SYD2030 AND LAW DEGREES: EXPECTATIONS VS REALITY

Posted on May 28, 2012 by OneEightKevin

Primo! Magazine readers may be surprised to learn that in between lurking photos of Rihanna, getting emotionally attached to Masterchef contestants and engaging in other deviant behaviour, I actually study a law degree at university.

My sole motive for enrolling in such a course was my undying love for Law and Order: SVU. Best show ever.

However, after completing four years of study and various internships, I can safely report that being a lawyer is nowhere near as awesome as they make out on this show.

I initially thought that being a lawyer would be a piece of cake. You know, I’d probably get to wear a custom-fitted suit and a Louis Vuitton scarf, put away a few pedophiles every day, go for post-work drinks with Ice-T and Captain Cragan (Detective Stabler isn’t invited) and be a general hero of the people.

Unfortunately, I soon found out that it actually takes years of hard work and being somebody else’s bitch to make stacks in the legal profession. Lame. Thankfully, I’m not the only person who’s had unrealistic expectations of lawyers. Just ask Lionel Hutz:

Recently another show has emerged, based not around lawyers but their younger counterparts – law students. SYD2030 is a webseries from Sydney crew Cheese On Toast Productions, focusing on the drama in the life of student Cameron Hunter, his romantic pursuits and friends. So yeah, it’s kind of like an Australian Gossip Girl with characters of higher intelligence.

The show has already won “Best International Webseries” at the LA Film, TV and Webisode Festival, and has just been nominated in the Drama category at the International Television Festival. You can gain a quick grasp of SYD2030‘s style from the trailer below:

After viewing this trailer, I can’t help but ponder on my own experiences as a law student, and why they haven’t been compatible with the scenes in SYD2030. I’m not talking about the academic side, but the social aspects and perks of uni. Let’s make some quick comparisons.

Firstly, all of the girls in SYD2030 are absolute glamours. Nobody is this hot in the universities of the real world, except for that one girl in second-year who looked like an Asian version of Jennifer Lopez. Besides her, females at uni tend to fall into the “certified stinker” category. But it’s not just the girls in the webseries, because the male characters look like they just walked straight out of a Ralph Lauren catalogue. Conversely, guys at my uni tend to hit the 3/10 mark, or in extreme cases, fall well below that. Take me for example. I’m borderline anorexic, have pasty complexion and offer little to no banter in class. Some people say I look like Lloyd off Entourage, but with way less charisma and crooked teeth. Maybe if I was constantly surrounded by beautiful people, I would attend class with greater enthusiasm.

Also linked to this notion is the wardrobe of the SYD2030 characters. They’re all wearing clothes that are actually ironed, and threads that I would consider appropriate for a brunch with Prime Minister Gillard or something. Most of the outfits I see at uni consist of Adidas trackpants and the one shirt from your bedroom floor that doesn’t smell like it’s been soaking heavily in cat’s piss. However, after discussing with some of my mates from other universities, they have confirmed that some guys actually wear button-ups and loafers to class. Wow. If they wear this sort of kit to uni, then they probably rock a three-piece suit and a monocle when they go grocery shopping.

However, what strikes me most about SYD2030 is that the law students actually hang out with each other, voluntarily, outside of class. In my four years of study, I’ve made a grand total of seven mates, and I’m pretty sure that two of them befriended me out of pity. Furthermore, I only keep in contact with another two of them in the hope that I can steal their notes for the exam. I don’t get along with law students. I’ve had more insightful and eye-opening conversations with the junkies at my bus stop.

I always thought uni was a get in/get out sort of deal, but the SYD2030 characters tend to meet up regularly, get thoroughly intoxicated and do cocaine. The closest thing I’ve ever had to a university party was that time Kathleen and I got dumplings and noodles after class. Although the feed was enjoyable, I’m left wondering where the hell my cocaine is. They really expect us to spend close to $500 on textbooks per semester and then afford to go and get completely shitfaced? Unlikely. I’ll be clutching my goon bag for years to come.

So yes, watching SYD2030 has been another stark reminder of how unfulfilling and downright depressing my university social life is. But on the bright side of things, SYD2030 is proof that a DIY approach can really work – with Cheese On Toast using their own local talent in every aspect of their webseries. Please don’t let my article deter you from doing a law degree – I’m just an idiot who’s reluctant to engage in any human contact whatsoever, with a pessimistic outlook on almost everything in life. If it runs in your interests, then by all means go for gold. Just don’t expect to be chillin’ with Ice-T anytime soon.