As the most watched Australian lesbian series ever, 'Starting From...Now!' is about to premiere its fourth season. I caught up with creator, writer and director of the landmark and awarding winning series, Julie Kalceff, in the mist of post-production of seasons four and five.
I must to express from the our followers, subscribers and myself, our sincere gratitude to Julie, her cast and crew for the devotion to storylines, casting (We can't thank you enough for that, God Bless YOU!!!), production and her untiring indulgence to please our insatiable appetite for quality lesbian TV.
The following our written interview;
I must to express from the our followers, subscribers and myself, our sincere gratitude to Julie, her cast and crew for the devotion to storylines, casting (We can't thank you enough for that, God Bless YOU!!!), production and her untiring indulgence to please our insatiable appetite for quality lesbian TV.
The following our written interview;
Tamara Spicer: You've lead Starting From...Now! to become the most popular lesbian web series to come out of Australia, what would you attest as the reason for its success, especially as there have been several previously failed attempts?
Julie Kalceff: I know I speak for the rest of the team when I say that we’re very humbled by the success of the show and grateful to our audience for embracing Starting From … Now!
I think one of the major reasons for our success is the quality of the acting and the incredible cast and crew we have working on it. I have been extremely lucky to work with this group of actors.
Our core cast, the four leads who have been on the show from the beginning (Bianca Bradey, Sarah de Possesse, Rosie Lourde and Lauren Orrell), are not only incredibly talented but are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
The fact that we’ve had the opportunity to work together across five seasons now and for over two years, means we’ve been able to build a strong working relationship and, I’d like to think, become like a family during that time. We’ve also expanded our cast in recent seasons. We’ve been joined by a number of quality actors who, again, are incredibly wonderful people. I think the audience has become invested in the characters and this is, in large part, due to the integrity and depth the actors have brought to their roles.
TS: At the end of Season 3, you immediately began your funding campaign for season 4, then later you announced you were filming both seasons 4 & 5. Clue us in as to how that was possible?
JK: We had planned to shoot Season 4 early in 2015. The crowd funding campaign didn’t raise the funds we needed. However, off the back of the success of Season 3, a number of opportunities were presented to us and we realized we had the chance to really develop the series and produce something beyond what we’d done previously. Rosie Lourde (a producer on the show as well as playing the role of Darcy) and I set about trying to secure screen agency funding in order to produce Seasons 4 and 5 of Starting From … Now! This took some time but it also allowed us to build partnerships with community and commercial organizations such as ACON, IVF Australia and Merivale, and secure a media partner in the Sydney Star Observer. When we were successful in our application for funding from both Screen Australia and Screen NSW, we were able to shoot both seasons back-to-back.
TS: I know the show couldn't continue without all four of our beloved ladies attached, but can you reveal any new cast members or guests that will appear in season 4 and perhaps 5?
JK: Most certainly. As stated, we have expanded our cast in recent seasons. In Season 4 Kylie Watson (Jackie), Clementine Mills (Bec) and Francesca Savige (Grace) will be reprising their roles. They’ll also be joined by some new cast members: Julia Billington, Harvey Kaska Zielinski, Lauren Dillon, and a cameo by Gretel Killeen. Darcy’s mother, played by the wonderful Heather Mitchell, will be re-joining us in Season 5.
TS: Season 3 ended with all our girls lives' in turmoil, is it possible to give your fans some reassurances that things won't be THAT chaotic during season 4 & 5?
JK: I can’t guarantee that things won’t be THAT chaotic but I can assure you that each of them will find their own path in one way or another. There are some tough times for each of the characters but there’s also hope and the feeling that they each emerge stronger as a result of what they’ve been through.
TS: Let's talk formula; - Over the course of your three seasons, each season has had 6 episodes and have averaged about 8 minutes long. Will the upcoming season follow in the same way or can we hope for more???
JK: Each season will have 6 episodes but the episodes will be slightly longer, averaging out at around 10 minutes each. This is a direct result of having access to funding for these two seasons and also a response to audience feedback requesting longer episodes.
TS: As we rejoice that we still have season 4 & 5 to look forward too, do you have a release date on season 4 and will both or either seasons be available for download as was offered in season 3?
JK: We’re close to announcing a release date for Season 4. Our plan is to release the first episode of Season 4 and then have the whole season available for download. Once this set period of time has expired, we’ll then release each episode weekly as we’ve done in the past. We’ll do that with both seasons. It’s important to us that lesbian content is freely available on the web but we also realize that a number of fans want the opportunity to download the whole season. We feel this way we’re able to do both.
TS: Can we dare to ask if you would be willing to share any season 4 sneak peaks or storylines reveals?
JK: Without giving too much away, I’d like to think that there’s something that will appeal to most viewers. We’re dealing with some darker and more complex subject matter but, at the same time, have some lighter moments and a wider range of characters.
TS: Do you see the series going beyond season 5?
JK: At this stage, we’re looking to end Starting From … Now!as a web series with Season 5. Having said that, it may not mean the end of these characters or this story world.
TS: When SFN...*sniff* finally closes the curtain and bids us adieu, do you have any plans for another series, film or ...just about anything from you?
JK: Most definitely. Rosie and I are developing a number of projects, both longer form series and feature films, that we think will appeal to the same audience who has been so supportive of SFN. We have learnt so much from making this series that we’re keen to build on this and create something even better for out next project.
TS: Do you have anything to add?
JK: I’d like to thank you, Tee, and the PNT Tv audience for their support of Starting From … Now! You have been an advocate of the show from the very beginning. This has meant a great deal to us and is very much appreciated. There have been some tough times over the past two and a half years but it’s the support from the audience and from people like yourself, that has given us the strength to continue.
