Hollywood Actress Combats Theatrical Doldrums By Embracing Technology

Online, May 17, 2010 (Newswire.com) - BURBANK, CA (HPR); Subscribing to the principle of "if you can't beat them, join them" 21 year old Mad Men secretary turn webisode producer, Britt Hysen, created the web series Behind the Scene with Britt Hysen in response to the lack of opportunities currently available to union actors. With the past SAG and WGA strikes, endless runaway productions, film stars taking TV roles, and the popularity of reality TV, Hollywood veterans and newbies alike have been finding it difficult to procure employment in traditional TV and film roles. "In this business, you have two choices. You can go on the occasional audition and hope you're called back, or you can sell your own project," Hysen declared. "New media has opened the doors for the latter."

Hysen launched her webisode at the 2010 National Association of Television Programming Executives conference as she sat in attendance absorbing pearls of wisdom from David Zaslav, CEO of Discovery Communications. Armed with a tiny Canon PowerShot digital camera and a MacBook Pro, she video captured and notated key moments from Zaslav and other media powerhouses like Michael Eisner, Irwin Gotlieb, and NBC Chairman, Jeff Gaspin then uploaded the edited footage to YouTube later in the day. Her original intention was to share her experience with college friends through her blog, but was quickly hooked on the instant process of information dissemination through new media. "As an actor that works on Hollywood productions, I'm accustomed to big budget shows. NATPE completely opened my eyes to the future of the entertainment industry and the opportunities that new media promises for actor/producers."

Hysen is not alone in her new found respect for new media. Michael Eisner, former Head of Disney, disclosed that he had moved his entire operation from broadcast to broadband with no intention of turning back, Zaslav insisted Discovery Communications searches YouTube for programming content, and actresses, Justine Bateman and Ileana Douglas admitted having great success with their brand-sponsored webisodes. From a musician's prospective, Andrea Saparoff of Saparoff Music explained, "As a composer, I view the widespread adoption of new media outlets for the arts as the most exciting development since digital audio. The blazing fast capabilities-both those currently being used and others yet to be discovered-let me distribute my music and market my brand simultaneously to multiple audiences on a global scale. New media rocks music. And it's just getting revved up."

Behind the Scene with Britt Hysen is a web series and blog site that explores the current art culture and the professionals that bring it to life. Hysen applied the advice from NATPE executives regarding the need for quality content by focusing on a particular social issue close to her heart-lack of art in public education. "With art all but stripped from school programs, Behind the Scene demonstrates how to find art in everyday life." Hysen continued, "We're hoping to inspire creativity in kids outside the traditional system, and to teach them that art is more than just crayons and watercolors-- it's recycled materials mixed with imagination, expression, science, and technology." Episodes to date include coverage of a TV programming conference, a Los Angeles music festival with DJs, performance artists, and art installations, an art community driven Fundraiser for a paralyzed US Marine, a DJ mixing tracks with fans through a live-stream, a televised Hollywood award ceremony for depiction of social issues, and an ensemble of science, engineering, and technology professionals addressing art and new media. Saparoff shared her thoughts on the series, "Britt brings vision, passion and a sense of curiosity to her leading edge work in blending new media and our modern art culture. Her multi-faceted efforts are really expanding people's understanding of how new media is reshaping the way we experience the arts."

To watch episodes of Behind the Scene with Britt Hysen, to read Britt's blog, or to listen to her podcasts, visit www.Scenewithbritt.com.

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