Stormworld

Stormworld

Company type	Television series
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	March 18, 2009 (2009-03-18)
Headquarters	Canada, Australia
Area served	Canada, Australia, Israel, Kenya, Croatia, Brazil, Bulgaria
Products	Television series

Stormworld is a dramatic television series that first aired on the Canadian channel Space on March 18, 2009. It was rebroadcast in August of the same year and subsequently shown in Australia on the Nine Network later in 2009.

Plot

The narrative centers on two close friends, Jason (Andrew Jenkins) and Lee (Calum Worthy), who are unexpectedly transported through a vortex during a boating trip from Vancouver to an alien realm known as "Stormworld." They receive guidance from Flees (Valentina Barron), a seasoned survivor who skillfully navigates the perilous landscape by boat. These newcomers, labeled as "access crashers," find sanctuary within The Settlement.

Stormworld is characterized by vortices generated by large beetle-like creatures that pull in individuals and objects from multiple worlds. The planet's surface consists of a saltwater ocean dotted with numerous islands and experiences a generally warm climate. Freshwater is a rare and essential resource, playing a crucial role in trade and bartering among its inhabitants.

Three primary factions exert control over Stormworld, frequently clashing: The Settlement, The Arkoddians, and The Drogue.

The Settlement operates as a constitutionally governed community founded on democratic ideals, situated on the island of Sighing Peaks. Established by Werrolda, who drafted its constitution and serves as its leader upon Jason and Lee’s arrival. A regularly flashing beacon signals to attract new "access crashers."

The Arkoddians maintain a hierarchical society governed by patriarchs residing on a remote island. Their water consumption surpasses that of humans, and they are equipped with lazbolts. Unlike other groups, they arrived collectively aboard a large vessel.

The Drogue consist of marauders who prey upon The Settlement, collecting items brought through the vortices. They utilize flybikes armed with energy cannons for their raids.

The Abiders were an ancient civilization that once inhabited Stormworld. They are credited with placing the Sighing Peaks as a form of map and likely engineered the portal enabling departure from the planet.

Notable Characters

• Jason (Andrew Jenkins) – an athletic figure and pilot of the boat Cougar. He arrives with his best friend Lee and eventually assumes leadership of The Settlement.
• Lee (Calum Worthy) – a rational thinker with a scientific approach, determined to find his way back to Earth, accomplishing this goal by episode 26.
• Flees (Valentina Barron) – who arrived seven years prior alongside her engineer father, who vanished four years later. Now aged 15, she possesses extensive knowledge of Stormworld’s geography due to her ongoing search for him. Luce regards her as an older sister figure.
• Ogee (voiced by Andrew Kavadas) – an intelligent talking bowling ball.
• Khelioz (Lim Kay Tong) – known as The Navigator; originally a fisherman from Maren, he now trades on Stormworld while seeking information about portals to assist others in returning home, often employing self-interested methods.

Episodes

Stormworld includes 26 episodes that were broadcast weekly on Wednesdays from March through September 2009.

Episode Number	Episode Title	Original Air Date
1	Three Sun Day	18 March 2009
2	The Settlement	25 March 2009
3	Barter, Barter Everywhere	1 April 2009
4	Callaghan	8 April 2009
5	Salvage Rights	15 April 2009
6	Out of the Frying Pan	22 April 2009
7	Follow the Bouncing Ball	13 May 2009
8	Escape from New Arkoddia	20 May 2009
9	Family Ties	27 May 2009
10	Changing Ties	3 June 2009
11	Farmer Flees	10 June 2009
12	Family First	17 June 2009
13	The Race is On	24 June 2009
14	Luce Island	8 July 2009
15	Deep Down	15 July 2009
16	Fire and Flight	29 July 2009
17	The Old Order Changes	5 August 2009
18	Raising the Cougar	5 August 2009
19	A Hot Bath	12 August 2009
20	A Handful of Sand	12 August 2009
21	Lord of the Flybikes	19 August 2009
22	Twists and Turns	19 August 2009
23	Liberation Day	26 August 2009
24	'The Great Water'	'26 August 2009'

|- |25 |Long Way Home |2 September 2009 |- |- |26 |Homeward Bound |2 September 2009 |}

International distribution

Nation	Broadcasting Channels
Australia	Nine Network, ABC3
Canada	Space
Israel	Arutz HaYeladim
Kenya	Kenya Television Network
Croatia	HRT
Brazil	HBO Family
Bulgaria	BNT 1

Production details

Filming took place in both Australia and Canada during 2008. The post-production phase, including sound editing and visual effects, was managed by Kojo Productions. Subsequently, Kojo Productions initiated legal action against the production company, claiming over $265,000 in outstanding payments.

Critical reception

Upon its debut in Canada, critics labeled the series as "a notably fragile sci-fi venture" featuring "unconvincing low-budget visual effects." Despite receiving a range of critiques, actors Andre Jenkins, Calum Worthy, and Valentina Barron earned nominations for Best Performance in a TV Series at the 2010 Young Artist Awards. Calum Worthy secured the award for leading young actor in a drama series.

External links

• Stormworld at the Australian Television Information Archive
• Blackmagic Design's contribution to Stormworld graphics