CHASING your dreams isn't always easy.
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The team behind locally-based satirical Aboriginal comedy WhiteBLACKatcha can certainly attest to this.
Things have been slow-moving for Grant Saunders, Andrew Saunders and Jaycent Davis who have been keen to see their show picked up by an Australian television network.
But their hard work and campaigning has so far been to no avail.
"It can be a long and frustrating journey," said Grant.
"It's difficult to get Aboriginal comedy on television and I think online is the future for TV. We cannot give up but we also need support from the community."
Last year the crew was commissioned by ABC TV to create their Christmas special, Black Santa, which was screened as part of the network's Xmas Quickie series.
"It put us and Taree on the map."
However, they have since had no success with the ABC or NITV (National Indigenous Television channel) for a spot in their schedule and now they are working on raising funds through the crowd funding website called Go Fund Me.
"It's slow moving but we are still pushing the barrow," said Grant.
Putting his heart and soul into the production, Grant has been undertaking a lot of the groundwork himself as the others have other commitments also taking up their time.
"I'm running out of steam on it. It would be such a shame if it dies."
The constant rejection hasn't been easy, especially when they have come close to success many times.
Grant said there are thousands of people pitching ideas to networks but he feels they have something different to offer.
They also have some new, fresh material they would like to film.
"We've got all the material and we've been busy getting content ready to go. Our ideas are elaborate and need costuming.
"We also want to be able to pay people (cast members, crew members etc) what they are worth."
They have so far raised $500 on Go Fund Me, which, he said, isn't going to go a long way.
None of the men have earned a cent from WhiteBLACKatcha and, because he is so passionate about it, Grant (WBA co-writer, director and producer) has dug into his own pockets to make things happen.
"It's about putting us out there and mainly getting original content out there... putting Aboriginal people in a different light, breaking stereotypes and making a personal contribution to the community.
"We're not just about pushing our own careers.
"It's also about showing off other people" who inevitably get cast as well.
Grant said he was finding it hard to keep peddling.
"At the end of the day we are all 40-odd years old and have families.
"Time is precious and we've got to feed our children."
The men are keen to get some new material up on the internet and are hoping the community will support them by going to their crowd funding page: gofundme.com/whiteblackatcha and make a donation.
In addition to crowd funding they are also considering fundraising events, including a comedy night.
If you haven't seen any of WhiteBLACKatcha's work previously you can click on the links below.