"Students produce Popular Webseries" Article by Max Kutner

“Students Produce Popular Webseries”
Max Kutner

Vassar students have recently proven that not all projects are done for class or credit. The webseries Classic of Changes hit the internet last year and has been gaining popularity ever since.

“It chronicles the strange happenings at a prestigious boarding school,” said Max Gold ‘10, who is responsible for all elements of the production (writing, directing, producing, filming, editing) except for acting. This season’s fifteen new episodes are available online every Sunday night at 6 PM.

The first season of Classic of Changes followed Adam Archer (Oliver Singer ‘09) at Pencey Preparatory School, shot on location at Vassar. The season focused on Adam, who suffers from a brain tumor, his love interest Elyse (Laura Dooling ‘10) and his roommate Marco (Jeremy Arthur ‘10).

“I’ve really enjoyed playing Elyse because I find a lot of myself in her,” said Dooling of her character. Gold shot season one almost a year ago. The second season premiered on April 6th, drawing over 600 views in its first six hours online.

“The show has a new, sleek, professional look,” said Sam Fleming ‘10, who plays Nathaniel Chase in upcoming episodes.

“[Gold] really knows what he wants and motivates everyone,” said Ben Palacios ’11, who also joins the cast this season. “We have a great time, and I think that comes through in the episodes.”

“The first episode really surprised me,” said Kyle Chea ‘10, who plays another new major character. “Max has a habit of outdoing himself every time, and this time was no different.”
Gold promises that the second season will be exciting and different, but won’t give too much away. All of season one’s characters will return, and some new characters will be introduced.

Changes is completely extracurricular, and the VSA does not sponsor or fund the project. Gold shoots with all of his own equipment.
“It was born from my trying to understand the place I’m in and how to best deal with my time here,” said Gold. The series fuses teen drama with experimental editing, as if David Lynch were to direct Gossip Girl. Gold shot the first season somewhat spontaneously, when actors or production members had free time.

“One day I got a call and the next day I was out filming,” said Chea of shooting the first season.
“Shoots are always very exciting; we rarely know the full extent of what Max has in store for us,” said Palacios.

“The content is a reflection of the production process,” said Gold. “It’s congruous to the college experience.” The actors enjoy the laid-back feel.
“We had quite a bit of fun not having a clue what we were doing and trying to create something that people might want to watch,” said Dooling.
“This season is more structured,” said Gold. Shoots for season two were planned weeks in advance.

Classic of Changes comes at a time when it is easier than ever for young filmmakers to produce and share their work. Similar student-made projects have led to significant success in the film industry. The NYU students responsible for the webseries We Need Girlfriends, for example, recently signed a deal with CBS. This process works both ways, as now big television networks are posting more content online. The internet has played a major role in the promotion and distribution of the Changes webseries. The episodes are released exclusively online, using services such as Brightcove, YouTube, and Blip.tv.

“This season is all about interactivity,” said Gold. Changes uses Facebook (creating an “event” for the season premiere, a “group” for the series, and individual profiles for the main characters), a series of blogs (classicofchanges.blogspot.com), and an official website (blindhummingbird.com).

Large posters hung around campus have also played a crucial role in promoting the series.
“I think [the posters have] made a huge difference, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t embarrassing to walk into my dorm and be face-to-face with a six-foot image of myself next to Jeremy Arthur,” said Dooling.
“I have received some interesting comments, like, ‘What the hell are you doing naked in the Retreat?’” said Palacios of poster depicting his character shirtless in a faux Levi’s advertisement. “In my math writing seminar, Professor McCleary suddenly stopped and said with a puzzled expression, ‘Ben, is that you half-naked in the Poughkeepsie Journal?’” said Palacios.

“There’s always been that classic ‘Max Gold Style’ in very episode he creates,” said Dooling. Gold plans on going to Spain next year for JYA, but does not dismiss the idea of a third season.