This week, n00b, the first scripted television series in the world based on a viral TikTok series, had its international debut at the Berlinale Series Market — the only New Zealand project selected.
Backed by Warner Bros. Discovery ANZ, Queenstowner Victoria Boult and Rachel Fawcett turned their 12, 90-second TikTok episodes into a six-episode TV series, having received almost $1.5million funding through Great Southern Television — it premiered on Three and ThreeNow last October.
The series was released by Netflix Australia last Thursday.
Ahead of Berlinale, a small-screen industry event which provides an exclusive preview of "the most anticipated series from across the globe", Boult, 27, announced she’s about to sink her teeth into her next project, which she and her team plan to entirely crowdfund.
Aiming to raise $18,000, to date the project’s attracted almost $5000.
Boult’s once again working with Fawcett, co-founder of Lusty Productions, to bring to life Lads, the brainchild of New Zealand-based British screenwriter Christopher Plank.
The project’s Boosted page says the short, coming-of-age drama takes place entirely in the bathroom at a house party, and follows teenage boys Josh and Patrick as they attempt to wrestle with a past decision that’s destroyed their friendship.
"In NZ and beyond, we are facing a real crisis where men are plagued by higher rates of suicide, isolation and feelings of loneliness," the Boosted blurb says.
Plank, 28, says in the blurb he wants to challenge the "traditional narrative of masculinity".
"I want to show that true strength comes from vulnerability, that love between men doesn’t need to fit into a box, and that connection — real, raw, messy connection — is what saves us."
Boult will be directing the project and says she’s "so excited to bring this beautiful, intimate and important story" to life.
The Lads Boosted page is open for another 10 days — to donate, visit rb.gy/7tmoqe
