Casual S03E02 “Uncertainty” | A Web Series Review on the Watch List

A Romance Drama Web Series

4 Swirlies

Casual 3.2: Uncertainty from Altermotion Pictures on Vimeo.

“It’s not like we’re back together or anything.”

Casual season three hits its stride.

This is an awesome episode about how it can feel to be in that uncertain stage where you’re not together but you’re not really apart. There’s some great, true to life moments, and some strong acting, particularly from Brian Thomas Smith. This episode takes place, largely, at various outdoors places around L.A., which is fun. We don’t have food trucks here in Canada, and so to see them all parked together in a food truck lot is cool.

But there’s a draw back to this season – after the hook up, the break up, the reunion… there’s not much in the way of romantic tension. At least, not in the beginning. Midway and at the end are two big moments when the ambiguity of their relationship causes trouble and confusion.

Now, maybe this is just me – after a break up, I have a policy of a clean break. No contact, no post break up sex. Granted I’ve had very little in the way of big relationship break ups. But I kinda can’t get over the idea that all of these problems would go away if they were both up front with each other. Well… they’re not me. They are extremely well crafted and performed characters that aren’t doing things the way I would. And I can totally get into that… but it still leaves us with the basic dramatic problem that the characters goals aren’t really made that important to the audience. There’s not much in the way of stakes for us as a viewer, cause whether they get back together or say goodbye; we’re seen it already. Creator Jay Diaz has kinda backed himself into a corner. I’m eager to see how he gets out of it – I’m sure in three episodes I’ll be crying as the final credits roll.

Great episode, great series.

From Vimeo Description:

Casual Episode 3.2: Uncertainty from the Final Season
Starring Lauren Marini & Brian Thomas Smith
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Casual S03E01 “A Rise/Fall” | A Web Series Review on the Watch List

A Romance Drama Web Series

4 Swirlies

Casual 3.1: A Rise/Fall from Altermotion Pictures on Vimeo.

“I can’t be the girl you want me to be.”

Welcome to season three, and what I understand to be the last series. But, I’ve been wrong many times in the past about web series release schedules.

Casual is one of the strongest ongoing dramatic web series that I know of. And I’m excited to see how they bring it in for a final landing. But I gotta say, while this episode is really strongly produced, I kinda feel like it is buckling under it’s own sprawling, time line defying narrative weight.

The first third or so of the episode is the gang of friends going to a Dodgers game. Which is one of the things I admire about this show – they almost always manage to pull off locations and settings that would drown a lesser series. In this case, I’m assuming that they actually shot during a game, or maybe they did some dialogue shooting at some other time. It really looks and feels like it is taking place during a game. And the dialogue is always crisp and clear, even in wider shots that would be difficult to record clean audio. This show is made by pros who know what they are doing.

Most of the rest of the show is flashbacks – a couple of new scenes that we haven’t seen before but then almost a clip show of highlights from the past two seasons. Even the new scenes felt like retreads, as they were largely filling in the blanks of things that came between moments we have exploded in depth. I mean, they’re still poignant and the acting is strong, but it still feels like a recap to get new viewers up to speed.

I loved them when they were together, they were so charming, and when they were broken up it still impacted me because they so clearly both wanted to be together, but this episode, where it seems they have more or less slid back into a casual relationship… I’m not feeling the chemistry as much.

I’m super excited to join the ride in season three, but I was slightly disappointed with its start.

From Vimeo Description:

Casual: A Rise/Fall
The premiere episode from the Final Season! Starring Lauren Marini & Brian Thomas Smith
casualseries.com
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Casual S02E06 “A Fork/Road” | A Web Series Review on the Watch List

A Romance Drama Web Series

5 Swirlies

Casual 2.6: A Fork/Road from Altermotion Pictures on Vimeo.

“I thought I wanted this.”

A devastating season two finale of the killer web series, Casual.

I wouldn’t say there was anything in the way of plot twists or surprises – okay, there’s one – but you certainly feel like writer/director Jay Diaz is effortlessly weaving plot threads back and forth until they come together in a thematic flurry at the end. I must admit, I did lose sense of a couple of things, I found myself wondering which timeline I was in for one or two scenes. And didn’t The Girl meet the new boyfriend guy in the past, before they broke up? I’m a little confused, but it is still very rewarding, and for me, none of those confusions got in the way of enjoying the story.

