ITV

Tag: Dark Angel

  • ‘Dark Angel’ worth sampling despite occasional speed bumps

    ‘Dark Angel’ worth sampling despite occasional speed bumps

    Star World is counting on the science fiction genre to widen its audience base and maintain viewer loyalty. Dark Angel from the mind of Oscar winner James Cameron premieres tomorrow at 6:30 pm with a repeat at 10 pm.

    The series takes the casual telly buff down an unusual turn. The plot kicks off in Wyoming where a secret government lab is building an army by creating children with superior DNA trained to fight and kill. The opening scene reminds one of Cameron‘s True Lies with its ice blue photography. The setting is 2009 and when the show starts, 12 of them escape.
    Not long after a computer targeted electromagnetic pulse is triggered off, turning America the land of the free, honey, milk, blah blah into a third world country (TWC). Food riots and unemployment rule the roast. All electrical equipment, including bank and financial records are destroyed. The scene then shifts a decade later to 2019 in Washington. One of the escapees, Max, played by Jessica Alba is trying to search for the other 11.

    The first episode shows promise. It has more dramatic elements than Alias which is more action oriented. That is not to say that Dark Angel doesn‘t have eye-popping visuals. Check out the scene where Alba flies from one building to another using a rope in order to burgle the home of a cyber journalist who runs Freedom Streaming Video. He has dreams of making a rotten society more liveable as it were. He tries to make a start by exposing the shenanigans of a business baron who is substituting a drug used for cancer treatment with sugar pills.

    The drug is being sold in the Canadian black market while war veterans go untreated. The journalist soon susses out who Max really is. Alba is effective in conveying a woman going through her normal routine in a chirpy manner while trying to deal with a tormented past by taking pills to stop nerve seizures. The flashbacks showing the tortuous routine the kids were put through are one of the highlights of the pilot. Before she is trying to maintain a low profile, Alba is understandably reluctant to help the journalist in his crusade as she finds him to be too idealistic and not practical enough.

    The show manages to let a wry sense of humour slip into the proceedings courtesy Alba‘s friend who happens to be a lesbian and one hopes to see more of her as the series progresses. On the flip side, a couple of trite situations like a police officer‘s visit to Alba‘s home do bog down proceedings to a certain extent. Also, one found it odd that a pulse could destroy everything electrical to such an extent that we are clueless as to how to fix the problem, though of course, we created the darn electrical gadgets in the first place.

  • ‘Get real’ to succeed, is the new mantra

    ‘Get real’ to succeed, is the new mantra

    While the spotlight remained on Hindi entertainment channels, a tough fight continued to be fought on the sidelines for the discerning English speaking audience in 2002.

    Prior to 9/11, thrillers and comedies ruled the roost on niche English channels. 2002 however witnessed the term ‘action adventure’ acquiring a new meaning in India with a conscious attempt made to ensure that the ‘young-at-hearts’ in India were motivated by a driving passion to try something that would give that extra meaning to their daily lives.

    In 2002, finally, Indian viewers were updated with programming enjoyed by their overseas counterparts, instead of having to make do with back episodes of Baywatch, even though most English entertainment channels continue to dish out slightly dated fare. The battle for the prime 9 pm slot hotted up with niche English channels offering competition to movie channels. According to a study of the Top 25 ratings (see below) put out by emediaplan.com and sourced from TAM Media, action channel AXN appeared to have beaten Star World as well as Zee English in the stakes. AXN had 10 programmes on the list, including the reality themed programmes Guinness World Records, Fear Factor and The Amazing Race, while Star World and Zee English managed one show each in the top 10.

    EMEDIAPLAN RESULT FOR TOP 15 PROGRAMMES ON AXN, STAR WORLD, & ZEE ENGLISH IN MUMBAI & DELHI FOR WEEK STARTING 29 SEPTEMBER 2002

    Star World’s best performance came from The Things People Do at number three while critically acclaimed shows like The Practice or Ally McBeal did not show up in the list. Also, despite an arguably better line-up of shows (Friends, ER, Sopranos, The West Wing) Zee English figured nowhere.

    The much neglected channel (head Ajay Trigunayat himself admitted in an interview with indiantelevision.com that the channel suffered from an image problem), emerged in late 2002 in a refurbished avatar, ready to take the competition head on. A host of critically acclaimed series, massive promotions and slick packaging are now being put into place for making up for lost space.

