Two Wellington film makers have won a trip to Seoul, South Korea, to develop a science fiction TV drama series in the city’s capital.
Their entry was one of only six projects selected globally to receive support from the Seoul Film Commission’s Seoul Screenplay Development Support Programme. The grants were available for documentary, film, TV or web drama productions as part of an initiative to promote the city of Seoul through the development of foreign stories set in Seoul.
Creatives Michelle Turner from Mt Victoria and Nick Ward from Kāpiti Coast were thrilled to hear their sci-fi drama series, Alone, will receive support and are keen to get started in Seoul.
“Our project is based on a businessman, Jason, who jumps at the chance to take a business trip to Korea. Anything to break up the monotony in his life, which he feels disconnected to after his divorce,” says Nick, writer and co-producer.
“Jason wakes up one morning to find previously-bustling Seoul is a ghost town. There’s no one there. The TV plays static, no hotel staff are around to help him. Days go by and Jason is still on his own. He begins to unravel from the solitary confinement – until one day he spots a little girl…and realises perhaps he’s not the only one that’s fallen through the cracks.”
Michelle and Nick will head to Seoul for two weeks next month to kick start their project and have an immersion into Seoul life.
Michelle, the lead producer, is looking forward to meeting Korean co-producers and writers and checking out locations.
“It will be fantastic to get on the ground in Seoul and meet Korean film makers who will be able to provide us with a local perspective on our script.
“It was such a confidence boost to be selected and we can’t wait to begin the project in early September,” says Michelle.
Working closely with the Seoul Film Commission and the New Zealand Film Commission on securing the opportunity for a Wellington-based creative, Screen Wellington’s Manager Katie Frost is chuffed for Michelle and Nick and can’t wait to see their production.
“Like Wellington, Seoul’s creative industries have a great reputation. We’re thrilled a Wellington project made it through to receive support – we have some incredible talent in the screen sector, from our filmmakers, post production and digital effects, set, costume and prop design, incredible locations and can-do attitude,” says Katie.
The Wellington region was recently named the most creative in New Zealand according to the latest Infometrics Creativity Index.