As one of the chosen to be allowed an exclusive sneak peak into the world of Gemini Division before the nation wide launch on the 18th of August, I found myself reading up on all the press releases again, trying to gleam any missed piece of the puzzle.  And, I was hoping to prepare myself for afterwards.  For I was told, Brent Friedman himself had hand picked the viewers and would be conducting a Q&A, via a teleconference, as well as looking for feedback on the screening.

I logged in to the specially set up website, at the appointed time, and entering in the password, I  immediately felt like an operative, retrieving her assignment - if this wasn’t an intentional effect by Electric Farms Entertainmen, than I’ll just say: WOW!

The website showed two video players, one saying E-01 EYES WIDE OPEN and the other, E-02 TUG OF WAR.  That little evil, impatient side of me wanted to hit E-02 to get a sneak peek on the sneak peek, but I contained myself, selecting E-01 and also noticing the phone number and code to use when calling in after viewing ..  “They’ve given you a number and taken away your name,” came to mind as I hit play..

Immediately upon starting, I notice it feels futuristic, but set in todays time frame.  Anna, Rosario Dawson, is turning on her PDA and the normal  start up menu items appear.  She than begins conversing with someone, a close friend?  a family member? her tone is very intimate, the kind saved for someone you know.  I than realize, she’s ‘taping’ herself, since it’s one sided.   She relates that she’s in Paris - “like, seriously, Paris” - and with Nick (Korda, Justin Hartley, her fiance) and they are having a wonderful time.   She recounts that he proposed, but she as of yet, has not accepted. I must say, knowing that this was all shot on green screen, and everything around the actors is digitally inserted - to actually see it, I’m (to quote ‘Anna’) blown away.

Knowing the story behind GD and watching the trailers has me watching and analyzing everything as it happens.  I’ve just learned of ‘rabbit holes’ and I’m eager to go down into one.  Every thing that is played on the screen is a clue as to what is happening, and embedded within that, is potential clues to that the slide into the hole.

‘Anna’ recounts many things to her ‘mysterious someone’ via the PDA, and than we see Nick as well ‘talk’ to the ‘friend’, without Anna’s knowledge.  Again, his words are key, knowing that everything we view is a clue.

I am interested in the working of Gemini Division.  It intrigues me that one assumes they are the ‘good guys’ as this begins, based on what we’ve been given so far : they are an elite group put together to track down these ‘rogue’ SIMS who went AWOL.

..  but what if they are the bad guys?

Guess everyone will have to cast their browsers to www.geminidivision.com to find out.

During the Q&A that followed with Brent Friedman, those that were invited had many good questions, and Brent had equally as good answers.   Never quite telling us what we wanted to hear however.   um.   I’m one that even with knowing the ending, will still watch AND it makes for a better viewing experience.  I can think to myself .. oooh! here comes that one part, and ‘really’ pay attention.   But no matter.  I’m hooked now and will continue to watch.

Brent (for those that don’t know, of AFTERWORLD fame) talked of the work that went into creating this series, and did note upon on being asked, ‘yes, all 50 webisodes have been shot’ - so there will be no cliffhangers for us people!  Once this ride starts, the only way to get off is not go on the web.  I predict this will be discussed at length and through many blogging sites.  For good reason.  I know I am and will continue to do so.

Brent also noted that the actors surprised him with how they quickly got into being shot around a green screen, with little to no props - not traditional ones anyway - and it is harder as they have more than their lines to learn, they must interact with each and the camera in ways they may have taken for granted when filming ‘normally’.   In one of the trailers for instance, Daz made mention that during one shoot, they had to remember they were walking through a blinding snowstorm, walking into it, in fact.  In normal shooting, the actors would have had the benefit of actually having snow, albeit fake snow, but a ‘prop’ to work with, to help them set the scene.

I think this is going to make for even more interesting watching.

Brent talked of many things, and some of which, I’m not sure of what I should tell but I am very interested in the ‘rabbit hole’.  For those that know me, it’s all I seem to talk about anymore.  I want to know ‘how’ to get there, and the fastest way there.  The suggestion of interaction with the ‘characters’ blows me away.  I’ve ’signed’ up to play and anxious to begin.  Will I be ‘tapped’ by the GD?  or will I perhaps be ‘assigned’ a spot on the research team.  OR will I become perhaps a sympathizer and join the SIMS side, as they attempt to get whatever it is they want.  As normal a life as possible?  Love?  They are biologically engineered after all, one may make the assumption (but should not!) they must have something human in them.  Feelings, capable of emotions.

So yes..  bring on the carrots.  I’m ready.