If I Can Dream (series)
Encyclopedia
Format
The show followed performers who moved into a house in Hollywood, CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The house was wired with 56 AXIS cameras and the footage was broadcast live on the show's website. Each contestant was judged to excel in either one of the creative arts, sport or fashion and the premise of the show was to follow them as they attempted to succeed in their chosen field.
As of December 2009, the house was fully prepared and on March 2, 2010, the cast moved in. The television aspect of the show was weekly 30-minute highlight shows airing first through Hulu
Hulu
Hulu is a website and over-the-top subscription service offering ad-supported on-demand streaming video of TV shows, movies, webisodes and other new media, trailers, clips, and behind-the-scenes footage from NBC, Fox, ABC, and Obstacle on October 20th 2011 Nickelodeon and CBS and many other...
then later through a traditional broadcast network. Clear Channel
Clear channel
A clear-channel station is an AM band Radio station in North America that has the highest protection from interference from other stations, particularly concerning night-time skywave propagation. Usually known as class A stations since 1982, they are occasionally still referred to by their former...
was to handle radio aspects and MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
was the production's online partner. PepsiCo
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
and Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
signed on to sponsor the project. The first season concluded after 32 episodes . On October 4, 2010 the show's website said "Thanks for being a part of Season 1. Get ready for Season 2 starting in 2011."
Technology
The If I Can Dream House is wired with 56 AXISAxis Communications
Axis Communications AB is a Swedish manufacturer of network cameras for the physical security and video surveillance industries. It focuses on the vertical market segments transport, infrastructure, retail, banking, education, government and industrial....
Q1755 H.264 cameras delivering content across 3 CDNs (Akamai, BitGravity
Bitgravity
BitGravity is a Burlingame, CA, based content delivery network . The company was founded in 2006 and is notable because of its strategic partnership with Tata Communications which makes it one of the new breed of content delivery networks facilitating the telecommunication industries' push into the...
and Highwinds
Highwinds Network Group
Highwinds Network Group, Inc. is a content delivery, network and IP services business that offers a comprehensive suite of solutions, including CDN, IP transit, transport, peering, colocation, content storage and IP software. The company headquarters are located in Winter Park, Florida, U.S.A....
). Video feeds are available at both 500 Kbps and 1 Mbps. As designed, If I Can Dream will be the largest persistent live "event" produced by a media company. Accompanying the technology platform is a website built by an interactive design firm.
Original members
When the show debuted on March 2, 2010, the original five members of the cast included:- Giglianne Braga : a 21-year-old aspiring high-fashion model from Kearny, New JerseyKearny, New JerseyKearny is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. It was named after Civil War general Philip Kearny. As of the United States 2010 Census, the town population was 40,684. The town is a suburb of the nearby city of Newark....
. Over the course of the first season, she partook in numerous photo shoots, walked in a Moods of Norway fashion show, appeared in three music videos, and even took some acting lessons to work on accessing her emotions during photo shoots. Giglianne posed nude for Marc JacobsMarc JacobsMarc Jacobs is an American fashion designer. He is the head designer for Marc Jacobs, as well as Marc by Marc Jacobs, a diffusion line, with more than 200 retail stores in 60 countries. He has been the creative director of the French design house Louis Vuitton since 1997...
"Love the Skin You're In" campaign and, along with Ben and Justin, PETAPetaPeta can refer to:* peta-, an SI prefix denoting a factor of 1015* Peta, Greece, a town in Greece* Peta, the Pāli word for a Preta, or hungry ghost in Buddhism* Peta Wilson, an Australian actress and model* Peta Todd, English glamour model...
's "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign. Giglianne trained to be a fashion correspondent for FashionNewsLive.com, but quit days later. - Ben Elliott: a 22-year-old aspiring actor from Hamburg, New YorkHamburg (town), New YorkHamburg is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 56,259.The Town of Hamburg is on the western border of the county and is south of Buffalo, New York. Hamburg is one of the "Southtowns" in Erie County...
. Over the course of the first season, he concentrated on acting lessons from Kirby and casting calls but also participated in promotional photo shoots for PETA and a music video. - Justin GastonJustin GastonJustin Michael Gaston is an American singer-songwriter, model, and actor who was also a contestant on Nashville Star on season 6. He finished 10th overall out of 12 contestants.-Career:...
