[press release from ABC-TV]
HG NELSON TO HOST ABC TV’S "BUSH SLAM" POETRY SERIES
Bush Slam, a 6 x 30 min series inspired by the unique Australian tradition of bush poetry, and hosted by HG Nelson, goes into production on March 2.
ABC TV and Freehand Productions (Top Gear Australia, Dancing with the Stars, and Missing Persons Unit) will be taking two different poets or and lyricists to six rural towns to explore the culture, the beauty, the folklore and the humour.
Each poet will be given just three days to capture the essence of the town and its people in verse. At the end of three days, our poets will entertain the town in a live head-to-head poetry slam hosted by HG, with the locals deciding the winner.
Bush Slam is about the creative process of writing, as well as being a travelogue, and will air on ABC1 later this year.
The towns chosen are Cowra and Lightning Ridge in NSW; Corryong in Victoria, Yarrabah in Queensland, Blinman in South Australia, and Stanley in Tasmania.
Amanda Duthie, ABC TV’s Head of Arts, Entertainment and Comedy said "Poets provide the bass notes of our culture and identity. So it is thrilling that this prime-time series will explore wide open spaces, the verandas, sheds, hills and forests of Australia through the verse and rhythms of a great line-up of talent."
Peter Abbott, Freehand’s Director in Charge of Production said, "What’s special about Bush Slam is that it tackles poetry head-on, an artistic realm that some regard as remote and inaccessible. It will employ new techniques to slice and dice the creative process in a way that’s enlightening and entertaining."
The series is part funded by Screen Australia and supported by the Australia Council.