'Giants,' 'After Forever' & 'Indoor Boys' Lead Indie Series Awards Nominations

James Bland stars as Malachi in Giants.

The 10th Annual Indie Series Awards nominations were revealed on Wednesday in a Facebook Live broadcast hosted by former winners Dee Freeman and Michael Taylor Gray. The ISAs celebrate the best in independently produced entertainment created for the Web. Nominees were announced in 30 categories.

Giants led all series with 19 total nominations, followed by After Forever with 14. Those shows will compete in the Best Drama Series category with Conversations in L.A., In Absentia, The New 30, Only Children, Riley Parra and What's Your Status.

Indoor Boys led all comedies with 13 nominations. The series is joined in the Best Comedy Series field by 190 Lorimer, #Adulting, The Amazing Gayl Pile: Apocalypse Soonish, Does It Fart, My 90-Year-Old Roommate, The Rich and the Ruthless and #Washed.

Competing for Best Non-Fiction Series are Girl Mess, The No-Name Cinema Society, The Vivid Project, What The IVF and The Witching Hour.

Nominated soap stars include Kevin Spirtas (formerly Craig on Days of our Lives), Patrika Darbo (most recently Shirley on The Bold and the Beautiful), Marie Wilson (formerly Meg on As the World Turns) and Alex Wyse (Saul on The Bold and the Beautiful).

In all, there are 45 nominated series from around the globe: United States, Canada, Australia, Indie and the United Kingdom. Crystal trophies will be presented to the winners during a gala ceremony on April 3 at The Colony Theatre in Los Angeles. The two-day celebration includes a launch party, red carpet reception, press walk, presentation ceremony and official after party.

Since 2009, the Indie Series Award has honored the most creative and progressive talent in independent web series.

Check out the complete list of nominees below.

Best Drama Series

After Forever

Conversations in L.A.

Giants

In Absentia

The New 30

Only Children

Riley Parra 

What's Your Status

'Asunder' Season 1 Cast Photo Released

Upcoming digital soap opera Asunder released its very first promotional cast photo on Monday. The promo features the stars of Asunder, including actor Robert McKay (from the Oscar nominated film Hidden Figures). who stars as the Chandler family patriarch Thomas. Guiding Light alum Kim Brockington (who played psychiatrist Felicia Boudreau on the show from 2002-2008) will play sassy matriarch Adele Chandler, Thomas Chandler's wife. Rounding out the co-stars are Indie Series Award nominated actress Lauren B. Martin (who took on the role of the very loving yet vulnerable Camille Bennett on the popular daytime soap opera As The World Turns from 1997-2000), who stars as the seductive antagonist Serena Hanes. Indie Series Award nominated actor Tony D. Head (who had a recurring role on HBO's hit television series The Wire as Major Bobby Reade) is the patriarch of the Blair family, Austin Blair.

Daytime Alums Lauren B. Martin, Monti Sharp & Kim Brockington Join Digital Soap 'Asunder'

Upcoming digital soap opera Asunder starts production in New York in late August. On Wednesday, the Landra V. Phillips series revealed its cast, which includes former daytime drama stars Monti Sharp, Kim Brockington and Lauren B. Martin.

Daytime Emmy winner Monti Sharp, who took on the role of the very mysterious and complex character David Grant in Guiding Light from 1992-1995, is set to star as another uniquely complex character, Thomas Chandler. Kim Brockington, who played psychiatrist Felicia Boudreau on Guiding Light from 2002-2008, will be taking on the role of sassy matriarch Adele Chandler, Thomas Chandler's wife. Indie Series Award nominee Lauren B. Martin, who took on the role of the very loving yet vulnerable Camille Bennett on As the World Turns from 1997-2000, is set to co-star as antagonist Serena Hanes. Martin will be reunited with Sharp, who also played the role of ATWT s Lewis McCloud, Camille's overly obsessed ex-boyfriend. Another ISA nominee, Tony D. Head, will play Austin, the patriarch of the Blair family.

Mary Beth Evans, Lilly Melgar, Jillian Clare & Lauren B. Martin Among First Group of Indie Series Awards Presenters Revealed

Mary Beth Evans is nominated for her work on the hit web series The Bay.

