| Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
 Sanctuary's intertitle |
|
| Format | Fantasy |
| Created by | Damian Kindler |
| Starring | Amanda Tapping Robin Dunne Emilie Ullerup Christopher Heyerdahl |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| No. of episodes | 8 (to date) (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | approx. 15 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original run | May 14, 2007 – present |
| External links | |
| Official website | |
| IMDb profile | |
| TV.com summary | |
Sanctuary is a fantasy web series, which premiered on May 14, 2007. Sanctuary stars Amanda Tapping, Robin Dunne, Emilie Ullerup and Christopher Heyerdahl.
Contents |
Plot summary
Each webisode of Sanctuary follows the exploits of Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping, Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis) as she seeks out all manner of terrifying and monstrous creatures. She is aided in her quest by her reluctant protégé Will Zimmerman (Robin Dunne, Dawson’s Creek, The Big Hit, Species 3) and her intrepid, if somewhat reckless daughter Ashley (Emile Ullerup, Battlestar Galactica). Together they will be drawn into a frightening and mysterious world populated by beings that defy explanation.
Characters
Helen Magnus
Helen Magnus (Tapping), was one of the first female doctors and scientists of the Royal College of Surgeons and was born some time in the Victorian Era. Due to frustration from stubborn male members of the College's Board of Directors (who refuse to let her join despite her obvious genius), she asks her father Doctor Anthony Magnus, himself a doctor who has shaped modern medicine as we know it, to teach her. Instead of the medical practice she seeks, Helen is introduced to Anthony's "private research", that of studying and helping "abnormals" (the creatures and magical beings that roam the Earth). Helen persevered in continuing her father's research after he passed away, but through some sort of accident, gained the ability of longevity, so she cannot age or die of natural causes.
Will Zimmerman
Will Zimmerman (Dunne), a respected psychiatrist working in "Old City" and helping the local community to survive in the poverty-stricken area. While investigating the mysterious murders of two local police officers, who both died under mysterious circumstances, Will is drawn to Helen, one of his colleagues, who introduces him into her field of research. Will accepted the post of aiding her research, but is still skeptical of things that science cannot explain.
Ashley Magnus
Ashley Magnus (Ullerup), is the daughter of Helen and her brief-lover John Druitt. Ashley grew up believing her father was killed by one of the many exotic creatures in the world, and thus became addicted to killing creatures and have large amounts of advanced weaponry close at hand. Ashley was close to Helen, but this ended when John resurfaced and the truth was exposed. Ashley, needing some time alone, has since left the institute and is now hunting extremely dangerous creatures abroad for sport.
John Druitt
John Druitt (Christopher Heyerdahl), is a human from the far future that has the ability to manipulate space and time and teleport near-infinite distances. For unknown reasons, John went back in time to the Victorian Era, and enjoyed the scenery and local attractions of London, becoming a respected member of the community and eventually lover of Helen. Helen, a researcher into the paranormal, was horrified to discover that every time John uses his teleportation, it subtlety manipulates his DNA and makes him display increasingly homicidal behaviour. By the time Helen found out and went to help him, it was too late, as John had become Jack the Ripper and was murdering local prostitutes to satiate his growing bloodlust. John proceeded to teleport to times unknown, while Helen remained in her own time, having the child she conceived with John; Ashley, and also developing weapons to defend herself should he return. John resurfaced in 2007, now having become slightly-physically disfigured from his growing cellular instability, and was subtlety manipulating a part-monster boy named Alexei to murder people and guiding him to become a serial killer. Somehow, John found out about Ashley's existence, and proceeded to kidnap her and attempt to turn her to his side, but Helen, Bigfoot and Will found his hideout and engaged in a short battle. Attempting to escape, John was injected by Helen with a substance to jam his teleportation, and despite Helen's warning he wouldn't survive it, John forced-teleported away. His fate is unknown.
