Overview
Crowdsourced, Twitter-written TV drama; it's the newest collaborative project from the BBC and Aussie writer/director Gracie Otto, who've teamed up to invite the public to tweet their own television drama.
Using the hashtag #whatsnext over the next five days (August 25 – 29, kicking off 6pm AEST Monday night), Twitter users are invited to contribute their own wild and wacky ideas to the evolving plot for BBC First. Otto will guest tweet from @BBCFirstAus to fuel the narrative, introducing props and themes to steer wily tweeters in an actual direction, while responding to their suggestions.
"#Whatsnext is completely out of my comfort zone of writing, which is what makes this such a thrilling project to work on," said Otto. "By using Twitter to harness Australia's collective imagination, I'm looking forward to creating something really unexpected and powerfully entertaining."
Each day, the latest collaborative chapter will be published on BBC Australia's website, so you can see if your genius brainwave plot twist made it into the narrative.
To help you along, Otto has developed a narrative framework with some Agatha Christie-worthy characters to play with:
The Heiress: mid 20s, blonde, naïve. Recently inherited an international chain of hotels after the mysterious death of her father.
The Politician: mid 40s, conservative, good-looking, ambitious but with a tragic flaw.
The Actress: late 30s, glamorous brunette. Alluring, seductive and motivated by greed.
The Russian Oligarch: Early 50s, mega wealthy, questionable morals. Seemingly respected in society but hides a dark secret.
The Concierge: 60s, has taken on a father-figure role to The Heiress. Friend and confidante to The Actress and The Politician.
Tragic flaws! Mysterious deaths! Questionable morals! Go nuts.
When all's wrapped up and written, the BBC First Twitter drama will be released in its entirety online next week.
Follow @BBCFirstAUS to get Otto's tweets and and use the hashtag #whatsnext when you throw your straight-up genius ideas into the ring.
