5296246

Ruby Skye, P. I.: Cool Kid Detective

I have two young boys... no female. But I'd like to picture that if I did include a lady that she might expand up with the assurance and interest demonstrated in the figure of Ruby Skye, AMATEUR GIRLS UNLEASHED Personal Analyst.

Ruby Skye, P. I. is a brand-new 12-part website series that follows aspiring policeman Ruby Skye as she investigates treasures in and around her home and institution, The Dragon Academy. hooked me also and fine. The short video( most generally between 3 and 5 hours in duration ) are colorful, hilarious, and properly done. I have to acknowledge that after watching the primary videos, I went forward and watched the next one... and then the following one. Yes, Ruby Skye, P. I.

I've seen a number of online line over the past few years, but none that are written, cast, and shot specifically for young people. My boys are still quite younger, but I also try to follow and comprehend what topics, technologies, and fads are fascinating to tomorrow's youngsters-- and this series is pretty interesting to me.

Getting into the line, I was a tad concerned that there was going to be a huge volume of marketing and goods position-- we've all seen the tv shows where the teenagers are wearing$ 200 trousers and driving$ 30, 000 cars. But that's not the case with the Ruby Skye, P. I. ( She also has a mobile phone, but so do most 15-year-olds these days. ) episodes. The one obvious product used in the series ( a new digital Polaroid instant camera ) is a totally realistic piece of tech for this young detective who goes around taking photos of key bits of evidence.

As I continued to watch the series and be introduced to key characters, I was happy to see that the character of Ruby ( and her friends and family ) don't seem to fall into stereotypes. Yes, there's rivalry between Ruby and another girl in her class, but it's not overplayed or allowed to run wild. There's a hint of romance between Ruby and her best male friend, but it's never risque and, again, not allowed to run wild. For a nice change, we have a young lady who is not insecure and speaks her mind ( Ruby ), a tech-savvy sister ( Hailey ) who isn't nerdy ( but she's certainly geeky- a good thing! ), and a polite-but-shy teenage boy ( Griffin ) as primary characters. The adults are typically the ones with weird or unusual behaviors, and it's the kids who really have it together.

The Modern Sommelier Photo courtesy of Matthew Watkins

I have to give credit to the team that has developed Ruby Skye, P. I. The dialogue is realistic (you won't find those 2-minute-long monologues here ), the mystery is interesting ( and based on a real-world scam ), and the characters are likable. -- it's got to be very hard to write, film, and release a show for young adults that doesn't take the easy route to try to get our kids ' attentions. With so many television shows containing violence, sex, and harsh language, it's actually quite nice to watch a well-written and professionally edited web series.

I like Ruby-- and even though the series isn't targeted at my demographic, I'll be tuning in for her next adventure. Kudos to the writers, directors, producers, actors and actresses, sponsors, and crew that have brought this series to life!

I wanted to know a bit more about this interesting series, so I contacted Jill Gollick, creator, AMATEUR GIRLS UNLEASHED co-writer and an executive producer of the Ruby Skye, P. I. series, and asked her a few questions about Ruby and this new series:

GeekDad: Tell me where and how the idea for *Ruby Skye, P. I. *developed-- is she based on someone you know?

Jill Gollick: Ruby isn't consciously based on anyone. Friendship is hugely important, but you feel like an outsider. Ruby makes a lot of mistakes- as we all do. She also has this incredible stubbornness which is a wonderful trait because no matter how much trouble she's gotten herself into, she never gives up. Her interest in solving mysteries make her feel different than other people. Particularly her sister Hailey for whom everything comes so easily. But her heart is in the right place. Ruby is driven by her curiosity and her sense of justice. Where Ruby agonizes over everything, Hailey just floats through happily. Julie Cohn and I wanted to write about a girl who was at that stage in the teenage years when everything seems complicated.

GD: Ruby and her friends ( and enemies ) seem to be pretty hip with technology- was that an important aspect to have in this series?

__JG: __Yes. Technology is wonderful and an integral part of lots of kids ' lives. I also think it's very important to show lots of images in the media of kids- and especially girls- who are using technology in interesting ways.

