Creator hopes web series will be picked up

Queenstown is almost guaranteed international internet exposure through a web series focused on Gay Ski Week, but could receive a mass audience if the series is picked up by MTV.

Wallaby Way producer Tim Duggan is filming for Ski Camp, a web series following five young Australian gay men as they learn to ski during Queenstown's Gay Ski Week.

The web series follows Mr Duggan's previous internet series Surf Camp, which has received 700,000 viewings in 18 months.

The reception was a surprise, Mr Duggan said.

"It was just five mates and me with a camera filming them learning to surf, and it just took off internationally, with heaps of people blogging about it and the internet going crazy," he said.

Surf Camp's popularity earned him an approach from the MTV network in the United States.

"I got a call saying they loved Surf Camp and asking if I hadany more ideas in the pipeline,and that's when I told themabout Ski Camp," Mr Duggansaid.

Although no contracts have been signed, it was hoped the series would air on US television, Mr Duggan said.

Despite some of the Ski Camp stars never having seen snow before they arrived in Queenstown, all were now skiing "really well", Mr Duggan said.

Queenstown's scenery was a big part of footage already shot.

"It's like there's six stars, the five guys in the show, and Queenstown itself."

Destination Queenstown chairman Tony Everitt yesterday said the potential for such large-scale exposure could act as a huge draw-card for Queenstown.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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