As soon as I got this press release in my mailbox, I was at least a little bit intrigued. Labeled as being from a writer on “24” and “Clone Wars” I knew at least the action component of this new series would be pretty solid. It’s a fun new concept, taking what is very much a first-person shooter Point of View and putting it to film.
Footage is seen via helmet cams and security footage as a Homeland Security response team meets up with a Mexican cartel. Lots of action, lots of gunfire. Seems like something G.I. Joe fans just might be interested in. Featuring actors from such acclaimed series as Dexter, The Unit, Heroes, and Prison Break, this is a high quality, high octane web series that I think folks will enjoy.
Check out the first four episodes at the “Hardcoded” YouTube channel, and the press release is after the jump.
Break Media and SXM Announce Premiere of New Original Action Series “Armed Response”
LOS ANGELES– Break Media, the single largest creator and distributor of male-targeted content online, announced today the premiere of their newest original series “Armed Response,” which follows members of a Homeland Security response team as they battle a Mexican drug cartel at the Port Of Long Beach. The series unfolds entirely through helmet-mounted cameras and security footage. All four episodes will be available online March 12th on Break Media’s new adrenaline-fueled YouTube channel, Hardcoded (youtube.com/hardcoded), and on its flagship property Break.com.
“Armed Response” was written by “24” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” writer Matt Michnovetz and created by SXM’s Tom Bannister and Justin Lutsky who also directed. Greg Siegel, SVP of Entertainment Development for Break Media, shepherded the project for the company. To view the entire series, visit here.
”The visceral tone and innovate shooting style of Armed Response offers a new form of adrenaline-driven entertainment that expands our position as the market leader for men 18-34 online,” explains Siegel. “When SXM brought us this project, we knew it was the perfect series to launch our new YouTube channel Hardcoded, which creates a home for premium content that showcases the most talented filmmakers working in the action, sci-fi, and effects-driven genres today.”
“In Armed Response, we are aiming to unite different genres of audio visual storytelling common on the web – from citizen journalism to combat footage – and merge them with more traditional Hollywood action and found footage genres,” says Bannister. “The series is aimed at young males who love videos games and action, and Break Media is a perfect partner to reach that demographic.”
The 4 x5 minute episode series stars Camille Guatty (Prison Break), James Kyson (Heroes), Wes Chatham (The Unit) and Jason Olazabal (Dexter).
Bannister, Lutsky, Siegel and Michnovetz exclusively previewed “Armed Response” on March 9th to audiences at SXSW during their panel, Producing Action for The Web.
“Armed Response” is sponsored by Olympus Has Fallen, in theaters March 22nd.
About Break Media:
Break Media is the single largest creator and distributor of male-targeted content online, reaching an audience of more than 200 million people through video and editorial content. Properties include the largest humor site online—Break.com—as well as leading properties in the gaming, humor and men’s lifestyle verticals. Break Media’s in-house production studio creates original content that ranges from branded entertainment to award winning series. Break Media also is the forefront of multi-platform video delivery, with applications downloaded millions of times across a spectrum of mobile devices and connected TV.
About SXM:
SXM is a digital studio producing online entertainment for top networks and brands including Disney, NBC, CBS, MTV, Comedy Central IKEA, Samsung, Coca Cola and Smuckers. SXM series have been viewed more than 100 million times online, garnered multiple awards at BANFF, SXSW, NATPE, MIPTV, Cannes and Webbys. SXM shows have been covered in publications worldwide and SXM has been profiled by publications such as Fast Company. Titles of our series include CTRL, Fact Checkers unit, Easy To Assemble, Matumbo Goldberg, Kitchen Jam, Diagnosis Stories, Extreme Retreat and many more. SXM is currently producing The Comments Show for VEVO and the James Franco/Samsung commercial series.
###