GD: We've met other adults, but not Ruby and Hailey's parents- will that change? ( Or are they too embarrassing to Ruby and Hailey to ever be allowed on screen? )

JG: We didn't want to weight Ruby and Hailey down with grownups. We wanted them to be independent and capable of solving their problems alone. Ruby's parents do exist and will make an appearance at some point, but they will never be important characters in the series. That isn't the case here. They are both very busy with their careers and they travel a lot. In a lot of children's fiction the parents are dead- Harry Potter, A Series of Unfortunate Incidents, 39 Clues, for example. They know the girls are smart and trust that they can look after themselves.

__GD: __Do you view the series ' main audience as young girls? How have you shaped the series to appeal to young boys?

__JG: __Does the protagonist have to be a boy for it to appeal to boys? The series is directed by a man- Kelly Harms- and I think he helped bring a male sensibility to the storytelling. I don't think so. Our choice is to make something that we love and we hope people of all sexes and ages will enjoy it too. Girls certainly enjoy fiction in which there is a boy in the lead role ( Harry Potter ). Lots of boys enjoy the series for its comedy, action and mystery.

GD: The various young characters are smart and funny and likable- it's only some of the adults that seem childish in nature ( and I don't take offense at that ). Is that intentional?

JG: Yes. We wanted to make the kids very real and the adults odd and funny. In this world the villains are ridiculous so kids can get into the action and excitement of the story, but they don't leave with a sense of fear. We set out to build a world that our young characters could maneuver independently and safely. At the same time, we didn't want to create a world that seems evil, scary and dangerous. We were trying to strike a balance- to make the mystery very compelling and intriguing. If you're in the mystery business you run the risk of misleading kids into believing that the world is a horrible place. We don't think it is.

GD: Are there any long-term goals with the show? What is the purpose of creating Ruby Skye, P. I.?

JG: The purpose of creating Ruby Skye P. I. There are a million mysteries in the big city and Ruby has many, many left to solve. is to entertain. We'd like to keep doing it, keep telling stories about Ruby Skye- on the web and in other media as well.

GD: Do you film each episode separately or the entire story at once? How long did it take to film the entire 12-episode story arc?

JG: We shot for 15 days during August 2010. Madison Cheeatow, who is brilliant as Ruby, was on camera for almost every shot. It was her first on-camera role and we're thrilled with her performance.

GD: There are hints at the end of the twelfth episode of a new mystery- will there be another 12-episode story arc? Are there any plans for shorter or longer stories to be told?

__JG: __ We plan to shoot Ruby Skye P. I.: The Haunted Library this summer. We're here to serve and entertain and are delighted to have input on choices like this. It isn't TV so we can make things any length and we're always listening to our audience. We try to make our episodes the length that the story wants them to be. If anyone has any thoughts on this, we're listening. We are considering doing it in 12-episodes once more at this time.

__GD: __Are there benefits to breaking up a story like this one into smaller episodes? Do you believe that kids prefer this format for both episode length and Internet-based video delivery?

JG: I prefer to call them chapters rather than actually terms them as episodes. I hear a lot of people talk about kids having a short attention span, but then I watch 10 year olds devour 600 pages of Harry Potter (yes, I mentioned it again! ) or engage in a three-hour video game. I don't believe kids will always prefer this form of storytelling. They are natural breaks in the action that allow you to take a break from the story if you want. Children have long attention spans when their imaginations are at work.

A 3- to 5-minute episode, on the other hand, is portable or tablet-compatible. It can be a quick break between soccer and homework. Or you can sit back and watch the entire series.

The decision is yours because it's the web.

GD: The 12-episode tale had this backstory going about the waste from plastic bottles- the message was delivered quickly in a late episode, but not in an in-your-face manner. Was that message about the environment intended or just a plot? Do you believe that children are able to decipher and absorb these subtle lessons from the main story, if so?

