Trey Stokes Delivers Brilliant Sci-Fi With ‘Ark’
About a week ago I wrote an article about an upcoming sci-fi web series from online content producer 60 Frames titled Ark that I thought looked highly promising. If you missed that article, I recommend reading it before continuing with this one as it covers a great deal of background on the series that I won’t cover here. Check it out at the link below (where you can also watch the trailer):
Upcoming Web Series ‘Ark’ Looks Promising
Since writing the above article I have been fortunate to view an early screener of the entire ten episode series. I say “fortunate” because Ark delivers brilliant sci-fi and in my opinion is the best science fiction web series that I’ve seen so far.
Ark, conceived by writer Robbie Thompson (known for writing an episode of Jericho) and developed by series producers Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah (showrunners of Beverly Hills 90210), follows the experience of a woman who wakes inside a coffin-like pod on a large spacecraft with no recollection of how she came to be there.
Whilst such a premise might draw parallels to films such as Cube or even the upcoming Pandorum, I think it’s safe to say Ark is neither of these films. If comparisons must be drawn then perhaps Lost is more appropriate – but only in so far as Ark is a character driven science fiction mystery that inch by inch raises many questions.
“My joke term for it is ‘Lost in Space’,” director Trey Stokes laughs. “Just in terms that it is like, well, like a lot of shows it has an ongoing mystery. I hope viewers aren’t upset with me – we’ll find out – but I asked Robbie Thompson to make some changes to the shooting script in order to give away less information than in the original script. I wanted to make the audience work for it by having the audience placed in the same position as the characters. You know, the characters literally arrive knowing nothing, so we don’t have to teach the audience what the characters know, like what a warp drive is for instance, because the characters don’t even know.”
There are three main characters in Ark: Renee O’Connor (Xena: Warrior Princess), Adam Cardon (Days of Our Lives / Blue Lake Massacre) and newcomer Marjo-Riikka Makela. All are perfectly cast and deliver superb performances in their respective roles.
I have no doubt that we’ll be seeing more of both Cardon and Makela in the future. It’s a little hard to really write more about either of them without spoiling the mystery, so I’ll note their strong performances and move on to the most well known actor of the three, Renee O’Connor.
Whilst O’Connor was great as Gabrielle in Xena, don’t expect to see Gabrielle in Ark. The character of Connie, whilst similar in some respects to Gabrielle, is very different. So different that the person I watched the series with didn’t recognize her until I pointed out who she was. But if you appreciate O’Connor’s acting talent then you’ll get a kick out of Ark because it’s really a showcase for it. She’s the lead and pivotal character that the story follows, a story she helps make believable and immersive.
Trey Stokes agrees: “She’s a great actress. There’s a lot to be said for someone who has had her experience. Renee put the show into that next level that we didn’t intend originally. It was our stated goal that we were going to go with unknowns, but Renee came to us when she found out about it. I’d never met her before but she was just great and really into the material and just wanted to do it. How could we say no? Whenever along the way we’ve had reshoots and voice over sessions she’s always been happy to participate and make the thing as good as we can make it.”
As impressive as O’Connor is, Stokes is quick not to forget the performances of Cardon and Makela.
“The other two actors were equally great though. It was an amazing three person ensemble. We were very fortunate to get these three actors.”
Ark is not only blessed with great acting but also with excellent visual effects – and prolific amounts of them. Virtually every second of footage includes a visual effect and yet despite this the environment seems real and not CGI. The effects are so good that if you tuned into a cable network to watch a new TV series and Ark came on, you would believe it was made with the budget of a mainstream series.
Amazingly, nearly all of the effects come from the hands of Trey Stokes. Whilst five people are credited with the visual effects it is Stokes himself who has performed nearly all the post-production work – the visual effects, the editing, the audio and even the sound effects. I should point out that the episodes I viewed were not yet complete. Some were missing final audio, some effects were incomplete, some of the voiceovers were missing and so on. This means the final product can only be an improvement over what I’ve seen, and I rate what I’ve seen as A-Grade in all its respects. The fact that Stokes managed it largely alone is, well, mind blowing.
One of the few production elements Stokes isn’t credited with is the music score by composer Jon Vandergriff. Vandergriff’s previous scoring credits include the comedy Return of the Ghostbusters, a few episodes of Destination Truth, and a handful of short films.
I found Vandergriff’s score reminiscent of both Jerry Goldsmith’s Alien and James Horner’s Aliens. His score is not the same as either of those movies but it does deliver the same kind of atmospheric tension that helped make both of those classics great. Vandergriff’s score is prominent, works to convey the message of each scene perfectly, and definitely enhances the series.
