Camera Obscura Ep.4 “The Hollow Mask” | A Web Series Review on The Watch List

A Horror Webseries

3 Swirlies

Episode 4: The Hollow Mask by Camera_Obscura

“As long as this book remains intact…”

Whoops. Clara watches a video tape made by her grandfather… but a little bit too late. You’d think he’s put a big sticker or something on the magic book… “DO NOT BURN.” But he didn’t. And she did.

This episode sets the rest of the series in motion. Most of it is simply explaining to us what the grandfather was up to. There’s no scares or shocks like in the previous ones. I’m also a little worried that it has taken the wind out of the rest of the series by explaining the mystery.

Certainly worth watching if you’re following the series.

From Daily Motion Description:

A message in a bottle from a dead man…

- If you like what we do, please subscribe! You’ll get every web series episode sent right to your inbox! -

More from the web series Camera Obscura

Back to The Watch List’s Main Page

Camera Obscura Ep.3 “The Tape” | A Webseries Review on The Watch List

A Horror Webseries

4 Swirlies

Episode 3: The Tape by Camera_Obscura

“I guess it all starts with this.”

A short but effectively creepy episode of the demon horror webseries, Camera Obscura.

There’s only two short scenes here, with very little in the way of dialogue. I do like how understated but sharp these scenes are – all signs of a confident director and strong actors. The one strike against this episode is I don’t remember seeing this video tape before. Granted it has been a while for me between episodes, but it kinda seems like it came out of nowhere. And she through out his book but kept this weird video tape without watching it? It feels like a bit of a misstep.

However, the main job of this show is to creep you out, and this episode does that, and teases us with the possibility of some answers.

From Daily Motion Description:

So many questions, and finally… an answer?

- If you like what we do, please subscribe! You’ll get every web series episode sent right to your inbox! -

More from the web series Camera Obscura

Back to The Watch List’s Main Page

Camera Obscura Ep.2 “The Camera” | A Web Series Review on The Watch List

A Horror Web Series

5 Swirlies

Episode 2: The Camera by Camera_Obscura

“Maybe your Grandpa has secrets. Maybe they should stay that way.”

This episode of Camera Obscura is creepy as hell. Bravo.

The first one was good in a setting up back story kinda way. This one, despite the sorta short, mostly “this is what’s happening” scene (Smart! Never assume your audience has seen previous episodes. Drew Dewalt does a nice job of making the scene feel organic while essentially catching up any late comers. The cool/creepy camera helps.) is right into the creepy demons are all around us.

And not to ruin it for you, but that sudden appearance of the demon is super creepy. What really sells it is that first glimpse of it, that first ‘what is that?’ And then it… it sees her watching it. Classic horror movie stuff, but here it doesn’t seem cheesy. It works.

This show is a Daily motion exclusive. I wonder if they paid for it? If so, how much? I imagine that the demons must have been pricey to build.

From Daily Motion Description:

Clara realizes Grandpa Sam’s involvement with the occult was much deeper than she thought.

- If you like what we do, please subscribe! You’ll get every web series episode sent right to your inbox! -

More from the web series Camera Obscura

Back to The Watch List’s Main Page

Camera Obscura Ep.1 “The Book” | A Web Series Review on The Watch List

A Horror Web Series

3 Swirlies

Episode 1: The Book by Camera_Obscura

[NOTE: The above video won't play on non-flash devices. If you don't see a video, click here to watch!]

“Was your grandpa into anything weird?”

A surprisingly poignant beginning to a demon horror type web series.

For some reason, the player was wonky – very grainy and stuttered a lot. I guess they were going for a washed out look, but did they shoot it so low rez?

A nice, teasing start that front loads the appearance of the demons. They could have gone for mood and delayed the first sight of the demons, but on the web sometimes it is a good idea not to make people wait. So I think they probably made a good choice by saying, “Look! There’s your demons!” And then letting the story start naturally.

The music is nice. The characters are nicely introduced and pretty well defined. The back story comes out naturally in the scene – there’s some tight writing.

I really liked the spooky pictures found in the Grandfather’s book. I also think the teaser was nicely used – we see the Grandfather doing his thing and then we see Claire mourning his death and packing up his belongings.

I guess what I think could be a lot stronger is the ending of this episode. What it could have used is a little more of a shape to the story for this episode.

Searching for new series to add to The Watch List, I’m coming across way more scifi and horror than comedies these days. Is it possible that comedy web series – true series with continuing characters, not sketch comedy – is on a wane?

From Daily Motion Description:

Clara discovers that her dead Grandfather was secretly into the occult…

- If you like what we do, please subscribe! You’ll get every web series episode sent right to your inbox! -

More from the web series Camera Obscura

Back to The Watch List’s Main Page