The Making Of: Written Review

The Making Of

Written Review

Hi everyone and welcome to MyIndie Review Vlog, the show that gives you spoiler-free reviews of indie films. My name is Asaf Angel from MyIndie Productions, and today I’d like to talk to you about 2016’s UK Comedy Web series, The Making Of.

This would be the first time I review a web series on the show and I am super thrilled! Let’s get to it!

The Making Of was created by UK filmmakers, Sam Mason-Bell and Jackson Batchelor. Thanks guys for sending us your show. It is a Mockumentary about a group of young and broke independent filmmakers and the turmoil they go through on the way to making their feature film.

In Season One we start off with Sam Dawson, portrayed by Sam Mason-Bell. Sam is in a somewhat low point in his career. It’s been a year since he last worked with his regular crew. The only thing they have on their ledger is a production-value-challenged film called Footstepts, for which they went through quite a bit of trial and error. Sam wants to make a new film, but has no money, so much so that he had to move back home with his mother, portrayed by Suki Jones.

Sam rushes to get the gang back together and have everyone onboard with a new project, after a potential investor promises to match Sam’s own investment and budget otherwise acquired, pound for pound.

In this first season we get to meet everyone, and witness and examine their lack of self-awareness that leads to very hilarious developments. We have Rishi, the gang’s Director of Photography; Ross is the sound-guy and an aspiring filmmaker of his own accord. We have Ryan, the group’s in-house actor, as well as Ben Wood, a retired porn-actor who joined their clique. Sam’s girlfriend, Amy who deals with his oblivious nature and him taking her for granted. Rishi’s girlfriend, Jane constantly needs to deal with Rishi’s lack of help around the house and regularly sponging off her. Lastly, we have Paul Renoir, a smug, yet more established filmmaker that needles and belittles the gang any chance he gets, whether they are aware of it or not.

This awesome series uses a lot of the awkward situation type comedy, as they did in shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation. The lead characters are ridiculously clueless and annoyingly pragmatic in their thinking and countering that are the women in their lives, who are completely normal and down to earth.

Season One focuses on what the guys go through in their efforts to raise enough money for their film and of course, how these things affect the women in their lives.
What I loved most about this season, is the way it manages to have its characters be so likeable so fast. I believe that has a lot to do with the fact that even though Sam Dawson and his team may be a bunch of quirky characters, the way the show is written strategically exposes their true fears and desires, which prompts the viewer to sympathize with them.

There is another element that I find noteworthy, which doesn’t really have anything to do with the show itself, but more with the people involved. There is a great dissonance between some characters and the people who play them. For example: Ryan Wilson the team’s in-house actor, portrayed by Ryan Carter, is a terrible actor, but Ryan Carter is a good actor. Watching a good actor pretend he can’t act, is an entertaining experience. The same goes for Ross Alan Downy who plays Ross the sound-guy.  A good actor, pretending that he can’t act. That creates great comedy.

In a different aspect, Sam Dawson is a wannabe filmmaker who rarely gets anything done, yet Sam Mason-Bell who portrays him, is a prolific filmmaker, with a long list of credits to his name.

To sum up Season One, whether you’re a fan of this type comedy or not, this is a great, wonderfully executed show, filled with memorable performances and characters that rapidly grow on you.

Highly recommended!

The Making Of: Season One Gets a 7.5/10 on the Look At Me I’m A Film Critic scale.Season Two

In this season, Sam Dawson and the team go out to shoot their new slasher film, titled The Grey Man.

Sam quickly finds himself handled by a bullshit-intolerant producer, and he must oblige since said producer also fronted the money for the film. Even though I very much want to tell you who that producer is, I can’t for fear of spoiling. I can only say that it is very interesting to watch Sam and the gang, try to handle the harsh reality of having a tough producer telling them what’s what.

This season also deals with Jane and Rishi who are having relationship issues, which affects Rishi’s work. Ryan struggles to find his path to success. Ross keeps pushing the mistaken notion that the The Grey Man is based on a film idea he was working on, called Solace. Paul Renoir also sticks around, and that’s really all I can say.

This season deals with compromise, bruised egos, heartaches, self-fulfillment, unexpected romance, personal growth, and a whole lot of laughs as the team rush to get their film made and hopefully distributed.

What I love most about Season Two is, much like what made me a fan of Season One: the characters. Now they’re beginning to evolve. As I became more invested in all of them – a fun group of characters, some of whom are going through turmoil for many different reasons – I found them even more likeable and completed viewing the season pining for more.

These guys really did a great job. Some would argue that a filmmaker’s main job is to make his or her audience feel something and be entertained and Sam Mason-Bell, Jackson Batchelor and all involved did just that.

Season Two Gets an 8/10 on the Look At Me, I’m A Film Critic scale.If this sounds good to you, head over to StreamNow TV, link in the description. There you can binge-watch Seasons One and Two, as well as three different spin-off videos. Season Three Debuts on June 29th on StreamNow TV! Be sure to also check it out!

Until next time, keep supporting Indie Film. My name is Asaf Angel and thank you for tuning in to MyIndie Review Vlog.