In a first, Brisbane will star as a character in its own right in FOX 8’s new multiplatform drama series SLiDE, which is currently shooting in the Queensland capital. This funny and frank series follows the exploits of five teenagers smashing their way into adulthood, is co-produced by Playmaker Media and Brisbane-based Hoodlum.

Playmaker’s David Taylor said, “Creating the world of SLiDE meant finding a location which was youthful, optimistic, full of energy, and most importantly a place viewers would be eager to revisit week after week. And we found all of that and more in Brisbane.”
 


SLiDE’s principal locations include Fortitude Valley, Brisbane city and surrounding areas with the Brisbane River, New Farm Park, the Gold Coast and the distinct timber and tin architecture of Queenslander houses also featuring.

Hoodlum’s Tracey Robertson said, “Brisbane has really come of age and we learned that while it’s been used as other places it hasn’t actually been a character in itself.” “Brisbane is a really colourful city – there’s great artwork on buildings and we’re primarily focusing around urban areas and taking architecture that looks and feels very bright and Brisbane. 
 


“There’s a lot to work with here and as a result SLiDE doesn’t look like any other show.”


Producer Sue Seeary commented, “What’s great about Brisbane is that we’ve been able to use locations that haven’t been previously seen in an Australian TV series and that’s ideal when we’re aiming to create a truly different look and feel for SLiDE.”
 


Music is a key part of SLiDE and the live music precinct of Fortitude Valley held great appeal for setting the series in Brisbane.

Robertson said, “We talked to a lot of Valley locals, including 17-year-olds, and learned there’s a real sense of pride about the city and with that there’s been a strong music culture that’s come through. It’s very clear that Brisbane isn’t some cultural backwater. “In the last 20 years there are a lot of great designers, artists and musicians who’ve come from Brisbane. There’s a true feeling of history and achievement and people have got something to say.”

Playmaker’s David Maher said, “Screen Queensland have been with us since the early development of SLiDE alongside FOXTEL. Their support has been instrumental in ensuring we have been able to deliver on our ambitious vision for this program on all fronts.”
 


Hoodlum’s Nathan Mayfield added, “We’ve been able to innovate with a strong sense of support from government and primarily Screen Queensland who have been encouraging about the way ahead for the entertainment industry. 
 


“In very small steps SLiDE is playing a pivotal role in not only educating government about what entertainment looks like in the future but also in empowering creatives and crew about what they traditionally view as just television. We are now creating an environment where we can tell stories across different platforms using our film and TV language skills.

“It takes a very brave agency like Screen Queensland to consider that an important part of the mix and not just about return on investment and access to crews and locations – it’s also about how is this going to grow the industry as a whole.”


Line producer Tom Hoffie said, “We’ve had great support from Brisbane Marketing, Brisbane City Council, Gold Coast City Council and local businesses – they’ve all been terrific and really smoothed the way for us with our shoots. Plus the locations have been affordable.”

SLiDE’s production team praised the hard-working crew, which includes both locals and interstaters, and Sue Seeary said: “The crew has been great and even with devastating flooding in January, production was halted for just three days as there was a real collective ‘on with the show’ attitude.”

Tracey Robertson added, “It has been really nice working with our peers – lots of people who are working with us are those who we started out with 15 years ago. We’ve known them through working on other projects and they’ve become friends so it’s great to be able to bring them together to work on SLiDE right here at home.”
 


SLiDE is devised as a multiplatform online/television drama featuring social media and an online experience that stands to revolutionise how television programs connect and communicate with the audience. 


In addition to tuning into the show each week on when it premieres on FOX8 later this year, you will be able to experience SLiDE on the Internet at FOX8.tv and via social media, Facebook and Twitter providing viewers with an entertainment experience like never before.

SLiDE stars five of Australia’s freshest acting faces – Adele Perovic (as Eva), Ben Schumann (as Ed), Brenton Thwaites (as Luke), Emily Iris Robins (as Scarlett) and Gracie Gilbert (as Tammy).