    Star World isn’t about to just sit back without giving the rivals a serious fight either. Series like the Dark Angel and Titus woo in the elusive viewer, helped along by Star’s vigorous promotional strategy.

    It was AXN however, which set a good example in 2002. Shuffling its mix of international programming, creating new niche audience tastes and backing these initiatives with on-ground promotions, AXN cleverly gauged viewer pulse and moved in for the kill. Previously perceived as a ‘blood-n-gore’ channel, AXN donned a new mantle of being the sole one dedicated to the genre of reality shows. Shrewdly, the channel also offered new opportunities for sports marketers, setting the ground for a sound business model. The idea has paid off, with the 9 pm slot on AXN now commanding a stronger viewerbase than any of the rival English niche channels.

    The “attitudinally 20-something” Indian viewers (essentially urban, with English still the prerogative of the city dweller) have been given a chance to indulge in their action fantasies. The potent mix of action, reality, escapism, daring and irreverence has appealed to both men and women. The 60:40 male/female ratio, a consistent pattern across all of AXN’s Asian feeds, has been replicated in India. However, another study on the SEC A 25 years plus audience claims AXN on the one hand has predominantly male viewers; Star World on the other draws in female audiences as well.

    AXN also moved off the beaten track with ‘action animation’, targeting the 15-21 years age group with Dual and Excalibur, a CGI fantasy series. The novel concept of the World Stunt Awards premiered on AXN; rating-wise a better bet than the telecast of the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants by its rivals.

    Not surprisingly, around 30 per cent of AXN Asia’s viewers currently come from India. In the last 18 months, business has jumped 300 to 400 per cent, claims the channel that is part of the Sony Entertainment Television-led One Alliance.

    Action however is likely to pick up in 2003 when Zee’s Realty TV launches. The Zee-Turner distribution agreement with Zone Broadcasting (Maximum Realty) Ltd for distribution of the channel devoted solely to reality television programming is expected to shake up the competition some more. Zee English has already announced plans to screen shows on advertising, showcasing case studies on the most successful advertising campaigns in India, in a probable move to counter growing clamour for eyeballs among the niche channels. Star World has tried its own effort at reality television with When Seconds Count: How To Survive A Disaster and The World’s Wildest Police Videos, apart from variations like Imposters or Rendezvous with Simi Garewal.

    Advertising rather than subscription revenue has been guiding these niche channels thus far, a scenario that could well undergo a sea change with conditional access making its appearance in the latter half of 2003. Niche positioning and attractive content is what will drive the segment in the year ahead.

  • Cameron’s ‘Dark Angel’ premieres on Star World next week

    Cameron’s ‘Dark Angel’ premieres on Star World next week

    MUMBAI: Star World will unfurl its bouquet of new shows for the month of October with the much awaited Dark Angel, the science-fiction adventure series set in the near future. The series, the television debut of academy award-winner James Cameron (director of Titanic and The Terminator) will premiere on the channel on 3 October 2002, at 6:30 pm and 10 pm.
     
     
    The series are set in the year 2019 and begins by showing how the US has become a third world country in the wake of the Pulse – an electromagnetic shockwave unleashed by nuclear terrorists in 2009. The story revolves around Max, a genetically engineered soldier who is on the run from her creators and constantly in search of her past. A revved-up girl trying to make a run-down world a better place, she eventually joins forces with the idealistic cyber-journalist .
     
     

    Max is being played by Hollywood actress Jessica Alba , a recipient of the 2001 TV Guide Awards’ Breakout Star of the Year and 2001 Saturn Awards’ Best Actress on Television. She plays the role of a genetically enhanced human prototype with attitude to spare. She is aided in her quest — both to avoid capture and to reunite with her surviving “siblings” — by Logan Cale (Michael Weatherly), an idealistic cyber-journalist, who battles corruption and the oppressive establishment in this futuristic landscape.

     

    Dark Angel also stars John Savage as Lydecker, the military operative hunting Max and her “siblings” through this future world.

  • Cameron’s ‘Dark Angel’ premieres on Star World next week

    Cameron’s ‘Dark Angel’ premieres on Star World next week

    MUMBAI: Star World will unfurl its bouquet of new shows for the month of October with the much awaited Dark Angel, the science-fiction adventure series set in the near future. The series, the television debut of academy award-winner James Cameron (director of Titanic and The Terminator) will premiere on the channel on 3 October 2002, at 6:30 pm and 10 pm.

