JUNE 2023: The Footprints of PRIDE

Web-Serials, or Web-Soaps aren't easy to write despite how flawless the writers make it seem as you read each episode week to week. The stories are fast paced, gripping and can get you hooked by the very first episode/chapter. It takes a lot of skill to remember an entire history of not only one character but in most cases an entire town of people to keep the continuity of a story so that it can continue on and on much like their TV counterparts that last decades.

The story tricks are the same: Keep them open ended (for the most part) allowing other stories to be interwoven; overlapping into the characters' lives so that once one crisis is done something is already warming on the back burner for the reader to get sucked into.

The process of turbulent event after turbulent event is like, you know, real life!

Well, that is if your life is filled with such scandalous things like blacking out after murdering the serial killer who killed your husband and son and almost letting your daughter take the fall for it just before remembering what you did and saving her from jail at the last minute.

Or maybe that's just Paula Fishers' life in FOOTPRINTS.

Speaking of FOOTPRINTS, The Web's longest running Serial written & created by Michael Ross is FOOTPRINTS! His incredible dedication to the series has lasted over 2 decades. So The Phix HAD to catch up with Michael!

THE PhixSix

This month's PhixSix is happy to have Michael for a quick Q&A.

PHIX: Hi Michel! Thank you so much for taking some time for this dog & pony show I have going on here. FOOTPRINTS is, I think, currently the longest running text-based web-serial. 25 Years and going strong! That is an incredible amount of time, detail and continuity to keep up over the years. Congratulations on that! What brought about FOOTPRINTS, why did you decide to create this fun world for us to read?

MICHAEL: Thank you! It's tough for me to fathom that FOOTPRINTS is still around after a quarter-century. I was a 14-year-old high school student when I posted the first episode, and now I'm a 40-year-old professional about to get married. It's even crazier that it's still around when I consider it's origins: I had become obsessed with daytime soaps the year prior, when I got sucked into Days of our Lives and then was so captivated by the format that I had to learn about the other shows. The original FOOTPRINTS bible was just my attempt to replicate the long-form story recaps included in those soap opera coffee table books that were big in the 90s. Once I'd done that, I decided to write episodes (in a weird hybrid-script format) because I'd become so enthralled with the world I had created -- which, in retrospect, was very tepid amalgam of stuff I'd seen on TV Soaps. I had no idea at the time that I was writing a "bible" or that it would become foundation and blueprint for the next 25 years.

PHIX: In Daytime soaps, its super common for a show to go through a wide range of changes as it progresses over the decades, not to mention revamps with writing regime changes. It can be refreshing for viewers to get that new vibe going. After writing FOOTPRINTS for so many years alone how do you keep it fresh and fun not only for readers but for yourself?

MICHAEL: That is a twofold answer. The first part is that my interests and viewpoints have evolved over the last 25 years, and I hope they continue to do so. My original vision of FOOTPRINTS was basically to create my own version of a 1990's James E. Reilly soap (this was at the height of his epic first run at Days). As I learned more about soap history, I became enthralled with Doug Marland's legendary time as head writer of As the World Turns, and I think a lot of the story shifts seen in FOOTPRINTS in the early-to-mid-2000s reflect that. When I went to grad school and then began working in primetime TV, more of those sensibilities got incorporated into FOOTPRINTS, and in the last decade or so, I've been really determined to break from daytime norms and work in more diverse array of characters and situations. And I really enjoy writing comedy, so I've given myself permission to do that in FOOTPRINTS. Overall I'd say that, even though FOOTPRINTS is the same at its core, it has had stylistic shifts over the years that have kept it fresh for me.

And I always enjoy reacting to reading feedback, whether positive or negative! I've made big story decisions based on things that my readers were loving or hating.

PHIX: How do you keep from writing yourself (or a character) into a corner? In other words, how do you keep the story's beginning, middle and end intact without getting stuck?

