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The Penumbra
A six part documentary web-series about one man’s crusade to save his city, whether it needs it or not.

We all know the old saying,‘All that is required for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing’, - but how many of us are brave enough to take that challenge? To stand up for what's right and be a good man who doesn’t do nothing?

The Penumbra. One man who stands for justice in an unjust world. One man who will put himself between the ordinary people and those who would do them harm. One lone crusader willing to use the darkness in his own soul to fight the shadows that haunt the night. And where shadows meet, you will find… The Penumbra!

Fighting crime isn’t easy. And for the Penumbra, even finding crime is proving to be hard. And that’s a problem. He’s kept one alleyway safe for several weeks, but how will he become the one man the city turns to in time of need if he doesn’t make a name for himself? And how will he make a name for himself if there’s no crime to fight?
But if the forces of darkness think total obscurity, no resources whatsoever, or a complete lack of any experience is going to keep this urban warrior from his goal, then they don’t know… The Penumbra!

 
 
   
 
 

The Production
Shot over seven days, edited over five years, with a budget in excess of four hundred dollars! The Penumbra is the long awaited result of the herculean efforts barely achieved by acclaimed comedian/star Chris Gibbs and director/producer Todd Witham.

When life gets in the way, it sure gets in the way…
Chris’ son was recently born when Todd and he (not his son, but Chris), along with DOP Nathan Taylor, began shooting in Toronto during that brutally cold week in November, 2008. It was a matter of scheduling more than any desire for the best location, getting the help of volunteers, civilized toilet access, craft services, et al, that forced their schedule into such a tight timeline. Melina Nacos, her garage, hot lunches inside her warm and totally cool house along with her generous appearance in the series as the ‘angry garage owner’ was instrumental in providing the necessities (extension cords, cardboard boxes, etc.) which gave them the finger thawing fuel, resources and will, really, to carry on.

 

 

Then...
Post production went well for a time until Todd decided to blow the whole thing off to buy a run-down, stupidly big, farm type/fixer-upper ugly house with his wife, which he then renovated…

For years… and years…

Then Todd and his wife had a baby…

Then more years passed….>

Okay, Todd did some editing over those years and Eric St. Laurent came up with an awesome theme tune, but Todd and Chris still had to take the series to that next, final stage of getting the f&!#ing thing done!
After much drinking of beers, wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth they FINALLY managed to cut something together and presented it … to great adulation and applause! - it turns out - at Comedy Bar in Toronto on December 10th 2011 with a packed house of more than nine pencil wielding patrons who gave them feedback on the utilitarian stationary Todd and Chris had provided.

Many more months went by as they thought about the feedback…
And now – ta da! - although the feedback has been considered for season 2 (no re-shoots allowed) they did put titles on it and are now proud to present this first six episode season of The Penumbra for your consideration, entertainment and viewing pleasure!

applause

music swells…