STUDIO announces Kickstart winner

This week emerging producer Lisa Shaunessy was announced as the recipient of the inaugural STUDIO Kickstart initiative, a prize of a $300,000 budget to produce her own series for the arts channel.

STUDIO offered participants of the Ones to Watch program at the Screen Forever conference an opportunity to submit original TV concept in a closed door pitching session, with her So Yesterday pitch the winning entry.

Shaunessy pitched a six-part entertainment/documentary series that sees “an engaging (but not very hip) host embark on a global odyssey to uncover the mysterious development of the global Hipster phenomenon. Part anthropological study of the ever-shifting nature of cool, part personal makeover, So Yesterday uncovers the mysterious process by which ideas, products, art, language and style transform from being niche cultural movements into global megatrends.”

“Screen Producers Australia’s Ones To Watch program is our new initiative designed to help give the next generation of producers unrivalled connection and mentor support with key film and television executives,” said Matthew Deaner, Executive Director Screen Producers Australia. “All participants in Ones To Watch were also given an exclusive opportunity to pitch a concept to produce their own TV series, which provides a great opportunity to showcase their skills and creativity.

STUDIO Head of Programming and Production Laura Glassman added, “We are thrilled to be moving ahead with Lisa Shaunessy’s So Yesterday, which delves into the heart, soul and psyche of the hipster phenomenon. The idea is fresh, fun and perfectly tailored to the discerning STUDIO viewer. We were incredibly impressed by the high-calibre of submissions for the first ever STUDIO Kickstart initiative. As a vote of confidence in all three finalists, should they be able to get their projects up – and we hope they do – SBS International is extending the offer of a first-look option to distribute the completed programs.”

Another initiative will be offered in 2014.