Darker Projects

Darker Projects Productions is one of the longest running audio drama companies in modern times. Although their copyright notice is set for 2008, I have been listening to their audio dramas for upwards of five years now. DP began with mostly fan fiction, Doctor Who and Star Trek, but branched out to a series of original audio dramas, mostly with a mature theme.

Website

The Darker Projects website is very nicely designed. It has easy links to their original shows, some of their fan fiction they call "devoted drama" and some behind the scenes links. In the middle column they present more detailed information on what DP is and what shows are currently released. On the right hand side is a widget that plays snippets of introduction from various cast members of DP as you first go to the show. This I find a detriment, as there's little more annoying for a regular peruser of a website than having to listen to another 20 second sound bite of welcome every time you come to a site. I recommend having it turned off, unless people want to click on it and play it. I went to Darker Projects once at work to see if a new Byron's Chronicles was released and my co-workers all had a great laugh at my expense.

Along the top is also the usual suspects of forums, contributions, about, and a complete listing of their projects. This presents another issue I have. Their listing isn't complete. I know, for example they did have a great series called "Section 31", but it's no longer featured. Rating 4/5

Audio Drama Type- Modern Theater, Fan Fiction

Darker Projects uses all the facets that have become modern theater for podcasts- a distributed network of writers, actors, and producers. Legend has it, that Darker Projects grew out of a group of friends who loved writing Star Trek fan fiction and decided to start making their own.

Acting Type- Long Distance Amateurs

While they have some of the more familiar names like Mark Kalita, David Ault and Mark Bruzee as regulars, the cast appear to be all amateur actors of varying talents. Darker Projects tends to get the best out of their actors, but sometimes those actors don't have a lot to give. For the most part, they are well cast, and give interesting reads. The most challenging issue is getting long distance actors to be able to sound like they are playing off of each other realistically. One can not fault DP for not being able to pull this off consistently. Professional actors who rarely sit in the studio at the same time for animated shows also react poorly. This is a limitation of the style. The shows all vary in acting quality, but as a general indicator I give DP a Rating 4/5 here.

Production Types- Detail Oriented

Production is one of DP's great strengths. Their shows have rich sound effects and music that is not only effective but inspiring. Detail includes layered background sounds that enhance the setting. Enhanced setting creates mood. Deeply developed production sound can often translate the tone of the author as well, and DP does this with many of its productions. I'm going to go ahead and credit Chris Snyder for setting what I consider to be the bar for some of the best audio production of amateur production features on the Internet. While there are a growing group of people who have emerged to match his prowess, there are few that seem to surpass it in the amateur realm. Rating 5/5

Writing

 The writing in Darker Projects depends mostly upon the series. There are some very gripping episodes of The Falcon Banner by Christopher Patrick Lydon and some wince-worthy writing from a few shows in the anthology series Five Minute Fears. It would be unfair to give an over all writing rating here. So look for future reviews of series, and then eventually (hopefully) individual releases.

Additional Notes: Delays

I've said that Dream Realm Enterprises is the worst show I know for delays, but I'm officially calling this "The Darker Project Syndrome" for future reviews. While DRE Gold may be caught up because of lack of time, DP seems to take cruel pleasure in making its listeners wait while they are distracted by "shiny keys". A fantastic series can wait months, even over a year while producers dally in one project after another. As a listener there are few things that are more maddening than being kept in the dark for releases. I know that most listeners won't mind if they have to wait two weeks, one month, or even three months for a new release if they are given- up front- the schedules for release. I've wandered in and out of Darker Projects realm simply because frustration has caused me to go elsewhere. But I am a man of faith, in that I keep coming back to DP hoping they have not forgot me, their listener, as they play in different corners of their yard.

Over All Rating 

I have only one other criticism of Darker Projects, and that is their name. "Darker" than what? Than other podcasts? I can think of at least three podcasts that have equal or darker shows in similar genres. Some of the snippet actors' comments on their opening widget may give a clue. I get the feeling that DP is pretty clear within its own circles that they produce the best audio drama on the web.

Hubris notwithstanding, they do have a great sound, and often entertain. I recommend giving them a listen if you like genre fiction- especially horror and science fiction. They haven't branched out much past those two segments, but what they do, they do quite well. Not the best, but certainly up there. Rating 4/5