Q & A with the Creators of SPARKS
19 Mar
A DCWYTBMA reader alerted me to new web serial called SPARKS. The show is about a self-described “technologist” who lives in New York and helps people manage their emotional relationships with their computers. Think of her as a kind of tech whisperer.
SPARKS is the creation of filmmakers Annie Howell and Lisa Robinson. In an attempt to shine a light on their work (and to help further promote general awesomeness) I recently sat down (via e-mail) with Annie and Lisa and had this exchange:
1. In Episode Two, Sarah offers this comment about a misbehaving computer. “Don’t blame the technology,” she says. “We’re the ones who have to get our acts together.” When it comes to technology, do the two of you have your acts together?
AH: I personally do NOT have my act together. I’ll vouch here for Lisa (she is the tech savvy half of this duo) I’m the inspiration for those who need Sarah Sparks. My own tech frustrations include distinguishing between remote controls, locating any control panel on any menu anywhere, and managing RSS feeds.
LR: For someone in the arts I’ve always laid claim to a techy geek edge. I was the one boldly rewiring the computers in the editing lab or getting excited about camera optics. However, I am occasionally stumped by disagreeable technology and want to give it all a good kick and that’s when my really techy geek husband who actually deals with this stuff on a daily basis makes me feel like I also need to get my act together.
2. One of things I like about SPARKS is the tone and the pace. Unlike a lot of comedy on the web, your episodes take their time and let the humor unfold naturally. Talk about the benefits of this choice. Conversely, do you worry about the short attention spans’ of potential viewers?
AH: When we conceived the series, we wanted to offer a different sort of comic and aesthetic experience for the web; to experiment and go in a direction away from the slap stick or gross-out content that currently dominates the internet. We also wanted to pay close attention to the frame, as small as it might be. The benefits are simply about exploration and the fun of finding out if it works! Is it too slow for some? I’m sure it is, but I think there’s an audience for it.
LR: Yes, we discussed this and we knew we were doing something a little unusual. As in it might not be in-your-face aggressive enough like a lot of YouTube stuff out there. But both of us are interested in gentler humor so we thought, why not? Let’s just give it a try.
3. As independents, you have total freedom. But you’re also carrying the success of your series on your backs. What have you learned from the experience of spreading the word about SPARKS? Do you look at the Web differently now that you’re a producer as opposed to a consumer?
LR: I think we’re still learning one day at a time. We love the independence but we’d also love some financial support at some point. The web is such a useful tool. Things like Facebook take on new meaning as a way to spread the word.
4. Finally, what are your thoughts on awesomeness and/or being more awesome? How might Sarah answer that question?
AH: Sarah would say the potential for awesomeness is in you and technology everywhere! The more we befriend and understand technology the more it can do to improve our lives and possibly do something ultra-awesome like help save our planet.
