User:Tom Roper-Brown/Mind's Eye (Web Series)

Mind's Eye is a Canadian-made fantasy/adventure webseries produced by Synn Studios and Lynnvander Productions following a group of magical heroes as they protect a young boy they believe is destined to end an ancient supernatural war.

Plot
Mind’s Eye follows a 12-year-old boy named Illia Fairchild, who unbeknownst to him is the lynchpin in an ancient war between the terrifying Daemon and the Righteous Seraphim. Another thing that Illia doesn’t know is that his school-aged friends – Mark, Patrick, Elyssa, Koji, Nadia and Darius – are really his superpowered bodyguards, a group of magical beings called Dreamweavers. Dreamweavers possess the ability to alter reality with their imaginations, so despite the fact that they’re in disguise as typical preteens, the Dreamweavers are drawn from cultures around the world and ages past. As The Chosen One, Illia has the ability to affect the future. Whether that’s a change for good or ill depends largely on this small band of Dreamweavers pledged to protect Illia from the gathering darkness.

Format
The first season of Mind’s Eye began on November 26th, 2010 and will consist of 24 episodes in total. Each episode is between 5 and 10 minutes each. The series appears on the Mind’s Eye website, You Tube, Blip.tv and KoldCast.tv.

Series History
Mind’s Eye began as a short film concept in 2007, when Thomas M. Gofton wrote and directed a short film about neighbourhood kids imagining themselves as heroes fighting off a zombie invasion. After completing the short film, Gofton moved on to remaking his feature film debut as a screenwriter, the raunchy comedy Four Aces, which was released in February 2009. After the release of Four Aces, Gofton, through his production company Lynnvander Productions, began developing two webseries; one was a sci-fi comedy called Deep 5H1T and the other was an expanded version of his Mind’s Eye concept.

In June of 2009, Gofton gathered a production team made up mostly of Synn Studios’ collective of artists and made a “pilot” version, or pitch project, of the new, improved Mind’s Eye. Working from a script developed with former Players Without Strings improve partner Tom Roper-Brown, the new Mind’s Eye was about a group of heroes, disguised as kids to protect a young boy with supernatural abilities. A troupe of nearly 100 extras was created to play the zombie army, and the whole short was shot over two weekends in Guelph, ON.

Post-production on the Mind’s Eye pilot was completed in Fall 2009 and Gofton and Brown travelled to Los Angeles and Toronto in January/February 2010 in search of funding and support to mount the production of two, 24-epsiode webseries: Deep 5H1T and Mind’s Eye, but due to the economic downturn and other factors, adequate funding for both webseries was hard to find. After a tough decision, Gofton and Brown chose to proceed with Mind’s Eye and produce it in-house, at Synn Studios, on a shoe-string budget.

Pre-production for the webseries began in Spring 2010, and casting began in May 2010. Because many of the kids in the pilot had outgrown their roles, a new cast of young actors were chosen for Illia and the younger forms of the Dreamweaver heroes. Toronto-based actors Danika Czubak and Sean Liu were cast in the roles of Elyssa and Koji respectively, while Gofton, Brown and Zeeke Hamilton reprised their roles as Patrick, Mark and Darius. Johnny Quinn replaced Jon Davis as the villainous Dolgrath and Synn Studios’ regular Laura Nielson was cast as his henchwoman, Maya.

Principal Photography on Mind’s Eye The Series took place over 26 days between July 4th and August 8th, 2010. The post-production process began immediately, and a complete trailer was cut and premiered exclusively at Toronto’s National Fan Expo on August 27th, 2010. The trailer premiered online October 31st, 2010, and the first episode of the series was launched on November 26th, 2010. The season finale of the first season is currently scheduled for May 6th, 2011.

Illia Fairchild - The Chosen One
Illia is the character at the centre of Mind’s Eye. To his mind, he’s a normal, everyday pre-teen hanging out with his friends, going to school, and scrapping with his Grandpa. But what Illia doesn’t know is that within him is the power to tip the balance in the ancient war between Seraphim and Daimon. Mind’s Eye follows the Dreamweavers as they try to protect Illia from threats within and without. Illia is played by Nik MacMillan.

