The first episode of the new season of the web series Freefall dropped recently. Its great to see that filmmakers are still actively creating content featuring gay/bisexual men of color. It’s also great to see diversity highlighted in the content, such as the existence of masculine gay men not portrayed as “down low rappers” or merely as one-dimensional objects of lust for effeminate men.
Having said that, regular Cypher Avenue readers already know how we felt about this show’s previous season. We even had a conversation about our views with the creator of the series, Lamont Pierre. However, it looks like the show has been rebooted with a new cast, a new look and possibly a new story direction.
We haven’t had a chance to watch the premiere yet since we’re knee deep into developing the new website, but you can expect my full review and recap if we can get a little extra time soon. In the meantime, let us know what you guys think about the episode in the OPEN DISCUSSION comments below.
I can honestly say that I am happy that my donation to Lamont Pierre went to good use. The quality of the cameras was good and the shooting of the scenes was done well. I think that the acting was pretty decent. I like the guys that Lamont Pierre cast for the 2nd season. These dudes are masculine and sexy as hell!!!! LIKE FOR REAL! I like how the story is developing and I like how everything wasn’t just shot in the house like it was for the 1st season.
I like how he touched on things like same-sex love (of course), drug use, and I want to see what else he will touch on and how he will expand on those topics/issues.
I can say that it will help to rewatch the first four episodes of 1st season so you can refresh your memory. This new episode does seem to head in a different direction from the 1st four episodes though. I know Nick & Ocky will think that’s a good thing! LOL. I can’t wait to see where the episodes go and how the rest of the show will develop. I will continue to support Lamont Pierre and his work as long as it keeps heading in this direction.
Again, overall a great watch!
i saw the new season and for me the acting left much to be desired. The delivery was bad and i dont feel like the actors have fully grounded themselves in the characters which is impacting believability. The camera quality is good and the shots are decent. I like the storyline and you get the feeling of a direction.
I love the new direction that Lamont has taken the series in.He has integrated new fresh characters into the show that has taken this show from a 3 person arc into a storyline that is much more fully evolved.I am sad to see the character of Trent go because he brought that bad boy element to the storyline but it appears as if the new character of Nicco will fill that void.There was someone who mentioned that the acting leaves much to be desired but I believe that the acting is one of the strong suits of the show right now.I am so looking forward to seeing what he does with the rest of the season because after viewing the first episode I would say that he is definitely heading the right direction.
Yaaaay…no Trent! He was dickhead. JUS SAYIN!
& I also like how Mr. Pierre finally put Cam & Xavier together..I KNEW they’d be cute together. Everything else looks pretty decent so far.
Great improvement w/ camera work as well! 😀
Did someone write a script or did they just ad-lib their way through it…whatever happened to taking classes or going to school to learn your craft…..we can do better people
“whatever happened to taking classes or going to school to learn your craft…..we can do better people”
My sentiments exactly…
As a “man of a certain age”‘ I really appreciate progression. These guys took the criticism (some constructive and some low down and hateful) and came back with a more than decent project. Is it perfect, no. But I applaud young men of color doing their thing. The acting significantly improved from the 1st season. The young man that plays Cameron does a very good job and Xavier’s acting has improved substantially.
Lets support each other as a community instead of tearing one another down. I see these comments and it saddens me. As a people, we have to do better with uplifting instead of msliciously testing each other down.
New York loves the show gentleman. Keep up the good work .
I don’t thinking has anything with “tearing each other down.” We should not say something is GOOD when it isn’t. IT DOES US ALL A DISSERVICE! If my best friend’s “breath stanks” I am going to tell him so he doesn’t get in anybody else’ face or gets ranked on HARD by someone in PUBLIC.
This is what you call ‘IN HOUSE” cleaning. Families fight, and families love, but MY FAMILY was always HONEST. It made us all stronger, get this, BETTER.
Support, what I find interesting about “supporting our own” is that african americans are the only ones who verbally state that we should support own, but shouldn’t there be a standard of quality to earn that support. Whether young or old if you put out a good product I’ll support you, but if you don’t take the constructive criticism and improve your product. For instance, I attended a screening of Patrik Ian Polk’s “The Skinny” in New York where there was a Q&A after the show, by the end of the movie before the Q&A started I could brothers in the audience tearing the movie apart but during the Q&A questions where asked but when the audience was asked what they thought not one word was said of constructive criticism was spoken but and the end when people were walking out not one kind word was said. I admit I went to see it because I wanted to support my black gay brother with my dollars so we could get more black gay cinema made but the movie was not good it makes me more cautious about what films I’m willing to spend my dollars on…….learned that lesson after seeing one Tyler Perry movie.
