Synchronicity eyes UK/Australian co-prods with new Melbourne office

Scottish-based production company Synchronicity Films, makers of The Cry, is launching an Australian office with a view to making more UK/Australian co-productions.  

The new office is in Melbourne, from where former BBC drama development producer Ruth Underwood will be in charge of sourcing local IP and producing scripted content for Synchronicity in Australia as well as seeking potential UK/Australia co-prods. 

The first project from the new base will be another TV adaptation a novel from The Cry author Helen Fitzgerald.  Ash Mountain is set in rural Victoria and is a domestic noir thriller that explores a woman and land in crisis. 

Claire Mundell, founder and creative director at Synchronicity Films says: “A key goal for Synchronicity is to expand our production reach so we can focus on truly universal stories with global appeal. 

“Having spent a considerable amount of time in Australia filming The Cry we feel a real affinity with the country, so it’s a natural place for us to set up a new office to originate projects. We are thrilled that someone of Ruth’s calibre is helming this new venture and look forward to working on ‘Ash Mountain’ and other upcoming projects which will have their genesis in Australia.”

Underwood added: “I am so pleased to have the opportunity to develop the creative relationships I’ve already established in Australia, and further explore the great pool of talent here on Synchronicity’s behalf.”

Australia is a key international production hub, with an official location incentive of 16.5% that is effectively more like 30% with the addition of a federal fund for international producers.  

Victoria also offers its own incentive, Film Victoria’s Production Incentive Attraction Fund, as well as a major film studio, Docklands, which has recently been hosting Netflix’s Clickbait. 

The Cry images via BBC.