- “Day 5 is the first dramatic series from Rooster Teeth Productions, set in the immediate aftermath of a fatal sleep epidemic. After a fortuitous drug bender saves his life, addict Jake (Jesse C. Boyd) ventures out into the quiet streets… unaware that most of the world already died in their beds. Now, battling sleepless fatigue and encroaching delirium, Jake teams with a scrappy teenager (Walker Satterwhite), overnight doctor (Stephanie Drapeau) and red-eye pilot (Davi Jay) to search for answers… and just maybe find a way to sleep again. Set in a world of insomniacs, late-shift workers and roving psychotics, Day 5 presents a unique vision of the apocalypse that fuses serial drama and thriller around a human story of survival and redemption.”
- —
Day 5 is a weekly ongoing American Rooster Teeth Live action murder mystery sci-fi post-apocalyptic drama TV Web series produced by Rooster Teeth, created by Burnie Burns, Matt Hullum, Josh Flanagan, and Chris Demarais. The series is primarily written and directed by Josh Flanagan, Aaron Marquis, and Chris Demarais. It premiered on Rooster Teeth's website on June 19, 2016.[1] New episodes premiered exclusively on Rooster Teeth site via their paid sponsorship program, FIRST. Announced March 11, 2016, it was noted for being a dramatic departure from Rooster Teeth's typically comedic productions. In addition, it is one of their first shows offered only to sponsors (now called FIRST members). A second season was on August 6, 2017 and concluded on September 24, 2017.
The series follows a junkie, Jake (Jesse C. Boyd), who emerges after a drug binge only to learn that most of humanity has died after falling asleep.[2] Jake and a small group of survivors search for the cause of the mysterious “sleep epidemic.”
Notable for its increase in production value and episode length compared to other RT live-action shows (each episode is roughly a full TV-hour long) and for having a long cycle in Development Hell. According to RT's chief creative officer Burnie Burns, it has gone through at least three iterations before the version that was eventually released including a nearly-completed feature-length film. Compareable to Bliss Stage, which is roughly the same premise but with giant robots.
History[]
Day 5 was in the pipeline for over 3 years. It was mentioned on podcasts in early 2012, then remained silent for about a year. On Rooster Teeth Podcast 205, Burnie mentioned that Rooster Teeth is filming Day 5, but other productions are taking its place for now (such as Immersion Season 2).
The concept had been in development since 2011 and was originally envisioned as a feature film, then a 45-minute short before becoming a six-episode series.[3] According to Flanagan, “The original concept was (Rooster Teeth Co-Founder) Burnie Burns’. He was trying to come up with a way to make an apocalyptic story on a lower budget... it was approached from a budgetary level from the very beginning but it's such a relatable thing because everyone knows what it's like to be this ridiculously tired."[4] Inspiration for pacing was drawn from Y: The Last Man while tone came from Breaking Bad.
Rooster Teeth filmed a scene for Day 5 at RTX 2012, which was about a busy town centre with hundreds of pedestrians shopping and socializing. Joel Heyman was in-character walking amongst everyone, then all of a sudden everyone was lying down either sleeping or dead. This was all that was filmed and the extras (RTX Attendees) then went back to the convention. A scene was filmed during RTX 2012, and involved shutting down downtown Congress Avenue and 1,800 attendees.[5]
At RTX 2012, 1,800 fans were used as extras for a scene in post-apocalypse short series called Day 5, which initially followed a man fighting to stay awake after a virus spreads that causes anyone who falls asleep to die.[6] The trailer premiered at RTX 2014. While the premise was kept the same, the overall story and characters were later changed drastically. In March 2016, the cast was announced, with filming starting that same month.[7]
On June 16, 2014, Burnie Burns confirmed on Twitter that principal photography for Day 5 had been completed. The first teaser for the show was revealed before the worldwide screenings of Lazer Team. As of March 14, 2016, Day 5 production had officially begun, with Josh Flanagan posting regular updates on his Twitter profile. In May 2016, a trailer was released, revealing that Day 5 premieres on June 19, 2016 exclusively for FIRST Members.[8][9][10][11][12]
The first episode was released for FIRST Members, and the general public on both the Rooster Teeth Website and YouTube, with all subsequent episodes having FIRST Member exclusivity.
