Dark Oracle
Encyclopedia
Dark Oracle is a Canadian
produced TV series that premiered in 2004 on the popular Canadian channel YTV. It was created by Jana Sinyor
(former writer for Degrassi: the Next Generation
and creator of Being Erica), and co-developed by Heather Conkie
. In 2005, Dark Oracle won the International Emmy for Best Children's and youth program.
that gave them clues about the future of their lives. As they were suddenly thrust into a comic book world of danger, fear and uncertainty, the twins learn that Dark Oracle has a hidden agenda that threatens their very existence. In a unique blend of live action and comic book style animation
, the two confront their alter egos, Violet and Blaze, who possess the uncanny ability to manipulate their future. With events in the comic book world influencing ones in their own world, Cally and Lance struggle to stay one step ahead of their dark counterparts, or face a very unpleasant fate. The stakes become higher still, with Violet and Blaze trying to escape into the real world to wreak further havoc.
Dark Oracle starred Paula Brancati
and Alex House
as Cally and Lance Stone
, along with Jonathan Malen as Dizzy, Lance and Cally's long-time friend and Danielle Miller as Sage, employee at Gamerz Cave and Lance's girlfriend.
"One of the things that drew us to Dark Oracle, is that it applies a strong high concept, of a comic book coming to life, to the lives of ordinary high school
kids. Visually it's going to look amazing, and it's a terrific arena for great dramatic stories as Lance and Cally have to figure out how to deal with the predictions of the comic," explained Suzanne French, producer at Shaftesbury Films
.
Dark Oracle' s second season took a different turn from the first season, with the comic book characters intervening directly with the main cast. Dizzy and Sage learn about the comic and have their own experiences with it.
Lance Stone - Alex House
Lance, Cally's twin brother, prefers video games and comics to real people. Unlike his sister, he is very shy and tends to keep to himself. When he finds himself drawn into the comic world and meets Sage, this self-proclaimed oddball starts to come out of his shell.
Cally Stone - Paula Brancati
Cally Stone
, twin sister of Lance, pretty and prides herself on being level-headed. She’s also the last person who would believe in a comic book that could warp you into new worlds. When she finds herself surrounded by the supernatural, she’s faced with believing that anything can happen.
Doyle - Mark Ellis
Doyle is the owner of Gamers Cave Comic Book Store. He spends a great deal of time in the back of his store, which also doubles as a meeting place for the secretive club of Necromancers. Lance and Cally have a suspicion that he is somehow connected to the strange comic book.
Omen - Kristopher Turner
Omen was turned into a frog by Doyle so he could keep his magic under control. In episode one of the series, Omen sees Lance and overhears his comment on "how you can learn a lot from a comic." Omen then uses the remainder of his magic to transform a previous comic into Dark Oracle.
When Lance Stone was invited to Doyle's gaming group, Omen escapes from his cage, hiding in Cally Stone's backpack. Omen is unknowingly taken to the Stone house hold. Cally names him Nemo, getting the name from the comic. He does not regain his human form until Lance gives Nemo a kiss (taken from the story of the frog prince) and Omen's curse is lifted.
Cally later meets Omen at school, asking to borrow a pencil, and is instantly smitten. The two befriend one another and work together on a school project. This was all part of Omen's plan to take Cally Hostage and lure Doyle into the school. Omen is thwarted once Lance kisses him on the cheek, thus turning him into a frog.
Omen returns in the last episode, when Cally and Lance lift his curse once more, in order to get rid of Violet and Blaze. He makes an attempt, but fails. He tries to get revenge on Doyle once more at a Masquerade ball, but is confronted by the Stone siblings. They chase him throughout the ball until Omen is alone in a room with nothing but a mirror. He hears the voices of Blaze and Violet and is pulled into the mirror. At the end of the season finale, Violet and Blaze sneer at Omen saying, "Welcome back, Omen".
But Omen makes another appearance in the premiere of season 2. He is being chased by Violet and Blaze in the Comic book. They ask him how he entered the other world, proving that Omen himself may have come from the comic. Eventually, Omen makes a deal with Violet and Blaze. Vern summons Omen and releases him from the binds of the Comic Book. When Vern plays a trick on Lance, Omen uses a spell to switch Lance and Blaze into the real world. Omen then decides to help Cally. However, Blaze reveals that Omen made a deal with him, and Cally leaves Omen.
After a plan to rescue Lance fails, Omen reveals his true feelings to Cally. Doyle, Vern and Omen work on a Power of Three spell to summon and kill the Puppet Master (the opposite of Doyle). Once Lance is freed, the Puppet Master attempts to use an erasure spell on Cally. Omen sacrifices his own life for Cally and disappears. Whether he returns to the comic or dies is unknown.
Annie - Barbara Mamabolo
Annie is Cally's best friend. She and Cally fight very often since the appearance of the comic. When they fight, Annie hangs out with Kathleen until they make up again. Annie will support Cally in almost everything. She has yet to learn about the comic book.
