TV3 Gears up for Renovation-Reality Series

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Saturday 25 February, 2012



Search on for Contestants as TV3 Gears up for Renovation-Reality Series ‘the Block NZ’

TV3 is on the hunt for contestants for the first local version of international hit renovation-reality series The Block. The Block NZ will see four couples, from all over New Zealand, compete to renovate four dilapidated houses in a very upmarket suburb – room by room, week by week, challenge by challenge – and sell them at auction for the highest price.

All four couples will receive profits from the sale of their house at the live TV auction, and the winners will take home an additional cash prize of $80,000.

The casting call is now open, and couples who are married or not, siblings or friends are all invited to sign up online at www.tv3.co.nz/theblock. There will also be an in-person casting call on Saturday 3 March held at The TV3 Carnival (Ellerslie Auckland Race Club) as part of Auckland Cup Week. The ‘couple’ need to have had a close relationship for at least three years.

MediaWorks Director of Programming Kelly Martin says The Block NZ taps perfectly into the New Zealand psyche, and she is expecting a high calibre of contestants.

“We are a nation of No. 8 wire-using, DIY-ers, who love turning houses into dream homes.

“In this country renovation is a national sport, second only to rugby, and I’m looking forward to seeing who puts their hand up for what will be the biggest show of the year.”

The producers are looking for energetic contestants from around New Zealand. The teams can be couples, family members, or friends, but all contestants must be over 18 years old. They do not need any DIY experience – the hopeful contestants can be homeowners, or not, and can have renovated in the past, or not. However, specialists in residential building and project management, painters and professional interior designers are excluded.

Once selected, the contestants will literally live and breathe their DIY project for the nine week shoot, living on site in The Block NZ houses. Once the four finalist couples have been selected, there are no further eliminations. The winning couple is simply decided by the toughest judge of all, the real estate market. All four renovated houses will go to a live TV auction, with The Block NZ crown going to the couple whose renovated house fetches the highest price on the night!.

The Block is one of the biggest reality formats in the world, with a compelling blend of real estate dreams and high-stakes drama that has made it a global phenomenon. In Australia, where the show began, it remains the highest rated television series of all time, and over 350 episodes have been produced worldwide, from the UK and USA to Israel, Russia, Romania and Belgium, to the Netherlands and Scandinavia.

The New Zealand series is produced by Eyeworks Television for TV3. Foundation partners are Bunnings Warehouse, Kiwibank, Mazda and Wild Bean Cafe.

THE BLOCK NZ CASTING CALL

• It’s the biggest TV show of the year in which four couples will compete to renovate a home in an upmarket suburb, and sell it on auction day for the highest price.

• Each of the four couples will receive the net profits from the sale of their house on auction day and the winner will receive an additional big cash prize.

• We’re looking for energetic people with a sense of humour.

• Previous home renovation experience might help, but it’s not required! You can even be a tradesperson to enter but you cannot specialise in residential building or project management, and you cannot be a professional painter or interior designer.

• The successful four couples must be available for a nine week shoot period, most likely beginning in late April 2012.

• You will be living in The Block NZ houses for the nine weeks and you will not be able to attend your usual place of work during this time. But a weekly allowance will be provided for you to take care of obligations ‘back home”.

• Couples who’ve been together more than three years, family teams and enduring friendships can apply. You must be over 18 and can come from anywhere in New Zealand.

HOW TO ENTER

• Simply fill out the online form at www.tv3.co.nz/theblock and tell us if you’ve got what it takes to be part of The Block NZ.

• Provide all the information you can and please remember to attach digital photographs of yourselves. Videos are welcomed too but are not compulsory, and cannot be returned.

• OR Visit The Block NZ zone at The TV3 Carnival on Saturday 3 March, to enter in person. The TV3 Carnival is part of The TV3 Derby Day at Auckland Cup Week and is held at Ellerslie Auckland Race Club, 80 Ascot Ave, Remuera from 11am to 2pm. Please note that The TV3 Carnival is a ticketed event (visit http://ticketstore.ellerslie.co.nz/Auckland-Cup-Week-TV3-Derby-Day-C5.aspx for ticketing details).

• Applications close on 18 March, 2012.

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