Promo image for the ‘#Hashtag’ web series (image courtesy Tello Films)
The new web series #Hashtag follows the lives of young queer women in Chicago whose dating patterns and attractions are significantly affected by the technologies that they use and, at times, abuse. The drama takes place on the mobile devices of Liv and Skyler, two best friends played by #Hashtag writers Laura Zak and Caitlin Bergh, respectively. Big reveals, beginnings of breakups, and expressions of desire and rejection all unfold on tiny iPhone screens through selfies, Instagram likes and comments, and text messages returned or left hanging in that epic no-reply space. #Hashtag tells a dramatized story that’s about as far off from reality as Portland is from Portlandia — meaning it’s a fine line between fiction and reality.
Liv and Skyler traverse the world of relationships in Chicago’s queer lady neighborhood, Andersonville (where I also lived before relocating to LA). Liv’s dating life is quite active, yet she always appears dissatisfied. She mostly dates women she’s met through OKCupid, but in the midst of it all, she notices @MarleesMom, a middle-aged mother with young, artsy daughters who regularly comments on and likes most of her photos on Instagram. What could be the harm in interacting with her? Meanwhile, Skyler is bored and in a long-term relationship with Miriam (Amy Thompson), while pursuing her career as a stand-up comedian. Much of her source material comes from life.
Read the full story on Hyperallergic: http://hyperallergic.com/118234/the-curious-thing-about-hashtags/
