As much as we like to dissect, berate, and praise popular media here on the Fandomentals, every now and again we get the joy of offering a first look at something new. We don’t often get to break news or highlight our contributors, either. So it is with great pleasure that we announce that two of our very own contributing writers—Jessica Naftaly and Shailyn Cotten—have developed an original web series called After Oil.
Premiering this past weekend, May 6th, at the 28th Annual Dusty Film Festival, After Oil follows the story of Briar Dunlap. In the last five years, a global oil crisis that has sunk Briar’s small Appalachian town into a desperate fight for survival. Needing to help, she and her friends deliver food and rations to their neighbors on bike, forming a gang called the “Pahokee Riders”. When one of her youngest Riders goes missing, Briar and her girlfriend Sarah’s fervent search for their friend uncovers a dark secret. Corruption lurks in their small town. A corruption that involves not only the police department but a corporate oil company intent on drilling their land dry.
Check out the teaser trailer here (and if you’re feeling really nice, go watch it on Youtube as well to give them the views).
We’ve talked before about how stories matter. Marginalized communities have to fight tooth and nail for well written, engaging, and nuanced representation. One of the solutions is the creation of our own original content, which is becoming more and more common. Stories written by and about marginalized communities like women of color and LGBT+ persons are increasing as more creators opt out of traditional methods. Web series in particular offer a unique way to reach an underrepresented audience. Shows like Couple-ish, The Fosters, Carmilla, Inconceivable, and, now, After Oil, showcase just how interesting and engaging a web series made by and about LGBT+ characters can be.
You can meet the cast, learn out about the production, and find links to support their work on their website: www.afteroilseries.com. Or, check out their Facebook page and Twitter for updates, news, and other information.
So whether you’re an LGBT+ person yourself or an ally, check out After Oil. It will be premiering online this coming weekend, May 12th.*
*Editor’s Note: Due to changes in production schedule, online release has been delayed until mid-May. To keep to date with information regarding online release, please refer to their website and Facebook. Thank you.*
