Project Overview

Blank Verse: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Will Shakespeare & the greatest writers in history are failing out of Bankside University.

Check out other projects

335

6.62 (329)

Embed this Video

Week #1 Show Teaser Blank Verse: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Will Shakespeare, Christina Marlowe, Thomas Kyd, and Benjamina Jonson. Perhaps the greatest writers of their generation, but first they will have to survive Bankside University under the tyrannical reign of Professor Elizabeth Tudor. The new, original comedy special Blank Verse: A Midsummer Night's Dream is based on characters first created in the webseries Blank Verse.

Fave 35 Views 900 Comments 23

Checkout more Missions from this Project

Week #1 Show Teaser

Week #2 The Team

Week #3 The Differentiator

Week #4 Key It

Week #5 Hype It

Week #6 The Flip

Synopsis

Inspired by the recently deceased Chris Marlowe, young satirist Benjamina Jonson is premiering her first play during frosh week at Bankside and is in need of some serious debauchery to calm her nerves. Notorious undergrads Burbage, Kyd & Shakespeare step in as the perfect team to get Ben wasted, creative and... lost? In an effort to inspire (and to escape the growing rumors of a certain Will Shakespeare, Fair Youth, Dark Lady and a bad case of VD) the group set off for the woods. Drunk and lost- and inexplicably following what appears to be the sarcastic spirit of their dead friend Marlowe- they all agree that with only a few more drinks lies the key to creative enlightenment!

Team

Ryan Caron

Director, Production Manager

Theatre and film artist originally from rural Northern Alberta; currently training in Kabuki dance and creating work as a director, producer, stage and production manager, and scent and sound designer (yes, scent!), with a focus and interest in queer-inclusive content, classical/contemporary fusion works, and fan-response artwork

Amanda Konkin

Showrunner, Producer

Amanda specializes in producing digital media projects inspired by her extensive theatre background and education. She founded Nik Nok Media in 2011 to produce creative independent projects that foster emerging talent across the lower mainland. In addition to content creation, she is also involved in fan based communities with 4geeksmedia & Quiver: The Green Arrow Podcast.

Xander Williams

Talent, Writer

Xander Williams is an actor, writer and musician. In 2013 he completed the BFA acting program at the University of British Columbia, the same year that his band Lost Numbers debuted their eponymous EP. He has written web series, poems, songs, and novels. Xander has also taught workshops locally and nationally for both improv theatre and writing.

Links

Blank Verse Official Website
Watch Blank Verse: The Webseries
Nik Nok Media

Social Networks

Follow on tumblr

Ratings & Reviews

Ratings (329)

Average 6.62 / 10

10 - 9

8 - 7

6 - 5

4 - 3

2 - 1

Reviews (50)

Sheldon O.
posted 8 years ago

Kinda funny, so kinda bad, kinda good
Anisa S.
posted 8 years ago

The most high brow high concept idea so far and it is shot very well. I didn't find it funny but there is for sure potential here.
Kat K.
posted 8 years ago

Lovely linguists.
Sarah B.
posted 8 years ago

cool concept but where's the jokes?
Nadine D.
posted 8 years ago

Unique take on Shakespeare!
Leon G.
posted 8 years ago

The competition is really getting tough.
Maggie M.
posted 8 years ago

I didn't get into the original webseries but I'm interested to see what you guys could do collaborating with CBC
Yasmine C.
posted 8 years ago

INspirant !
Shanie R.
posted 8 years ago

Concept great, week 1 portrayal, hard to follow.
Paula M.
posted 8 years ago

Crazy
Alla Z.
posted 8 years ago

c
JP R.
posted 8 years ago

Very well done, very interesting, something I would actually watch on TV!
judy c.
posted 8 years ago

Don't think we need another play on ol' Billy Shakespeare. Uninspired. Everyone involved are engaging though so I won't write this off.
paula p.
posted 8 years ago

Good!
Freda J.
posted 8 years ago

excellent
Pinchas Z.
posted 8 years ago

Watched the Youtube series (both of em), loved the hell out of them; need more.
Forman H.
posted 8 years ago

hoping you make it to top 50
Mary K.
posted 8 years ago

Witty to no end. New take on Shakespearean comedy.
Jenni E.
posted 8 years ago

An interesting concept, more 'am dram' than some of the others which felt a bit more organic though
Deb P.
posted 8 years ago

Yes I'm biased and yes I love this bunch of crazy talented people and this funny and profound web series. Go Blank Verse Go! <3 <3
diane n.
posted 8 years ago

