Dark/Web: One Of The First Serialized Anthologies?

As we continue to move towards the World Premiere of Dark/Web at the 50th San Diego Comic-Con, I had the privilege of speaking with the web series’ co-writers Mario Miscione (director) Tim and Michael Nardelli (co-producers). One of the most interesting aspects of the series is the hybrid serial/anthology structure the creators made which was breaking new ground in the area of structure.

How The Style Was Developed

While the focus is the anthology such as Twilight Zone and Black Mirror, Miscione and the Nardelli’s wanted to add a different aspect because they had become somewhat bored of the basic standalone anthology structure. They wanted to create stories that mattered to a larger picture and they would use each story as clues to the final outcome. Because they framed the anthology stories as puzzle pieces, it made a natural process for various filmmakers to add their own style and voice into a serialized storyline.

While the creators took some influence from shows such as Twilight Zone, Black Mirror, X-Files, and The Big Chill, they also wanted to create something that would set them apart from those shows. They wanted more of a connection running through the DNA of the show. Also being an independently produced show, they had our own way of doing things. Also, the aim with all of their stories were to be very “near future,” without the supernatural or far ahead sci-fi dystopian concept that some of the other mentioned shows provide. 

Strengths Of The Structure

One of the primary strengths that Miscione and the Nardelli’s found to this hybrid structure of storytelling was that, to their knowledge, they had not seen anything done like it before. The thought of a fun “meta” twist for the characters of the serialized narrative being able to reference things in the standalone stories, almost as if they were audience members themselves, really stuck out to them. Plus, having the stories actually push the characters forward on each step of the journey allowed the creators to make the shorts feel cohesive even though they’re all stylistically quite different. The questions and themes of each story tie to the person who received it and/or to the author herself.  And having them all “written” by the same character allowed for references to cross over from tale to tale, creating one shared universe.

Explaining The Concept

With creating a new style will come obvious difficulties.  In speaking with Mascione and the Nardelli’s, they suggested that it took some adjusting since they used a variety of filmmakers who they needed to incorporate specific phrases, imagery, and Easter Eggs into specific episodes. Often these ideas would need to be subtle, but it took some time in getting everyone involved on the same page.  How did they do that?  By explaining the overall concept/world to the filmmakers and actors.

Relatable Modern Issues

A key piece that the creators wanted to focus on from the very beginning is that there were thematic concepts that the audience could relate to.  What better way to pull in an audience than with elements they see in their daily lives? While they could not reveal too much about how interconnected the events are, they did state that the focus is on the idea of the worries concerning cyberspace. At its roots, Dark/Web is a story about the internet itself; the power it has, the dangers it can possess, and the concept of the creator losing control over the creation.

During the span of filming, what they were writing about was playing out in front of their very eyes in society in terms of internet privacy issues and cyber terror. Michael Nardelli stated that, The anthologies are a bit more stylized, a bit more what if… And the serialized story that connects them is much more what is.”

RELATED: Dark/Web Is Headed To San Diego Comic-Con!

Stay tuned for information on the characters of Dark/Web, how they were created, and why specific actors/actresses were chosen for the roles!

The cast list and the Teaser Trailer for Dark/Web can be seen below:

Sibongile Mlambo (Netflix’s Lost in SpaceTeen Wolf), Clare Kramer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Julie Benz (Dexter), Hannah Marks (Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency), Gabriel Luna (Terminator: Dark Fate), Zelda Williams (Teen Wolf), Robert Davi (GooniesDie Hard) Siobhan Fallon Hogan (Funny GamesForrest GumpWayward Pines), Hayley Marie Norman (Top Five), Dora Madison (Friday Night LightsDexter), Molly Hagan (Big Little Lies, The Handmaid’s Tale), Cassie Thomson (The Alienist), Amin El Gamal (Prison Break revival), Lana McKissack (Transformers), Michael Nardelli (CircleRevenge), Brian Elerding (Mad Men), Noemi Gonzalez (Rosewood), and Rene Heger (CircleLinks of Life).

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Source: LRM Exclusive

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