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Post by Matthew James on Jun 3, 2023 15:24:58 GMT -6
PRODUCTION RESUMES Hey Everyone. I know it's been a minute, with the pandemic and everything that has happened I haven't gotten much time to write these days, but -- I'm glad to announce production on Season one has resumed, all that's left is the editing and a few polishing's. I'll be updating the Spoilers section a bit more frequently as I progress through the back half! |
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Post by Matthew James on Jan 18, 2022 21:52:36 GMT -6
PRODUCTION UPDATE Hey everyone, I know it's been a bit since the first half of season one dropped hope everyone enjoyed it and you're all doing well as mentioned previously in the general thread which I'll reiterate in case you didn't see it. My laptop crashed, and I lost most of my work on season two and the edited episodes for the back half of season one. This horrible loss has of course caused there to be some delays. But.. I think what I'm going to do is a quick run through the back half fix what mistakes I can find and put it up, than when I have some down time do a slower second pass. |
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Post by Matthew James on Jan 4, 2022 19:24:24 GMT -6
Thanks Jack! You'd think we'd all save more often... lol. I did get a new laptop But I definitely was disheartened at first but I've taken a different approach to season 2 that I think I'm happier with! so like @darrin said silver linings and all that.
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Post by Matthew James on Dec 18, 2021 18:31:35 GMT -6
Hey everyone, quick update. Unfortunately my laptop died I was on 207:(, the last episode I backed up was 203 - But the death of a laptop is a catalyst for change, so while I have to go back to 204, maybe I can do things differently and better!
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Post by Matthew James on Aug 25, 2021 1:19:11 GMT -6
Great news. 205 is done! Which means 2A is officially finished!
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Post by Matthew James on Aug 9, 2021 21:35:52 GMT -6
Finished 204 today of BH and started on 205 - The Mid season finale! Afterward, I'll start working through the back half of season one!
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Post by Matthew James on Jul 1, 2021 13:17:15 GMT -6
PRODUCTION UPDATE Just a quick little production update. I haven't been editing on Season 1 as much as I'd like to be, though I have been actively writing Season 2 I'm about half done the season. My lack in writing is mostly due to after the lockdown I've been out enjoying the summer. My plan is to finish off the the first half of Season 2, and afterwards begin edits for the back half of Season 1. My goal is to air Season 1B around the start of September! I hope you're all safe and out enjoying your post lockdown life! It's been a long one but I think things are finally getting back to normal. PS. I've released episode titles for 1B! |
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Post by Matthew James on Jun 11, 2021 23:44:53 GMT -6
Jamison, Jamison, Jamison. Thank you so much for everything you've done for us all. You have no reason to feel bad at all... You gave us a place to voice our hopes and dreams. Though it's been a long time, you've always been an inspiration to this almost secret aspect of my life, and so it only makes sense that you yourself have taken steps to protect your identity. I have based so many versions of a series based on people in my life and they have no idea. This is something I can never share with them. but I've been honored to share with all of you. We all keep our identities secret a bit, or at least I think we should. You don't need the internet knowing everything about you, and all I need to know is your strength of character! You're a wonderful person and friend, and I pray that you never allow yourself to think otherwise! Matthew James. If that is my real name  |
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Post by Matthew James on Jun 11, 2021 2:13:28 GMT -6
1.01 - Stir of Echoes - Review
First off I wanna say I've been meaning to get to these reviews. I love the idea of an epic saga wrapped around religion and faith. I loved the opening of the episode. How well you go into detail, I could very easily picture it all in my head playing out. The box of Echoes was an interesting McGuffin.
We meet Reign and Seth in a church before demons attack killing and Seth. Reign is able to shoot his way out church and is left heartbroken from the loss. It's later implied that gold laced with frankincense and myrrh, are the only things that can kill Angels -- I was left uncertain as to what he was using to shoot the demons, was it just regular bullets, or were they golden bullets. Do regular bullet's even hurt demons?
Then we meet father Diamond Stephens and his sister Amelia, while Diamond is my favorite character of at least the episode, I really like the dynamic these two share. Father Diamond Stephens is not only a broken down "recovering" alcoholic who has lost his faith, or at least the only thing he's ever really believed. That he was meant to do something... bigger. Mostly because he's had visions for as long as he can remember, and he isn't shy about letting his loved ones know it. Naturally, they think he's a bit certifiable. One aspect of his character I love is it's clear to see the people in his life have begun to lose faith in the man of faith. And that's when his purpose comes crashing into his life...
Diamond finds Eve on the road. The ground cracked around her naked body and decides to take her to the hospital. There we learn that she is an Angel or Unbound Angel who has fallen to earth and that she is Eve from the Bible though constantly reminds Diamond and the reader that everything you thought you knew about the "Bible" is a lie. She also gives hints that the voices Diamond's heard all his life could mean he's something more than human.
