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Post by Brady Brown on Aug 6, 2016 20:18:54 GMT -6
5.03: "Southern Comfort for the Hollywood Soul"This is episodes carries on with the lighter tone with a sprinkle of foreshadowing drama that I think will come forward sooner or later. There was a big moment in here with Alisha who decides to tell her life long best friend a big secret about herself that she has kept from him. And in true best friend fashion Alex is nothing but accepting and supportive of her. Their bond is truly special and unbreakable and I love when you take the time to shine a light on that. I don't see their relationship changing at all but I would like to see how Alex will interact Alisha's potential girlfriend at some point down the line. One of the lines I loves in this episode was, "he’s seen a new page of his best friend’s life being written right in front of him." So I think it would be pretty nice for him to experience this new page. The lighter tone will continue to be there, but expect a slowly lingering darker tone that will really take a half and half balance in the second half. Alisha coming out to Alex was such a huge moment, not only for those characters but for me as a writer. It was a definite highlight in my writing life so far. Alex will definitely be experiencing the new page(s) in Alisha's life, and vice versa in the episodes to come! You're right! Next ep  5.05 is the episode for you! That's when those band auditions shall take place! Thanks, Jay!  |
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Post by Jack Malone on Aug 13, 2016 22:21:11 GMT -6
AUDITION "Toast" was a very left-of-field episode for Audition, turning away from its usual focus to narrow in on a storyline involving Rose and Robbie. While the usual vibe of the series was missing in this outing — focusing on aspects rather foreign compared to the world of acting — the episode wasn't without it's classic Audition moments that featured a hilarious then heartwarming scene between Paula and David, and further development for the new world Alex and Alisha have since stepped into.
First up, the Rose and Robbie storyline was definitely something I was looking forward to and I was glad to see an entire episode devoted towards the formation of a band. Hosting "auditions" kept in line with the core of the show, and being introduced to two new supporting characters was a definite highlight of the episode. Stella, a flawless guitarist, and Trey, an anxious keyboard player, are two very welcome additions to the show and I always appreciate the way you hone in on distinct qualities that divide new characters and make them stand out on their own and you did that with Stella and Trey.
My only complaint about this band forming was that I was hoping for the search to extend a little longer than it did. I was hoping there would be gigs we'd see Rose and Robbie going to in search of some talent and maybe even fighting for certain people who may have had other offers from other people. I think it just fell together a little too quickly, but I do trust you with your direction of the storyline and remain just as excited about how things will continue to develop.
Now, my favourite part of the episode had to be the scene between Paula and David. This felt like a scene right out of the first season. I miss Paula's energy on the show. I know she hasn't really left or been severely reduced for that kind of a comment for me to make, but she just brings so much to the show that I'd like to somehow see even more of her. It was nice to have a scene where she offered David this heart to heart and served as a sound board for him to get his thoughts out. She's so supportive, and the added personality traits of being quirky and hilarious provided a lot out of this simple moment between two characters. It's nice to see David coming to terms with this change in his life and change in his goals and dreams.
Quote of the episode: "Realizing that just because your dream changed doesn’t mean you can’t find a new one."
Lastly, we got to see Alex and Alisha in their new acting class. The focus was more on the new characters — which contributed to the unfamiliar vibe in this week's episode — where we got to hear more from Livy and Gin (who was particularly entertaining), and Dev, who seemed to receive a proper introduction to Alisha that makes me wonder if anything is going to happen between those two (whether it be romantic, platonic, or plot-point important). I did like that the scene returned to Alex and Alisha at the end which provided a pretty adorable moment for those two. I love their dynamic so much. They're amazing friends and like Alex said, it was nice to see Alisha laughing again and having some fun.
And — just a quick 'end of review note' — I have to comment on the writing in this episode. Some of the lines of action are just so beautifully written when it came to certain shots and certain descriptions of Stella playing the guitar (for example). I usually just comment on story but the writing in this one was just very strong and creative so I had to make a quick note of it here. Well done!
Overall, a pleasantly surprising left-of-field episode of Audition that continued to develop some major storylines set up this season. While I was hoping for something a little different with the band auditions, it was far from disappointing and I've really appreciated how you've positioned these most recent episodes to tackle a character's main arc. It's a strategy that has been working for five episodes straight now, and they're almost like perspective pieces that never seem to neglect anyone no matter what the shift in focus is for each week. Hope the rest of the season is just as impressive as how it began! Well done, buddy! |
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Post by Jon Van Pelt on Oct 4, 2016 4:00:50 GMT -6
I’ve finally been able to catch up with the latest sequence of this show. Yay ! It’s fun to see the main and supporting actors evolve in some kind of ‘ensemble cast’. I enjoyed Alisha’s arc, exploring her bi-sexuality. Although in all honesty that storyline really took me off guard at first. Didn’t see that twist coming. Paula is still… Paula. Michael finally gets his own storyline (screenwriting) instead of being just “the dad”. Reading AUDITION is like seeing a teen drama on MTV (and I mean this in a positive way of course ). Looking forward to the rest of the sequence! |
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Post by A. Blackwood on Jan 15, 2017 19:32:41 GMT -6
So in an effort to get to know some of the people and the shows around the VPN I started reading Audition. Since it is a webisode series the shorter episodes made it less daunting as a starting point, even through it is into it's fifth sequence now (and hopefully I got all that virtual series terminology right!). I've actually read sequences 1-4 (and no, I don't read that fast, I started reading before I officially became a member) and just read 5.01, so I figured I'd include a little 'what I think of Audition so far' section before trying my hand at a proper review for 23 days.
Audition Sequences 1-4
So I'll be totally honest, Audition's genre and story probably isn't something I'd normally watch or read so that may colour my opinions and how I've perceived the series. That said, it was a very easy read and I did enjoy it for the most part.