Man you’re so right and I could talk for days on this topic. I don’t wanna get too off track in this thread about Freefall though so I’ll reply to this comment in the thread in the “Lack of financial Support” article I wrote since “Quality of the work” was touched on there as well.
http://cypheravenue.com/started-from-bottom-still-here-gay-black-latino-2/
DITTO.
Preach it, REV Craig. AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!
I am grateful there is balance and TRUTH in this Thread.
I saw the first new episode and I did enjoy it. It is one of the better web series out there for gay African American men. The ending was just so out of blue, I was caught off guard and just thought the whole was done wrong. It seem to have no connect to where the episode was going and the little queen crying was too much me, but overall I liked it and look forward to future episodes
“HATED IT!”
1 Star for “Acting”
1 Star for “Cinematography”
3 Stars for having GOOD equipment that works.
1 Star for knowing HOW TO WORK THE EQUIPMENT.
1 Star for the “PLOT”
1 Star for “Character Development” since the last run.
“Actors hone there craft.” I am not going to tell you what to do to become an actor, and I very well CAN – because I do know, but this definitely wasn’t acting. A PRETTY FACE does not make you an ACTOR. This is the main drawback of BLACK GAY MEN – SUPERFICIALITY. PRETENTIOUSNESS. NARCISSISM. And plain downright ugliness on the inside. “WE CAN DO BETTER.”
TAKE SOME ACTING CLASSES FOR GODS SAKE! Learn how to develop a plot. Screenwriting, etc.. etc.. etc..
If you live anywhere NEAR NYC you should NOT have to be TOLD this. It’s downright PATHETIC. Why? IF YOU DON’T KNOW THEN YOU SHOULD GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS OF MAKING FILMS AND NEVER RETURN.
Daaamn, COSH, bro…
LOL yeah this was way extreme but everyone’s opinion is valid. Cosh is hard to please, lol
I see..this is now a solidified fact to me as of today, lol
Ay, is there really a possibility Mr. Pierre would see this entire comment(s) section & be able to assess his recently revamped work just a tad more..?
Freefall cast/crew may read the comments but I’m assuming they won’t be phased. They get 20x more accolades than criticisms. Also, looks like most of the season is already shot based on what was in the trailer for the show.
So far its way better looking than Season One (yup season one, this is season two to me, lol) and the characters are a lil more complex but it def isn’t that dope yet.
If we’re comparing to other current black gay series, its in the top five. But we all know that ain’t saying a whole lot. If we’re comparing to all other indie films with similar budgets (or even Pierre’s own past work), this joint doesn’t match up for some odd reason. Some may say I’m never satisfied but I always give props where its due.
Either way, they’re doing fine no matter what some of us think. They have a growing fan base. If they can figure out a way to monetize off of those people, they will be ahead of all the other web series creators.
I feel the need to play devils advocate here. I wasn’t going to comment but I feel compelled to say something just in case the director, producers, or actors are watching.
I agree and disagree with alot that is being said. I am a professional actor and coach. I live In Atlanta and work with a great deal of amateur actors looking to perfect their craft. I can gague passion and I see it in these guys. They just need a little bit of work and I am willing to help. Constructive criticism is the process of offering valid and well-reasoned opinions about the work of others, usually involving both positive and negative comments, in a friendly manner rather than an oppositional one.
Everyone has to start from somewhere. My first acting debut was terrible. Much like theses guys, I was criticized to the point where I wanted to quit. I felt defeated and discouraged until I met my mentor and he whipped my ass into shape.
I want these guys to stay encouraged. Its easy to sit behind a computer and spew negativity disguised as constructive criticism. I actually want to help. I want to help them get to where they need to be as actors. Don’t give up. Stay encouraged and take some classes!
The best of what you said is posted below:
“Stay encouraged and [TAKE SOME CLASSES!]” – Eric Michael
Emphasis and brackets are mine… WORDS ARE YOURS!