SFN will hold its season 4 premiere in Sydney as part of the Queer Screen - Mardi Gras Film Festival on March 1. We'll be screening the whole of Season 4, followed by a Q and A and a 20 million view after-party! Grab your tickets now before it's sold out! Rosie Lourde, Bianca Bradey, Lauren Orrell, Sarah de Possesse.
PNT Tv Page: /starting-from-now
Website: www.startingfromnowtv.com/
Facebook: startingfromnowthewebseries
Twitter: @StartingFromNo1
Julie Kalceff: I know I speak for the rest of the team when I say that we’re very humbled by the success of the show and grateful to our audience for embracing Starting From … Now!
I think one of the major reasons for our success is the quality of the acting and the incredible cast and crew we have working on it. I have been extremely lucky to work with this group of actors.
Our core cast, the four leads who have been on the show from the beginning (Bianca Bradey, Sarah de Possesse, Rosie Lourde and Lauren Orrell), are not only incredibly talented but are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
The fact that we’ve had the opportunity to work together across five seasons now and for over two years, means we’ve been able to build a strong working relationship and, I’d like to think, become like a family during that time. We’ve also expanded our cast in recent seasons. We’ve been joined by a number of quality actors who, again, are incredibly wonderful people. I think the audience has become invested in the characters and this is, in large part, due to the integrity and depth the actors have brought to their roles.
TS: At the end of Season 3, you immediately began your funding campaign for season 4, then later you announced you were filming both seasons 4 & 5. Clue us in as to how that was possible?
JK: We had planned to shoot Season 4 early in 2015. The crowd funding campaign didn’t raise the funds we needed. However, off the back of the success of Season 3, a number of opportunities were presented to us and we realized we had the chance to really develop the series and produce something beyond what we’d done previously. Rosie Lourde (a producer on the show as well as playing the role of Darcy) and I set about trying to secure screen agency funding in order to produce Seasons 4 and 5 of Starting From … Now! This took some time but it also allowed us to build partnerships with community and commercial organizations such as ACON, IVF Australia and Merivale, and secure a media partner in the Sydney Star Observer. When we were successful in our application for funding from both Screen Australia and Screen NSW, we were able to shoot both seasons back-to-back.
TS: I know the show couldn't continue without all four of our beloved ladies attached, but can you reveal any new cast members or guests that will appear in season 4 and perhaps 5?
JK: Most certainly. As stated, we have expanded our cast in recent seasons. In Season 4 Kylie Watson (Jackie), Clementine Mills (Bec) and Francesca Savige (Grace) will be reprising their roles. They’ll also be joined by some new cast members: Julia Billington, Harvey Kaska Zielinski, Lauren Dillon, and a cameo by Gretel Killeen. Darcy’s mother, played by the wonderful Heather Mitchell, will be re-joining us in Season 5.
TS: Season 3 ended with all our girls lives' in turmoil, is it possible to give your fans some reassurances that things won't be THAT chaotic during season 4 & 5?
JK: I can’t guarantee that things won’t be THAT chaotic but I can assure you that each of them will find their own path in one way or another. There are some tough times for each of the characters but there’s also hope and the feeling that they each emerge stronger as a result of what they’ve been through.
TS: Let's talk formula; - Over the course of your three seasons, each season has had 6 episodes and have averaged about 8 minutes long. Will the upcoming season follow in the same way or can we hope for more???
JK: Each season will have 6 episodes but the episodes will be slightly longer, averaging out at around 10 minutes each. This is a direct result of having access to funding for these two seasons and also a response to audience feedback requesting longer episodes.
TS: As we rejoice that we still have season 4 & 5 to look forward too, do you have a release date on season 4 and will both or either seasons be available for download as was offered in season 3?
JK: We’re close to announcing a release date for Season 4. Our plan is to release the first episode of Season 4 and then have the whole season available for download. Once this set period of time has expired, we’ll then release each episode weekly as we’ve done in the past. We’ll do that with both seasons. It’s important to us that lesbian content is freely available on the web but we also realize that a number of fans want the opportunity to download the whole season. We feel this way we’re able to do both.
TS: Can we dare to ask if you would be willing to share any season 4 sneak peaks or storylines reveals?
JK: Without giving too much away, I’d like to think that there’s something that will appeal to most viewers. We’re dealing with some darker and more complex subject matter but, at the same time, have some lighter moments and a wider range of characters.
TS: Do you see the series going beyond season 5?
JK: At this stage, we’re looking to end Starting From … Now!as a web series with Season 5. Having said that, it may not mean the end of these characters or this story world.
TS: When SFN...*sniff* finally closes the curtain and bids us adieu, do you have any plans for another series, film or ...just about anything from you?
JK: Most definitely. Rosie and I are developing a number of projects, both longer form series and feature films, that we think will appeal to the same audience who has been so supportive of SFN. We have learnt so much from making this series that we’re keen to build on this and create something even better for out next project.
TS: Do you have anything to add?
JK: I’d like to thank you, Tee, and the PNT Tv audience for their support of Starting From … Now! You have been an advocate of the show from the very beginning. This has meant a great deal to us and is very much appreciated. There have been some tough times over the past two and a half years but it’s the support from the audience and from people like yourself, that has given us the strength to continue.
SFN will hold its season 4 premiere in Sydney as part of the Queer Screen - Mardi Gras Film Festival on March 1. We'll be screening the whole of Season 4, followed by a Q and A and a 20 million view after-party! Grab your tickets now before it's sold out! Rosie Lourde, Bianca Bradey, Lauren Orrell, Sarah de Possesse.
PNT Tv Page: /starting-from-now
Website: www.startingfromnowtv.com/
Facebook: startingfromnowthewebseries
Twitter: @StartingFromNo1