One thing I noticed reading the whole backlog of episodes in a very short time was that your storylines and the characters have matured, for lack of a better term, with each new sequence. I found the series to be a little over the top and silly with the humour at first and felt the juxtaposition between that and some of the really serious storylines that played out in the first sequence or two didn't do the storytelling any favours. As you've progressed through the story though, that humour has kind of settled down into something that works a lot better with the drama aspect of the series and I found myself enjoying the later sequences a lot more because of that.
Character development has also been something that has improved a lot as you progressed through sequences. I felt that a lot of the characters outside your main cast (Alex, Alisha, Michael, and Paula) were very two dimensional in the first and second sequences, but in the current sequences side characters seem a lot more rounded out with interesting facets in their personality. Mia is probably my favourite example of this, where she was introduced as a typical bitchy young actor but over time it becomes clear that while she is bitchy and a little self serving, she can also be sympathetic and cares about her friends. Basically, with Mia I liked how you made her a character people can identify with and root for without doing a total one-eighty on her personality to make her likable.
Alex and Alisha have been solid leads and I'm always a fan of male/female relationships that aren't pushed as something romantic. Sometimes it's nice seeing just a solid friendship, which is what you provided with them. Admittedly I don't know much about acting and Hollywood so I can't comment on all their acting and filmmaking work, but I do like that they didn't, and you could arguably say still haven't, found much success yet and still need to work really hard to achieve their dreams, which seems to be an underlying theme for them. With their fair share of drama and arguments it's nice seeing them always come back to each other and they are both great gateways into this world you've build for Audition.
Michael I'm not really fussed about either way, and I know that's so horrible to say but there's nothing about him that has really grabbed me. He's felt very reactive for most of these sequences but I did start to enjoy some of his scenes in sequence four when he wanted to start working on scriptwriting. And, despite Michael not being a favourite character of mine, his scenes with the two pot smoking women who wanted write and film something were quite possibly the scenes I've found the funniest so far in Audition. Hopefully with Michael taking on a bit more of an active 'go get'ed' attitude I'll warm up to him a lot more.
Paula is the last major character I'm going to talk about or I'll be writing for ages! I felt Paula suffered a little from that two-dimensional thing I mentioned earlier in the beginning. I felt like she was only there to be crazy and outlandish which, personally, I found a little grating because I prefer a more subtle style of humour, especially in written works where you can't see and actor pulling of the physical movements/actions that may have made it funny to watch as opposed to read. That said, like most of the other characters, Paula has developed through the seasons and I feel like her craziness has been toned down to the point where I can appreciate it as a character trait of hers without feeling like I'm being hit over the head by it every time she enters a scene. I've gotten some genuine laughs out of some of her dialogue in the later seasons, even if I do find some of it still a little over the top.
On the technical writing front, I've noticed there's usually a couple of missing words or other typos/grammar per episode and while it's normally not a bother sometimes it really sticks out like a sore thumb and takes me out of the action. So as some constructive criticism I would just say make sure to watch out for those, because it makes for some really weird sentences or dialogue!
In conclusion, while Audition isn't my normal cup of tea it's enjoyable enough that I'd be happy to continue reading to see what happens to these characters. It's obvious that the series is improving with every sequence so I look forward to seeing what happens in sequence five and the storylines and character development that await!
5.01 | 23 Days Review
Okay, now to try and test out my reviewing ability on a single episode.
The first thing I want to point out is that I really enjoyed the flow of this episode. It read really easily and I didn't even realise until I got to the end that it was quite a few pages longer than a normal episode. To try and structure my review I'm going to break it down into the major storylines for the episode, so here we go:
Alisha and Alex
So as mentioned in my big Audition review I really like Alex and Alisha's relationship. It was nice to see them hanging out here and seeing Alex looking after Alisha who was very, very intoxicated. It was a pity Alisha was so drunk she wasn't able to take note of Alex opening up to her, but like it was mentioned in the dialogue, I don't think he would have said anything if he though she might actually be paying attention. I believe Alex spoke to Rose about how he was feeling a little bit in the last sequence, but it seems like his emotional state at the moment is running the very real risk of dipping into depression if it hasn't already. Also, here's hoping that this going out and drinking a lot trend isn't something Alex and Alisha use to try and deal with emotions they don't want to have.
Mia and David
I really, really like Mia and David's scenes. They just seem really genuine together here, what with Mia trying to learn all that comic book knowledge because she knows David likes it, and David really taking Mia's advice on board and trusting that she's trying to help him. Probably my favourite scenes in this episode.
The Band
Not too much going on here, but it's nice to see Rose pushing Robbie and Flynn to do more with their band and maybe take a few more steps closer to their dreams.
Paula and Michael
In a turn of events, Michael is the one dropping by unexpectedly at Paula's house. Obviously there are some feelings now happening between these two that either weren't there or were going unrealised before. It's been fairly obvious through the past sequences that this was probably where Paula and Michael were heading but I guess now the story evolves into 'will they act on it' and possibly even 'will it work'. I can't say this really came as a surprise, more of a 'oh, we're finally here!' moment, but I'm curious to see your take on this popular romance trope.
Conclusion
Overall a good episode to start a season as it opens up a lot of doors and poses a number of questions to be explored through the rest of the sequence. A good re-intoducton to all the characters and where they're at. Hopefully I'll be able to read and review some more episodes for you soon.
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Post by A. Blackwood on Jan 17, 2017 17:48:58 GMT -6
5.02 "Acting 102" Review
I'm back! and reviewing Auditions second episode of season five, 'Acting 102'.
