Spacecast Community

I just downloaded the first webisode of "Sanctuary". Gotta say that I'm eager to see more. I like the style, it so far works with the mood of the story. It's practically all green screen, but done really well. This first webisode was well written, you get just enough to understand whats going on, but teased enough to want more. The characters are all interesting except maybe the cops. For 17min worth, overall I liked it. Samantha with black hair, it works!

I paid, yes bit torrenters!, I paid for the HD version. For $10.25 CDN gets me the first 4 HD webisodes or $2.25CDN per webisode. Webisode 02 is available tomorrow, and they release one every 2 weeks. (They take PayPal)

I actually was going to download this with a torrent, but as I was previewing the Sanctuary site I did notice that you could pay for downloads. Ah, I get it now! So this is an experiment of sorts for online entertainment. And so in a moment of good conscience, I cancelled my torrent and paid for the downloads. 

And with my 30" Dell monitor, the HD format is fantastic

So, a shout out to all fellow spacecasters, if you do want to view "Sanctuary", I recommend at least the first, try and do the right thing and pay for the download. In this case, it is the right thing to do. It's the only way to support this new and innovative series for it's continuation.

The show's stellar cast is led by:

Amanda Tapping - "Helen Magnus",
(Stargate SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis)

Robin Dunne - "Will Zimmerman",
(Species 3, Dawson's Creek, The Big Hit)

Emilie Ullerup - "Ashley Magnus",
(Battlestar Galactica)

Christopher Heyerdahl - "John Druitt".
(Stargate SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis)

Sanctuary also guest stars for the first eight webisodes:

Miranda Frigon
(The Dead Zone, 4400, Jake 2.0),

Leah Cairns
(Battlestar Galactica, Supernatural)

Laura Mennell
(Stargate: Atlantis, Dead Like Me, Andromeda).

David Hewlett - "Larry Tolson",
(Stargate SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis)

Paul McGillion - "Wexford",
(Stargate: Atlantis)

Peter Deluise- "Ernie Watts",
(Stargate SG-1, 21 Jump Street, Seaquest DSV)

Ryan Robbins - "Henry Foss".
(Battlestar Galactica, Stargate: Atlantis, Blade: The Series)

I watched the free full-resolution trailer and was really intrigued with the "look." It has a real video-game atmosphere, definitely takes unique advantage of the web delivery format. I've seen the low-res YouTube version of webisode 1, but it's not the same without that look - I know I'll need to pay for the episodes to get the full experience. In any case, it's a neat idea.

“Sanctuary” Sets Guinness Record

Vancouver, British Columbia –— May 31, 2007 –— Stage 3 Media Inc., an independent production company specializing in new media entertainment, today proudly announced Guinness World Records’ recognition of their Web-based science fiction series Sanctuary as “Highest Budget for a Direct-to-Web Broadcast.” Full production and visual effects design costs for eight Sanctuary webisodes averaging 15-minutes in length were completed by Stage 3 Media for $4.5 million CDN.

“The Sanctuary team is honored to be recognized by such a global authority in human achievement,” said Damian Kindler, creator and executive producer of Sanctuary. “The watchword for everything we do in making the show is innovation and both Stage 3 Media and our close partners The Beedie Group are dedicated to developing original ways to deliver new media on a global scale.”

The use of state-of-the-art production techniques to develop cutting edge Web design and stunning visual graphics prompted Guinness World Records to recognize Stage 3 Media for the honor. Stage 3 Media’s accomplishment will be recorded in the 2008 edition of the Guinness World Records publication available in August 2007.

“As a big sci-fi fan, I’m excited by the creation of Sanctuary by Stage 3 Media,” said Guinness World Records’ Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday, who unusually ratified the record after the normal book deadline. “And, as a records researcher, I’m even more intrigued to hear of additional
groundbreaking production technologies behind the show. The highest-budget record is sure to be just the first of many superlative achievements for Sanctuary as our researchers are currently exploring additional unique achievements in high-definition Web broadcasting. Watch Sanctuary… and watch this space for more show records!”

About Sanctuary:
Each webisode of Sanctuary follows the exploits of Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping, Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis) as she seeks out all manner of terrifying and monstrous creatures. She is aided in her quest by her reluctant protégé Will Zimmerman (Robin Dunne, Dawson’s Creek, The Big Hit, Species 3) and her intrepid, if somewhat reckless, daughter Ashley (Emilie Ullerup, Battlestar Galactica). Together they are drawn into a frightening and mysterious world populated by beings that defy explanation. Sanctuary was created by veteran science fiction writer and producer Damian Kindler and directed by Martin Wood (Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis). Kindler, Tapping and Wood serve as executive producers along with N. John Smith (Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis).

For more information or to view webisodes 1 and 2 of Sanctuary, please visit SanctuaryForAll.

About Stage 3 Media Inc.:
Stage 3 Media TM is a new media company based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Founded in 2006, the Stage 3 Media management team boasts more than 70 years collective experience in television and film production, video game design and information technology. For more information on Stage 3 Media please visit www.stage3media.com.

About Guinness World Records:
Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 20 languages and is one of the highest-selling books under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its 100 millionth copy. The Guinness World Records website receives more than 11 million visitors a year. Guinness World Records is
published by HIT Entertainment Limited, a fully integrated global studio with divisions in the U.K., U.S., Canada and Japan, including broadcast production and distribution, video and audio sales, consumer products licensing and marketing.