In The Web Series Thriller L.A. Macabre - A Terrifying Cult Awakens

L.A. Macabre unnerved the hell out of me.

Set in Los Angeles as a series-within-a-series, we follow a trio of young documentary filmmakers as they produce a web series investigating a defunct Manson-like cult called "The New Family."

Show host Ryan (Ryan Hellquist), director Colin (Aidan Bristow), and Ryan's younger sister Jamie (Ryan Bartley) make contact with Callie (Corsica Wilson), an ex-member of The New Family.

Callie reluctantly agrees to be interviewed on condition of anonymity.

However, Colin soon becomes captivated by her, and Callie quickly begins exerting a disturbing control over him.

Exacerbating matters further, eerie events begin to occur signifying The New Family may still be operating - and targeting the filmmakers.

Is Callie truly out of The New Family, or does the dangerous cult still have a hold over her?

L.A. Macabre excels in building an unrelenting sense of tension and dread.

From the group's initial meeting with Callie to the pulse-pounding season finale, the series maintains its spooky, uncomfortable vibe.

Adding to the chilling tone is the incorporation of real historical details about the Manson Family's ghastly exploits.

On the production side, the entire cast gives superb performances as ambitious young filmmakers in way over their heads.

Watch the compelling series trailer here ...

The producers launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund a second season of the series. Since season one ended on a major cliffhanger, knowing a second season is planned is terrific news.

To watch the series, visit its YouTube channel.

To learn more about the show, visit its Facebook page.

L.A. Macabre is a compelling and creepy psychological thriller.  Definitely check it out to discover why it has earned numerous well-deserved accolades.

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Sci-Fi Short Film Spotlight: UPROOTED By Johnny Likens

Every so often a project comes along that makes you remember why you fell in love with film as a medium.

UPROOTED by director Johnny Likens is just such a project.

Dialogue is completely absent in this film. Instead, gorgeous visuals are the means by which feelings of deep awe are induced.

As UPROOTED opens, we see a young astronaut deep in contemplation over her life as she prepares to be launched into space.

We are then submerged into a beautiful montage of images representing the astronaut's past, present, and future.

We watch as she roams through lush farmlands bathed in wheat-golden light. Then we observe her sojourns in a vibrant - yet gritty - cityscape. 

Finally, we witness the almost overwhelming majesty of the cosmos along with her.

Mr. Likens created the stunning deep space visuals by incorporating images obtained from the Image Science And Analysis Laboratory of NASA.

Take three minutes out of your day to experience the sublime beauty of UPROOTED (HIGHLY RECOMMEND WATCHING IN HD) ...

This powerful short definitely succeeds in illustrating why space exploration stirs feelings of excitement and wonder few other human endeavors can.

Please share this extraordinary short with a least one other person who needs some inspiration today.

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Short Film Spotlight: Posthumanismaniarama! - A Dark Sci-Fi Comedy About Transhumanism

Transhumanism - the international movement to improve humanity by means of ever advancing technology - is the target of this brilliant and subversive short film by Casey Duke Feldman.

The short is actually a series of vignettes that take place in different settings around the globe, in various time periods.

From the earliest days of dial-up internet in 1996, to the speculated future of 2050 where nanotechnology has become deeply interwoven into the fabric of everyday life, Posthumanismaniarama! explores our storied relationship and obsession with technology through the lens of satire.

A prime example (also a film highlight) is the send-up of Apple's infamous product launches.

After the exhortation of each device's ever more sleeker, faster, and powerful specs, the crowd erupts into an almost orgasmic furor.

Watch the complete short film here ...

With it's  darkly comedic and thoughtful commentary, Posthumanismaniarama! poses significant questions about the future of our increasingly complex relationship with technology.

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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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Watch 'World Away' - The Sci-Fi Drama Inspired By the Mars One Project

Several months ago, the world was fascinated by the controversial Mars One Project - a supposed one-way, manned mission to the red planet planned for 2022.

Inspired by the project, filmmakers Elias Campbell and Maxim Gertler-Jaffe created the six-part web series World Away.

World Away stars Bea Santos as Quinn, a gifted, though emotionally troubled, young woman who has been selected to embark on a one-way mission to Mars. 

There’s just one problem - she decides to tell her family and loved ones she was selected for the Mars mission just days before she is scheduled to depart!

While World Away doesn't have ray guns, aliens, sleek space ships, or other overt futuristic technology on display, it is a piercing character study set against a premise that is science fiction now, but may move into the realm of science fact sooner than we think.

