Carmilla

Carmilla is a multi-faceted, digital fiction series that aired on the platform Fullscreen from 2014 to 2016. Based on the novella by J. Sheridan Le Fanu, Carmilla sees an innovative, modern rendition through a digital lens. It is shot in a "vlog" style, presented as the recorded videos of Laura Hollis, a university student studying journalism. This unique narrative style combined with a blend of horror, romance, and comedy elements makes this series stand out.

Set against the backdrop of the fictional Silas University situated in Styria, the plot of Carmilla unfolds mysteriously. Laura Hollis, the protagonist, is a second-year student whose life takes a sudden, unexpected turn when her roommate disappears under incredibly strange circumstances. The turbulence increases when she's assigned a new roommate, Carmilla Karnstein, whose strange habits instigate Laura to believe she's a vampire.

Character development is one of the strong suits of the series. Laura Hollis, the optimistic, incessantly curious, and truth-seeking student, contrasts starkly with her new roommate, Carmilla. Dark, brooding, and cryptic, Carmilla is shrouded in mystery and possesses a seemingly ageless wisdom. With these two as the central characters, Carmilla explores a vast range of emotions and challenges stereotypes, most notably, in its portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and relationships.

Supporting characters like LaFontaine, a quirky, non-binary science geek, and Danny Lawrence, a literature TA with a good heart, breathe life and humor into the series and keep the plot engaging. The series’ rich narrative is woven around these diverse characters against the backdrop of a university campus with a propensity for supernatural happenings, creating a wonderful tapestry of various genres.

As the series progresses, Laura and the audience together unravel the mysteries of the university and Carmilla. The tension between Laura's journalistic pursuit of truth and her complex relationship with Carmilla adds depth to the story, as well as to their character dynamics. The show beautifully interweaves the characters' personal journeys and growth with the narrative's overall progression, maintaining a fine balance throughout.

The social context of the series also plays a significant role in its development. Gender studies and queer theory heavily influence the show. It features explicitly queer characters who are central to its plot, a rare quality particularly in the horror genre. The series represents the LGBTQ+ community without falling for common clichés, instead crafting intricate, heartfelt, and honest portrayals of complex characters.

Should we speak about the production quality, the series does a fantastic job despite its limited settings. The "vlog" style of presentation adds a unique, personal touch and allows the audience to directly engage with Laura’s perspectives and emotions rather than being distracted by fancy sets or effects. The creators made optimal use of this format, employing creative narrative strategies to express incidents outside Laura's room.

The success of Carmilla led to its extension to multiple seasons and enhanced its fan base. A huge amount of credit goes to the series' team that kept its audience engaged with interactive platforms like Tumblr, where they communicated with fans between episodes, enhancing the viewer experience.

Carmilla not only introduces a new style of filming but also features a story with characters who connect with the audience on multiple levels. From a unique narrative style to a modern spin to the classic vampire story, from showcasing a plethora of relatable characters smoothly to portraying a diverse set of relationships, Carmilla covers it all with aplomb.

In a nutshell, Carmilla is more than just a queer vampire web series. It is a perfect mix of comedy, horror, romance, and gender politics. The show combines a gripping storyline with complex, diverse characters that continue to remain relevant in today's evolving social landscape, making it worth a watch.