The future is now for Blackout, new Web-based series

From left, Shannon Flynn, Heather Yeo and Joshua Bien star in Blackout Theatre Company’s new Web series “FUNemployment.” The series will air on Sept. 12.

They’ve produced an entire feature film and had success with their various sketches. When the Blackout Theatre Company wanted to try a new medium, they thought about reaching the masses. But how would they do that?

Their answer is the new Web series “FUNemployment,” which will kick off its seven-episode run on Sept. 12.

“We’re exploring a completely new entertainment medium,” says Barney Lopez, a co-producer of the series. “Ten years ago, the words ‘webisode’ and ‘webseries’ would never have been taken seriously, now they are starting to become a very successful way to reach a large audience.”

	Online Blackout Theatre’s new webseries will begin airing on Sept. 12 at www.blackouttheatre.com

“FUNemployment” is a comedy series that follows the lives of four unemployed strangers as they try to get back on their feet.

Jane, played by Heather Yeo, is a teacher in a workplace training center where unemployed people have to attend in order to get their unemployment checks.

“Some of her students have been there for two years,” Lopez says. “The only reason Jane has a job is because the former teacher of the class died and she was offered the job.”

Dawn, played by Katy Bowen, is an aspiring actress who got stranded in New Mexico while on her way to Los Angeles. With her family not willing to help, she has to take the class to get money.

Kevin, played by Joshua Bien, is a former business owner who liquidated all of his assets, and Al, played by Shannon Flynn, is a socially awkward man who has been in the class for two years.

“Al is my favorite character and I think he’s going to be the breakout star of the show,” Lopez says. “It’s a comedy series that is very current with what’s happening in the country.”

Also appearing in the webseries are Steve Lucero, Maida Rubin and Ericka Olvera.

Blackout Theatre members started working on the webseries this summer with brainstorming sessions. Lopez says the group started to sketch out the seven episodes in June and plotted the script and filming began immediately after. Each episode runs about five minutes and is shot over the course of two days.

“We do have the last two to finish up and we’re looking forward to seeing how the series does,” he says. “If it does well, we’ll start planning a season two.”

Jeff Andersen, the artistic director, said it’s been a challenge to get everything into five minutes.

“People don’t want to watch a really long YouTube video,” Andersen says. “Plus, it makes us condense all of the comedy into a short amount of time.”

Lopez says the idea for a webseries stemmed from seeing the success of local webseries “Enter the Dojo,” “The Date Doctor” and “Flock.”

He says the company members developed their characters and wrote a lot of the dialogue for the series.

“Seeing the local webseries do well showed us that there is a market for it,” he explains. “We wanted to jump in and see if we could make something work.”

While the company is working on “FUNemployment,” Lopez says they are continuing to work on the series with Lynette, played by Lauren Poole, and her viral videos such as “Sh*t Burqueños Say” and “Lynette’s Albuquerque.”

“We’ve had some success with our work online and we’re hoping to continue the tradition,” he says. “We’re looking forward to seeing how people will react to the show. It’s fun and full of humor.”

FILM SUMMIT: Film students, teachers and counselors are invited to attend the Film and Media Education Summit, which will run 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 Fourth SW. The summit is an opportunity to discover the film programs available at New Mexico colleges and universities.

The event will include panels and breakout sessions with seasoned industry professionals and educators. Discussions will focus on the successes and challenges of post-secondary programs that concentrate in production. To sign up for the event, visit www.nmfilmoffice.eventbrite.com

SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter at @agomezART.