Blank Verse: A Midsummer Night's Dream is very original for this comedy competition. I can't wait until the Blank Verse team does fill in the blanks. This will give me an idea of their experience or potential to being strong competitors in this competition.
Katy R.
posted 8 years ago

Not completely clear on the concept for the show, but I'm okay with that - I Would Like To Know More.
Garner H.
posted 8 years ago

Wil Power!
Sarah Thomas M.
posted 8 years ago

In love with smart writing.
Brad G.
posted 8 years ago

I like the concept and look forward to seeing where it goes!
Genevieve B.
posted 8 years ago

Love the newest video!
Nathanael V.
posted 8 years ago

Looks pithy.
Nico B.
posted 8 years ago

This team is awesome! I hope they make it.
Janis S.
posted 8 years ago

Intriguing! Will be looking for more - here and on YouTube!
Simon M.
posted 8 years ago

Blank Verse is amazing and I want it back. That's all I've really got to say.
Danielle B.
posted 8 years ago

Love the concept, the crew, and the show! Great work guys!
Barbara K.
posted 8 years ago

so clever
Owen K.
posted 8 years ago

Definitely a unique idea. I' mreally looking forward to seeing this.
Carolyn R.
posted 8 years ago

So happy to see this show continue to evolve! :D
Nancy M.
posted 8 years ago

too nerdy for me
alysha w.
posted 8 years ago

This is a pretty smart concept. not very funny from the teaser though, but intelligent
David C.
posted 8 years ago

Ambitious script, lovely acting, and production values that can't be beat! Absolute pleasure to help support this world.
Victoria B.
posted 8 years ago

This is so lovely! <3 <3 I really enjoyed the teaser!
Kim A.
posted 8 years ago

I thought parts of this were very good, intrinsically funny but in a non pedestrian way. To be honest, with some tuning, I think the characters could be (maybe they already are on paper) fleshed out more and that this could potentially be a film script. Throw in a an alcoholic sexually frustrated female professor going through a divorce, a child genius who just wants to be accepted and an ex jock who is discovering he is deceptively intelligent, gifted and yes, sensitive. Just spewing, good work, all of you
Shirine B.
posted 8 years ago

Truly one of the most wonderful webseries there are, balancing an extensive cast almost effortlessly, paying off both for the drama (and history!) nerd & the casual literature (or really: storytelling) enthusiast. Self-aware, funny and surprisingly poignant, full of sharp obversations that don't hesitate do point out its characters' absurdity. Yet there is a tenderness at the heart of it that deeply touches me. Any chance this project has of surviving is one I will support, and this one is such an exciting opportunity!
Emily T.
posted 8 years ago

Great project!
Mary K.
posted 8 years ago

refreshing....a bit of everything
Simon M.
posted 8 years ago

You Guys are awesome and Shakespeare is Awesome! I love the whole concept that Will Shakespeare, his contemporaries and characters are all modern day real people. very unique idea! I can't wait to see what you guys do next!
Rosie A.
posted 8 years ago

This show is pretty historically awesome, fun, the editing and shooting is beautiful, the typography, all of it! I love it, and hope it does well!
Bethany M.
posted 8 years ago

I'm not sure if I am smart enough to handle the content...so it's gotta be good!
Melissa L.
posted 8 years ago

Loved it!
James B.
posted 8 years ago

This is an amazing concept brought to life by an outstanding team. Go check out their first season at http://blankverse.tv/ and you will be easily convinced.

(I seriously declare no affiliation with this production.)
Karen G.
posted 8 years ago

This is the best show on here
Sydney F.
posted 8 years ago

I absolutely loved their Youtube series and Spin-off series as well. It is well written, funny, and oh so entertaining! I would love for this show to get more recognition and for more content to be produced!
Krista K.
posted 8 years ago

I'm intrigued to see more. Seems like there's a developed concept and style here.

PDF File

View file

Blank Verse: Shakespeare Re-Invented

Gregory Milne at Living Myth Magazine interviews Amanda Konkin, the creator and showrunner for everything Blank Verse.

PDF File

View file

Blank Verse - The Ubyssey

The Ubyssey interviews the cast and crew of Blank Verse The Webseries

PDF File

View file

To Be or Not to Be - The Peak

Tessa Perkins at the Peak interviews Aaron Adams, writer for Blank Verse the Webseries, as well as Xander Williams, Blank Verse's Shakespeare and recurring writer.