What I did like was the sharp writing and portrayal of a person who struggles to please everybody, and feels like she’s trapped between competing demands. I think it quite easy in relationships for someone like that to deprioritize the one thing that give you the least guilt, which is often your significant other. Your boss might have unreasonable demands and your family gives your grief if you don’t do what they want, and the person who is the most easy going is the one who ends up getting the least of your attention. Plenty of relationships break up because of that. The break up in Casual isn’t really that straight forward, just like in life, but I would say it comes down to the lives they wanted diverged, and neither were willing to be the one who sacrifices other parts of their lives to make it. It’s the old ultimatum, “It’s me or the band,” in more a subtle, non-band form. (You’ll always lose that one, either way it works out.) He’s not willing to turn down a big opportunity in his career, and she’s not willing to set boundaries on her responsibilities in order to give him what he wants.

In all aspects of life, whether it is our careers or our romances or our family lives, we rise to a level of… for want of a better word I’ll say success, until we a not willing to sacrifice some other part for continued success. Do we take that big promotion, knowing our kids will see even less of us? Do I piss off my family because my fiance wants a small wedding? I think many people go through life feeling like these choices are made for them – because they don’t consciously understand their values that shape the choices they make.And I guess that’s what it comes down to Casual, and in real life relationships, are your values similar enough to make the relationship work in the long term?

That’s the stuff that’s flapping around my head after watching the second season of Casual, a web series that manages to capture all the subtleties and drama of life without slipping into melodrama. You can contrast it to Untitled Fiction Project, which in many ways is similar, but that show is much more in-your-face dramatic (while still grounded in the characters and their choices). They’re both among my favourite web series dramas, but for different reasons.

Technically, Casual is incredibly strong. It is polished, tight, and knows exactly what emotional beats it is playing at what moments. A stand out series, and one that is best enjoyed from the beginning.

From Vimeo Description:

Casual 2.6: A Fork/Road
The much anticipated Season 2 Finale
Starring Lauren Marini & Brian Thomas Smith
Guest Starring Mary Jo Deschanel
Featuring Janna Vanheertum, Derek Reckley, Michael Hobert, Jamie Stout, Jessica Rich, Jonathan Mariande, David Goryl and Alyshia Ochse

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Casual S02E05 “A Planted Seed” | A Web Series Review on the Watch List

A Romance Drama Web Series

4 Swirlies

Casual 2.5: A Planted Seed from Altermotion Pictures on Vimeo.

“She’s only happy on the outside.”

Another episode that leaves you with hints – is that why they’re no longer together?

I gotta say, this is the first episode of the L.A. web series Casual that I can remember not being blown away from by. And that, in and of itself, is an accomplishment, but the other shoe had to drop some time.

I felt like there was something just slightly off about the production. I found myself noticing the actors’ make-up. Was it just that so much of this series takes place at night and most of this episode takes place during the day? I also found some of the scenes too quiet – not the dialogue, but the background and room tone – which, for me, creates an “unreal” feeling that this series has managed to avoid until now.

This is the second last episode in the second season, and I wonder if creator Jay Diaz felt the need to shuffle the story along, since this is one of what I would call a bridge episode. I feel like it is all set up for the last episode.

All that being said, this is still one of my top five favourite series on the web right now. I mean, just because it is slightly less awesome than the previous episodes still makes it awesome. The final moments really hit home, both in the present day time-line and the past time-line. Has he moved on? Did she cheat? All questions that – I hope – will be answered in the next episode.

From Vimeo Description:

Casual Episode 2.5: A Planted Seed
Starring Lauren Marini and Brian Thomas Smith

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Casual S02E04 “Fragments” | A Web Series Review on the Watch List

A Romance Drama Web Series

5 Swirlies

Casual 2.4: Fragments from Altermotion Pictures on Vimeo.

“It doesn’t work. Whatever you’re running away from comes back.”

Another great episode – with lots of back and forthing in time.

I’ve gushed over this show so many times. Let me just say – everything is at the same high quality as ever. We get to see a bit more into the main characters’ work lives, and get teases of the things that I assume caused them to break up. Lot’s of great lines and moments in this episode, again – as always.

