Thanks to both Screen Australia’s Inclusive Attachment Scheme and Screen Queensland’s SQAttach program, three emerging practitioners will join Fremantle children’s series Taylor’s Island, now filming on the Gold Coast for Nickelodeon International and Network 10.
Mary Duong will be a director’s attachment; Chase Brockett a director of photography attachment and Aimee Cheung an assistant director attachment, each receiving five weeks of instruction.
Fremantle CEO Asia Pacific and executive producer Chris Oliver-Taylor said the company was committed to building an inclusive and diverse industry.
“Fostering the creatives of the future is absolutely essential and something we are passionate about across all our productions. This is a unique opportunity for Mary, Chase and Aimee to experience working on a production the scope and standard of Taylor’s Island and to be guided by the best in the business,” he said.
Created by Matt Cooke, Vince Lund and Michael Ford, Taylor’s Island marks Nickelodeon’s first non-preschool Australian scripted live-action production, due to premiere globally on its channels from early 2022.
The 20 x 22 minute series follows the adventures of 14-year-old Taylor, a charismatic and energetic leader, and her tight-knit group of friends – Nori, Meesha and Ellis, and stepsister Lila – as they explore the mysteries of the island on which they live, fueled by Taylor’s fascination with her Uncle Charlie’s disappearance and determination to find out what happened to him.
Tim Powell will produce alongside co-producer Jonah Klein. The writing team is led script producer and writer Stephen Vagg, working alongside Sam Carroll, Alix Beane, David Hannam, Marisa Nathar, Natesha Somasundaram, Trent Roberts and Hannah Samuel.
Nickelodeon International VP production and development Chris Rose is overseeing the show with Mick Elliott serving as the executive in charge of production for Nickelodeon International in Australia.
Taylor’s Island is supported by major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screen Queensland.
Nordic SVOD service Viaplay are a co-production partner, premiering Taylor’s Island exclusively as a Viaplay Original in the Nordic market.