Synchronicity Films goes down under

UK prodco Synchronicity Films is launching an Australian arm in Melbourne, with a former BBC drama development producer heading the division.

Ruth Underwood

Ruth Underwood will run Synchronicity Australia, which already has its first project – a TV adaptation of Helen FitzGerald’s forthcoming novel Ash Mountain – in the works.

Glasgow-based Synchronicity Films said the move was sparked by its positive experience filming The Cry – an adaptation of another FitzGerald novel – in Australia.

It is setting up shop in Melbourne to expand its focus on producing high-end drama for the domestic and international markets, the company added.

Underwood will be tasked with sourcing local IP and producing scripted content for Synchronicity in Australia and potential UK-Australia coproductions.

Ash Mountain, which will be published on August 20 in the UK and in March 2021 in Australia, is described as simultaneously a warm, darkly funny portrait of small-town life in rural Victoria and a shocking and truly distressing account of a catastrophic event that changes things forever.

NENT Studios UK represents the international distribution rights for Ash Mountain.

Claire Mundell, founder and creative director at Synchronicity Films, said: “A key goal for Synchronicity is to expand our production reach so we can focus on truly universal stories with global appeal.

“Having spent a considerable amount of time in Australia filming The Cry, we feel a real affinity with the country, so it’s a natural place for us to set up a new office to originate projects.”

Underwood’s credits include The Cry, Clique and Stonemouth. Prior to joining Synchronicity, Underwood was a story producer at Kudos Film & Television and a development executive at the BBC. She also previously held script editor positions at Shed Media Group and STV.

“I am so pleased to have the opportunity to develop the creative relationships I’ve already established in Australia, and further explore the great pool of talent here on Synchronicity’s behalf,” Underwood said.

“I have a long-standing professional and personal relationship with Claire, and I love Synchronicity’s ethos of positivity and inclusion, coupled with their editorially led approach to development.”