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How Apple TV's 'Silo' Show is Revolutionizing Television

2024-12-12

The opinions expressed within this article are those of the writer and do not represent the views of Her Campus. This piece is crafted by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCF chapter. In a landscape filled with shows, Silo emerges as a true standout. Let's delve into what makes this show a must-watch.

Uncover the Magic of Silo - A Modern TV Masterpiece

The Cast

Apple TV understood that a show's success hinges on its cast. That's why they assembled a stellar ensemble. Juliette Nichols, played by Golden Globe nominee Rebecca Ferguson, brings a depth to the character. With roles in Mission Impossible and Dune under her belt, Ferguson knows how to immerse herself in a part. Rashida Jones, as Allison Becker, is a revelation. Known for her role in Parks and Recreation, she takes on a completely different character in Silo and leaves a lasting impact. Tim Robbins as Bernard Holland adds a touch of complexity as the villain with good intentions gone awry. Robbins has a track record with nominations like in The Shawshank Redemption. Iain Glen as Peter Nicholas, Juliette's father and a silo doctor, is notable from his roles in Game of Thrones and The Rig. Each actor contributes to the show's allure.

The chemistry among the cast is palpable, drawing viewers in and making them care about the characters. Their performances breathe life into the story, making Silo a visual and emotional treat.

The Plot

In a world where many shows rush through information, Silo stands out with its well-paced plot. The first two episodes focus on Allison Becker, gradually setting the stage for the introduction of Juliette Nichols. Many shows try to cram too much in one season, but Silo takes the time to build a solid foundation. We see Allison's desire for a child and her discovery of the silo leaders' secrets. The residents live underground due to a toxic outside world, and their view is limited to a small camera. A resident's attempt to leave leads to a dangerous fate. Silo's slow-burn plot unfolds like a mystery, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.

The attention to detail in the plot development is remarkable. It shows that the creators understand the importance of a coherent and engaging story. Each twist and turn adds to the intrigue, making Silo a unique viewing experience.

The Set Design

Silo is set in a subterranean city 140 stories below ground. Instead of building an actual silo, the filmmakers created a set on one floor with a bluescreen extension. Cinematographer David Luther explained how they used an iPad to visualize the virtual extension, creating a sense of vertigo and scale. The anamorphic Caldwell lens added a soft look to wide angles and a unique separation between characters and backgrounds. Despite the limited set, the attention to detail in each floor level is astonishing. The top levels seem luxurious, while the lower levels show a deterioration in living conditions. This meticulous set design elevates the show to a whole new level.

The use of visual effects to enhance the silo's dimensions adds to the immersive experience. It makes the audience feel like they are truly in the heart of the underground city.

The Themes

Silo is consistent in its exploration of themes. From the start, we meet Judge Meadows, who seems to hold all the power. But as the season progresses, we learn that she is a puppet. This highlights the theme of control and secrecy. The residents live under strict rules by a mysterious governing authority, and everyone thinks they know the truth, but they are all pawns. The show also delves into the themes of truth and lies. The silo is built on deception, and those who seek the truth face dire consequences. Isolation and freedom are central themes as well. The residents believe they are free but are actually trapped. Their desire for freedom clashes with their fear of the unknown outside. Silo's dark and mysterious themes make it a captivating and addictive watch.

The show's ability to weave these themes together creates a rich and thought-provoking narrative. It keeps viewers engaged and questioning throughout.

I have always been a skeptic of sci-fi shows, but Silo has changed my mind. Its strong female lead, plot twists, and cynical themes make it a show with the potential to become a classic. If you're looking for something new to watch during the winter break, give Silo a chance. You won't be disappointed.

Roku, a leading name in the entertainment industry, has joined forces with Spaceback, a specialist in social CTV ad creative. This strategic partnership aims to offer advertisers a unique opportunity to leverage the power of social platforms and bring their content to the big screen through Roku Ads Manager. The collaboration holds great promise for brands looking to expand their reach and engage with audiences in a new way.

Unlock the Potential of Social CTV with Roku and Spaceback

How the Partnership Works

Roku's partnership with Spaceback allows advertisers to take videos from popular social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Pinterest. These videos are then transformed into premium TV ads that can be showcased on the large screens of Roku devices. This seamless integration of social and TV content opens up new avenues for brands to connect with consumers.

Dan Lapinski, Head of Roku Ads Manager Product Marketing at Roku, emphasizes the ease and significance of this initiative. He states, "This makes it incredibly convenient for brands to access the largest screen in the home. By partnering with Spaceback, we provide a smooth path to high-quality ad creative specifically designed for TV. Advertisers can now focus on crafting compelling stories and engaging with audiences without the hassle of production and cost."

