BEN BRIAND'S HAMMER BAY DEBUTS TONIGHT ON MTV

Cherub Pictures' director, Ben Briand won the MTV Project 180 competition earlier this year and was commissioned to produce a one hour pilot drama for MTV to be screened cross-platform on Broadcast Television, Mobile Phones and the Internet. Entitled Hammer Bay, the pilot is the first drama to be commissioned by MTV and premieres tonight (Tuesday 16 October) at 7pm. Hammer Bay was created in conjunction with Optus, Sony Ericsson and MTV. (View the trailer above).
Hammer Bay is about the beachside murder of teen beauty and drama pet, Amanda Blakely (Jessica McNamee) who is found dead on the beach rocks of Hammer Bay. When a documentary crew arrive asking questions, a captivating study into the minds and psyche of the sleepy town unfolds. The lines between the observant film crew, interview participants and police begin to blur, as family members, friends and strangers all start to demonstrate one common thread - everyone is hiding something.
Hammer Bay features an extraordinary cast, including Australian acting identity Jacki Weaver (“Cosi”, “Picnic At Hanging Rock” as well as countless Sydney Theatre Company and MTC productions), Guy Edmonds (Griffin Theatre’s “Holding The Man” and “All Saints”), Amy Mizzi (“Home and Away”) and real-life sisters Penny McNamee (“See No Evil” and “Salem’s Lot”) and Jessica McNamee (“Home and Away”), who play sisters in Hammer Bay.
Director Ben Briand is the creator of music videos, short films, video installations and commercials. Ben has been recognised as a director who has a firm grasp on multiple visual language styles and techniques. Ben’s work in commercials includes Ballantine’s ‘Soccer Can’, the Contiki travel cinema commercials which were shot across 11 countries, Saxby’s Ginger Beer ‘Ginger Smile’ and most recently for ‘VSC’ for Toyota and ‘Night Tennis’ for Sony Ericsson.
Born in Melbourne and growing up in Sydney Ben spent most of his teenage weekends watching Rage music videos and cutting VHS to VHS short art films together with his school friends. By the age of 21 he was teaching the new complexities of digital video production and post-production language in the highly regarded Bachelor of Digital Media at the University of NSW. His strong technical ability combined with an unorthodox visual approach resulted in Ben taking out the first place and $10 000 prize for the Government initiative, Play Now Act Now, with his short film ‘Leaving’.
Ben is the youngest and most recent director to join Cherub Pictures. Amongst the ranks of fellow members Andrew Dominik (Chopper, Assassination of Jesse James), Cate Shortland (Somersault), John Curran (The Painted Veil, We Don’t Live Here Anymore) and Justin Kurzel (Blue Tongue).
Hammer Bay will premiere on MTV tonight, Tuesday 16th October @ 7pm with repeats on Thursday 18th October @ 1pm & 10.30pm; and Saturday 20th October @ 6pm. Hammer Bay will be seen on Broadcast Television, Mobile Phones and the Internet.