Guests
- David Hewlett as Larry Tolson
- Dan Payne as "Monster on TV"
- Ryan Robbins as Henry Foss
- Chuck Campbell as Two Faced Guy
- Cainan Wiebe as Alexei
- Peter DeLuise as Ernie Watts
- Paul McGillion as Wexford
- Laura Mennell as Caird
- Miranda Frigon as Danu
- Leah Cairns as Tatha
- Kavan Smith as Detective Joe Kavanaugh
- Jim Byrnes as Dr. Gregory Magnus
Production
The series is produced by Stage 3 Media based in Vancouver, British Columbia, located in Canada, founded in 2006. The two hour pilot episode (comprising eight webisodes) was filmed from January 3 to January 31, 2007[1] at Bridge Studios.
Technology
Sanctuary is filmed almost entirely using the green screen technique. Unlike many other shows, elaborate sets are not built for the scenes to be filmed; instead, they are created using CGI technology.[2]
Community involvement and interaction
Fans are actively encouraged to be involved in the project in a variety of ways, ranging from joining in discussions in the forums or blog, to creating and sharing their screen captures and artwork, and creating remixes of the videos. The official fan site, SanctuaryFans, lets users communicate, discuss episodes, and share their creations. Several unedited scenes, where the actors are seen in front of the green screen, are provided with each episode. The intention is to allow the viewers to create their own environments in which to place the actors, and they are encouraged to share their creations via sites like YouTube. The online media player, designed for streaming the video, is designed with interaction in mind. The player provides the ability to capture and download or email screen captures of the video. Some form of game based on Sanctuary is planned.[3]
Distribution
Unlike traditional TV series, the primary distribution channel for Sanctuary is the Internet. Episodes are sold directly to viewers on the official website. The episodes, called webisodes, are about 15-20 minutes in duration and are released bi-weekly. The first four of the initial eight webisodes are available for free viewing in low resolution on YouTube, Google Video, and similar sites, allowing viewers to watch them before deciding if they wish to purchase the higher quality releases.[4] All eight of the first episodes are currently available for purchase on the Sanctuary website. The continuance of the series has been awaiting the "certain marks we have to hit" for the Green Light to proceed with filming since November 9th, 2007.[5] Although there are no immediate plans, future television broadcasts and DVD releases are a possibility.[6]
Files and formats
The webisodes are available in both Windows Media Video and QuickTime formats, and can be purchased in either standard definition (480p) or high definition (720p). The original trailers were also released in 1080p, but it is not yet known if or when the series will be released in that format. The audio track in the videos is as of June 2007 only available in stereo. At present, captions and subtitles are not provided by the show's creators, but fans have created and distributed them via the forums. The video can also be streamed using the online Flash based player, in either 480p or 720p, and the creators have stated their intention to release a standalone player. The videos are not encumbered with digital rights management, and users are free to play, share or convert in any way they want to. Marc Aubarnel wrote:[7]
4. Don’t use digital rights management to the detriment of the end user. There is nothing more frustrating than paying for digital data and not being able to burn it to a DVD or share it with a friend or play it on any damn device you want.
Damian Kindler wrote:[8]
These files are YOURS. You can do with them what you want. Drop them into iTunes. Convert them to DVD formats. Burn, rip, whatever. You bought 'em, you decide how to enjoy 'em.
Purchasing and pricing
The SD and HD versions can be purchased as either individual episodes (SD $1.99 HD $2.49) or in a bundle of four episodes. In the beginning the price varied depending upon the purchaser's location in the world, but since July 30 2007 the price is the same in every region, owing at least partly to community protest against the price differentiation. [1] Some extras are included with the package, including the episode credits in a separate PDF file, and a selection of short, unedited scenes showing the actors in front of the green screen for the user to edit, remix and share.
Crew
- Damian Kindler, creator
- Amanda Tapping, Marc Aubanel, N. John Smith, executive producers
- Damian Kindler and Martin Wood, co-writers
- Martin Wood, Director
References
- ^ Stargate cast and crew seek Sanctuary
- ^ Finding Sanctuary in CG, StudioDaily.com, May 24, 2007
- ^ Beginnings
- ^ "Clearing up some issues..." on the official Sanctuary blog.
- ^ " Eight and onward…"
- ^ Stage 3 Media Sanctuary FAQ
- ^ The original source for this quote has been deleted, but it was quoted by two independent sources: Indirect ways to help “Stargate SG-1″: help “Sanctuary”! and Between the Pavement and the Stars: Sanctuary
- ^ "Sanctuary Customer Service, Damian speaking. How may I help you...?"
