Out of 163 entries from around the country, they have made it to the top 10.
Local duo, Isla Macleod and Ashleigh Reid are thrilled to have made as finalists after competing with top guns in TVNZ’s web series competition, New Blood.
The initiative cofounded by TVNZ and NZOA is to discover New Zealand’s new blood by a panel of judges who select 10 finalists. Now it is up to the public to vote for their favourite pilot episode by the end of June.
The winner gets $100,000 to make the rest of the series.
Former deputy head girl of Maclean College, Isla co-created Oddly Even with Ashleigh, alumni of St Kentigern College, now a successful wedding videographer.
The 12-minute pilot, on the lines of Bridget Jones meets Offspring (popular Australian TV series), relates to young Kiwi boys and girls from ages 18-30. It’s a refreshing change from the glut of American and British sitcoms that hit New Zealand television screens.
Isla says: “There is nothing to watch on television for people my age, apart from a few, like New Zealand TV drama, Outrageous Fortune which has stopped running. This was a perfect opportunity to create something for young Kiwis and pursue something we love doing.”
Having graduated from NZ Broadcasting School in Canterbury along with co-director Ashleigh, Isla says she is grateful that all crew members, also friends from Broadcasting School worked free.
As did the cast, that comprised of graduates from top acting schools in the country.
“We didn’t pay a single person and called on lots of favours and lack of sleep,” she laughs.
“We shot mostly on weekends and after work since every single person works full time,” says Isla who has been working with TV production.
“We are very much new blood and if we win the $100k we will pay the cast and crew. It will be the ultimate thank you.”
She says the feedback has been very encouraging.
“The music is also local. They are all Kiwi emerging bands and are friends of friends,” she says.
The voting is open from June 1-29 on TVNZ On Demand and the winner of the finalists is decided by public vote.
“We are up against teams that have Shortland Street actors as well as Billy T award winners and writers for Jono and Ben. So we need all the support we can,” she says.
- Vote here to show your support.