So the episode opening with the closing down of their acting class I think is a great way to move the story forward and put Alex and Alisha into a new, and probably uncomfortable for them, situation. It was a really smart move to make sure that their acting classes wouldn't become stale, and it also gave a great opportunity to introduce a whole cast of interesting new players, but more on that later.
A quick interlude with Mia and David, and again I really like their dynamic and relationship. It feels very natural and I like that they're very different people and a bit part of their relationship so far as been them showing each other their interests and the other embracing it. It's really nice to see a relationship like that, and here's hoping there's not too much drama for them in the near future, because I do really like them together.
I must admit, seeing Michael really interested in doing something is adding a lot to his character that I felt was lacking in earlier sequences. Again, it's nice to see him and Paula still getting on like 'besties' but I'm interested to see when this romantic undertone/tension that is being played out, especially on Paula's side at the moment, will come to a head.
And back to Alex and Alisha for their new acting class. Hopefully this new acting class will be just what Alex and Alisha need to get out of the rut that they seem to have fallen into. We're introduced, like I said, to a whole host of new characters, and while we didn't get a lot of indiction about their personalities, they come off as different enough from each other to create some interesting situations or conflict. I look forward to seeing each of these new fellow acting students elaborated on in future episodes.
Overall a good episode and enjoyable read.
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Post by Brady Brown on Jan 21, 2017 19:03:30 GMT -6
OH MY GOD! Thank you all for this incredible support and incredible feedback. I don't even know where to begin. I would like to apologize to Jay and Jon for just NOW seeing your posts. 2016 was a hectic year for me, so they must have slipped under my radar. I feel like I can't properly go in depth with my responses to all three of your reviews, mostly because of my own terribleness and mind currently being an entire blur on what I even wrote up until this point in Audition. So, for now, thank you all. I love seeing your support for this show. Also to Addison, WOW! I'm so happy you stuck all the way through and read over 50 episodes of my crazy little series. Hopefully you continue to enjoy what you read, and thanks for hopping on the Audition train |
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Post by A. Blackwood on Jan 24, 2017 0:53:31 GMT -6
5.03 "Southern Comfort for the Hollywood Soul" Review
After a short break I'm back to review Audition again, hoping to get through 5.03-5.05 before any new episodes come out. Anyway, on to episode three of sequence five.
The Band
So we got to see a bit more of the band in this episode and the 'do we get new members or do we not get new members' questions thats been hanging from the start of the sequence finally gets an answer. I'm quite enjoying the storyline involving the band in this sequence. I think it's a nice contrast to see the relative success they're having compared to Alex and Alisha, who have hit a bit of a slump as far as their acting is going. I'm very much looking forward to seeing if the band will be able to find some new interesting members and where that will lead them to in future episodes.
David
It's nice to see David have a more serious interaction with his parents (or, well, as serious as David can be) about what he's going to do with the money. Personally my guess is he'll buy his own comic book store or something similar, but it's nice to see him being careful with the money and not doing that typical over the top spending spree that you see a lot in shows whenever a character comes into a lot of money. So kudos on doing something different there, and I'm interested to see exactly what David will do with the money.
Alisha
Wow, feeling really bad for Alisha at the moment. Not only is she having to adjust to her newly realised bisexuality, but she also keeps running into the, very much taken, girl she has crush on. It was nice to see her fully open up to Alex about her worries and get it all off her chest. Hopefully it will be a real turning point for her and allow her to start making so positive steps forward with her life and her goals.
Alex
And finally Alex. There wasn't too much with Alex this episode I felt until the end, where despite Alisha's assurances he still doesn't open up about what's going on with him. It's a little bit frustration to read, knowing that it's only going to get worse for him if he keeps everything to himself, but it's also a very realistic way of dealing with things. My only hope is that Alex will catch a break soon and things don't stay really bad for him for too long.
Overall
I thought this was a solid episode of Audition. Did notice a few very obvious typos or missing words, but nothing worse than usual. There wasn't anything super groundbreaking or exciting as far as the story went, besides Alisha coming out to Alex, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It was just a nice crusing episode as we gear up for what I'm sure will be some very interesting episodes to come!
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Post by Jack Malone on Jun 14, 2017 22:58:16 GMT -6
"Marks the Spot" Review
Audition is back! I couldn't be more excited about it, and of course had to read it immediately. This episode definitely had a different vibe in focusing on a reoccurring character in a much larger capacity before reuniting us with all the faves (excluding my ultimate fave, David), and delivered on a rather Alisha-centric episode that offered a lot of development and a lot of pay-off from some of the plot-threads of the past sequence.
So, first up, I'll talk about Kelsey. I've never been the biggest fan of her — for reasons that get addressed in this episode — but I've never questioned her significance in Alisha's journey, primarily in regards to her coming out and figuring out who she is. And this episode felt like a clear pay-off to their rather tumultuous relationship by acknowledging that while things ended poorly for them, they still served a strong and very good purpose in each other's lives. Even though there was a strong sense of closure, I feel like in introducing Kelsey's family, and in focusing so much on her perspective, it's not the last we'll see of Kelsey. I'm just left a little confused — as I always am — on how they can work and what direction I'd like to see them go in because I think while friendship would be the best case scenario, there is this underlying "slow burn" narrative that begun last sequence that kind of calls for them to be romantically linked at some point down the line and I'm torn between them earning it and seeing where that could go, and my distaste for their so-far-messy-dynamic only becoming even messier with more complicated feelings involved. So I'm distrusting of it all, but always excited to see what comes next because the show does feel unpredictable to me and I like the surprises you churn out. Quick sidenote, though — the opening scene with Kelsey and her family offered a much more favourable side to the character, and redeemed her a little more for me than her actual apology, so I think seeing more of her and knowing more about her would really benefit the character and how I view her going forward. I loved her mother, and there were certain references that had me wanting to know more about their family life and what's happened prior to now.
