DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD:
Dan Lin’s RIDEBACK RISE sets 2025 cohort
POPSUGAR:
Zoe Saldaña Produces a Short Film "19 Weeks" to Show the Importance of Grieving Pregnancy Loss
SHADOW & ACT:
'19 Weeks': A Miscarriage Leads A Woman To Learn How To Grieve In This Short Film
VARIETY MAGAZINE:
AVANT-GUARDINS WINS BEST SHORT FORM DRAMA AT NEW YORK TELEVISION FESTIVAL
DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD:
NEW YORK TELEVISION FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES SELECTION OF 59 INDIE PILOTS
VARIETY MAGAZINE:
NYTVF ANNOUNCES 2018 INDEPENDENT PILOT COMPETITION SELECTIONS
ESSENCE:
10 BLACK WOMEN-LED WEBSERIES WE'RE WATCHING IN 2018
Avant-Guardians brilliantly imagines what it would be like if guardian angels were in therapy, but these angels have brown skin and kinky hair. Creator, Alesia Etinoff, also stars as Guardian Angel Razz, and Def Comedy Jam’s Zainab Johnson plays therapist, Archangel Dr. Hanniel as each episode discusses a different part of Black America through the lens of how it affects Razz’s human, who just so happens to be a 12-year-old Black boy who is destined to become the 3rd black president of the united states. “Black lives not only matter in this series, it’s of the utmost importance,” Etinoff tells Essence. “Additionally, it’s a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously, while not only highlighting but glorifying women of color, namely dark-skinned women whose edges don’t always lay so easily.”Watch, digest and root for every Black celestial body! - ESSENCE (https://www.essence.com/entertainment/black-women-lead-webseries-2018)
SHADOW AND ACT:
YOU'LL WANT TO WATCH THIS WEBSERIES ABOUT BLACK WOMEN GUARDIAN ANGELS IN THERAPY
"In today’s society, being a woke black person is essential. So, what if you have a guardian angel to help you along? Created by LA Stand up Comedian, Alesia Etinoff, Avant-Guardians is a 7-episode dramedy digital series about the guardian angel to the 3rd black president who is mandated to see a no-nonsense therapist angel so she won't mess her human up. Each episode serves as a therapy session that sheds a light on the black American experience in a witty way." - Shadow and Act (https://shadowandact.com/avant-guardians-web-series/)
BUST MAGAZINE:
AVANT-GUARDIANS IS THE WOKE WEB SERIES YOU NEED TO WATCH
"Avant-Guardians"' approach to difficult issues is hip and refreshing, like in the way it personifies Racism, who put a book out because he was worried Sexism was getting more attention, or complains about how Rape is still prom king. The webseries even imagines Racism and Sexism’s love child, WBW, or War on Black Women, who is “living his best life right now.” - Bust Magazine (http://bust.com/entertainment/194109-avant-guardians-web-series.html)
MINIFLIX:
WEBSERIES TO WATCH ON THE BIG SCREEN - “Alesia Etinoff is the star and creator of this highly-original web series that’s already been racking up awards while on the circuit. It’s easy to see why audiences fall in love with each 3–5 minute episode. Seemingly like the guardian angel in which she plays, Etinoff’s energy and enthusiasm shows through every frame. Whether it’s a moment of outright hilarity or of pathos (sometimes these change within the same episode), both Etinoff and Zainab Johnson — who plays the therapist angel with magisterial grace — have an undeniable chemistry that often make or break the success of a web series.” - MiniFlix (https://blog.miniflix.tv/blogs/web-series-to-watch-on-the-big-screen-and-online)
WHOHAHA:
AVANT-GUARDIANS IS YOUR NEW FAVORITE WEBSERIES - "We are obsessed. We are in love. It’s funny, it’s brilliant, and we’re huge fans of creator Alesia Etinoff. Watch, laugh, learn." - Whohaha (www.whohaha.com/avant-guardians/)
BITCHMEDIA:
THREE NEW WEBSERIES FEMINISTS SHOULD WATCH - "Avant-Guardians is the brainchild of writer and standup comedian Alesia Etinoff, and follows the Guardian Angel of a 12-year-old kid who’s going to be the third Black president. After an incident, God mandates that she attends therapy with Dr. Hanniel, an arch angel, who helps her navigate everything from pizza preferences to how to grapple with transphobia and homophobia. Much like The Good Place, Avant-Guardians is a funny and brilliant look at the afterlife, and those who are guiding us from the other side." - BitchMedia (https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/new-web-series-to-watch)
