The inspiration for sci-fi drama “Convergence,” a new webseries from brothers Curtis and Corey Gilbert of p3 mediaworks, came from a chemical cloud that Curtis Gilbert saw while driving through Joliet.
“It came from an industrial complex, an oil refinery. Whenever you drive by something like that, it is a visual reminder of the human footprint,” says Curtis Gilbert, who co-created the series with his brother.
Research into oil and energy fueled the brothers’ desire to create “Convergence,” a proposed series of 30-minute episodes. Influenced by “The X-Files,” “Syriana” and “Magnolia,” they created a character-driven series featuring abductions, disappearances and intrigue.
The premise? Two high level oil industry executives in separate countries, U.S. and Venezuela, conduct their own clandestine research into renewable energy.
“Each one has hit a wall. What one needs, the other has,” Gilbert says. “Inevitably, there are political undertones.”
The Gilberts filmed the 60-minute pilot last September in Chicago, suburbs and most of the exteriors in rural Downstate Tremont, where the brothers are from.
“Convergence” stars L.A. actors Wesley John (“The Scorpion King”) John T. Woods (“NCIS, Criminal Minds”), Maggie Scrantom, Tommy Beardmore, Robert Salazar, Maya Boudreau, Cathleen Hennon, Sandra Delgado and Tyler Lindahl.
Curtis Gilbert wrote the pilot, Corey Gilbert directed. The crew included DP Max Heiligman; associate producer Carlos Jimenez Flores, AD/creative producer Jon P. Phillips, 2nd AD Robert Salazar. Diego Lopez and Scott Cullmann, Elisa Sweet of p3 mediaworks are editing.
Curtis Gilbert started writing the show three years ago. “We dedicated every Sunday for two, three years to writing the first two seasons,” he says. “We have enough materials for ten episodes.”
They’ll figure out the number of episodes per season, and the release schedule, after securing distributorship.
They seek corporate funding from the renewable energy industry, with distribution through Hulu or Netflix, or crowdfunding for a Youtube release.
“The series medium is totally ‘en vogue,’ and with the extended cable world, along with all the on-line distribution opportunities, there are many so places for a project like ours to find a home,” Corey Gilbert says.
A Kickstarter campaign raised $30,000 for the shoot last September in city, suburban and Downstate locations.
The brothers’ company, p3 mediaworks, funded pre- and post-production costs. The brothers kept the budget low by calling in favors and being creative.
“We’re a scrappy team, a resourceful team,” Curtis says.
Watch the trailer here.