The 8th Annual Indie Series Awards ceremony is less than three weeks away, and the evening's lineup of stars is starting to take shape. Among the names released in the first batch of presenters are current and former soap opera stars Mary Beth Evans (Kayla, Days of our Lives), Lilly Melgar (ex-Lily, General Hospital), Jillian Clare (ex-Abigail, Days of our Lives) and Lauren B. Martin (ex-Camille, As the World Turns). All four are nominated for ISAs this year for their work on some of the independently produced web series the event honors each year. The Indie Series Awards will be presented on Wednesday, April 5 at 8 p.m. PT at The Colony Theatre in Burbank, California.

The first presenters revealed are:

* Anthony Anderson (Anacostia)

* Kristos Andrews (The Bay)

* Mary Bonney (Break: The Musical)

* Andrew Burlinson (Grip and Electric)

* Jillian Clare (Fame Dogs)

* Mary Beth Evans (The Bay)

* Will Farrell (The Other Will Farrell)

* Jill Knox (Keith Broke His Leg)

* Lauren B. Martin (Pride The Series)

* Lilly Melgar (The Bay)

* Keith Powell (Keith Broke His Leg)

* Rob Raffety (Muck)

* Thandi Tolmay (#Adulting)

* Monica West (Best Thing You'll Ever Do)

In addition, all seven of the Best Original Song nominees will be performed during the ceremony.

Founded in 2009, the Indie Series Awards celebrate the best in independently produced scripted entertainment created for the Web.

Check out the complete list of nominees here.

Ilene Kristen: Claire Labine "Best Writer That I've Ever Worked With"

Roger Newcomb and Ilene Kristen

For two new episodes of entertainment web series Serial Scoop Now, I covered the red carpet for the Pride: The Series Season 2 premiere event on Saturday night in downtown New York City. Among those interviewed were creator Dorell Anthony (who plays Kai), Ilene Kristen (Eleanor), Lauren B. Martin (Tia), Jonathan Villanueva (Luis), Terissa Kelton (Riley), Ashley Mitchell (Trina), Aaron Mathias (Garrett), Scott Michael Salame (Owen), director Michael V. Pomarico, Adam Andrew Rios (Sheeneda/Adam), Braden Bradley (Travis), Tony D. Head (George) and Geri Reischl, who played Jan Brady in The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.

The iconic Ms. Kristen shared her appreciation for the creative side of working on independent productions.

"It's interesting to see people unleashing their creativity," she said.

Kristen also remembered legendary writer Claire Labine, who passed away earlier this year, and wrote years of memorable scripts for Kristen's Ryan's Hope character, Delia.

"Claire was the best writer that I've ever worked with," she explains. "When you got her scripts, you never wanted to change a line of them."

Six-time Emmy winning former All My Children director Michael V. Pomarico loved the freedom of being outside the studio.

"Coming from a structured show like that [All My Children] to have the freedom with this show was really, really wonderful," he explained.

When asked if there might be an All My Children 3.0 someday, he would only say, "I don't know. Maybe."

Watch the interviews below.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 3)

1980: EON's Draper was sentenced. 1981: GH's Sarah raised
Jeff's suspicions.  1986: Y&R's John confronted his son, Jack.
1995: AMC's Will shocked a Pine Valley courtroom.

"There is no present or future, only the past happening over and over again - now."
- Eugene O'Neill

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1941: Radio soap opera WE ARE ALWAYS YOUNG premiered on the Mutual Network. The show told the story of a serious composer who worked as a cab driver while waiting for his big break. Written by Ashley Buck and Nicholas Consentino, WAAY starred William Janney as Gary Haven and Joe Laurie Jr. as Sniffy.

Also premiering on the same day was EDITH ADAMS' FUTURE: "The story of a woman past thirty five, forced to a rude awakening to a world that had passed her by while she played dutiful wife to a domineering husband. Her story proves that beauty and a courageous zest for life are not to the young alone, but belong eternally to the young in heart."

Mark DeMayo Previews 'You Are Not Special'

Mark DeMayo previews the upcoming Lauren B. Martin film You Are Not Special on the latest episode of WE LOVE SOAPS TV (4.19) hosted by Kevin Mulcahy Jr.



Check out the You Are Not Special IndieGoGo campaign at http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/you-are-not-special.

Chris Quiogue Previews 'You Are Not Special'

Chris Quiogue previews the upcoming Lauren B. Martin film You Are Not Special on the latest episode of WE LOVE SOAPS TV (4.18) hosted by Kevin Mulcahy Jr.



Check out the You Are Not Special IndieGoGo campaign at http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/you-are-not-special.

