1st Annual Indie Soap Awards
This was the official website for the 1st Annual Indie Soap Awards.
Content is from the site's 2010 archived pages and other relevant outside sources.
About the 1st Annual Indie Soap Awards
The 1st Annual Indie Soap Awards were developed by We Love Soaps to honor the efforts of creative forces in the world of independent web series production, specifically those who produce continuing serialized drama series.
Nominations were chosen from a first round of judging all eligible web series. Judging of the final nominees will occur in January with a panel of soap opera and entertainment critics. In addition to the statuette, winners receive a set of specially designed cubic zirconia rings engraved with the Indie Soap Awards Logo. An optional award consists of solitaire cubic zirconia rings style, similarly engraved. Winners will be announced on February 1, 2010.
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The winners the 1st Annual Indie soap Awards were revealed on February 1, 2010. DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM took home the prize for Best Indie Soap. ANYONE BUT ME and COMPULSIONS tied with four wins apiece. Click here for a full list of winners. |
The 1st Annual Indie Soap Awards were developed to honor the efforts of creative forces in the world of independent web series production, specifically those who produce continuing drama series. |
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Eligible Indie Soaps (2 or more episodes in 2009)
Anacostia |
High Rise |
Other Indie Soaps To Check Out Non-Soap Indie Web Series Produced By/Starring Soap Actors Other Soap-Connected Web Series |
NEW YORK (We Love Soaps) February 2, 2010 -- The 1st Annual Indie Soap Awards were held on Monday, February 1 in New York City. The show, developed by We Love Soaps, honored the best in continuing drama and web series. The telecast was broadcast around the web on various websites simultaneously. |
Here is a Full List of Nominees and Winners:
Best Indie Soap |
Best Ensemble |
Best Storyline |
THE WINNERS
The winners of the 1st Annual Indie Soap Awards were announced in a ceremony on Monday night from Shetler Studios in New York City. 13 web series were honored with various awards.
Below is a list of winners.
Best Indie Soap
DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM
Best Writing
Susan Miller & Tina Cesa Ward, ANYONE BUT ME
Best Directing
Kai Soremekun, CHICK
Best Editing
Michael Darrow, COMPULSIONS
Best Use of Music
Kimmy Turrisi, VENICE
Best Sound Design
Tom Boykin, COMPULSIONS
Best Ensemble
ANACOSTIA
Best Performance by a Lead Actress
Rachael Hip-Flores (Vivian, ANYONE BUT ME)
Best Performance by a Lead Actor
Craig Frank (Mark, COMPULSIONS)
Best Performance by a Supporting Actress
Taryn O'Neill (Sara, COMPULSIONS)
Best Performance by a Supporting Actor
Joshua Holland (Archibald, ANYONE BUT ME)
Best Performance by a Guest Actor
Billy Dee Williams (Bo, DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM)
Breakthrough Performance (tie)
Preston Davis (Eliot, BUPPIES)
Renée Olbert (Simone, SEEKING SIMONE)
Best Storyline
Vivian adjusts to her new life, ANYONE BUT ME
Best Performance in a Comedic Role
Chante Frierson (Kourtney, BUPPIES)
Best Indie Web Series (Comedy)
THEN WE GOT HELP!
Fan's Choice Award
VENICE
Special Editor's Awards:
Marketing/Publicity: VENICE
Business Model: HIGH RISE
Main Title Design/Opening Sequence: LUMINA
Scene Transition: EMPIRE
Future Hit: GOTHAM
Total Wins by Show:
ANYONE BUT ME 4
COMPULSIONS 4
VENICE 3
BUPPIES 2
DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM 2
SEEKING SIMONE 1
ANACOSTIA 1
CHICK 1
EMPIRE 1
GOTHAM 1
HIGH RISE 1
LUMINA
THEN WE GOT HELP! 1
ABOUT WE LOVE SOAPS
We Love Soaps is a website and podcast dedicated to the world of soap operas. From daytime drama, to primetime suds to indie soaps, We Love Soaps covers them all. Feauturing all the latest storyline and behind the scenes news, interviews, photos and more, We Love Soaps looks at the social relevance of soap stories, where they stand in a historical context with a focus on promoting and preserving the genre. Fan interest in continuing stories will never die and examing what these storyline means in the context of society is often a WLS theme.
We Love Soaps was founded by Roger Newcomb in 2007. Damon L. Jacobs joined the team in 2009 and "We Love Soaps Radio," a new and innovative podcast was launched in July 2009. In October 2009, Newcomb and Jacobs rolled out a weekly web series called WE LOVE SOAPS TV featuring celebrity guests and co-hosts, "Soaps on the Street" segments and much more. The duo has also guest starred on web series like IMAGINARY BITCHES and EMPIRE. In 2010, We Love Soaps launched the 1st Annual Indie Soap Awards to much fanfare and buzz.
