Web Series Observer - After the Beast

Created by Scott Baird and Rob York

The Story: Benjamin Walker journeys through the wilderness, running from an oppressive regime that rules society. He is not alone in the mountains, however; a woman, a boy, and an old man cross paths with him and each leaves their mark on his soul. When danger begins to haunt every step and marked hunters close in for the kill, Benjamin Walker must decide whether he is a lone man bent on survival, or something more...

The Observation: - One of the first things that stuck out when watching this series was the vast setting of the Uinta Mountains (that’s in Utah). It’s open and unpopulated terrain certainly enhances the desolate feel we are meant to get in this post-apocalyptic world. Much like the way the New Zealand landscape helped make The Lord of the Rings trilogy the grounded, yet fantastical cinematic experience it is, After the Beast utilizes its surroundings to create an atmosphere of emptiness and solitude.

As the synopsis explains, After the Beast introduces us to Benjamin Walker, a young wanderer who encounters various individuals, both good and not so much, trying to survive as best they can. They rely solely on the elements, as well as faith, to endure the cutthroat world they find themselves in. The filmmakers give us a story and characters packed with mystery and tension. I found myself wanting to watch the entire season, if only to discover why the main character was being hunted.

 

While I do admire the scope of the setting, as well as the tone of the story, a number of the aesthetics kept me from true appreciation. I honestly adore the fact that, with the power of HD flip cameras, even cell phone cameras, that the ability to tell a visual story is easier than ever before. Anyone with a drive to tell a story can do so with the push of a button. However, without the proper equipment or technology, it does take something away from what the creators had intended. The video was a bit dulled and grainy, and the camera was too shaky at times. As well, the sound was too muffled at times, most likely due to surrounding water streams combined with an internal microphone.

Unfortunately, another aspect I have to take aim at is the performances. I know with limited budgets and resources, it’s quite difficult to find quality actors willing to work for free. Regardless, I found the performances sub-par for what is meant to be a high-tension drama.

The Bottom Line: Showcasing a bleak world and an effectively mysterious storyline, After the Beast is a decent watch that could be so much better with proper equipment and engaging actors.

The Info: After the Beast is currently streaming their ten episodes on their website at www.afterthebeast.com. You can also “join the resistance” on Facebook and Twitter.

The Interview: I had a chance to ask series creator Rob York a few questions. Check it out below!

What inspired you to create a show like this? We thought creating a series about a guy surviving alone in the wilderness would be fun and relatively easy, given the Uinta mountain range nearby. Somehow the apocalypse came up too and the ideas merged. From that point the story slowly grew more and more epic...

What can we expect from future episodes? Any spoilers you're willing to hint at? We've just entered post-production on a sequel of sorts. I can't give out too many details except to say the setting is incredible and the story revolves around our most deadly character.

What means of marketing do you have in store for the series?

Currently we're doing pre-roll swaps with other series like "Inner Demons" via Web Series Network. As a creator I'd recommend getting involved with WSN.

How will the show stand out amongst other series on the web?

We're really trying to position ourselves as an epic adventure. There are a lot of good apocalyptic/thriller series out there, but not many adventure series period. We really tried to take advantage of the vast mountain setting and amazing scenery with our cinematography. Also our music score by Annie Rosevear is fantastic.

What advice can you give to other filmmakers trying to produce/market a web series? We'd say get creative with your production value instead of just wishing you had more money. Look at what you have access to and focus on creating a great story that revolves around those assets. There's so much you can do with today's technology. Just go out and do it. As far as marketing, don't be afraid to work with other creators. Cross promoting can work wonders.