Its first season concluded on July 31, 2016. Showrunner Josh Flanagan held a Reddit AMA the following day, answering many fan questions about the show. On February 2017, a second season of the show was announced, along with a second season of Camp Camp. The teaser trailer for the second season was publicly released on June 10, 2017.
The details for the second season mentioned and discussed during the RTX Austin Day 5 Panel with the Season 2 teaser trailers released to the audience.[13][14][15] The second season full trailer was released publicly on July 10, 2017. Day 5 Season 2 is set to premiere on August 6, 2017 for sponsors (FIRST members) on the Rooster Teeth website. The 8-episode second season premiered on August 6, 2017.[16][17] It features guest stars William Sadler and Jake Busey, along with new recurring cast members Ryan Cooper, Electra Avellan, and Adriene Mishler.[18]
Story[]
An unexplainable epidemic has swept across the globe affecting every human being. People are frantically searching for answers because if you fall asleep... You die. How long can people stay awake?
After a fortuitous drug bender saves his life, addict Jake (Jesse C. Boyd) ventures out into the quiet streets... unaware that most of the world already died in their beds. Now, battling sleepless fatigue and encroaching delirium, Jake teams with a scrappy teenager (Walker Satterwhite), overnight doctor (Stephanie Drapeau) and red-eye pilot (Davi Jay) to search for answers... and just maybe find a way to sleep again. Set in a world of insomniacs, late-shift workers and roving psychotics, Day 5 presents a unique vision of the apocalypse that fuses serial drama and thriller around a human story of survival and redemption.
20 Minutes into the Future, the world is suddenly affected by a strange malady which causes the death of anyone who falls asleep. Five days later, humanity is on the brink of extinction as the remaining survivors binge on cocktails of drugs, sugar and whatever they can find in a desperate attempt to stay awake and stay alive.
Episodes[]
Season 1 (2016)[]
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Synopsis | Original air date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Waking Nightmare" | Josh Flanagan | Josh Flanagan, Chris Demarais | After an extended drug bender, addict Jake ventures out into the quiet streets to discover he's actually missed a terrifying global phenomenon. | June 19, 2016 |
2 | "Cognitive Dissonance" | Josh Flanagan | Josh Flanagan, Chris Demarais | Ellis's plan hits a snag, just in time for some sleepless delirium to settle in. | June 26, 2016 |
3 | "Night Terrors" | Mark Bristol | Mark Bristol | As Ellis heads for Dallas, Ally, Jake, and Sam are diverted by a new kind of foe. Episode 3 debuted at RTX 2016.[7] | July 3, 2016 |
4 | "Sweet Dreams" | Chris Demarais | Josh Flanagan Chris Demarais | New clues converge in Dallas, while Ally attempts a dangerous reunion in Austin. This episode featured Joel Heyman and the aforementioned scene shot during RTX 2012. | July 17, 2016 |
5 | "Beacons in the Dark" | Aaron Marquis | Aaron Marquis | Lex shows her research to Ally; Ellis investigates a mysterious signal. | July 24, 2016 |
6 | "Wide Awake" | Todd McMullen | Josh Flanagan, Chris Demarais and Mark Bristol | In the season finale, alliances at Dr. Abrams' facility are pushed to a breaking point; Ellis' group puts their theory to the test. | July 31, 2016 |
Season 2 (2017)[]
The second season debuted on August 6, 2017, and is 8 episodes long.
