THE groundbreaking web series The Angus Project has moved a step closer to being an official television series following an exciting announcement.
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The series is one of four that has been chosen by the ABC to go into the pilot stage, with The Angus Project set to air on December 4 on the network.
The pilot will see the titular character, an aspiring sports journalist for the fictional Bathurst Gazette, played by Bathurst’s Angus Thompson, attempt to get his first front page story by interviewing gold medal winning paralympian, Wayne “Wizza” Miller.
In exchange for the interview, Wizza has some bizarre demands, which send Angus and his carer Nina all over town and deep into the regional Australian countryside.
The episode was produced, written and directed by Nina Oyama, a former Charles Sturt University student, who also stars as Angus’ carer.
She said that what makes this series so different to others on Australian television at the moment is that it features characters with disabilities, the lead portrayed by an actor who has cerebral palsy.
“Characters with disabilities aren’t usually played by actors with that same disability,” Ms Oyama said.
The Angus Project also doesn’t glorify disability, the creators making a conscious decision to avoid depicting Angus as someone in a bubble that needs to be protected from the world.
People will see him in wild situations, swearing and engaging in illicit behaviour.
Mr Thompson is particularly proud of the unique approach to disability that this series takes and the opportunity it has provided to him as a performer.
“Working on The Angus Project was an absolutely amazing experience,” he said.
“Being able to film a TV pilot that has strong disability representation with an incredible cast and crew behind us was a dream come true for Nina and I.
“I am extremely excited to show everyone the finished product of our comedy that highlights disability in a way that has not been seen in the media enough.”
Ms Oyama said she was not only proud of the pilot, but that it will show how talented her friend is.
“He has really, really enjoyed it and he is a fantastic actor,” she said.
“I just am really glad I made this show so everyone can see how great an actor he is.”
The pilot will also feature other emerging talents from Bathurst, who are playing some of the minor characters.
Work on the pilot episode started in February, with the team able to hand the finished product over the the ABC last month.
Ms Oyama said all four pilots being shown by the ABC will be assessed before one is chosen to become a full-time series.
Even if The Angus Project isn’t picked up, the duo have no intention of giving up on it.
“Now that we’ve been given this platform by the ABC, we will definitely be trying to find more ways to make the show regardless if we get chosen or not,” Ms Oyama said.
