We receive a ton of tips every day from independent creators, unaffiliated with any major motion picture studios, television networks, new media studios, or other well-funded online video entities. The Indie Spotlight is where we’ll write about and shout out to a select few of them and bring you up to speed on the great (and sometimes not-so-great) attention-grabbing series you probably haven’t heard about until now. Read previous installments here.
What’s better than a web series about a twentysomething battling the trials that come with being a young adult? A web series about TWO twentysomethings battling those trials, of course. Professional Friend, a new series from creator Eric Bilitch, follows two fraternal twins as they return home for a Thanksgiving full of surprises.
Professional Friend‘s two leads–Jonathan Biver and Sal Neslusan–don’t look remotely alike, but I’m willing to suspend disbelief because they have such an excellent chemistry together. As siblings Larry and Harper, they portray an familial relationship that feels real and honest.
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Their bond is buttressed by very adept writing. Bilitch doesn’t attempt to spend every second cracking jokes, and understands that the best comedic moments are the ones born out of well-constructed situations, not sudden gags. Bilitch is patient with his punchlines, and the interstitial space is filled with strong dialogue.
Many indie web series try to do too much, cramming their comedies full of lukewarm humor and constant conflict. Professional Friend, on the other hand, provides a well-rationed combination of comedy and character development. I still don’t have much of an idea as to where the series is going (though we get some hints about the title in the debut episode), but I’m excited to follow along.
OTHER UNDER-THE-RADAR SERIES TO CHECK OUT:
- Pelt. A seriously well-shot student film/period piece inspired by folklore. It has picked up some local plaudits in Oregon.
- Fork In The Socket. A struggling blue-collar employee in a dead-end relationship seeks the help of a life coach.
- Local Empire. A talented sketch comedy team that creates monthly sketch shows and then posts each sketch online.
- DINKS. A comedy in which a Dual Income couple with No Kids finds ways to spend their time together.
Got a series you’d like to see featured in the Indie Spotlight? Be sure to contact us here. For best coverage, please include a full episode in your e-mail.