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Synopsis | Original air date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Manifest Destiny" | Josh Flanagan | Josh Flanagan, Katrina Albright | Jake, Sam, and Ally search for Ellis as a broader threat unfolds... and rumors of a way to finally sleep again. | August 6, 2017 |
2 | "Oasis" | Max Nichols | Josh Flanagan, Katrina Albright | The team hunts for Gabbi—and any chance to track down the Safe Sleep Zone—as Aidan and a new ally attempt to enter the Sandman's Oasis. | August 13, 2017 |
3 | "Lucid" | Aaron Marquis | Katrina Albright, Chris Demarais, Aaron Marquis, Jason Romaine | As Aidan and Paula explore the camp, Jake and company battle a new threat, with an inventive method for staying awake. | August 20, 2017 |
4 | "Circadian Rhythms" | Stewart Thorndike | Katrina Albright, Chris Demarais, Jason Romaine | Tensions flare and complications arise on the flight to Nevada. Aidan attempts to meet the Sandman himself. | August 27, 2017 |
5 | "Sleep-walkers" | Chris Demarais | Katrina Albright, Levi Bailey, Aaron Marquis | The team pursues the Oasis through the desert, as Aidan navigates the politics of the camp. Meredith finds an unlikely ally in her new assignment. | September 3, 2017 |
6 | "Para-somnia" | Aaron Marquis | Chris Demarais, Josh Flanagan, Jason Romaine | As the fractured teams close in on the camp, a chance encounter pushes one hero to the breaking point. Aidan's actions at the Oasis have unexpected consequences. | September 10, 2017 |
7 | "Apnea" | Josh Flanagan | Levi Bailey, Chris Demarais, Aaron Marquis | Forces converge on the Oasis and the battle for the sleep zone begins. | September 17, 2017 |
8 | "Dawn" | Josh Flanagan | Chris Demarais | The morning comes with revelations and consequences. | September 24, 2017 |
Trivia[]
- The logo's font appears to be 'Linotype Univers 220 Condensed Thin' (also named: 'Univers Next Pro 220 Condensed Thin').
Cast and characters[]
Introduced Season 1[]
- Jesse C. Boyd as Jake, a meth addict who is one of the survivors of the apocalypse and is the main protagonist of the series. Boyd was attracted to the writing from his first audition, particularly its balance between humour and "high-stakes" moments.[5]
- Walker Satterwhite as Sam, a 13-year-old boy who is one of the survivors of the epidemic.
- Stephanie Drapeau as Ally, a night shift doctor who is one of the survivors of the epidemic and is set on finding a cure.
- Davi Jay as Ellis, a pilot who is one of the survivors of the epidemic.
- Shannon McCormick as Dr. Abrams. Initially an antagonist to the group when he planned to test an experimental sleep drug on Sam that had killed numerous other test subjects, he forms a grudging alliance with them in their search for the source of the apocalypse. (season 2-; guest season 1)
- Katie Folger as Meredith. An enigmatic assassin initially introduced as an ally to Ellis but eventually revealed to be directly involved with the group behind the sleep apocalypse.
- Lee Eddy as Lex, another doctor who survives and is actively looking for a cure with Dr. Abrams. She and Ally dated prior to the epidemic.
- Joel Heyman as Bill Beavers, a man with a rare disease that makes it impossible for him to sleep: initially considered a death sentence with a life-expectancy of six months, Bill faces the very real possibility he will be the last man on Earth. (regular season 2-; guest season 1)
- Bill was the main character of the original unreleased Day 5 short: Flanagan and Demarais later decided that though he made sense as the main character of that particular story, it would be too difficult to make the entire series about him, hence Bill's story was adapted into an episode of the first season before he joined the supporting cast in Season 2.[8]
- Jason Liebrecht as Colin (season 1)
- Joe Estevez as Alonzo Alvarez, a local TV reporter driven mad by his commitment to staying on the air. (season 1)
Introduced Season 2[]
- Adriene Mishler as Gabbi, a survivor in search of the source of the sleep apocalypse who ends up joining Jake, Sam, Ally, and Ellis's group.
- Ryan Cooper as Aidan, an Australian pilot whom Ellis meets early on during the sleep apocalypse, searching for the supposed Sandman's Oasis where people are able to sleep.
- Electra Avellan as Paula, a mother who survived the sleep apocalypse along with her son Angel. Allies with Aidan in their attempt to get into the Sandman's Oasis.
