If you want to take action to preserve net neutrality stop by Save The Internet and tell them your story on why net neutrality matters to you here

From its listing here http://filmfest.scad.edu/events/the-future-of-entertainment/

“The advent of the Internet has destroyed the singular power studios and networks once held over distribution; today, almost anyone can access TV programs and films online. Conversely, the cost of quality equipment and editing programs has transformed those who “wish” to shoot a film to those who “make” content. Hear pioneers of Internet content discuss production, dealing with sponsors, distributing digitally and making money in the new landscape. For anyone who plans to be part of the future of entertainment, this is a must-attend panel.”

If you want to comment on the FCC’s rulemaking process regarding net neutrality check out http://www.openinternet.gov

On a personal note I experience issues of net neutrality everytime I use Skype to call my best friend’s home phone because his phone service provider is Verizon. Unfortunately Verizon throttles Skype’s speed down to a crawl and so you can imagine how irritating that is when I make Skype calls for him to not be able to hear me and for us to have to wait while Verizon interferes with our conversations. So you can bet I’m also behind net neutrality 1000%.

“Some of the shows being discussed include “Easy to Assemble” and “40 & Bitter,” two online video shows sponsored by IKEA. The group has found creative freedom in new media to do something new each season.”

“… FM78.tv founder Justine Bateman said [she] thought a set of awards voted on by peers would be meaningful, and a worthy objective on its own. Bateman, well-versed in the ways of the traditional entertainment industry, warned of the “rats’ nest” of advocacy issues.”

Having done a little volunteer advocacy work with various WGA & SAG members on their contracts for new media, the “rats’ nest” point is well taken. Not that advocacy isn’t a worthy goal, it’s just that those who are creative need the room, time, energy and funding to be creative. it’s not a bad way for a fan to contribute though ;-)

From their article, an interview with Luis Caffesse & Cliff Wildman of Project: RANT! available here in its entirety:

“After one video featuring [Austin] actor Jennymarie Jemison, entitled “Why The F*$% Are You In A Gay Club If You’re Not Gay?,” received a high-profile, 2009-style endorsement as a “re-tweet” from The Office’s Rainn Wilson, Project: RANT! saw a flood of new traffic, boosting the site’s profile to the point that a number of television actors—including Justine Bateman, Cathy Cahlin Ryan (The Shield) and Terri Ivens (All My Children)—volunteered their time to appear in episodes slated to run this fall.”

BTW from the ‘ain’t it a small world’ department, I happen to know someone who’s good friends with Ed Asner…I’ll have him put a bug in Ed’s ear about the Khrushchev rant reenactment. No promises mind you (Ed’s health is sometimes iffy and now that’s he’s getting active in SAG politics again, the free time to do it might be an issue) but I will at least put the word out there. I know I’d love to see the infamous shoe-pounding redone as well as Justine’s rant and know I can’t be alone in my passion for a really good kvetch or two caught on video.

Like say this totebag

Dig that styling logo, will you? Classy.

From PRNoticias ‘Easy to Assemble’ Ikea sigue apostando por series on line

Además, Douglas ya está trabajando en otro proyecto on line para la marca sueca, que bajo el nombre de 40 and Bitter, será un talk show filmado en directo en la tienda de Connecticut.

Basically for those who ‘no habla espagnol’ 40 & Bitter is a talk show set to be filmed in the IKEA in Connecticut & is in development.

NewTeeVee: Also, Justine Bateman’s work on the show [Easy To Assemble], playing a fictionalized version of herself, is fantastic. Have you thought about breaking out her 40 and Bitter talk show-within-a-show as a separate series?

Illeana Douglas: Yeah, we definitely want to do that, depending on what happens with the third season and our sponsorship.

Looks like it’s up to the bitterati to make that happen ;-)