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Alright! We’ve got Best Writing/Directing for Drama as well as the six remaining Acting categories coming at’cha so get out those reading glasses and let’s break these bad boys down:

And when you’re done getting through it all, tune into the Streamy Awards Live Online tomorrow, April 11th, at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET! Check us on our accuracy!

Best Writing for a Drama Web Series

Susan Miller, Tina Cesa Ward (Anyone But Me): 3:1 (Will Win)
Bernie Su (Compulsions): 4:1 (Should Win)
James Moran (Girl Number 9): 6:1
Jesse Warren, Mark Gantt (The Bannen Way): 9:1
Christian Taylor (Valemont): 12:1

No Bannen Way atop the odds? I might be getting too smart for my own good here, but with Bannen having already taken home the Best Editing award in Wednesday’s craft award ceremony, plus its likely domination in other categories, Best Writing seems like the most obvious place for Streamy voters to look elsewhere.

But where? The best odds start with Anyone But Me, which stands out from the pack by not embracing a specific genre, but instead searching for an honest to goodness, genuine love story.  It helps to have had TV veteran Susan Miller as part of the writing duo, but they have certainly achieved something more mature than most web series have even attempted.

Right alongside them is Compulsions, which just so happened to take home Clicker’s Best Web Original Drama for 2009 (and Anyone But Me placed second! Our users definitely know their web series).  While not for the faint of heart, Compulsions has mastered the web format, slowly revealing character episode by episode to complete a very twisted picture.

Girl Number 9 is an intriguing choice as well, with an intense interrogation scene that plays out over the course of the series giving it a structure that many shows lack.  Some elements are definitely quite familiar from the psycho killer with a secret plan genre, Saw included, but it all sounds a little better coming from BBC talent.  It gets some extra points for a spine tingling reveal in episode three and a particularly gruesome mind game that follows.  A Tubefilter review way back in November noted that it wouldn’t be available online for long, but as of this writing it’s still available in full and is highly recommended viewing.

The Bannen Way’s writing is quite sharp and wonderfully fast paced.  We’ve seen its narrative structure before, but Warren and Gantt do a fine job in making it feel fresh.  Is there anything about it particularly suited for the web? Not so much, but it doesn’t take away from the achievement. Finally Valemont brings up the rear after winning two awards at Wednesday’s craft awards. The gut instinct here is that those awards for best interactive and mobile experience lower their odds considerably.

Best Directing for a Drama Web Series

Jesse Warren (The Bannen Way): 3:2 (Will Win, Should Win)
James Moran, Dan Turner (Girl Number 9): 8:1
Joe Swanburg (Young American Bodies): 9:1
Nathan Atkinson (Compulsions): 9:1
Tina Cesa Ward (Anyone But Me): 12:1

Best Directing is another of the Bannen Way’s likely wins and it’s hard to deny them.  While the series budget is certainly a major advantage over others, Jesse Warrren used the money well. Given that the Streamy Awards would love to see more web series creators supported as the Bannen Way creators have been, it certainly makes sense for them to honor the professional direction in particular.

This certainly does not mean that other series were unable to achieve great direction. The first being Girl Number 9, shot with appropriately sparse lighting and unsettling angles.  James Moran and Dan Turner most definitely draw a great deal of suspense from the performances, in particular Joe Absolom as the psycho killer.  While the build up is much more satisfying than the eventual resolution, it’s a very even and effectively disturbing series.

Joe Swanburg of mumblecore movement fame is perhaps the biggest name in the group and he brings his unique touch to the web with Young American Bodies, a series that we must warn you is for mature audiences.  It examines the love lives of young twenty-something in Chicago and captures naked honesty in more than one way.  Swanburg’s impressive indie cred could mean that I’m seriously underestimating his odds here, but it would definitely be a shocker to see him end up on stage.

Bringing up the rear are the Best Writing frontrunners Compulsions and Anyone But Me. It certainly doesn’t speak negatively to the direction, but instead to the strength of their concepts and writing.  It’s a safe bet that the series that does not take home the writing prize will see improved odds in the Best Directing category.