MICHAEL: I always write with an eye on the big picture and the long-term. Any big action or event should shape and define a character going forward, not just be something that can be shrugged off once they're on to the next plot. So I very rarely write something big -- someone committing a crime, an ethical breach, a violation of trust between two people with important bond -- without the repercussions of that act being the point. Sometimes, wiring a character into what seems like a corner is also fun, because then you get to construct a way for them to get out of it, which is when characters can show their ingenuity. But I never, ever write something that would limit a character's viability and just say "Enh, I'll figure it out later."

PHIX: In many cases Soaps are generational. Many of the genre's fans say they got hooked because their mother/grandmother/babysitter watched for years. Do you have any generational fans of FOOTPRINTS?

MICHAEL: Ooh, I hadn't particularly considered this possibility, but I guess FOOTPRINTS has been around long enough that it could be happening. I'm not aware of any readers who have taken up the habit because of parent or parent-figure introducing them to the series, but I guess reading a webseries is a little more of a solitary activity than having the TV on when your kids or grandkids are at home.

PHIX: Almost every writer I've spoken to says they could never choose a favorite character BUT I'm going to ask anyway! Who's your favorite character to write for and why?

MICHAEL: I think there's a distinction between a "favorite character" and a "favorite character to write for." There are lots of characters I'd consider favorites, to whom I have emotional attachments (most of the main cast!), but there are characters who give me particular thrill. Sarah and Diane are like that for me, and I think it's because, earlier in their lives, they would do whatever they saw necessary to achieve their goals without much regard for anyone else. That's something that I, as a person wanting to continue functioning in society and having good relationships, can't really do, but using characters of that sort as an outlet is so much fun. Even though those two have matured, they're both still pretty quick to drop a biting comment or to leap into action without worrying about what others might think, and it's fun to channel those base feelings into fictional characters! Loretta is also a blast because she's an absolute misanthrope and says such outrageous things about anyone who so much as irks her.

PHIX: Lastly, and most importantly, your fans will be waiting: The summer just began, what can we expect for our friends in King's Bay as the summer progresses? Give us the juice!

MICHAEL: There are major threads playing out this summer! The biggest is the umbrella story on Loretta's quest for revenge against Molly. As Brent and Molly go to court to battle it out against Travis and Rosie for custody of their daughter, Gabrielle, who was stolen from at birth, the other side of the equation heats up when Finn 0-- who has a secret agent, being the child of Camille Lemieux -- and Gia make their move to seize Objection Designs from Molly for good. Natalie takes action to get Loretta off her back for good and tries to get Sonja, who has been hiding out, on her side. Natalie's actions will have serious repercussions for all involves. Meanwhile, the romance that Christian thinks he's embarking on with Robbie turns our, and the younger man lashes out in a way that causes problems for two other couples. We're building to a huge event set to coincide with October 26th Anniversary which will power the next few years of story in King's Bay.

THANK YOU SO MUCH Michael! Catch the link to FOOTPINTS below!

ANNIVERSARIES!!

This month marks the 57th Anniversary of the legendary gothic soap opera DARK SHADOWS. The soap was a first of it's kind. It brought us the familiar daytime delights of a wealthy New England family suffering scandals and secrets in the afternoon but the similarities to any other show certainly ended there.

By 1967, the show's second year on TV, the production team threw a hail Mary to boost ratings and added vampire Barnabas Collins to its gothic story and later his vindictive ex Angelique Bouchard who was a real witch! LITERALLY!

Alas, Barnabas' popular reign of terror (he wasn't always bad!) couldn't hold back the shadows of ABC's looming producers and 5 years into its foggy spooky run, Dark Shadows was cancelled; locked away in a tomb for evermore. But not really.

Since its cancellation the show has lived on and remained a cult classic with all but 1 of its episodes preserved intact on DVD collections, OnDemand, in Re-runs, with Audio dramas and several comic books, novels, and fan-fiction serials.

Which brings us to the connection to the Web-Serials of today! Currently in its fourth book, TO BENIGHT & BEGUILE is clearly inspired by the gothic macabre world of Dan Curtis' Dark Shadows. From Vampire Sebatian Lord and witch Mary Goode to every fog covered cobble stone street and dark wave that crashes on the rocks of Welshport Island.

