TVNZ has named a young production manager at opposition network MediaWorks as a winner of TVNZ’s New Blood web series competition with her pilot, Oddly Even.
Isla Macleod won the comp with her production partner, Ashleigh Reid, who works as a wedding videographer. Both are previous graduates of the NZ Broadcasting School.
Over 160 hopefuls entered the competition with the Top 10 being selected by actor Danielle Cormack, director-writer Roseanne Liang and The Spinoff entertainment editor Alex Casey.
In four weeks, the Top 10 pilots were viewed more than 38,000 times combined and 8600 votes were cast. With 24% of the public vote, it was Oddly Even that took out first place.
Macleod & Reid will receive with $100,000 from TVNZ and NZ On Air to create a full web series to screen on TVNZ.co.nz.
They came up with the concept after meeting at the NZBS. They’re excited about what this win means for them: “As 22-year-olds, it would be at least another decade working our way up the industry ladder before we would be in a position making the creative decisions.
“Winning this competition gives us a platform to tell our stories now. Stories that are relatable to young Kiwis.”
TVNZ’s digital creative director Amie Mills said: “The competition is titled New Blood, and we’re seeing just that. Ashleigh, Isla and their team are a passionate, talented group who have beaten out some very tough competition to turn their pilot turned into a full web series. I can’t wait to see the full season.”
Oddly Even follows Olivia (Beth Alexander) and her 10-year life plan to run a successful food truck business. Not in the plan is her older sister Frankie (Lucy Suttor) who disappeared eight years ago after their parents died. Now Frankie is on Olivia’s doorstep with a suitcase and a plan of her own.
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