Web Series Wednesday – Public History

By: Spring Marie Cullen

WHAT? Public History

BY: Quip Modest Productions

WHY SHOULD I WATCH?

Quip Modest Productions is known for taking our old favorite stories and retelling them through a contemporary, diverse and LGBTQ lens. They’ve released adapted series based on Shakespeare and Jane Austen tales and their newest venture features another literature great. Public History is a vlog-style web series that puts a modern twist on the Charles Dickens classic David Copperfield. Public History, like the original Dickens novel, follows David (Bradley Ryan Sewell) through his life and relationships; most notably his relationship with his family.

The vlog-style lends itself well to the source material, making the transition from first person novel to modern day YouTube vlogging seamless. The episodes are typically only a couple minutes long, so the series is a collection of perfectly timed vignettes. The action is quick though because it has to be and some episodes simply function as a way to get to know David on a deeper level. David is convincing as a vlogger, with episodes ranging from surprising emotional breakdowns to simple chats between friends. Not every episode is high stakes with a big reveal and that’s a good thing. The lighthearted vlogs are what ultimately make you care about David when things start to get more serious. It’s rather easy to get caught up in his story.

Sewell is really what makes the series as he’s likable and relatable with subtleties in his performance that complement the character of David, especially the vlogging version of David, very well. Each character also has a Twitter account, giving viewers another way to engage with the world created in Public History. It’s clever and takes the series to the next level. One of the beauties of web series are the online aspect and it’s great to see a production take that into account and use social media to their advantage. It’s that kind of attention to detail that impresses me and leaves me wanting more.

New episodes of the series are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If you’re a fan of literary web series, Public History is definitely one to check out, as well as the rest of the shows in the Quip Modest catalog.

WHERE CAN I WATCH? Episodes are available on YouTube.

Follow on Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/QuipModest

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quipmodest/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quipmodestproductions/

Website: http://quipmodest.productions/