The best thing about online series is that they typically aren't associated with major television networks, and are directly controlled by the filmmakers themselves. From film students to cult movie actors, the production and distribution of digital series allows filmmakers the opportunity to control their own destiny, free of the constraints of television networks. This means that some pesky network can't just up and cancel the shows we nerds live for (Oh, Firefly, how I miss you).
Of course there's a whole lot of garbage out there on the web, which can color one's opinion of web based shows. Viewers unfamiliar to the delights of online series might expect these web shows to be rife with horrible cinematography, poor writing, and awkward acting. Sure, there are series out there that are all of these things; however, there are some real gems out there that provide fans with unique and entertaining viewing experiences. This is why digital series are slowly but surely revolutionizing the entertainment industry; a fact that has not gone unnoticed. Just last year, LA Weekly ran an article describing the top ten web series, while Time Out New York shared a list of the top 50 funniest web series out there.
Do you think that television networks will eventually be out competed by web series? Will the sheer variety and accessibility of web-based television change the face of the entertainment industry? Let me know what you think and check out this short list of web-based series from every day guys and girls, big name producers, and cult favorite actors. Cheers!
Dragon Ball Z: Light of Hope BY RobotUnderdog2
This, my friends, is AWESOME! A fan-made digital series focusing on the story of Trunks from the crazy popular anime, Dragon Ball Z! Hell Yeah! I love Dragon Ball Z, so when I saw that a group of brave and young actors, writers and directors were creating this web series, I squealed with delight! The production value isn't bad, and I like the fact that they were able to do some pretty badass fight scenes. The fan girl in me is just smitten right now.
Oya: Rise of the Orishas By Nigerian writer, director and producer Nosa Igbinedion.
www.nosa-filmmaker.com
This superhero film short is based on West African deities, or Orishas. I love new concepts pertaining to fantasy; especially since there are very few non-western fantasy perspectives in the US. I first came across Oya through twitter, and immediately honed in on it as I had never seen West African fantasy before. With the understanding that this short film had a limited budget, and is a first for its Nigerian writer/director, I was pleased with the spirit of the film.
Jayde the Digital Series By Artisha Mann-Cooper, Derron Campbell and Melissa Murray.
YouTube: http://youtu.be/-Xy-flh7lbU
Facebook:https://www.facebook.
Twitter: twitter.com/Jaydeseries
An original science fiction/fantasy series consisting of video shorts; Jayde focuses on an amnesia stricken psychologist with superpowers and a connection to a mysterious man who lurks in the shadows. The concept for the series was developed by Artisha Mann-Cooper and Derron Campbell on their lunch break. The aspiring writer and director shot the series of shorts over three days, with the idea that it could be enjoyed by science fiction/fantasy loving individuals on their commute to work. Produced over a year ago, this show illustrates how a love of a genre can lead into an original work.
28 Days Slater By Team Tiger Awesome
www.teamtigerawesome.com
This is possibly the greatest web-series, nay, greatest single piece of cinema ever created! O.K., I'm being a tad bit dramatic, but 28 Days Slater is pretty great. The web series, which is produced by Team Tiger Awesome, follows the adventures of an out of work Mario Lopez, who, due to a microchip implanted in his brain, believes that he is once again A.C. Slater from Saved by the Bell. The series follows Mario in his quest to find the cause of, and cure for his affliction, and explores themes from the ephemeral and malleable nature of reality to free-will vs. determinism. If you consider yourself a cultured citizen of the world, and not some slack-jawed yokel, you owe it to yourself and your fellow humans to immediately watch this show. Ha!
H+ Produced By Brian Singer
This series has production value, great acting, and a concept that is both interesting and plausible. Originally debuted on YouTube in 2011, this science fiction show has already garnered over 180 thousand subscribers and is probably the best known web series not affiliated with Netflix or Amazon.
Con Man By Alan Tudyk (That's right,
Wash from Firefly!)
O.K. you die-hard Firefly fans, Alan Tudyk
and Nathan Fillion are producing and
starring in their very own web series comedy. The series follows the escapades of a washed up former science fiction actor on the sci-fi convention circuit. The main character, played by Tudyk, was a former star on a sci-fi show called "Spectrum." He lost his job after the show (which later became a cult classic) was canceled after just one season (hmm, still some Firefly animosity there, yes?), forcing Tudyk's character to make a living as an convention man. Nathan Fillion plays Tudyk's successful former castmate and will play off the disparity in the two characters careers, along with how cruising sci-fi conventions feels to the actors that attend them.
The show itself hasn't debuted, as Tudyk and Fillion are still raising money for the series on their website https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/con-man. Thus far, they've raised over $1 million for the series, which isn't too shabby, considering they just started fundraising a few days ago. All I know is that I can't wait to see Captain Mal and my beloved pilot, Wash, in action. Feeling just shiny!
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