Unknown Sender

=UNKNOWN SENDER=

UNKNOWN SENDER is a US anthology television program that debuted in August 2008 on Strike.TV [http://www.Strike.TV] , an internet network created by Hollywood writers during the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. Like the other Strike.TV offerings which were sanctioned by the Writers’ sister union, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), UNKNOWN SENDER was able to attract major talent to its cast, all of whom agreed to donate profits to the Hollywood charity, The Actor’s Fund. Among the players in the anthology are Timothy Dalton, Joanne Whalley, Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers' “Frau Farbissina”), comedian Jay Davis (Dane Cook's“Tourgasm”), and legendary performer Stan Freberg.

Behind the camera, noteworthy figures include Academy Award nominee Marilyn Vance and pioneer web filmmaker Kevin Rubio ("Troops (film)") among the producers; as well as "Lost (TV series)" Director of Photography Edward J. Pei, film composer Adam Cohen ("The Incredibles)"; and Special Effects Supervisor Shant Jordan ("Hellboy II").

Series Premise

The five to ten minute long UNKNOWN SENDER episodes consist of suspense or sci-fi stories which share the conceit that they are actual events, captured by closed circuit television (CCTV), surveillance monitors, amateur videographers, and the like, all collected and posted on the web by a mysterious, unseen “Unknown Sender”.

Influences

The show’s creator, "Die Hard" screenwriter Steven E. de Souza, described the series as “a cross between "The Twilight Zone" and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents". (1) De Souza, a writer and director on HBO’s similarly-themed "Tales From the Crypt", said another influence was the legendary 1947-1949 Mutual (and later, ABC) network radio horror series, "Quiet, Please"(2). Considered by many to be the best example of Golden Age Radio, and a direct precursor of "The Twilight Zone", "Quiet, Please" often dramatized its episodes as if the members of the listening audience were themselves participants or inadvertent observers, eavesdropping on the story’s action.

The first episode of UNKNOWN SENDER (1.1 "If You’re Seeing this tape..") acknowledges the "Quiet, Please" connection via its opening music, "Symphony in D minor" by Cesar Franck, the same piece used as the theme for every episode of "Quiet, Please".

UNKNOWN SENDER Episode Guide, Season One (through September 2008)

1.1. "If You’re Seeing This Tape…" A philanthropist engaged in a bitter divorce prepares a video will. Stars Timothy Dalton, Joanne Whalley, and Stan Freberg as ‘Mostly Mozart’ D.J. Tagline: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

1.2. "Slippery Slope". Two sexy actresses appearing in “Hardwood Pictures” latest production have a hidden agenda. Stars Ashley Shultz and Amy Main. Tagline: “She’s the man, baby.”

1.3. "Return Engagement". A retired Vegas performer must pull out every trick in his repertoire to foil home invaders. Stars Stan Freberg, with Holly Kaplan and Geoff Meed. Tagline: “Paul is dead.”

1.4. "Beta Test". An overworked and underpaid American IT engineer discovers he is being cheated by a European cartel. Stars Xander Cardinale, Viola Sator, Molly Kohler-Pei, and Michael Butler Murray, with Brian Rodda and Drea Hoffman. Tagline: “It’s not a bug, it’s a feature.”

1.5. "Sorry, Wrong Website." An assassin posing as a hotel employee receives bomb making instructions from a mysterious website. Stars Michael Shunnarah. Tagline: "Mind your p's and q's."

1.6. "Spin Cycle". A tenant in her building’s laundry room suspects a stranger is waiting for something more sinister than the dryer. Stars Mindy Sterling and Jay Davis. Tagline: “Blood is the nastiest stain.”

----------------------------(1) Interview, NPR radio "The Business (radio)" July 7, 2008(2) ‘Behind the Scenes’ Strike.TV EPK