OPTUS and MTV Networks Australia last night announced ‘fully sick rapper’ Christian and brother Conor Van Vuuren, with their entry Sick, as the winners of the 10/11 Optus ONE80PROJECT. Thousands braved the weather to celebrate with live DJ sets by Softwar, Bag Raiders and internationally acclaimed Mark Ronson who surprised the crowd with a special guest performance by Miike Snows’ Andrew Wyatt.
The decision came after several weeks of deliberation by Judges David Wenham, Kat Stewart and members of Blue Tongue Films, Joel and Nash Edgerton, David Michôd, Spencer Susser, Luke Doolan, Kieran Darcy-Smith and Tony Lynch who selected the Judges’ Choice winner from a shortlisted Top 10. The winning entry Sick will now see their three minute pilot entry, developed into a one hour TV drama to be shown on MTV Australia and Optus ZOO.
The public was also given the chance to vote for their favourite entry in a national campaign entitled Public Vote Award, which attracted a record number of votes. When voting closed 15.52, from Queensland residents Daniel Flood, Peter Johnston, Camden Casey and James Chalice, was the clear winner of the Peoples’ Choice Award.
For the OPTUS ONE80PROJECT Festival, Sydney’s Prince Alfred Park was transformed into an open-air amphitheatre romantically lit up with multi-coloured lanterns and comfy oversized bean bags complete with Mexican food by Beach Burrito Co, beverages served by Canadian Club and complimentary popcorn. Local DJ’s Softwar opened with a spellbinding set and were followed by up and coming Australian DJ duo Bag Raiders who warmed up the crowd with their hit single ‘Shooting Stars’ for the Grammy Awardwinning Mark Ronson.
As expected, Ronson’s live DJ set was second to none as he spun his favourite tunes along with hits from his recently released album Record Collection, including ‘Somebody to Love Me’ with surprise guest Andrew Wyatt, from the internationally acclaimed Swedish indie-pop band Miike Snow.
The Judges Choice and Public Vote Award winners will receive a prize package that will include a share in over $20,000 cash. In addition, the winner of the Judges’ Choice Award will work with MTV’s production team to shape their pilot into a full-length multiplatform drama which will premiere on Optus ZOO web and mobile portals and on MTV Australia.
Also announced at this years’ Optus ONE80PROJECT the Best Student Entry was awarded to Cameron Suardana, Shane Kang and Milan Gandhi for their 180 second pilot Neon. The winner the Best Student Entry will receive $5000 cash, a Samsung GALAXY Tab and a Samsung GALAXY S handset + a $30 Optus pre-paid SIM pack.
To view this year’s winning entries and for more information on the OPTUS ONE80PROJECT head to www.one80project.com.au online and on your OPTUS mobile. Stay tuned to watch the Judges Choice winning entry, ‘Sick’, as a one hour drama when it is screened on MTV Australia and Optus later this year.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE OPTUS ONE80PROJECT FESTIVAL www.one80project.com.au