They have a chance to improve since the last shooting/filming and unfortunately THEY DIDN’T. There’s isn’t any excuses that can be put forth for LAZINESS. What you put into YOUR project is what you get out of YOUR project.
And last but not least:
“I THINK IF YOU’RE TRYING TO MAKE A MOVIE I WOULD SAY: DO YOUR HOMEWORK; MAKE SURE THAT YOU [STUDY] SOMETHING, SOMEWHERE. AS WELL INTENTIONED AND WELL-INTENDED AS A LOT OF OUR INDEPENDENT PROJECTS ARE, I DON’T THINK IT SERVES US TOO WELL IF THE QUALITY IS NOT AT A ‘CERTAIN LEVEL.’ WHATEVER YOU DO, JUST DO IT WELL. WHATEVER YOU’RE GOING TO DO WITH ART, DO IT WELL! AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK. MAKE IT POLISHED, COMPLETE AND GOOD AS YOU CAN.” ….. Patrick-Ian Polk
I am falling in LOVE with a man who can speak like this. Who has this depth of wisdom and insight. Patrick-Ian Polk… I so love these words that I will probably make a banner out these. This is the kind of MAN THAT I WANT TO FALL IN LOVE WITH!!!
Thank you NICK for having the intuitiveness to post these words of WISDOM. If people would really DO “DISCREET CITY” like it’s meant to be done you would learn something HERE ON THIS SITE!
Am I missing something? I actually like Free Fall. Maybe it’s a generational thing or something. I don’t understand why people who don’t like it watch. To me it’s good and entertaining. I’ll continue to watch
I would did you like most? DON’T TELL ME… I already know… THE SEX SCENE… LOL Thats about all that they’re good at and they DIDN’T EVEN APPROACH THAT WELL. They didn’t even perform any foreplay before they had ALL OF THEIR CLOTHES OFF. LOL
I will let you figure out what FOREPLAY is all about.
I’m not going to get into my opinions on the Freefall Episode of the show itself. Some of the problems I have are unfixable and Lamont Pierre, Deondray Gossett and Quincy LeNear have satisfactorily explained why this is so. No matter my issues, I do love the fact that there is at least one brother (in addition to The DL Chronicles creators) who specifically wants to tell a story from masculine point of view, or with primarily masculine characters. Its not about “erasing femininity,” its about adding to the storytelling diversity of the community.
Having said that, I like the discussion here. At least its varied and not just spewing the same encouraging vague kindergarten pats on the head. Art should be critiqued. In an honest way. Sure some critique can be ego boosting or confidence raising or painful or discouraging or borderline offensive, but at least its honest.
My reviews can he harsh but at least I give the reasons why I didn’t like anything and will freely admit when I did. I never hatefully attack anyone, my criticism are primarily directed at the work, not the individuals.The snark and sarcasm I add is just for the benefit of the readers. It gets redundant to keep writing about bad writing, acting, etc so I have to add humor to spice it up.
I take offense to the reader Marcus Camp that said all of the criticism here is “tearing one another down.” In the same comment he applauds the filmmakers for taking the criticism and growing from it then in the following sentences he bashes all those that give criticism…all while still admitting that this series still needs work. Sigh. If any art is not perfect, speak in specifics on what is good and bad about it so the artists can choose to ignore the feedback or accept it. Either way, they will be getting a full picture.
If you come to Discreet City, you gotta have a thick skin. We don’t tolerate name calling and outright disrespect, but we do encourage honesty.
Swerve, breh.
Interesting…
I don’t see much wrong with it. I say give it some more constructive criticism, and it’ll get better. I’m sure the producers and his people are watching for all the kinks, pointed out by discerning men like us, to work out for the next episodes/seasons. I think it’ll work out cool…
wow…that was pretty bad…these dudes cant act worth a damn
i was looking forward to this series uping their game…seems like the same ole non acting to me
Shout out to Nick, Ocky and all of our Discreet CIty Supporters! As I tell the DS fellas all the time, discussion is always good. FAIR discussion is even better (but sometimes that’s asking for too much. Ah well!).