Moving on to Alisha, it felt very paralleled to Kelsey in this episode. She was having the same thoughts and feelings in terms of wanting to talk about things and be able to move on, but it came at quite opposite ends of the spectrum (Kelsey wanting to apologise, and Alisha wanting to thank her). Their "goodbye / until next time" scene was definitely a powerful one and I think it's just showcased how far Alisha has come since she's been on this self-discovering journey, and while it comes with a baggage of defeat, as a reader/viewer, I don't feel like "defeat" or "loss" is what is taken away from that moment -- in fact, it feels quite the opposite. Paired with the "tomorrow's another day," it feels like things will pick up for Alisha, and she's headed towards a happier, healthier time in her life. I hope that rings true, and I'm very excited about who she ran into at episode's end. I am ready for whatever stories are coming next.
Elsewhere in the episode, Alex addressed his own problems too, and I like that he was able to share that with Rose. I'm also a fan of how you went about that conversation with a harmless joke kind of triggering him to open up or at least show that he's not doing the best. I love the kind of "foot in mouth" moments that don't feel forced and come out of natural conversation and how it can lead into tackling the main conflict at hand. It's a creative tool that I like reading, and watching, and seeing play out, so I appreciated it's use here. As I said before, I feel so bad for Alex. Rejection is something we all have to deal with, but in his profession, it's elevated to something that is bound to eventually feel like kicking a man while he's down. And as much as I want to snap my fingers and see him suddenly happy again and have everything work out, I appreciate the realistic exploration of an aspiring actor's life and I like that this unfolding and developing story has carried over from one sequence to another and hasn't found a quick and easy resolution. I'm definitely nervous about his journey this sequence and where things might take him, but I feel like this is his year and he's going to have an arc that's been just as satisfying as Alisha's, no matter how hard it gets. As for Alex and Rose, this episode definitely showcased why they work so well together, and despite not "shipping them" in the sense that I ship certain other characters, I definitely caught myself having a few "aww" reactions to their scenes, haha.
And last, but not least, there's Michael and Paula. I needed a moment to remember what had been going on with them in the previous episodes, because I had forgotten that the dream had activated some weird behaviour on Paula's part and she's seeing him in a new light. I like that it's caused some introspection, and isn't just about "getting the guy" or "friends becoming more than friends." It feels like Paula is starting to question what she wants out of life and is looking at the calendar of life and going, "have I missed my shot to have it all?" The Michael/Paula fan in me really enjoyed how this "slow burn" is starting to take shape and feel like things could finally progress and stitch them together, but the Paula fan in me is really enjoying what this revelation has done for the character. I felt so bad for her. I think all of us, no matter how old we are, have moments where we feel like we missed our chance and I just like the idea that Paula is experiencing that on a level that isn't as focused on, "I missed my chance... with you." Does that make sense? I just liked it. I hope they get together this sequence. It's in the air, man. It's gonna happen.
Anyway, this was a great first episode back. I'm loving the progression of Alex's arc, and it was nice to see him open up. It was satisfying to see Alisha reach this point in her own story, and with the arrival/return of Angela, I'm inclined to think things will start to look up for her. The Michael and Paula "slow burn" continues to hurt my soul in all the best ways. And I think this episode offered a different perspective on Kelsey that I felt was needed, especially if she's a character that will thread back into the story down the line. My god, I'm so happy this show is back!
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Post by Brady Brown on Jun 17, 2017 21:00:53 GMT -6
"Marks the Spot" Review Audition is back! I couldn't be more excited about it, and of course had to read it immediately. This episode definitely had a different vibe in focusing on a reoccurring character in a much larger capacity before reuniting us with all the faves (excluding my ultimate fave, David), and delivered on a rather Alisha-centric episode that offered a lot of development and a lot of pay-off from some of the plot-threads of the past sequence. It feels so good to finally be back airing episodes. This sequence is delving into some really dark topics that are kind of hard to write about, but rewarding nonetheless I've always loved writing Kelsey. I thought she was a great contrast to Alisha, and showed a future of what Alisha could be hopeful for. I really wanted to close off everything they went through last sequence, and I think them not ending up together, but learning so much from one another, was the perfect way to close off their "would they/won't they" story. I definitely don't want this to be the last of Kelsey. As far as the rest of this half of the sequence, she's done for now. I would love to bring her back, but it's all about if she's needed for the story. Or maybe I'm just saying that haha! But no, I really want to delve more into her family, and everything that was subtly hinted at in this episode. I will say that one member of her family for sure shows up later in the sequence This was a real turning point for Alisha. I don't want to say she's going to 100% just move on from this moment in her life, but she's definitely changing for the better, and Angela is really going to help her with that. Alisha is on a journey of self love this sequence, and I can't wait for you to see what happens with her. Alex and Rose's relationship is a real defining moment of this sequence moving forward. This was also the first time someone's really figured out what's going on with Alex, and that's something that plays into the next 4 episodes. Alex is on a real journey of self-discovery in a completely different way than Alisha was last sequence. His confidence is really tested. I've always wanted to explore something along the lines of this, and hopefully I can keep it exciting and unpredictable. And i'm glad you're warming up to Alex/Rose. I love them so much (and you should too). What do I even say to this without giving anything away? haha! You're right, this story is about a lot more than Paula having feelings for Michael. It's an exploration of what she's done with her life. Everyone has a fear of missing out. She's had really bad luck with her life, and that's something she's starting to fully realize. Michael, on the other hand, has finally found what he thinks is his calling. So they're on two opposite ends of the spectrum at the moment, and it's all about figuring out if they can meet in the middle at some moment and see if they are truly meant to be! I'm so glad! The next episode is one of my all time faves. I loved writing the return of Angela, and she has one of my new favorite scenes next episode, and I hope you enjoy it just the same. Ah! I'm so excited to be back! Hopefully these next few eps are even better! |
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Post by Jack Malone on Jun 21, 2017 23:59:45 GMT -6
"Raven of LA" Review
This episode definitely has me left with mixed feelings — not in the sense that the episode was a poor one, but the reactions that certain scenes and storylines in the episode triggered, often sparking a frustrated reaction. I felt like it's important to draw that distinction so my response to certain things don't seem like criticisms I want you to take on board and fix for the future, because that's not the case here. So beyond that, I really liked the development in each story for Alisha, for Alex and for Rose/Robbie, and essentially I'm excited to see where things are headed.