There’s two more episodes left in Chapter Two. I hoping that the cliffhangery ending of this episode drives us to the end of the series and some answers about why they’re no longer together, and whether they’ll try again. I also noticed that season 3 of Casual has just been released! Go guys go! I’ll keep posting and hopefully catch up to you in four weeks or so.

From Vimeo Description:

Casual Episode 2.4: Fragments
Starring Lauren Marini & Brian Thomas Smith
Guest Starring Mary Jo Deschanel
Featuring Regina Saldivar, Victoria Brianne Ramirez and Jon Lewis
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Casual S02E03 “Elephants” | A Web Series Review on the Watch List

A Romance Drama Web Series

5 Swirlies

Casual 2.3: Elephants from Altermotion Pictures on Vimeo.

“I think if you don’t start taking chances you’re gonna regret it.”

Out of the 9 episodes I’ve watched so far, two were rated at 4, the rest were 5s. Every time I go to watch one of these episodes, I think that they just can’t keep being a 5 swirly episode every episode. That there will be some misstep, some tiny wrong note that will make me think “It was good, but it was no previous episode of Casual.”

And then, I watch the episode, in the short length of time that I’m allowed with each one, I’m transported. And it’s not like a whole heck of a lot happens. In fact, almost nothing happens in this episode. You get no closer to knowing why they broke up, or whether they are going to get back together, but you do get some rich, perfectly executed character moments.

I hope this series goes on forever.

From Vimeo Description:

Casual Episode 2.3: Elephants
Starring Lauren Marini & Brian Thomas Smith
Featuring Janna VanHeertum, Jessica Rich, Derek “D-Bone” Reckley and Michael Hobert
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Casual S02E02 “Reflection” | A Web Series Review on the Watch List

A Romance Drama Web Series

5 Swirlies

Casual 2.2: Reflection from Altermotion Pictures on Vimeo.

“I just might break yours.”

Happy Fourth of July to all our American friends!

I feel like with every episode, Casual just keeps getting better and better. The confidence and subtleties of the writing and acting amaze me.

This season does tend to take huge risks with its timeline, as did the first season but in a different way. The first half of this episode confused me, as much as I was enjoying it. I wasn’t sure what I was watching, even though I suspected the truth. I’m not sure if it would have been better with a little more hand holding, or if it made it better because, as a viewer, it increased the tension by making me wonder. Did anyone else find this? Or am I over-thinking it?

As always, I’m stunned by the lighting, camera and sound. I sometimes hear people talk about a webseries “look,” which means no lighting, no colour timing, little in the way of art direction – and it’s okay because that’s how webseries look. Like putting effort into it is somehow not webseries. Those people should be forced to sit down and watch this series. In fact, anyone setting out to make film or TV or whatever should watch this. It should be required viewing in film schools. Which is not to say it is flashy, or calls attention to itself. Completely the opposite. It allows the story to be what it is, and allows the little moments to come through.

I can’t wait to see what happens next – and find out why The Guy and The Girl didn’t end up happily ever after.

From Vimeo Description:

Casual Episode 2.2: Reflection
Starring Lauren Marini & Brian Thomas Smith
Featuring: Janna Vanheertum, Jessica Rich, Jamie Stout, Michael Hobert, Derek “D-Bone” Reckley and Jonathan Mariande
casualseries.com
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Casual S02E01 “Transitions” | A Web Series Review on the Watch List

A Romance Drama Web Series

5 Swirlies

Casual 2.1: Transition from Altermotion Pictures on Vimeo.

“I haven’t a drink with you in four months!”

A strong start to season two of the heart breaking drama series, Casual.

Lots of things are hinted at, but we’re not given much in the way of details in this episode, except that “The Guy” has been in Australia for four months. Could it be true that “The Girl” has a new boyfriend?

Just as well produced as the first season. The acting’s still great, the last scene has very little dialogue, but the look between the two leads speaks volumes. I’m as hooked now as ever – what happened between them? What is going to happen?

I was just glancing at the views for this episode, and I noticed that the first week or so accounted for somewheres about 3/4 of the views. I don’t really have much in the way of thoughts on that, beyond that factoid seems interesting to me.

