Hard Drive 13 Ep. 1 “Secrets”

Watch more Hard Drive 13 at http://harddrive13.com

The series starts with a bang as Nomad receives some very intriguing data, landing him and his hacker buddies in some very hot, dangerous water.

3 Swirlies

“My name is Nomad.”

It seems like Vancouver is a hot bed of web series. It makes sense, because Vancouver shoots a lot of “genre” TV shows, but very few homegrown productions – leaving a well paid, highly skilled workforce with few mainstream creative outlets.

In this first episode, we’re introduced to Nomad. Don’t call him a hacker, cause he’s a freedom fighter with a mouse.

Although a bit much with the voice over, this episode is a promising start. Like all hacker stories, Nomad and co. go somewhere they shouldn’t go and get some information they shouldn’t have – and the powers that be come gunning for them.

The series looks great, but – and I think I say this in almost every review? – I’d like to know a lot more about these characters. We’re told Nomad is looking for his father and his friend, but then the story starts with seemingly unrelated information grab. I should also mention that we’re already halfway into the video before the episode actually starts.

I feel like many people are still trying to pace a web series the same way they would a novel or a movie. You’ve got to somehow cram the same amount of story as a hour long TV drama into the much shorter form.

But the clips that hint to where the story is going look promising. Let’s see where number 2 brings us…

Captain Blasto – Ep 2. A Comic Caper

Series continues at http://www.youtube.com/blastoseries

3 Swirlies

“You can’t take a baby! That’s kidnapping, not a theft!”

I really like the visual design of the opening titles. Colourful and graphic.

So, here’s where things get moving. A crazy plot is hatched… and suddenly our hero’s life isn’t so boring.

There’s a number of funny bits. What tickles me is that they are staging a fake mugging and because they are inspired by the comics, the “mugger” is dressed up like the bad guys in Scrooge McDuck.

The fake fighting is fun, even if there’s some moments that feel like outtakes that were left in. I still like the comic book split screens, especially where they are used to juxtapose the comic book moments with the reality. What stands to be improved most is the acting. (Something to be said for almost every web series.)

All in all, a fun episode, albeit with an abrupt ending.

Raising Kayn – Ep. 1 The Puzzle of the Coin

The first episode of the popular web series “Raising Kayn”. Vampires, were creatures, ninjas and mad scientists, the Kayn family deals with them all in their search for the source of a mysterious coin.

2 Swirlies

This is an attempt to make a supernatural show for a family audience. Because there’s so many parents and kids watching online videos together?

This series is about The Kayn family and its involvement in supernatural mysteries. The mom is some sort of expert on everything whose biggest challenge in life is getting all her children to sit down for dinner together. The son is a sort of mad scientist who doesn’t like to come out of his lab (insert comic relief here). The older daughter fights things (that’s all we know so far) and the younger daughter is a teenage girl. They’re trying to solve mysteries and be home in time for prayers and bedtime.

This is the first part of the story, we don’t get very far into what’s going on except for a strange coin. Then the Ninjas show up. The production isn’t terrible, but the acting could be a lot better (like most webseries). It reminds me of syndicated series from the 80′s – the kind you’d watch on Sunday afternoon when nothing else was on.

This has that same feel as a tween comedy like Wizards of Waverly Place or iCarly, but not anywhere as clever or funny. (I should point out it is not a comedy). If you’re looking for something to watch with your children for family time, you might want to give this a chance. Me, I’m giving it two swirlies for now and waiting to see if it picks up next episode.