    The series are set in the year 2019 and begins by showing how the US has become a third world country in the wake of the Pulse – an electromagnetic shockwave unleashed by nuclear terrorists in 2009. The story revolves around Max, a genetically engineered soldier who is on the run from her creators and constantly in search of her past. A revved-up girl trying to make a run-down world a better place, she eventually joins forces with the idealistic cyber-journalist .

    Max is being played by Hollywood actress Jessica Alba , a recipient of the 2001 TV Guide Awards’ Breakout Star of the Year and 2001 Saturn Awards’ Best Actress on Television. She plays the role of a genetically enhanced human prototype with attitude to spare. She is aided in her quest — both to avoid capture and to reunite with her surviving “siblings” — by Logan Cale (Michael Weatherly), an idealistic cyber-journalist, who battles corruption and the oppressive establishment in this futuristic landscape.

    Dark Angel also stars John Savage as Lydecker, the military operative hunting Max and her “siblings” through this future world.

  • Star World lines new shows beginning October

    Star World lines new shows beginning October

    MUMBAI: Star World is gearing up to grab attention. Lined up from next month is a string of adrenaline pumping reality shows as well as ones seeking laughter .

    From 3 October at 10 pm, the channel will air the weekly Dark Angel .For his much-anticipated television debut, Academy Award-winner James Cameron (Titanic, T2) created Dark Angel, a sci-fi adventure series set in the near future. It stars Jessica Alba as Max, a genetically enhanced human prototype with attitude to spare. Having escaped her military handlers, she is hunted by them through the underground street life of 21st Century Pacific Northwest. Max is aided in her quest – both to avoid capture and to reunite with her surviving “siblings” – by Logan Cale (Michael Weatherly). Cale, an idealistic cyber-journalist, battles corruption and the oppressive establishment in this futuristic landscape.

    From 9 October, the channel will showacse the comedy Titus. Inspired by the real life of comedian Christopher Titus, the hour long comedy chronicles the heartbreakingly hilarious world of his dysfunctional family. Titus (Christopher Titus) owns a custom car shop, Titus High Performance, and builds hot rods. His hard-drinking, hard-living father Ken was married five times which means Christopher was raised in five broken homes. His mother, Ken’s first wife, was a manic-depressive schizophrenic, which means Christopher was raised by five broken personalities.

    The channel has also lined up a slew of specials for rock fans and for those who like reality tuned programming. Bon Jovi – One Last Wild Night airs on 1 October at 9 pm. The rock star performed for his home town fans at the Giant’s Stadium, New Jersey in July 2001. He performed tracks like Wanted Dead or Alive, Bed of Roses.

    How excess publicity hurts the private life of famous media celebrities is the focus of When Cameras Cross The Line. It airs 3 October at 7:30 pm, with a repeat at 11 pm. The programme will be highlighted by exclusive interviews with Michael Douglas, Julia Roberts, Woody Harrelson.

    Airing 17 October at 7:30 pm, 11 pm the host Robert Ulrich presents video footage of some of the world’s most dangerous stunts ever attempted in When Stunts Go Bad. This one-hour special presentation will feature interviews with daredevils who make their living on the edge and capture the chilling results when their deadly feats come to a crashing end. When Seconds Count: How To Survive A Disaster airs on 24 October at 7:30 pm, with a repeat at 11 pm. The show looks at life-threatening situations and the steps people take to survive them. Hosted by Hector Elizondo (Chicago Hope, Pretty Woman), the one-hour reality special includes footage of actual events and interviews with survivors who provide tips that may ultimately save lives.

    The channel finishes the month on a high with Survival Test Dangerous Animal Encounters, The show airs 31 October at 7:30 pm, with a repeat at 11 pm. The special combines real-life first hand accounts, of people who have faced some of life’s most challenging situations. The show provides viewers with important and practical information that teaches them how to protect themselves in the event that they cross paths with a dangerous animal. Viewers can see footage and unique recreations that set up dramatic “What If” scenarios that offer a variety of choices. The show poses intriguing questions and reveals practical solutions that could prove to be the difference between life and death.