PRESS RELEASE
Princess Pictures today launched a new short-form comedy series called FLATS, which was supported by Screen Australia through the Online Production Fund.
The six-part series stars real residents of inner-city Melbourne’s community housing in their first acting roles.
Episode one premieres at 7pm on Thursday 10th November on the popular ‘Slap Bang’ YouTube Channel, with other episodes to follow.
The fictional story follows 27-year-old Joey as he is released from prison and returns home to the Fitzroy flats in the hopes of reuniting with his girlfriend, Rachol, and the young son he’s never met. But life in the community didn’t stay paused whilst Joey served time, and Rachol isn’t thrilled to see him, especially as he seems to be straight back to his old ways, under the bad influence of his best friend Troy.
FLATS was written and directed by Darren L. Downs and Will Weatheritt. Weatheritt, who also stars as Joey, worked in the housing commission’s local supermarket, lives close by, and has been filmmaking with the housing community for seven years. This series is the culmination of those relationships and all that work.
The series was produced by Mike Cowap of Princess Pictures (SUPERWOG, YOLO: CRYSTAL FANTASY, SMILING FRIENDS) with Executive Producers Emma Fitzsimons (WRONG KIND OF BLACK, HOW TO STAY MARRIED) and Laura Waters (SUMMER HEIGHTS HIGH, LAST DAYS OF THE SPACE AGE).
The production was given a huge lift with the casting of Ciaran Griffiths in an important supporting role. Ciaran became a familiar face to UK and international audiences for playing the fan-favourite character of ‘Mickey Maguire’ in the acclaimed British series SHAMELESS, created by Paul Abbott, a show which already provided a useful reference for FLATS.
“I’m incredibly proud of my good friends in the community who thrived on set and whose performances have given the show it’s heart,” said Will. “Their improv and comic timing would rival any professional actor.”
“We aimed to make a series that would deliver big laughs, no matter how dark the subject matter got,” said Darren. “There are serious themes here, but first and foremost we just wanted to entertain, and I’m confident the series delivers that in spades.”
“I was passionate about bringing this under-represented community to the screen, to give audiences a window into a world they wouldn’t normally see,” said Mike Cowap, Producer, Princess Pictures. “Some of our cast faced real challenges but everyone enjoyed being on set and embraced the opportunity to perform.”
