Now that most of us take broadband for granted, budding filmmakers are using the net as a medium to mass-market creative ideas in a new format known as the webseries. Released periodically just like episodes of a television show, the webseries industry is burgeoning (hey, even Michael Cera has one called Clark and Michael). Creating a webseries is a great way for young upstarts to broadcast their capabilities to the industry while telling a great story. It’s like being in an indie band, but for TV and Film. Here, we evaluate two new Canadian webseries, Take Me Back, and Team Epic to check in on the quality of content in this new medium.

Take Me Back (Spinseeker Films)

CONCEPT: Kidnapped after coming into possession of a mysterious gadget, Al is imprisoned in a dilapidated attic while a doppelganger lives his life for him.

CHARACTERS: Al, played by series cocreator Seth Mendelson, is your typical indie kid. He loves riding his bike, writing down his thoughts, and flirting awkwardly with an artsy girl in a leg cast. Once imprisoned in the attic he is tormented by an enigmatic man in a silver mask, and must use the seemingly random contents of the room to figure out what the hell is going on. Take Me Back also has a good sense of humour. Watching Al decide to improvise a pair of deer antlers into a weapon is hilarious. With the obvious exception of the masked interloper, Take Me Back’s characters are imbued with everything necessary to make them into a believable slice of contemporary urban existence. That being said, it’s also like watching the weirdest day of your best friend’s life.

PRODUCTION VALUE: With Mendelson and partner Joe Baron at the helm, Take Me Back’s cinematography and editing are top notch, as is the original score, which fits the series’ spooky sci-fi slant.

FUTURE PROSPECTS: Just launched this week, Take Me Back will drop ten five-minute episodes over the next ten weeks. Based on the first three segments, this series looks promising, with the potential to become a prime-time web addiction.

PASS/FAIL: Pass

WATCH IT: www.tmbtheseries.com

Team Epic (Poetic Licence Productions)

CONCEPT: Toronto is the backdrop for a Canadian-themed super-hero saga.

CHARACTERS: Captain Epic (the Team’s leader) has got to be up there with Aqualad and The Red Bee as one of the lamest superheroes of all time. His Mountiered bodysuit is a total eyesore while an overly earnest demeanor just plays up Canadian stereotypes that 99 per cent of us want to forget. Epic’s sidekicks include a whole host of ill-conceived, ill-costumed characters, not the least of which is Master Brood whose goth apparel and emo attitude only enhance the complete ridiculousness of his cardboard delivery. Watching Master Brood on screen is like chewing a mouthful of lemon slices—seriously. Ironically, the only bright light in the cast is Peter Higginson, who plays the dark villain Bernard Embers. In reality, Higginson is the only real superhero here; he has the amazing ability to turn a terrible script into the only believable character.

PRODUCTION VALUE: While Team Epic benefits from TV-quality cinematography, special effects and editing, it is mortally wounded by some of the worst dialogue and acting I have ever seen. Maybe it’s the actors, or perhaps the director is unable to elicit quality performances, but the series is marred by inconsistent accents (The Seeker in particular), obvious stumbles, awkward word emphasis, and botched moments. Not to mention that each episode is an agonizing 45-minutes long, which is a sad waste because the crew obviously has the tools to make something far better.

FUTURE PROSPECTS: Style kicks the ass of substance in this showdown. The writing team, wardrobe designer and acting coach (if there even is one) have got to go if there is to be any future for Team Epic.

PASS/FAIL: Fail

WATCH IT: teamepic.tv