Shot in the Dark (2017) User Reviews

Are they Journalists? Or bad people?

[RJBrez · 7/10 · 1 December 2017]

Shot in the dark (Netlix Documentary series) is a show I felt disgusting watching, but couldn't stop myself from finishing. It centers on three competing "stringers" who race around L.A. trying to video the most newsworthy events from that night. From shootings to accidents to a bear on the loose, LA has it all. It's also just cinematically beautiful at night. So the show has a lot going on to keep you at the edge of your seat. Problem is, two of the three main characters (Zak and Scott) you just want to punch in the face the entire time.

Scott is a boisterous, pompous, jerk. He is rude to everyone. He hates everyone, he goes out of his way to anger his competition, "packaging" stories to undercut them. He goes out of his way to argue with actual emergency personnel who are trying to save lives. Constantly arguing about where he can stand for his shots, putting his camera in the face of victims without a care in the world. Hoping for misery and death to others so he can profit. I despised watching him. Maybe that is what makes good TV.

As for Zak, my god. His ego is out of control. He enjoys the fact that his bigger company is putting others out of business. At times in his warped mind he actually believes he is a cop or a firefighter. During one scene he says"I am going to shut down the highway" for a coworker. Dude you are a cameraman. You have no authority over anyone. Get over yourself you moron. He talks over his radio just to talk and feel important. He uses law enforcement terms like he is a cop. He hands out his business card to every cop and firefighter he sees, trying to talk shop like he is one of them. You want to punch him in the face because he is so fake.

Howard is the only man who seems like a genuinely good guy. He and his brothers are just trying to make a living. But this is where you are conflicted as a viewer. He is a nice man, but he is profiting on misery. Where in the line as a human being? Is there an obligation to be a good person or stand back and just record someone who has been shot or hit by a car, etc?

No matter how you feel about this "profession" this a very good show. Give it a try.

One great documentary

[mybeomaster · 9/10 · 5 December 2017]

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.

Good show, Bad People

[barbtiller · 7/10 · 26 June 2018]

The show covers 3 guys and their companies tooling around LA looking for problems - either before the cops and fire departments get there or just thereafter. While it's interesting, and the guys are correct that violence, death and blood sell - (hell that's partly why this documentary is interesting, isn't it?) parts of the way they handle things really scare me for society. The biggest example is Austin, the man who saves a life in one of the first episodes. I commend him for going and jumping into the traffic and pulling the man out of the car. But why on earth didn't he call 911 to report it? He KNEW and even says that what is going on is a bad thing. I'm not sure if he did call 911, the camera crew didn't say he did, but I think they would have included it if he did. Not only was the whole situation dangerous for the driver of the vehicle, it was dangerous for every other person on that road. Knowing that, and having had the experience with it that he talks about before it even happens, he should have done something to prevent the accidents in the first place - at least picking up the phone.

Zack, or however you spell his name, is a total jerk. I hope he reads this, and if you are Zack, fu. He literally tells the camera "to me -- telling the story is far more important than anything you could do with a gun and a badge." Seriously? Get off your high horse dude. You are more pathetic than paparazzi. The reason I had to come write this review was because of that line. You could tell he was a jerk before that but it is cemented - he's an AH to the extreme, and I hope all these LA cops see him say that because it's clear that's how he really feels.

Howard/Scott.. they are just looking to make a buck. Like I said, worse than paparazzi. I'm not blaming any of them for doing what they do - if they didn't, someone else would because there is obviously money to be made in all of this, but they could at least have a little more heart and compassion.

A fantastic reality/documentary series

[evan_shay-1 · 10/10 · 23 November 2017]

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.

disgusting

[stevenl-5 · 12 September 2019]

Disgusting. There is one scene, a black suv stalls on the freeway, lights still on. All of a sudden, the suv goes completely dark. You know someone is going to smash. One of the cameramen is sitting on the side of the road waiting for the crash. He could have used a flashlight or camera light to illuminate the darkened vehicle. Instead, he just sits there and waits for the crash, which happens. .

