The first episode of HBO Max's "Rap S—" follows two friends — once estranged, now reconnected — on any and every social media platform, the camera swinging and a record button sitting at the bottom of the screen. Back in the car after a night out, they tap into Instagram Live and Mia Knight (KaMillion) gets real with Shawna Clark (Aida Osman). The elements of Instagram Live — the handle, the number of viewers, the comments — fade from view and the camera zooms in on Shawna as her demeanor changes and she realizes the damage she's done to the friendship.
"Oh s—! We still on Live with this fake deep s—," Mia says, the elements of Instagram Live reappearing on screen.
The world created by the filmmakers behind "Rap S—" gives viewers an authentic social media experience while telling the story of Shawna and Mia's rap career together. From fast-moving phone shots to unflattering angles, creator Issa Rae's latest series brings to life an emerging film language. But it couldn't have been accomplished without the creative team collaborating and experimenting to create an innovative portrait of life with — and through — social media.
