I love well-done web series such as Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog and The Guild. They speak to my geek sensibilities. Now there’s a new show that I think has the potential to be geeky and wonderful in a totally different way.
The LXD — Legion of Extraordinary Dancers — is the creation of writer/director Jon M. Chu. (Glee fans should note that Harry Shum Jr. is the co-choreographer.) The ongoing series will tell the familiar story of good versus evil, but with superheroes whose powers come from their dancing. Sound a little goofy? Well, so does a web series about a World of Warcraft guild or a guy trying to get into the Evil League of Evil.
I also really like their tagline: “No special effects. No wires. Real people, Real powers.”
The first two short episodes were posted yesterday on Hulu. Keep in mind that season 1 will introduce all the characters; the plot won’t start moving until season 2. (Personally, I’m okay with that. I have a weakness for origin stories.) Check it out:
1. The Tale of Trevor Drift
2. Antigravity Heroes
In that second episode, you’ll see Travis Wong as Jimmy Angel. Travis is the son of Grandmaster Douglas Wong and Sifu Carrie Ogawa-Wong from White Lotus, my beloved kung fu school. Travis is an amazing martial artist in addition to being a tremendous dancer, tricker, parkour practitioner, and sifu. Here’s a great interview with Travis about his role on The LXD and what dancing and martial arts mean to him.
From the LA Times article, The LXD is also trying to do something different:
“The LXD,” one of the most ambitious Web series attempted, is a unique fusion of dance and transmedia — an emerging Hollywood concept defined as a story told through multiple platforms (webisodes, live performance, Facebook, etc.) such that each one contributes a unique part of the narrative. Ideally, these building blocks add up to an intricate mythology that obsessed fans can piece together.
This is not your average filmed-in-the-garage web series. This is something BIG. Even though I’m not into dancing, I can’t wait to see where this series goes.
Another web series you might like: http://mrdiety.com/
Took me a few episodes to truly appreciate it, but it's come to be a fav — as amusing as it is irreverent.
Cool, I'll check it out!
Sounds cool – I'll have to check it out when I get home. Not ashamed to admit that my first geeky thought was "Mr. Freeze would totally win because he'd just put a layer of ice under everyone else and make them fall"
LOL! Tom, from you, I expect nothing less. :-D
Aw, yeah, I can Hulu it!
I just watched the first 3 episodes. The first hit me emotionally. Both of the first two inspired me as a martial arts lover. The third was just AWESOME–A live action comic where the story, style and everything seemed inspired by the dance style. I'm hooked!
YAY! I'm so glad you liked it! The robot episode has been my favorite so far — those dancers are amazing! But I love how the direction, dancing, and music all tie together to create a mood, not just a story. Glad you're along for the ride, too!