SYNCHRONICITY OPENS OFFICE IN AUSTRALIA, TO BE LED BY RUTH UNDERWOOD

Synchronicity Films announced its plan to launch Synchronicity Australia, an office based in Melbourne. The new addition will be led by former BBC Drama Development Producer Ruth Underwood. “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."

Following the success and popular acceptance of the show “The Cry,” filmed in Australia, the Glasgow-based production company decided to open a studio in Melbourne to expand production through both the domestic and international markets. “A key goal for Synchronicity is to expand our production reach so we can focus on truly universal stories with global appeal,” Founder and Creative Director at Synchronicity Films, Claire Mundell said.

Underwood will be responsible for sourcing local IP and producing scripted content for the production company in Australia, as well as potential UK-Australia co-productions. She has contributed to multiple projects that derived from the office’s creatives, such as the TV adaptation of Helen FitzGerald’s novel ‘Ash Mountain’, to be published on 20th August in the UK (Orenda Books) and March 2021 in Australia (Affirm Press). Her established track record in scripted production and development also includes “Clique” and “Stonemouth.” 

Before joining Synchronicity, Underwood was a Story Producer at Kudos Film & Television, Development Executive at the BBC, and held Script Editor positions at Shed Media Group and STV. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be heading up their endeavors on this side of the world and to be working on another excellent Helen FitzGerald novel, ‘Ash Mountain’,” she said.

“Ash Mountain” takes place in rural, telling the story of a woman and land in crisis, based on the best-selling novel, “The Cry.” NENT Studios UK represents the international distribution rights for its adaptation. “Synchronicity Films has championed my writing since my first book was released nearly fifteen years ago,” Helen FitzGerald said. “Since then, Claire Mundell has been dedicated, tireless, and brave in her vision and ambition, culminating in The Cry which, in my book, is the best TV adaptation ever made!”