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Over the weekend I discovered a new, and very unique, web-series known as "Pioneer One" thanks to Twitter. This is a series you are probably going to hear a lot more about from me.  Why? Well for one thing the premise is amazing and has me extremely intrigued and excited and wanting for more, wondering what's next. Secondly the distribution method is as unique and exciting as the premise of the show itself, and a model I've been hoping would come along for a some time now. 

When I watched the pilot episode last night I did so without any prior knowledge about the plot or premise of the show. As I was watching bits and pieces were revealed and I found myself getting the chills with excitement, elation and anticipation of what was unfolding. So...NO SPOILERS read on. I will say however that if someone could reach inside my head and then sit down and design a premise and story specifically to appeal to me and bring me in hook line and sinker they probably wouldn't do a good as job as this show. I'm also very happy to see the story seems to be taking a "hard scifi" direction and that is something I've always wanted to see more of in scifi. I hope things stay that way moving forward and we avoid warp drive and little green men, they have their place sure but scifi that emphasizes the SCI over FI would be refreshing indeed. I realize I've been purposely vague but to hopefully build some excitement here's a brief synopsis of the first beat...

The show opens similar to scifi films like "Contact" and "Independence Day" it's quickly established that we're in an academic environment with some grad students well, being grad students, and a professor looking over some recent scans of the sky. His response of "what the hell?" Elicits the interest of the grad students. It appears the scan has captured an unknown object in a beyond earth orbit due to cross paths with Earth. A debate ensues about what the object might be. A probe? Nothing registered with that orbit. DOD? Maybe. One of the grad students then makes a compelling argument that the shape of the object is strikingly similar to that of a Russian Soyuz capsule. Only problem no Soyuz would be orbiting out that far. In any case they all agree it isn't likely to hit earth directly anyways but fly harmlessly by...

Alright so maybe you're not convinced by my unbridled childhood like excitement for "Pioneer One" or aren't a scifi fan but even if that's the case there's another reason why you'll want to pay attention to the future of this series. I've always been an avid TV fan and I've invested in several shows with a great deal of passion and fandom only to have them end up on the network chopping block after a season or eventually actually canceled. It's a storied list that includes such shows as "Chuck", "Futurama", and perhaps the most storied of them all "Firefly."  I've often felt like maybe I just like shows no one else wants to watch. Or maybe mainstream media just doesn't have the stomach for really cool scifi. Either way what if there was a better way? What if a great web series with production quality equal or approaching to that of mainstream TV shows, not unrealistic in 2010, could be produced and distributed online funded by the passionate fans who support it?

In fact "Pioneer One" is attempting to make this pipe dream a reality. The pilot episode was produced on a $6000 budget funded by a campaign for donations by fans (and an ad or two from the looks of it). The show is then being distributed on BitTorrent via the VODO network. Obviously this approach is not without its risks but I've always believed the potential advantages are many. For one there's no network exec loosing patience and deciding the mainstream audience isn't into hard scifi. Creators are in control of their story and vision and if the fans want them to keep telling it all those fans have to do is donate. Will it work? I'm not sure but based on what I saw in the pilot I sure hope so. If nothing else it is the first attempt and hopefully it will meet with success paving the way for future viability of the model.  Here's hoping!

More Information:

"Pioneer One" Website

"Pioneer One" Trailer

"Pioner One" Pilot Episode Download

I've tweeted about it a few times but awhile back I stumbled upon the SciFi/Fantasy web series known as "Riese."  The show is released directly every few weeks as a series of webisodes on YouTube.  I only just learned tonight that "Chapter 1" was originally produced as a TV pilot but that isn't surprising because everything about the production of Riese raises the bar for all web series, it is easily the level of something like a Dr. Horrible or The Guild.

I've actually been waiting for quite a while for something like Riese to come along. Ever since podcasts and web series have become more common place I feel like they've been lacking the drama, production, and story telling of more traditional scripted TV.  The advantage to the web route though of course is that the content creator keeps total control of the project. In otherwords wouldn't it be great if we could get something as good as Firefly or Dollhouse and not have to worry about being canceled by a network! As best I can tell Riese is that dream come to life.  There aren't a lot of web series out there with the level of production and quality of Riese, The Guild is probably its closest contemporary. So far Riese is delivering in a big way and I hope its a sign that the snowball is starting to build and we see more scripted web series.

If you consider yourself a fan of science fiction you need to be watching this series it's just that simple. For me I see in the show part Lord of the Rings and there is the heavy steampunk influence in terms of the technology.  The overall aesthetic is something that really drew me in it is a unique mix that blends the lines between scifi and pure fantasy like Lord of the Rings. I think it's fair to say that the world of Riese is not like any I've seen before. When watching in 720p on YouTube that world very visually compelling.  I also find the way the show is shot compelling as well you always get the sense that there are shadowy elements constantly at work, which is a central theme of the show. It also plays into the way the story unfolds which is also very elusive as well Riese gives you just exactly the right amount to keep you wanting more.

What I've gathered of the story is that we are following, for the most part, the journey of a heroine known as Riese who's traveling companion is a wolf.  The realm is governed, fairly ruthlessly, by an Empress known as Amara from the former seat of a benevolent kingdom known as Eleysia.  Some kind of coup took place which lead to Amara proclaiming herself Empress and a shadowy group known as The Sect who helped her rise to power now helps her keep that power. Riese is viewed as an enemy by Amara and she has sent her henchmen of The Sect to attempt to track down Riese. While little has been revealed thus far you always get the sense that greater and darker forces and purposes are at work simmering just below the surface.

Chapter 2 premiered just recently at the end of January and I watched the episode this evening.  If you weren't already convinced that Riese is one to take seriously and watch closely I was sitting there watching and in walks a new character for this chapter..."Holy Crap its Gaeta!!"  Yup that's right Alessandro Juliani, also known as Lt. Felix Gaeta from Battlestar Galactica and geek fandom favorite, has joined the cast!

I hope I've convinced you to at least give Riese a chance. If you like science fiction and fantasy at all Riese has compelling story telling, mythology, and a rich visually unique world.  Check it out I think you'll be glad you did.

New Episodes premiere on YouTube (and are available in 720p) the next one on February 15th and you can catch up with Chapter 1 as well.