Disney Channel Launches Casting Call

Disney Channel Launches Casting Call To Find Newest Cast Member
For Season Four Of Award-Winning Comedy “As The Bell Rings”

Kiwi and Aussie Kids to Showcase Their Acting Talent!

SYDNEY, April 15, 2010 – Disney Channels Australia and New Zealand, the #1 rating kids and family channel, have launched a “Casting Call” across Australia and New Zealand to find the newest cast member of ASTRA Award-winning and Logie-nominated locally produced comedy, “As the Bell Rings”, which will be filming its fourth season this winter.

“As the Bell Rings”, which consistently wins its primary timeslot with Kids 5-15 in subscription TV households, chronicles the lives of a group of friends between classes and in the hallway -- their antics, exchanges, and everyday adventures and challenges. From school crushes, exams and teachers, the program explores diverse and relatable themes, as seen through the eyes of New Zealand and Australian kids. In 2009, “As the Bell Rings” was recognised as Most Outstanding Short Form Program at the ASTRA Awards and was nominated for a Logie for Most Outstanding Children’s Program. It will again be directed by David McDonald (“Comedy Inc – The Late Shift”, Life Support”, “The Election Chaser”) and produced by FremantleMedia Australia.

Through until April 25, kids aged 8-18 will be able to submit an audition tape showcasing their acting talents, with five finalists announced on Disney Channel on May 10. Fans will then be able to visit the Disney Channel website (www.disneychannel.co.nz) through June 6 to view the online auditions and select their favourite finalists. The five finalists will attend an acting workshop and formal casting in Sydney in May. Following the close of fan voting, the new cast member will be selected based on a combination of input from the general public, Disney Channel and the series’ director. The winner will be announced in mid-June.

“’As the Bell Rings’ is the perfect vehicle to showcase our fabulous young, local talent”, said Melissa Dixon, General Manager, Disney Channels Australia and New Zealand. “We’re so excited to be able to offer our passionate fans the opportunity to be part of the ‘As the Bell Rings’ experience and play an integral role in the continued evolution and growth of this award-winning series”.

To enter the competition, kids must submit a three-minute audition tape featuring the following:
• Introduction, including information about themselves and their interests
• Performance of a scene from the show (audition scripts available online at (www.disneychannel.co.nz)

Auditions can be submitted online at (www.disneychannel.co.nz) or sent via mail to be received by April 25.

Filming of the new season of “As the Bell Rings” will commence in Melbourne in late June and is slated to premiere on Disney Channel in New Zealand and Australia later this year. The series is based on Disney Channel Italy's hugely popular short form series "Quelli dell'Intervallo". Locally-produced adaptations of the sitcom shorts also air on Disney Channels in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Singapore and China.

“As The Bell Rings” is a FremantleMedia Australia production for Disney Channels Australia and New Zealand.
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About Disney Channel
Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Disney Channel features an array of animated series, sitcoms and dramas such as "Hannah Montana", the Emmy Award-winning "Wizards of Waverly Place”, "The Suite Life on Deck”, “JONAS”, “Sonny With A Chance” and “Phineas and Ferb”. Disney Channel also features Disney Channel Original Movies such as “High School Musical" and “Camp Rock”, and classic Disney animated movies. Disney Channel is available in Australia on AUSTAR, FOXTEL, Optus, Neighbourhood Cable, SelecTV and TransACT, and in New Zealand on SKY.

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