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New sketch comedy shorts call for Qld talent

Sketch shorts with Nick Boshier, Nazeem Hussain & Greta Lee Jackson are Bunya's first foray into comedy.

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Bunya Entertainment have announced its first foray into comedy with upcoming sketch series, Nice Shorts. -and is seeking Queensland comedy writers, directors, on screen talent and crew.

Bunya has partnered with comedy writers Nick Boshier and Jazz Twemlow to deliver a 16 x 3-10min series that tackles big meaty ideas with humour and a whole lot of heart. The content will tap into national and international conversations to create videos for weekly release via social platforms.

Screen Australia is a principle investor and the series is produced with investment from the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland. A portion of the production will take place in Queensland.

Both established and emerging talent are involved, including Nick Boshier (Bondi Hipsters, #7DaysLater, Soul Mates), Jazz Twemlow (Tonightly, The Roast), Nazeem Hussain (Legally Brown), Greta Lee Jackson (Wham Bam Thank You Ma’am), Penny Greenhalgh (The Lost Tapes) and Bjorn Stewart (Get Krackin’, Black Comedy).

Bunya Group’s CEO Sophia Zachariou said: “We are very excited to announce Bunya Entertainment’s first production and the Group’s first comedy and to be working with such a fantastic creative team of writers and performances. Like the dramas we’re best known for, the quality of writing in Nice Shorts will be the hallmark of this show.”

Lee Naimo, Screen Australia’s Online Investment Manager said: “Nice Shorts is set to fill a gap in the Australian sketch comedy space, with comedy that will entertain viewers while also challenging their thinking on topical issues. We’re thrilled to support these established creatives and to also be able to offer an opportunity for emerging talent.”

Nick Boshier and Jazz Twemlow said: “We’re really excited to bring our team together and work with some newer writers. We have no doubt the things we’ll create will unequivocally bring about a utopian society.

“Given Bunya’s track record of producing phenomenal drama, it’s both really, really nice, and utterly petrifying to have their support as their first comedy venture.

“We’re honoured to be working with Screen Australia and Screen QLD in helping bring this team together and establish new voices in Australian comedy.”

Bunya are now looking for early career Queensland comedy writers, directors, on screen talent and crew to come on board for the Queensland component of the series. At least three Queensland writers and three Queensland directors plus performers and crew will work alongside the experienced team to create at least four episodes to be written and filmed in Queensland.

Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira, “This initiative is an ideal opportunity for practitioners to build their careers and relationships with some of Australia’s biggest players in the TV and comedy space.

“Many highly successful on-screen comedians or comedy writers started their careers on the club or festival circuit, so as an early-career opportunity, Nice Shorts is perfect to harness this active community of funny Queenslanders,” she said.

Production credit: Nice Shorts is a Bunya Productions production. Principal production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Screen Queensland.

Applications for Queensland creatives, cast and crew are now open.

3 Responses

  1. If the cast are not able to hold back their laughter on set, it’s a good indication that it would resonate with audiences, even if it can’t be filmed in the first take.

  2. Sketch comedy is a tough gig but has brought a lot of comedy talent to peoples attention over the years. Badly written, sketch comedy can become juvenile and heavy on sight gags to compensate for the poor punchlines, all the best to the producers though. As much as I hate it canned laughter it would need to be included I suppose.

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