Last year Rose Thornton, a University of Washington graduate and filmmaker, mapped out a rough idea for a green makeover TV show in her head. Now, one year later, the 23-year-old has founded Regeneration Productions, and will walk down the green carpet at Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion tonight for the pilot premiere of her new show, Mission: Sustainable.
Described as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy meets What Not to Wear “for green lifestyles,” each episode will follow a new person who has been nominated for a “sustainability makeover” by friends and family. Three green consultants will be selected to give a customized makeover based on the participant’s wants, desires and way of life.
The crew filmed the pilot for just $1,000, and then raised another $5,000 in two weeks with the help of volunteers who contributed their time and effort – all in the hopes of getting Mission: Sustainable on the air.
“This event is more than a show premiere; it’s a testament to taking risks, facing fears and making dreams come true,” Thornton said in a press release last week. “Today, with the support of dozens of volunteers and generous donations from our show partners, event sponsors and individual donors, we’re about to showcase an event that will expose more people to the ideals and practice of urban sustainability.”
Last month Regeneration Productions screened a rough cut of the pilot in Eugene, Oregon, where they were met with enthusiasm. “We had a few people come up to us after screenings with tears in their eyes saying, ‘This show needs to get on TV, now!’ Right then, we knew we accomplished our goal of inspiring, educating and entertaining. Next stop Seattle, then the networks,” said director Jon Sumple, also Thornton’s business partner at ReGeneration Productions.
After tonight’s event, which is being screened for free and is already full, Thornton and Sumple are going to hunt for cable networks that may be able to become home to Mission: Sustainable permanently. Thornton encourages anyone interested in supporting the project to contact her for more information on how to get involved.
“The road ahead is going to be challenging,” she said. “This is a show about Seattle initially, yet it’s for the benefit of the entire planet…if the media and our supporters in the Pacific Northwest yell loud enough, we’re pretty sure Hollywood is going to hear about the little show that could.”
The 45-minute pilot premiere will begin at 7 p.m. tonight. For more information on the project, see the Mission: Sustainable website. You can contact Thornton directly at 206-335-5370 or rose@mission-sustainable.com.