Dark Valley

Dark Valley

Dark Valley is a sci-fi and fantasy anthology podcast that aims to transport listeners to a world outside of their own. Join us aboard a Coalition Guard spaceship, inside a Hotel with extraordinary powers, and in a small town where creatures lurk around every corner. Dark Valley probes the human psyche and explores our relationships with ourselves, each other, and the unknowable; in a way that can frighten, soothe, and challenge our perceptions of who we are and what we are capable of.

Episodes

December 16, 2021 34 mins

Episode Notes

Episode 13: The Beacon

This episode was written by Mark Zurek and directed by Elsbeth Denman.

Heather was played by Shelby Rebecca Wong

Wyatt was played by Anthon Mondesir

Nicole was played by Elsbeth Denman

The Narrator was played by Mark Zurek

Dark Valley is produced and edited by Elsbeth Denman

This podcast is recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

It is made possible by the generous s...

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Episode Notes

Content Warning: Death and loss of a parent

Episode 12: Welcome to Sycamore Drive

This episode was written and directed by Mark Zurek.

Anne was played by Artemis Snow

Leonard was played by Jamal James

Tracey was played by Lucia Williams

The Narrator was played by Mark Zurek

Dark Valley is produced and edited by Elsbeth Denman

This podcast is recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

It is ma...

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October 7, 2021 30 mins

Episode Notes

Content Warning: Discussion of cancer, death of a parent, repetitive beeping

Episode 11: Dad's Story

A love story conceived by Mark S. Zurek.

This episode was written by Mark Zurek and directed by Elsbeth Denman Based on a story by Mark S. Zurek

Henry was played by Richard Denman

Allan was played by Zachary Sherry

Deborah was played by Cecelia Specht

Ruth was played by Kaili Y. Turner

Penny and Victoria were ...

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September 2, 2021 32 mins

Episode Notes

Content Warning: Forced family separation, parental loss, scratchy sci- fi effects

Episode 10: The Grace Hypothesis

Teen genius, Astrid Grace, is faced with a difficult decision. Continue her mother's research into the nature of our reality, or risk the persecution of the government and the disappointment of her father.

This episode was written by Peter DeGiglio, edited by Mark Zurek and directed by Elsbeth D...

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Episode Notes

Content Warning: Lost child/ sibling, grief, family trauma, and sound effects of bones crunching

Episode 9: Where Have You Been, Scott Thomas?

The Thomas family is overjoyed when their runaway son and brother, Scott, finally returns home. If only it were him.

This episode was written by Mark Zurek and directed by Elsbeth Denman

Ian and Scott were played by Ryan Halsaver

Courtney was played by Brianna Eckhardt

...

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July 1, 2021 23 mins

Try Again

Episode Notes

Content Warning: Gaslighting, alcohol and a car accident

Episode 8: Try Again

After a night out with an old friend, Zach Fuller comes home to an angry wife and he can't seem to escape the feeling, that he's been here before.

This episode was written by Mark Zurek and directed by Elsbeth Denman

Zach was played by Byron Hagan

Morgan was played by Eva Ding

Jamie was played by Elizabeth Ann Ri...

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June 3, 2021

Episode Notes

Episode 7: Sabrina

An unusual caller surprises radio DJ, Sabrina Becker, with intimate knowledge of her life before fame.

This episode was written by Mark Zurek and directed by Elsbeth Denman

Sabrina and Bree were played by Monique Sanchez

The Narrator was played by Mark Zurek

Dark Valley is produced and edited by Elsbeth Denman

This podcast is recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Collective Bargaining Agreeme...

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March 4, 2021 24 mins

Episode Notes

Content Warning: Disordered eating of a child, a hospital rehab, siren type alarm (sound effect)

Episode 6: We're All Friends Here

Kristen Bryers and Jenna Green head to their daughter’s school after an incident, only to find that 6 year-old Zoe has made a secret friend.

This episode was written and directed by Mark Zurek.

Kristen was played by Rachel Faison

Jenna was played by Cara Picone

Mr. Hoffma...

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February 18, 2021 29 mins

Episode Notes

Content Warning: Manipulation, Gaslighting, and tension building sound effects.

Episode 5: The Many Wounds of Gwen Miller

Gwen and Erin Miller have always had each other’s best interests at heart, but like sisters often do, they disagree on who knows best. They are about to discover the delicate line between a helping hand and a leash.

This episode was written by Mark Zurek and directed by Elsbeth De...

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February 4, 2021 28 mins

Episode Notes

The Way We Were Credits

Episode 4: The Way We Were

While Maggie Perez may be excited to see her daughter Lexi off to college, her husband Oscar feels differently. Little does this family of three realize just how far behind schedule his inability to accept the present will set them.

This episode was written by Mark Zurek and directed by Elsbeth Denman

Oscar was played by Victor Almanzar

Maggie was pl...

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January 21, 2021 29 mins

Ultulu Anomaly Credits

Content Warning: repetitive sound effects

Episode 3: The Ultulu Anomaly

In their long months aboard the Coalition Starship Emvue, the crew of 4 has grown numb to the potential danger of their current station. But they are about to discover, history can be no indicator when it comes to the anomaly they monitor.

This episode was written and directed by Mark Zurek

Captain Clark was played by Peter DeGi...

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January 7, 2021 31 mins

The Hooded Man

___Content Warning_** : stalking and obsession

Episode 2 - The Hooded Man

Everyone has had a feeling of being watched from time to time. Many have experienced the unwelcome, uncomfortable attention of a stranger. Bianca swears there's a man intent on following her every move; a man whose only attribute is the dark hood he wears.

This episode was written by Mark Zurek.

It was directed by Elsbeth Denm...

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January 7, 2021 35 mins

Hotel Merit

Content Warning car accident, loss of a parent, and suicide.

This isn't the first time Jason and Sam have checked in to a hotel while on a business trip. However, the rooms of Hotel Merit are wholly unlike any other hotel rooms, providing opportunities neither Jason nor Sam ever expected to have again.

Episode 1 , Hotel Merit This episode was written by Mark Zurek

It was directed by Mark Zurek

Sam was...

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December 29, 2020

Show Notes

The Narrator is played by Mark Zurek

Dark Valley is produced and edited by Elsbeth Denman

This podcast is recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

It is made possible by the generous support of our patrons at Patreon.com. including: Ryan Astheimer, Charlie Neal, James Malloy, Honey Brea, Joshua Ryan, Maryann Mengak, Madeline Denman and Michael Bowman.

More info about our show can be found on o...

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