If you’ve been following us here at LRM Online for some time, you know that we’ve partnered with the producers of the science fiction film Circle to bring an exclusive digital series to the site entitled DARK/WEB. Like any geeks who cover the business of film, we love the medium itself (otherwise why bother, right?), and as such we were thrilled to help make DARK/WEB a reality, which is set to hit the site in 2017!

So what’s the series about?

DARK/WEB follows a group of young adults navigating a near future where everything’s online and everyone’s connected, whether they like it or not.  When Ethan, Sam, and James find themselves the target of cryptic emails from someone posing as their childhood friend Molly, they assume she’s been the victim of an all-too-common hack. After they reach out to alert her, however, they discover that Molly’s been missing for months and no one has any idea what happened to her. As the emails keep coming, each containing a tale written by Molly, her friends realize that this may be more than just a sick joke. Someone has hidden information in the stories, details pulled from real life that point them to people and places from Molly’s past; clues that may lead them to their missing friend.

Sure, like many science-fiction-esque horror stories, DARK/WEB is a meditation on technology and its place in society, but what exactly does this series bring to the table that’s unique? In other words, why should you bother when you have a whole new season of Black Mirror sitting there on Netflix?

Well, here’s a unique aspect of the series.

DARK/WEB‘s unique structure combines the classic, standalone stories traditionally found in an anthology with an overarching, season-long mystery. Each episode consists of two parts: 

1. A portion of a serialized tale that continues week after week. 
2. A stand-alone horror/sci-fi short, presented in the form of stories that Molly left behind; each written and directed by a different filmmaker.

Today we have a special treat for those interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects of filmmaking. The producers of DARK/WEB were kind enough to shoot some photos our way from some of their aerial photography from the show, which were achieved through the use of drones last Monday.

Check them out below!

Admittedly, a potentially more cost(and time)-effective way of getting these shots would be to rely on stock footage, but DARK/WEB is such a specific show with its own style and unique locations that the filmmakers didn’t want to rely on generic footage purchased online.

To achieve these shots, the producers approached director of photography David Markun of Rafiki Creative. Here’s what Markun had to say regarding his involvement of the project, as well as the importance of these shots to the series as a whole.

“[Showrunner] Michael [Nardelli] approached us looking to elevate his series not only in terms of production value but in terms of storytelling as well. We focused on capturing aerial elements that would serve the story in an impressive way. For example, one piece took place entirely inside a car before we shot our aerials. Expanding the story outside of the car can change the entire worldview of the film.”

Well these shots are certainly pretty sweet looking, and we can’t wait to see how they come across in motion. 

On Rafiki Creative: Rafiki Creative focuses on storytelling in their own projects and being able to bring cinematic aerial elements to other productions. They are filmmakers first who want to push aerial cinematography to a higher capacity than just generic footage. Whether on the ground or in the air they’re always looking to push the envelope. 

Aerial cinematography creates new opportunities for independent filmmakers. The ability to explore a new filmmaking tool and have it be affordable/mobile enough to travel with is a treat.

Rafiki Creative Official Site
Rafiki Creative Official Instagram Account

DARK/WEB hits LRM Online in 2017!

Be sure to check in next week for several exclusive shots from two episodes of the show, as well as a casting announcement that’s sure to blow your socks off!

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