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LOGLINE (38 words)
Five strangers, trapped inside a tacky, low-budget sitcom are watched by an unseen audience ever hungry for entertainment. Together, they must learn to play along with their eerie ‘supporting’ castmates or risk being killed off for cheap laughs.
PILOT SYNOPSIS (150 words)
Grace wakes backstage to a silent sitcom set. Bright lights appear as she's whisked into a pantomime of colour and canned laughter. Her new castmates Dave and Vivian help her safely navigate to a break in proceedings. In the dark they discover frozen extras, and that they're not alone; a veteran of the show ‘the Hermit’ sits in silent protest. The show begins again with new, sillier plotlines. Grace is forced into caring for two new castmates, Juri and Matthew. Both accidentally volunteer the crew for a task beyond their abilities. A second break allows the ensemble cast time to meet each other, and our Hermit to impart some words of wisdom. Using this sage advice, Grace navigates the team to a successful resolution. Their relief is short lived as the Hermit is brutally killed as a warning for what will happen should they refuse to play along.
PILOT SYNOPSIS (225 words)
Grace wakes backstage to a silent sitcom set. Confused, she searches for an exit but instead finds her co-star Dave. Startled, she begins to ask the right questions but runs out of time as the sitcom whirs to life. Whisked into a pantomime of colour and canned laughter, trying to navigate the run-down hostel 'The Beehive', Grace flounders, but Dave improvises them to safety. A new cast member, Vivian shows some fight, and a sharp tongue. The lights come down and a break in proceedings has our three castmates inspecting a frozen extra. Are they alive? Is this real? They discover they're not alone; a veteran of the show ‘the Hermit’ sits in silent protest. The show begins again with new, sillier plotlines. A gun waving, unhinged ‘Captain’ forces Grace into caring for two new castmates. His nephews, Juri and Matthew, arrive bickering with each other and accidentally volunteer the crew for a task beyond their abilities. One they dare not fail. A second break allows the ensemble cast time to meet each other, and our Hermit to impart some words of wisdom. Using this sage advice, Grace navigates the team to a successful mission, much to the captain's amusement. Congratulating her on a job well done, he brutally kills the Hermit as a warning for what will happen should they refuse to play along.
OPTIONAL COPY (76 words)
Prepare to enter a world where canned laughter and dark personal dramas collide. ‘Hive’ offers viewers a unique and original viewing experience that delivers tense and thrilling television through the lens of a lighthearted, and colourful sitcom. With a stellar ensemble cast and sharp writing, ‘Hive’ seamlessly weaves together moments of levity with intense, emotionally charged scenes. Audiences will find themselves drawn into the struggles of the kidnapped cast, eagerly anticipating each new revelation and twist.
KEY CAST
Johanna Hayes - Grace
Originally from Darwin, Johanna started in theatre, appearing in classics such as ‘Away’, ‘The Hollow’ and Shakespearean comedies. Her talents extend behind the scenes, including stage management and scriptwriting (ATYP’s Fresh Ink program). Since moving to Melbourne, she has diversified further, touring as a scare actor for an immersive performance company and walking the runway for India Fashion Week Australia 2023. She is currently starring in ‘Loose News’, a long-running theatre improv comedy.
Riley Nottingham - Dave
A graduate of the Australian Acting Academy and Queensland Actors Playhouse. At the age of 18 he was cast in the lead role of Tom in 'Toybox' (Seven Network Australia). In 2019 Screen Producers Australia named Riley as a 'One to Watch'. Riley has co-created three TV series including two seasons of 'Metro Sexual' in which he stars as Dr Langdon Marsh for Nine Network Australia and OUTtv. Riley will soon be seen in his feature film debut 'Strange Creatures' and in 2023 was selected as one of the dynamic ensemble cast members for the highly-anticipated reboot of 'Thank God You're Here' for Network Ten/Paramount +.
Carlotta Migliolo - Vivian
An ambitious and empathetic Italian artist who has dedicated her life to screen acting and performing arts. Carlotta is a trained actress, singer, and voice-over artist. Starring in notable roles, including lead parts in the web series ‘The Abandoned’, the feature film ‘Spy’, several TV pilots, short films, and many more. Carlotta is active in the Theatre scene both as actress and Writer/Director/Producer, debuting in 2023 with her bilingual play "Pane di Casa, A Taste of Home", followed by her production "Loose News" in 2024. Her diverse training and passion for acting drive her to continuously challenge herself, making her a rising talent in the industry.
Declan Clifford - Matthew
An Australian actor known for his portrayal of Timothy Conigrave in the stage adaptation of 'Holding the Man' and Alan in Harvey Fierstein's 'Torch Song'. Declan has also starred in 'Scrubs Heartbeat' and appeared in the new feature film 'Strange Creatures'.
Gene Efron - Juri
Gene is Melbourne based actor who is a graduate of both Howard Fine Acting Studio and The Improv Conspiracy. Naturally comedic with versatility to perform with frankness and depth, Gene has starred in roles for stage and screen. Some recent tropes include performing at the Melbourne International Comedy and Fringe festivals, international TV commercials, and TV pilots. Gene is also known on Instagram for his comedic skits, which you can catch @tallncurly. Juri is the ideal role for Gene, enabling him to play with both subtle awkwardness and outright brashness.
KEY CREATIVES
Dan Jones - Producer/Director/Editor
A Welsh/Australian filmmaker based in Melbourne, Dan graduated from RMIT in 2011 with an Advanced Diploma in Screen and Media. An award winning editor, his body of work spans feature films, television programs, educational videos, adverts, music videos, and marketing reels. In 2016 he produced and directed his debut feature film 'Out of Order' released on Amazon Prime, and is co-creator of a Horror Shorts channel on YouTube, 'Terror Bites'.
Rhys Tate - Producer/Writer
Rhys’ notable work includes two seasons as writer and co-creator of the Melbourne-based sitcom ‘Fergus in Hell’, and the sci-fi comic series ‘Urpflanze Deus’ (as writer and illustrator). He has also worked in independent film, theatre, music and design, alongside working in education.
Riyana Kasmawan - Producer/Designer
Having worked in television and film since she was sixteen, Riyana has played key production roles in series such as ‘Barnaby Flowers’, ’Live on Bowen’ and ’31 Questions’. She is also co-creator of the sitcom ‘Fergus in Hell’. Riyana is currently based in the U.K., where she works in live television production with Gravity Media.
Carl Allison ACS - Director of Photography
Known for 'Mad Martha' (2022), 'Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism' (2023) and 'Tones and I: Won't Sleep' (2021), Carl is a Melbourne based cinematographer and an accredited member of the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS). Carl was recently nominated for an AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Film for his work on 'Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism' (2023).
CREATOR STATEMENT
Hive is an allegory for the social media age. The ‘The Bee Hive’ sitcom evokes well-known ‘flashpoints’ in the evolution of online platforms, with the characters’ responses exploring the intense needs and desires social media evokes in users. Just as the characters must choose what aspect of themselves they present to 'the Audience', so too must we make the same decisions with our own online lives.
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We believe this idea is fresh, full of potential, and best of all, original.
Now is the right time for this story, as it fits the typical tone of streaming platform content while also able to make comment on the pitfalls of such platforms, while exploring the addictive aspects of streaming and social media culture.
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SPECS
Title of Film
Country of Production
Date of Completion
Shooting Format
Screening Format
Ratio Standard
Sound Standard
Duration
Genre
Language
HIVE
Australia
July 2024
RED Dragon
DCP and Pro Res available
16:9 4K Flat (1.85:1)
LCR Stereo Mix
48 minutes, 00 seconds
Dark Comedic Drama
English
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