CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
GOTHAM's premiere was too short. On one hand, leaving fans wanting more is a good thing but you have to be sure to capture their imagination. There was almost too many clues packed into three and a half minutes. Technically the show mixed stock footage with new footage and the two didn't mesh well. As a logo and opening theme fan of television and web shows, seeing a different logo than what appears on the website threw me off. Finally, New York City is the greatest place on earth in my opinion and I would have loved to have seen Martha Byrne, Michael Park and Anne Sayre walking the streets of Gotham.
As for VENICE, the show went the opposite direction. I would have actually preferred a bit more in terms of story set up. One fear I had for VENICE was sound because I have some experience with sound issues and I've shot footage on Venice Beach and understand the problems. In the outdoor scenes there were definitely some moments that additional sound correction could have helped. I'll have to see it play out but I didn't feel any chemistry between Crystal Chappell and Galen Gering as siblings. The reactions from Owen fell flat and it was hard not to imagine how much more subtext Daniel Cosgrove or Jeff Branson (the original actors cast in the role) would have played. The opening scene was a big payoff for Otalia fans but I would have held onto that kiss until the end and made viewers wait for the second episode to see the reaction. Finally, with all the hype there is no excuse for the show's website being down at 11 p.m. ET when the show was to debut. Fans had to realize that they could watch on YouTube. When the show moves to a subscription model for the next episode this must be fixed.THE MANY POSITIVES
GOTHAM was so full of clues that you had to watch several times to try and catch them all. In other words, I'm very intrigued. Why was Richard sniffing that cup? Who is Rachel? Who were the people on Richard's voice mail? What is the relationship between Richard and Catherine? The show set up many interesting possibilities for the future. The footage shot by the show looked terrific. I liked the way the intro was done mixing street footage, the GOTHAM characters and the credits. The show left us with a cliffhanger. Finally, LaMont Craig's Jayqui. I have read some complaints about the character being a "gay stereotype" but I know several people like this character and I'm happy to see an underrepresented character on television and film get some airtime.
What can I say about the VENICE debut? There has never been a more hyped web series that I can ever remember. The show was absolutely beautiful. They didn't just tell us they were on Venice Beach, they showed us with stunning scenery. I loved the way the show opened. The credits looked terrific. The musical choices were outstanding. Crystal Chappell and Jessica Leccia still have it - chemistry that is. I could see them both as new characters (versus their GUIDING LIGHT characters) and my interest was piqued enough to want to find out how their relationship will play out. I was also satisfied with the editing choices and thought the overall look of the show was top notch.
THE BUSINESS MODELS
GOTHAM seems to be taking a path we've seen before. The show is putting out its product and trying to attract sponsors. VENICE aired the first episode for free and will now charge $9.99 for the rest of the season (11 more episodes plus behind the scenes footage). Either of these ways could work or both could work. For the sake of the soap opera, I hope they both find a profitable and sustainable business model.
THE OUTLOOK
Both of these shows have announced several exciting casting choices for future episodes so that alone is a lot to be excited about. Kin Shriner, Lisa Peluso, Gina Tognoni, Jordan Clarke, Maeve Kinkead, Hillary B. Smith, and many more will bring their talents to these indie web soaps.
I highly suspect the production values are only going to improve with each episode and each season and, to be honest, they already look as good or better than what we get on daytime television.
The biggest reason why I am excited, and encourage any soap fan to not only check these shows out but invest in them and give them a chance, is because the people behind them really care. I have said for years that Martha Byrne should be running a soap and now she is. She knows what fans want and what she's doing. GOTHAM director/writer Lisa Brown is a visionary and understands the genre and the fan experience. VENICE producer Crystal Chappell could not care more about presenting this diverse show in the most respectful and realistic manner. Writer Kim Turrisi has poured her heart and soul into the characters and I believe we'll see that play out on our computer screens.
As with any new show there are things that can be improved and I'm confident they will be. But how exciting is it in December 2009, after a year of doom and gloom "soaps are dead" press, to have not one, but two new soaps to be excited about? Support the indie soap revolution!
DAYTIME SOAP OPERAS
