Continuing with our series Local Feature (which celebrates Chicago-based filmmakers), we are proud to present the premiere of Episode 6 of hit geek-webseries Platoon of Power Squadron on October 26.
The Platoon of Power Squadron, or PoPS, is about four strangers in their twenties who all ended up renting rooms in the same apartment. They’ve all been out of school for awhile, they all have dead end jobs, and they all have SUPER POWERS. In a world where supernatural abilities are limited to comic books and the silver screen, these four discontent, minimum wage workers are the only people with actual super powers. Now what the hell are they supposed to do with them?
Jake Jarvi is the creator, writer, director, editor, VFX guy, sound editor, and producer on the show, along with a few other things. He spent five years in L.A., acting in the films “Old School” and “Bondage,” appearing in a few commercials, and landing a co-starring role on a Rob Lowe TV vehicle the day it was canceled. He’s served as the Digital Editor for Sheridan Road magazine for the last four years, editing every video that appears on their website as well as writing over 300 feature articles, profiles, and movie reviews.
When asked about his inspiration for PoPS, Jarvi wrote:
“I was inspired to make PoPS because I was always making something and at the time I was obsessed with the normal teenager trying to make sense of his powers in early Smallville seasons and the create mythologies and open ended questions idea of LOST. That’s really how it came together. Creating The Platoon of Power Squadron and self-releasing it online has given me an extraordinary opportunity to do exactly the kind of storytelling I’m interested in. Sounds pretty self-explanatory, right? But I’m working on a passion project in front of an audience without ever having had to work my way up. The conventional industry proving ground is rife with entertainers working their way up. Actors especially have to work in projects of questionable quality just to get some credits on their resume. And a guy like me? Forget about it. When I was auditioning in L.A., I basically got called in for three character types: Stoners, geeks, or pedophiles on cop shows. The third one only happened a few times, but the fact that it happened more than once was an eyebrow raiser. I started acting because I wanted to be a plucky hero or a dangerous antihero. Nobody gets into acting because they’re dying to be a pedophile brought in for questioning on the way toward meeting a more interesting criminal. But I cheated. I started my own internet series. It became good enough to get a really kickass audience going. Now, I’m my own antihero, the kind of character I’ve always wanted to play, a sarcastic wise guy with unspeakable power and a dark past. Ten years ago there’s no way I would have gotten to play this part to an audience.”
Joining us Jarvi for the post-screening discussion will be the series stars and visual effects creator:
Craig Benzine is best known as Wheezy Waiter, a comedy vlogger over 400,000 subscribers. In addition to vlogging he plays with his band Driftless Pony Club all over the US and acts in several other projects, the most frequent being the Platoon of Power Squadron, for which he has yet to receive a decent payday. He is also a producer on the show and can therefore begin negotiations with himself.
Eliza Toser is an actress and producer on the Platoon of Power Squadron. She can be more frequently found working as an assistant librarian or knitting like a madwoman. She is most easily found through her fashion, knitting, projects blog.
Carlyn Janus, when she’s not acting in web projects, works with custom designed graphic imaging, illustration, fine art, and photography. She also works as a freelance consultant in interior design, styling, and marketing.
The price of admission is $10, with all proceeds going to the production costs of Platoon of Power Squadron. But our fans will get a special promo code! $5 tickets will be available until October 23 when you enter promo code GEEKONPOPS (all caps) when selecting tickets. Hope to see you there!