Errickson Wilcox Previews 'You Are Not Special'

Actor Errickson Wilcox previews the upcoming Lauren B. Martin film You Are Not Special on the latest episode of WE LOVE SOAPS TV (4.17) hosted by Kevin Mulcahy Jr.



Check out the You Are Not Special IndieGoGo campaign at http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/you-are-not-special.

Lauren B. Martin & Brian Hewson Preview 'You Are Not Special' On WE LOVE SOAPS TV

Indie Soap Award-nominated actress Lauren B. Martin and ISA winner Brian Hewson (both from EMPIRE) have teamed up as producers of the upcoming indie film, You Are Not Special. In a new interview, on location at The Clock Bar in the Bronx, Martin and Hewson preview the film. Martin is known for her role as Camille Bennett on AS THE WORLD TURNS, and also played roles in daytime soaps ANOTHER WORLD, GUIDING LIGHT and ALL MY CHILDREN. The producers of You Are Not Special are currently raising money via an IndieGoGo campaign. Check that out here. Watch the latest episode of WE LOVE SOAPS TV featuring Martin and Hewson below:

Today in Soap Opera History (March 3)

On this date in...

1941: Radio soap opera WE ARE ALWAYS YOUNG premiered on the Mutual network. The show told the story of a serious composer who worked as a cab driver while waiting for his big break. Written by Ashley Buck and Nicholas Consentino, WAAY starred William Janney as Gary Haven and Joe Laurie Jr. as Sniffy.

Also premiering on the same day was EDITH ADAMS' FUTURE: "The story of a woman past thirty five, forced to a rude awakening to a world that had passed her by while she played dutiful wife to a domineering husband. Her story proves that beauty and a courageous zest for life are not to the young alone, but belong eternally to the young in heart."

1952: WHISPERING STREETS debuted on ABC radio. The stories were told in a somewhat serial format with the next week's story using a minor character's point of view. It left the audience trying to guess which minor character will be the major character in the next week. The show had a slew of famous narrators over its run such as Cathy Lewis, Ann Seymour, and Bette Davis, who was the show's most dramatic hostess. The show ran until November 25, 1960, known as the day the radio drama died.

NEWS ROUNDUP: Gloria Loring Opens Up About Sexual Abuse Plus Her Relationship With Don Diamont. Plus, Nadia Bjorlin, Peter Galman, James Pickens Jr.

Gloria Loring's New Book Explores 'Coincidence' That Shaped Her Life, Including Relationship With Don Diamont
"Don [Diamont, currently playing Bill Spencer on B&B] and I were together for three years," says DAYS alum Loring. "He came from a family that was very respectful and schooled in the old ways. His mother and father were just the finest people, and they raised their children to be that way. I didn’t respect myself very much. I used to call myself names, and when my marriage ended, I felt guilty for breaking up the marriage to Alan [Thicke]. I felt all the powerlessness of my childhood come up."

"I was on DAYS at that point and earning a six-figure income. I was supposedly a celebrity and all of that, and I supposedly had all this talent, but I felt like a beaten-up child. So, all my powerlessness came up and Don came in and treated me with such kindness and respect, and paid attention to everything I was thinking or doing. He was so attentive. I had not been paying attention to what I need. So he taught me how to pay attention. Don is a really nice man, and family is number one with him. He has really great qualities. I have been very blessed to have him and others in my life. When we parted, because he knew he had to go off and have a family of his own, because family was so important to him after the passing of his own father, I said, “What is the most important thing he gave me?” I realized it was the respect and the attentiveness. I knew I had to start doing that for myself. It’s taken me a long time. I could still do better, but Don was an important person in that process."

WATCH: "Rescue Me" on EMPIRE

Ryan Clardy (Cane) and Josh Davis (Jesse)

As Season 4 of EMPIRE continues this week, DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Molly Burnett guest stars. In the episode titled "Rescue Me," Cane kisses Jesse, then Jesse kisses Cane, then Jesse is torn between his feelings for Katherine and lust for Cane! Elsewhere, Lance worries about how Theodora will react to Lisa's (Burnett) return, and Bailey's investigation focuses on Landon and Kinky.  Meanwhile, Colleen, Valerie and Toby search for Lucy.

The episode features a haunting song, "The Truth Will Be Revealed," performed by Caroline Byrne. Watch the drama unfold below:

WATCH: EMPIRE ("I Don't Give A")

EMPIRE is back today with a new Season 4 episode. In "I Don't Give A," Cane (Ryan Clardy) makes a surprising connection with Jesse (Josh Davis).

