Jennifer Pittorino
An unexpected win at the Logie Awards for Most Outstanding Children’s Program has left show writer Nicholas Verso over the moon.
Mr Verso, who grew up in Williamstown, directed and wrote the ABC horror comedy series, Crazy Fun Park.
The show follows a shy teen who desperately wants to fit in and enjoy his high school years. Yet he is faced with challenges brought by his dead best friend and a posse of rotting ghouls.
“The show is held in an abandoned theme park. I chose this setting because I have always loved exploring abandoned spaces,” Verso said.
“I loved amusement parks and took the themes of the old parks that we saw back in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.”
Verso said the ABC was looking for a show for boys which dealt with grief, which set the scene for the plot.
“I worked with a writers room to develop a range of diverse characters, who came together and fought for each character and brought them to life.
“I used the old theme parks on the merit that they weren’t quite as safe as things are today as well as how kids used to be more reckless.
“We decided to write the show in a horror comedy lens with the intention to hold onto the tween boy audience.
“Now, we have found that girls are loving it just as much, and so are the parents given the 80’s themes.”
Verso and his team shot the first season of the show in the western suburbs in February and March last year.
“Our production designer built the theme park in an old shed in Altona, as well as an elaborate disorienting mirror maze.
“We also shot some sequences in Williamstown, including a Halloween sequence and a séance.”
Despite feeling confident in his writing, Verso never expected to win a Logie.
“We were hoping we stood a chance to be nominated but we definitely didn’t expect to win.
“Especially up against Bluey, which has just blown up, it’s so massive on the global stage, and one of Australia’s most successful shows, so it was a huge honour to win.”
The success of Crazy Fun Park has left Verso hoping for a second season.
“We are hoping to continue the show, we have already plotted out season two so we just hope we can run with it.
“It’s lovely that this win has brought a whole new audience to the show because we didn’t get to do much marketing.
“Our numbers have gone up significantly so it’s great to be able to see our show being enjoyed and for our big crew to enjoy.“
