“Gravityland” takes viewers on an online journey

The Internet has diversified to offer numerous forms of interactive entertainment, including many Web-only TV series. John Herman’s new project, “Gravityland,” launched on March 3, fits that category, but that does little justice to his creative foresight.

“I feel like I’m putting together a lot of things at the same time,” Herman said with a chuckle. 

If you have already made the trip to www.gravityland.com, you understand what he means. The “Web series” is a set of five- to seven-minute episodes, but that’s just the beginning.

Viewers can interact with the show’s actors and writers through the Internet and make suggestions as the plot unfolds. “There is always some way you are interacting with the show,” said Herman, who has spent much of his life as an improvisational actor. “It gives me an outlet.I’m really into collaboration.”

Each show will be a mixture of Herman’s loosely scripted material and whatever twists viewers choose to offer. So you might actually want to stick around for the credits.

The story takes place in a quaint New Hampshire town and includes a cast of characters brought together by serendipitous turns of fate. In episode one, viewers are introduced to a purse-snatching fiend who turns out to be a local radio DJ named Jake (Phil Kliger). Jake’s sister, Joni (Emily Briand), is roped into his mess when Jake asks her for a favor involving his latest heist.

Viewers also meet Richard (Chris Bujold), a bachelor and underdog in the game of life who must deal with his incessantly overbearing mother (Betsy Kimball). Richard has been dealt a bad hand, to say the least.

The first four episodes also introduce a couple of subplots, which are sure to play larger roles in future episodes. Fictional pop star Gabriella makes a few appearances, and Herman said she will become more prominent. The show also introduces a comic book called “The Old Man and the Whale” that is about to become a feature film. While the comic book is fictional, it won’t remain so for long. Herman plans to accompany the show with a set of actual copies of “The Old Man and the Whale” comic books.

Herman’s creativity has led to the creation of many features designed to supplement the weekly show. The Web site features themed blogs that allow visitors to ask Richard’s mother for advice, have a live chat with the “Gravityland” crew or interview the show’s soundtrack musician, Leeni. The Web site also encourages audience members to remix Gabriella’s song, “Monkey in the Middle,” or participate in the challenge, “Where in the World is Gravityland?”

Overall, Herman has put together an interactive entertainment conglomerate.

Herman said he developed the idea because he was tired of seeing his digital camera collect dust. He began shooting a video blog, called “The Eye.” “It was something. I was racking up thousands of views,” he said.

Still, his background as a writer and improvisational actor caused him to yearn for something more. “Gravityland” became a creative outlet, who was drawn to the Web for its “limitless possibilities.” Soon, he had fabricated an all-encompassing vision, which now includes a bevy of local improvisational actors and sound man John Briggs.

The cast’s inclination for improvisation is what makes the series unique. Herman produces a rough script for each episode, but the actors work off of their basic impressions for each scene.

The series’ overall thrust is also subject to improvisation. “I have a vision, but quite quickly I am seeing my vision change,” Herman said.

Since the show’s inception, Herman has been glued to his Web site waiting for the next great idea from a visitor. That’s the beauty of improvisation: no one knows what’s going to happen next. The “Gravityland” voyage could take you anywhere.

The first four episodes can be viewed now by visiting www.gravityland.com. and new episodes will debut every Monday. The first season will include around 15 episodes. When the season is over, the online audience will have a chance to vote on which characters to include in the second season, which Herman plans to film this summer.