Guests/Recurring characters[]
- Alisha Revel as Sarah, Ally's assistant who joins the survivor group at the start of the series but succumbs to the apocalypse after losing her drugs at the rave. Haunts Jake's nightmares. (season 1)
- Barbara Dunkelman as Flip, a mysterious drug dealer at the morgue who causes Jake to relapse and often appears in his nightmares. (season 1)
- Garrett Graham as Dave, an office worker driven mad by the death of his dog, becomes a threat to the survivors as a phenomenon called the "Incubus," where he can only stay awake by inflicting pain on himself and murdering other survivors. (season 1)
- Caiti Ward as Emily, one of Ally's co-workers who set out early during the apocalypse to try to establish a hospital network for survivors, but is killed by the Incubus while traveling through Austin. Subject of the short "Number 27". (season 1)
- Jen Brown as Beth, one of the survivors Ellis teams up with in Austin. (season 1)
- Ron Weisberg as Allister, Meredith's apparent superior, part of the organization behind the sleep apocalypse. (season 2)
- Jeremy Vandermause as Tripp, a Silicon Valley hopeful who discovers and helps establish "the Sandman's Oasis" where people are able to sleep, although he soon grows to abuse his power. (season 2)
- Jake Busey as Carl, an insane soldier who believes the "cure" to the apocalypse is giving all survivors a lobotomy. (season 2)
- William Sadler as Bob, a seemingly normal man who has earned mythical status as "the Sandman," (named for the folkloric creature) due to his apparent ability to allow people to sleep. (season 2)
- Tristan Alijah Garcia as Angel. Paula's son, survived the apocalypse by staying up late after bedtime. (season 2)
- Chris Demarais as Sebastian, a survivor living in the desert who helps suicidal survivors go out as spectacularly as possible. (season 2)
Rooster Teeth alumni cameos[]
- Gavin Free as Morgue Raver, who Sam witnesses crawl into one of the cold chambers with pillow in hand and promptly fall asleep.
- Josh Flanagan as Mark, a guard at the hospital in Austin.
- Aaron Marquis as Skinemax Star No. 2 (season 1) and museum narrator (season 2)
- Matt Hullum as Dale, Sam's affable father, who was asleep on the couch at the time the apocalypse started after catching Sam staying up late.
- Anna Hullum as Jake's mother.
- Blaine Gibson as Blaze, part of Jeffery's D&D team.
- Adam Ellis as Gamer 2, another member of Jeffery's D&D team.
- Samantha Ireland as Amy, a staff member at the station. Stars in the short "Making Headlines."
- Ashley Jenkins as US Reporter.
- Barbara Dunkelman played Flip at the rave in the police station. Also was the voice of Sam's mother in the answering machine at the Museum of Arts.
References[]
- ↑ http://www.tubefilter.com/2016/06/03/rooster-teeth-day-5-trailer/
- ↑ https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/rooster-teeth-day-5/
- ↑ https://www.austinchronicle.com/screens/2016-06-24/to-sleep-perchance-to-die/
- ↑ http://io9.gizmodo.com/day-5-is-an-apocalypse-where-falling-asleep-means-insta-1782174846
- ↑ https://www.austinchronicle.com/screens/2016-06-24/to-sleep-perchance-to-die/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffeDxTJIFmw
- ↑ http://nerdist.com/rooster-teeth-to-launch-2-new-sci-fi-series-crunch-time-and-day-5-exclusive/
- ↑ http://www.indiewire.com/2016/06/day-5-review-rooster-teeth-post-apocalyptic-drama-thrills-and-kills-1201690151/
- ↑ http://www.indiewire.com/2016/05/day-5-trailer-rooster-teeths-first-dramatic-series-turns-sleep-into-a-deadly-epidemic-291005/
- ↑ http://io9.gizmodo.com/day-5-is-an-apocalypse-where-falling-asleep-means-insta-1782174846
- ↑ http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/showbizabroad/571435/day-5-emerges-as-rooster-teeth-s-sleeper-hit-of-the-summer/story/
- ↑ http://io9.gizmodo.com/day-5-is-an-apocalypse-where-falling-asleep-means-insta-1782174846
- ↑ https://twitter.com/rtxevent/status/880181565082488833?lang=en
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/roosterteeth/comments/6lxm2n/rtx_2017_panel_links/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rYFLr1Woag
- ↑ http://ew.com/tv/2017/07/10/day-5-trailer-rooster-teeth/
- ↑ http://collider.com/day-5-season-2-trailer/
- ↑ http://ew.com/tv/2017/07/10/day-5-trailer-rooster-teeth/
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