Unique and interesting

[Calicodreamin · 8/10 · 30 July 2019]

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.).

And another thing.......

[larryallred · 9/10 · 15 May 2021]

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.

Another Fantastic Netflix Documentary - Gripping To The Last Second

[neener3707 · 9/10 · 15 January 2018]

If Netflix has done anything right, it would be their original documentaries, and this is another fantastic docu-series, about 3 groups of men who work as "stringers", people who film accidents, shootings, and other news worthy stories to be used in the local news. They roam the streets of often dangerous neighborhoods searching for that next big story. These 3 compete for the spotlight of local news, a competition that grabs your attention and never lets go. The job affects and changes each of the subject differently, some much more severely than others.

Not only do we get to see amazing footage of fires and car crashes, but we get to hear the inner workings of the men who film it. Some question the ethical implications of filming death and destruction, some see it as a mechanical and precise job that puts food on the table, and some just done give a f***. The men also each have their own way of approaching the job, and how those ways clash and work against each other is fascinating, so fascinating that you won't be able to stop watching this program, you will binge it.

Only problem is there are only 8 episode and you will find yourself utterly yearning for more, but thankfully the final scene sets things up for a sequel, so we might be getting more.

Highly recommended to viewers of all kinds

Too much of the same.

[mxsuba26 · 6/10 · 28 January 2018]

It is interesting to see this media subculture that provides film to the networks. The real Nightcrawlers or the modern day WeeGees but with video cameras. But the whole series could be condensed down to about an hour. Every episode has far too many shots of the main three characters (all real I presume) driving fast in LA. Same three cars flying around the city shown too many times in each episode. All filler instead of showing them at different places working. Also too much of the same scenes - the guys get to a car accident or shooting, run with your tripod and camera, get yelled at by the police, edit and upload your video and send it to some local news station. Over and over and over again. The three characters are somewhat interesting except the Englishman is a serious complainer. Whines about something every episode. Enough of that. Not bad, but way to long.

Loved it!

[lyndalu-45740 · 9/10 · 23 November 2017]

It's about video journalists that race to emergencies to be the first to get the footage and sell it to TV stations. Very interesting with lots of intense footage. I never knew these guys existed, guess I always assumed it was the TV stations getting the footage.

I hope they add more episodes soon, I'm addicted to this show.

Not a bad show, not great either.

[garnet-suss · 6/10 · 18 July 2021]

It's a decent watch. Not terribly interesting ofr engaging though. Good ahow to have on in the background.

Zak, the giy that runs On Scene is a super annoying nerd with a superiority complex. He seems like the type that flunked out of the police academy but wants to be a cop sooo bad. He sucks uo to first responders in a pretty pathetic way. And he runs down the competition wjrn talking to the first responders. Can't stand that guy. All the other "stringers" are alright though.

A very high-end documentary series about a morally dubious profession.

[kitellis-98121 · 10/10 · 9 July 2018]

This is an exceptional fly-on-the wall documentary series. Extremely fast-paced and exciting, beautifully crafted with a perfect mix of stylish, smooth camera work intercut with frenetic handheld shots of close-up action, skilfully edited, compelling edge-of-your-seat storytelling, and neat graphical maps to help orient the viewer.

All in all this is a very high-end production, and one of the best of its type that I've seen.

I love shows like this, usually following cops, firefighters, paramedics etc, all of whom are life-savers and heroes, but this is the first show I've seen that follows journalists as they race to the action, and I was initially sceptical.

I generally consider stringers (freelance video journalists who chase ambulances in the hope of catching a sellable moment of human tragedy) as the lowest of the low - worse even than paparazzi - but within 10 minutes I had overcome my natural aversion to these guys, and got caught up in the action. By the end of episode one I was hooked.