After helping Eve sneak out of the hospital the two turn to Amelia for help. Trying to convince her Eve's true identity, and attempt to get her to see the severity of the situation at hand, but naturally when you start talking about Angel's and demons people tend to think you're crazy, and the relationship between the siblings further fractures especially when the priest and Angel "borrow" Amelia's car and head off on their own adventure.
First meeting Lucifer, who owns a wild nightclub. This sounds a bit familiar, but all is forgiven when we meet "Lucy" and realize she's "a woman of all things". I died reading that line. I like how much fun Lucy reads here, and I'm certainly expecting their to be some interesting history between the Angel and Devil. These two are written so well when there together that there's no way for them not to have history. Eventually, the duo leave and Lucifer orders Cobalt, her bar bouncer to kill them. He winds up letting them go, and the readers learn that Cobalt works for someone called Azreal.
Their encounter leads them to Reign and the Box of Echoes at his apartment. I'm not sure it's ever made clear what exactly he is? Is he a warrior? Angel? Was he something else? We get some amazing exposition, I love how much thought you put into everything. Suddenly Diamond has a vision that a Demon is attacking his sister's school having a possessed friend, and Amelia and a young student Danny are in trouble at the school and Azreal who is a council member for the Angel has no intention of saving them.
This is where the team comes together, Eve vows to protect Amelia if the council will not. Though Azreal arrives telling Eve that her job is to stop the demon not save the girl. Despite this Eve has every intention to save Amelia. I think this is the only time I had any sort of problem with Eve. Maybe it's just cause it's the first time she ever seems to actually care about humans.
The trio get teleported to the school by Azreal, just as Amelia attempts to fight off the demon on her own. The gang manages to shoot the demon which kills the host, but the demon itself "slithers away", I like how you described the demon as serpent-like, I think that's some wonderful originality, and is probably the most believe variation on demons I've ever read! I can't wait to see more of these guys. Amelia is left to mourn the loss of her colleague. But at least the team saved her and the boy. In the end Diamond in a way has exactly what he wanted. He knows the visions he was plagued with as a kid are all true. He has his sanity and finally feels like he's where he's meant to be, though him finding his own sanity may just have shattered his sisters. It's such a tragic and get parallel, and can't wait to see how it plays out! Afterward, a hooded figure awakens something dark and human, and the pilot comes to a close.
All in all, this is a great setup, and I hope you enjoy my rant but this was a long pilot. So I had tons of notes. You'll cash me reading episode two before long!
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Post by Matthew James on Jun 9, 2021 15:03:18 GMT -6
Hey Jay, I haven't gotten to respond to this yet (though you and I have discussed things a bit). I just wanted to say thanks for reading, and I'm happy to hear you're enjoying the ride. Be warned that this will be a SPOILER-filled message! When you guys suggested moving the Witch stuff to episode two it was such a good idea, and I really appreciated It. It made more sense to have charcters like Violet and Amelia have all their stuff in this episode, as opposed to do like one scene per episoed. I'm glad you found a favorite in Emily. It's interesting Emily is the easiest character to write and Violet was such an interesting... "Learning experience" lol. But like you mentioned she provides one of the central points of conflict here, and we get some twists and turns from this dynamic. That I don't want to spoil yet! Bringing us to Shannon, I always knew she was going to have trouble with turning, especially where it relates to anger. If I'm being honested I was definately insipred by the Teen Wolf OG pilot here. There was a line in it at the end of pilot when Scott turns that said something like. He is no longer a sixteen year old boy. He is a hulking monster. He is the danger. I knew Shannon needed to become the antagonist early, and that she would go up against "the heroes". This way when charactes like Violet talk about how dangerous Shannon is, the kids have lived the danger, and can understand the fear she has. We've talked about Matt a bit, I get where you're coming from with him. I think the strong silent type trope doesn't work so well for Virtual Series lol. But I promise you, he will get more dialogue and more personality soon! The concept was as he gets more comfortable with these (mostly) new people, and he starts to open up a bit more, it just takes time to pay off haha. You mentioned his comfortablity with guns, which was interesting prosses. I knew I wanted him to be a gun weilder, he isn't the physical fighter Shannon is, and he doesn't have a connection to magic like Emily, so he needed a thing. Guns allowed him to stay at a distance and helps him feel safe(r), cause he's got some defence. There was originally an idea that he'd get like a new weapon every episode so he can build an arsonal of his own. That kind of drops off after episode 03, he picks something up to get +3 to damage haha. I feel like I should have you screen the episodes ahead. You have great ideas, oh well! What's done is done. Justin is a lot of fun to write for, I'm glad his jokes are working out. Every time I get to a Justin line and I'm like oh he needs to make with the funny here. I walk around my house for like 20 minutes trying to come up with a good one-liner. It's actually far easier to be sassy with Harper than funny with Justin. As far as seeing more from him. He plays a pretty vital role within the group so you'll get to see more from him soon as well! The end of the episode was the second thing I knew I wanted to do, make Shannon the threat, and than make her "The captive" it forces Matt and Justin to step up a bit, and we'll get to see how they operate without their Tank! Violet definately goes a bridge to far, huh? Let's just say you'll get everything you want. And the teacher's involved? This was originally Ben's first scene and he wasn't going to be a teacher. I just thought him being a teacher gave the imperssion that anyone could be involved in this world and you wouldn't have a clue. I loved reading your review Jay, thanks for taking the time! My hope is to make it very worth it  |