Emmett - Nathan Stephenson
Emmett starts liking Cally, But because of the comic (and Omen) their relationship ends.
released the complete series on DVD in Region 1 on August 17, 2010.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
produced TV series that premiered in 2004 on the popular Canadian channel YTV. It was created by Jana Sinyor
Jana Sinyor
Jana Sinyor is a Canadian television writer and producer. She is best known as the creator of the television comedy-drama series, Being Erica and Dark Oracle....
(former writer for Degrassi: the Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
and creator of Being Erica), and co-developed by Heather Conkie
Heather Conkie
Heather Conkie is an actress who was featured in multiple children's shows in the 1980s on TVOntario. She was the host of Report Canada. She also played two characters in a music-education show called It's Mainly Music...
. In 2005, Dark Oracle won the International Emmy for Best Children's and youth program.
Overview
Dark Oracle follows the adventures of 15-year-old twins Cally and Lance Stone who discovered a comic bookComic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
that gave them clues about the future of their lives. As they were suddenly thrust into a comic book world of danger, fear and uncertainty, the twins learn that Dark Oracle has a hidden agenda that threatens their very existence. In a unique blend of live action and comic book style animation
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
, the two confront their alter egos, Violet and Blaze, who possess the uncanny ability to manipulate their future. With events in the comic book world influencing ones in their own world, Cally and Lance struggle to stay one step ahead of their dark counterparts, or face a very unpleasant fate. The stakes become higher still, with Violet and Blaze trying to escape into the real world to wreak further havoc.
Dark Oracle starred Paula Brancati
Paula Brancati
Paula Brancati is a Canadian actress who performs in live theatre, television, and film. She is most notable for her roles as Jenny Zalen on Being Erica, Cally Stone on Dark Oracle and Jane Vaughn on Degrassi: The Next Generation.Brancati was born in Markham, Ontario, Canada. She is a fan of Al...
and Alex House
Alex House
Alex House is a Canadian actor.House started his career as a child actor. Among his many credits include the role of Lance Stone on Dark Oracle for YTV....
as Cally and Lance Stone
Lance Stone
Lance Stone is a main character in the television series Dark Oracle. He is portrayed by Alex House.He also has a fraternal twin sister Cally Stone in which he is the older twin out of the two .The two of them believe their lives are being controlled by a comic book, "Dark...
, along with Jonathan Malen as Dizzy, Lance and Cally's long-time friend and Danielle Miller as Sage, employee at Gamerz Cave and Lance's girlfriend.
"One of the things that drew us to Dark Oracle, is that it applies a strong high concept, of a comic book coming to life, to the lives of ordinary high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
kids. Visually it's going to look amazing, and it's a terrific arena for great dramatic stories as Lance and Cally have to figure out how to deal with the predictions of the comic," explained Suzanne French, producer at Shaftesbury Films
Shaftesbury Films
Shaftesbury Films is a Canadian film and television production company founded by Christina Jennings and is based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1987, Shaftesbury is a leading creator and producer of original content for television and multiple platforms, with programming available in more than...
.
Dark Oracle
Lance Stone - Alex HouseAlex HouseAlex House is a Canadian actor.House started his career as a child actor. Among his many credits include the role of Lance Stone on Dark Oracle for YTV....
Lance, Cally's twin brother, prefers video games and comics to real people. Unlike his sister, he is very shy and tends to keep to himself. When he finds himself drawn into the comic world and meets Sage, this self-proclaimed oddball starts to come out of his shell.Cally Stone - Paula BrancatiPaula BrancatiPaula Brancati is a Canadian actress who performs in live theatre, television, and film. She is most notable for her roles as Jenny Zalen on Being Erica, Cally Stone on Dark Oracle and Jane Vaughn on Degrassi: The Next Generation.Brancati was born in Markham, Ontario, Canada. She is a fan of Al...
Cally StoneCally Stone
Cally Stone is a main character in the television series Dark Oracle. She is portrayed by Paula Brancati . She has a fraternal twin brother Lance Stone in which she is the younger twin out of the two . The two of them believe their lives are being controlled by a comic book, "Dark...
, twin sister of Lance, pretty and prides herself on being level-headed. She’s also the last person who would believe in a comic book that could warp you into new worlds. When she finds herself surrounded by the supernatural, she’s faced with believing that anything can happen.
Dizzy - Jonathan Malen
Dizzy is Lance's best friend, and like Lance he shares a passion for gaming and comics. It’s no question that high school poses challenges for Dizzy, especially with his crush on Cally. But with a little time he is able to shake his geek persona and become not-quite-cool…..but almost. After a while Lance and Cally decide to tell him about the comic book.Sage - Danielle Miller
Sage works at Gamers Cave Comic Book Store and becomes Lance's girlfriend. She doesn't notice the supernatural events around her, although at one point she and Dizzy are told by Lance and Cally all about the comic book. She and Lance break up in many episodes due to the comic's influence. Vern has often tried to get her from Lance, but never succeeds.Doyle - Mark EllisMark Ellis (actor)Mark Ellis is a Canadian actor and screenwriter. He is the co-creator and co-executive producer of the television series Flashpoint which airs on CTV, ION Television and networks around the world. The series garnered a record-breaking 19 nominations in 2009. Ellis received a writing nomination for...
