Press Release for Liquid Fur
Locally produced comedy web-series The Future Machine, recently selected for screening at LA Webfest 2011, has taken away an “Outstanding Achievement in Direction” for it’s co-creator David Barker.
The digital series – created by comedian Matt Okine, writer Tom Sheldrick and director Dave Barker – screened at the exclusive all webseries festival alongside entrants from 8 countries and 19 states across America.
“What we’re seeing here is the celebration of a creative and distribution revolution. Online entertainment is opening up a diverse range of programming, more than the traditional models of distribution allowed. And we’re about to see an explosion of webseries here in Australia”, says Okine.
In the US, webseries and online entertainment bolted out of the gates in recent years with the success of The Guild, Dr Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, and a dearth of YouTube phenomenons. The guys at Dirty Karma are hoping that Australian advertisers and broadcasters will recognise the opportunities that can be created within this medium. “It’s a new frontier and Australia has been a little slow on the take-up”, suggests Okine.
“But, we’re excited by what’s ahead.” adds Barker, “The Commonwealth Bank’s recent show, The Harrington’s is a great example of how this medium could be monetised. But it’s only one of a number of ways short, sharp, creative entertainment online can find an audience.”
And the award? “Well, we were thrilled at just getting selected in LA.” says Barker. “To receive a further accolade was a pretty cool bonus. But I have to say, what your hopefully laughing at in The Future Machine is the culmination of a lot of hard working people doing what they believe in.”
About The Future Machine
To prove once and for all who owns the coveted Bear Suit hanging in the loungeroom, Matt & Tom set about building a Time Machine. When Tom from the future walks in and drops dead, they both realise something very important: time travel exists! However, after seeing his future-self die, Tom refuses to continue work on the Time Machine. It’s up to Matt, and his scheming ways, to get Tom back on board, and reap the fame and fortune bestowed upon the first pioneers to build a time machine from a German microwave.
The Future Machine Series 1 – starring Tomorrow When the War Began’s Andy Ryan, & Bait 3D’s Cariba Heine – is an 8 part, “sort of sci-fi”, comedy webseries streaming on YouTube, Koldcast, Blip.tv and Vimeo.
Currently the guys at Dirty Karma are developing Series 2: an 8 x 1/2hr TV series that also incorporates an online webseries where the characters exist in a parallel universe.