Nice WIGS

I haven’t watched too many web series. Mostly this is because they can be amateurish and awkward, with non-existent budgets and untested talent. Also, believe it or not, I still enjoy watching things on my TV, from my couch, without an overheating laptop weighting down my midsection. But I do love the entrepreneurial and independent nature of web series. And I love that they can exist outside the Hollywood machine and therefore tell stories that we don’t always get to see. The stories of the people otherwise relegated to token background character or sassy gay friend or simpering supportive spouse. Anyone can be the star of her own web series with a camera and a dream and a functioning YouTube account.

Still, it’s something quite extraordinary when the production values and big stars of Hollywood converge to tell little-heard stories on the web. And that project appears to be WIGS. Billed as “an innovative new YouTube channel producing high-end, original, scripted series, short films, and documentaries, all starring female leads,” WIGS launches next week. And already it has an impressive array of stars attached including Jennifer Beals, Dakota Fanning, Julia Stiles, Jennifer Garner, Maura Tierney, Allison Janney, America Ferrera, Sarah Paulson, Troian Bellisario, Virginia Madsen, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Rosanna Arquette and more. The vignettes will all be short, about five to eight minutes – which is also perfect because most people barely have the attention span to watch an animated gif these days. I wish there was a tad more diversity in the casts – though it’s early and hopefully more people will sign on. Also, I think the name, which stands for “Where It gets Interesting,” is pretty horrible. Also wouldn’ that make it WIGI? But, you know what, show me a project featuring a slew of talented actresses telling women’s stories and I’ll show you a big smile on my face. Consider me sold.

Raving beauty

What I like about Julia Stiles - besides her rich, deep voice and tendency to not wear much makeup - is that she always seems smart. She was definitely too smart for the teen fare that made her famous, not to mention that horrid “The Omen” remake. Oh Julia, did you really need the money that badly?

Now, Julia is proving me right as she is set to release her directorial debut, the short film “Raving.” The 25-year-old actress and Columbia University graduate also wrote the script. Zooey Deschanel, Hollywood’s new Princess of Quirky, stars as a cash-strapped young woman who meets a lonely older man on the streets of New York. The story is based on an article from, of all places, ELLE magazine titled ““The dress (shirt, boots, jacket, jewels…) that changed my life.” The women’s fashion glossy sponsored the project which premieres on the Sundance Channel May 8. Check out the trailer here.
Also, I wasn’t kidding about the makeup thing. Julia is even prone to the dreaded T-zone shine, which I find even more endearing.