As Quinn breaks the news of her impending departure, it becomes apparent the vast distance to Mars is symbolic of the emotional distance between her and those she cares for.

As Quinn says her goodbyes, she is forced to reflect on her motivations for making such an irrevocable choice - as well as the impact it will have on her and those she will leave behind.

World Away is brief even by most web series standards - each of the six episodes is only between 5-6 minutes in length - but the writing and performances leave a lasting emotional impact. They read as honest, acutely observant, and extremely prescient.

Though small and introspective, this well-done series leaves a colossal impression as it explores the significant emotional cost of human space exploration.

You may watch the complete series on Vimeo: World Away.

To find out more about this exceptional production, visit the official web site World Away Series.

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A Q&A with DARK MATTER Showrunner Joseph Mallozzi

Though  our primary focus here at The 7th Matrix is on sci-fi web series and online short films, every so often there comes a mainstream project so exciting, we decide to feature it in this space.

The new science fiction television series Dark Matter is just such a project.

Having premiered on June 12, 2015 on the SyFy Channel in the U.S., Dark Matter is one of the key series that heralds the network's recommitment to scripted science fiction programming.

It is also part of the highly anticipated return of space operas on television.

We had the great pleasure of conducting a Q&A with series creator and showrunner Joseph Mallozzi. 

Mallozzi was very generous with his time, and in providing fascinating insights into the show's genesis and production - as well as giving a tantalizing tidbit regarding the future of Dark Matter!

T7M: Who or what first inspired your love of science fiction?

JM: My mother! Growing up, she fostered my love of reading by gifting me the classics: Asimov and Clarke in particular. On some school nights, she'd make me go to bed at 9 p.m., then wake me up for the late night scifi movies: The Omega Man, The Planet of Apes, etc.

T7M: Dark Matter began its life as a comic book series published by Dark Horse Comics, created by you and Paul Mullie. How did you two conceive the core idea behind the project's intriguing premise?

JM: Growing up, I was always fascinated by bad guys and especially drawn to the notion of redemption. My favorite shows focus on flawed, some might argue villainous, protagonists: The Shield, The Sopranos, Breaking Bad.  I wanted to take this theme of redemption and examine it in an SF setting.

T7M: Did you always intend for your comic to be adapted into a television series?

JM: Yes.  The series concept came first.  Rather than go out and pitch it, we decided to publish it as a comic book first and then take it out.  We partnered with Dark Horse Comics, created the four issue limited run that was collected into a trade paperback, and used it as a visual aid to help sell the series.

T7M: For our readers who may not have seen the show yet (you all get on that!), how would you describe its premise?

JM: Six individuals wake up from stasis on board a ship with no memories of who they are or how they got on board.  Their search for answers leads to more questions - and a dangerous journey fraught with twists, turns, and betrayals.

T7M: How far ahead do you have the series plotted?

JM: I already know the end of the story, the journeys of all seven of our characters.  As in real life, it won't be a happy ending for everyone.

T7M: Dark Matter's central characters are a fascinating, dynamic bunch. How difficult was the casting process?

JM: Casting is always a challenge.  You go in with a set idea of how you envision the character and then have those notions upended by the process.  Some roles were very challenging to cast; others quite simple.  In the case of TWO, we saw over 250+ actresses for the role.  It was a long process.  In the case of THREE, Anthony Lemke, I was ready to offer him the part after his first audition.

T7M: Which of the show's core characters do you most identify with?

JM: To be honest, I think I'm a little bit of THREE (brash, hotheaded, sarcastic) and a bit of FIVE (kooky, unpredictable, a tad immature).

T7M: What distinguishes Dark Matter from other space operas that have come before it?

JM: The show is heavily serialized - and I promise fans won't have to wait too long to get some answers.  At least some of them.

T7M: You were executive producer on the long-running and popular Stargate tv franchise. What is the main challenge of running a show you created yourself? 

JM: Producing the show is easy if you have talented people working for you - and I did.  The cast, crew, and everyone involved in the production was terrific, so I felt no real pressure in that regard.  The heavy burden, the stress, comes in the laborious, mentally exhausting days and weeks after launch - the push to get the word out, to track audience response and ratings, to see it succeed.  At that point, it's truly out of your hands and it can be incredibly frustrating.

T7M: At this point in Dark Matter's production, what has been your proudest moment?

JM: There were plenty, but I think that the moments that were the most meaningful to me were those instances where members of the cast and crew told me how much they enjoyed working on the show.  It's wonderful to make a great show and to be successful but what truly touched me were the number of people who woke up so damn early every morning, busting their butts on twelve hour days, came in on the occasional weekends and still had a great time doing it.