First up, I want to talk about the return of Angela. Right off the bat, the only negative I have from her return is that I'm not a huge fan of things happening "randomly." I was hoping there was a greater reason for her to return other than just wanting to catch up because it would speak to some kind of arc but maybe she's not being completely honest and there is a great reason for her to be back. Either way, I'm so happy she is back. I love when shows pull from their earlier seasons and thread thing back into the present and she's a character that I think could have a really bright future as the show continues beyond her arc in Seasons 1 and 2.
I'm also really liking her dynamic with Alisha. They had a really great "reunion" scene at the beginning of the episode. I loved the "fifteen pounds" joke. It was like breath had been held up until that point and then they could finally breathe — it was a sense of relief that felt needed for the past to be addressed so we could move into a new relationship for them. Speaking of which, I loved their karaoke night. As fun as it was to see them get up and sing, it was more the speech that convinced Alisha to get on stage in the first place. I loved that you took things back from the 50th episode — advice from Christmas past — and threw Alisha's own words back to her and her current situation. I really hope we get more Angela as the story unfolds, and I hope if there's not some bigger reason for her to come back then there's a reason for her stay down the line.
Moving on to the more conflicting parts of the episode... it was definitely nice to see the band come together but I have to tell you that I absolutely hate this Stella character, haha. I'm not sure if it's intentional so far or if I'm just making snap judgements here (as I know you'll flesh these new characters out as the season unfolds) but fuck, hahaha. She just reminds me of those people who create drama for the sake of drama and don't want to bring up what people have done wrong in order to help them learn/grow from their mistake but they only do it to attack and get into an argument. If she has a problem with Robbie then she should confront him about it and not A) Call him out in front of everyone, or B) Drag him through the mud just because something he did triggered her and made her remember some guy she hated who has nothing to do with Robbie in the first place. I feel quite able to make snap judgements about her when she treats Robbie like shit because he reminds her of someone who did her wrong. Like damn. So that's what I mean when I say it's a storyline that triggers mixed feelings, and not me going, "this episode sucks/isn't as good." She just snapped and that whole "nah I love music so I'mma stay" like no fam... go play ur guitar in the basement and upload shitty youtube covers and leave Robbie alone, haha. /end rant.
And lastly, there's the arc with Alex getting more traction. I'm so torn because I'm like "no, don't take the drugs" but at the same time I'm so excited to see what this journey will be like for him and where it's going to take him. It's like... as a fan I want my boi Alex to be happy and healthy and free of all this painful bullshit, but as someone who appreciates good story and good character development and arcs, I'm like "YES TAKE THE DRUGS LETS RIDE THIS BISH OUT TO THE FINALE." Do you see what I mean? It both hurts and fuels my soul. But yes, it was nice to see how you portrayed it — there was this hesitancy in taking them from Wyatt and it was almost harmless, and then when he does take it, it's such a quiet moment and such a quiet ending to the episode that is actually a really powerful scene. So I'm pumped up for his arc. My heart aches for the guy, but again, I'm excited to see what it does for the show and for the season and for Alex's journey.
A little sidenote — we got to see David (my Audition fave) and it was nice to see him tell Alex about the comic book thing. It does feel like "acting" is the best career to thread characters into the show and meet them, so I understand why David had those same aspirations to begin with, but he's grown so much through the show and formed an identity that doesn't really blend with that career choice. So it's nice to see him follow his own dreams because that's very much what the show feels like it's about -- a group of people on a path to achieving their dreams. My only negative regarding his involvement in the episode was how Alex treated him. I understand Alex is going through whatever he's going through but I didn't like how David got the brunt of his anger and kind of suggested that David should just stop asking about how he's going, and what's been going on, and you know... friend things. I definitely see why it worked from a story standpoint, but as a fan of David, I was pretty pissed at Alex's treatment of him, especially when you contrast it with how kind he was to Rose about opening up in the previous episode to how angry he was with David for the same thing. But again, I understand the purpose of it. I'm just pressed.
Anyway, another strong episode of 'Audition.' I really like the storylines this season. Hands down, I'm the most excited about Alex. This is definitely his year. Everything that happens with him makes me want to see the next episode right away. I know you joked about dropping them all like Netflix does, but that would also be great (although, then I'd have to wait a long time for more so don't do it). It was nice to see David again. It's so great to have Angela back (I hope she stays). The "band" storyline is moving a little slower than the other storylines, but there's still enough progress when it shows up that I can't really be mad about it (but I am mad at Stella). Looking forward to next week!