Nonetheless, trust me when I say we’re good sports about it all! Thank you all for checking out the new season and please stay with us as we roll out new episodes — we’re nowhere near finished filming our 10-episode season (only 3 episodes filmed so far). I know you all will be pleasantly surprised with the new season as we mix genres (crime, thriller, romance, dark drama) and deliver a gay web series that no one has seen before! Holler at us on Twitter (@FreefallSeries) and FB (facebook.com/FreefallTVSeries).
Also, please check out Season 2 of another project of mine written/directed by FREEFALL co-writer/co-executive producer called THE THERAPIST: http://www.youtube.com/therapistgmedia! Thanks!
[Insert cool sign-off ala Nick’s “Swerve, bruh” here]
Peace!
I think Cosh kinda, ‘went in’ on them, but I have to agree on the acting. Its terrible. Its terrible for most of these web series. Ppl cast their friends, or like Cosh mentioned, ‘pretty faces’, (though Id consider them more sexy than pretty/attractive). The only half decent actor is ‘X’.
I love seeing stories of black gay men, just being, living life like everyone else, especially as masculine men like the guys next door or around the corner. However, we have to do better when it comes to the acting.
For what its worth, the web series “Hustling”, is a great example of all around quality, and its def worth checking out.
Very interesting commentary. I admit that I’ve never heard of or seen this web series until today. I watched because it seems to have a great deal of the brothers on here upset.
Yes, this series needs a great deal of work. My assumption would me that there is little to no budget and they are doing the best with what they have.
I am indeed beyond amazed at the level of disdained passion people have for a low budget web series when there are far more issues that we could invest our interest in- political, social, and economic, just to name a few.
Give them a break. Clearly it entertains who it’s supposed to and does nothing for those who it is not really meant to entertain.
If you want something worth while to be passionate about, research that latest developments in the Second Amendment or how poverty is consuming our country.
No disrespect to the men behind this project, in fact, decent effort. I just can’t wrap my mind around people being so unimpressed and critical of a low budget YouTube series. I wasn’t very entertained honestly, but I don’t think I was supposed to be.
You (ironically) make a long, multi-paragraphed point about people wasting time sharing their opinions of a low budget YouTube web series. You’re right, there are other important things to discuss. As a Yale PhD Man, I’m surprised you lowered yourself to even clicking the link to this page.
I look forward to seeing your equally long comments in our many political, social and economic Discreet City articles in the POLITICS, CULTURE, HEALTH and OPINION tabs in the top menu. No need to wrap your mind around the lowly opinions on “entertainment” shared by the people here.
Here’s one you can read right now that was posted ONE DAY before this one: http://cypheravenue.com/started-from-the-bottom-still-here-the-lack-of-financial-support-in-the-blacklatino-gay-community/
My intentions were not to downgrade the project nor the people who watch and feel the need to comment. My point to be taken is that this is entertainment and it clearly entertains an audience that is suited for this type of endeavor. My logical assumption would be that it’s target demographic isn’t the men that don’t enjoy it.
I am very respectful and am by no means putting myself on a petistal. Also, I do indeed rather enjoy your political and economic discussions brother. I just simply stated my opinion like the various other men did on here. I thought that was what this blog was for- encouraging enlightenment through a mix of opinions and conversation. I appreciate this site and all that it does for our community. Thank you
Yeah bro, don’t get me wrong you were respectful and articulate in your response but you did attack the others commenting instead of just adding your own opinion about the creative work itself.
It reminded me of the Republicans that attacked Obama for talking about health care instead of Jobs and Terrorism as if he couldn’t do all three at the same time. We can walk and chew gum, homie. Art criticism is a light distraction be we talk about MANY serious issues here as well. Just because its low budget and on YouTube doesn’t mean we shouldn’t critique it like any other art, especially since the writer/director here is a REAL filmmaker, not just a guy with a camera.
Thank for adding on to the discussion!
I want to start off positive – Welcome aboard “YALE MAN PhD.” That’s an IMPRESSIVE sounding name – and PRIMA FACIE I would be “AWESTRUCK” just by the SOUND of “IT,” but I never JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.