DECIDER:
AFTERNOON DELIGHT: AVANT-GUARDIANS PUTS A WOKE, THERAPEUTIC SPIN ON THE AFTERLIFE - "It’s difficult to skate between comedy and addressing hot social issues, but Avant-Guardians does it masterfully. With the drop of a hat, they’ll crack you up with a quick one-liner (like God interjecting during a conversation about him that may not be entirely favorable) and then proceed to take a deep dive into why facing challenges in life is so important. There’s something comforting about the fact that someone with great purpose – like Creepy Charlie – is facing all the strange, sometimes painful obstacles as the rest of us. Etinoff is onto something truly special here; her chemistry with Johnson is sparky and fun, and to top off all the smart writing, it’s a visual treat. (Plus, that MAKEUP! *Insert heart eyes emoji here*)." - Decider (https://decider.com/2018/01/11/afternoon-delight-avant-guardians-puts-a-woke-therapeutic-spin-on-the-afterlife/)
TUBEFILTER:
INDIE SPOTLIGHT: IN AVANT-GUARDIANS, AN ANGEL NEEDS SOME GUIDANCE OF HER OWN
"Avant-Guardians isn’t just a satirical take on It’s A Wonderful Life; it’s also a canvas through which Razz and her therapist can explore modern-day social issues. Creepy Charlie’s life inspires conversations about some heavy topics, which are examined with sharp comedy. Johnson’s biting remarks, in particular, keep the laughs coming. That may be unprofessional behavior for a therapist, and especially for a heavenly being, but it’s also very funny, so I’m not going to complain." - Tubefilter (http://www.tubefilter.com/2018/01/12/indie-spotlight-avant-guardians/)
COLOR WEB MAG:
REVIEW: AVANT-GUARDIANS IS A REFRESHING, ORIGINAL TAKE ON THE HUMAN CONDITION
"What I loved about the show is that it’s as timely as it is funny, as unique and original as it is comforting and reminiscent of some of TV’s more interesting shows weaving life lessons into fantasy, such as Touched By an Angel. In fact, I’d say if I had to describe this show to anyone interested in watching it, they should probably think of it as a Touched By an Angel meets Awkward Black Girl. It’s Afrofuturistic, thanks to the awesome costume design by Efi Turkson, makeup by Sydnee Horn, hair by Haus of Andi, art direction by Rudy Grazziani, production design by Miranda Lorezn, and graphic design by Hannah Woods. It’s otherworldly while still representing a heavenly therapist office as a recognizable loft-style office building. And, it says some of the most unspoken but much-needed messages about faith, religion, and humanity, things I’ve never heard in a TV show before, but have definitely thought about on a regular basis." - COLOR WEB MAG (http://colorwebmag.com/2018/03/06/review-avant-guardians-is-a-refreshing-original-take-on-the-human-condition/)
TRENDING ALL DAY:
AVANT-GUADIANS PROVES ANGELS NEED THERAPY TOO!
"The show is hysterical, enlightening, and incredibly timely. Also, watching it is bizarrely… therapeutic. You know when a guardian angel has dubbed her human charge “Creepy Charlie” you know there’s a lot to unpack… will viewers ever also meet the man these two are talking about… you’ll have to binge all episodes to find out." - Trending All Day (https://trendingallday.com/avant-guardians-therapy-guardian-angels/)
7TH MATRIX:
BLACK GUARDIAN ANGELS TAKE FLIGHT IN SUPERNATURAL WEBSERIES 'AVANT-GUARDIANS'
"The web series Avant-Guardians is like nothing you have ever seen before. This heavenly dynamic duo take on many timely topics including trans/homophobia, racism, bullying, and sexism, with wit, piercing insight, and much, much humor. The result is a funny and moving rumination on the human condition that is never sanctimonious, preachy, or pretentious. Etinoff also turns on its head the usual staid, saccharine depiction of angels by injecting it with a liberal dose of Black woman magic. Seeing two Black women portraying powerful and wise angelic beings stylishly swaddled in their own agency is magnificent to behold. It also highlights just how ridiculous it is that Hollywood is still dragging its feet when it comes to providing meaty, nuanced roles for Black women." - https://www.the7thmatrix.com/blog/2018/2/11/avant-guardians-the-series