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Post by Brady Brown on Jun 25, 2017 19:43:43 GMT -6
"Raven of LA" Review This episode definitely has me left with mixed feelings — not in the sense that the episode was a poor one, but the reactions that certain scenes and storylines in the episode triggered, often sparking a frustrated reaction. I felt like it's important to draw that distinction so my response to certain things don't seem like criticisms I want you to take on board and fix for the future, because that's not the case here. So beyond that, I really liked the development in each story for Alisha, for Alex and for Rose/Robbie, and essentially I'm excited to see where things are headed. As soon as I posted this episode, I knew there would be some things that frustrated you, haha! Luckily, for the most part, that was the feeling you were supposed to feel for the parts you mentioned below. I never really intended to reveal everything about Angela with her first appearance. Not really a spoiler, but she definitely didn't just come back in town "to catch up," so that should ease your concerns I hope. I'm excited that I was able to bring her back. She really represents a large part of what the show used to be and also a part of where the show is currently going. I've loved writing everything about her. Alisha/Angela is currently my new favorite relationship to write. I need a ship name for them. Hallavis? It's settled. Anyway, Angela is really stepping into the role of guiding light for Alisha. She's practically been through what Alisha has been through, and so the roles are sort of flipped from what we saw in the 50th episode. Angela is very much the light in the darkness that Alisha has been going through, so we'r going to keep seeing that through these next few episodes HAHA! Well, you were definitely supposed to be frustrated with Stella. I think the scenario is really tricky at its core if you try to ignore the very much standoffish nature that Stella has. Her intention was to simply defend Trey, just like in their introduction ep, and you'll slowly learn why throughout this sequence. I don't blame you for such a heated reaction, though haha, especially since this is the third sequence we've known Robbie. Their conflict is something that will be a driving force in the band storyline, and who knows, maybe they'll work it out sooner rather than later haha. But no, all I can hope is that you'll understand (not necessarily agree with) why Stella acts the way she does as this sequence continues. I feel like I keep saying the same thing when it comes to Alex haha. I'm so excited to keep writing this. We're still in the beginning stages of what's actually going to happen with him haha. I think the drugs are really just an experiment at this point for him. We'll see if he continues down this path in the next few eps. He's sinking lower and lower, and the last two eps of this half specifically really test what he's all about. I'm glad you're loving reading this as much as I am writing it. I wanted to change David's career path for so long, and I'm glad I finally managed to do it. David is really going to try and make this dream happen this sequence (whatever it may be). Alex snapping at him wasn't really rooted in "he's being nice to Rose and mean to David" as it was David being the unlucky person who asked him if he was fine one too many times. Alex is really getting tired of that question, and we saw him express that verbally in the last ep, and this ep was just the edge for him. Thanks so much for the review, Jack! Glad you enjoyed it! Next week is the mock trial ep, and I hope you enjoy! [/quote] |
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Post by Jack Malone on Jun 29, 2017 21:12:54 GMT -6
'AUDITION' REVIEW | 5.08: "Around and Around and Around" 'Audition' definitely had a different vibe this week, and it came from leaning in towards the more comedic side of the series that made me very reminiscent of the earlier episodes of the series. While there was still time to check in on David and Rose, in particular, most of the episode centered around Alex, Alisha and the Wilkstrom's actors participating in a hilarious mock trial that made this one of my personal favourite episodes of the series, and definitely a memorable one for 'Audition.' First up, I wanted to talk about all the fresh faces in the episode. They contributed to a lot of the humour in this episode, and I really appreciated how you found time to give all of them their own moments. I'm still at a point where it's difficult to talk extensively about them because they are still new to the show, and I haven't spent all that much time with them, but Gin was a definite stand out and I also gravitated towards Brandon and Gabriella. Despite really enjoying what they brought to the table, it was a little overwhelming to have all these new characters in the majority of the episode, with the most lines and interactions. But regardless of that, it didn't have much of an impact on me. I still came out of this episode loving it, and feel it's one of the best and most funniest of the sequence, if not series. Touched on in these interactions were two somewhat key moments for Alex and Alisha, individually. The first was with Alisha, whose past behaviour in cheating was kind of brought back up. I really enjoyed bringing that back to the forefront just for a fraction of a second. It was a nice reminder of how far she's come, and that was really the precursor to everything. So I appreciated that small moment of her kind of sinking into herself from it. And with Alex, it was a discussion about the shooting and how it can be a stain on his resume. Personally, I'm not really sure if that is realistically what is thwarting his auditions. Obviously, I don't know because you're the one writing it, but I did feel like it was just another thing thrown out there for Alex to get his head around and make him feel even worse. I feel so bad for the guy. Speaking of which, David and Rose were shopping for a present for Alex's birthday where they stopped to chat about the most important guy in their lives. I definitely appreciated their moment together, and my memory is a little hazy on it, but I feel like it's rare for them to share a subplot or even a scene together. So it was nice. However, it did feel like the conflict dragged on a little too much. It was a back and forth of "we should do something" and "well there's nothing we can really do." I just think it messed with the pace a little. And I felt like Alex opened up to Rose in a previous episode about it, and was more distant with David. So it was a little weird to see Rose talk about not understanding what Alex is going through, when I almost felt like the roles should have been reversed. However, it was very true to character at the scene's end — I think David knows that an audition won't be the best thing for Alex and is quite hesitant about it, whereas Rose is trying to make Alex feel better and doesn't really see how it might make things worse. All in all, it was a great scene that I'm sure set us up for a huge bubbling point in Alex's story. I really don't see an audition helping him. I just hope any resentment doesn't trace back to Rose because they're in a really good place right now. Quote of the episode — "I would rather snort a line of glass." - Celina Overall, this was one of the best episodes. I might need to reread it a few times to appreciate these brilliant interactions even more, but I really appreciated the show leaning into its comedic side. I hope we see more of these newish characters, and I hope there are more opportunities in the future to embrace the lighter side of the show. In saying that, I wanted to make a quick note about how much I loved the "mock trial" scenes. I loved the acting in it. The improv, and the accents, and all the crazy that went down in that scene was hilarious. The whole episode was just fantastic. And even though I was a little overwhelmed by all the characters, and a little unsure of how long the conflict lasted in the scene for Rose and David, it didn't infringe upon my enjoyment of the episode. So well done! Can't wait for more |
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Post by A. Blackwood on Jun 30, 2017 22:11:34 GMT -6
5.06 "Marks the Spot" Review
With new episodes for the sequence starting up I figured what better time to jump back into reviewing Audition episodes.
