Matt dreamed up this idea many years ago (2015!). Back then it was set around the Bermuda Triangle but featured the same essence the show has now: heart, diversity and adventure. Brave, funny kids solving mysteries - the kind of show we enjoyed when we were kids ourselves.
@matt_popcorn@vincelund and Michael Ford were a stone's throw from it being developed by Nickelodeon (UK US) but, alas, it was shelved. We were heartbroken. Yet, we hoped one day, somehow, it might spark up again... and cor blimey did it spark!
Nickelodeon Australia (via Fremantle and Australia/Paramount) picked up the story and ran with it...
Now, we can't imagine Rock Island being set anywhere but beautiful Queensland with this gorgeous, talented cast.
We are so thankful to everyone involved (we see you crew!) for bringing these funny, fantastical adventures to life. It has been such a delight and privilege to see it come together and an unparalleled, absolute joy to watch it with our sons ❤💙💙
Season 3 - what a ride!💥
#rockislandmysteries #threewiseentertainment @popcornandcovideo@fremantleaus@paramountuk@annabellestephenson@kimberleyjoseph@craig_horner@sarah__mp@becksmyers_@nickelodeon_au@nickelodeonuk
As it's the spring equinox it feels right to share these creative seedlings. Myself, @matt_popcorn@vincelund and @jaythesutherland are working with Virtual Production, AI, and amazing human talent to create films in the microdrama space. In the Midlands to boot. More to come as it's very early days but it's so lovely to be creating again 🌷🌱🐣
This first foray drew on the immense talents of @im_agination_@elliehoccom@emmacavellking and @mrlsaunders 🙌
@mattandvince@facefictionproductions
#microdrama #verticaldrama #shortfilm #midlandscrew #Birmingham
It's been a minute but I had to shout about something: I got a place on bootcamp #2 in this list!
Kick off session last night was revitalising. Not least being in a room with such talented and passionate peers, but there was the tantalising prospect of edging nearer to our TV dreams.
We had two things in common: a fervent desire to use our skills and a wish to do so locally rather than working everywhere but. Oh to combine being with our loved ones AND progress our careers!
This training is run in association with Kudos Knight - the company behind Peaky Blinders. As the West Midlands transforms into a major hub for scripted (and unscripted) television, the hope is that such production companies employ more and more of the hardworking local crew (and editorial folk in my case).
Can't wait to keep learning and see what's next...
Thanks to @roninsansara for the inspiration 🙌
Rock Island Mysteries: a condensed journey. My role as development coordinator involved a lot of reading scripts and watching footage, supporting the creators here in the UK.
We fed back on plotlines, scripts and finally episodes either together in the team office, or working remotely, which meant I had small audience members available for feedback (pic 2).
It's been such a joy, satisfying both my inner child who loved these kinds of programmes (Round the Twist anyone?) and bringing together my experience on set and my skills in editing and development.
Best of all, we've been getting great feedback from our young viewers 😍 It's great to hear because while this series is as funny and madcap as ever, it's an emotional and poignant ride. I still get goosebumps watching the finale.
All 20 episodes of season 3 of Rock Island Mysteries are up on Prime/Paramount+/ NOW TV.
@matt_popcorn@vincelund@threewise.ent@popcornandcovideo #rockislandmysteries
Northumberland holiday snapshots with my loves and Storm Floris 🌬 Great for flying our kite (not shown here as we were too busy trying to stop it from garroting us) and blowing away those cobwebs. Such gorgeous terrain in an often-overlooked part of the UK 💙
Writer lurking on set...
This project forms part of an Ancient Roman exhibit coming to the London Museum in 2026. It's theatre-esque, a one-shot and has to tow the line between historical accuracy and storytelling to engage KS2 school kids. Definitely a challenge but fascinating and fun!
@popcornandcovideo@birminghamfilmstudio@wearelondonmuseum
I had to document this fab free blow dry. Also, hi 👋 How are you doing?
It has been a real mixed bag this end. Deep gratitude for spring beauty and seeing much-missed pals sits alongside grieving a loss and experiencing anxiety. Such is life, especially in these times eh?
Not much writing to report, but I have a few things bubbling away I hope to share soon. Wishing you well 💕
Thanks for the glam @sixonesixhairandbeauty_
Self-doubt has been the biggest and most consistent obstacle to getting my writing out into the world. At times, it has completely derailed me, making rejection hit even harder and, worse, held me back when opportunities came by. But I'm working on it. I know self doubt is pervasive throughout humanity, whether it's trauma-fuelled like mine or just your workaday self-loathing. Whole industries thrive on our feeling less-than in some way. We could all do with a healthy dose of thinking 'I'm enough' to start that counterbalance. Say it with me, write it out, remember it: you are enough.
I had my first mentoring sesh this week (funded by my grant) 🥳 which lit up some hitherto dormant synapses. Now I'm scribbling notes at all hours.
We decided to put my current screenplay aside for a while and work on a new idea - which is super exciting and not at all intimidating...
(Pictoral representation of my mind's thoughts aptly provided by a proud glitterball at @mamarouxsbirmingham in Digbeth. Thrilling and totally bizarre to be 'out out').