When the journalist becomes part of the story, setting his camera down to save the life of a crash victim, that makes great viewing and puts a whole new twist on things. That incident gave me newfound (though possibly short-lived) respect for the stringers as worthwhile human beings. Although I am well aware of how lucky the guy was to get such a great story, he risked his life without thought or hesitation to save another. It was a lucky break for the series too, as it shut down my instinctive dislike for the central characters and instantly addicted me to the show.

I hope it continues to maintain such high standards throughout this and future seasons.

Unexpectedly Solid Documentary

[cksmith51 · 7/10 · 23 November 2017]

Shot in the Dark is an intriguing look into the work life of stringers, late night freelance cameramen. As a Netflix series, this 8-episode inside-look is well produced and a lot more engaging than one would expect. Between unexpected danger and impressive response time, Shot in the Dark provides you with a close up experience of some of the more intense things that happen after dark.

Zak is a whimp!

[awmit · 1/10 · 23 March 2022]

I was being nice on my title. Zak or Zac really thinks he is an emergency personal except if he was to actually have to step in. He may want to be a policeman, firefighter, ect...he does not have the nerve or the balls..frankly. He is a narcissistic asshole! All he can say is that he is younger and he he extended the company..that someone else foundedby the way. He did extend the company by brown nosing and hiring other people to do what he is scared of but takes credit for. That's why he isn't a cop...he could never be one! Ever! This is of course my opinion.

Zac- World class POS DB

[gllanivich · 10/10 · 18 August 2018]

Great show. I love Scott's drive and passion. No doubt it's all about looking out for #1 and Family. You're badass! Much respect. Would love to shoot a round and have a few Tecate's with him! A lot to be said about someone who is honest and hustles. It's not reckless, that's passion! Rock that camera, bro!

Red- God bless him and his family. Respect for you and your brothers. Hearts of gold. Struggling as much as the next small business. It's like mom and pop shops vs. Wal*Mart. Damn Wal*Mart to hell! I wish your brother could have pulled through after his blessed act of heroism. A lot of respect for the BS you push through. Drive and passion makes it tough when it's upcurrent and nothing but hills to climb. Wish yall the best.

Zac? Eff you.... kiss ass... everything you do is how Scott defines you. Watch the little things... moving the fireman's line for him when he didn't ask or need it. Pulling up to the meeting and looping the parking lot with your lights off just as a cop would. All your cop lingo in your calls to base. "Oh did I give you my card?" "Yeah, we met, I have it (I don't want another f'ing card)"...Reeks of wannabe poser wanting to suck off authority. I respect respect. You take it so far it works against you. The people you do that to actually respect you less for it. I seriously cringe and wanna puke. You always apologize to cops and fire for the actions of the other stringers.. "we're the good guys" you say. You double talk. You talk garbage about Scott and when he confronts you, it's denial and lies. That's no integrity. You should admit to what you say and even defend why, weather right or wrong, and you would be more respected for it..... your analogies negate one another depending on the call. You're a faux candy ass. I'm suddenly feeling sorry for you. I'm somewhat feeling bad for writing this; realization hitting me you probably were picked on or some traumatic family incident when you were young. Damn, dude.... sorry about whatever happened to you. I know you really do mean well. Yeah- I'm almost sorry I wrote this. It's all true, but now I feel bad.

great film interesting topic

[ghifariakbar-11427 · 8/10 · 30 May 2019]

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

Exciting

[emailjeffyoung · 10/10 · 20 June 2018]

The first thing that captured me was the way this show is shot. The camera angles, the color, the way it is edited all gives it a really captivating texture. Not to mention it makes Los Angeles look incredible at night. It's exciting to see how these guys work, and how they handle each situation. The dedication these guys have to their craft is obvious, and the race to each story is impressive. I really enjoyed this show, it feels so real, you feel these guys emotions. Season 2? Please?

