Movie Extra webfest project to begin production

Damian Walshe-Howling and Zoe Carides will star in the web-based series Event Zero which won the 2011 Movie Extra Webfest.

The project from Enzo Tedeschi and Julian Harvey (The Tunnel) tells the stories of seven people caught up in an event following a train derailment near Circular Quay.

Set and filmed in Sydney, the seven part webseries has a $100,000 production budget funded by Movie Network Channels and Screen Australia.

It will commence production on 19 March and premiere on the Movie Network Channels’ YouTube channel.

Australian Film Institute Award winner, Damian Walshe-Howling (Terra Nova, East West 101, Rescue Special Ops) will take on a lead role and broaden his behind-the-scenes career by taking on a directorial role for an episode. Film and television actress and Australian Film Institute Award nominee, Zoe Carides (Crownies, Out of the Blue) will also step into a lead role in Event Zero.

The suspenseful web-series will see Enzo Tedeschi and Julian Harvey collaborate once again with director, Carlo Ledesma – who directed the award winning, The Tunnel, last year. Andrew Traucki (The Reef) and Shane Abbess (Gabriel) will also share directors billing on Event Zero. Other actors tied to the project include Harry Pavlidis (Gabriel, East West 101, All Saints) and Valentino del Toro (Gabriel, Underbelly: Infiltration). Event Zero will also feature two actors from Distracted Media’s internet film sensation, The Tunnel, Bel Delia and Steve Davis.

Commissioned especially for Movie Network Channels branded online video platforms, Event Zero tells the stories of seven people caught up in an event much bigger than they are. A report comes in of a train derailment near Circular Quay. Smoke billows from the wreckage and victims pour onto the streets. As the emergency workers arrive at the chaotic scene, they realise the biggest threat is only just emerging. People without a scratch are collapsing on the ground and dying – and it is spreading. Unless someone can work out what is going on the death toll will continue to rise. This moment is Event Zero.

Since the launch of the Movie Network Channels YouTube channel in November 2010, a raft of branded content has been posted including Movie News, entertainment and StarBios programming, repurposed from broadcast as well as web only content to actively engage our online audiences. Movie Network Channels YouTube channel now on average see’s over 1.5 million views per month worldwide.

To follow the webseries and for regular WEBFEST updates and announcements visit Facebook www.facebook.com/movieextrawebfest