Another sitcom about caravans. Only jobseekers need apply.
Filming for a sitcom about caravans will begin on the Isle of Sheppey this year
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Tuesday, 15, Sep 2009 04:02
Last month Caravan Times brought you news of a new BBC sitcom set in a caravan park. Broadcast every Friday on BBC1 Scotland, the show pokes fun at the tyrannical owner of a badly-run caravan site. What we didn't anticipate was that within a month we would be reporting on another comedy show.about caravans.
There is a tradition of Hollywood movies covering exactly the same subject matter within months of each other. Antz and A Bug's Life went head to head in 1998, while in the same year Deep Impact and Armageddon covered the asteroid theme. Anyone remember how The Truman Show was followed by ED TV? And how did the studios believe the world needed two movies about volcanoes? (if you're wondering, Dante's Peak was followed by the simply-titled Volcano)
Well caravan fans are spoiled this year as another sitcom has been commissioned on the subject. Called Park Life, the comedy is set among the Isles of Sheppey near Kent and is intended to run for 12 episodes. Sheppey residents Matt Purnell and Steve Cunningham wrote the script which tells the tale of two caravan salesmen at different holiday parks. And the project is unlike most TV productions in that it promises to help 32 young people find work.
Only those aged 18 - 24 who have claimed Jobseeker's Allowance for 39 - 50 weeks will be eligible to apply for jobs working on the show. The Sheppey Arts Foundation Enterprise (SAFE) is behind the project after funds were awarded by the Department for Work and Pensions. SAFE have joined forced with Job Centre Plus to find crew members for the show. The organisation is run by Tony Duke who helps local people learn new skills through performing arts.
Tony Duke explained how "applicants don't need to have any experience - they just need to a have passion for wanting to be in the business." He hopes that major television channels will take on the show, which will initially be broadcast online.
Auditions will be held in November for actors, while there will be interviews for cameramen, set design and construction, and lighting and make-up. Successful applicants will be treated as film crew but will be paid minimum wage on an initial six month contract.
Those interested in applying for the project should register online at the Job Centre Plus website.