If you haven’t found the new web-based science fiction series Sanctuary yet, now is the time to take a look. One of the coolest sci-fi projects of recent years, Sanctuary was created by veteran screenwriter and producer Damian Kindler. Kindler co-founded the company Stage 3 Media to make the show and is trying to position the firm at the forefront of the internet entertainment revolution. Early signs from Sanctuary are that he should succeed.

Many television viewers are impressed with the Sanctuary’s superb special effects which includes atrocious and horrible creatures. With stunning visual effects and other state-of-the-art techniques it has took televiwers to an unimagineable comparison from other televsion series. Because of its notable qualities, this television series have gained an enormous number of die-hard fans across the US and many parts of the world.

In addition, this television series have eradicated television and film production paradigm because it originally premiered on the world wide web. The first Sanctury episodes consisted of 15 to 20 minute installments that was later acquired by American cable giant-Sci Fi Channel. This early, it has been conisdered as one of the best television shows of all-time.

Kindler wrote for Kung Fu The Legend Continues, PSI-Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal, Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis and worked as a producer on Stargate SG-1. He formed Stage 3 Media in Vancouver, British Columbia, with Marc Aubanel (formerly with Electronic Arts) and business infrastructure expert Martin Palacios.

After carrying around the idea for Sanctuary for several years, Kindler completed the script with director Martin Wood and recruited Stargate SG-1 star Amanda Tapping for the lead role. Tapping is also an executive producer of the show.

In Sanctuary Tapping plays monster hunter Dr. Helen Magnus. Magnus runs the titular institution and gives protection to strange creatures that hide in the dark alleys and attics of the Sanctuary universe. Magnus describes herself as, among other things, a cryptozoologist, but her interest in these creatures is not only altruistic and scientific. They may hold the key to a seemingly incurable condition she has and have implications for all of humanity.

The first of eight webisodes of Sanctuary debuted on May 14 and kicked the series off in dramatic and thrilling fashion. The story opens in a dark backstreet of London in 1888 with a chilling interchange between Magnus (portrayed by Tapping with a convincing English accent) and John Druitt (a.k.a Jack the Ripper). Druitt is played superbly by Christopher Heyerdahl (Masters of Horror, Stargate Atlantis). From Victorian London, the scene shifts to the modern day and a grisly confrontation between the police and the first of many monsters that Magnus will encounter. This leads to the introduction of another regular character, psychiatrist Will Zimmerman. Zimmerman is played with natural ease by Robin Dunne (Dawson’s Creek, Species 3). In a future webisode Zimmerman will be recruited by Magnus as her protégé. Viewers will also meet Magnus’ spunky daughter, Ashley (Emilie Ullerup), who only briefly appears in Webisode One.

Under the supervision of Ron Martin, the small effects team at Stage 3 Media has done a fantastic job of creating most of Sanctuary’s sets and creature effects using CGI. Other notable mentions go to production designer Todd Van Hulzen for fusing modern and Gothic elements into a distinctive look for the show, and Ian Browne, whose music underscores the creepy and dramatic elements of Sanctuary.

Webisode Two of Sanctuary is scheduled for release on May 28. Like the other segments of the series, it will be around 15 minutes in length. In the longer term, Stage 3 Media is hoping for several seasons, a DVD release and possibly a television deal. The producers are committed, however, to maintaining the show’s online presence and getting its growing fan base involved. Sanctuary can be seen for free on YouTube but is at its best when viewed in High Definition. Webisodes in HD, with stereo sound, can be purchased on the official website, www.sanctuaryforall.com. The website will also provide opportunities for fans to interact with the people making the show and explore the digitally created locations featured in the series. Online games and social networking features are also planned.

Kindler believes that convergence between traditional media and the internet is a key to the future of entertainment. He hopes that Sanctuary could be the start of something big not only for Stage 3 Media, but for the rapidly broadening world of webTV. If the quality of his show is a sign of what is to come, let’s hope so.