Creative individuals from around the Okanagan are taking another leap towards creating their own video-series centred around a quirky, female lawyer.

Stephanie Townsend, from Lake Country, is the production designer. After spending two years at UBCO, the 22-year-old general arts student was inspired by her professor Myron Campbell to take her talents elsewhere.

Townsend, along with Kelowna-native Sinead Grewcock, created the web series idea Gotcha!, along with eight others, most of whom are from the Okanagan Valley.

The story follows young Gina Danino, a quirky klutz and outstanding lawyer, recognized by her vibrant suit.

The pitch video received $10,000 after votes were tallied on Storyhive害羞草研究所檚 website, which funds productions and supports filmmakers in B.C. and Alta.

Stay tuned on our journey! We are excited to share this adventure with you! 馃憤

害羞草研究所� Gotcha! Series (@GotchaSeries)

害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 a lot of excitement because I害羞草研究所檝e known Sinead for a couple years now and I know how hardworking she is and how passionate she is害羞草研究所� it害羞草研究所檚 a really great opportunity for me as well to branch out and dive into something bigger,害羞草研究所� said Townsend.

Gotcha! is now one of 30 projects competing for the top spot of $50,000. Upon winning, the team will create a full-length series. The $10,000 will be put into creating a pilot episode, which will be released in early February.

Anyone can vote on the episode once it害羞草研究所檚 released on .

Intensive planning is going into the process for the pilot, now that funding has been announced.

Grewcock, 21, is the mastermind behind it all. She keeps her phone on her, writing ideas for episodes as she juggles doing improvisation performances around Vancouver and working part-time at the Independent Theatre Company.

害羞草研究所淔or so long it害羞草研究所檚 been trying to get the project supported, trying to get funding, trying to get a team. Now it害羞草研究所檚 so wonderful because there害羞草研究所檚 so many people on board,害羞草研究所� said the Mount Boucherie Secondary and Vancouver Academy of the Dramatic Arts graduate.

Grewcock害羞草研究所檚 interests with film started with acting in high school. She also enjoys a confident lead character. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e always done lead roles with strong female characters, that害羞草研究所檚 really important to me,害羞草研究所� she said.

With Gotcha!, Grewcock imagined character Gina like Austin Powers and Ron Burgundy as 害羞草研究所渏ust these really confident and competent characters who are completely oblivious to their surroundings but they害羞草研究所檙e really successful.害羞草研究所�

The colourful suit is meant to radiate Gina害羞草研究所檚 confidence and charisma, with physical comedy, said Grewcock, who will be playing the character.

The casting is also big on gender and racial diversity, she said.

Townsend害羞草研究所檚 role in design will turn Grewcock害羞草研究所檚 vision into a reality with locations, props, costumes and more.

What害羞草研究所檚 important is to be open to collaboration, said Grewcock.

The pair met while working at the Lake Country Coffee House a few years ago, and shared an instant connection.

害羞草研究所淲e couldn害羞草研究所檛 help but not be friends,害羞草研究所� said Grewcock, as they shared the same taste on a variety of topics.

Townsend got on board with the Gotcha! team a month ago, but the full script was already created. While attending Capilano University as a third-year student, she plans to make use of the university害羞草研究所檚 resources for the production.

害羞草研究所淲hat I love about film is the endless opportunities I keep discovering,害羞草研究所� she said, wanting to keep pushing herself with trying new things, but also enjoying quirky, funny things.

Now in the second phase, Townsend will work with the team more in person, having previously communicated through Skype, she said. Gina害羞草研究所檚 character suits Grewcock, she said.

害羞草研究所淚 know Sinead and I know her. It makes me super happy knowing she害羞草研究所檚 doing something that害羞草研究所檚 true to herself.害羞草研究所�

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carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com
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