Indie Series: Stunted
Entertainment thrives when it becomes relatable to a wide audience. Especially on YouTube, creators strive to create content that reaches thousands of viewers who have been in similar situations and can relate to certain emotions or instances. This comes in the form of Storytime videos, vlogs and even scripted series. In her scripted web series, “Stunted,” Alexis Atkinson sets out to tell a raw and real story about being stuck in life.
Atkinson creates comedy reels on her own personal channel, yet moves to the scripted web series world with her “Stunted” series, which has its own YouTube channel with 44 subscribers. The Instagram for the series (@stuntedseries) is still active, which gives fans hope for future episodes soon.
Atkinson created, writes and stars in “Stunted,” playing the role of Miranda who feels stuck in the period of life she is in. The first episode of “Stunted” premiered on September 15 and since then, three episodes have been released following a small set of characters through six- or seven-minute glimpses into their lives. As the series goes on, the viewer learns that every character feels stuck or stunted in their own unique way. The episodes separate the characters, each only show a pair at a time, yet reveals truths about the interpersonal connections between the whole cast.
The first episode opens on the bright kitchen of a small apartment. Miranda enters with Toby, played by Fernando Borrego as the couple begins to talk mindlessly about their day. Miranda abandons her coat and her shoes, opting for a glass to fill with water as Toby trails behind, picking up the mess she makes- immediately characterizing the roles in the couple. They chatter about buying a bookshelf, which Toby thinks would be indulgent, especially for Miranda who cannot seem to keep anything clean.
Soon the tone of the situation shifts as Toby mentions the “incident at Ikea.” The viewer soon learns that Miranda broke down crying in the baby section of Ikea earlier that day. She goes on to share that her friend from high school has been posting multiple pictures of her new daughter, causing Miranda to feel inadequate about her place in life. Miranda speaks about not being ready for children yet, but still feeling behind. Miranda speaks honestly about these feelings that everyone can relate to feeling at one point in their lives. It speaks to the challenge of feeling comfortable where you are and refusing the desire to look forward or backwards. In a very refreshing way, Toby listens attentively and comforts his partner and the episode ends in a tender kiss between the two.
Every episode ends with a black screen and then the slow introduction of a song- just a singer and snapping set against the background of rolling credits. The simplicity and honesty of an a Capella song in the initially absent background mirror the simplistic yet emotional episodes that Atkinson creates. When the credits reveal that Atkinson also wrote and performed this song, it makes perfect sense.
Episode two introduces a new character- Miranda’s friend, Jarielle, played by Nicheal Gadson. The girls sit down to lunch and discuss what to order. Again, the beginning of mundane conversation soon turns to a deeper dialogue about one’s place in life. Jarielle feels similarly stuck in her life career-wise. She is juggling the news of not receiving a raise yet toying with the idea of pursuing a different project. Knowing the feeling, Miranda listens respectively and offers advice and the scene again ends with a tender moment between friends.
Atkinson seamlessly shifts tones from the first episode to the second as she moves from an emotional dialogue between partners to lighter banter between friends. Yet, she maintains a dignified air, giving sound advice to her friend through jokes and laughs. This episode is much lighter in tone, yet the topics discussed remain the same. Gadson, though in a lively atmosphere catching up with a friend, still manages to voice relevant concerns that viewers can relate to, in content and emotion.
Episode three occurs in a storefront as we meet our fourth character, Cydra, portrayed by Sharae Moultrie. Jarielle against wrestles with career uncertainty as a struggling actress. The two work together in a modern shop selling fancy soaps and bath salts. The episode begins with a sales pitch as the two market their products as trained to. Occasionally as customers walk in, the girls break from their conversation to re-enter this salesperson mindset and pitch their products to the browsers. Accurately entitled, “Fake It ‘Til You Make It,” Jarielle and Cydra transfer in and out of real and rehearsed conversation known only to the viewer.
Cydra pushes Jarielle to learn how to market herself- both in her career and her personal romantic life. This combines the concerns of the past two episodes, as Cydra reduces her advice for feeling stuck in both areas to become a salesperson for yourself and sell your best qualities that fit the scenario. The two also wrestle with the idea of moving in together- a huge life decision that can push one outside of feeling stuck.
Moving from the home to the public and the workplace shows that these questions and conversations happen everywhere to all different kinds of people. The open and honest conversations create a great model for viewers to learn how to navigate these difficult scenarios when they occur to yourself or your loved ones. “Stunted” succeeds in making the ordinary meaningful. It prevents common crises in the simplest of circumstances to prove that they can be worked out and overcome.
As every new character is introduced, so are new hurdles to be overcome. The way Atkinson limits each interaction to two people shows just how personal these issues are. All the conversations occur between loved ones who are supportive of each other, which is such an important thing to display in a public setting. The constant interjections by customers or waiters set the show and its problems in reality. Reality comes with constant distractions and disturbances. While Atkinson’s dialogue can come across as slightly optimistic, she does an amazing job of portraying the types of interactions that occur daily. The future of “Stunted” promises to be filled with more relevant and realistic problems and plenty of supportive friends and family to help solve them.