The real Nightcrawler

[ersbel · 6 April 2018]

I have liked Nightcrawler. I like it better than Shot in the Dark. After all it is a finished script and this is reality TV. Yet I strongly disliked the preaching writer voice and the cheap moralistic take. And here that aspect is missing. I am aware that the temptation is strong so that makes this series quite valuable. Another strong point is that the production team was able to make every team have a personality and not treat them all as one faceless group. The downside is the perceived repetition. I know the cases were hand picked to avoid having two of the same, yet by the 5th or 6th episode I was feeling I am watching the old pieces. By the 8th episode the dullness was toned down by the conflict between the teams. So overall, it was a good TV experience.

Great show!

[pilot-05238 · 10/10 · 11 January 2018]

I just can't get enough of this show. I started watching it one day and finished the whole season that day. I really hope they make more.

Some are good guys (Howard and Zak) Scott? Worst thing about the show.

[vshukri-83740 · 6/10 · 10 September 2019]

To be honest, this is less of a review and more of a venting session after seeing some other reviews. So if that bothers you, please don't proceed.

I loved Howard (although at times I really wanted him to find his balls and stop blaming everyone else, when the real issue is his twin let him down by refusing to come back to work.) Before everyone goes nuts on me, I feel for what his brother did. It was no-doubt very heroic. However by taking an extended break and then eventually quitting, he DID make things harder on his brother.

I know some people have an issue with Zak, but TBH I'm not sure why. People call him a "kiss a**" but I call it having respect for other people, including firefighters and law officers. Not everyone needs to be a "gangsta" and talk crap to cops, firefighters, and EMT's. It doesn't make you a horrible person to have ever wanted to join the military or become a law official. Which brings me to my next point. Someone else mentioned in a review that Zak was pretending to be a law official by saying things like "I'm gonna shut the highway down." 1) He has that light for a reason. Chances are he's a volunteer of some kind (whether it be EMT/Firefighter/ Highway etc) 2) Even if he wasn't. He's STILL doing it for his crew (and other peoples) safety. Lord almighty, I can't believe people have an issue with that. 3) How Zak runs his business shouldn't be bothering anyone. If he wants to hire ten-thousand guys and pay them ten cents a night (as long as they agree) that's his prerogative. Need I remind people how AMAZON became so big? For anyone who is business savoy, it was by literally doing what Zak is right now. At least he's polite and isn't a crybaby like the other two.

Scott. Biggest hypocrite ever. I hope to God his future kid isn't half as much as a dumb as he is. He's why kids should stay in school. 1) Packaging seems smart. But, in reality you're doing everyone in the industry a disservice by packaging NINE stories for one. That said, that's also his prerogative. He can run his business the way he wants. Same as Zak. What I have an issue with is the level of hypocrisy and saying things like. "He's 135lbs. He won't get lippy with me." Dude whatever. I know scrappy/skinny people who would wipe the floor with your fatbutt. I also find it hysterical (not really) that he will cut people off to be the first on the scene and make a BIGGGG production about how HE was first on the scene and demand a cookie. But whenever someone ELSE happens to be first he'll say things like, "It doesn't matter who's first. It matter who gets the better shot." *rolls eyes* Funny how that works. Or how when some guy told him he missed the shot, he called the station and gave them his footage for FREE just to tick that guy off. However when ZAK called the station and the helicopters came and got the story he made a big cry baby deal about how it was ruined because of Zak. Waahhh. Wahhh. Wahhh. And yes, when you're a jerk to law officials/firefighters etc. It makes your WHOLE industry look bad. You think these officials have time to stand there and think, "Wonder what company he works for?" Yeah...No. What company you work for doesn't even cross their minds. You're all lumped together. They think, "Another stringer with a bad attitude and no respect for the victims or law enforcement." Anyone who owns a successful business will tell you that you get more flies with honey than vinegar. Personally, I can't STAND hypocrites or "wannabe" gangsters who act like they're hot sh** and all hard. Please boy. Sit down and have several seats with your old butt. You wouldn't survive in the real street. Heck, HOWARD would do better there than you would. Also, Victor. That man was was playing you. He was acting like he was loyal to your face but was clearly meeting Zak a few times behind your back looking to join his team on the downlow. So the real person you should be mad at is him. Zak didn't really seem like he was chomping at the bit to have Victor on his team during their last meeting. But Victor clearly was. Otherwise, why even entertain a meeting multiple times and ask what Zak could offer him? (hint: money.)

