MTV's Freshwater Blue

MTV’s - Freshwater Blue

Interview with Nicola Johnson and Luke Scott

Published in Scene Magazine, QLD; Issue #876 

Check out Scene Mag; www.scenemagazine.com.au

“Lugana Beach is about rich kids getting around in their daddy’s 200thousand dollar Merc. This is something people can actually relate to.”

Straight from Sydney’s, Northern Beaches, MTV’s newest teen, reality drama, ‘Freshwater Blue’, is undoubtedly Australian. Two thousand miles east of ‘The Jersey Shore’ or ‘Lugana Beach’, the show documents the blood and sweat of twelve adolescents, contemplating love, careers, and alcoholism…one Jägerbomb at a time!

“We’re just normal people. Everyone has their own story, their own little characteristics, past, and aspirations. It’s hard to relate yourself to Whitney or Lauren. We all have normal jobs, half of us are still living at home, and no one works at Teen Vogue!” Nicola jokes, briefly adding she wouldn’t turn it down for a season two.

Centred on Nicola, your typical ‘girl next door’, Luke, her ‘best-friend’, at 25years is much more the veteran, mentor figure, of the group. 

“The show touches heavily on life after school. It’s amazing how much has happened over the time we’ve been filming. Everyone started with a boyfriend/girlfriend; friends have changed, people have moved on. It’s not tainted and it’s rough in places, people will love it!”

Produced by Toby Yoshimura, NBC America’s, go-to ‘reality auteur’, the eight episodes cut together an entire year of filming and microphones – all the good, the bad, and the drunken moments. Filmed predominantly in Sydney, but breaching the sunny state for a Surfer’s Paradise, schoolies week, it is evident both Luke and Nicola are still adjusting to the non-presence of cameras.

“I’ve learnt so much from Toby, the way his mind works. You’re not protected against him. You don’t have your guard up. You’ll be talking to him and then, shit, a camera comes out of nowhere and it’s been shooting the whole time.” Nicola laughs. “You end up trusting Toby soo much that you pour your heart out to him.” She said.

“You become friends with all the cameramen and all the audio guys, they’re like our counsellors. So, it’s like your just hanging out really. They’re obviously living this experience alongside you. They all know what’s going on.” Luke said.

Targeted for a younger audience, the 4:30pm time-slot won’t be the most practical for those working nine to five. Even so, MTV forecasts an audience of thirteen to thirty for the teen drama! But be warned, there are down sides to reality TV stardom; attending the 2010 Arias, dates with Jason Derulo, and super slick parties with Ruby Rose is cutting the decks… sign me up for season two!

Benjamin