Best Male Actor In A Drama Web Series:

Mark Gantt (The Bannen Way): 2:1 (Will Win, Should Win)
Robert Englund (Fear Clinic): 4:1
Craig Frank (Compulsions): 5:1
Joe Absolom (Girl Number 9): 8:1 
Eric Balfour (Valemont): 11:1

First, can I just say: it takes a lot for someone as squeamish as I am to sit through a whole lot of horror, so the fact that I made it through this category at all is a huge accomplishment. (*pat on back*) But this is a really close call. Eric Balfour, even with his celebrity appeal, doesn’t have much of a shot in this category, not due to poor acting (all of the nominated actors are worthy) but because although his character carries the story through virtual monologues, he doesn’t have to go through the intense social interactions that his fellow contenders do, and thus he falls behind in the Streamys lineup.

There’s a reason why Craig Frank keeps getting work; he’s good. He pulls off the juxtaposition between his character’s hidden dark side and his shy-guy exterior flawlessly. He’s not in a bad position, though overshadowed by Robert Englund’s star power. Englund’s prestige within the horror genre will undoubtedly win him votes, especially from those who are voting blind (for shame!). Robert Englund plays creepy very, very well. His rendition of psycho-therapist in Fear Clinic is legit. There’s no denying it, but both he and Craig Frank play characters who internalize major ethical dilemmas, and as such it’s hard for either of them to really stand out in this category.

Joe Absolom plays pure evil. In fact, he’s the only one in this category who does. He’s convincingly disturbed, facial ticks and all, but he’s not taking home the Streamy because he’s perfecting a role that we’ve seen perfected time and time again – the villain who won’t talk – the gatekeeper who refuses to hand over the key. He’s fantastic but the role, itself, isn’t dynamic enough to win the votes.

Mark Gantt is the heavyweight, what with the success of The Bannen Way (and the widespread appeal, considering it embraces the squeamish and the thrill-seeking, alike). His delivery on and off screen is spot on, and there’s always major appeal in a self-loathing Conman, who recognizes his sickness and attempts to change. His ethical battle is more magnetic than his counterparts because not only is he fighting it internally, but he’s also fighting all of these forces externally. His character is locked in a physical and a mental struggle. This is where he really stands out in this category, and it’s why he deserves to walk away with the most chips in this category.

Best Female Actor In A Drama Web Series:

Crystal Chappell (Venice): 5:1 (Will Win)
Rachael Hip-Flores (Anyone But Me): 6:1 (Should Win)
Zoe Bell (Angel of Death): 8:1
Tatyana Ali (Buppies): 11:1
Sophie Tilson (OzGirl): 17:1

Sophie Tilson is is an interesting position because she’s acting for feux-reality. It outcasts her a bit from her competition, whose series’ feel more suited for the ‘dramatic’ category than OzGirl. If that’s not enough to kill her chances, the scenes in which she’s meant to be emotional just don’t translate. When she gets kicked out of her place with nowhere to go, her tears are a bit forced and awkward. Her odds really suffer under the circumstances. Tatyana Ali (even with her familiar face) will also have a hard time taking home the Streamy in this category, though it’s not because she’s not convincing. She just happens to be up against three other actors who play women in more powerful positions (Rachael Hip-Flores and Crystal Chappell because they broach the hot-button issue of falling in love as a gay woman, and Zoe Bell because, well, she literally plays a woman in a very powerful position – and that’s still an audience-pleaser). Though Tatyana’s performance is perfect for the role, she falls behind the fiercer competition.

The first phrase that comes to mind upon seeing Zoe Bell in Angel of Death is “Uma Thurman, Kill Bill.” (and what do you know, she was Thurman’s stunt-double in both volumes). This is a case where the acting is magnificent but you just can’t stop thinking about ‘the other woman’ – it has a lot to do with the way the series was shot, yes, but it’s still a role that feels like it has been done before. She’d have more of a chance if she broke out of the action genre all together, to show some range, though she’s certainly sticking to what she’s good at. The truth is that Rachael Hip-Flores and Crystal Chappell take more risks with their characters, albeit emotionally, and that’s what puts these two women in front of Bell.

Crystal Chappell’s odds are best – she not only plays a gay woman, but she plays a powerful, sexy, confident gay woman, and that kind of security goes over well with voters. Not to mention, she’s another familiar face. That said, Anyone But Me has garnered some serious attention, so it’s likely Hip-Flores’ face is just as recognizable. While Chappell’s character faces hardship with interpersonal relationships, Hip-Flores’s character is still struggling to own up to the fact (at least to her family) that she’s gay and in love with a woman who isn’t too happy with the whole staying-in-the-closet deal. Hip-Flores doesn’t play a character who’s outwardly confident, but she portrays a woman who’s battling with real-life, dramatic issues (not to mention the whole life in NYC after 9/11 element) and she portrays well – with honesty – and that makes her the most deserving actor in this category.

