In the pilot episode of the “serial suspense drama” written, produced, and directed by St. Louis native David Conley through Munirah Productions, there was no common courtesy of clarity through revelations offered to viewers as the story progresses.
Unlike the formula for traditional television, as the scenes of DNR (an acronym for “Do Not Resuscitate”) unfolded, it is easy to find oneself falling deeper into an abyss of confusion.
If he was looking to create suspense and drama, mission accomplished. After viewing the 35-minute pilot in its entirety, it felt as if I knew less than I did before clicking “play.” It was as if reading the synopsis had failed me somehow.
But despite the utter uncertainty as the debut episode came to its dramatic conclusion, I was intrigued and ached to know how it all panned out.
That’s exactly the reaction Conley hopes to elicit from viewers who will be introduced to his production when the pilot airs on the web this weekend – in an effort to create buzz and get attention from the networks.
“Imagine if Lost and 24 had a baby,” Conley said. “That’s kind of what I was trying to do with DNR. When I first watched Lost I was like, ‘I am lost!’ but it still kept my attention and I wanted to know what happened next.”
According to Conley, the show is about an ordinary person who is thrust into extraordinary circumstances.
DNR’s pilot is almost impossible to explain. A summary would not do the show justice and may give away crucial elements that could ruin the element of surprise.
The cast and the setting are minimal. They include a dimly lit basement where three perspectives are being sold to the viewer as true.
Conley – who also directs the pilot – is extremely effective in creating a sincere element of trust between the lead character and the viewer and then snatching it away.
When it’s all said and done, every breath is questioned for validity as the interactions and dialogue between the three cast members (played by Conley, Travis Estes and Sharon Morris) move in the opposite direction of a resolution.
At times the banter can be cumbersome and annoying, but Conley says it’s strategic – a means to an end that will reveal itself in later episodes.
“The first episode was just about the incident, a catalyst for everything else,” Conley said. “It shows what they are up against.”
Based on the references to billion-dollar pharmaceutical companies, terrorist ties, war and more, the world will be on their shoulders as they work for the greater good of whatever they are fighting for.
Just like the characters in his show, with the seemingly immeasurable resources readily available to his impending competition, the odds are stacked heavily against Conley and DNR.
He has no major financial support, no studio green light … only faith and a simple request – that people with an interest in interesting television log on for a FREE viewing of his show when it debuts this weekend.
“This costs you nothing to do, but your voice could actually get the show on the air,” Conley said. “If we have sheer volume of numbers watching the show, then the network looks at that as advertising dollars.”
Unlike the norm, where ratings determine the fate of a show, Conley is working to create a fan base as a bargaining tool well before the show airs by way of the online sneak preview.
“To be able to bring those numbers gives us a much stronger case,” Conley said. “That’s what we are after.”
He referred to the success model of Tyler Perry, who had the fan base prior to financing, which meant box office gold for Lion’s Gate and eventually a go-ahead for every initiative that Perry presents to the production company.
And just like Perry did in Atlanta – opening a studio and film production company of his own – it is Conley’s vision to do the same here in St. Louis.
“All of that industry for the show would be able to come here,” Conley said. “Meaning more things like that would be coming in this direction.”
According to Conley, for the first step to come to pass all supporters of his big dream for our city have to do is tune in.
“My biggest issue is getting people to watch it,” Conley said. “Especially in St. Louis, where they think that it’s gonna be two folks running around with camcorders.”
While it’s obvious that Conley is working with limited resources, his project without a doubt makes the most of what his current budget constraints will allow. And what it lacks in the polish that comes with heavy finances, he more than overcompensates in fervor and passion – which easily translates by way of DNR’s first episode.
“I keep pushing that the right people will see it and recognize what we’ve got,” Conley sad. “I’m hoping folks will be brave enough to click on the link.”
DNR will be played in its entirety from Friday, September 18 – Sunday September 20 and can be viewed by visiting the following link:
http://www.vimeo.com/user2202643.
For more information on the show and David Conley’s Munirah Productions, visit www.tapestryofshadows.com.
Also, a clip and teaser for DNR are available on youtube by visiting the pages listed below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzBPHO1wVk8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqNaJiusJJk.
