Milo Ventimiglia's new go90 series takes on dating in the digital age
To say that dating in the digital age is complicated may be an understatement.
That's exactly why Milo Ventimiglia, James Frey, and fashion and lifestyle digital network StyleHaul decided to partner up to produce a new dramedy all about the highs and lows of modern dating.
Relationship Status, which debuted at Tribeca Film Festival on Thursday, follows an interweaving cast of young people in New York and Los Angeles as they navigate love and friendships, all told through the lens of social storytelling optimized for mobile consumption.
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Yes, that entails crazy one night stands, the "perfect" kiss, cheating partners and more dramatic moments -- all which in a modern world "propelled by social media."
Since technology is at the core of modern relationships, Ventimiglia said go90 was the right destination for this exact series.
"I’ve been in the digital space since 2006, so 10 years now," Ventimiglia, who will also star in the upcoming Netflix Gilmore Girls reboot, told Mashable in a phone interview.
"I’m happy that there is a less of a line between traditional film and TV and new media. [And] having this story related to all of us dealing with dating in digital age -- and how it connects and pulls us apart -- is a natural fit for a platform like go90."
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The roughly 30-person cast is made up of a mix of digital and traditional stars, many of whom said they were drawn to the script because of its relatable story.
Co-star Kristen Gutoskie certainly felt that way.
"The show helps us navigate this kind of new form of communication with dating," she told Mashable in a phone interview. "It's refreshing, light and fun. And all the people involved are really cool. I idolized like, half these people."
In all, it took about 20 days to prep and 17 days to shoot -- a quick but challenging month for all those involved.
But all the hard work just made their Tribeca premiere feel more surreal.
"It's kind of a crazy thing when you think about where you at the beginning, with someone just handing you a script," Ventimiglia recalled. "And then all of a sudden you’re looking at a logo and posters around New York City, and siting in your room with your friends talking about the work that you've all done together."
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The series, which debuts on April 29, is twelve 11-minute episodes, targeting millennial and Gen Z mobile-first audiences.
But the cast believes that its universal theme of looking for love will help draw in a bigger audience.
"At the end of the day, a relationship is about finding that human connection," Shawn Ashmore, who also stars in the series, told Mashable. "And I think no matter what whether you’ve experienced digital age of dating or not you can sort of relate to struggles and triumphs throughout."
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Saba was a Los Angeles-based reporter who covers all things digital entertainment, including YouTube, streaming services and digital influencers. Prior to that, she spent two years at the Los Angeles Times covering entertainment for the Calendar and Company Town sections. Saba grew up in Santa Monica and graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in journalism and B.A. in political science. When not reporting, she is usually binge watching shows online or looking for new coffee shops to frequent.