Best Ensemble Cast In A Web Series:

The Guild: 3:1 (Will Win)
Easy To Assemble: 3:1
Back On Topps: 5:1 
Dorm Life: 7:1 (Should Win)
GOLD: 8:1

I figure there are two things to consider here: how often the entire ensemble is actually on-screen together and how crucial a part the ensemble plays to the success of the show. The problem here is that all of these shows fit the bill, making it an awfully close call. The Guild has an amazing ensemble cast, and it deserves the respect it has garnered to the fullest extent. It wouldn’t be a surprise if it swept this category (even though it won it last year), but its chances are a bit slimmer as it’s up against some serious (and just as deserving) fresh-faced competition this year. Easy To Assemble got a lot of buzz in 2009 and was really the web’s sweetheart series for its whole run. Not to mention its ensemble cast lives up to our high expectations – it’s easy to tell they have a lot of fun filming this. But Back On Topps offers the same vibe: It’s life in retail with a quirky staff that, also, appears to have a lot of fun on and off set. Both shows have similar odds, Easy to Assemble jumping just ahead of Back On Topps because of its aforementioned sweetheart status.

GOLD has great energy. There’s no doubt it belongs here, but it just doesn’t hold up to its contenders and I’ll tell you why. The ensemble works well together, but the vignettes where the cast is broken into their side stories move much slower. In fact, it takes the whole series a while before it really starts to gain momentum – and the subject matter is presented in such a way that might be difficult for the non-gamer to relate to (The Guild does a great job of breaking through that barrier and presenting their content in a more universal way). It’s not bad that GOLD is a bit more niche, but it will count against them at the Streamys.

Dorm Life isn’t the favorite, mostly because the series has been around for a while, so it’s not a hot topic -this is its second year up for a Streamy in this category (it lost last year to The Guild). But! That doesn’t make it any less credible. There’s a reason it deserves a second chance at the win – and this is the most promising category for the series. Dorm Life sets itself apart from the other nominees because, much like The Guild, this series’s success rides on its ensemble cast. Unlike Back On Topps and Easy To Assemble, Dorm Life has does not rely on one main character to follow – the ensemble shares the spotlight evenly, and unlike GOLD, their side stories are just as entertaining on their own as they are when they come together as a whole (and they come together as a whole a LOT). This cast works together like a machine; every cast member serves an equal but unique role to make the content move. Without a doubt, Dorm Life deserves to be recognized this year.

Best Web Series Host:

Kevin Pollak (Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show): 4:1 (Will Win) 
Kristyn Burtt (The Web Files): 5:1 (Should Win)
Zadi Diaz (Epic Fu): 6:1
Alex Albrecht (Diggnation): 7:1
Michael Buckley (What the Buck?!): 11:1

The host category is tough, because I think a lot of voters will place their biases on content moreso than hosting talent, (surprise me, Streamys!) but when it comes down to it, it’s the host who keeps the content fresh. The host who keeps you coming back for more is the host that should come out on top.

Kevin Pollak’s got some major star appeal (coming not only from him, but his guests as well), which makes his odds pretty solid. He works well within the classic talk-show format, and his ability to do it live gives him major credibility points. He makes for some tough competition. Michael Buckley also plays with the live format, though his overall format is reminiscent of E!’s The Soup. Buckley is super high energy, and whilst that’s a necessity for any hosting gig, his might be too high to warrant watching multiple episodes in a row. And his lack of interaction with guests puts him at a bit of a disadvantage (even hosts need to show some range). He’s walking too fine a line between ‘host’ and ‘vlogger’ to take this one home.

Diggnation’s relaxed-but-informative format is really quite inviting, and the banter between co-hosts Alex and Kevin works quite well (it’s not easy). Alex Albrecht has a naturalness about him that the other nominees can’t quite catch up to… but he only has to pull 50% of the weight. Though I’m sure he’d do just as well in a solo gig, but his ability to play off of Kevin’s energy gives him a bit of an unfair advantage. This alone is what puts him behind the three frontrunners. It takes a little extra something to go it alone.

