Join Chelsea, Elyse, Halle, and Josh as they navigate adolescence in This is Going to Be Big, airing on ABC and streaming on ABC iview.
ABC has unveiled its latest addition to its documentary series portfolio with the announcement of This Is Going To Be Big‘s premiere. Scheduled for broadcast on Tuesday, 30 April at 8pm on ABC TV, this award-winning two-part series will also be available for streaming on ABC iview immediately after its TV debut.
This Is Going To Be Big explores the heartfelt and humorous coming-of-age stories of four teenagers – Chelsea, Elyse, Halle, and Josh. These young individuals, each living with disabilities, open up about their aspirations and the obstacles they face as they gear up for their high school musical centered on the music of John Farnham.
The series is the brainchild of director Thomas Charles Hyland, who, through his visionary lens, offers a candid look into the lives of the students at the Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School (SMRSS) in Bullengarook, Victoria. The documentary captures a range of moments, from classroom interactions and lunchbreaks to auditions, rehearsals, and the musical performances themselves, providing a comprehensive view of the students’ experiences.
Contrary to focusing solely on the disabilities of its subjects, This Is Going To Be Big seeks to affirm life through a narrative infused with tenderness and humor. It addresses universal themes such as love, friendship, belonging, and self-acceptance, presenting a narrative that resonates with a broad audience.
The documentary stands as a collaborative effort between Fremantle Australia and Truce Films, produced inclusively with the assistance of Bus Stop Films for ABC. It highlights a dedication to showcasing real-life stories that inspire and entertain.
The production team for This Is Going To Be Big includes Thomas Charles Hyland as the director, with David Briegel-Jones serving as the executive producer. The series boasts a strong production team, featuring Josie Mason Campbell and Jim Wright as executive producers and producers from Fremantle Australia and Truce Films, respectively. Catherine Bradbury joins the team as a producer, with Kalita Corrigan and Susie Jones of ABC overseeing the commissioning and factual content.
Funded primarily by Screen Australia in association with VicScreen, the series also received financial support from the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Premiere Fund, Netflix, Abstar Productions, and the ABC. This broad base of support underscores the industry’s belief in the documentary’s potential to connect with audiences across Australia and beyond.
This Is Going To Be Big not only adds to ABC iview‘s compelling catalogue of docuseries that explore genuine stories and extraordinary lives but also reinforces ABC‘s commitment to bringing diverse and impactful content to its viewers.