Mark - The Templar Knight
Mark is one of the oldest Dreamweavers. Born during medieval times, he became a Knight Templar and joined in the battle between the Seraphim and the Daimon. Brave and heroic to the highest standards of the Knight’s Code, Mark is the leader of this band of Dreamweavers and serves as Illia’s best friend and protector. Adult Mark is played by Tom Brown, while the younger version is played by Andrew Ellis

Patrick - The Western Samurai
Combining the quick wit of an experienced scientist and the ancient traditions of the Japanese samurai, Patrick is a charming eccentric who deep down is trying to atone for his past sins and the hubris that caused them. Patrick hopes to spare Illia from the types of disasters he’s witnessed, and give the boy the piece of mind he can never have. Adult Patrick is played by Thomas M. Gofton, and the younger Patrick is played by Aidan Harris.

Darius - The Druid of Magic
Darius is the oldest Dreamweaver in existence, having gained his abilities millennia ago while living in Ancient Egypt. Due to his age and experience, Darius has a “been-there, done-that” attitude to just about everything and generally prefers to enjoy his time in quiet solitude and deep reflect on the centuries lived and the battles survived. Darius manifests as a wizard who comes equipped with numerous abilities that frequently come to the aid of his Dreamweaving comrades. Adult Darius is played by Zeeke Hamilton, and the younger Darius is played by Nathan Fryer.

Elyssa - The Pirate Conquistador
Elyssa was born in the 1500s and had a wealthy fiancé that was a Spanish Admiral who abandoned her after the ship they were on was sunk at sea during a storm. She developed Dreamweaving abilities to survive and eventually joined up with Mark, becoming his trusted companion. Elyssa is definitely the hot-head of the team, but she’s deeply connected to her friends, defending them with stubborn tenacity. Adult Elyssa is played by Danika Czubak, and the younger Elyssa is played by Lily O’Coin.

Koji - The Ninja at Heart
Koji is the youngest of the Dreamweavers, and like Illia, he’s also just discovering his power. Unlike his comrades, who have learned patience and stealth in the many hundreds of years they’ve been Dreamweavers, Koji often leaps first and asks no questions later. Becoming a swift and skilled ninja, Koji is always eagerly on the lookout for new fun and adventure. Adult Koji is played by Sean Liu and younger Koji is played by Jodre Datu.

Nadia - The Gypsy Wanderer
Despite the fact that she’s capture and killed by The Dolgrath in the first episode of Mind’s Eye, Nadia continues to demonstrate that she’s one of Illia’s most dedicated Dreamweaver protectors. From the spirit realm, Nadia tries to help guide Illia, as the darkness and danger continue to surround The Chosen One. Adult Nadia is played by Candice Barrett, and young Nadia is played by Claire Moran.

Marty
Filling the void of parent and caregiver after Illia’s mother died in child birth, Marty became the dutiful grandfather and has taken care of Illia since he was a baby. Marty tries to show his grandson the brighter side of life, and encourages Illia to express himself though art, but it may surprise Illia to know that his grandfather knows more about his best friends than he does. Marty is played by Will Flavin.

Kaleigha
Kaleigha is one of the last, remaining Seraphim and is a battle-hardened warrior that’s survived the millennia in the battle against The Dolgrath. Gathering Dreamweavers and a human army of knights, Kaleigha, though opposed to the dark reign of The Dolgrath, also wants to use Illia as a secret weapon to win the war. Kaleigha is played by Melanie McAllister.

The Dolgrath Devil
The Dolgrath is the main antagonist of the first season of Mind’s Eye. He’s a powerful demon and arch-nemesis of the righteous Seraphim having lead a countless number of battles and massacres. His goal is to seize the Chosen One and bend him to his own dark purpose, and he’s prepared to eliminate any one, or anything, that gets in his way: Dreamweaver, or any other… Dolgrath is played by Johnny Quinn.

Maya - The Darkweaver
Maya is a Dreamweaver in her own right, but unlike Illia’s protectors, she heard the siren song of The Dolgrath and joined his ranks as the demon’s most trusted lieutenant. Maya also leads the Shadow’s Hand minions. Maya is played by Laura Nielson.

Episode 1 - Prey
Nadia is pursued through town by a group of strangers with malicious intent. Cornered and alone, suspicions become truths and an ancient rivalry is reborn in a small, unsuspecting suburb.

Episode 2 – A Budding Thought
A light-hearted game after school turns sour when Illia and his friends are stood up by one of the gang. Insult turns to injury during play and Illia is left with more than a headache to think about.

Episode 3 – Running Wild
The race is on for Patrick and Koji as they play a game of hide and seek in search of their missing friend. But the boys realize they’re the ones who should be hiding and they decide to show a bully that they’re tougher than they appear.