P.S: Speaking of Howard, I definitely lost respect for him by the end. Zak offered him part of the business and said they could talk about incorporating his logo possibly. Not to mention the way Scott acted during that "meeting." He got mad because Zak told someone he was disrespectful? Guess what? The guy IS. You can't claim to be gangsta and not give a crap one second and then be a crybaby the next. There is literally no getting through to stubborn people like him who have to prove their masculinity by threatening to "murder" guys like Zak who are respectful and are trying to run a business.

If Scott is part of the second season and Howard joins his team, I'm def NOT watching. Not so those two can just whine and cry about Zak for an entire season.

Gritty and Visual depiction of reality from unique perspective

[muleen · 9/10 · 30 March 2018]

Loved it! Mainly for how completely different it is from anything I've seen. We watch the news with such detachment, from this perspective you realize what drives (literally and figuratively) demand and interest. At first I thought it was a story acting like a documentary then realized these characters are REAL. Wow, what a great depiction of 'stringer' life - I never even heard of! Exciting and different, poignant, and eye opening. I want to see more - I am hooked.

Amazing New Netflix Docu-Series!!! Really recommend it.

[andres_balbuena · 10/10 · 2 December 2017]

This one of the best docu-series for Netflix, it is up there with Making a Murderer and Chef's Table. I really recommend it. It is very well shot, very well executed, perfect editing, and really addicting binge-worthy show. It is like its own competition show sometimes too. I hope it gets renewed for a lot of seasons to come.

Did he REALLY compare what he does to firefighters savings lives and structures??

[lhmosca · 2/10 · 9 March 2021]

Yes. Yes, he did. He said his job is LITERALLY THE SAME THING. Sorry, but what? You're LITERALLY no better than the paparazzi, endangering others lives (erratic, dangerous driving) to get a story. And then...........he gets PISSED when there's not actually anyone that has fallen IN the ocean after a brawl. I mean...really?

Good show but...

[brett-76260 · 8/10 · 26 May 2022]

Overall this is a pretty compelling series. It reaches out and grabs you from the get go. It is a new type of show that hasn't been done before. The only thing that really is a negative is zak. Holy crap this guy is so full of himself it's sickening. It's me me me and how much better I am than everyone else. He comes across as a complete cocky sob that thinks he is the most important person reporting the news. Makes you just want to smack some sense and reality into him. Good for you Zak your a legend in your own mind. Don't get me wrong the show is worth watching but zak??? Yeah buddy you're not that important...

Austin Raishbrook is no hero

[maggielawsoninnz · 2/10 · 26 November 2020]

Regardless of the quality production of this show it doesn't deserve the high rating people are giving it. This series reveals the depths people will go to in order to make a buck. Not only are the people who are featured in the show profiting off of the suffering of others, so is the company that made the show. What's more, in some cases, they're actually complicit in causing that suffering. The very first episode features one nightcrawler, Austin Raishbrook, filming a stalled vehicle on a motorway. It's night time, the vehicle is black and loses all its lights. He knows what's coming and does nothing but continue filming. One passing vehicle clips the stalled vehicle and still he films. Then a vehicle slams into the back of the stalled vehicle causing it to burst into flames. That, in my opinion, is absolutely disgusting. Many reviewers say the UK born Austin Raishbrook isn't as bad as the other nightcrawlers on the show - I don't share that opinion. The occupant of that car nearly died because of him. What makes it worse is that in other episodes he continues to promote his own hero status - openly talking with his brother how he saved the man's life. Yes, it's true he pulled the guy from a burning car but he was complicit in that accident happening and willfully put others at risk for money. How would he want people to act if it had been his child in that car? I'm sure others out there will love the thrill and drama but I'm not one of them. I have no desire to watch people who are willing to overlook human safety & well-being in order to make money.