T7M: Are there any other projects you are working on that you would like to let our readers know about?

JM:

I have four other pilots out and about - but can't say more about them at the moment.  Who knows what the future holds?

Joe

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So there you have it. Very interesting insights about the production of one of the most promising and exciting science fiction series to debut on SyFy Channel - from the creator himself!

Mallozzi also has a long-running blog, where he provides even more behind-the-scenes commentaries and sneak peeks! It's great reading, so check it out here: https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com

Also, make sure to visit the official site for the show: Dark Matter

Plus, The 7th Matrix founder Rod Faulkner wrote about his initial impressions of the show here (hint: there was much rejoicing in the land!): https://medium.com/@RodFaulkner/killjoys-and-dark-matter-the-welcome-return-of-space-opera-to-tv-cf4d933627da

Dark Matter airs Fridays on the SyFy Channel at 10PM (EST), 9PM (CST).

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The 7th Matrix Founder Rod Faulkner Interviewed By Comic Book And Movie Reviews Dot Com

Recently, I had the great pleasure of being interviewed by David Lee Andrews, founder of the terrific UK-based web site Comic Book And Movie Reviews.

During the course of the interview, I was asked some pretty interesting questions, including:

• Where did the name The 7th Matrix come from?

• What was the inspiration behind the site?

• What song would best describe my passion for sci-fi?

Please check out The 7th Matrix Interview for the answers to these questions - and more!

While you are there,  take time to explore the treasure trove of geektastic content Comic Book And Movie Reviews has to offer. 

Thanks,

Rod Faulkner

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Other Space - The Sci-Fi Comedy By Freaks And Geeks Creator Paul Feig

Other Space the web series was originally commissioned by Yahoo as part of its planned slate of original series available exclusively for the web.

Created by veteran producer Paul Feig (Freaks and Geeks, Bridesmaids, The Heat), this sci-fi comedy set in the year 2105 tells the saga of the UMP (Universal Mapping Project) Cruiser and its crew of young misfits. 

On its maiden voyage, the starship - commanded by newly promoted Captain Stewart Lipinski - flies through a spatial anomaly that hurls it light years from any previously explored sector of space.

The inexperienced crew have many misadventures as they forge ahead with their mission to explore  the unknown, while also seeking a way home.

Although this comparison is worn out, it's still apropos to think of Other Space as the sci-fi equivalent of The Office.

The web series is shot in single-camera style similar to The Office and Community.

Unlike similar satirical sci-fi web series like Voyage Trekkers, Other Space mines its comedy mainly from the interpersonal relationships between its offbeat characters, rather than sending up specific genre tropes - although there is some of that too.

For example, the central relationship of the show is between Captain Stewart Lipinski (Karan Soni) and his second-in-command Karen (Bess Rous), who also happens to be his sister.

While Stewart is affable and optimistic, he is also inept in his role as ship's captain. However, during times of crisis, he often has flashes of insight that prove crucial to the crew's survival.  

Karen is Stewart's polar opposite. While brilliant, she is detached and reserved.

She is also very resentful of being passed over for the captaincy in favor of her brother. As the series progresses, she discovers there is more to effective leadership than by-the-book decorum.

It is the epic personality clashes between brother and sister that generate the bulk of the show's humor, as the duo attempt to co-exist while corralling their crew of eccentrics in order to survive. 

Click the image below to watch the original OTHER SPACE trailer on Vimeo:

Watch the series on YouTube: Other Space On DUST

If you like humor that stems from the relationships between kooky, oddball characters, you will find much to enjoy in this underappreciated sci-fi gem.

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Archangel From The Winter's End Chronicles - A Steampunk Adventure Web Series

Archangel From The Winter's End Chronicles is a steampunk web series set in 1893 London.

In this alternate history tale, humanity has harnessed the power of both steam and steel to achieve staggering technological advances.

Exploration of the natural world has reached unparalleled heights. 

Sadly, instead of this being a golden age of enlightenment, a vast criminal network, known as "The League," has corrupted the world's governments, and oppresses its peoples.

Out of this troubled time arises a vigilante who is dedicated to utterly destroying The League. He comes to be publicly known as Archangel.

Archangel is extremely well-produced, with an aesthetic that represents the best of steampunk, including gorgeous clock-work props, detailed costuming, intricate sets, and sepia-tinged cinematography that gives the series a rich, period feel.