Creative Fees Covered by Roku

Roku has taken a proactive step by covering the creative fees for advertisers who run Spaceback creatives on Roku Ads Manager campaigns through Q1 2025. This financial support enables advertisers to experiment and explore the potential of social CTV advertising without worrying about the upfront costs. It gives them the freedom to test different strategies and see the impact on their campaigns.

Go Fast Campers (GFC), a renowned brand in the camper industry, has already witnessed the benefits of this partnership. Robert Fowler, Director of Sales and Marketing at Go Fast Campers, shares his experience, "Connected TV has been a game-changer for our brand. Our Spaceback creatives on Roku led to a significant increase in visitor engagement. Visitors stayed on our site three times longer compared to other paid media. Spaceback made it incredibly easy to repurpose our social creatives for CTV, and the results were outstanding. CTV delivered exceptional engagement and performance, and it was a seamless process for our team."

The Value of Social CTV Amplified

Casey Saran, CEO and Co-Founder of Spaceback, highlights the importance of this partnership. He says, "Roku amplifies the value of Social CTV, making it accessible to advertisers of all sizes. This partnership eliminates the friction associated with creative production and allows brands to maximize their social content on a new medium – without any additional cost. It's a win-win situation for both brands and advertisers."

The combination of Roku's extensive reach and Spaceback's expertise in social CTV ad creative creates a powerful synergy. Advertisers can now tap into the potential of social media content and bring it to the living rooms of millions of households. This opens up new opportunities for brands to build brand awareness, drive sales, and connect with consumers on a deeper level.

Quentin Tarantino, a renowned figure in the film industry, has expressed his reservations about the effectiveness of TV as a medium compared to film. In a recent appearance on "The Joe Rogan Experience" alongside Roger Avary, he shared his thoughts on this matter.

Unraveling the Battle Between Film and TV's Effectiveness

Quentin Tarantino's Perspective on TV vs. Film

Many of the film industry's top talents are now bringing their skills to television. However, Quentin Tarantino isn't convinced that TV will ever reach the same level of effectiveness as film. During his appearance on the podcast, he noted that while TV has improved significantly, it still feels like television to him. He posed a rhetorical question: What's the difference between television and a good movie? He explained that although many TV shows now have the look and feel of movies, they lack the complete experience that a film provides.For example, Tarantino recounted his recent binge-watching of "Yellowstone." Initially, he was entertained by the show, but he felt that its dramatic structure didn't build towards a climax. It seemed to produce an endless stream of storylines that could go on forever, rather than a cohesive narrative like a film. He said, "I didn't really get around to watching 'Yellowstone' the first three years or so. Then I watch the first season and I'm like 'Wow, this is fucking great!' I've always been a big Kevin Costner fan, he's fucking wonderful in this.' And I get really caught up in the show, I'm having a great time watching. But at the end of the day it's just a soap opera."He continued, "While I'm watching it, I'm compelled. But when it's over… I don't remember any of the details of it. I'll see a good Western movie and I'll remember it the rest of my life. I'll remember the story, I'll remember this scene or that scene. It built to an emotional climax of some degree. There's a payoff to it. But there's not a payoff on this stuff. There's just more interconnectional drama."

The Impact of Cinematic Language on TV

Tarantino also discussed the use of cinematic language in TV shows. He pointed out that while many TV shows are now using cinematic techniques to engage viewers, it doesn't necessarily make them as effective as films. He said, "They're using cinematic language to get you caught up in it, but it's still not the same as a movie. A movie has a beginning, a middle, and an end. It builds to a climax and has a payoff. TV shows often lack that sense of structure and purpose."For instance, he compared the experience of watching shows like "Yellowstone" to watching films. He said that after finishing a film, he remembers the story and specific scenes. But with TV shows, he often forgets the details immediately after watching. This shows that films have a lasting impact that TV shows often lack, regardless of how cinematic they may look.

The Future of TV and Film

The debate between TV and film's effectiveness is likely to continue as both mediums evolve. Tarantino's views highlight the importance of storytelling and structure in creating a memorable viewing experience. While TV has made great strides in recent years, it still has a long way to go to match the impact of a well-crafted film.As the industry continues to develop, it will be interesting to see how TV and film adapt and compete with each other. Will TV shows continue to improve and reach the same level of effectiveness as films? Or will films remain the gold standard for storytelling? Only time will tell.