Meanwhile, Detective Bailey (AS THE WORLD TURNS alum Lauren B. Martin) is not pleased when Rodney (Christian Barber) interrupts her investigation.

Watch the aftermath of Irving Reed's death play out below:

WATCH: "Live To Tell" on EMPIRE (Or Not)

EMPIRE continues this week with a brand new episode, "Live to Tell." Irving Reed's party continues but will he finally pay the ultimate price for his actions. Watch the episode below which features the arrival of AS THE WORLD TURNS alum Lauren B. Martin:

INDIE SOAP BEAT 1.2: EMPIRE's Lauren B. Martin, ISA Winner Hillary B. Smith, THE BAY's Camden Toy

On this week's INDIE SOAP BEAT, we check in with EMPIRE's Lauren B. Martin, Indie Soap Award winner Hillary B. Smith from VENICE and FUMBLING THRU THE PIECES, and THE BAY's Camden Toy who sings! We also have the latest web series news and Indie Soap Best of the Week poll results all from underneath the new DALLAS billboard in Times Square.



For the full poll results, check back on Wednesday.

Stay tuned for our next episode on Tuesday, April 3.

INDIE SOAP BEAT: Greg Turner Previews Fourth Season Of EMPIRE

We Love Soaps is celebrating our five year anniversary this week and we wanted to introduce our new web series, INDIE SOAP BEAT. Back in the summer of 2009 we launched a weekly podcast called "We Love Soaps Radio" which included an Indie Soap Beat segment. Greg Turner and EMPIRE were profiled on that very first segment and we wanted him to come back as this idea has transitioned from a radio segment to a regular column to a weekly web series.

In the clip below, the EMPIRE creator previews the upcoming fourth season of the show, which has added new cast members like Ellen Dolan and Lauren B. Martin as well as Martha Byrne as producer. He also talks about the evolution of the Indie Soap Awards the past three years. The EMPIRE team heads to the Hamptons all next week to shoot most of the season which will air this summer.



Starting next week, INDIE SOAP BEAT will air on Tuesdays and we will cover the latest news and reviews from the world of web series. Aside from interviewing the stars in front of and behind the camera from Times Square, we will be revealing the winners of our Indie Soap of the Week poll, as well as introducing preview and backstage clips from various web series. If you have a clip you would like to submit, or would like to be a guest on our show, email editor@welovesoaps.com.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 3)

On this date in...

1941: Radio soap opera WE ARE ALWAYS YOUNG premiered on the Mutual network. The show told the story of a serious composer who worked as a cab driver while waiting for his big break. Written by Ashley Buck and Nicholas Consentino, WAAY starred William Janney as Gary Haven and Joe Laurie Jr. as Sniffy.

Also premiering on the same day was EDITH ADAMS' FUTURE: "The story of a woman past thirty five, forced to a rude awakening to a world that had passed her by while she played dutiful wife to a domineering husband. Her story proves that beauty and a courageous zest for life are not to the young alone, but belong eternally to the young in heart."

1952: WHISPERING STREETS debuted on ABC radio. The stories were told in a somewhat serial format with the next week's story using a minor character's point of view. It left the audience trying to guess which minor character will be the major character in the next week. The show had a slew of famous narrators over its run such as Cathy Lewis, Ann Seymour, and Bette Davis, who was the show's most dramatic hostess. The show ran until November 25, 1960, known as the day the radio drama died.

Former AS THE WORLD TURNS Star Lauren B. Martin Joins Empire For Season 4 In the Hamptons

The Year of the Soap continues! Lauren B. Martin, who played Camille Bennett on AS THE WORLD TURNS for several years, has joined the cast of EMPIRE for Season 4. The Indie Soap Award-winning series is heading to the Hamptons with a new director and an exciting story planned. Read the new press release from EMPIRE with all the details below:

"With so few soap operas left on network television, the Internet is the place for this genre to grow and thrive, as there continues to be a loyal and dedicated audience.”
-- EMPIRE's new director, Daytime TV veteran, Fritz Brekeller

Two Time Indie Soap Award Winner Comes To The Hamptons
Daytime Veterans Lauren B. Martin and Fritz Brekeller Join Team Empire

MANHATTAN, NY—The popular Indie Soap Award winning online sudser, EMPIRE add Lauren B Martin to their cast and Fritz Brekeller as their new director. EMPIRE is set to resume shooting on location in the Hamptons at the end of March 2012.