was all him. He worked so hard promoting Second Skin over the last six months that I think the Mythic guys took notice. And they'll be happy they did- Andy's a brilliant, hard working guy who e-communicates so damn fast, I swear he's got the internet jacked up to his brain.
Bravo, Andy- you officially made Pete, Juan and I's month with that news.
I have a feeling we'll soon be following this post up with some news from the other Ft.Wayne Boys... Anthony's got some awesome stuff cooking, and maybe one day we'll convince Matt & Chris to make our Mitchy & The Dome video podcast...
Posted by: Juan Carlos in Untagged on
Sep 22, 2008
It looks like we found what people have been watching in South America that is bringing them to our site. It's really cool to see our film getting some traction there. Hopefully we'll start hearing from Argentina's film festivals, and maybe just maybe they'll fly us down!
I just wanted to let everyone know the great news. We have officially won a festival! Our very first 'best documentary award'! 
