It sounds like there’s trouble in paradise on the set of David Fincher’s upcoming HBO series, which has gone through numerous name changes but is currently titled Videosynchrazy (previously Video Synchronicity and Living on Video). Production shut down early yesterday, with the cast sent home and told that producers would be able to comment on the future of the show by next week.
One source indicates that script issues were to blame for the abrupt halt, which came after Fincher had completed production on four episodes. HBO is expected to review the finished footage as it evaluates the series’ future (it was picked up to series on May 4).
Videosynchrazy, described as being in the vein of Entourage, is set in 1983 Los Angeles and focuses on a naive college dropout (Charlie Rowe) who drives to Hollywood in hopes of one day directing a sci-fi epic. With those dreams a while off, he ends up as a production assistant for a company that makes music videos, only to be pulled into a whirlwind of drugs, alcohol and excess as the music video industry begins to explode.
Rowe replaced Tyler Ross in the lead after the previous actor’s performance was deemed a poor fit. Other cast members include Sam Page, Jason Flemyng, Kerry Condon, Elizabeth Lail, Corbin Bernsen and Paz Vega.
The music video industry is of particular significance to Fincher, who has twice won Grammy Awards for music videos (for The Rolling Stones’ “Love is Strong” and Justin Timberlake/Jay-Z collab “Suit & Tie”). The acclaimed helmer, who most recently directed Gone Girl, has a strong relationship with HBO and is also teaming with the premium network for a Gillian Flynn-penned adaptation of the British series Utopia.
Like on Videosynchrazy, Fincher is directing every episode of that series. As such, it’s expected that HBO brass will figure out some sort of solution to the script issues that allows them to keep Fincher’s filmed episodes while ensuring that the show meets its standards.