Subject to Change - TV series pilot
A$27,210
of $15,500 targetyrs ago
Successful on 26th Nov 2014 at 8:14PM.
Subject to Change is a brand new TV series - and I’m creating its pilot episode!
When I was at school in Melbourne's western suburbs, I could only have dreamed about watching an Aussie TV drama featuring same sex attracted teens. Young characters with real, relatable sexual identities have been in the TV closet for far too long. Subject to Change will finally be doing this. But only with your help are we going to get this fantastic series onto Australian TV screens.
I'm so passionate about this project that I'm personally funding 75% of the total cost of production through my own savings. That's just enough to see us through the film shoot in November, but without the rest we won't be able to finish in time. It's critical that we finish the pilot before TV networks and other media platforms decide their filming production schedule for 2015. You can read more about how we'll be using the funds further down the page.
Here's our fabulous cast. Recognise anyone? Full credits here.
When I was at school in Melbourne's western suburbs, I could only have dreamed about watching an Aussie TV drama featuring same sex attracted teens. Young characters with real, relatable sexual identities have been in the TV closet for far too long. Subject to Change will finally be doing this. But only with your help are we going to get this fantastic series onto Australian TV screens.
I'm so passionate about this project that I'm personally funding 75% of the total cost of production through my own savings. That's just enough to see us through the film shoot in November, but without the rest we won't be able to finish in time. It's critical that we finish the pilot before TV networks and other media platforms decide their filming production schedule for 2015. You can read more about how we'll be using the funds further down the page.
Here's our fabulous cast. Recognise anyone? Full credits here.
Why is this show so important?
There's so much on free TV, cable, internet streaming, etc ... so why is Subject to Change any different?
On one level, Subject to Change is purely a coming of age drama series telling the stories of a handful of high school students. It just so happens that two of our three lead characters are same sex attracted. For Australian TV, this will be a first.
Set in heteronormative suburbia, these teens are well outside the inner city comfort zone of rainbow flags and Wear it Purple Days. You can expect a rough, homophobic battle as they learn to understand their identities and - fingers crossed - find love and happiness.
Young people with diverse sexualities have been extremely underrepresented in TV drama for far too long. The most recent research on this subject found more than one in five Australian high school students do not identify as exclusively heterosexual.
The lack of realistic, positive and diverse role models undermines a broader societal desire to welcome and celebrate diversity. As a consequence, young people such as those portrayed in Subject to Change face far greater challenges than they should have to when forming their sense of self worth and confidence to be themselves in society. They may remain marginalised, emotionally and physically vulnerable and often perform poorly at school. Tragically this can lead to suicide, homelessness, violence, and mental health issues.
By proudly presenting young people with diverse sexualities front and centre in mainstream TV drama - without resorting to cliched stereotypes - we hope Subject to Change will make a substantial contribution to a happier, healthier and better educated society. And be more than just a little entertaining! From the direct personal feedback we've received so far, we're sure you agree.
On one level, Subject to Change is purely a coming of age drama series telling the stories of a handful of high school students. It just so happens that two of our three lead characters are same sex attracted. For Australian TV, this will be a first.
Set in heteronormative suburbia, these teens are well outside the inner city comfort zone of rainbow flags and Wear it Purple Days. You can expect a rough, homophobic battle as they learn to understand their identities and - fingers crossed - find love and happiness.
Young people with diverse sexualities have been extremely underrepresented in TV drama for far too long. The most recent research on this subject found more than one in five Australian high school students do not identify as exclusively heterosexual.
The lack of realistic, positive and diverse role models undermines a broader societal desire to welcome and celebrate diversity. As a consequence, young people such as those portrayed in Subject to Change face far greater challenges than they should have to when forming their sense of self worth and confidence to be themselves in society. They may remain marginalised, emotionally and physically vulnerable and often perform poorly at school. Tragically this can lead to suicide, homelessness, violence, and mental health issues.
By proudly presenting young people with diverse sexualities front and centre in mainstream TV drama - without resorting to cliched stereotypes - we hope Subject to Change will make a substantial contribution to a happier, healthier and better educated society. And be more than just a little entertaining! From the direct personal feedback we've received so far, we're sure you agree.
Music
Music is an essential part of one of our characters in particular (spoiler alert!). We are indeed fortunate to have the supremely talented Maryann Wright on board. Here she is at a recent vocals recording ...
We are extremely grateful for the support of Missy Higgins and Eleven Music. Damn! Another spoiler!
We are extremely grateful for the support of Missy Higgins and Eleven Music. Damn! Another spoiler!
Thank you!
If you'd read this far down the page we thank you sincerely for your time and interest.
http://subjecttochange.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/Subject.To.Change.TV.Seri...
https://twitter.com/s2c_tvseries
Your generous support of this show is so important, and will help change lives.
http://subjecttochange.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/Subject.To.Change.TV.Seri...
https://twitter.com/s2c_tvseries
Your generous support of this show is so important, and will help change lives.
Series synopsis
Set in the working class suburb of Hedley comes a show centered on the lives of three very close and unique friends: neat freak Ben, tomboy Karly and drama queen Evie. This Australian TV drama will feature, for the first time, same-sex attracted lead characters. Through its coming-of-age narrative, Subject to Change will confront the harsh difficulties faced in suburban Australia by following these young adults as they deal with their complex and conflicting emotions. It will be a rocky, isolated road to love and inclusion through their final years of high school.
How The Funds Will Be Used
Your support will ensure...