More Background on IndieSoapAwards.com
The Indie Series Awards (ISAs) is a prominent annual awards ceremony that honors excellence in independently produced scripted entertainment created specifically for the internet. Established in 2009 by Roger Newcomb, founder of the media company We Love Soaps, the ISAs have grown into the largest international gala dedicated to recognizing outstanding achievement in digital and audio fiction series.
History and Development
The awards began as the Indie Soap Awards, with the first ceremony held online on February 1, 2010. This initial event was a low-key, pre-recorded broadcast featuring 16 nominated web series, hosted by Roger Newcomb and Damon L. Jacobs. It celebrated serialized drama series produced independently for the web, spotlighting creative talents pioneering storytelling beyond traditional television platforms.
In 2011, the awards transitioned into a live event held at Alvin Ailey Studios in New York City, hosted by Emmy winner Martha Byrne. Over the years, the ceremony expanded in scope and prestige, eventually moving to Los Angeles in 2014 to become a major industry event. The name was rebranded in 2013 from the Indie Soap Awards to the Indie Series Awards to better reflect the broader range of genres and formats honored, including comedy and audio fiction.
Purpose and Significance
The Indie Series Awards focus on celebrating artistic merit and social impact over commercial considerations, emphasizing innovation and creativity in independently produced content. The quality of nominated shows often rivals that of mainstream television sitcoms and dramas, with several past winners going on to partner with traditional TV content providers.
The awards highlight the importance of diversity and inclusivity, fostering a welcoming environment for creators from various backgrounds and promoting a wide spectrum of unique stories. This commitment has helped the ISAs become a vital platform for emerging talent and underrepresented voices in digital entertainment.
Categories and Ceremony
The ISAs feature a comprehensive range of categories, typically including:
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Best Drama Series
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Best Comedy Series
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Best Audio Fiction Series
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Best Writing (Drama, Comedy, Audio Fiction)
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Best Directing (Drama, Comedy)
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Best Acting (Lead, Supporting, Guest in Drama and Comedy)
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Technical categories such as Cinematography, Editing, Sound Design, Costume Design, and Makeup
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Special awards like the ISA Spotlight Award for new series created on small budgets
The ceremony is a glamorous two-day event, beginning with a nominee pre-party and culminating in a red carpet gala where winners receive custom engraved crystal awards. The event attracts creators, industry professionals, and media, celebrating the achievements of indie series creators with performances, speeches, and networking opportunities.
Notable Winners and Impact
Over the years, the Indie Series Awards have recognized numerous acclaimed actors and creators, including Emmy and film stars such as Emma Thompson, Billy Dee Williams, Robert Townsend, Jeff Goldblum, Lou Diamond Phillips, Judd Hirsch, and many others. This star power underscores the growing legitimacy and influence of independent web series as a creative medium.
Several nominated and winning series have garnered millions of views worldwide, with some surpassing 500 million views and listens, demonstrating the substantial audience reach and cultural impact of indie digital series.
Media Coverage and Industry Recognition
The ISAs have been covered by entertainment media and recognized as a "must-attend" event for web series creators and fans. The awards have been highlighted for their role in elevating the profile of internet-based scripted entertainment and for fostering a community that supports creative freedom and innovation.
The ceremony has also been live-streamed and covered extensively on platforms like YouTube and social media, increasing accessibility and engagement with a global audience.
Audience and Cultural Significance
The audience for the Indie Series Awards includes indie series creators, industry professionals, critics, and fans passionate about serialized storytelling. The event serves as a hub for networking, collaboration, and celebration within the indie entertainment community.
Culturally, the ISAs contribute to the democratization of content creation, allowing diverse voices to tell stories that might not find a place in mainstream media. This has helped shift the landscape of entertainment, with indie series influencing trends in storytelling, representation, and production values.
Examples of Recognized Series
Some notable series that have been nominated or awarded at the ISAs include The Bay, Giants, Indoor Boys, Anacostia, and Winterthorne. These series exemplify the range of genres and storytelling styles celebrated, from dramas exploring complex social issues to comedies and audio fiction pushing creative boundaries.
The Indie Series Awards stand as a vital institution in the digital entertainment ecosystem, championing independent creators who produce high-quality, innovative scripted content for the web. With a rich history, broad industry support, and a commitment to diversity and artistic excellence, the ISAs continue to shape the future of independent digital storytelling.