Now down to the business at hand. On the one hand you state that there are more pressing issues that we should be “passionate” about, namely, poverty, yet the irony of your statement, or rather contradiction, is that LOW BUDGET filming “plays to a certain DEMOGRAPHIC” (Your words not mine). From your statement it readily can be inferred these “low budget YOUTUBE” films are meant for – speaking DEMOGRAPHICALLY within the context which you spoke – PEOPLE OF LOW SOCIAL ECONOMIC STATUS. In essence, what you are saying is: THIS LOW BUDGET MOVIE IS DIRECTED TOWARD THOSE OF LOWER S.E.S., thus it is no need to criticize/critique this film, because these “low budget YOUTUBE” films are NOT directed TOWARD THOSE WHO ENJOY A HIGH QUALITY PRODUCT – It is directed toward those who are of “LOWER SOCIAL ECONOMIC STATUS (S.E.S., aka poverty), thus LET US continue to PERPETUATE POVERTY and IGNORANCE because this is ALL that “THOSE people, poor people, economically disadvantaged people, poverty stricken people are capable of watching and “ENJOYING.” They can’t do any better, because they don’t have the mindset to ENJOY films of “HIGH QUALITY.” Thus “LOW BUDGET” movies are geared towards “LOW BUDGET MINDS.” Which I interpreted as made for “IGNORANT PEOPLE.”
“LOW BUDGET,” in the context in which you used it, is synonymous with “poor quality, poor writing, poor filming, and poor equipment” used by UNEDUCATED PEOPLE who know nothing about the filming business.
Just by your entry into this thread with the title: “YALE MAN PhD” connotes the notion that you are “well educated,” and are of “Higher S.E.S.” I am very mindful that “PSYCHIATRIC and PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS” can be found at all levels of SOCIAL ECONOMIC STATUS and EDUCATIONAL attainment.
You wouldn’t happen to be saying this or advocating that we don’t encourage better film making through criticisms and critiques? Even BIG NAME STARS are critiqued. GRAMMY WINNERS, OSCAR WINNERS, TONY AWARD WINNERS, PULITZER PRIZE WINNERS, etc. are critiqued – dare I say, almost daily. Whether all of these CRITIQUES are warranted, or in good taste is one’s OPINION. We all have one. I tend to perform DEEP NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY as I want US TO DO BETTER. ALL SURGERY has side effects and produce WOUNDS. But does the PATIENT get BETTER? Generally they do if they follow the DOCTORS ORDERS and recommendations. We are ALL MEN and I find it DISINGENUOUS to say something is “GOOD,” when it ISN’T, thus giving it a fake PASS. Superficial RAVE reviews that are pretentious, and perpetuates the continued making of BAD “FILM” products are HURTFUL to the COMMUNITY by default.
Here’s my SUMMATION IN A NUTSHELL. If you continue to perpetuate the making of BAD PRODUCTS, by not giving HONEST critiques and FEEDBACK, regardless to what it is that you are making, you will have no clue that you need to make improvements AND IN WHAT AREAS YOU NEED TO IMPROVE. How do you encourage THOSE mired in POVERTY to improve? BY LYING TO THEM BASED ON WHAT YOU POSITED. Thus we should tell people in POVERTY, “You read really well,” when in actuality they need remedial reading classes. As Jason Collins so eloquently put it, “I was tired of making up stories (LYING) to cover up one [LIE AFTER ANOTHER].”
“IF YOU KEEP ON DOING WHAT YOU ALWAYS DID YOU WILL CONTINUE TO GET WHAT YOU ALWAYS GOT.”
N O T H I N G
“DOES ART IMITATE LIFE, OR DOES LIFE IMITATE ART?” Whichever it is “WE NEED TO DO BETTER.” And we can.
I don’t think its fair to scrutinize a micro- budgeted independent web serires with limited resources and expect the same high polished production values as a product churned out by the hollywood coporate entertainment industry. What is important is recognizing that there is something at its core that has the potential to develop into a credible show. Over emphasis of the perceived less than stellar acting fails to keep in mind unfortunatedly that there probalbly a very small pool of talented professional young black male actors (straight or “discreet” gay) who will have no problem whatsoever with the gay content. And having little or no budget to pay those seasoned professional actors who would open to playing gay, the creative people behind this show had no choice but to produce the best product they can with the level of actors they had to work with. That being said I hope that all involved with this show takes it serious enough to committ to develoment as actors and production professionals.
Good points made. However, I don’t think anyone was comparing this web series to big budget Hollywood films or HBO shows. Well most of the comments that I read didn’t.
