Introducing 'Ren: The Girl With The Mark' - A Remarkable Woman-Led Fantasy

Ren: The Girl With The Mark is a first-rate fantasy web series created by producer-director Kate Madison, and actor-writer Christopher Dane.

The web series chronicles the adventures of the titular Ren (Sophie Skelton), a captivating young woman who lives in a fantasy world called Alathia.

While in the deep woods near her village, Ren has a fateful encounter that ends with her becoming possessed and marked by a powerful mystical spirit.

She soon finds herself ostracized by the people of her village due to their ignorance and fear of her mark.

Now known as a dreaded "Marked One," Ren is cast out of her home and placed on course to discover her destiny.

Watch the official series here ...

Ren is a welcome addition to a growing list of genre projects created by women, featuring young heroines who are intelligent, self-possessed, dauntless, compassionate, and who can kick ass when necessary!

Sophie Skelton is a revelation as the courageous Ren.

The success of the series rests on you caring about Ren and the world she inhabits. Skelton impressively meets the challenge quite ably.

Her performance is exemplary. She brings much charisma and spark to the role. Her appeal makes you instantly become invested in Ren and her plight.

As for the rest of the cast, each of the actors also turn in wonderful performances that are completely convincing.

Ren also boasts masterful production design, including: stunning location shots, beautiful sets, exquisite costumes, highly-detailed props, exciting fight sequences, and gorgeous cinematography.

I'm certain this outstanding fantasy web series is going to accumulate a mountain of accolades and awards.

Once you view it for yourself, I think you will agree.

To watch the entire five-episode first season, and to delve further into the rich world of Ren, visit its official web site Ren: The Girl With The Mark

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In 'AFK' The Web Series - Gamers Are Mystically Transported Into Their Gaming World

The New Zealand fantasy-comedy web series AFK (Away From Keyboard) imagines what would happen when gamers of a fictional MMOG (massively multiplayer online game) find themselves magically transported inside the world of the game, inhabiting the gender-swapped bodies of the characters they created.

Created by Peter Haynes, AFK was inspired by his addiction to the popular, real-world MMOG World Of Warcraft - a game that served as inspiration for another web series, the cult hit The Guild.

While The Guild followed a group of gamers as they forged relationships amongst themselves outside of gaming, AFK takes the inverse approach and imagines what would happen if gamers had to navigate the fantastical world of their game made very real.

As of this writing, the pilot episode (the first two series episodes conflated) is now available with 11 other installments set for weekly release.

Watch the pilot double episode here ...

I found the pilot episode extremely promising due to its self-referential, comedic tone certain to be popular with gamers. Also, the overall production value is very impressive.

The cast give solid performances. The makeup and costume designs are outstanding too. 

However, the unspoken character of the project is definitely its setting.

The scenic backdrops are courtesy of filming in magnificent New Zealand. The country's gorgeous vistas seem otherworldly in their beauty.

These vistas are perfect stand-ins for the mysterious fantasy realm our protagonists must learn to negotiate in order to survive; while they unravel the mystery behind their predicament.

To watch all current episodes of AFK, visit its official channel on YouTube: AFKWebSeries On YouTube.

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The 7th Matrix Reviews The Fantasy-Comedy Digital Series 'Riftworld Chronicles'

Riftworld Chronicles is the eight-episode fantasy-comedy digital series created by writer and director Jonathan Williams.

It tells the story of Alar (Tahmoh Penikett), a wizard who has inadvertently traveled to our world by means of a mystic portal.

Unfortunately, Alar's magic doesn't work in our reality; he finds himself trapped in a sprawling, modern metropolis.

Soon he encounters Kim (Erin Karpluk), a fledgling journalist frustrated with her current career path.

While Kim thinks the charismatic Alar is insane, he must navigate a world completely foreign to him.

Will Alar convince Kim of the truth of his origins?  And what is the surprising connection they both share?

By the end of season one, some of these questions are answered while new ones are raised.

Riftworld Chronicles is a thoroughly enjoyable mix of fantasy and comedy.

The series resists the temptation to overload viewers with over-the-top cheesiness and exaggerated caricatures.

Instead, writer/director Jonathan Williams opts to mine comedy gold through his script filled with sharp wit and the situational humor indicative of most fish-out-of-water narratives.

The other chief series highlight is the cast.

Tahmoh Penikett as Alar.  Image property of First Love Films

Casting Tahmoh Penikett as Alar was an inspired choice.

Penikett (best known for his role as Helo on the reimagined Battlestar Galactica) is thoroughly convincing as a dimension-hopping mage suddenly stranded in our modern world.

He plays the part straight, which makes his bewildered interactions with various city denizens genuinely smile-inducing.

The other series lead, Erin Karpluk (Being Erica) is terrific as struggling journalist Kim.

Erin Karpluk as Kim. Image property of First Love Films

Karpluk imbues Kim with a very grounded sensibility that makes her very relatable.

When the two lead characters finally meet, their chemistry is undeniable.  

While there is definitely sexual tension between the two, it's very refreshing Williams avoided having them begin a romance.

Part of what makes this web series work is, at first, Kim truly believes Alar is suffering from some sort of mental breakdown - which is the normal reaction most of us would have toward anyone claiming to be a wizard from another world!

Having the characters begin a romance almost immediately would feel wildly inappropriate and damage the central premise of the show.

Riftworld Chronicles also features exceptional overall production value, including gorgeous props, intriguing Riftworld costumes, solid visual effects, and excellent creature makeup.

Check out the official series trailer ...

