Her Story is a 2016 drama web series produced exclusively for Internet distribution. The set of six 9-minute episodes tells the story of two transgender women, played by Jen Richards and Angelica Ross, living in Los Angeles and their struggles in dating and in their professional lives.
Characters +CharacterPortrayed byDescriptionNo. of AppearancesVioletJen RichardsA transgender woman working as a bartender in Los Angeles.6AllieLaura ZakA queer reporter in L.A. and love interest of Violet.6PaigeAngelica RossA transgender woman and attorney at Lambda Legal who represents trans women who have experienced discrimination. Violet's Narcotics Anonymous sponsor.5JamesChristian OchoaA straight, cisgender man and love interest of Paige.4LisaCaroline Whitney SmithA trans-exclusionary radical feminist friend of Allie's.4MarkJosh WingateViolet's abusive boyfriend.4KatFawzia MirzaA lesbian friend of Allie's.5
Episodes +Episode No.DescriptionOriginal Release DateViews (YouTube)1Magazine reporter Allie approaches Violet in hopes of interviewing her for an article on trans people in the community. Attorney Paige works to help a trans woman who was not allowed entrance into a women's homeless shelter.Jan. 18, 2016655,0002While at lunch for their interview, Allie and Violet begin to flirt. Allie finds that her friend Lisa does not accept trans women as women. Paige and Violet discuss how much of themselves they can reveal to others.Jan. 18, 2016280,0003While Allie and Violet get to know each other better on a night out, Paige goes on a date with James that goes surprisingly well.Jan. 18, 2016264,0004Allie and Violet are interrupted while watching a movie and snuggling when Violet's boyfriend Mark comes home. Allie begins to fear that Violet is in an abusive relationship. Lisa denies that trans women should be allowed in women's shelters after meeting Paige and her associate Pema. Paige begins to open up to James.Jan. 18, 2016251,0005Violet abruptly departs Bad Penny's concert, leaving Allie confused. After talking to Penny, Allie follows Violet back to her house to find that Mark had beat her. And not for the first time.Jan. 19, 2016245,0006After outing Paige as transgender, Lisa is confronted by her. Paige then faces James, who reveals a truth of his own and accepts Paige as she is. Violet leaves Mark's home for good and goes to Allie, kissing her in lieu of words.Jan. 19, 2016333,000
Production Jen Richards originally planned on producing the web series for $10,000, but when producer Kate Fisher joined the project, $40,000 was raised through crowdfunding, and the series budget capped at $150,000 with the addition of two grants and money from Fisher's savings for graduate school. Richards claims she was able to publicize the series widely in part due to her connections with trans people, especially those like Caitlyn Jenner, with whom Richards worked with on her show I Am Cait, and others such as Laverne Cox, Kerry Washington, and Eve Ensler (who came on as an executive producer).
Awards and nominations +YearAwardCategoryResultRef.2016Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series Gotham Independent Film AwardBreakthrough Series - Short Form 2017Aritos Awards Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Short Form or Web Series GLAAD Media AwardSpecial Recognition
References