'O-Cast': 12 Greek Gods Plan Comeback in New York City

It’s been sixteen hundred years since people worshiped Greek Gods. So if the only way for them to prevent their extinction was to figure out a way to get the world to believe in them again, how on earth would they go about it? On the internet of course!

Shot mockumentary-style, O-Cast features twelve Olympian gods of Greek mythology broadcasting their new lives as 20-something New Yorkers living in one apartment. Apollo is an androgynous musician who experiments with his immortality. Hades dresses like Frank Sinatra. And Zeus loves hot pockets…metaphorically speaking.

Created and produced by New York University graduates Anne Richmond and Bryan Dechart, Richmond also plays the role of Hestia, the goddess of the Hearth and Bryan is the director for the series. “The cast ended up being a lot of people from NYU,” said Dechart, “but we brought in a few actors from other schools.”

Being at NYU sparked some interesting outside-the-box ideas for funding the series. Said Dechart, “…our first step was to throw the biggest party we could.” “NYU students are constantly holding fundraisers for their directing projects and thesis films at NYU,” added Richmond. The event ended up being a party affectionately called The Olympian Orgy, held at a local bar and lounge donated to the production for free. Attendees were charged $10 at the door and a raffle was held with prizes including pieces of artwork created by the cast and crew as well as season tickets donated by local theatre companies. Richmond had this to say about the success of the event: “at a time when so many people are saying no, we were swimming in a sea of yes and it was really moving.”

Dechart expanded upon the funding of the series. “The first three episodes were funded by the party and by the production company I started with illustrator Cameron Lewis four years ago, FLYbyNIGHT Studios. A smaller percentage came out of pocket and from a few donations. O-Cast is fiscally sponsored by Coyote Laboratory, Inc (founded by O-Cast fight choreographer and Associate Producer, Turner Smith.) Via Coyote, we are now welcoming tax-deductible donations to help pay for rest of Season One. Donation information is available on our website.” Concluded Richmond: “(it is) important to mention that everyone is working for free. It’s a constant process to raise enough money just for the materials needed to make the show happen.”

O-Cast will premiere Monday October 26, 2009. For those in the NYC area, there will be a free premiere screening of the first three episodes on Thursday October 22 at Katra.