Kelsey and Family
I really liked Kelsey's interactions with her family at the start of this episode. It felt very real and natural the way they all interacted with each other, especially Kelsey with her mother. I do get the impression though that we may be seeing them a lot more despite later in the episode where it looks like Alisha and Kelsey won't be seeing each other again for some time, if ever. I feel like this because it seemed like a lot of effort was put into introducing those two new characters when the scene could have easily just been Kelsey and her mother, so I hope we do see them again later down the track because I feel like I'm going to be disappointed if we don't.
Alex and Rose
It was nice to see Alex opening up a bit more to Rose in this episode because I feel like Alex is going to end up in a really, really bad place if he doesn't get back on the right track soon. I also really liked the way Rose deals with Alex's mood drop and the problems she senses he's got at the moment. It's nice to see a character doing all the right things in a situation like that, encouraging him to get help, telling him it's okay to feels sad rather then telling him to get over it, things like that, which made Rose really stand out in the episode for me. Especially as someone who has had to help friends and family with mental illness before, it's nice to see a positive representation of trying to help someone rather than taking the 'nobody notices' or 'people respond in ways that make things worse' route a lot of shows take.
Michael and Paula
I can't say I've been a huge fan of the older characters on this show (sorry!), which is not to say I don't like them, I just prefer the younger character's stories. So when there's scenes that focus exclusively on characters like Michael and Paula I find I'm not always as invested in what's happening with them. That said, it has been interesting to see the development of Paula's character in particular. I know from reading some other reviews people have been on the Paula/Michael bandwagon from the get go, but I've never really been able to see them in a serious relationship until recently in the show, and I think that's because of Paula's development. She started off as a character who seem exclusively there for comedic effect but in recent episodes being able to see a more introspective side of her, a more 'mature' side of her, has really added to her character and made it easier to connect with her. So yes, while not my favourite parts of the storyline I think it will interesting to see how things develop in the future for these two characters.
Alisha and Kelsey
It would have been so easy to take a super dramatic approach to what happened with the meet up between Kelsey and Alisha but I was really surprised and glad that the scene was an emotional one, but not dramatic for drama's sake. It was nice to see the two girls open up to each other here and be completely honest with each other in this scene. I was also nice that things didn't go down a jealous route, or Alisha trying to break up Kelsey and Tina, instead both characters acted like really mature young women in the scene. I'm sure that there will still be feelings and emotional consequences from what happened, but it's enjoyable and fresh to see them not done in a really trope-y way.
Ending
I actually wanted to give this it's own section because I completely thought the episode was going to close on a sad Alisha but the re-introduction of Angela right at the end had me really sitting up in my seat. Even though I knew it was coming in a way I was still surprised by it and it definitely has me intrigued to see why Angela is back and what she will be doing in future epsiodes.
Overall
Again a solid episode of Audition, though I would rank it a little higher than your regular episode just for the twist at the end. A few spelling issues- more missing words come to think of it- that made some lines of action a little weird, but nothing overly scene breaking. All in all another enjoyable read.
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Post by Brady Brown on Jul 5, 2017 11:49:09 GMT -6
'AUDITION' REVIEW | 5.08: "Around and Around and Around" 'Audition' definitely had a different vibe this week, and it came from leaning in towards the more comedic side of the series that made me very reminiscent of the earlier episodes of the series. While there was still time to check in on David and Rose, in particular, most of the episode centered around Alex, Alisha and the Wilkstrom's actors participating in a hilarious mock trial that made this one of my personal favourite episodes of the series, and definitely a memorable one for 'Audition.' I love writing different vibe-y Audition episodes. I think it's important to occasionally remind everyone how wacky and fun this show can actually be, even if it's got a deeper, darker storyline throughout. I'm really happy you loved this episode so much! I really love writing all of these new characters. I really wanted to showcase them all in an episode, and there will be another Wikstrom's Actors focused episode in the second half of the sequence. I wanted to make all of them as different as I could, and really show a contrasting nature of them already being involved in the business. Gin, Gabriella, and Brandon are all super fun to write. All of them, though, will find ways to be incorporated into larger portions of the series Exactly the reason I felt the need to bring it up. Alisha's grown tremendously in the past sequence and a half, and I think it's important, for her especially, to reflect on how far she's come. For Alex, it was a way to bring up his failed attempts. It wasn't really about the shooting being the reasoning for his lack of success, but just something that continues to pile on him of not actually getting any work. Next ep really address this. It was more of Rose still not being 100% certain about Alex's situation, and confused on how she's been unable to help him. It's a really conflicting situation because Rose is very much blinded by just wanting to help Alex that she doesn't see the harm that it may cause. David, on the other hand, while best friends with Alex, never had that relationship where Alex pulled him out of the darkest time in his life like he did with Rose. So that's where a lot of this scene lied. You'll see how that audition goes next ep Queen. I'm thrilled you loved this episode so much. Like I said, the new characters are still going to be peppered throughout, with another main focus ep later in the sequence. Hope you enjoy the next ep! It's got a really big Alex focus! |
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Post by Brady Brown on Jul 5, 2017 11:55:57 GMT -6
5.06 "Marks the Spot" ReviewWith new episodes for the sequence starting up I figured what better time to jump back into reviewing Audition episodes. Yay! I've always wanted to bring in Kelsey's family, because it's a big part of who she is and how she's interacted with Alisha. I don't want to say any of the Marks' won't show up again, because they more than likely will, you'll just have to wait and see! Alex's story is a very personal one, so I'm really excited to be able to write it. There's going to be a lot of layers of interactions he has that affect him moving forward, subtle and not so subtle one, and this was one of them. Rose is so supportive of him, and I'm glad you liked how she addressed the issue with him. I hate when forms of media show the "there is no hope with depression" so I'm definitely trying to go against that stigma Completely okay! Haha. I'm glad they've grown on you though, as I've really loved developing them further, especially Paula. I don't really want to make her story about "does she end up with Michael" but more about "does she end up doing what she wants" if that makes any sense. Neither one of them have the biggest stories of the sequence, but I think they're very much standouts. I always try to go against the cliches and tropes, so I'm glad you felt I did that. I wanted to do a "shocking" end to their "romantic" relationship that wasn't really rooted in jealousy but rather the betterment for both women. I think they need some time apart, and I will say that we haven't seen the last of Kelsey. It's just all about her needing to come back at the right time for the right story. Yay! Glad you're excited for Angela to be back! Thanks so much for reading! Love seeing your thoughts, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the episodes! |
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Post by A. Blackwood on Jul 6, 2017 4:03:43 GMT -6
5.07 "Raven of LA" review
Look at me, getting two reviews done within a week. This is what happens when I have time off work! Anyway, on to my opinions of Audition's seventh episode of sequence five, "Raven of LA".
