Afterworld is both Genuine and Original
From the might and the wonderfully brilliant, if not semi-morbid minds, of the producers at Electric Farm Entertainment does enter the next great thing in web-episodes (webisodes), “Afterworld”. The creators of this amazingly addictive and highly-lauded webisode series had one thing in mind when they were creating it: freak people out and harness them in with a surrealistic reality that offers both sci-fi magic, video game posture and of course, a very grim outlook on humanity. Surely enough they have succeeded in their endeavors here. Electric Farm Entertainment locks down a surefire and successful attempt that brings their viewers a darkened reality of a not-so-distant future; one where anything can happen to mankind. Imagine the best video game animation and rendering that you have ever seen. Now combine that with a thoroughly invigorating plot, plenty of ample twists and a forbidding reality, and you have the recipe for Afterworld. From the first moment that you visit their website, Afterworld.tv, their thematic premise takes over the screen. A dark and green-outlined interface greets visitors beckoning them to enter the world of the lead character, Russell Shoemaker; Afterworld.

This webisode series greatly differs from any that are currently out there, easily setting the status quota for animated internet short series. But another thing that really sets this series apart from the many others that I have had the pleasure of viewing is that fact that it has a very original plot, one that sits alone at the top of the hill; a shining beacon of what might just be the clandestine future of great webisodes. A truly amazing, if not dark, attempt at combining electronic-reality with reality, mixing it together in a bowl in our minds and making us think of all the possibilities. Perhaps even posing the question to us, that is, what if Russell Shoemaker’s reality came to life?

The Main Premise
Welcome to the grim reality of marketing executive, Russell Shoemaker. Pretty much your average Joe, hard-working father of one and loyal husband. That is until he takes a fateful business trip to New York City to pitch an advertising and marketing campaign to a large software and IT development firm. Russell arrives in NY with no apparent problems, but when he lays down to sleep that fateful night before the big presentation, all mankind is changed forever. He awakes the next morning to a very quiet city, especially for the “City That Never Sleeps”. As he explores the seemingly empty four-star hotel he was staying in he realizes very quickly that there is indeed nobody around. Discouraged by this imminent reality and of course his realization, Shoemaker sets out to explore the city and try to piece together the puzzle.

He is Indeed Alone
The more he ventures around the empty and deadened streets of NY, the more that he does realize that he may in fact be one of the last remaining human beings on the planet earth. How and why are questions that he plays around with in his head, juggling them like a clown at a birthday party, but to no avail; he is more than likely one of the last people alive and for reasons unbeknown to him. The more that Russell explores the more he puts together pieces of the puzzle, as is seen in episodes One and Two (Afterworld, Electric Farm Entertainment, Los Angeles, 2007; 2008) which are appropriately titled “Afterworld” as they lead the audience into the main premise and theme behind the story, and begin to implement the plot and highlight potential twists. There are no real good definitions as to why mankind has suddenly ceased to be. Russell ponders these questions and also takes notice that animals such as birds and rats, and others seem unaffected by the changes that have wrested humanity from the planet, caused them to disappear in the middle of the night—leaving an empty and desolate earth, void entirely of man.

The Episodes
Currently Electric Farm Entertainment has released thirty webisodes of this dark series, and according to their website, they are planning to keep on producing them and releasing them. In the screenshot to the left, the lead character, Russell Shoemaker, finds a burning cigarette on the ground in Episode 2: “Afterworld” and realizes that there is somebody else who has survived. Learning that he is not alone, Russell continues to follow the tracks of what seems to be another survivor. The trail leads him to a department store, where the survivor has clearly set up shop and has arranged the bedroom furniture for a makeshift bedroom. In another room Russell can see that the survivor was pondering the same questions as he was. A telescope aims down at the narrow and empty streets and a letter detailing how distraught the survivor is lays on a desk nearby. After reading the letter Russell heads to the roof, knowing that this survivor may not be able to mentally beat the struggle of accepting the fact that his family may also be dead, and that he may be one of the few remaining humans. A passport nearby reveals that the man is from Britain, in New York on business, his name: Glen Welkins.

Russell Can’t Save the Survivor
Much to his dissent, Russell arrives on the rooftop too late, and despite calling out to Welkins, the ill-fated man jumps from the rooftop and plunges fifty stories to his death. Narration is the main theme of this series—most of the dialogue is of Russell talking in his mind as the events unfold. Very reminiscent of several smash-hit video games, and indeed the animations also make one think about all of the cool and dark, narrated thriller-games that they ever played, brought to life brilliantly in this series. For some reason, the viewer feels a connection to Russell, his despair, his anxiety and his reasoning.

Russell’s Journal:
This amazingly dark and addictive web series encourages interactivity to the fullest extent, much like its video game counterparts. Every day that passes in the series is dictated by Russell in his journal. The journal can also be found on the website under “Journal” and is inclusive of all the narrations, which underly each passing episode, as well as short notes that Russell has taken while on his adventures through an empty New York City. The added feature of the journal is priceless. It brings the demeanor of Russell fervently to life and helps to illustrate in the minds of the viewer just how omnipresent Russell’s situation truly is; how helpless he feels; how lost; how devoid and alone he is without humanity.

Interactive Storyline Map
The interactivity of this webisode series is simply put, amazing. You can follow Russell as he makes his journey across the country in attempts to connect with other survivors and in an effort to find out if his wife and his child survived. Users can click on any of the blue irises that are displaced throughout the interactive map and learn about that area, and its significance to the overall plot schemes. Never before have I seen such an in-depth web series that really takes the viewer on a wild ride, filled with dark animations and topped off with an interactive cherry that makes the plot very addictive and assists the storyline—really helping to bring it all to life for the viewer.

Downloads and Freebies
The creators of this web series blatantly make all efforts to encourage the interactivity of it, both through the inner story dialogue, the interactive map features and by the many free downloads that they offer all visitors. You can download city locations, interactive maps, character icons, screenshots and free computer wallpapers for your PC. Furthermore, all of the current thirty episodes they have aired are also available to all users as free downloads. Rarely will you see such an action-packed website that not only offers a very entertaining, if not grim, animated movie, but one that also entices their visitors by offering lots of goodies and freebies to those who want them; all free for the taking.

Summary and Rating
Electric Farm Entertainment had a really good thought in mind when they decided to produce what is one of the most interactive, addicting and plot-saturated web series that I have ever had the distinct pleasure of viewing. The video-game-like animation, combined with the darkened plot narration by the lead character, not to mention the grim-like possibility that mankind could indeed one day disappear from the face of the earth, as well as their amazing and innovative, fully interactive web-interface, makes this series not only a winner, but one of the best damn webisodes that you will ever see. The creators seemingly took a dish dash of all of the best dark video games ever to be released, mixed them up with all of your favorite TV series, such as “24” and, “Lost” and combined them with their own brand and flavor of a dim reality; one that captures the viewer in a brilliant display of animation, high production values and of course, a great script that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Point and case, try and just watch the very first episode and you will quickly find yourself very intrigued. The interactivity of the map, the journal, character spreads and the fact that they freely allow users to download the videos, are also major attractions to this genius web series.

RATING 5 STARS for originality, animation and production values, plot, a well-written script and a great web platform from which it is broadcast. Great webisodes of the likes of this come around but rarely, and thankfully we all can get a chance to truly enjoy them when they do. ~