Kent County Council Launches Interactive TV Drama, "Hollywould...," on Kent TV

The UK's Kent County Council has launched an interactive TV drama series on its broadband video service, Kent TV (note: the latter, which launched in 2007, is intended to bring public information and features about the county to the people of Kent; it is operated by Bob Geldof's media company, Ten Alps). Entitled "Hollywould...," the 10-Webisode series (note: each episode is around five minutes long) was written by Julie Wassmer (whose credits include "Eastenders" and "London's Burning") and targets local college students and other young people with a plot that centers on such issues as sexually transmitted diseases and personal safety. Starting with its fourth episode, Kent County Council says, the show will invite viewers to vote online to determine how the life of its central character--Holly, a first-year student at a fictional university in Canterbury, whose Internet dating activities get her into trouble--develops.

According to the council, the series was created in just four months, with a budget of approximately £20,000, and its director (Simon Welsford), writer (Wassmer), editor, cast of 25, runners and extras all hail from Kent. It was developed in consultation with NHS Primary Care Trusts, and its homepage links to a carousel of films relevant to the topics it raises (for example, films on chlamydia, general sexual health, finding university accommodation, and personal safety). "The 'Hollywould...' project is a truly innovative approach to communicating with Kent's young adults about really important issues including sexual health, drinks spiking and personal safety," Alan Marsh, Kent County Council cabinet member for Public Health and Innovation, said in a prepared statement. "We are extremely proud that Kent TV is leading the way with this interactive project. It is a national first. The use of this technology is very familiar to our young people. The source of support that this project provides is innovation at its best and shows great initiative." Added Julie Wassmer: "Writing for the Internet is very different but extremely creative. The format allows people to interact with the characters and plot in a much more intimate way and will also allow us to put across some light-touch messaging about serious subjects like student safety and the sexual health of young women."