To view the entire 8-episode first season, the series is available on Tubi: Riftworld Chronicles On Tubi

Being a die-hard fantasy fan, this outstanding digital/web series gets my highest recommendation. So step inside the portal, and visit the alluring world of Riftworld Chronicles.

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MisSpelled - A Charming Web Series Featuring Witches Of Color

MisSpelled is a supernatural web series about the misadventures of a coven of five young witches of color.

Created by Lindsey McDowell (who also stars), the show focuses on the friendship and rivalries between the young women as they cope with high school - as well as the emergence of their magical powers.

Think of the series as the love child of the cult film The Craft and the tv show Charmed.

The main plot focuses on how the coven must  cope with a crisis after one of their own loses control of her powers and makes a catastrophic  mistake.

Check out the series trailer ...

Listen to our EYE ON SCI-FI podcast episode featuring MisSpelled!

Watch all seven episodes of MisSpelled on YouTube.

Ms. McDowell has created  a refreshing web series that provides vital representation to a much underserved audience in fantasy and science fiction -  young women of color.

The witches of MisSpelled are intelligent, funny, and incorrigible.

They also provide a welcome contrast to overwhelmingly lily-white depictions in genre entertainment.

The young cast is terrific, and the chemistry between them is undeniable.

Due to the strength of their performances, you won't doubt for a minute the close - and often contentious - friendship shared by these young women.

MisSpelled is sure to enchant with its engaging story, strong cast performances, solid visual effects, and depictions of diverse, relatable young women.

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Freelancers The Series - A Welcome Fantasy Throwback

Freelancers is a fantasy much lighter in tone than many contemporaries like Game of Thrones.

A Throwback

The web series is set in a world of magic, mages, rogues and sword-wielding heroes. However, there aren't any ominous prophecies, evil overlords, or grand quests for powerful, world-saving relics.

Our heroes are just seeking to earn a living and survive.

Freelancers, as conceived by writer/director Ignatius Fischer, is an attempt to recapture the sense of wonder and adventure most modern fantasies eschew for grittier, darker atmospheres.

It succeeds for the most part, but there are weaknesses in the narrative which threaten to derail the overarching plot if not addressed.

Series Hallmarks

View fullsize

 In the first episode were are introduced to the three main characters by being plunged immediately into the action.

The script skillfully reveals their relationship without heavy handed narration or lengthy expository soliloquies.

During a surprisingly well-choreographed opening fight sequence, we are introduced to:

• Nick the Bold (portrayed by Nicholas Givanio) A skilled warrior whose buoyant personality belies a brutal streak in battle.

• Caitlin Marcks (portrayed by Caitlin Geier) Cunning thief. Skilled fighter. Obstinate schemer. She has stolen something from a very powerful group of people who desperately want it back. 

• Ivan Strang (portrayed by Ivan Borntrager) What happens when a wizard becomes a stoner? Ivan.  Though he wields formidable mystic energies, his preoccupation with mind-altering substances has him under a mightier spell.

The acting is strong, with the standout being Caitlin Geier.  Her layered performance stretches her character past the "spunky heroine" archetype.

 Ivan Borntrager's addled wizard provides levity, though his performance often dangerously approaches unfunny buffoonery.

Rounding out the lead cast, Nicholas Givanio gives a convincing performance as a warrior who possesses a perplexing mix of happy-go-lucky charm and ferocity.

Other hallmarks of the project are the lush locales, pristine cinematography, well-crafted costumes, vivid visual effects, excellent fight choreography, and gorgeous musical score.   

Weak Spots

Still, Freelancers falters a bit in its plot development.

In the second and third episodes, numerous new characters are dropped onto the canvas in a very haphazard fashion, with many seemingly having no direct relation to the main story arc. This can be disorienting to viewers, who may turn away before the disparate plot threads are merged.

The editing does provide a sense of urgency and forward movement, but it just as often appears very disjointed and jarring. These issues with editing and narrative flow can distract from an otherwise well constructed series mythology.

Finally

I have high hopes for series, because like its creator, I also yearn for more of the "fantastic" in my fantasy.  The genre needs more rip-roaring tales with less somber tones.

Check out the series trailer:

You can watch the series, and learn more about the production on YouTube: WatchFreelancers.com

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The Broken Continent - An Epic Fantasy Web Series Pilot

Epic fantasy is a genre which can be very difficult to successfully film.

Its fantastical worlds often populated with exotic cultures,  invented languages, ethereal creatures, and various systems of magic can seem, at best, unconvincing if mishandled.  

I believe filmmakers must have a deep respect, understanding, and passion for the genre in order for audiences to connect with the material.  

A prime example is the blockbuster Lord of The Rings trilogy, which is director Peter Jackson's love letter to J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece.

However, there are many instances when filmed fantasies fail, often due to the filmmaker's  lack of understanding and/or appreciation for the genre.

Remember the movie version of Eragon? 

Fortunately, The Broken Continent falls into the former category.  An independently produced epic fantasy web series, it's very evident from the pilot episode this project was made with a lot of passion.

The series has a lot going for it including:  a compelling mythology, and exceptional dialogue masterfully delivered by an extremely competent cast.

While it would be grossly unfair to compare the costumes and production design to big budget projects, the production team holds their own.

The cinematography is crisp and clear, with a beautiful woodland setting put to full effect.

Below is the latest official trailer ...

Here is the pilot episode:

As of this writing, the pilot and two episodes have been produced with the filmmakers assuring more on the way. 

After watching all the initial episodes, I was left wanting more.

To watch series episodes, as well as to discover more information about The Broken Continent, including a detailed series mythology, cast/crew bios, and contact information, please visit the official web site:

The Broken Continent

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