Prom Queen (web series)
Encyclopedia
Prom Queen is the first web television
series produced by former Walt Disney
CEO Michael Eisner
's new production company Vuguru
and the returning web television production company Big Fantastic
, the creators of Sam Has 7 Friends. The series, consisting of 80 episodes of 90 seconds each, is one of the best-funded entrants into the world of original programming designed exclusively for online video.
The show generated revenue through sponsorships, by selling some of the clothing worn by the characters, and by carrying advertising for Hairspray
.
The series premiered April 1, 2007 on MySpace
, and supplemental scenes can be seen on MySpace as each of the characters has a MySpace page that includes blog
s, Vlogs
, and comments between the characters. According to the Financial Times
, it marks MySpace's boldest push into original video content. The series was also distributed on YouTube
, Veoh
, and on an original Prom Queen website.
The first season ended on June 20, 2007, with over 15 million views of the episodes during the original 12-week run, and has been viewed by nearly 20 million people to date.
A 15-episode spinoff series, Prom Queen: Summer Heat
, debuted on August 27, 2007. On May 7, 2008, a Japanese remake of the series, titled Tokyo Prom Queen, began airing in a similar format.
On October 20, 2008, Michael Eisner confirmed that a third season of "Prom Queen" would be produced.
A DVD of the series was released on October 8, 2008; it included behind-the-scenes footage and audio commentaries from the cast and creators of the series.
In July 2009 it was announced that a follow-up series was being filmed, entitled Prom Queen: The Homecoming. Starting July 4, 2010, 'Homecoming' began to air on Citytv
, a Canada-based television website. Four episodes were released each Monday. "Homecoming" connected 'Sam Has 7 friends' with 'Prom Queen' and primarily focused on the character, Sadie Simmons. 'Homecoming' ended with a cliffhanger, suggesting another season would appear.
Web television
Web television, also commonly referred to as web TV, not to be confused with WebTV, Internet television or catch up TV, is an emerging genre of digital entertainment that is distinct from traditional broadcast television...
series produced by former Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
CEO Michael Eisner
Michael Eisner
Michael Dammann Eisner is an American businessman. He was the chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company from 1984 until 2005.-Early life:...
's new production company Vuguru
Vuguru
Vuguru is an independent multi-platform studio founded by Tornante in March 2006. The studio's first project, "Prom Queen", consisted of 90-second shorts in 80 episodes and was distributed online, beginning in April 2007. A second project entitled "The All for Nots" was distributed online and on...
and the returning web television production company Big Fantastic
Big Fantastic
Big Fantastic, LLC is a production company located in Santa Monica, California which creates, develops and produces online video entertainment. The company is currently most known for their two popular web series Sam Has 7 Friends and Prom Queen...
, the creators of Sam Has 7 Friends. The series, consisting of 80 episodes of 90 seconds each, is one of the best-funded entrants into the world of original programming designed exclusively for online video.
The show generated revenue through sponsorships, by selling some of the clothing worn by the characters, and by carrying advertising for Hairspray
Hairspray (2007 film)
Hairspray is a 2007 musical film produced by Kolaja Productions and distributed by New Line Cinema. It was released in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom on July 20, 2007. The film is an adaptation of the 2002 Broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was based on John...
.
The series premiered April 1, 2007 on MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
, and supplemental scenes can be seen on MySpace as each of the characters has a MySpace page that includes blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
s, Vlogs
Video clip
Video clips are short clips of video, usually part of a longer recording. The term is also more loosely used to mean any short video less than the length of a traditional television program.- On the Internet :...
, and comments between the characters. According to the Financial Times
Financial Times
The Financial Times is an international business newspaper. It is a morning daily newspaper published in London and printed in 24 cities around the world. Its primary rival is the Wall Street Journal, published in New York City....
, it marks MySpace's boldest push into original video content. The series was also distributed on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
, Veoh
Veoh
Veoh is an Internet television company based in San Diego, California. It allows users to find and watch major studio content, independent productions and user-generated material. The company is a subsidiary of Israeli start-up Qlipso....
, and on an original Prom Queen website.
The first season ended on June 20, 2007, with over 15 million views of the episodes during the original 12-week run, and has been viewed by nearly 20 million people to date.
A 15-episode spinoff series, Prom Queen: Summer Heat
Prom Queen: Summer Heat
Prom Queen: Summer Heat is the mini-series spinoff from the web series Prom Queen. Like Prom Queen, the show was produced by former Walt Disney CEO Michael Eisner's production company Vuguru and the returning internet series production company Big Fantastic, the creators of...
, debuted on August 27, 2007. On May 7, 2008, a Japanese remake of the series, titled Tokyo Prom Queen, began airing in a similar format.
On October 20, 2008, Michael Eisner confirmed that a third season of "Prom Queen" would be produced.
A DVD of the series was released on October 8, 2008; it included behind-the-scenes footage and audio commentaries from the cast and creators of the series.
In July 2009 it was announced that a follow-up series was being filmed, entitled Prom Queen: The Homecoming. Starting July 4, 2010, 'Homecoming' began to air on Citytv
Citytv
Citytv is a Canadian English language television system owned and operated by Rogers Communications under its Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. division...
, a Canada-based television website. Four episodes were released each Monday. "Homecoming" connected 'Sam Has 7 friends' with 'Prom Queen' and primarily focused on the character, Sadie Simmons. 'Homecoming' ended with a cliffhanger, suggesting another season would appear.
Plot
The core plot of Prom Queen revolves around a text message sent to Ben, saying "U R going 2 kill the prom queen." This occurs as the prom approaches, and the drama begins to unfold.Main characters
- Ben - the witty student who receives a cryptic message.
- Sadie - Ben's quiet sister, who writes for the school newspaper. She says she hates the idea of prom, but secretly wants to attend.
- Chad - the school jock, who carries a pink phone that receives a call from one person only. Who could it be?
- Nikki - Chad's girlfriend. She's stuck-up and wants to be the prom queen. However, she has a terrible self-image and has a secret.
- Lauren - Nikki's friend who has a bad relationship with her mother. She loves Josh, but does he love her?
- Jill - Lauren's mother, who was Prom Queen at her prom. Jill is mentally unhealthy and seems to be obsessed with Ben.
- Danica - a British exchange student, staying with Lauren; she has a video camera which she uses daily, to capture her American experience.
- Courtney - the girl whom Ben likes. They are doing a school play together, but it seems she has a second life, of sorts.
- Josh - Ben's friend, who keeps to himself and is even a mystery to Ben.
Cast
- Sean HankinsonSean HankinsonSean Hankinson is an American actor who is known for his role as Ethan Blaine on the television soap Days of our Lives and as series regular Ben Simmons on the Emmy Nominated internet series Prom Queen....
- Ben - Katy Stoll - Sadie
- David Loren - Chad
- Laura Howard - Danica
- Alexandra French - Nikki
- Jake Shideler - Josh
- Haley Mancini - Lauren
- John Shires - Nolan
- Mills Allison - Curtis
- Andre Boyer - Brett
- Sheila Vand - Courtney
- Kateland Carr - Michele
- Amy Kay Raymond - Jill
External links
- promqueen.tv - official site
- Official Prom Queen account on MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Prom Queen profile on imeemImeemThe online service imeem was a social media web site where users interacted with each other by streaming, uploading and sharing music and music videos...