INDIE SOAP BEAT: July 30, 2010

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" feature we reveal the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera and web series production. Click the show logos to visit the official websites.

Ilene Kristen appeared on the latest episode of the "Daytime Confidential Podcast" and discussed how her role on THE BAY came about: "I worked with Gregori Martin before. We did a movie, Manhattanites, and it's kind of a natural fit because we've really worked together very, very closely before. So when that was coming up, of course I would assume he would ask me and ask other people who worked on Manhattanites as well. We had a very successful working relationship. It was a very ambitious movie. It was done on a shoestring and we had a really good time doing it." Check out THE BAY website for information and tickets to Saturday's fan fundraiser event.

Boy 9 Productions has announced that its web-series, SECRETS, will debut five new episodes, bringing its total to fifteen, on Monday, August 2, 2010. A new episode will be posted each day that week, simulating the release schedule of a network soap opera. The web series follows a group of people living in Center City, some attending the ficitonal Center City University. A fallen soap writer, a mafia princess, and serial killer who preys on gay college students are just some of the characters the series follows. Taking traditional soap opera plots and giving them a gay spin has been a trademark of the show and it continues the storylines into new episodes.

THE CAVANAUGHS, from creator Adrian Morales, returned on Thursday with an all-new episode which featured not only a We Love Soaps t-shirt, but the "Absolutely Shouldless" book from Damon L. Jacobs. If you missed the recent appearance of CAVANAUGHS star Grant Landry on WE LOVE SOAPS TV, watch it here.

ANACOSTIA is kicking off its second season in August. The show recently released a preview. Creator/director/writer/star Anthony Anderson says, "It starts off with a bang and ends with a bang." ANACOSTIA won for Best Ensemble at the 1st Annual Indie Soap Awards.

LUCK AND THE VIRGIN (La suerte y la Virgen), the 60 second soap from Jaime Byrd, has now aired 28 episodes. The show takes you on a wild ride of how things can go very wrong in the small Mexican city of San Miguel de Allende. Ricardo, a burnt out hit man with a funny accent, and Valentina, a clueless women running from her boyfriend with all his drug money, end up becoming involved in some unfortunate ways after their bags are switched accidentally at a tamale stand.

EMPIRE wrapped up its second season and is now raising money for the third, which will include former AS THE WORLD TURNS star Yvonne Perry. You can donate at Kickstarter.com. We Love Soaps recently participated in a between seasons shoot which will feature the character of Lucy Lively along with von Hottie. No word on when those vignettes might air.

AROUND THE WORLD OF WEB SERIES: In other indie soap news this week, MISS BEHAVE continues to dominated the Indie Soap of the Week poll. Look for our interview with Jillian Clare and Susan Bernhardt coming soon....The entire CELL: The Web Series team created a dramatic season finale, including new cast member Beth Chamberlin...IN BETWEEN MEN is coming in September as is STALLIONS...DE AMOR from Efrain Schunior...If you missed our recent interview with LENOX AVENUE's Al Thompson and Ryan Vigilant, watch it here.

Click here for all our Indie Soap coverage.