Capitol Barbie

Capitol Barbie is an admirable debut episode from director Riley Del Rey. The pilot is full of conviction and a fiery vigor that shows it isn't here to mess around or not convey a meaningful message. Don't get me wrong - there is plenty of fun to be had. That much is evident by the chemistry that the actors have and demonstrates that this is a project they believe in.

Elese Jones is fantastic and plays the lead, Dolly, with a tenacious spirit who never loses our attention onscreen. Other notable actors include Ivan Hernandez who portrays an interesting depth to his character, David's, transphobia, and Riley Del Rey herself who plays a meta, deus ex machina character that provides a reflective lens to supplement the events of this series and its inspiration.

The cinematography is very interesting between the world of the interns and the sanitized facade of Capitol Hill. The shots and the edit are also pretty slick, and never lets our eyes get complacent with a certain stylistic choice or visual aesthetic. Check it out!

Hats off to the Director, the Cinematographer, the Lead Actress, and the rest of the crew and cast!

This true story is shot with an intense passion that can be seen through the colorful tone and character development of the lead actress! I was left both captivated and sorrowful for the lead. When you sit back and watch the world we live in, you tend to ask yourself every now and again, "Can we be anymore spiteful, evil, towards one another?" The answer is a surprising but expected... yes. I watched until the end, and was left simply yearning to know more of what was going to transpire and if Dolly will ever find the strength, courage and will, to stand back up and face her oppressor's?

Great pilot for a story that needs to be heard! This story sheds light on an experience that happens to people all over the world. An injustice has happened and needs to be talked about it and Riley does a great job at showing the world her story!

Capital Barbie made me laugh, cry and as always question the government and it's decisions. It was beautiful shot with stunning costumes and gorgeous sets that really throw you into the world of Capitol Hill. I cannot wait to see the continued series. Thank you for sharing your story Riley.

Capitol Barbie is a story that has yet to be told, which is really saying something Hollywood remakes, reboots, sequels and prequels literally everything. I love that the voice I'm hearing is a unique one. Obviously, right away you get a sense of Dolly and her big dreams, despite things that are working against her. You want to root for her. Not only that, it makes you wonder how many "Dollys" there are in business, politics, etc. It will really open your eyes to the discrimination and small minds of people who lead this country.

Another notable plus- the music choices are both authentic to New Mexican culture and millennial taste. Loved that!

Of course, with self-produced work, there can be some technical challenges that you might notice in comparison to big-budget projects. There were some sound bites that I felt could be blended better, and took me out of the scene. It's full of interesting visual shots, but would've preferred that tightened up to get more of the story. In a pilot, every second should inform us of something we don't know.