http://newsletters.worldscreen.com/podcasts/worldscreen/ Interviews and reports from the international media business. Feeder 2.3.7(1701); Mac OS X Version 10.8.2 (Build 12C2037) http://reinventedsoftware.com/feeder/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss en Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:37:18 -0500 Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:37:18 -0500 TV & Film http://newsletters.worldscreen.com/podcasts/worldscreen/World-Screen-Podcast_144.jpg http://newsletters.worldscreen.com/podcasts/worldscreen/ 144 144 World Screen Interviews and reports from the international media business. no World Screen Magazine sweaver@worldscreen.com no Interviews and reports from the international media business. Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:17:07 -0500 17E8FB00-9125-481E-8D78-494405D07685 Currently in its tenth season, NCIS ranks as TV’s most-watched drama series, with an average audience of 21.48 million viewers. It was announced last month that CBS has renewed the show for its 11th season, with Mark Harmon again signed on to lead the cast as Special Agent Jethro Gibbs. Starring alongside Harmon is Michael Weatherly, whose role as Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo started on the series JAG in 2003 and carried over to NCIS. Showrunner and executive producer Gary Glasberg joined the series in season seven. Glasberg and Weatherly recently sat down with World Screen’s Anna Carugati to discuss the show. In this video interview, Weatherly shares his secrets for preparing a scene, while Glasberg discusses his approach to working within a procedural format. no 8:21 Weatherly shares his secrets for preparing a scene, while Glasberg discusses his approach to working within a procedural format. Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:16:27 -0500 DF5B0D7A-AFA7-475E-B9F3-6C4917E286EA Since the 1980s, Tom Fontana has been changing television. The medical drama St. Elsewhere, one of the first ensemble series, demystified the concept that doctors are infallible. Oz, with its gritty depiction of prison life and its flawed characters, was HBO’s first original series. Borgia and Copper, Fontana’s current shows, represent new models of international co-production. In this video interview, Fontana talks about his experiences with working on Oz and Borgia. He also discusses the benefits and challenges of working with international partners. no 10:52 Fontana talks about his experiences with working on Oz and Borgia. He also discusses the benefits and challenges of working with international partners. Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:32:34 -0500 2BC95F76-B94A-48BC-915F-7546BB4D37C6 Last year, when Gaumont, the world’s oldest film company, decided to extend its venerable brand name to the production and distribution of television content, it enlisted former NBC executive Katie O’Connell to lead those efforts. As the CEO of Gaumont International Television (GIT) in Los Angeles, O’Connell oversees a portfolio of highly anticipated projects, among them the NBC midseason replacement Hannibal. The upcoming series, starring Mads Mikkelsen as Dr. Hannibal Lecter and Hugh Dancy as FBI profiler Will Graham, was developed for television by Bryan Fuller, just one of several top-notch creatives that GIT has partnered with: Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, writers of Skyfall, have been tapped to pen the new series Barbarella, which is being co-produced with Canal+. And Eli Roth is behind the GIT-produced Hemlock Grove, which is slated to make its debut on Netflix this April. Producing brand-defining content with universal themes is a key mandate at GIT, says O’Connell, who recently spoke with World Screen about the company’s approach to developing scripted projects for the global market. no 5:22 CEO of Gaumont International Television (GIT) in Los Angeles Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:34:14 -0500 006A5486-D0DA-4791-A91D-E38C9E927676 The success of the Israeli drama Prisoners of War has helped solidify Keshet International’s place in the global spotlight. Its U.S. adaptation, Homeland on Showtime, has won numerous awards as well as much audience and critical acclaim, and the format and finished version have sold widely the world over. Keshet International has also been prosperous in selling non-scripted formats, including the dating show Girlfri3nds. The company, which has a central headquarters in Tel Aviv, has set its sights on expanding its global presence. A few months back it announced the establishment of a U.K. office, coming alongside enhanced efforts to drive productions in the U.S. Alon Shtruzman, the managing director of Keshet International, sat down with World Screen to discuss the company’s growth as well as its prowess in the scripted-formats space. Shtruzman also tells us about what factors have gone into making Israel a hotbed of creativity. no 6:58 Managing director of Keshet International Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:11:40 -0500 839F1CE1-6610-4294-A238-C569E0C542BB Discovery Networks has quite an active business across Latin America as well as in the U.S. Hispanic market. Among the entertainment networks operating under the Discovery umbrella in Latin America are the flagship Discovery Channel, Discovery Home & Health, Animal Planet and TLC and TLC HD. Meanwhile, Discovery en Español and Discovery Familia have established a strong presence in the U.S. Hispanic market. Leading the efforts in these two key arenas is Henry Martínez, the president and managing director of Discovery Networks Latin America/U.S. Hispanic. In this video interview, Martínez talks to World Screen about the strength of the U.S. Hispanic market and the company’s many successes in Brazil, among other topics. no 5:13 President and managing director of Discovery Networks Latin America/U.S. Hispanic. Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:27:33 -0500 EC5A10D1-4F2A-4093-8114-8B269D047FA3 ZDF and ZDF Enterprises regularly work together on factual co-productions with some of the most distinguished documentary broadcasters and producers in the world. ZDF Enterprises has been particularly successful with projects relating to contemporary history, in which turning points of the 20th century are depicted in dramatic fashion. Military history has certainly been a bright spot, but the company also regularly engages in co-productions touching on ancient history and archaeology, science and technology, and wildlife and nature. Kristina Hollstein, the director of documentary co-productions and development at ZDF Enterprises, recently sat down with World Screen to discuss the current crop of projects that are in the works. She also tells us about some of the greatest challenges in putting together a co-production nowadays and about what ZDF Enterprises can offer as a partner that is unique. no 9:58 The director of documentary co-productions and development at ZDF Enterprises discusses the current crop of projects that are in the works. Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:15:08 -0500 02C4CD70-D7E1-4979-A96C-57170C712E5E The highly anticipated spy drama The Americans makes its debut tomorrow night on FX at 10 p.m. The Cold War series focuses on a pair of KGB spies living as a married couple in Washington D.C. during the early 1980s. The 12x1-hour show, from creator and executive producer Joe Weisberg (Falling Skies, Damages), is co-produced by Fox Television Studios and FX Productions. It is being sold worldwide by Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, which just scored a slot for the series in the U.K., where it will launch on ITV. In this video interview, The Americans’ co-stars Matthew Rhys (Brothers & Sisters) and Golden Globe-winner Keri Russell (Felicity) sit down with World Screen's Anna Carugati to discuss what appealed to them about the show. They also talk about their characters’ complex relationship with one another, and how it affects their undercover mission. no 4:31 Americans' stars talk about their characters’ complex relationship with one another, and how it affects their undercover mission. Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:13:06 -0500 7E464ADD-ED2A-4B56-AF59-BF90A1A77A10 After building up a cult following in the U.K. and around the world, the ITV series Primeval has received a North American spinoff, courtesy of original producers Impossible Pictures and Canadian outfit Omni Film Productions. Commissioned by Bell Media-owned SPACE and represented worldwide by Entertainment One Television International, Primeval: New World has notched up slots with broadcasters across the globe, including in the U.S. with Syfy and the U.K. with Watch. With a cast that includes Eureka alum Niall Matter as software engineer Evan Cross and British actor Danny Rahim as firearms expert Mac Rendell, the series promises a darker, edgier take on the original, chronicling a team that investigates creatures, and people, that make their way into present day through so-called “anomalies,” which act as portals through time. Matter and Rahim tell World Screen about their characters, the challenges of working with green-screen technology in the special-effects-heavy series, and share their thoughts on how both old and new fans will respond to the world of Primeval. no 12:38 Matter and Rahim tell World Screen about their characters, the challenges of working with green-screen technology in the special-effects-heavy series, and share their thoughts on how both old and new fans will respond to the world of Primeval. Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:10:46 -0500 E2AC6B55-C0CA-4F12-8066-555CC18CEC14 As the president of AMC/Sundance Channel Global, Bruce Tuchman has been overseeing the international expansion of the Sundance Channel and WE tv brands. Sundance Channel—which bears the tagline "What’s Next, Now"—is currently distributed in Europe, Canada and Asia. Building on the channel’s European presence, recent carriage deals were confirmed with Digiturk in Turkey and Cyfrowy Polsat and Toya in Poland. WE tv, which features shows with a female-skew, is on air in Asia. Late last year the company established a new headquarters in Asia to bolster its regional efforts, increasing local staff and operations. In this video interview, Tuchman sits down with World Screen’s Anna Carugati to talk about what cable and satellite platforms around the world are looking for nowadays. He also discusses the unique offerings that the AMC/Sundance Channel Global brands have as a proposition for the international market. no 14:06 President of AMC/Sundance Channel Global Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:08:17 -0500 33981E68-5104-4138-BB23-35DA2669CC56 One of the biggest breakout hits of the U.S. fall season this year was, undoubtedly, Nashville. The series, produced by Lionsgate Television, ABC Studios and Gaylord Entertainment, has even earned stars Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere Golden Globe nominations. Even before the show launched in the U.S. on ABC, Lionsgate had sold it to Channel 4 in the U.K. for its More4 channel. Jim Packer, the president of worldwide television and digital distribution at Lionsgate, talks about the series and its international appeal in this video interview. When Packer sat down with World Screen’s Anna Carugati, he also discussed the success of the Charlie Sheen comedy Anger Management. Additionally, Packer elaborates on why edgier shows such as Weeds and Nurse Jackie are appealing to VOD platforms as well as the specialty ad-supported channels. no 5:33 Jim Packer, the president of worldwide television and digital distribution at Lionsgate. Tue, 18 Dec 2012 10:16:24 -0500 1FC48077-0A24-4F45-BABC-BABDC85B8173 The animated series Totally Spies! recently celebrated its tenth birthday with the launch of a brand-new sixth season. Mixing comedy and action with a central theme of “Girl Power,” the show was created by Vincent Chalvon-Demersay and David Michel of Marathon Media. It was originally commissioned by France’s TF1 and has sold extensively around the world. The TV rights to the series are held by Zodiak Kids. Michel, who is the managing director of Marathon Media and group senior VP of marketing at Zodiak Media, sat down with World Screen to discuss the show’s enduring appeal. He also talks about extending the brand into the digital arena and the consumer-products market. no 5:31 Managing director of Marathon Media and group senior VP of marketing at Zodiak Media. Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:23:28 -0400 5742CF0E-70F6-44FE-8DD9-83ABF5F3A3CF Showtime recently renewed The Big C for a fourth and final season. The dramedy, which stars Laura Linney as a suburban wife and mother with cancer, will wrap its series run with four hour-long installments in 2013. Created by Darlene Hunt, The Big C debuted in August 2010 and drew the largest audience for a Showtime original premiere in eight years. Showrunner Jenny Bicks, formerly a writer on HBO’s Sex and the City and a cancer survivor herself, sat down with World Screen Weekly to discuss the series in this video interview. Among other topics, Bicks talks about the delicate balance of finding humor within the show’s dramatic subject. no 3:17 The Big C's showrunner, formerly a writer on HBO’s Sex and the City and a cancer survivor herself. Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:17:00 -0400 BF53000D-9CBD-4B08-85FF-8234DF151560 The scope of the Televisa Networks bouquet runs wide, from the general-entertainment channel Canal de las Estrellas to the Mexican film service De Película, the telenovela-focused Tlnovelas and sports-centric Televisa Deportes. As VP of Televisa Networks, Bruce Boren has got his eye on expanding the footprint for all of these channels and many more. Boren shares with World Screen Weekly in this video interview his plans for growth in the U.S., Asia, Europe and other territories. Boren also touches on how parent company Televisa’s 2010 acquisition of a stake in Univision has benefited the channels division. no 4:07 VP, Televisa Networks Thu, 26 Jul 2012 11:39:50 -0400 6B570B79-E919-4C9E-996F-6D36C80A5716 It has been more than two years now since FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) began the push to build up its drama slate as well as its kids’ and family entertainment offerings. The company has succeeded on both fronts. The dramas Wedding Band and Hit and Miss have been generating quite a bit of buzz for FME, as have kids’ shows such as Monsuno and Max Steel. David Ellender, FME’s global CEO, discusses both of those key areas in this video interview. Ellender also talks with World Screen about the continued success for FME in the entertainment space and the relationships the company has formed in the lifestyle arena with personalities such as Jamie Oliver. Ellender says that FME is focused on continuing to grow its global footprint geographically, targeting such territories as Latin America, Russia, China and India, across all business lines. The company is also keeping