If all low-budget films get a pass, then that means that no one can ever say anything negative about any of them. Ever. They are all perfect for the budget that they had. LOL.
Seriously though, bad acting is a big deal in a movie. That’s like saying we shouldn’t judge a song from an indie artist by their less than stellar singing. If no said anything critical about the series, wouldn’t the filmmakers just assume that it was perfect in every way?
No cultual product, high or low budgeted , is immune to substantive critical assesment or engagement. Yet, if ones critical assesment engagment of low budget works consists of just highlighting the sub standard acting, your not offering any substantive useable criticism because they probably intuitively know this becuase of the talent pool they were forced to draw from. Indeed, tell them something that don’t already know . I think a better engagement of low budget works is to temper any acknowledgement of weak acting with a reconigtion of any core conceptual or thematic strenghts as revealed in the premise and characters. In the case of Freefall the less
Agreed, telling the filmmakers something they already know is redundant. However, you’re basing this statement on the assumption that the filmmakers already know the acting is weak. Also, the intention of every individual giving their opinion of art is not to give useable feedback for artists. Sometimes its just to give their opinion. Lastly, I disagree with your final assertion that people should temper acknowledgement of weaknesses and only give recognition to strengths. Having said that, if you look at my previous comments here, I did try to at least compliment the cinematography of Freefall, its probably the best looking black gay web series out there. The acting does make it hard to appreciate the story, which already has its own flaws as well.
The acting in Freefall does not blind me to its premise and thematic value, the interior lives of contemporary average young black gay men in a flawed black gay mecca, which for me was more strongly suggested in its pre-season than in its recent more obviously plot driven revamp. And in response to the independent music production example you cite, being attuned to the flawed singing or low production wouldn’t prevent me from seeing any creative value in the lyrical content and appreciate its potential as a great song. While not suggesting that we shouldn’t have any standards for critiques of low budget cultural productions , we should temper our trigger quick critical reactions to low budget works by considering the potential of its content and what it may look like if given some resources to tighten up its production. I will concede that there are many independent projects, black gay and otherwise that I would have to strain to see any content value imagineable as a good movie/show/song even if given the resources necessary to enhance its production.
Cool, I think we agree on some things and disagree on others. You seem more “patient” with the indie artists than some of the rest of us. Which is fine. Me personally, I tend to judge artistic work on the entertainment factor as well as the quality (no matter the budget). Which is also fine. As I’ve repeated stated I appreciate that filmmakers are even making gay content. That doesn’t mean that I’m gonna give them a Gold star for effort. However, the new season of Freefall gets props for not falling into the same played story cliches as other gay series, which includes the first season of Freefall.
I totally get yours and other brothas on this post who assert the need to demand the best of those who step out and submit black gay entertainment and hope/expect we consume it. In so many aspects of black gay life and culture we seeem to accept so much less than what we deserve. We defintely need cultural critics such as yourself whose impulse it is to serious critique those trying to appeal to us as a market by having a certain set of well thought out quality expectations or parameters no matter the budget. Such critical orientation says to me that a quality people deserve quality entertainment. Substantive critiques that affirm (when merited) something valuable about a black gay project presented to us while not ignoring its deficits will probably go further to raise the quality of black gay cultural products than mere opinions about any salient production value flaws being good or bad I hope the bit of1990’s black cultural nationalism sloganeering in this post isn’t considered some foreign and retrograde identity politics that is anathema on this site.
Again, the act of people merely giving their opinion in a website comments section does not need to rise to the level of scholarly New York Times certified film critique that builds the self esteem of gay artists and motivates their work. I think you are putting too much weight into an anonymous comments section on a post that was clearly not an official review of the work. Even in my official reviews, my intention is not to speak to the artists, merely give my honest opinion, even if the truth may hurt. I understand that this website may stand out since we are one of the few black gay websites that actually give real opinions and reviews on gay works as opposed to just copy & pasting synopsis and YouTube comments praise like others. However, we worked hard to create an environment where people can feel free to do that in a respectful manner. You seemed to acknowledge that in your last response, which is appreciated. Thanks for checking out the site. Look forward to your contributions to the comments on other posts and articles as well.