: a 21-year-old Nashville StarNashville StarNashville Star is an American reality television program. It was transmitted during mid-2008 on NBC, following five seasons on USA Network. It premiered on March 8, 2003, and its five seasons on USA made it the longest-running competition series on cable television. In Canada, the show aired on CMT...
season sixNashville Star (season 6)Season 6 of Nashville Star, the annual reality show and singing competition, premiered on NBC on June 9, 2008 at 9PM Eastern/Pacific. The show moved to NBC from USA Network, which had inaugurated the show and broadcast it for five seasons. For the first time, auditions were open also for duets and...
contestant from Pineville, LouisianaPineville, LouisianaPineville is a city in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is adjacent to the city of Alexandria, and is part of that city's Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 13,829 at the 2000 census....
and an aspiring Country singer-songwriter. He is also a former underwear model, and he is known for having been the former boyfriend of Miley CyrusMiley CyrusMiley Ray Cyrus is an American actress and pop singer-songwriter. She achieved wide fame for her role as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana....
. He also starred in country singer Taylor SwiftTaylor SwiftTaylor Alison Swift is an American country pop singer-songwriter, musician and actress.In 2006, she released her debut single "Tim McGraw", then her self-titled debut album, which was subsequently certified multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America...
's "Love StoryLove Story (Taylor Swift song)"Love Story" is a country pop song performed by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. The song was written by Swift and produced by Nathan Chapman, alongside Swift. It was released on September 12, 2008 by Big Machine Records, as the lead single from Swift's second studio album Fearless...
" music video. Justin performed at Wango TangoWango TangoWango Tango is an annual day-long concert produced on by local Los Angeles radio station KIIS-FM. The concert series has been staged at various venues around southern California including Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Verizon Wireless...
and local venues over the course of his stay. He also participated in a promotional photo shoot for PETA. He also briefly opened for Kris AllenKris AllenKristopher Neil "Kris" Allen is an American musician and singer-songwriter from Conway, Arkansas, and the winner of the eighth season of American Idol...
. - Kara Killmer: a 21-year-old aspiring actress from Crowley, TexasCrowley, TexasCrowley is a city in Johnson and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas; virtually all of the city is in Tarrant County, with only about .01 sq mi in Johnson County...
. Killmer is also a 2010 graduate of Baylor University in Waco, Texas; graduating with a major in Theater Arts. Over the course of the first season, Kara took extensive acting lessons from John Kirby, attended casting calls, and participated in several fund raisers via the Pepsi Refresh ProjectPepsi Refresh ProjectThe Pepsi Refresh Project is a 2010 initiative by PepsiCo to award $20 million in grants to individuals, businesses and non-profits that promote a new idea that has a positive impact on their community, state, or the nation...
. - Amanda Phillips: a 23-year-old former NFL cheerleaderNational Football League CheerleadingNational Football League Cheerleading, or simply NFL Cheerleading, is a professional cheerleading league in the United States. Twenty six of the 32 NFL teams include a cheerleading squad in their franchise. Cheerleaders are a popular attraction that can give a team more coverage/airtime, popular...
from Geneva, New YorkGeneva, New YorkGeneva is a city in Ontario and Seneca counties in the U.S. state of New York. The population was 13,617 at the 2000 census. Some claim it is named after the city and canton of Geneva in Switzerland. Others believe the name came from confusion over the letters in the word "Seneca" written in cursive...
aspiring to be an actress or model. Over the course of her stay, Amanda took several acting lessons from Kirby, attended casting calls, and participated in photo shoots.
Additions
- Alex LambertAlex LambertAlexander Don "Alex" Lambert is an American singer-songwriter from North Richland Hills, Texas, who was a semi-finalist on the ninth season of American Idol and starred on Simon Fuller’s “post-reality” web show, If I Can Dream....
: Joined the show on April 1, 2010. Lambert is a 19-year-old former American Idol season 9American Idol (season 9)The ninth season of American Idol premiered on January 12, 2010 and concluded on May 26, 2010 on Fox. Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi all returned as judges, and Ellen DeGeneres permanently replaced Paula Abdul as the fourth judge. Idol Gives Back also returned for the season and was...
semifinalist from North Richland Hills, TexasNorth Richland Hills, TexasNorth Richland Hills is a city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States, and a suburb of Fort Worth. The population was 63,343 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth largest city in Tarrant County. In 2006, North Richland Hills was selected as one of the "Top 100 Best Places to live in America"...
