[press release from MTV Australia]
OPTUS, MTV Networks Australia and LG Mobile Phones are thrilled to announce actors Sibylla Budd and Marcus Graham as the newest members of the OPTUS ONE80PROJECT judging panel.
Budd and Graham will join Ben Briand in selecting the Top 10 finalists and the overall judge’s choice winner, which will air on MTV Australia in 2009. A second winner will also be chosen by a public vote via SMS and website voting at www.one80project.com.au
OPTUS ONE80PROJECT offers a chance of a lifetime to budding writers and directors with the call to enter period running from September 15, 2008 until November 10, 2008. Ten entries will then be short-listed and viewed on the OPTUS ONE80PROJECT website (www.one80project.com.au) and the Optus ZOO mobile portal. The OPTUS ONE80PROJECT is a reflection of the current popularity of user generated content and reaches audiences on TV, mobile and online.
Sibylla Budd and Marcus Graham join the panel with three combined decades of experience as actors in Australian drama series. Graham’s breakout role was in the much loved Australian series E Street, which catapulted the actor onto the covers of magazines and bedroom walls. Since then Graham has been a staple in Australian dramas including Good Guys Bad Guys, Blue Heelers, Blue Murder, Black Jack and most recently the critically acclaimed drama Underbelly.
Like Graham, Sibylla Budd got her break in an Aussie drama that had viewers around the country hooked on the lives of its characters – The Secret Life of Us spawned a new generation of young drama viewers. Budd cemented her role as an Australian drama favourite with roles in, All Saints, Sea Patrol and Canal Road. Graham and Budd’s experience and support of Australian TV dramas made them a perfect choice as judges of the OPTUS ONE80PROJECT.
“Over the years I’ve found the most rewarding and involving experiences have come from working on home grown Australian drama – stage and screen. An initiative like the OPTUS ONE80PROJECT is an exciting opportunity for all of us because it is directly supporting new Australian talent.” said Marcus Graham “New ideas expand our thinking and enrich our culture – without them – what the hell would we be doing? I can’t wait to check out the 2008 entries”
“Being a part of a ground breaking drama series from the show’s inception was an amazing and positive experience. said Sibylla Budd “I’m thrilled to be able to support OPTUS ONE80PROJECT and excited to be part of unearthing the many new stories and ideas our country has to offer”
Voters will be able to download the 10 short-listed pilots to their phone via WAP, or stream them from the competition website. Viewers will then vote for their favourite pilot via a short code from their mobile phone or at the competition website. Votes can be cast over seven weeks, from November 17, 2008 until January 30, 2009. The pilots from the 10 finalists will be screened at the OPTUS ONE80PROJECT Festival on February 1, 2009, after which the two winning entries will be announced.
Both winners will receive an amazing prize package from LG Mobile Phones including the stylish new Black Label Series Mobile – Secret, a 52 inch LCD TV, Home Theatre System, Notebook and DVD Recorder. In addition, the Judges Choice will get the opportunity to work with MTV production experts and an Executive Producer at MTV Australia’s production facilities to develop and shape their original pilot into a full-length multi-platform drama. The completed final episodes will be shown first on the Optus ZOO web and mobile portals and later shown on MTV Australia.