Katie's review of Venice
Frequent poster, Katie, was asked by the Diva to keep us updated on Crystal Chappell's online show, Venice, since we are all too cheap to subscribe for season one. Here's what Katie has to say about the first episode:I have to give credit for tptb behind Venice, the show looks wonderful, the music goes well with each scene and the actors are clearly enjoying not being handcuffed by networks or certain sponsors. Venice also gives Otalia fans what they've been waiting for, the first few minutes of the web series features Gina played by Crystal Chappell and Ani played by Jessica Leccia in bed kissing and then alludes to a shower scene but its the dialogue and expressions from the two actresses that clearly show they are no longer portraying Otalia, Gina and Ani have there own issues to work through mostly because Ani wants a commitment and Gina doesn't then enters Galen Gering playing Gina's brother Owen. I admit I was surprised by Galen's casting but in the few minutes we see him, he reminds me nothing of Rafe Hernandez on Days of our Lives he and Crystal's Gina have an easy chemistry. The show is only 6 minutes but sets up the next episode well, soon Nadia Bjorlin and Leslie Kay will test Gina and Ani's “non” relationship and who isn't excited to see Hillary B Smith, Jordan Clarke, and Tina Sloan stretch their acting muscles without the confines of a network? Check out Venice the series at http://venicetheseries.com/ or their youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/venicetheseries. Also for those who cannot afford the subscription for Venice there is a thread on the Otalia Big Purple Dreams board that is offering to help pay for those in need, they also are accepting donations.
there/their
ReplyDeleteLet's be supportive of fans who want to blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Katie!
Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Venice looked great. Better than GL most of the time in that last year or so.
Six minutes is very short, but still we got quite a bit about these characters in that small amount of time (unlike Gotham the web series by ATWT alum Martha Bryne, I watched the first ep and have no idea what is going on). We do understand a lot about Gina and Ani right from jump. CC and JL still have it on screen too.
I really was surprised by GG. He was much more animated here than he ever is on Days. It begs the question - is he directed to be like a block of wood on his paying gig? I wasn't sure about he and CC playing siblings - but it worked here.
I'm looking forward to more!
Loved it! LAdies find the bucks and pay for goodness sake! Galen is hot, hot, even to lesbian eyes, and Gianai,FTW! Can't wait for more more more
ReplyDeleteNot convinced..
ReplyDeleteCC is good as always, love her chemistry with JL.
GG is always a block of wood for me, the guy should find another job, he can't act.period.
GG exceeded my admittedly low expectations.
ReplyDeleteThe eppy as a whole looked great and did a good job of establishing that Giani are not Otalia 2.0 while at the same time delighting Otalia fans with the long-awaited kissage.
I don't think that the premiere (and Venice in general) has mainstream appeal, and the subscription model the Venice team has adopted reinforces that. I assume they've calculated that their built-in Otalia fanbase will provide at least the underpinnings of a sustainable business model, which has so far eluded the vast majority of web series. Time will tell, but I wish them success.
I gladly will pay $ 9.99 to see jessica and crystal together again (I guess I'm that Otalia fan) but the 1st epi was well done (even like the cheesy music video entrace of CC and JL unto the rooftop cafe)
ReplyDeleteJessica Leccia rocked that first episode! Jess and Crystal were lovely together- the magic was back. My subscription has been paid in full and now I just can't wait to see if sparks will fly between Jessica and Nadia ...bring it on!
ReplyDeletejust an observation re GG, there is no rehearsal or second takes on DOOL and the show's writers haven't produced six minutes worth of dialog for Rafe that would make his character appear as animated as I saw him on Venice though it wasn't exactly riveting scene either. We'll see when the script calls for more emotion what we get.
ReplyDelete"We'll see when the script calls for more emotion what we get."
ReplyDeleteYes. I'm especially curious to see how GG fares in his scenes with Gina Tognini.
Oops, make that Tognoni.
ReplyDeletePoor Gina Tognoni..i am sure he is a really nice guy but HE IS A BAD ACTOR even for soaps standards..
ReplyDeleteAnd on Dool he had/has lots of opportunities to show his range(monologue when he discovers the baby-switch in the park, when he is tortured by Meredith, when he reveals the truth to Sami..and it's just a few) there are so pivotal scenes for the storyline which were sadly play by his character (disastrous pimping by the TPTB...PUKE puke puke).
Believe me, I'm no fan of GG's acting which isn't good enough to fool most teenagers of my aquaintance, but I'm not a fan of DOOL's writing and production team either and they make it difficult enough for the actors with some natural talent. They're making it impossible for anyone else
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above poster. It was Jessica Leccia that stole the show. She had me feeling for Ani right away.
ReplyDeleteI personally didn't like this series. I am an interior designer and that is not how they do their work. She should be called a decorator, more like Rhe ones that do the self professed decorating at home.
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