Natomas Series Wins Big At LAweb Fest

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

The first season of “Dark Pool,” series of short episodes created for the internet by Natomas’ Rick Gott and shot with local actors and crew, received five awards at the recent LA Web Series Festival 2012, including outstanding Sci-Fi Series.

“Winning this recognition at LAweb Fest from some of the most accomplished industry professionals in Hollywood validates our belief that Sacramento can be a home to a thriving, lucrative web series industry, said Gott.

LAweb Fest, the first of its kind and now in its third year, is equivalent to the Academy Awards for the new, rapidly-growing entertainment phenomenon known as web series. Like “Dark Pool,” these are usually stories told in segments of a few minutes each and meant for viewing on computer screens, rather than in theaters or on TV.

“Dark Pool” is the story of a father distraught over the kidnapping of his daughter, which no one else seems concerned about. It stars Jason Kuykendall, one of Sacramento’s best-known actors, and a local cast of dozens, including Sacramento Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby and Natomas Charter School executive director Dr. Ting L. Sun. All of whom donated their time and talent.

Gott, with his wife and fellow executive producer, Karen Pollard, teaches theater arts at Natomas Charter School ’s Performing and Fine Arts Academy in Natomas.

“We learned in Los Angeles that within a few years the way we watch television will be radically different and largely web driven,” said Pollard. “We want the Sacramento entertainment industry to be at the forefront of this exciting new form of production.”

The festival was held in Los Angeles April 6-8 and drew entries from 312 web series.

In addition to Outstanding Series, “Dark Pool,” was also honored for:

• Outstanding Directing
• Outstanding Achievement in Composing
• Outstanding Editing
• Outstanding Ensemble Cast

Filming has begun on the second season of “Dark Pool” with the help of donations from friends and supporters via the Kickstarter crowd-funding program.