Indie Web Series: The Intimate Craftsmanship Of ‘Hello Stranger’
In June of 2020, Philippine film studio Black Sheep Productions released Hello Stranger, a web series directed by Petersen Vargas and starring Tony Labrusca and JC Alcantara. The 8-episode series premiered on YouTube and Facebook, airing every week on Wednesdays. It is also currently available on streaming on Netflix in the Philippines. With the first episode exceeding 3 million views and all the rest exceeding 1.5 million, it is not at all an exaggeration to say that this series is something special.
Hello Stranger tells the story of Mico, an overachieving college student with grand life ambitions, and Xavier, a star athlete desperate to rescue his grade. The two are unexpectedly paired together for a group presentation of a love poem, and, over time, develop a deep love for each other.
The first memorable aspect of the series one will notice is the use of webcams and text messages. The dialogue between characters happens almost entirely using video chats. However, this is balanced with plenty of solitary moments filmed outside of the laptop’s frame. Having this love story take place in a setting that adheres to and acknowledges COVID-19 frames the narrative and subtly increases the stakes. The kinds of love stories one is used to seeing often involve the tension of physical proximity between the characters. But this story effectively operates without that, allowing it to feel not only relevant but more intense because the audience can directly relate to the moments of physical isolation when characters are alone with their thoughts.
Additionally, much of the performance work is reliant on specifically the facial expressions of the actors. The fact that the actors are looking directly into a webcam grips the audience, making the story feel intense and intimate in a way not typically experienced on traditional television or in a theater. Your eyes are constantly in contact and conversation with the eyes of the performers as if you are also within the video call witnessing the events unfold. While this is an atypical storytelling style, this proximity is by nature, quite effective.
Assisting in the feeling of proximity is the cinematography itself. As Miko and Xavier’s relationship continues to develop, some truly creative moments and cinematic moments begin to emerge. More specifically, I’m speaking about the use of a specific camera angle designed to literally visualize the main couple growing closer together. There are times when we are not seeing Miko and Xavier exclusively through the view of their split-screen webcam, but instead from the inside of their bedrooms, with the screens of their laptops replacing the split screen of the video chat. This image makes it appear as if the two are physically right next to each other, even though we can tell they are still in two separate rooms. This shot only starts to be used several episodes into the series during specific moments of closeness and is representative of an emotional barrier being traversed.
The ultimate message of this story is not only to encourage the audience to conquer their inner fear but also to depict the nature of the self-imposed prison. Miko as a character has imprisoned himself by strictly adhering to an idealized version of who he “ought” to be. Xavier immediately sees this and immediately begins tearing down Miko’s defenses. When Miko first fully accepts that he’s found love, he feels amazing. But he also feels afraid and alone. Xavier, who’s looking for companionship and is open to new love, feels amazing whenever he’s with Miko… But he’s confused and sad every time Miko coldly rejects his demonstrations of love out of internalized fear. While this is likely the most common relationship dynamic that occurs in stories about gay love, the stellar performances, creative cinematography, and relatable modern setting make this series stand out as a unique and powerful telling. Hello Stranger is a touching, tender love story that I highly recommend as an example of COVID-era storytelling done well.