At the end of the day the director is doing ART and that needs no budget to create. Of course the bigger the budget the more room you have to really expand your vision. But no budget can be blamed for the bad acting, the bad directing, the poor assimilation , the slow, slow, slow did I say SLOW dialogue. No character is developed or with substance except TONY, all the others seem like a high school play. . But I am not blaming them I am blaming the Director. What you see on screen is the product of the directors mind. No twist, no sub plots that keeps you guessing, the love scenes are pathetic – bordering on gross eg. the opening scene the guys just had sex and 2 minutes later they come out of bed with their underpants on – HELLO! That is a direction problem not a budget problem. Its the little DETAILS thats’ missing and budget has nothing to do with it. Its the VISION – the director has the sight- but lacks vision. I can go on but money has nothing to do with clarity of vision and execution of the will.
Yes, “the vision” is in the details. The Director lacks a clear vision, and he can’t seem to get it together. It’s like he comes to work high, literally and figuratively. The only place I know you can get away with coming to work high and produce a “good” product is the music industry, and even that can get old over time as people will begin to see the flaws in production. This show hasn’t shown any improvement over time – NONE, ZERO, ZILCH, NADA. It’s like going out the window backward – don’t know which way, or where you are going. I don’t think they even care about what people like myself say about them. They have a cult following of young, love starved, gay black men and they are going to try and ride that wave for as long as they can, even into oblivion. Unfortunately, at the end of the rainbow there will not be a “pot of gold.” They will look back and wish they had spent the effort and time creating a better product and upgrading their skill set.
THIS SHOW SUCKS AT EVERYTHING!
Wow…@ coshamo…I guess you are correct. That young, love starved, gay black men of which you speak i guess thats his political agenda right there. He certainly not speaking to the middle aged mature gay man, look at his cast! There is tokenism in the ‘boss’ being the only middle aged man in the series. BIG FLAW THERE. That ‘boss’ could have been another youngster but being a shallow director he chose to have a different aged person cast in the role to achieve ‘diversity”. HA ! He ain’t taking me for a joy ride.
I disagree Coshamo about them not improving on anything. I have to give them credit as the sound has improved tremendously. I could barely make it through the first few episodes because they were hard to hear.
@Hannibal I do believe that have made improvements on the sound, but that was so many episodes ago that I don’t think it matters now. Why? Because we’ve critiqued them on many other things that need improvement and they haven’t done any of them. I think I even recall mentioning the fact that they had improved on the sound – but that was wayyyyyyy back – and I had held out hope they were going to make other improvements, but it has been a total let down for anything but. I think they have their head in the clouds and nothing will be more real to them but a hard thud sound.
I watched FREEFALL all night and from my perspective I give it an E for Effort. The story is interesting but the screen writing is poor -lines with no substance, the sub plots are not developed, those that are developed just leaves you hanging. The acting- they all tried to deliver based on the direction they receive- The only actor of color and good meat is Tony. Production value – poor- poor editing, poor continuity, the assimilated scenes atrocious, the music – except for Ramaj “the one with a broken heart” I found it depressing and not moving. Lighting and audio – poor. Now can all this be attributed to a ‘low budget?” You could but in the end you are doing ART and it all comes down to the director . I question his vision and artistry. He is the vision so he must translate it clearly on screen. The essence of all great ART is the creator can execute higher than his heart can imagine and that is not subjected to budget but rather his vision. He is asking us the viewer to share in his vision. Unfortunately that vision is blurred. He needs more creativity in executing his vision. Uplift the viewer, challenge the actors, watch the minor DETAILS of each scene, watch your framing, watch the flow, the dialogue is depressingly slow -make mistakes as you go along but as an artist you will know which ones to keep. The director has a great product. He just needs to rub that magic into it to give it life. That magic my friends is bigger than any budget he has to work with.
@ptseti Interesting analysis. And the show was fresh in your brain and this was still your opinion, which says a lot.
It also interesting that the negative critical opinion of a few people can be discouraged so much. Everything you just said about the series is your opinion. How is that less valid than the opinions of people who give nothing but praise?
There are and will be many opinions as there are sand on the beach. My opinion is no less or greater than anybody else’s. We all look through the same glass and some see it half full while others see it half empty. I watched the series and in my opinion it can be better. Those that give it all praise see things I did not see. If and when I see what they see then I have no problem in changing my opinion. Its only a fool who can’t or won’t change his opinion. I based my opinion on facts and knowledge. All power to those that do the same.