SOAP OPERA: THE MUSICAL... AND THE CARTOON?

For the past several months, I've written numerous articles for Perfect-Romance.com, Buried Under Books, and Kindle Fever touting my hope that enhanced e-books might be a way to both continue and revive the soap opera genre.

Now comes another option: Doing it on-line in animated (among others) form as Jordan von Haslow Dramatic Serials announces the premiere of OUR WORLD, a new dramatic serial airing daily across multiple media platforms beginning Monday, October 3, 2011.

Presented through a unique integration of audio, illustration and animation, this multi-generational soap opera pairs intrigue and romance against the backdrop of power and privilege as it chronicles the scandalous tale of wealthy teenagers and their families in Oakhurst, an exclusive New England enclave.

Created by and starring a team of daytime television veterans, the OUR WORLD writing staff includes Emmy®-nominated former All My Children scribe Susan-Sojourna Collier, and the cast boasts Danielle Burns, best known to daytime audiences for her nine-year stint as the original Nancy McGowan on the hit NBC soap Another World.

In addition to the official show website, OurWorldDrama.com, OUR WORLD will be syndicated to more than 15 different Internet, social media and television outlets, including: YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, AOL Video, TIVO, Sony BIVL and iTunes.

OUR WORLD follows two prep school students (Drew and Owen) as they navigate the excitement and pitfalls of adolescence (i.e. sex, drugs and getting into the college of one’s choice). When their alpha male status is threatened through a series of unfortunate and shocking events, adulthood is suddenly thrust upon them. The youths discover how quickly the age of innocence ends.

Adding coal to the fire, Owen’s mother (a jet-setting, young widow) learns—at the reading of her late husband’s will—that her wealth has all but evaporated. A moral dilemma ensues. How far she will go to maintain appearances and her rung on the social ladder?

Her partner in crime is a beautiful socialite who seems to have it all: a successful, loving husband; the perfect teenage son (Drew); and a secure place at the top of the social pyramid. With the arrival of her obsessive, status seeking mother, her world comes crashing down in a scandal of infidelity, abuse and—potentially—murder.

The first thirteen weeks of programming begins on Monday, October 3, 2011, and is comprised of 65 episodes.