its eye on technology and ways to offer viewers new digital experiences to complement the on-air shows. no 6:31 Global CEO, FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:00:42 -0400 DF399CDD-DE02-4B62-BCA2-42BCD02C0E70 German points of view and European perspectives are core to what Deutsche Welle (DW) aims to offer the international market. While its legacy goes back more than five decades, 2012 marked a turning point for the company, which went through the largest overhaul in its history earlier this year. DW revised its TV program and online presence in an effort to better communicate with its audience, establishing new language-based channels and regionalized programming. DW provides content in 30 languages through its TV, radio and online services. As part of its mission to meet the challenges of today’s constantly evolving media environment, DW is focused on providing content for all platforms. After all, “content is king, but effective delivery is King Kong,” says Guido Baumhauer, DW’s managing director of strategy, marketing and distribution. In this video interview, Baumhauer shares his views with World Screen about the keys for ensuring the successful delivery of content. He also talks about how DW is tailoring its offering to the international market and how co-productions have become an important part of this strategy. no 7:09 Managing Director of Strategy, Marketing and Distribution, DW. Mon, 23 Jul 2012 10:51:21 -0400 B53E6BCB-E453-4DA1-8513-8EC7C17CF50B As the head of sales for the Americas and Central and Eastern Europe at Global Agency, Catherine Stryker must meet the demands for content of various budgets. The company has sold a number of its titles into CEE, building a track record in many territories across the region. However, the U.S. and Latin American markets have been tougher to crack, says Stryker, yet the company is managing to make inroads in both. Part of the keys to this success has come from really listening to clients and using that market intelligence to deliver formats that are fresh and exciting to these parts of the world. Stryker talks with TV Formats Weekly in this video interview about the commissions coming from CEE, the U.S. and Latin America. She also touches on the issue of format copycats, citing that consistent creativity is the best way to protect your idea in the marketplace. no 9:38 Head of sales for the Americas and Central and Eastern Europe at Global Agency. Thu, 19 Jul 2012 10:40:10 -0400 B88B7773-FA00-47EB-8F04-A0710EF481FE When Tricon Films & Television entered the marketplace in 2000, factual was its primary focus. But as the industry continued to evolve, so did Tricon, keeping pace with the current trends and diversifying its business to answer buyers’ demands. The company began dabbling in the scripted space, scoring a hit with its sci-fi series Sanctuary, and has now put its efforts behind increasing its slate of kids’ content, which includes the talent show The Next Star. The Toronto-based producer and distributor has continued to build out its business. To celebrate its tenth anniversary, Tricon established an office in Los Angeles, seeking out new opportunities to work more closely with the U.S. market. Behind these efforts is Andrea Gorfolova, the president of Tricon, whose finance background and business savvy have helped the company navigate through the last 12 years of changes in the industry. Gorfolova talks to World Screen Weekly about some of the shifts she’s seen in the industry and how Tricon has stepped up to meet these challenges. no 8:43 President of Tricon. Mon, 16 Jul 2012 10:19:35 -0400 B60DE411-978B-47DD-8D2C-C75787C48CC3 South America is among the markets that are becoming increasingly open to new format ideas, according to Avi Armoza, the CEO of Armoza Formats. The Chinese market is also “waking up,” he notes. The company has a catalogue that can cater to the different budgets of various territories, says Armoza, pointing to cost-effective series like Upgrade and bigger-budget shiny-floor shows like Still Standing. Armoza shares his views on what types of formats broadcasters are after nowadays, and the importance of interactive and cross-platform elements in the current crop of programs. He also tackles the hot topic of copyright infringement, discussing strategies he believes can help protect ideas from potential copycats. no 6:03 CEO of Armoza Formats. Wed, 11 Jul 2012 10:18:35 -0400 FB52851C-5EC7-4B3B-8F68-3BDB24B75480 Reaching more than 1.3 billion subscribers across 209 territories, Discovery Networks International has brought its channel brands into nearly every corner of the globe. Led by the flagship Discovery Channel, the company distributes 27 international TV brands, among them Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery (ID) and TLC. The company began rolling out TLC International in 2010 and has seen the fruits of that effort flourish. Earlier this year, it brought the Discovery Kids network, which has a long history of success in Latin America, into the Asia Pacific. Mark Hollinger, the president and CEO of Discovery Networks International, talks to World Screen about the concentrated efforts in Latin America and Asia as well as in Europe. Hollinger also sheds light on what other channel brands Discovery may be interested in rolling out to the international market. 