‘Nice Shorts.’
Nick Boshier and Jazz Twemlow are leading the team of comedy writers/performers who will create Nice Shorts for Bunya Entertainment.
The online sketch comedy of 16 episodes, ranging from 3-10 minutes, will tap into national and international conversations to create videos for weekly release via social platforms.
Apart from Boshier (Bondi Hipsters, #7DaysLater, Soul Mates) and Twemlow (Tonightly with Tom Ballard, The Roast) the team includes Nazeem Hussain (Legally Brown), Greta Lee Jackson (Wham Bam Thank You Ma’am), Penny Greenhalgh (The Lost Tapes) and Bjorn Stewart (Get Krack!n, Black Comedy).
The Bunya Group is not looking to monetize the low-budget online series, instead using it as the first opportunity to work with comedy creatives and as the first foray into comedy for the new banner Bunya Entertainment.
“Like the dramas we’re best known for, the quality of writing in Nice Shorts will be the hallmark of this show,” says Bunya Group CEO Sophia Zachariou.
Bunya Entertainment is developing seven narrative comedies including one with Adam Zwar.
Filming of the series starts in Sydney next week with several directors yet to be named, and the Queensland shoot is scheduled for late August/early September.
The producers are looking for early career Queensland comedy writers, directors, actors and crew for the Queensland component of the series, which is backed by Screen Australia and Screen Queensland.
At least three Queensland writers and three 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 is encouraging applications from the State’s diverse talent in the local stand-up or performing arts scene who aspire to bring their original ideas to screen.
“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,” outgoing CEO Tracey Vieira said.
Screen Australia online investment manager Lee Naimo added: “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.”
Applications for Queensland creatives, cast and crew are now open. For further details and to apply go here.