My new video about books and word counts (specifically, mine).

I was very happy to post a special announcement on Twitter this week:

I can hear all of you saying it: FINALLY.

Now, if I can just keep myself from rewriting it for a fifth time…

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Posted in #SecretKalebBook, About Me, Videos, Writing

Stephenie Meyer and Me

Earlier this week, I was invited to be on the red carpet of the Breaking Dawn movie premiere in Los Angeles. It’s impossible to put into words how thrilling (and caffeine-filled) my night was while spending time in one of the biggest film franchises in the world.

For those few who don’t know, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn is one of the most anticipated films of the year. As the first of the two-part final installment in the $2.5-ish billion franchise, the fans know they’re up to their final chance to be a part of the phenomenon. Over 600 people camped out for 5 days, braving the cold and rain in the hopes that they’d be placed near the red carpet when the event finally started, to see their favorite film stars as they would arrive.

A film premiere is a little different on the other side of the barricades. When you’re there as press, you are there for the stars too, but you have a job. Your purpose is to CAPTURE them, to find ways to take the stars from the carpet and send them to their fans all over the world with photos and videos and as many tweets as you can possibly type while simultaneously holding microphones, cameras, lenses and your notes. As press, your job is to be the eyes and ears of the millions of fans who could not be on the red carpet with you. They need your interviews like food.

I remember the moment the limos and sedans started to pull up, and you could hear the shouts of the crowds that lined the streets, people held back by walls and bodyguards. You can really tell who is getting out of the car based on the decibel level of the crowd noise.

The Source Of The Screams

The door will crack open, people will shout, quickly silence — it’s just a Kardashian. The doors of another will part, people will scream for twenty seconds – it’s Peter Facinelli. Like the Pope, the star will sometimes spread his arms open to the crowd, and the shouts will continue dutifully until his hands are finally lowered.

It’s easy to think that’s the loudest it gets when star after star arrives to similar receiving sounds. Jennifer Love Hewitt. Cody Simpson. Some guy who was famous in the 80′s that you can’t remember the name of.

But then Taylor Lautner appears. Oh the screaming. The screaming. The SCREAMING. Imagine a wall of screams and running straight in to that wall. It is like the roar of a high-pitched tsunami sweeping over a city of eagles.

The Target Of The Screams

Then the crowd is really going, the shutters on the cameras are snapping, the press people are calling for attention. Then the premiere has really started. Then you really feel like you’re in the middle of one of the biggest Hollywood events of the year.

Because honestly, there are few things more exhilarating than film premieres where actual honest-to-goodness famous people show up. Red-carpet-goers are constantly surrounded by hoards of publicists who (for reasons that fly entirely over my head) do everything in their power to block their entrusted stars from any and all possible publicity generators (AKA, me). It’s almost a game to get stars’ attention, to convince them to step over and answer YOUR question. You lean over the metal fencing and shout in hopes you’ll get an answer. Sometimes the loudest wins. It’s worth the work: thirty seconds with Kristen Stewart is about 2 million views.

I had a wonderful night with the people of the Twilight franchise.  The producers of KALEB’S NATION were also there and we got to spend time together at the afterparty. I sat in the theater a few rows from the lead star of the film, five seats from a Kardashian, one row back from the producer. I saw many of the friends I only see once a year at these events. And I slept very well that night when the caffeine crash finally hit.

See you next year, Twilight fans. – KALEB

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Posted in About Me, Kaleb's Nation TV Show, Photos, Twilight

Oh Montreal. You are too nice to not have pictures taken of you.

And I am an abysmal pool player. Both games, I hit the 8 ball in early and ruined our team. They played a third game, but for some reason I was never handed the stick.

(the girl / Canadian in the photos is Ilana Zackon).

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Posted in About Me, Photos

If you haven’t heard the news already, here’s the short, blog-bite-sized version:

- I was offered my own TV show,

- Mark Morgan, producer of The Twilight Saga movies, and Kami Garcia, co-author of Beautiful Creatures, wanted to produce,

- I said yes.

Keeping this secret for so long has been absolute torture, but I’m thrilled to finally let it all out in a big splash.

And I know what you’re thinking: Kaleb Nation? A TV show? Gosh, there ARE people crazier than him out there!

But really, I can’t even begin to explain how thankful I am, for all of you who have supported me through all these years I’ve been on YouTube and blogging. Without you, I’d probably still be talking though my camera to an invisible audience, except in an asylum to my rat-friends.

To sum the news up best, here’s the legit press release with all the info:

KK&P Gives the YouTube Generation Its First Reality Show: “Kaleb’s Nation”

Mark Morgan (“The Twilight Saga”), NYT bestselling author Kami Garcia (“The Beautiful Creatures Series” & “Unbreakable”), Michael Pollack (“Black Forest”) and Brett Hudson (“Cloud 9”) are giving the YouTube Generation its first reality show, KALEB’S NATION, starring YouTube personality Kaleb Nation. Nation will also produce, and Hudson will direct.

The show will follow Kaleb Nation, as he develops the parodies, music videos, and pop culture commentary that have garnered over 28 million views on his YouTube channel, while throwing Nation into a totally new arena—Hollywood. Celebrities and other YouTube personalities will guest star, while Nation experiences a behind the scenes look at what it takes to make it on, and off, the red carpet. The producers are keeping the details under lock and key, but we were able to get a few comments.

According to Kami Garcia, “Anyone who watches Kaleb’s videos will immediately see the potential of the show, and I’m excited to be part of it.” Mark Morgan added, “I find Kaleb to be a fascinating and highly entertaining piece of talent. This is more than a TV show. Kaleb is a brand in and unto himself, and I am happy to be working with someone who has his finger on the pulse of current pop culture.”

Nation is no stranger to taking chances and breaking new ground. He hosted his first radio show at fourteen. Entered the world of social media a few years later, when he created the blog TwilightGuy.com, which offered the male perspective on the popular Twilight novels, and was featured in Business Week, Entertainment Weekly, and on MTV. Not to be outdone by the Twimore.com site he launched earlier this year, which received over 400,000 hits in the first four days. In his spare time, Nation also managed to write the Bran Hambric Series.

But YouTube viewers weren’t the only ones taking notice. After KK&P CEO and exec producer Michael Pollack watched a few of Nation’s YouTube videos, he said, “Let’s do this.” Director Brett Hudson was equally enthusiastic. “As a director, it’s easy to work with someone as talented and creative as Kaleb—and Chilla [Kaleb’s pet chinchilla frequently featured in his videos].”

KK& P isn’t wasting any time. Shooting is slated to begin next month, in undisclosed locations. You can follow the details as they are released on www.KalebsNation.com.

I can’t wait for you to see the new show!

– Kaleb

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Posted in About Me, Kaleb's Nation TV Show, Videos, Writing, YouTube Community
Tags: Kaleb's Nation

Yesterday I had a meeting with Kami Garcia (co-author of Beautiful Creatures), Brett Hudson (of The Hudson Brothers) and Mark Morgan, producer of The Twilight Saga films! We have a huge secret project on the way (NOT my secret book project!). I’ll post more about it soon

Here’s some stuff that happened while I was there:

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Posted in About Me, Chinchilla