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Post by Matthew James on Jun 1, 2021 13:44:53 GMT -6
Review SPOILERS BEWARE: 1x04 "There's Something about Leila"For starters. Once again at the top of your game when it comes to creating hijinks, and situational dramedy. I love the situations you have Dylan (find) and Riff (put himself in). I'm so happy whenever I read these episodes. It feels like you're finding the characters voices more with every episode that passes. I loved seeing Dylan's (attempted) heroic side, even though you know there's going to be a twist at the end, it's still really fulfilling to see it play out. I enjoyed PI Riff, and all his little Veronica Mars references and that Megaphone,  . Leila getting some character development, I can't wait to see what you come up with for why she left and why she came back, and we get a new main character with Courtney, the new awkward and bumbling girl next door. There isn't much to comment on with her just yet, but I'm sure I'll have more to say as the season progresses. I have no negative or little oddities to point out. I think you did great with this one (clap) (clap), so I'm going to give this episode 10 overflowing Taco's with guac out of 10.
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Post by Matthew James on May 27, 2021 14:19:52 GMT -6
 Airdate: 27/05/21 VPN OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: The Centennial Dance arrives and the night brings new friends, new relationships, and new laughs, but ends in heartbreak for all. Written By: Matthew James Link: 1x05 - One Night |
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Post by Matthew James on May 27, 2021 14:18:07 GMT -6
 Airdate: 27/05/21 VPN OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: Needing a closer look at the obelisk in the mines, Isobel (Taylor) twists tragic events in her own favor. Shannon (Newton) makes a new friend. Emily (Dyer) struggles to keep Justin (Druid) safe during a tense situation. Matt (Jessup) learns a shocking truth about his Uncle (Guest Star Adam Rodriguez). Written By: Matthew James Link: 1x04 - The Nexus |
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Post by Matthew James on May 27, 2021 14:16:10 GMT -6
 Airdate: 27/05/21 VPN OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: When Shannon (Newton) is held hostage by the witches and hunters. Isobel (Taylor) takes desperate action to get her sister back, which leads her to turn to Matt (Jessup), Emily (Dyer) and Justin (Druid). Written By: Matthew James Link: 1x03 - Deep Down Below |
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Post by Matthew James on May 27, 2021 14:13:43 GMT -6
 Airdate: 27/05/21 VPN OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: After an encounter with Harper (Petsch), forces Shannon (Newton) to lose control. She vanishes during a full moon, and her new friends turn to an unlikely source for help. Meanwhile, Emily (Dyer) struggles with visions of long dead ancestors who herald dark warnings. Written by: Matthew James Link: 1x02 - Wolf Moon |
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Post by Matthew James on May 27, 2021 14:11:35 GMT -6
 Airdate: 27/05/21 VPN OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: Beacon Hallows. An Idyllic small town in Maine, to most a sleepy little coastal town, rich with history, but beneath the town lies a dark, long kept secret. A war between monsters and the humans who fight the threat is about to reach a boiling point, and the only thing standing in the way is three teenagers and the werewolf, who is about to change their lives forever. Written By: Matthew James Link: 1x01 - Town of Darkness |
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Post by Matthew James on May 5, 2021 19:35:31 GMT -6
PRODUCTION UPDATE Quick update on production. I'm happy to announce the season is ready to start airing. The season will be released in two parts. The first part will consist of the first 5 episodes, while the second part will drop the rest. Here's the schedule thus far: Part One - May 25th, 2021
Part Two - Summer, 2021 Part two does not have a specific date yet, though we'll see how much work needs to be done after the first half drops! Until May 25th, I'll sporadically drop character profiles. The time is near everyone! |
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Post by Matthew James on Apr 28, 2021 22:11:04 GMT -6
Episode 01x05 - “One Night”Written By: Matthew James 26/03/21 - Title Posted 15/04/21 - Mid Season Finale Updated: 29/04/21 - This episode will revolve around the "Centennial Day Dance" the opening event of the town's Centennial celebrations, in this case it's Bi-Centennial. The town was officially established November 21st, 1821. |
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. Leila getting some character development, I can't wait to see what you come up with for why she left and why she came back, and we get a new main character with Courtney, the new awkward and bumbling girl next door. There isn't much to comment on with her just yet, but I'm sure I'll have more to say as the season progresses.