Database Productions

About The Show

‘Neighbourhood Watch’ is an original comedy Web-Series, based on the adventures of overzealous community crime fighters in the St Kilda neighbourhood. Imagine, a community in peril, a neighbourhood littered with crime, and 3 unlikely heroes who believe they have what it takes to save the day. As Simon, Eli and Ashley pursue social justice and a safer community, they come across a motley-crew of neighbours along the way. Will this team of misfits actually get the job done? Damn right, they will. They’re the Neighbourhood Watch!

Themes

As much as the series is a comedic, fictional spin on local members of the community standing up to protect their neighbourhood, it has a huge heart and sends a strong message that empowers the individual. The show’s adult nature provides a platform to touch on relevant social issues with heavy themes such as domestic violence, depression, suicide, PTSD, childhood trauma and vigilantism.

Locations – Why St Kilda?

This isn’t some fictional setting like Gotham or Westeros. The soul of the series is in the neighbours and streets of St Kilda!

St Kilda plays such a significant role in Melbourne’s historical culture. For decades, St Kilda has been the hub for artists, musicians, and other subcultures. Currently, there is no St Kilda branch of the Neighbourhood Watch. This is very concerning! Everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes and know they have a community looking out for them. We want to show off Melbourne’s unique flavour and urban culture.

The Aim:

The Neighbourhood Watch is where the individual can make a difference, this is not just a webseries, it' s a social project. 

Aside from being a project that put the Neighbourhhood Watch Association in a spotlight, we are working closely with them to help engaged youngest group to step up to keep the community safe. Currently the medium member ages sit at over 60, wouldn't it be more effective to protect the neighbourhood with diverse groups ? 

Who’s Watching?

Now in the digital age, web-based content has become the most consumed form of media. Web-Series are the perfect platform to tell fresh and engaging stories for audiences who seek instant and relevant content. The entire season 1 will be available to stream in February 2018, targeted at adults of all ethnicities and backgrounds. The show is targeted toward the 18-50 age demographic

The Potential of the Show:

-        All 6 episodes released at once. Watch the season from start to finish or in any preferred order. To binge or not to binge?

-        Stream it across every device; smart TV, smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.

-        It’s a fantastic talking point – laugh out loud funny

-        Funny and engaging characters that resonate with a modern audience

-        Sharing the local love and giving St Kilda the publicity it deserves

-        Create change and promote strong community values – safety and security for the individual, family and neighbourhood

-        Unique marketing campaign for the actual Neighbourhood Watch Australian Association – creating greater awareness

THE TEAM

Show Runner 

 ELI LANDES

My name is Eli Landes. I believe I've experienced enough heart-break to fill at least eight great American Novels. 

Since completing my BOA in Professional Writing I pursued a number of different creative avenues. I have written for multiple publications including FilmInk Magazine and Stack. I also contributed to RMITV’s The Leak and hosts radio show - VelcroCouch, alongside Neighbourhood Watch lead, Stephanie Teitelbaum.

One of my biggest passions is stand-up comedy. My style as an investigation into human vulnerability and I have been performing stand-up for over two years and although I tried to keep a low profile and was a RAW Comedy state finalist. 

But certainly, my most important project is Neighbourhood Watch. The scripts were inspired when I considered what it would be like to work for the community group while carrying all sorts of emotional baggage - thus, inspiring the character Cam. I took the scripts to a DATABASE pitch night and was chosen. Since then the project has grown and my role as a writer has evolved into directing and show running.

Producer & Director

FREYA HOSKING

My Name is Freya. After starting off my career in Theatre many years ago, I loved the collaborative, creative environment but always thought it a shame that after the play was done, you had no way to truly remember or document it. Then in 2011 I decided to make the jump from theatre to film and found my true calling. Film is frenzied, fast paced, exhilarating, creative, collaborative and kooky. With the bonus that at the end of it all you get a nice little film to look back on with fond memories and commemorate the journey.

I have always loved film and film making. When I was 14 I had a job at a video store and second to being a film producer it was the best job I’ve ever had, spending all my down time watching movies and becoming more and more enthralled with the art form constantly asking myself “I wonder if I'll get to be a part of that someday”.

After working consistently in the industry as a Producer, Production Manager, Unit Manager and Production Assistant I found a lot of gaps in the market that make film making very difficult at times and thought to myself, there must be a better way.

In 2013 I came up with an idea for an online platform called The Database. Not only to make more films but also to serve as a resource to film makers looking to make their films in a more efficient and affordable way. In 2015 Database Productions was born, two years later and we’re still going strong, making all manner of films including web content, features and music videos.

Film making is not only about the story but is also about the team and the team here at Database couldn’t be more passionate about what we do.

GUEST DIRECTOR

LOADING...

