User:Inkermanroad/Boxtick America

Boxtick America



Boxtick America is the name of a non-fictional web series that follows three Englishmen as they travel by road across the United States. The first series of Boxtick America was shown on the Boxtick America website, on YouTube, and on Koldcast TV.

Boxtick America was written, filmed and edited by Jonny Miles, Ryan Seville and Tom Grice, who also star as the three protagonists in the show. Over the course of the first series, filmed between December 2010 and March 2011, the cast attempt to 'tick' boxes from a long list submitted by the public. These 'boxes' are intended to be quintessential 'American' experiences such as panning for gold, playing basketball against Philadelphia locals, street performance on the New York subway, hunting for aliens in New Mexico, working out at Muscle Beach and roping cattle in Colorado. The list of boxes is the same as what is known as a 'bucket list' in the USA.

Boxtick America series 1 was released in weekly 'webisodes' of 5-7 minutes in length, which showed highlights of the boxes ticked during that week combined with banter between the three cast members. Boxtick America is unique in being based on social media and the interaction between the cast and its audience. Viewers corresponded with Jonny, Ryan and Tom via Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Email and forums on the Boxtick America website. The public was encouraged to submit 'boxes' for the cast to attempt asked for assistance in these attempts. Viewers were also encouraged to join Jonny, Ryan and Tom for sections of their journey.

In April 2011 Vague Banner, the production company behind Boxtick America, confirmed a second series of Boxtick America, to be filmed and released in the summer of 2011. Boxtick America 2 is tipped to be more adventurous and to involve more outdoor activities than the first season.

Reception and coverage

Boxtick America was received positively by British and American audiences. In particular, episode #4 ('Don't Stop Beliebing'), in which the cast fired a rifle as pictures of Justin Bieber, received more than 12,000 views on YouTube. Boxtick America was also covered by the Rodeo Times in Colorado and by Dave's Travel Corner in California.