The most impressed I’ve ever been with a web series dates back to the web premiere of Sanctuary. Since its online debut Sanctuary has gone on to become the most successful TV series to transition from the web in history. Where Sanctuary has succeeded in the fantasy genre Ark may well do the same for the sci-fi genre. It is my view that Ark would translate perfectly to a full TV series. If I told you the web series was the pilot for a new TV series, you’d believe me. Once people see what Stokes has accomplished with Ark I’d be very surprised if he isn’t given the opportunity to take it to the next level.
But for now, it’s Ark the web-series, a series that has been in post-production for over a year. Why so long I hear you ask? Despite internet rumors to the contrary, it simply takes a long time to achieve the quality evident in Ark when you’re a one man post-production crew. Fortunately the producers have been accommodating.
“Everything bad you’ve heard about TV producers doesn’t apply to Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah,” Stokes laughs, adding: “And 60 Frames has also been patient and supportive the entire time.”
It was a good decision on the part of the producers to grant Stokes the time needed to take Ark to its potential because the end result is amazingly impressive. It has to my mind raised the bar for sci-fi web series and there is no doubt in my mind that these ten webisodes won’t be the last we see of the Ark universe.
So when will Ark be released? No date has been set at this time, but it is on its way. For now, let’s just say it’s “coming soon.”
jason: 
Paul: 
Coijo e tal: 
VinceC: 
beth: 
sasss: 
August 12th, 2009 at 2:02 am
Great article again. It’s so rewarding to see that someone is making an effort, aside from some fans, to promote this webseries. Thank you. And thanks to Trey for always being so accessible and nice to his fans.
I can’t wait!
August 12th, 2009 at 2:36 am
Darren, what amazing article! Many thanks!
We are very very eager to see ARK, and after reading your opinion, I’m more exalted!
Renée O’Connor is an awesome actress and even a better person, and Trey is so nice to us, sharing the news and comments in the official forum of Renée, that I can’t believe that yet.
So we totally supports them and this web serie!
Thank you very much again, for your opinion and news!
Ana
August 12th, 2009 at 5:47 am
Sounds fantastic. Thank you so much for this follow-up article. I hope the series does have some of the same success as Sanctuary. Trey deserves it…and I’d be even happier if Renee O’Connor signs on as the lead if it is.
August 12th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Interesting article that has raised my hopes about Ark even higher. I sure hope it gets the attention it deserves, because Trey makes some incredibly good stuff. The last instalment of Pink Five is extremely professional and polished, and it seems like Ark will be even more so. I can’t wait!
August 12th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
please when will start ark it looks wonderful,and renee the best actress ever,im her biggest fan
August 12th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
I am simply on the edge of my seat now – the trailer looks so impressive and the photos even more so.
Thanks so much for finding out more details and sharing them with us – it has simply whetted my appetite even more for ARK.
I only hope that TV takes note and starts to produce more web based series onto their screens – the devotion that the cast and crew have in producing not only ARK but almost every other web serial is always evident.
Thanks again Darren for the news and behind the scenes interview – and I am truly envious of you getting a sneak peek.
August 12th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Trey kicks ass!! Can’t wait to see it! For those of you who aren’t familiar with his work, this is the director of the “Pink Five” series. The first was done on NO budget and still won the Lucasfilm grand prize.
August 12th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Thanks to everyone for the kind comments about the article and yes, Trey certainly “kicks ass” with Ark. My only frustration with Ark is that each episode is standard webisode length and so they end pretty quickly. I was fortunate to see all ten episodes in a row, but if they are released a week apart I can only imagine how hard that will be to cope with!
August 13th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Trey is incredible!! I’m waiting to see how this masterpiece will unfold. I’ve worked with Trey on several projects and he is simply a genius!!
August 13th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Can’t wait to see this. Renee is a incredibly talented actress and Trey and other producers are lucky as hell to have gotten her not to mention her international fanbase that will support her in any project she does. i just hope if it goes to series on television that the studio is smart enough to keep Renee as the lead.Renee=extremely large fanbase-huge ratings=huge success for everyone.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:39 am
Hi Cherise and thank you very much for taking the time to post.
I notice your comment that you’ve worked with Trey…nice and cryptic of you! Not cryptic enough though, because if I was a betting man, I’d bet that’s your name on the credits…
Uh oh, cat’s out of the bag…
August 14th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Darren you’re a tease! lol
August 14th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Lol Laura, just trying to keep the mystery there. No mystery about her website though:
http://www.cherise.com/
August 25th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Looks really classy…i can’t wait
August 27th, 2009 at 2:35 am
the folks at 60 Frames have added the 1:30 mins trailer to their website, this can only mean good things. *shivers in anticipation*
August 27th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Renee’s superb acting will shine in this i’m sure. I hope she gets the recognition she deserves from this.
