In the age of “right swiping,” dick pics, student loan debt and egg freezing, the etiquette of dating has become blurrier than ever. In her thoughtful, beautifully shot and soundscaped web series 52 Ways to Break Up, actress-writer-producer Megan Rosati explores the many ways a romantic connection might explode or sputter and die.

Rosati began releasing short, weekly, self-funded episodes in October and will continue through fall 2015. Each episode stars Rosati in a different ill-fated relationship. (Despite their numbered titles, they have no specific order.) “These are just different moments that happen to have happened,” Rosati explains. “I didn’t want there to be the expectation of a linear storyline.”

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52 Ways’ elegant, indie-film cinematography captures a tapestry of L.A. apartment bedrooms, hallways and courtyards where these intimate final moments tend to happen, but other unique locales make it into the show, too.

The Chandelier Tree, an enormous Silver Lake sycamore adorned with 30 vintage chandeliers, is the twilight setting for “#13 — Ignore It.” Rosati and her director-DP, Will Lamborn, ran into the tree’s owner, Adam Tenenbaum, as he drank an afternoon Arnold Palmer on his porch; he agreed to waive a fee for the location in the name of supporting no-budget art.

The series’ moving, eclectic soundtrack is compiled from smaller artists and bands Rosati knew personally or contacted to ask them to donate a song. Rosati’s music choices perfectly crystallize the unique tone of each episode, from humorous to heart-wrenching to haunting. Standout artists that will send you Googling include Chicago-based Kinder Orchestra and Los Angeles–based electronic music project Waves and Waves.


The Tangled Web We Watch is our column on what’s worth watching online. You can watch 52 Ways to Break Up at YouTube.com/MeggieRosat and read Stephanie’s full interview with Rosati on her blog TangledWebWeWatch.com.

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