Cyphers Ep2. “Will-O-Wisp”

Wil – O – Wisp — Cyphers Episode Two

from Wikipedia: In literature, Will o’ the wisp sometimes has a metaphorical meaning, describing a hope or goal that leads one on but is impossible to reach, or something one finds sinister and confounding.

2 Swirlies

Will-O-Wisp from David Forlano on Vimeo.

“The Doctor will see you now.”

Just as opaque as the first. There’s some interesting shots and images, and if you think that our food and our doctors are killing us, you’ll probably connect with the way this series is going.

I’m not sure this series is intended to have any sort of narrative, as this episode only barely connects with the first. As in the first series, what we’re supposed to do is to let ourselves go and get caught up in the mood and ideas, as opposed to any bourgeois notions of “story.” At least, that’s what I get out of it.

I’m gonna keep watching, cause I’m curious to see if things start to add up, or if this is just a random jumble of ideas and camera angles.

Another thing I think I should mention, don’t get too hung up on the length. The last 2 minutes are end credits.

Cyphers – Ep. 1 “Coincidentia Oppositorum”

From Wikipedia: Coincidentia oppositorum is a Latin phrase meaning coincidence of opposites. It is a neoplatonic term attributed to 15th century German polymath Nicholas of Cusa in his essay, De Docta Ignorantia (1440). Mircea Eliade, a 20th century historian of religion, used the term extensively in his essays about myth and ritual, describing the coincidentia oppositorum as “the mythical pattern”.

3 Swirlies

Coincidentia Oppositorum from David Forlano on Vimeo.

[UPDATE: Seems the plug really was pulled. Guess now we'll never know what the heck was going on in this show. The video has been deleted from Vimeo.]
[UPDATE UPDATE: No, I was able to find the same series, on vimeo, by the same uploader, but a different upload. I've swapped out the embed code and you should be able to watch now!]

“The plug has been pulled.”

I saw this new series come up on Web Series Today and decided to check it out. I’m always looking for good drama. Not that I don’t love a good comedy, or a good cartoon, but they are a lot more abundant in web series than drama.

Sadly, I’m not sure what we’ve got here.

I understand that you have go to start somewhere, but this is one of those things that I guess you are supposed to let just flow into you. I’m not sure who these people in this series are, or what has happened, and that seems to be deliberate.

It starts with a lengthy quote, and ends with a dream sequence. Both of these things make me nervous that the director (or whoever is in charge) is more concerned about form than telling me a good story. Oh, and the quote has nothing to do with the Latin translation of the title that is the only episode description I could see.

It’s pretty well shot, if clearly low budget. The vimeo embed really stuttered for me, making it even harder to get into. I don’t know if that’s because of vimeo or the clip or my computer, but it certainly impacted the viewing experience. It appears to be going for mood and suspense over story or character – a difficult sell for web series when finding the next episode often takes a deliberate effort on the part of the viewer. With episodes so short, you can only do so much, having written a few of them I get that as much as anyone – but I’m kinda not sure why I’m supposed to go looking for the next one.

But that’s what you got me for. When I come across part two, I’ll let you know if it is worth watching.