Zadi Diaz and Kristyn Burtt are in a tight race with each other. They both have just the right amount of energy, they both make their content engaging and discuss web-focused, hot-topic material… but Burtt’s advantage over Diaz is that she goes out into the field a whole lot more. She’s got to stay on her toes, interviewing on the fly, and that in and of itself (along with her ability to pull it off with such ease) should not go unnoticed. It is for this reason (and the fact the her show is 100% web-centric, something Streamy Academy voters certainly value) that she deserves to take home the award.

Best Vlogger:

iJustine (iJustine): 5:1 (Will Win)
Shane Dawson (ShaneDawsonTV): 6:1
Phillip DeFranco (sxePhil): 8:1
Brigitte Dale (Brigitte Dale): 9:1 (Should Win)
Shira Lazar (ShiraLazar): 16:1

Considering this is an acting category, I figure it’s necessary to focus on the vlogger’s delivery more so than the content. It’s hard not to take the content into account, but vlogging is less about what’s being said and more about how it’s being said, so that’s the angle we’re going to take here. I kind of feel like iJustine and Shane Dawson are the male and female versions of each other. They’re equally as energetic, and they have great odds because they appeal to a huge YouTube-watching demographic: teens. iJustine’s odds are a little bit better because she offers more viewer interaction, and to be honest she’s not quite as annoying as her male counterpart (sorry). Brigitte Dale’s odds aren’t quite as good as the former pair’s, mostly because she’s less flashy (a personal preference, but loud noises seem to attract more fans these days). We’ve given her the ‘should win’ because her down to earth, quirky persona is a fresh move for a vlogger. It’s a unique choice that sets her apart from the other contenders. She spends less time talking about herself and more time addressing spreading goodness and joy to her audience (not to mention adorable advice) which is something her viewer demographic might actually find constructive.

If you can keep up with the rate at which Philip DeFranco speaks, you’ll discover that he actually hits upon some serious issues (that is to say, he’s a bit of a soapbox vlogger). He’s got a stand-up comedy quality about him, and he uses this routine to overshadow some of his stronger opinions. Frankly, it’s a good technique for a vlogger; it stirs up a bit of controversy whilst maintaining the in-your-face quality that so many vloggers know and love. I still don’t think he’s got anything on Shane or iJustine (they’ve just got more of that lovable teen quality) but he still manages to overshadow Brigitte Dale.

If I was voting for content, I think Shira Lazar would have the will win/should win – she’s all over the web, hosting everything from coffee boutiques to the global water crisis, but her sure-fire reporter style doesn’t seem to fit the whole ‘vlogger’ persona. It’s unique for a vlogger, yes, but it doesn’t offer anything we haven’t seen before on TV. That knocks her out of the rank for this Streamy win.

Best Guest Star In A Web Series:

Nathan Fillion (PG Porn): 3:1 (Will Win)
“Weird Al” Yankovic (Know Your Meme): 4:1 (Should Win)
Wil Wheaton (The Guild): 6:1
Chris Hardwick (Back on Topps): 8:1 
Courteney Cox (Web Therapy): 11:1

Guest Star is a strange category (am I the first to say that?) but for what it’s worth…

Nathan Fillion is an easy win for this category. Viewers love to be surprised, and Fillion’s dumbed down rendition of a porn star/clumsy construction worker is a far cry from his character on Castle. Frankly, I think that’s all that needs to be said about that. Weird Al’s chances are good, too, as his appearance in Know Your Meme instantly went viral (in part because the subject matter, Auto Tune, was a major talking point at the time the episode was released) but it’s always fun to see our favorite parody artist describe exactly how Auto-Tune parodies work.

Chris Hardwick’s guest role as a bible thumping matchmaker in Back On Topps brings a really fun dynamic to the show, as the Sklar brothers’ interactions with Hardwick’s Christian dating service are some of the funnier moments in the season two. Thing is, his appearance doesn’t carry the kind of shock value or nostalgic surprise that Fillion and Weird Al have, respectively, so he gets knocked down a few pegs for that. Courteney Cox doesn’t have much of a shot, because although it’s always a pleasure to see her and Lisa Kudrow back together, there’s nothing inherently special about it. We’re all used to seeing it. We like to see it, yes, but it doesn’t really surprise us.

In a category like this, you have to take into account how much weight the actual guest star carries in making his or her role a success. Could the character have been played by just anybody? Or is it the actor that makes the role work? When you look at it that way, it’s a tight race between Weird Al, Fillion, and Wheaton: but Weird Al takes home the ‘should win’ because there’s absolutely no other actor who could have been better for the part (unless, I guess, T-Pain made a special appearance).