If you're interested in adding some gothic romance and supernatural drama in your Web-Serial diet, look no further than Dark Shadows' distant cousin from beyond TO BENIGHT & BEGUILE.

One person who definitely knows a thing or two about the cultural and personal impact Dark Shadow's cult following has over it's fan base is Jule Saynes.

Jule has his own PodCast dedicated to all things Dark Shadows called RESIDENT OF COLLINWOOD. I asked him a few quick questions on the cancelled show that never really died.

PHIX: Hey Jule! Thanks for taking a second to revisit with me on such a special Daytime classic. In your opinion, what was it about Dark Shadows that made it so special back in the 60's and even today?

JULE: What made Dark Shadows special to me is though! It pays tribute to the universe of monsters in every way like Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolfman and even Gothic classics like Jane Eyre in every sense of those genre's (but) it paid tribute and still stood on it's own as it's own unique story.

PHIX: The Fans of the show are incredibly passionate. Probably the most of any fandom Ive come across. Why do you think that is? What fuels their love of the show:

JULE: I think that would depend on the fan. I can't speak for everyone else when I say this, only for myself: Dark Shadows remains true to me because it's something that helped me ger through life and I think if you'd ask any other fan they'd have a different answer. I was going through a very difficult time in my life (when I discovered the show) and if it weren't for Dark Shadows, I probably wouldn't be sitting here answering your questions.

PHIX: It's certainly a show that resonates with other fans in similar ways. I can assure you. Lastly, let's end on a fun question. Who should we fear the most in Collinsport? Vampires? Werewolves? Witches?

JULE: VAMPIRES!!! They've had a lot of impact on Collinsport just look at Barnabas Collins and what he did to Dirk Wilkins, Roxanne Drew, Megan Todd and Angelique!

PHIX: SO True! There's no denying the vampire of all vampires. Jule, THANK YOU for your time, and for what it's worth I am very happy you found Dark Shadows and you're here safe, answering my silly questions.

You can find RESIDENT OF COLLIONWOOD on YouTube by clicking HERE

CELEBRATING PRIDE
with REPRESENTATION

LGBTQ+ Representation in any form of media is such a key component for people in the community to feel seen, acknowledged and have their stories told. It's key to keep the idea that not only do people who identify as LGBTQ+ exist in these small universes but also the real world! Failing to tell these stories would further push the Queer community into the margins of society which could be detrimental to culture at large. To be see yourself in characters on TV, in books, and YES in WebSerials too, can translate in so many positive ways like self-esteem, self-image and self-worth.

On the other hand, when people who don't identify under the Queer umbrella become friendly and acquainted with fictional characters and see them as just regular people who have the same struggles in life as they do it opens the door for real life interactions and acceptance. Believe it or not, fictional worlds and the escapades of the characters that live in them truly can have effects on our lives in reality.

Soap Operas have always been at the forefront of bringing character driven stories like those of the Queer community to the screen. Who can forget Steven Carrington of DYNASTY, Bianca Montgomery of ALL MY CHILDREN and Maya Avant from THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL to name a few.

Web-Serials, are no different! ONE DAY AT A TIME has a vast LGBTQ+ roster of characters including: Andy, Clayton, Nicholas, Lucas, Donavon, Cheresa, Dawn and Jasper. Over on FOOTPRINTS readers are treated to the daily dramas of Alex, Tempest, Trevor, Samantha and Christian who is going through his own coming out story right now! Not to be out done, the citizens of Atlas Falls on BLISSFUL have large community consisting of Zachary, Mason, Simon and Sebastian, Ivan, Kelsey and Willow.

Lest we forget the terrorized Dr. Andrew Kim from TO BEIGHT & BEGUILE!

In each of these serials the characters have the same trials and tribulations within their lives as their Cis/Straight counterparts! It's a whole rainbow world of passions and fury that we would expect from any good juicy soap!

Check the links below and follow their lives and loves and most of all...

HAPPY PRIDE!!!

CATCH UP ON EVERY SERIES BELOW!
By clicking the images and going straight to their respective
websites with full access to each & every episode/chapter!