Our Story

Early in 2010 Carolyn Burns & Jenna Martin formed the production company "The Spinster and the Whippet" to try and create interesting, intelligent new work for and about Australians- with a political bent. We started with our first play at the Sydney Fringe Festival, Careers for Attractive Ladies, which was a great success. We're currently producing another play for the 2011 Fringe, "Mongrel", which will be at the Newtown theatre in September. But what we are really trying to get happening is a TV series that we have been working on for the last six months or so. 

"Friday Night" is about a bunch of hapless, over-eager and over-confident high school debating nerds with nothing better to do at the end of a long school week than stay in a class room and argue with other like minded souls about topics they probably know nothing about. It's "Glee" but without singing... It's "Summer Heights High" but without Chris Lilley... It's a little like "Election", a little like "Mean Girls" and with a dash of "Arrested Development" thrown in for good measure. It's very funny, it's very dark and, dammit, it's very good! 

We've had some interest from some major production companies who agree it's a good idea and they have encouraged us to make a pilot. So that's what we're doing. And that's why we need YOU!

The Impact

We are trying to make the best possible pilot that we can- but obviously TV costs money and we don't have a lot of it. We're using great actors who are helping us out of the goodness of their hearts and thankfully we've got a lot of contacts who can also help us out- but the cold fact is that money makes the world go around. The more we have, the better the pilot can be- as simple as that. The better the pilot is, the more chance it has of being bought. 

What We Need & What You Get

We need $2000 on top of the money we're putting in ourselves. Most of that will go towards hiring a decent editor to help us pull the piece together once it is filmed. Other than that, the money will go towards buying/hiring props, costumes and set pieces. A small amount will be used towards basic marketing. 

In return for your generosity, we can offer you perks like a 'with thanks' in the credits, tickets to the screening of the pilot episode and the party afterwards, as well as DVD's of the show. If you donate $100 or more we will offer you a Producer credit. 

Other Ways You Can Help

Spread the word! We need as many people to help as possible!