, whose early elimination prompted a petition to get him back on the show. Alex's song "Dream With My Eyes Open" replaced the Elvis Presley rendition of "If I Can Dream" as the show's theme song with Episode 11. He most recently recorded and released a promotional music video for his upcoming single "I Didn't Know." - Veronica BallestriniVeronica BallestriniVeronica Ballestrini is an Italian-American country music singer and songwriter from Waterford, Connecticut. Her self-made success story has caught national attention as Jon Caramanica wrote in the New York Times, "...When someone like Ms...
, participant and winner of the "MySpace Dream Break" contest. She visited the mansion for a weekend and went on a date with Ben. A couple of weeks after her visit, Michael Herwick asked her to move into the mansion. During her time at the mansion she recorded her song "Fascinated" co-written with David Kopatz and developed a romantic relationship with Alex Lambert.
Departures
- Amanda Phillips: Couldn't deal with the lack of privacy inherent to the project. As a result, she decided to leave the show on May 8, 2010.
- Justin Gaston: Justin moved out of the house on June 24, 2010. His departure was a "graduation" as he joined American IdolAmerican IdolAmerican Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
winner Kris AllenKris AllenKristopher Neil "Kris" Allen is an American musician and singer-songwriter from Conway, Arkansas, and the winner of the eighth season of American Idol...
as a temporary opening act on tour. He is currently writing in Nashville. Technically he is still part of the If I Can Dream project.
Additional talent
In addition to the Dreamers, the series regularly features appearances by Hollywood actors, musicians, producers, acting coaches, agents and more.- John Kirby, brother of the late actor Bruno KirbyBruno KirbyBruno Kirby was an American film and television actor. He was perhaps best known for his roles in the Hollywood films City Slickers, When Harry Met Sally..., Good Morning, Vietnam, The Godfather Part II and Donnie Brasco.-Early life:Kirby was born Bruno Giovanni Quidaciolu, Jr. in New York City,...
, is a renowned acting coach, having taught such talent as Cameron DiazCameron DiazCameron Michelle Diaz is an American actress and former model. She became famous during the 1990s with roles in the movies The Mask, My Best Friend's Wedding, and There's Something About Mary. Other high-profile credits include the two Charlie's Angels films, voicing the character Princess Fiona...
and Jim Caviezel among others. He makes regular appearances on the series giving acting lessons to Kara and Ben. He has also given lessons to Giglianne and formerly instructed Amanda. - Michael Herwick is the executive producer of the show. Making regular appearances, he helps guide the Dreamers with his connections in the fashion, photography, music, and acting professions.
- Caitlin Levin is featured as the house chef. She provides cooking lessons and recipes to the live stream viewers.
- Lindsay Jones is featured in the beginning of the series as the house chef. She provides cooking lessons, plans themed dinners and shares recipes to the live stream viewers. Her recipes can be found on FoodFlirt.com.
- LeeAnn Smith Weintraub, MPH, RD, visited the house to provide nutrition counseling and diet advice.
- Jordyn Mallory, participant and winner of the second "MySpace Dream Break" contest. Mallory moved into the house for a period of two weeks during which she received complementary vocal, guitar, and piano lessons, as well as the opportunity to write and demo a song written with David Kopatz.
- Brandon Jones is featured as the house pool technician. He interacts with all the Dreamers, sometimes playing guitar and singing with Justin GastonJustin GastonJustin Michael Gaston is an American singer-songwriter, model, and actor who was also a contestant on Nashville Star on season 6. He finished 10th overall out of 12 contestants.-Career:...
and Alex LambertAlex LambertAlexander Don "Alex" Lambert is an American singer-songwriter from North Richland Hills, Texas, who was a semi-finalist on the ninth season of American Idol and starred on Simon Fuller’s “post-reality” web show, If I Can Dream....
.
Auditions
Auditions for future seasons are held on the show's MySpace account. Applicants are allowed to record one minute of video in a 'dream statement' and two minutes in a demonstration of their talent.External links
- If I Can Dream at HuluHuluHulu is a website and over-the-top subscription service offering ad-supported on-demand streaming video of TV shows, movies, webisodes and other new media, trailers, clips, and behind-the-scenes footage from NBC, Fox, ABC, and Obstacle on October 20th 2011 Nickelodeon and CBS and many other...