August 29th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Please release soon!!!!!!!!!!!! Looks like it will be very good can not wait.
August 31st, 2009 at 12:54 am
Ahrrr I don’t think I can take the waiting any longer…but I guess I’ll have to!!
From your review and the promos this looks awesome. I believe Renee has not been given the recognition as an actress that she deserves, I really hope this does well.
September 25th, 2009 at 4:49 am
I am REALLY looking forward to seeing Renee O’Connor in a role she can really get her teeth into. When Renee really gets to immerse herself in a role, there is no one better. The whole concept & story sound fantastic – BRING IT ON!!!
October 16th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Come on already what’s the hold up any news what can we do besides sit around and wait this show looks like it’s going to be awesome and yet no one knows when it will be out if anything get it to dvd and lets see what happen sorry but I think is look like a great show and I don’t want it to be place on the back burned to be forgotten
June 22nd, 2010 at 1:09 pm
any updates on this yet?
June 23rd, 2010 at 4:12 am
Apparently 60 frames is going through financial hazzards at the moment and it seems all negociations have stopped. I asked Trey Stokes a couple of months ago if there were any news on the project and he said he hadn’t heard anything.
July 24th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
I watched the nine available webisodes of “Ark” on Hulu.com and I all I can say is, “I WANT MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE!!!” If 60 Frames’ finances aren’t working out so well Trey Stokes, et al., should seek financing from Hollywood! (Hey, Dreamworks! Get your head out of your tuckus and bankroll this baby!)
July 24th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
I just watched the mini series on Hulu today and was interested in it. Im curious to know if this series will ever launch? I have been searching on Google for an update and couldn’t find anything.
July 26th, 2010 at 1:10 am
I just found this web series on Hulu. Says it was posted on July 23 2010.
July 27th, 2010 at 1:07 am
The 9 episodes just released on Hulu are oustanding. I have to just agree with others when I say I hope this gets the funding it needs and continues on. Thumbs up and good luck.
July 27th, 2010 at 4:55 am
great articles, thanks for keeping us in the loop
July 30th, 2010 at 5:25 am
The article refers to 10 episodes but Hulu has only 9. Has anyone seen a place where one can find the 10th episode?
July 31st, 2010 at 4:14 am
@M: judging by the increase of lenght in the episodes 8 and 9 episodes, and the ending of episode 9, I’m pretty sure Trey mixed the last three episodes into two.
August 4th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Thanks for these great articles!
I keep looking around for someplace to watch this other than Hulu; I live in Canada and we can’t access Hulu.com from up here. Does anybody have a (safe) alternate site?
Thank you!
August 6th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
Love the plot and special affects; but the time cycle three to seven minutes each times basically sucks. It’s a 24 knock off that breeds a lot of attention and frustration for the next episode while providing commercials the same exposure.
Don’t get me wrong I would like to see the series continue; but you have to realize that too many cliff hangers within to short a period of time will weigh heavily and eventually lose more fans than you gain.
I enjoyed the first nine episodes if that’s what you want to call them; the writing is well done; but the astronaut acts more like the 3rde grade teacher, and she him.
You really think a test pilot with an engineering background from the 1950’s is going to be that slow, while she is the female ninja, teaching third grad.
It’s not about gender, it’s about background support and the reality of experience that the two individuals would have had, to act the way you have written them.
The astronaut is short on technological skills of today; but would have easily figured out such a simple thing as a touch sensitive screen for turning the equipment on…something that was thought of and worked toward even in the 1950’s. The limits of technology at the time was the limit…not the ability of someone to think it up. During that time you did not become an astronaut or test pilot when excellent survival skills, quick responses, thinking well under stress and most of all, they were all scientist, engineers and or researchers.
You had him accept fairly quickly the thought of a woman from the future; but so slow in everything else. Also do you really think it would have taken even the slowest person more than three seconds to tell the women to put the suit on. Something she would have figured out easily in the first second, as you did project her survival skills and responses well above the average.
Overall great potential; but the best science fiction is where real technology and science are used within the reality of real people.
Thoughts to ponder…
August 30th, 2010 at 5:32 am
I have watched all the episodes. Someone needs to pick this up and put on TV!! Just an awesome premise, great acting, and believable effects. It runs like a pilot and delivers in every aspect. I have always liked Renee’ O’Connor and she truly brings class to this series. Who do we need to bombard to get this on primetime!?