The Occulterers Doesn’t Scare Up Many Laughs
Embedda-Scare-A-Thon getting too intense for you? Don’t worry, today’s installment doesn’t aim to terrify.
Parodying Ghost Hunters and other paranormal series isn’t very fresh — Bumps in the Night has been doing it since last February on Strike TV, and more recently Blair Witch Project co-creator Ed Sanchez released his own spin on the idea.
But that didn’t stop web series pioneer Hayden Black (Goodnight Burbank, Abigail’s Teen Diary) from putting together The Occulterers, a limited-run Babelgum series about a bumbling team of paranormal investigators exploring a castle haunted by Count Vampire (Camden Toy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer). The concept of a vampire who haunts things might seem a little ridiculous. But it’s not the worst thing about this series.
Black is considered a pioneer because he was one of the first in this space to prove it’s possible to produce sustainable and popular content that’s truly meant for the web, and we’re looking forward to his sci-fi comedy musical The Cabonauts. But The Occulterers was created, sold, cast, written, shot and edited in about three weeks, according to the site Podcasting News, and that short time frame sadly shows. Characters are underdeveloped; jokes are unpolished; episode pacing is flabby; and the production, flatly shot against a poorly integrated green screen, isn’t up to par with either Black’s previous work or current web standards.
In Occulterers, Black takes a supporting role as a Belgian psychic (who’s inexplicably wearing a kilt), and James C. Leary as Kevin is a compelling, if slightly dopey, male lead. Bimbo-ish Chelsea (Amy Kline) is alarmingly pointless, yet she’s also given much of the exposition, presumably because hearing it delivered by a ditz will make it funny.
In one of the show’s more meta moments, Kevin admits that Chelsea was brought onto add some sex appeal to The Occulterers after Jennica (Ellen Sandweiss from The Evil Dead), a female scientist over the age of 40, started experiencing hot flashes. (Any feminism points earned by including a female scientist over the age of 40 as a character were lost thanks to that joke.)
Each episode of Occulterers is accompanied by a mock “live feed” from the castle, which viewers are encouraged to watch so that they might discover — and Tweet about — spooky goings-on. The live feed seems a bit lame at conception, as you’re essentially being invited to watch an hour of a still background with only occasional interruptions, but as I write this I’m letting it play in the background, and while the sound effects are a bit derivative of those scary tapes you play at Halloween parties, they’re pretty effective (especially if you’ve recently seen Paranormal Activity).
Babelgum is throwing a lot of promotion behind the show, and providing shout-outs to Twitter responders in the actual episodes is pretty novel. Also, Los Angeles residents can participate in two separate flash mob events taking place this week, where participants who say their Twitter name to the camera will be in the next season of The Occulterers — which will run, one presumes, in the lead-up to next year’s Halloween. I’ll look forward to it. Because hopefully, with more time to develop and write this concept, there’ll be some real comedy involved.
Scare-o-meter: 2 — Technically, as a comedy Occulterers isn’t aiming for any scares. But points given for the creepy ambiance of the live feed segments.
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It’s incredible how Babelgum made such waves in pouring money into original content, only to then work with people in the space who for the most part have no substantial views to speak of, and would allow money to be wasted away with such amateur level content as “The Occulterers”- if this continues, they will be gone just like the rest of them.
You’re totally right.
I find this interesting that such time is taken by those who say they are not caring for the show. I don’t like lima beans, but I don’t go to a vegetable site and complain…I just don’t eat them! I personally find the show a fun way to spend a few minutes of the day! It’s not out to solve the world’s problems, it’s meant to entertain….and to that I say…to each their own! (NOTE: I took time out of my day to write my opinion because I like the show! Otherwise, I would not have taken the time!)
Thanks for your comment, Carrie! Unfortunately, this is a high-profile web series being released by a major company. Which means talking honestly about it is my job.
The mockumentary format is quite played out so all the interview shots are fairly ho-hum. All the green screen shots are pretty much unwatchable in this. I can’t believe someone paid for this to be put up on the internet.
I think the reviewer is missing the point here. This is parody, so the jokes are supposed to be silly and the green screen effects crude. In parody, you do use “bimbos” and “dopey” people, and you do poke fun at everybody, including women over 40 (of which I am one) – the political incorrectness is the whole point. And the fact that this type of show has been done before – well, show me a type of show on tv or the web or anywhere else that hasn’t. I think the Occulterers is a lot of fun and we all need a little more of that in our lives.
Transylvania around Halloween?? Sign me up! I think the concept of the show is fun and meant to be light hearted! I found myself waiting to see what would come next! Listening for sounds, trying to catch another glimpse of Herve and that funny outfit is enough to keep me coming back for more! (Never hurts to hear a ghost say, “GEETTT OOUUTTT”!!) I think the green screen is great in that cool old castle. Hayden Black is a funny guy and his humor has proven itself thru this and his other works to make me a fan. 3 weeks, 3 months ~ the show hit at the perfect time and has been a great sweet treat for the week!
I’m not sure who this Liz Miller is and what web series she has been watching…but her article is underdeveloped and unpolished. She clearly doesn’t get what The Occulterers is about. She needs to inject herself with a shot of humor and good taste. I couldn’t disagree with her more. The characters, plots and comedy are all well thought out, and Herve has me wanting more. I also love the music, which is fantastic!
I’m not sure who this Nigel is and what web series he has been watching…but his comment is underthought and unintelligent. He clearly doesn’t get what comedy is about. He needs to inject himself with a shot of humor and good taste. I couldn’t disagree with him more. The characters, plots and comedy are all poorly thought out, and Herve has me begging “Please, no more.” I also hate the music, which is monotonous, boring, and if would drive a litter of golden retriever puppies to commit ritualistic suicide!
This series looks and feels like something a teenager in the Midwest might shoot for YouTube. I have no idea what Babelgum was thinking. I think a big part of why web TV hasn’t taken off as people expected is because these companies think you can just throw anything up and people will watch. There’s good stuff out there but people have to wade through awful shows like “The Occulterers” to find them. Like the person above said, if companies like Babelgum don’t become more discerning about their content, they won’t last. I’m certainly not heading over their to check out the rest of their comedy content.
Agreed. I can name dozens of shows I have found online that don’t seem to have proper PR, financing machine whatever behind them that wont get out but this does???
Not everyone likes the same web series. They all have different appeal. But ‘The Occulterers’ is a funny and entertaining show… In my opinion. Seems to parody more the ‘Most Haunted’ on the Travel Channel. With the use of psychics. That sometimes seem overly dramatic. Comparatively, ‘Bump in the Night’ parodies ‘Ghost Hunters’, with it’s straight edge investigation. This is just my opinion, but I do agree that this show is definitely worth watching.
I’m loving the Occulterers. Unlike a lot of comedy web series it’s got a great blend of over the top and fun.
I personally love the blurry green screened effects, and the acting. It’s Halloween, it’s fun, take a line from the Joker…. Why so seriousssssssss?