Avanii Thakur “Lights, Camera, Action!” Apart from being a catchy song by Mr. Cheeks, this phrase dates back a couple of decades. Made popular by American film director DW Griffith, these three words have been etched into our brains and are synonymous with the entertainment industry.
Today, the entertainment industry has grown by leaps and bounds. In fact, we have an abundance of content to the point that it could be overwhelming for someone looking to do some light binge-watching. Sounds like an oxymoron? Let us explain. So, if you’re in the market for short series that you can watch from anywhere at any time of the day, then R-series is the way to binge!
But before I get into my top picks, let’s try understanding the concept of R-series, shall we?
R-series: A Place for Everyone
Whether you’re an aspiring actor, director, scriptwriter, or serial binge-watcher, R-series has something for everyone. From talk shows, reaction videos, vlogs to ghost stories that will keep you up at night, you can pick a short series that resonates with you the most.
For all the creators out there, are you ready to be the next Tarantino of the short-video industry? If this seems too far-fetched, maybe it’s time to put on your creator hat and think of the next big idea in short series. The sky’s the limit here, so don’t be shy; give R-series a try.
You can conceptualize, write, direct, create, and even act in your own short episodic series. The focus is solely on original content created by you. Think of it as a video diary made by you for your followers. A testament to your creativity and originality. It really doesn’t get better than this!
Coming back to all the binge-watchers out there, here’s my list of must-watch R-series that are sure to satisfy your craving for good episodic short series.
News You Can Misuse
Do you like keeping up to date with current affairs? What if I told you that you can get your daily dose of news along with a side of comedy here? With a killer sense of humor and some quirk, Anmol Garg brings together a series that is the perfect culmination of Comedy, Satire, and World News.
The series seems to draw inspiration from John Oliver’s late-night show “Last Week Tonight,” a hilarious commentary on global highlights of the week. From referring to PUBG as Sub-Ji to going beyond traditional news, this one definitely tops the charts.
So, if you are looking for your daily dose of laughter, News You Can Misuse will surely come of use.
Everyone Else is Asleep
Where are all my Ghostbusters and Goosebumps stans at? For those of you who still worship the genius of R.L. Stine or generally geek out on the horror genre, boy, do I have a treat for you!
With 31 episodes, Everyone Else is Asleep is one such series that will keep you on your tippy-toes. Created by Billy Hanson, it went on to secure a win under the ‘Best Vertical Drama Series’ at the IAWTV Awards 2022.
The entire series is depicted through black & white still graphics with the narrators’ eerie voice relaying the story to keep you hooked throughout. The narration coupled with the bone-chilling background score makes it seem like you are inside a true-crime or horror documentary.
An immersive watch, this one kept me hooked from the get-go. With spot-on narration, a video podcast format, killer graphics, and the prominent themes of horror and dystopia, this series is truly captivating and engaging. Trust me, you’ll want to watch till the very end!
Wrong Answers Only
Did you ever think that you could ever be rewarded for wrong answers? ‘Wrong Answers Only’ is a series that does just that! Each episode features the host and a new guest. The host, Catherine McCaff, presents each guest with a detailed movie description. The guests then proceed to guess the movie but are only allowed to hit back with wrong answers that match the description of the plot.
For context, here’s an example: A small child is left alone at home on Christmas eve when he encounters a pair of robbers that enter his house but have no idea what’s in store for them.
While it may seem obvious that the movie I’m referring to here is Home Alone, if you were on Catherine’s show, you would have to come up with a witty title that captures the essence of the movie without it being the correct name. The guests typically come up with hilarious alternate titles.
And for those of you who need closure, don’t worry; Catherine reveals the movie’s actual title at the end of each episode. So, you need not google the description to validate your answers.
Mom vs. Daughter
Do you ever feel like all the moms in the world have a secret cult? The similarities between everything they say and how they say it is uncanny. Bringing this household tale to life is Pratishtha Sharma with her heartwarming and hilarious mother-daughter parody that is totally relatable.
Putting a comedic spin on everyday situations and goof-ups between a mother and daughter, this series is sure to win your hearts. For those of you who remember and love Lily Singh, aka Superwoman’s iconic parodies of her parents, then this one should be on your must-watch list.
Taking a similar approach, ‘Mom vs. Daughter’ is a short series that is sure to tickle your funny bone.
Suburbicide
As the name suggests, ‘Suburbicide’ is a series that covers a homicide that takes place in the suburbs. I’m looking at you Agatha Christie loving folks. This nine-episode murder-mystery short series by Thomas Crandall is something you can binge in one sitting.
The story revolves around a seemingly ordinary couple with a dead body that needs to be disposed of and an inspector from the homeowner’s association. The catch is that the inspector is here to check out the garden of the same couple in question.
Now the question remains, will the suburban couple be able to successfully hide this crime? Or will they get caught? And what lengths will they go to hide the crime?
Humm Tumm
Revolving around the lives of a workaholic and a sassy runaway bride, Humm Tumm is a short series that will have you instantly hooked. The series starts off with Darshan and his humdrum life. A true corporate slave, the highlight of his week was the new sofa he purchased. This was until an unwanted guest showed up at his apartment in the form of a runaway bride.
What follows is a series of events laden with elements of comedy and drama. The lighthearted series created by Hum Tum Media spans over 84 episodes and will keep you sufficiently entertained.
Be Your Own Star with R-series
If any of these series inspired your next big idea, hop on the R-series bandwagon and get started on your creative journey.
In fact, we went ahead and made it even easier for you. With the features and creation tools available on the app, you don’t need big-budget production equipment or any prior editing knowledge! As a creator, you can spend most of your time conceptualizing your next big idea rather than on the production and post-production editing.
Here are a couple of tips that will help you create the short series of your dreams:
- Try having multiple characters in the cast to keep the series fresh and engaging. You can even take on a double role, so go crazy!
- Try adding background effects and sounds wherever it adds value
- Use all the features and tools available on the app to the best of your ability
- Ensure that the lighting is on-point and suits the tone of your series
- Ensure that the audio quality is spot-on
Once you have these things down, all you have to do is give it your best shot and just have fun creating.
So, what are you waiting for? Download the app and start binging, who knows, these series could inspire you to set the stage yourself!