Associate Producer 

DANIELA ERCOLI

My name is Daniela, I grew up in Perugia, a beautiful small town in the heart of Italy. I moved to the fashion and design crazed city Milan where I studied the Entertainment Industry and worked in a newsroom for a talk show broadcasted on Sky Tv. During this time, I also worked in the marketing department for the Milano Film Festival and Sguardi Altrove (female filmmaker awards), on several short films and produced music videos for Carosello Records, which attained millions of views. Three years ago, I decided to make my dream bigger and I packed all my stuff into a big 30kg bag and flew to Melbourne. Since being in Melbourne I have produced the short film Black to White, several music videos and volunteered for a bunch of other small projects which gave me the chance to meet people in the film industry. 

My biggest role so far has been the associate producer of 'Choir Girl', an art house feature film which will be released in 2018. The feature was shot in black and white, and is starring many well-known Australian actors and will be appearing in some of the biggest film festivals around the World.  After Choir Girl, I am now involved in Neighbourhood Watch as Associate Producer. I believe this web series has great potential to engage millions of views and be such an exciting and gripping show. In my opinion, two of the series' strongest points are it's hilarious dark comedy that deals with adult themes, the involvement with the Neighbourhood Watch Organisation which I truly believe is a great initiative and to create a well-made community program based on safety and crime prevention: the next neighbourhood watch it might be you!

I will be bringing my logistical skills, my problem-solving qualities and also my super positive attitude to the set. I am so thrilled to start the principal photography shortly and to be involved with a great team!

Production Co-Ordinator 

ANNA CHARALAMBOUS

My name is Anna Charalambous and I studied at Deakin University, with a Bachelor of Film and Television, I had a strong background in classical and contemporary dance my love for creating has gone back many years. Dancing for 15 years it was only in my last year of studies at high school, studying Media I discovered my love for all things FIlm and Television. Moving from the stage to creating the magic on screen, there is this similar sense of accomplishment. There is nothing more rewarding than sitting back in a cinema and having everyone around you intently watching something you've helped create. 

My 2016 short film "Dystopia" screened at the 7th Greek Australian Short Film Festival and I recently worked as a 2nd Assistant Director on Donna McRae’s upcoming feature film "Lost Gully Road".  In 2017, I am producing “The Gladsome Centaur” a documentary celebrating the life of Lottie Lyell and recognising women in film. I believe it is important to help bring attention to the wonderful and powerful women in and around the industry. 

Anna is currently the 1st Assistant Director on Saara Lamberg’s Independent feature film “Westermarck Effect”. 

I am now jumping on board the Neighbourhood Watch team as the Production Co-Ordinator. I found the dark comedy instantly appealing however it's strong sense of community the film values that stands strong. 

Director of Photography

MARK KENFIELD 

Mark is a Melbourne-based cinematographer, a lapsed writer, a dual-passport holder, a survivor of Bollywood, and the winner of the Australian Cinematographer Society's 2017 Emerging Cinematographer Award.

With his background as a writer, story has always been the primary driver in his work, and since graduating from The University of Melbourne’s School of Creative Arts in 2008, that work has ranged from features to pilots, short films, music videos, documentaries and commercials for companies like Red Bull, Philadelphia and Kit Kat.
He made his feature film debut with the psychological thriller 'Aiden'; recently returned from India where he shot the Bollywood picture 'Zia', starring Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts; and is currently wrapping up post-production on the dark and provocative drama ‘Choir Girl’.

Other recent projects include the multi-award winning 1st-person horror film ‘2AM’; ‘Ghost’, the incredible true story of the convict William Buckley; and the delightfully quirky romantic comedy ‘The Sound of Love’.

We are committed to running a high-quality production and ensure that all our talented cast and crew have a phenomenal experience on set. We want to ensure that we can provide a successful and thoroughly enjoyable finished series. 

The Budget Breakdown in the following way:

Our 3 Community Crime fighters - $6,000

Production Dream Team - $7,000

Principal Photography Team - $21,000

(Camera Department, Sound Department,  Lighting Department... We want out series to look and sound perfect)

Art Department: $10,000

(Locations, Props, Costumes & Hair and Make Up)

Additional Crew: $8,000

Additional Cast: $12,000

Catering - $4,000

Post Production Team: $6,000

Marketing and Distribution: $6,000

Total Budget: $80,000

Already Raise: $40,000

Remaining: $40,000

As you can see a considerable portion of the budget has already been contributed and raised by us but we need a little help to take this project all the way to the top. 

The Challenges:

-        Produce a highly entertaining comedy web-series that serves as a unique marketing campaign to promote safety and create greater awareness toward the actual Neighbourhood Watch Australian Association

-        Paying the wonderful hand-picked Cast and Crew a fair rate for working to bring the first season to life

-        $30’000 will make the series a reality and ensure people get paid fairly for their work

-        $40’000 will ensure everyone is paid and the production value can be the level of quality it deserves