EXIT Stage Left

I have been eagerly watching new media take form over the last few years. The most interesting format for me has been the creation of the web series. I've watched many on YouTube, Blip.TV, KoldCast.TV, Crackle, Strike.TV, and others. They range from terrible to exceptional. It's a different format from regular television. I compare current web series to television as I would compare the short story to a novel. Also, the web series is designed to be seen on a computer or a phone as opposed to sitting comfortably on your couch. I say this to note that one must critique a web series with a slightly different perspective than one would critique a television show (not in quality, but in form.

EXIT Stage Left rises to the challenge. The series is about a theatre company's attempt to produce a first time playwright's (albeit a Pulitzer Prize winning novelist) play. The cast of characters include the playwright, director, leading actress, actors, and more.

It is shot beautifully. Writer/director Sinohui Hinojosa does a wonderful job in keeping the pace moving, the story unfolding, and keeping the characters interesting and accessible. I began watching the series early on and found myself eagerly checking their site for the next episode.

The cast is exceptional. The writer, played by Steve Budd, is hilarious. His ego is matched only by the leading actress, played pitch perfect by Annamarie Macleod. At the center of the story is the director, played believably by Michael Navarro. He plays an appealing straight man, with great comedic moments between him, Budd, and Macleod. The supporting cast also brings an enormous amount of life to the series.

By the end of the first season, I was left with the desire to see more. I hope they return with season 2!

I'd like to start off by congratulating this group of filmmakers. It is no easy task to create a series without a large sum of money. Producer Sinohui Hinojosa, who also writes and directs, has assembled a first rate team. Using professional actors and crew from San Francisco, he has weaved together a sweet and entertaining story of life in the theatre. It is apparent that Hinojosa has a love for live theatre as the season takes the viewer through many twists and turns that are recognizable to anyone that has spent some time in this field. Also, the final episode was filmed live to capture the true essence of the theatrical experience. My favorite moments are the conflicts between the director and writer, the pining love of the star of the show towards her uncomfortable director (the twists that come out of this relationship are delicious, I won't spoil them), and the drama that occurs between two fellow co- workers at the theatre. I spent a little time in the theater, before I turned my attention to film, and loved this show. However, my 19 year old son got caught up in watching it as well and he is not affiliated in any way with the theatre. EXIT Stage Left has turned me on to the world of web series and I look forward to watching more of this quality.