Episode 4 – Shadow’s Hand
Illia struggles to play it cool in front of his schoolyard crush, while Patrick and Koji fight desperately to fend off their pursuers. But the result of both missions is in doubt…

Episode 5 - Cornered
Patrick and Koji bring the fight to a different playing field, but they soon find themselves in bigger trouble than they can handle alone.

Episode 6 – It’s Time!
Illia heads to bed after a long day of adventuring, while his friends meet in the backyard treehouse to plan their next move. Heads butt as the friends try to agree on how to approach their new found threat.

Episode 7 – Visions of Gold
Illia says goodnight to his grandfather and goes to sleep, but dreams become a little too real as Illia is reunited with an old friend and discovers the courage to push his boundaries.

Episode 8 – Struck Out
Illia does his best to remain in control as he takes on his schoolyard rivals. Luckily for him though his friends are there to keep things from getting too far out of hand.

Episode 9 – Behind the Scenes
Even heroes need a chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy a movie from time to time. Maybe for once the danger can remain purely fictional.

Episode 10 – Practice Makes Perfect
Darius and Illia take the time to remember an old friend, while the rest of the Dreamweavers take the opportunity to hone their skills and settle some bets in a friendly spar.

Episode 11 – Devil’s Night
The Dolgrath's patience wears thin as he watches and waits for his chance to strike… Actually, scratch that. The chance to strike is now!

Episode 12 - Showdown
Illia leads his friends on a quest to save his math grade, but they find that school is now a dangerous place to be alone after dark.

Expanded Universe
To accompany the webseries, Gofton and Brown have devised a multimedia strategy to tell further stories from the Mind’s Eye Universe, and help promote the main webseries.

Coinciding with the premiere episode in November, the first of a number of short stories was released chronicling the origin stories of various Mind’s Eye characters. The stories, which come in the form of four-part arcs for each of the Dreamweaver heroes, are written by Hande Barutçuoğlu from outlines developed by Barutçuoğlu and Brown.

After the short stories, a novel called The Traveller will be released. The plot of the book will detail the history of the war between the Daemon and the Seraphim.

In addition, Brown is also co-writing a series of webcomic stories that further expand the first season’s story arc. The comics will feature work by various artists, and are being co-written by Lovina Yavari (Jesse’s Angels), who was also the Key Make-Up Designer on the webseries.

Also in development is a role-playing game designed by Gofton and Michael Edwards called Dreamweaver, which is now in the testing phase. A mobile game is also in the early stages of development.

Reception
The reaction to Mind’s Eye has mostly been positive with many critics citing the series’ writing, visual effects, and production design as being highlights and of above average quality for a webseries. Those Video Guys said, “I’m definitely a fan. I’m definitely going to keep watching. I was very interested in the story and I really liked the performances. […] It was a refreshing change.”

And Sci-Fi Saturday Night added, “It was amazingly, amazingly good […] The writing was great, I’m intrigued about the story, the special effects were amazing, some of the best I’ve seen in a webseries. There’s some great stuff happening there. Absolutely. I can’t wait for the next instalment.”

Mind’s Eye has also been praised for its use of young actors and for being a family friendly webseries. In January 2011, Mind’s Eye was awarded the “Best to Recommend to Your Mother!” Award by Indie Intertube.

Season Two and Beyond
According to Gofton, Mind’s Eye has a 5-year plan that will see the Dreamweavers face new challenges and new adversaries in their quest to protect Illia and guide him to his rightful place as the most powerful Dreamweaver of all. New friends will be made, allegiances will shift, and new dangers and adventures await.

The Mind’s Eye producers are currently trying to secure funding for season 2, and on the series’ website, fans can donate to help further the production crew’s budgetary goals. Principal Photography on Mind’s Eye season 2 may begin as early as late fall 2011.

Main Crew
Directed By Thomas M. Gofton

Co-Directed By Tom Roper-Brown

Written By Tom Roper-Brown

Created By Thomas M. Gofton

Produced By Thomas M. Gofton and Tom Roper-Brown

Executive Producers: Thomas M. Gofton and Jonathan Wessenger

Director of Photography: Nick Montgomery

Production Designed By Vince Mosckowec

Art Direction By Seth Rowanwood

Edited By Thomas M. Gofton

Music By Zeeke Hamilton

Sound Designer Aaron Soch

Special Effects By Jon Davis

Visual Effects Supervisor Nick Montgomery

Special Make-Up Effects By Lovina Yavari and Ashley Dallimore