Doyle is the owner of Gamers Cave Comic Book Store. He spends a great deal of time in the back of his store, which also doubles as a meeting place for the secretive club of Necromancers. Lance and Cally have a suspicion that he is somehow connected to the strange comic book. Omen - Kristopher TurnerKristopher TurnerKristopher Turner is a Canadian actor. Most noted for his role as Jamie Andrews on the CTV teen drama Instant Star.-Early life:...
Omen was turned into a frog by Doyle so he could keep his magic under control. In episode one of the series, Omen sees Lance and overhears his comment on "how you can learn a lot from a comic." Omen then uses the remainder of his magic to transform a previous comic into Dark Oracle.When Lance Stone was invited to Doyle's gaming group, Omen escapes from his cage, hiding in Cally Stone's backpack. Omen is unknowingly taken to the Stone house hold. Cally names him Nemo, getting the name from the comic. He does not regain his human form until Lance gives Nemo a kiss (taken from the story of the frog prince) and Omen's curse is lifted.
Cally later meets Omen at school, asking to borrow a pencil, and is instantly smitten. The two befriend one another and work together on a school project. This was all part of Omen's plan to take Cally Hostage and lure Doyle into the school. Omen is thwarted once Lance kisses him on the cheek, thus turning him into a frog.
Omen returns in the last episode, when Cally and Lance lift his curse once more, in order to get rid of Violet and Blaze. He makes an attempt, but fails. He tries to get revenge on Doyle once more at a Masquerade ball, but is confronted by the Stone siblings. They chase him throughout the ball until Omen is alone in a room with nothing but a mirror. He hears the voices of Blaze and Violet and is pulled into the mirror. At the end of the season finale, Violet and Blaze sneer at Omen saying, "Welcome back, Omen".
But Omen makes another appearance in the premiere of season 2. He is being chased by Violet and Blaze in the Comic book. They ask him how he entered the other world, proving that Omen himself may have come from the comic. Eventually, Omen makes a deal with Violet and Blaze. Vern summons Omen and releases him from the binds of the Comic Book. When Vern plays a trick on Lance, Omen uses a spell to switch Lance and Blaze into the real world. Omen then decides to help Cally. However, Blaze reveals that Omen made a deal with him, and Cally leaves Omen.
After a plan to rescue Lance fails, Omen reveals his true feelings to Cally. Doyle, Vern and Omen work on a Power of Three spell to summon and kill the Puppet Master (the opposite of Doyle). Once Lance is freed, the Puppet Master attempts to use an erasure spell on Cally. Omen sacrifices his own life for Cally and disappears. Whether he returns to the comic or dies is unknown.
Annie - Barbara MamaboloBarbara MamaboloBarbara Mamabolo is a Canadian actress. Since 1998, she has amassed an extensive list of theatre and television credits. She was born in Toronto, Ontario....
Annie is Cally's best friend. She and Cally fight very often since the appearance of the comic. When they fight, Annie hangs out with Kathleen until they make up again. Annie will support Cally in almost everything. She has yet to learn about the comic book.Vern - David Rendall
Vern is a fellow goth classmate of Lance and Cally. He is neither a friend, nor a true enemy. He always hangs around Simone who might have feelings for him and tries to learn of the powers Omen and Doyle possess. Sometimes he causes trouble for the twins and other times he comes to their aid. Vern saved Lance's life when he was pushed into the mirror by Vern who meant it to be a harmless prank. The outcome was Lance's evil alter-ego taking over Lance's body, but Vern helped Cally and her friends dispel him from Lance's body.Emmett - Nathan StephensonNathan StephensonNathan Stephenson is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his starring roles in Radio Free Roscoe as Robbie and in System Crash as James . He has also guest starred on Naturally, Sadie, Dark Oracle and in the TV film Cyber Seduction: His Secret Life. As of 2008 he has a recurring role in...
Emmett starts liking Cally, But because of the comic (and Omen) their relationship ends.DVD release
Mill Creek EntertainmentMill Creek Entertainment
Mill Creek Entertainment is a home entertainment company that manufactures movie and television DVD compilation box sets at "value" prices. Nashville's Amity Entertainment is an affiliate to Mill Creek...
released the complete series on DVD in Region 1 on August 17, 2010.
External links
- Dark Oracle at Cookie Jar Entertainment
- http://www.tv.com/dark-oracle/show/29329/summary.html, TV.com listing for Dark Oracle
- http://stream1.corusent.com/tv/ytv/dark_oracle/dark_oracle_320x240.wmv, Dark Oracle clip
- http://www.ytv.com/programming/shows/dark_oracle/index.asp?showID=300 Official YTV Information on Show