CBBC’s popular BAFTA winning kids TV show, Friday Download makes its big-screen debut in a movie spin-off, THE FRIDAY DOWNLOAD MOVIE (working title) which begins principal photography on 6th September. It was announced today by producers Jules Elvins and Dan Shepherd, of Pilot Media and Jeremy Salsby of Saltbeef TV, who created the show. The four week shoot will primarily take place in Wales, in and around Swansea.
The cast has been revealed to include the current line-up of presenters on the hit CBBC show: Dionne Bromfield (FAST GIRLS); Richard Wisker (DANI’S CASTLE) Shannon Flynn (DANI’S CASTLE) George Sear (EVERMOOR) and guest presenter Bobby Lockwood (WOLFBLOOD);
THE FRIDAY DOWNLOAD MOVIE sees the gang heading off for a holiday they will never forget when they seem inexplicably drawn to Hill House, a creepy old mansion in the middle of nowhere.
In addition to the cast of current Friday Download regulars, also attached is actor and one of Friday Download’s popular former presenters, Tyger Drew Honey (CUCKOO, OUTNUMBERED) and Louisa Connolly-Burnham (WOLFBLOOD, HOUSE OF ANUBIS). Cameo appearances will include the bands The Vamps and Simon Cowell’s Britain’s Got Talent stars, Bars and Melody.
Pilot Media is a London based film and television production company run by Shepherd and Elvins. Shepherd previously executive produced CHALET GIRL and MR NICE. Shepherd and Elvins commented: “We are extremely excited about this project. Friday Download is a terrific brand and we have an excellent script, great cast and a first-class director attached. Friday Download targets a TV audience that is under-represented in the cinema and we hope to put that right.”
The film is co-produced by Jeremy Salsby of Saltbeef TV, a boutique independent production company, specialising in comedy, entertainment and cross-platform content. Current shows include Friday Download, on which Jeremy Salsby, co-producer on the film has worked for several years and previously, as Head of Development at SO Television, created BAFTA nominated hit comedy series SORRY, I’VE GOT NO HEAD and cross-platform sitcom PIXELFACE. Salsby added: “Turning a hit entertainment show into a big screen adventure has been really great fun and there seems to be a real appetite for a fun, funny and spooky movie for the demanding PG audience.”
Scripted by Toby Davies (YONDERLAND, CRACKANORY, SORRY I’VE GOT NO HEAD), THE FRIDAY DOWNLOAD MOVIE will be directed by John Henderson (The Borrowers, Alice Through The Looking Glass and Loch Ness) and is fully financed by Great Point Media, run by Emmy® Award and Golden Globe® winning producers Jim Reeve and Robert Halmi Jnr. International sales will be handled by Genesis Film Sales.
Synopsis
The Friday Download gang have organised an exciting holiday road trip together, which very quickly turns into a total nightmare, in more ways than one. Their van breaks down outside a creepy old mansion; there’s no phone signal and no alternative but to knock on the door and ask for help. Big mistake. Caleb and Clara, an oddly welcoming but sinister brother and sister, who live there, are definitely hiding something. Turns out, what they’re hiding is that this creepy old mansion is haunted. And it’s about to be knocked down, which is very upsetting for all concerned. The gang’s divided loyalties play havoc with their conscience – run away from their new oddball friends or pay back their kindness? They decide to do all they can to save the house with a special Friday Download music festival. Big mistake no 2. It seems the house has some secrets that suggest it would be best if it was knocked down after all…..
