Frankenstein, MD
| Frankenstein, MD | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre |
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| Created by | Bernie Su |
| Based on | Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley |
| Starring |
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| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 12 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Bernie Su |
| Producers |
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| Production location | YouTube Space LA |
| Cinematography | Matt Ryan |
| Running time | 5–8 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | YouTube |
| Release | August 19, 2014 – present |
Frankenstein, MD is a 2014 comedy/Gothic horror webseries with transmedia elements. Produced in partnership between Pemberley Digital and PBS Digital Studios, the show is a modern adaptation of Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley, replacing the eponymous character with Victoria Frankenstein, a medical student near graduation. The show, which represents PBS Digital's first foray into scripted content, was created by Bernie Su and premiered on YouTube on August 19, 2014. It has been generally well received by critics and will see its season finale on October 31.
Production
Frankenstein, MD was announced on May 5, 2014, in a partnership between PBS Digital Studios, the online arm of the American Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), and Pemberley Digital whose previous webseries included The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (an adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice) and Emma Approved (based on Austen's Emma).[1] The show is a transmedia adaptation of Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley that reimagines the story's male protagonist Victor Frankenstein as a female student of medicine named Victoria Frankenstein.[2][3] The show is PBS Digital's first scripted program[1] though it also includes educational elements.[4]
The show is produced by Bernie Su who was previously responsible for Permberley Digital's other webseries.[4] It was filmed at YouTube Space LA[4] and premiered on YouTube on August 19, 2014.[5] Prior to the show's premiere, accounts on social media for various characters in the show were created, allowing viewers to interact with the Frankenstein's protagonists.[5] Joe Hanson, host of PBS Digital's It's Okay To Be Smart, acts as the show's science consultant.[5] The first season of the show is scheduled to conclude after 24 five- to eight-minute episodes on October 31, 2014.[5][6]
Episodes of Frankenstein, MD are directed by Brett Register, executive produced by Su, produced by Tracy Bitterolf with consulting producer by Frederick Kim.[7] Register and Lon Harris serve as showrunners with the latter also working as head writer.[7] Other writers include Kim, Danielle Evenson, and Taylor Brogan.[7] The series's cinematographer is Matt Ryan.[7]
Cast and characters
- Victoria Frankenstein (Anna Lore) — Analogous to Victor Frankenstein, a medical student who was described by The Daily Dot as "a modern woman struggling to deal with sexism as she pursues her career in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)-related field"[2] and by The New York Observer as "smart, strong willed and filled with both an insatiable desire to learn about science and an unwavering belief in the field itself."[8] Lore's casting was announced on July 23, 2014.[4]
- Ludwig "Iggy" DeLacey (Steve Zaragoza) — Analogous to Igor. Frankenstein's fellow student and co-host of her show.[5][9]
- Dr. Abraham Waldman (Kevin Rock) — Analogous to M. Waldman.[8] A mentor to Frankenstein.[4]
- Eli Lavenza (Brendan Bradley) — A friend of Frankenstein's.[4]
- Rory Clerval (Sarah Fletcher) — A friend of Frankenstein's.[4]
- Robert Walton (unseen) — Analogous to the character of the same name. Robert is the offscreen camera operator of Frankenstein's vlog.[10]
Reception
Reviewing the first three episodes of the show for The A.V. Club, Myles McNutt felt that the fact that the show was a coproduction of PBS and Pemberley Digital was "the most exciting part" but that it was also the element "that takes the most time to negotiate in the series’ first three episodes, as the writers and the audience alike adjust to the distinct goals of the science fiction vlog webseries."[3] McNutt declared the first three episodes "a solid start" and rated them B+, B, and A-, respectively.[3] Nicole Vranjican wrote in The New York Observer that the show "has a definite juvenile feel and is likely best suited for scientifically curious Jr. High students" and that its message "that being smart is cool...sets a standard for television that more TV shows should get behind".[8] After viewing the first six episodes, Atiya Abbas noted in Vox Magazine that "[t]he series is light-hearted compared to the dark subject of the novel".[10]
References
- ^ a b Shields, Mike (May 5, 2014). "Next Up From PBS: Dr Victoria Frankenstein For YouTube Crowd". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
- ^ a b Romano, Aja (May 7, 2014). "'Lizzie Bennet' creators join PBS for modern genderbent 'Frankenstein'". The Daily Dot. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
- ^ a b c McNutt, Myles (August 19, 2014). "Frankenstein M.D.". The A.V. Club. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g Votta, Rae (July 23, 2014). "'Frankenstein, M.D.' to star newcomer Anna Lore". The Daily Dot. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Gutelle, Sam (July 24, 2014). "Bernie Su's 'Frankenstein, M.D.' Gets August 19th Release Date". Tubefilter. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
- ^ Staff writer (July 23, 2014). "PBS Digital Studios to premiere first scripted series, "Frankenstein, M.D.," on Tuesday, August 19" (Press release). PBS. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Team". Pemberley Digital. 2014. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
- ^ a b c Vranjican, Nicole (August 25, 2014). "'Frankenstein, MD,' Bringing Gothic Horror to the Internet". The New York Observer. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
- ^ M, Amanda (August 19, 2014). "Check Out 'Frankenstein, MD' Eps. 1-3 Starring A Very Familiar Bearded Face!". SourceFed. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
- ^ a b Abbas, Atiya (August 30, 2014). "New on the tubes: Frankenstein, MD". Vox Magazine. Columbia Missourian. Retrieved September 5, 2014.