Alisha & Angela
I always love good character development and Angela's character development has been huge. Considering Angela started off as what appeared to be a very two-dimensional antagonist, it's been incredibly interesting to see her get to the point where she could very well become a good friend of Alisha's. That said, did you realise early on that Angela and Alisha would be sharing so many scenes? Because reading their names one after the other when they are so similar did make me have to stop sometimes and really check who was actually speaking, haha! Not really a criticism, because if this was filmed they sound different enough, they just look similar on paper. Might be something to consider when you're bringing in new characters though.
Regarding their shared scenes though, again I'm loving how the show is avoiding petty drama. It would have been really easy for Alisha to not want anything to do with Angela or hold and grudge, and it would have been really easy to not have Angela address her past behaviour. Instead, Alisha shows an understanding of the situation Angela was in at the time, and Angela owns up to the fact she was a pretty terrible person and not just because of outside reasons. If these two characters were going to have a chance of a believable future friendship then these things needed to be addressed properly and I think you did that really well, following on from the last time Alisha and Angela saw each other.
In another throw back to the last time Angela and Alisha were together, we have Angela being the support that Alisha seems to be needing at the moment. It was a nice full circle having Angela repeat Alisha's words to her, and the fact that Angela expended on it too shows how she has obviously been reflecting and rebuilding herself as a person since we last saw her. It was a really nice scene they shared together before their karaoke song, but unfortunately the karaoke part itself really took me out of this scene. I'm not sure if it was supposed to be a bit tongue-in-cheek or a bit of a shoutout to a role Elizabeth Gillies has had before, but the fact that this scene mirrored a scene from 'Victorious' didn't sit the best with me (and in all honesty, I wouldn't have know that the scene existed in Victorious except that I had seen that clip before on Facebook or Tumblr and remembered the song). I feel the scene would have been fine for me if it had been any other song, but as it stands it was really scene breaking. If it was meant to be a shout-out then that makes a lot more sense and makes it seem a bit more fun, but I feel it would have worked a lot better if it was something more subtle.
That said, Angela and Alisha's scenes in this episode were some of my favourites and I really hope Angela will be sticking around for a while!
The Band
It was nice to catch up with the band again in this episode and see what they're up to, and it seems to be arguments and misunderstandings all around unfortunately. I feel sorry for Rose here because she's working to try and make sure everyone is happy but it seems like Robbie and Stella will be butting heads for a while yet. It's annoying (in a good way) that they keep arguing about Trey and other things, because I feel like Stella might have a really good reason for acting the way she does but unless she actually opens up and tells everyone that reason the band is probably going to be having a lot more arguments. I'm also trying to work out if there is history with Stella and Trey, or if Trey maybe just reminds Stella of someone which is why she's being really protective of him.
Either way, I am more intrigued by Stella than annoyed by her at this point. I'm curious to see more of her (and the whole band) just so some of these questions will be answered and I'm not left making up wild theories in my head.
Alex and David
I think Jack might have mentioned it in his review from what I remember, but the scene with Alex and David felt a little bit off in a way I can't just put my finger on. In all honesty it could just be how out of character Alex is acting that makes his interactions at the moment seem odd, which is actually a good thing because it's not just the characters noticing something is up, but us as readers too. We also got a little bit of insight into what David could be heading into in the future, that being comics. I don't think anyone would be surprised by this but it will be interesting to see what aspect of the comic world he'll end up in- is it going to be as simple as owning a comic book store or is he going to get into writing or drawing?
And finally we have Alex doing a really dumb thing and accepting drugs. I was so mad at this but at the same time, I know people who have done the exact same thing- in fact, that was probably why I was so mad. Audition has always proclaimed to be a drama/comedy and I feel like, while it has become more balanced between these two genres as time goes on, this sequence is definitely focused on the drama so far, particularly with Alex's fairly heavy storyline so far. All I can say is I really hope Alex doesn't end up too deep in this hole, because it's going to be a heck of a struggle to dig himself even with the help of friends.
Overall
A very long episode (20 pages I think?) of Audition that was mostly all hits except for that one scene I mentioned earlier in the review. At the moment I feel like we're mostly cruising, and while there are things happening it also feels like more of a slow build for a number of storylines that will probably come to a head around the mid-season if I had to guess. So on the whole a good episode and I'm looking forward to catching up and seeing what's happening in the newest episodes.
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