In life there are seldom experiences where a “fan” feels as if their feedback is taken seriously by the members of the entertainment property the fan supports. While we all have participated in the board style “Q&A’s” that occur at different cons and entertainment venues it is a unique experience when a fan has the opportunity to speak directly to the entertainers on a one-on-one level. Every fan, be it sports, sci-fi, or soap opera, has felt the thrill of being face to face with an star signing autographs. Brief small talk is exchanged, the star thanks you for your support, and you move forward feeling a bit more special than you did when you woke up that morning.
Friday’s unique experience upholds Electric Farm Entertainment as a production company that moves beyond the traditional in all things.
Yesterday morning we received an email from Executive Producer Brent Friedman, that invited us to take part in a special preview of Gemini Division episodes one and two which were being provided for prominent bloggers and members of the entertainment media. The preview session was to be followed by a Q&A with Mr. Friedman.
After logging in to the secured website we were presented with an a simple-yet-elegant web page containing two embedded video windows headed by the Gemini Division logo; the color and graphic formats were similar to the Gemini production website with instructions requesting that we watch both episodes then dial in to a teleconference with Mr. Friedman.
If you’re looking for spoilers you’re going to be disappointed. If you’re looking for a review of the episodes and the call, keep reading…
Episode One, “Eyes Wide Open”, was a unique experience. Familiar with Electric Farm’s previous project “Afterworld” and an avid viewer of many online series, watching EP01 was a different experience. While I had set some expectations from the trailers and various text interviews, EP01 blew them away. Told entirely from the point of view of Anna Diaz speaking to {someone} as a video message on her PDA, this series is unique, though the visuals are a bit reminiscent of the classic Blade Runner.
I’d never seen an on or offline series with this type of film style; nor one that spoke directly to the viewer in this manner. As you begin the episode you think, “Who is she [Rosario Dawson] talking to?” By then end you realize that you, the viewer, are also an integral part of this story. [More about this a bit later]
On a deep, almost visceral level, the end of episode one leaves you a bit puzzled and wanting to know more. The ending leaves you almost in shock, wondering “what the heck did I just watch” before hitting the rewind button to play again. A second viewing provides even more of the visuals that you missed on the first pass…and it’s only about six minutes long.
Episode two delivers just enough to whet your appetite even further. While I didn’t know exactly what to expect, the film style (if possible) changed yet again in this episode. Justin Hartley provides an excellent love interest and leading man role in Gemini Division. Neither his nor Rosario’s acting appears forced and they have a chemistry that I didn’t expect to find in a six-minute online series episode.
One of the most amazing things about this project is that you are unable to tell that there is no practical set. The backgrounds appear as real as the actors do, with just an occasional tiny tinge of the surreal which adds a great emotional tone. Think Sin City or Sky Captain and The World of Tomorrow.
After just two episodes I am addicted to this show; formatted perfectly for the working professional. 50 5-7 minute episodes make this series easy to watch online during my morning break or at lunch as I eat at my desk. The production levels are what one would expect to find in a big budget summer block buster.
Now on to the fun part…the teleconference call with Executive Producer Brent Friedman. While I’ve had the opportunity to occasionally correspond with Mr. Friedman in the course of administering the “Afterworld” fansite, Afterworld Theories, being involved in a group discussion with him and top bloggers and media reporters was a bit unnerving.
I joined the call already in progress and Brent was providing an answer about the feel of the site. He spoke about how Rosario really took the role to a new level and that once you start watching her as Anna Diaz, speaking to the PDA [You] it is difficult to stop. He advised that as the filming progressed, Rosario specifically built her role as if she was communicating to a specific person…something that you see over the course of the series and causes you to become involved on a more personal level.
One of the concerns that I had with Gemini Division related to the embedded advertising that we have all read about. While I expected to see the advertised emblazoned in obvious places I was pleased to see that their integration in to the show was through subtle placement. I asked how Electric Farm had managed to build the advertising directly in to the show in such a fashion and Friedman answered that as a show set five-minutes in the future the advertising would exist in such a manner; “Everything you see today is branded…to the point where you almost don’t notice.”
Illustrating his point, one of the other previewers didn’t remember seeing any branding in either episode, though when you go back and look it is glaringly obvious…That in itself speaks to how subtle and realistic the advertising in this series will be.
Brent was asked if the series had been completely filmed and he advised that it had, and was in post. Unlike a traditional series that may have half a season in the can as the first episode airs, Electric Farm’s projects are completely filmed and in post long before episode one airs is released.
When asked about the inspiration for the series, Friedman mentioned that Blade Runner and its exploration of “what makes us human” was a key. Gemini Division, with similar styled visuals, is more to the perspective of “What makes us inhuman? What drives our inhumanity, bigotry, and fear of the different”?
I asked about the casting of the show: specifically, with A list leading actors and long time expert character actors like Austin Tichenor, Eugene Alper, John Kapelos, and Norbert Weisser. Had there any pushback in casting an ‘internet series’? Brent answered quickly that there hadn’t been. Casting Rosario in the lead led instant credibility to the project. Beyond that, once the talents had read the script they were all on board.
Another person asked who provided Brent’s favorite character performance and he answered that over the course of the series Clayne Crawford [previously of Jericho] really grew in to the part and provided an excellent performance; that he was a talent to watch in the future.
Considerable discussion about the ARG [alternate reality game] followed and while no hints were provided we all understood that Gemini Division will provide a truly immersive experience to those who want to participate. Friedman also advised that, much like the main character Anna, participants of the ARG will have to ‘choose a side’ and that once chosen the alternate storyline of the ARG is closed to them. When asked about the comparison between the ARG of Afterworld and Gemini Division, Brent replied that the G-D ARG is much more involved and integrated to the show.
The final question that sticks out in my notes relates to the “simulants” themselves. Artificial life form isn’t definitive and Friedman explained that the SIMs are genetically engineered humans; specifically built. I am intrigued to find out exactly what that means.
Based on the preview, which will be available to the general public next Monday as episode one airs, I know that I’ll be waiting to watch. The release schedule for Gemini Division is:
First Week:
MON (Episode 1); TUE (Episode 2);
WED-FRI Extra content.
Second Week:
MON (Episode 3); TUE (Episode 4);
WED-THU Extra content
Friday the start of the ARG.
Third week:
MON (Episode 5); TUE (Episode 6);
WED (Episode 7); THU (Episode 8);
Friday (Advance of ARG);
Fourth week and on:
Same as the third week. Each Friday sees an advance of the ARG.
Thanks to Electric Farm Entertainment for inviting us to take part in the special preview; you’ve driven our enthusiasm for the show much like the general public’s interest will be driven when these two episodes air next week!
Read TimTodd’s article about the preview at Prime Time for Change