The series is produced by Atlanta Cutlery Corp./Museum Replicas Ltd. -  a leading manufacturer of armor, swords, and other edged weapons used to produce collectibles based on many Hollywood properties, such as Game of Thrones.

This explains why the costumes, props, and sets have a verisimilitude often only associated with big-budget period movies.

The cast also rises to the occasion, with the actors turning in fine performances vital in bringing the series to vivid life.

The first episode of Archangel mainly serves as a primer, introducing viewers to this intriguing world and its major players.

You may watch it here ...

The second episode of the series is also available Archangel Episode II.

More episodes  are planned, which will expand the mythology of the series.

Archangel is yet another promising web series in the increasingly popular steampunk genre. With its fascinating premise and exceptional production value, I look forward to seeing more stories set in this imaginative world.

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The Sci-Fi Web Series 'Anamnesis' Explores The Mysterious Phenomenon Of Lucid Dreaming

Anamnesis:  the recollection or remembrance of the past.

Anamnesis is the extraordinary sci-fi web series about the phenomenon of lucid dreaming.

The series focuses on four principal characters whose lives intersect due to lucid dreams:

• Hannah (Mallory Marie Wedding)  - a young woman whose crusade to unravel the mystery behind the murder of her fiance continues in her dreams

• Vera (Deborah Jensen) -  an expert hacker who suffers from night terrors

• Noah (Brad C. Wilcox) - a happily married music composer who begins to suspect  his reality isn't what it seems

• Sean (Zach Brown) -  a man who revels in the freedom lucid dreaming affords him

Written and directed by Alex Calleros & MIchael Tucker for Finite Films, the micro-budgeted Anamnesis is a sumptuous production on EVERY level.

The underlying mystery of how these four very different individuals are inextricably linked is poignant, and engrossing. This feat is accomplished by a smart script that benefits greatly by the writers having done thorough research on the subject matter.

The cast provides some of the most nuanced and engaging performances I've ever seen in a web series. Most notably, Brad Wilcox as Noah is riveting in his portrayal of a man coming to grips with the painful truth of his life.

However, the series cinematography by Terrance Stewart is the icing on this delectable cake. 

Simply put, Anamnesis is gorgeously shot.

In fact, you will be hard pressed not to hit the "pause" button in order to soak in the beautiful compositions of light and color on your screen.

Part of the core mission of Finite Films is to produce cinema-level quality independent films. If this series is any indication, they are more than capable.

Watch the stunning and intriguing official series trailer ...

All episodes of Anamnesis are streaming now on YouTube.

If you are looking for a compelling sci-fi story with depth and complexity, Anamnesis couldn't be a more fitting choice.

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In 'Re-Election' The Web Series - A Campaign Staffer Must Escape An Election Day Stuck In A Time Loop

Re-Election is the story of a mayoral campaign staffer and her team stuck in a time loop - on election day.

Think the movie Groundhog Day set in the political framework of The West Wing.

Though time loops are a common trope in sci-fi, this plot device can still pack a dramatic punch when executed well.

Thank God Re-Election is such an example.

Created by director/producer Paul Karpenko, the series opens on the morning of election day for incumbent Mayor Sandy Reynolds.

Jamie, an analyst for the Reynolds campaign, awakens in the office to her apathetic colleagues' predictions that the Mayor will be re-elected.

However,  as the polls close at the end of the day, everyone is shocked to learn the Mayor loses in a landslide to her opponent.

Shortly after the final votes are tallied, Jamie is thrown into a time loop where she is forced relive the day over and over.

Gradually she realizes she can effect changes in events within the loop, and becomes convinced the way to break free is to ensure the Mayor wins the election.

As Jamie begins her own personal campaign to reverse the election's outcome, she also awakens her co-workers to the reality of the time loop.

It quickly becomes evident the idealistic Jamie must rally the entire office to aid her in changing the election's outcome.

But how far will she and her colleagues go, and what will their new choices cost them?

Re-Election works mainly due to the superb performances from the principal cast - all of which have terrific chemistry onscreen.

The actors - especially series lead Amber Rivera - inhabit their roles so convincingly, you feel you are eavesdropping on the private conversations and dealings of a campaign office in turmoil.

The series dynamism can also be credited to the sharp script, dialogue, and the intimate cinematography.

Watch the complete pilot episode here ...

Currently, five of the planned eight episodes have been released for viewing via the show's official YouTube channel Re-Election: The Web Series.

Re-Election is an outstanding example of intelligent, thought-provoking sci-fi that relies on the power of ideas and relationships - instead of visual effects - to tell a compelling story.

I definitely cast my vote in favor of this extremely well done series.

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