Through the grapevine (PolyWeekly‘s Cunning Minx), I was lead to Family: the web series – Episode 1. I do not know what the creators of this little video are attempting to accomplish, if anything. Maybe they are just seeking to make these for fun. In any case, let me just say a few things as a film maker first, a viewer second, and a poly advocate third.
It is obvious that whoever is behind these videos, this is likely their first attempt at film making, or at least, one of their early attempts. The actors, if they are not poly themselves, appear to have little grasp on this whole thing known as “poly.” The dialogue, delivery of that dialogue, and even the movements seem sort of robotic and forced. Some of the writing and direction is bad. The characters are laughing at moments that are not funny (or could not even be imagined as funny really). About the best thing that you can say is that some of the shots seem to be composed okay, and the lighting is sufficient to provide a clear and concise image over what’s going on.
The music barely fits. I don’t know what it is about the bulk of the poly community and making cheerful music, but this seems to have a very old-fashioned feel to it that, minus the lyrics, would be more likely to end up on an XM radio station or an episode of Saturday Night Live.
Some in the poly community have complained about HBO’s series, Big Love, but suffice it to say: Big Love easily knocks the crap out of this from both a storytelling and film making perspective.
As a viewer, I found myself feeling very much in disbelief over this first episode. If nothing else, the actors did not make this a realistic scenario. When he remarks toward the end “you guys are insane,” that’s about the only thing I believe.
By the time we get to episode 2 and the meet up group is discussing the origins of each other, the same set of problems persist, but what’s worse: I felt genuinely creeped out by the entire thing. Why is it that the vegetarian, fate obsessed, weird lady appeared to be the leader type figure of the group? Why is it that the two girls who were with the young guy appeared to be in denial about their situation (an all too familiar theme I have personally experienced)? It just did not set right with me.
If you are wanting to view something that seems to be done at sort of an amateur level, but does not very easily give poly a good name, then watch this series. If you want to see something that shows poly in a positive light, watch Big Love. Of course, even Big Love points out problems that exist within modern society.
To poly enthusiasts, this series might be a hollow sort of happiness that almost gets one excited about their existing lifestyle. To the uninformed, this is the very sort of thing that is going to keep the stereotypes and bad impressions living longer. My request: try again, Family crew, and this time give us something realistic, believable, and also something that eases us into the world of poly a little better.
Some of those who may defend this series might lash back at me a little. After all, I have never been to a poly meet up group myself and I have no idea what it is actually like. I am also not in a poly relationship myself at the time of this writing. But I have had quite a few different relationships, am a film maker, a storyteller, and for many cases an average viewer. I was not impressed, and not just unimpressed: I downright have not enjoyed these episodes.