From Vimeo Description:

The Season 2 premiere: Transition
Starring Lauren Marini & Brian Thomas Smith
Featuring: Janna Vanheertum, Jessica Rich, Michael Hobert, Derek “D-Bone” Reckley, Shannon Zielon and Jon Mariande

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Casual Ep.6 “Door/Window” | A Web Series Review on the Watch List

A Romance Drama Web Series

5 Swirlies

Casual 1.6: A Door/Window from Altermotion Pictures on Vimeo.

“What’s next for us?”

Wow. What a roller coaster ride of emotions. And I know, that’s such a cliched movie reviewer ‘put my name on the poster’ thing to say, but that’s exactly how I felt.

The first five episodes played out really slowly, setting the ground work and taking its time. This episode rockets through years – from things that happened before the series started to “one year later.”

And it fucks with you, too. Those first scenes trick you into thinking something’s going on – when it’s something else entirely. And then just when you think everything’s going to work out… “one year later.”

This is the season finale of Casual. And like the rest of the series, it is magical. Jay Diaz has a subtle hand on everything, but at the same time it is remarkably confident. I mean, this guy has balls as a storyteller. He deliberately misleads you in order to get the emotions out of you that he wants… and it works. I didn’t feel cheated or abused; I bought into it, because when you finally realize what’s going on it is very rewarding.

I’m just glad we have season two already released to dive right into.

From Vimeo Description:

Casual Episode 6: A Door/Window
The SEASON FINALE to the Story about a Guy and at Girl
Starring Lauren Marini & Brian Thomas Smith
Featuring Janna Vanheertum, Jessica Rich, Michael Hobert, Alyshia Ochse, Jamie Stout, Dereck “D-Bone” Reckley, Sara Amini and Sarah Zurell
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Casual Ep.5 “Little Things”| A Web Series Review on the Watch List

A Romance Drama Web Series

5 Swirlies

Casual 1.5: Little Things from Altermotion Pictures on Vimeo.

“Can we talk? Just for a minute?”

At the end of every episode of the web series Casual, I’m left a little speechless.

Every romance story is about the thing that keep the two lovers from being with each other. And with Casual, it is baggage from the past.

Most of this episode is the guy and the girl telling their friends all the things that they like about each other – it is the kind of conversations that you’d like someone to have about you; you’d especially like the person you love to say such nice things about you. It just melts my heart how vividly their growing love is portrayed. I feel like I’m falling in love with them – they clearly have such feelings for each other that you desperately want them to be together. At least I do.

Like with the best of writing, I completely forgot that there weren’t real people that I was listening to. And I gotta say, that’s rare for me, even with the very best web series. Web series often have some level of compromise, whether a shot could have used another take, or the lighting is a little flat, or the music is little off… even some past episodes of Casual, I watched and enjoyed them without totally forgetting that I was watching a fictional thing, a web series. But this one… magical.

Sure. Basically nothing happens until the last ten seconds. But not only is the rest of it so rewarding to watch for all the reasons was I was just talking about, those last ten seconds threw in a curve ball that made my heart leap into my throat. (When I say stuff like that, I sometimes worry about over selling it, and then people go in with their expectations up and don’t enjoy it as much as if they were just watching it without having read about it first. But then I remind myself I have to say something – if I like it, why not say something nice that has the added bonus of being the truth?)

There’s few really great, funny moments, too. The guy lays a wager – if you can sink this shot I’ll talk about my relationship – and his buddy is confidently lining up the shot even before the guy is finished speaking. It could have been a so-so moment, but writer/director Jay Diaz finds the magic and knows how to make it rise above the ordinary.

One of the things I respect so much about this series is Diaz’ steady hand – he’s not huried, he’s rushing he’s not sweating over how long he’s gone between jokes or big dramatic moments, he’s just letting things unfold for us and being “in the moment” as the actors like to say.

There’s only one more episode in season 1. I’m excited to see how it will be shaped? Will it be a dramatic resolution? Will there be a big cliffhanger? Will it be more of the same, and season two picks right up? Will the guy be forced to make a choice?

We’ll find out next week! Hopefully I’ll have make act together and I’ll have it up for Monday.

From Vimeo Description:

Casual Episode 5: Little Things
Starring Lauren Marini & Brian Thomas Smith
Featuring Michael Hobert, Janna Vanheertum and Alyshia Ochse
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