Shot in the Dark

The premise of shot in the dark is following LA stringers as they attempt to get newsworthy footage of car accidents/police chases/shootings to sell to news agencies. The show follows three different groups of stringers as they respond to these police scanner calls and race against each other to sell the news. The cinematography is really impeccable on this show, with map visuals of locations, first hand from the stringers and from their following cameraman, and even news footage if the story was used. I really enjoyed getting to see this as I've never been exposed to it before. My only fault is that they interactions between the different groups felt very staged. After 8 episodes the show does become very repetitive (car on fire, building on fire, etc.).

Netflix, yet again, has provided the public a look into a profession many never knew existed, a "Stringer". Ask me yesterday what a "stringer" was, and I'd probably tell you that it was something polar opposite from what it actually is. The members of this profession are on site and are determined to document crime, heartbreak and accidents like nothing else matters, often before law enforcement even arrives. Despite the inside fighting of figures as seen on this show, these stringers are on the front lines to provide the media with the coverage every news watcher relies, all around the world. Their footage is captured in a way to give proof, long before well established media teams and even, in many cases, emergency crews arrive. It is raw footage that helps the public realize how susceptible and vulnerable we all are to crime, violence and heartbreak as humans. This has provided a whole new perspective of what could be perceived as an underground network of professions we might have never given heed to without the documentary professionals of Netflix. I finished the series today, the day it was released. It is enticing. I can't wait for the next series. I wish for all members involved to be safe and to continue doing the brave work of which is helping society realize the truth of our surroundings.

Lots of good comments here, expressed better than I could. I enjoy the show, except for one thing. Scott. I get it that TV is more compelling when there's conflict and he fits that bill to a T. Every so often I hurl an epithet at my screen over what he does or says. But tonight did it for me... he claims it's all about family. In this episode he announced that he's having a baby. He was asked how it will affect his life, will he settle down, be a dad, take fewer risks. He said nope. "We have an arrangement. She takes care of everything and I work." When a man chooses work, or anything else, as more important than being a dad he becomes nothing more than just another absent, deadbeat father. No child deserves that, and no wife should be treated that way.

I have to say this is one great documentary and 8 episodes is just too few. I'm not one who will easily give a show a 9 on IMDb but this one gets it. The storytelling, the editing, multi angle shots, the map of LA are of really high quality. This together with the enthusiastic stringers makes up for a very engaging documentary. It being on Netflix makes it a great show for binge watching.

An interesting film. Definitely worth the watch

From a foreigner point of view at least

Howard - 'bloke' from england trying to make living but getting crushed by growing competition amongs the other two stringers

Zak - the guy that at least exist in this world. the one that going to make your blood boiled

Scott - the one guy that knows what to do and willing to go on extra measures to get the job done

Well execute cinematography and music Overall good documentary