__JG: __ Hailey is carrying around a petition calling for a ban on plastic water bottles throughout the story. Hailey is blissfully saving the world, which is very significant in persona. We have Water Mondays on our website when we publish data about liquid and acrylic pollutants. When shooting the collection, we didn't employ any expendable vinyl ocean jars on the collection. However, if this is a subject that interests them, we have a commitment on our website that you can warning, as well as a plea that you can signal. We don't want to be rude to children, and we don't believe that children should be in charge of handling such matters. Although it's a plot in the line, we're quite anxious about this one. By sharing some of the unusual issues kids their age are accomplishing, we try to show teenagers useful points they can do and to motivate them. Re-usable liquid jugs were provided to the full cast and crew.

GD: How much of your people' membership do you desire to see? I see you have a Instagram site, but how else are you hoping to connect with Sapphire enthusiasts?

JG: Diana is Ruby's tormentor who is incredibly cruel. secret. Some of these tales might appear in the upcoming Ruby Skye P. I. We are about to start a battle to ask children to share their experiences with the Dianas.

We're constantly trying to get children interested. We're listening if anyone has any fantastic tips!

__GD: __ What's in store for Ruby? ( And where did you find the actress for the role of Ms. Springer? ) It's awesome how you lip-sneer! Is there still a potential love between Ruby and Griffin? May Ruby and Diana experience more conflict?

Ruby will have a lot more unknown, JG. We cherish her! Nawa Nicole Simon, who plays Ms. Springer, is likely to appear in more films. More relationship is on the horizon because Ruby is getting older! She'll undoubtedly continue to fight with Hailey, but Hailey likely get Ruby's hesitant go-to-geek and become more entangled in the riddles. Although Diana will continue to be a thorn in her edge, we may come to understand her a little more.

What do you think ( or are hoping ) people will see in this new series and this particular character given the series ' numerous awards?

JG: An visitors and a writer may have a close partnership when telling a story. The advertising removed that connection, but the internet has restored it. I simply want to give my family and adolescent followers the best story and highest creation values. That enables impartial artists to attain their people and to locate the reports and stories they prefer. Through net collection and different types of interactive storytelling, we see a lot of writers reaching mature followers.

Any advice for us geek dads ( and geek moms ) who might have a young filmmaker in our family?

JG: We unwaveringly want to support adolescent artists. On our cast, two younger directors, Aiden Cheeatow and Lian Ashton, shot and edited short movies about the set. Both of those videos are available on our website ( https ://www. rubyskyepi.com/production-videos/life-on-the-set-of-ruby-skye-p-i/ ) and Lian's ). We will undoubtedly request any younger directors who are visiting Toronto this summer to set up and assist them in making movies.

We also have additional behind-the-scenes video available that can assist aspiring filmmakers in learning their craft. One involves the chairman, a trip to the t hunter, or conference with the camera department. It's a fantastic way to study generation.

Along with a few memoirs from our producer, we've furthermore posted code, mockups, and killed listings. Additionally, we have a number of blogging content about casting for fresh stars.

A tutor is currently developing a syllabus component to teach how to use the set in classrooms to help students create their own internet production.

Left concerns on our website or Instagram supply, and we will respond if any of our techie kids have them.

And one more issue: we also have a excellent selection of pan meals available, so we ask that you send them in. Or make a shipment of Ruby's renowned Roasted Marshmallow Brownies and give us a photo to article on our website.

I want to thank Jill for taking the time to respond to my questions and providing the excellent background content that I'm sure many children ( and adults ) will find fascinating.

Offer Ruby Skye, P. I. Even better, prepare to enjoy a wonderful secret with your younger family members by putting a bag of peanuts in the microwaves and connect your computer or laptop to a large-screen Telly. a seem: each of the 12 sections can be viewed in under an hour.

Subscribe
Newsletters
Travel
FAQ
Personnel from Wire
RED Education
Editorial guidelines
Archive
RSS
Site Map
Accessibility Support

Reviews
Acquiring Manuals
Streaming tutorials
Wearables
Coupons
Gift Manuals
Advertise
Phone Them
Manage Account
Jobs
Press Center
Condé Nast Retail
User Partnership
Protection Policies
Your private right in California
© 2025 Condé Nast. All rights reserved Without the due written consent of Condé Nast, the content on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or then used. As part of our Online Collaborations with stores, WIRED may be able to make a portion of the proceeds from merchandise purchased through our website.