>> Partial payment for actors. Usually actors work for "deferred fees" on pilot projects, meaning they get nothing unless it's made into a series. We're making sure the lead and supporting actors get enough to cover their daily expenses.
>> Decent catering. Fed well = happy = best result.
>> Post production. Editing, colour grading, music composition and licencing ... all that stuff.
>> Distribution. We're not only pitching the series privately, but also getting the pilot episode screened directly to a wider audience in the 2015/16 film festival circuit. Hope you can come along and see it on the BIG screen!
>>>>>> Spreading the word - you're helping here without paying a cent :)
Our budget for the pilot episode...
I'm covering this personally:
- Pre-production $6,500
- Film shoot $35,500
If we meet our Pozible funding target you will be helping cover:
- Partial payment for lead and supporting actors $3,500
- Catering $4000
- Post-production $6,500
- Fundraising $500
If we exceed our Pozible funding target you'll be helping:
- Submission fees for film festivals (as many as we can afford)
- Series 1 script development
We have no other equity investment or government funding, so only with your extremely generous help will we get over the finish line.
>> Partial payment for actors. Usually actors work for "deferred fees" on pilot projects, meaning they get nothing unless it's made into a series. We're making sure the lead and supporting actors get enough to cover their daily expenses.
>> Decent catering. Fed well = happy = best result.
>> Post production. Editing, colour grading, music composition and licencing ... all that stuff.
>> Distribution. We're not only pitching the series privately, but also getting the pilot episode screened directly to a wider audience in the 2015/16 film festival circuit. Hope you can come along and see it on the BIG screen!
>>>>>> Spreading the word - you're helping here without paying a cent :)
Our budget for the pilot episode...
I'm covering this personally:
- Pre-production $6,500
- Film shoot $35,500
If we meet our Pozible funding target you will be helping cover:
- Partial payment for lead and supporting actors $3,500
- Catering $4000
- Post-production $6,500
- Fundraising $500
If we exceed our Pozible funding target you'll be helping:
- Submission fees for film festivals (as many as we can afford)
- Series 1 script development
We have no other equity investment or government funding, so only with your extremely generous help will we get over the finish line.
The Challenges
Executive Producer/Director Daniel Mercieca; Production Manager Rory Delaney
The pilot is getting made no matter what. If you help us make our Pozible funding target we'll be able to move straight into post production and have the pilot episode ready for film festivals and network pitching early in time to meet the 2015 production cycle.
We know you want to get this important project on screen ASAP, let's make it happen together!
Digital Downloader
You really just want to watch episode 1, right? Be the first to download (legally!) and enjoy the pilot episode of Subject to Change well before its public release.
14 chosen
Est. delivery is Feb 15
Pocket Money
For you young ones who've done a few extra chores, you've earned enough to join our team! We'll send you a cast postcard, a digital download of the pilot, plus a thanks on our website and Facebook.
10 chosen
Est. delivery is Feb 15
Student Concession
Student IDs are a wonderful thing! You'll be rewarded with a digital download of the pilot episode, a Subject to Change wristband, a personal social media mention of gratitude, a thanks on our website, a signed cast photo, and knowing you've fed a cast and crew member for one day on set.
5 chosen
Est. delivery is Feb 15
Payday Mayday
With this fantastic contribution you'll be paying one of our actors for a day (at least, the advance on their full deferred payment!). We'll reward you with a digital download of the pilot episode, a personal social media mention of gratitude, a thanks on our website, the full set of Subject to Change collectible wristbands, a signed cast photo, an A3 poster, and an invitation for two to our private supporters' launch screening party in Sydney or Melbourne.
22 chosen
Est. delivery is Feb 15
Family Supporter
A reward especially for supportive, loving families who eat, play and donate together! You'll get a digital download of the pilot episode, a personal social media mention of gratitude, a thanks on our website, 4x signed cast photos, 2x A3 posters, 2x full sets of Subject to Change collectible wristbands, a printed copy of the pilot script signed by the Director, Writer and cast, and an invitation for 4 to our private supporters' launch party in Sydney or Melbourne.
7 chosen
Est. delivery is Feb 15
Performing Arts Supporter
Thank you thank you thank you! You'll get a digital download of the pilot episode, a personal social media mention, a special mention of thanks in our production newsletter & website, 4x signed cast photos, 3x A3 posters, a copy of the pilot script signed by the Director, Writer and cast, the wristbands, an invitation for 4 to our private supporters' launch party in SYD or MEL, an invitation for 2 to our production wrap party in Sydney and lunch for 2 with the Director (SYD travel not incl).
4 chosen / 6 available
Est. delivery is Feb 15
Rainbow Supporter
You really believe in us, and we believe in you. At this level of support your reward is as per the $500 level, with the addition of prominent social media & website mention (this may be your business or personal credit), a personal call of thanks from the Director, screen credit in the pilot episode, and dinner for two with the Director in your home town as soon as we get there!
3 chosen / 2 available
Est. delivery is Feb 15
Hanging out with Mates
As above, but for a little bit extra we'll record a personal video message of thanks to you from one of our cast members of your choosing (*video not available for pledges after 8/11/14), AND you'll get the full set of Subject to Change collectible wristbands. http://subjecttochange.com.au/about-cast/
2 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Feb 15
Associate Producer
Be the most productive part of the team as an Associate Producer. Your reward will be as above, with the addition of being immortalised in screen credit as "Associate Producer", a home-cooked dinner with the Director (travel not incl), and our eternal love.
4 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Feb 15