A press release today from the production company behind TVNZ's new LGBT television show has shed more light on what viewers can expect from the programme, and reveals how people can tell their own stories on screen. The programme's name is now confirmed as ‘The Outlook'. The show was submitted to TVNZ and New Zealand On Air early in the New Year by gay-owned and run TV production company 'Umbrella Productions' with the working title of ‘Express Yourself'. Glenn Sims, whose previous TV productions include ‘Redemption Hill', ‘The Fat Chance', ‘Eat Yourself Whole', and ‘Mitre 10 Dream Home', will produce the series. Former ‘Queer Nation', ‘Takataapui' and ‘Front Seat' reporter Steven Oates will work behind the scenes as a director. “The Queer communities of New Zealand are as rich, diverse and exciting as the physical landscape we live in and we want to celebrate that by bringing them to the screen,” says Oates. “If you like, The Outlook is Queer Nation or Takataapui but in a different wrapper.” The series, a blend of observational documentary – following New Zealand LGBT fortnightly newspaper ‘Express' – and magazine-style show, was ordered by TVNZ and NZOA based on its research into Gay and Lesbian TV audiences published in August 2006. In March 2007, TVNZ and New Zealand On Air confirmed that $364,774 in funding had been allocated for the new 10-part series. A confirmed broadcast date and timeslot for the new programme cannot be confirmed at this stage, but it's expected to begin on-screen in TV2's ‘second quarter' – sometime between April and June. The series will include a gay programming first with the launch of The Outlook's young programme makers initiative ‘New Outlooks' which has the backing of New Zealand On Air and TVNZ, says the press release. Offering young or inexperienced programme makers the opportunity have their work shown within the TV Series, The Outlook is seeking proposals from filmmakers for a three to five minute film about any subject they feel would add to the GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual) experience in New Zealand. Submissions can be for a story about anything provided it has a GLBT perspective - a little known group or event, a new angle on an issue, or a subject matter that needs to be told with a different voice. “Our role as the programme makers who have been handed the baton of producing New Zealand's GLBT show is to support and nurture young talent. We want to take the traditional employment route one step further and offer young, or inexperienced producers, directors and writers the opportunity to showcase their work within the series. The unique format of The Outlook allows us to do just that,” says Glenn Sims. The successful applicants will be offered a production credit, production expertise and equipment as well as a small fee. The finished work will be clearly marked as such within The Outlook and featured within the pages of Express newspaper. For more information about New Outlooks or to make a submission contact info@umbrellatv.com or to log onto http://www.tvnz.co.nz/, using the keyword ‘The Outlook'. Ref: Umbrella Productions, GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 14th March 2007 - 12:00pm