3D content and TV Everywhere services are among the other topics Hollinger touches on in this video interview. no 14:39 President and CEO of Discovery Networks International. http://worldscreen.com Tue, 10 Jul 2012 10:17:52 -0400 9771427B-A584-4A31-81D4-948B855896EE Powered by hits such as Doc McStuffins, Jake and the Never Land Pirates and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Disney Junior’s transition from a programming block to a full 24-hour channel has been marked by success worldwide. The rebrand of Playhouse Disney to Disney Junior started in February 2011, and this March it added a cable and satellite channel in the U.S., bringing the total number of services around the world to 30. Nancy Kanter, the senior VP of original programming and general manager of Disney Junior Worldwide, has been leading the charge, extending the Disney heritage to a new generation of preschoolers. Kanter talks with World Screen about some of the elements that make for a good preschool show and what core values she looks for when introducing a new character to the Disney audience. She lets us in on some of the new faces being introduced to kids that join the stable of beloved classic characters such as Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. no 7:39 Senior VP of original programming and general manager of Disney Junior Worldwide. Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:16:18 -0400 29B395DA-DA16-440A-BDBE-D0963BE523D8 Turkish drama series have been creating quite a buzz in the industry as of late. These high-quality productions are in demand globally, and Sparks Network has found strong interest from several countries for adapting these scripted shows for local markets. Among them, Ezel from Ay Yapim has been a breakout success for Sparks. Fredrik af Malmborg, Sparks’ managing director, sat down with World Screen to discuss the elements that go into adapting Turkish dramas for other countries. Malmborg also talks about the overall appetite for scripted formats and the value in these productions compared to non-scripted shows. He shares with us some of the new developments happening within the company, and also discusses where he sees as being the current hubs for creativity in the marketplace. no 7:16 Managing Director, Sparks Network Thu, 05 Jul 2012 11:37:15 -0400 9A0907AF-ADFE-4CD0-8AAB-905909B7825A It’s been nearly four years since Shaftesbury acquired Smokebomb Entertainment, forming what is now the company’s digital media division. The digital efforts started with websites and cross-platform games and expanded into original online series as well as companion web experiences for top titles such as The Listener. Christina Jennings, the chairman and CEO of Shaftesbury, tells World Screen Weekly about the company’s prowess in the digital arena and plans for continued growth in that space. Jennings also discusses the current landscape for international co-productions, which is an area that Shaftesbury has become quite adept at navigating. no 6:28 Chairman and CEO of Shaftesbury Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:35:22 -0400 153762D7-C081-40BB-9C9C-88C25312D7C6 Currently the president of worldwide entertainment at FremantleMedia, Trish Kinane has overseen the global rollout of the Idols, Got Talent and X Factor franchises. Kinane recently announced that she is transitioning to a new role at the company this fall. Starting in August, Kinane will be responsible for the U.S. reality juggernauts American Idol, The X Factor and America’s Got Talent in her new post as president of entertainment programming at FremantleMedia North America. In this video interview, Kinane shares with us her view on some of the global trends in the format market. She also talks about what shows she’s particularly excited about in the catalogue and the importance of being able to offer broadcasters flexibility with formats. no 6:50 President of Worldwide Wntertainment at FremantleMedia Thu, 28 Jun 2012 11:18:57 -0400 95AC60CC-7C67-4606-A09C-A895E9AE060F Based on the novels by Australian author Kerry Greenwood, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is a 1920s-set detective drama following the seductive lady sleuth Phryne Fisher. The show is from Every Cloud Productions for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and ALL3MEDIA International has taken it out to the international market. Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox, co-founders of Every Cloud Productions, have been very much involved in crafting the overall look, feel and tone of the series. Eagger and Cox are both producers on the show, and Cox also leads the writing team. They share with us the process of developing a character like Phryne, bringing a modern attitude to the period piece. no 5:00 Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox, co-founders of Every Cloud Productions Mon, 25 Jun 2012 11:13:16 -0400 37C8AF57-7099-4401-9D8D-095A54D83D0C It has been more than two years now since ProSiebenSat.1’s Red Arrow Entertainment Group struck up a development agreement with Israeli entertainment producer Omri Marcus. Red Arrow has exclusive access to Marcus’s formats and development projects across all platforms on a worldwide basis, with SevenOne International managing the distribution. Currently, Marcus is developing projects with Red Arrow’s partners such as Mark Burnett Productions and Kinetic Content in the U.S., CPL Productions from the U.K. and July August Productions in Israel. Marcus has been a senior writer on Israel’s top comedy shows and has consulted for a number of Israeli production companies in scouting formats and eyeing global trends. He created the reality format Buzz Off, and has been involved in the writing of a number of comedy and entertainment shows. He is also behind Red Arrow’s Pop Quiz, a format that combines trivia with arcade-style gameplay. In this video interview, Marcus sits down with TV Formats Weekly to talk about his creative partnership with Red Arrow and about what’s creating buzz in the format market nowadays. He also shares his insights into what types of comedy can travel globally. no 9:08 Creative partner, Red Arrow Entertainment Group Thu, 21 Jun 2012 11:08:02 -0400 52866897-43B0-4862-9582-8FA358C86DAC Ed Bernero, who was the showrunner and executive producer of the hit series Criminal Minds and co-created Third Watch, is behind the new prime-time drama Crossing Lines. Tandem Communications and Bernero Productions have teamed up on the one-hour English-language series, which is about a broken New York detective who joins an elite unit of younger cops to track down Europe’s most brutal criminals. In this video interview, World Screen Weekly sits down with Bernero and Rola Bauer, president and partner at Tandem who is also executive producing Crossing Lines, to discuss details of the new production. no 8:41 Rola Bauer, President & Partner of Tandem Communications & Ed Bernero, Creator & Showrunner of Crossing Lines. Tue, 19 Jun 2012 11:35:20 -0400 EB50878A-4061-46B2-BD8B-4F50FA8BD303 A relatively young player in the kids’ market, PGS Entertainment was founded in 2008 with the focus of supporting the distribution and financing for leading independent animation producers. The company has been selective with its slate, representing a smaller number of titles, including iconic brands such as The Little Prince, Iron Man: Armored Adventures and Chaplin & Co. PGS is firmly focused on the distribution and brand management of third-party shows, rather than on producing its own content. Philippe Soutter, co-founder and president of PGS, talks with TV Kids Weekly about this business model. He also shares examples of how the company helps the producers that it represents get around some of the financing issues in the market to get their shows to the screen. no 7:42 Co-founder and president of PGS. http://www.worldscreen.com/articles/display/2012-6-7-video-interview-xii-tribes-panini-media-signs Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:49:38 -0400 434B929F-1794-4A53-835F-A3E46C3867DB Greed, power, money and astrology are the themes that run through the new drama series Signs. An XII Tribes Entertainment production distributed by Panini Media, the series was conceived by Michel Zgarka, who serves as producer alongside, among others, Randy Bradshaw, who is also the main director of the series. Ysé Brisson is the lead actress, head of the writing team and co-executive producer on the project. Brisson plays Natacha De La Tour, who is the head of a 12-company conglomerate owned by the mysterious William Manchester. Manchester is unwillingly influenced by the powers of a gifted astrologer with ulterior motives. Each of his 12 companies are led by a powerful and bright female executive, who were all handpicked for their impressive résumé and also according to their Zodiac sign. Brisson, Zgarka and Bradshaw sat down with World Screen to discuss the series and how it's different from the typical drama. no 8:06 Brisson, Zgarka and Bradshaw sit down with World Screen to discuss the series and how it's different from the typical drama. http://www.worldscreen.com/articles/display/34724 Wed, 06 Jun 2012 15:51:23 -0400 EEBF18B9-54E3-49D6-97DE-6C83D77832CD Having made a name for himself in the documentary film business, Morgan Spurlock has since brought his talents to the small screen. He parlayed the success of his hit 2004 doc Super Size Me into a TV series for FX, 30 Days, which debuted the following year. Exploring yet another new platform, Spurlock teamed up with Hulu for A Day in the Life. The series helped jumpstart Hulu’s move into long-form original content. FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) signed a global first-look deal for Hulu original programming, and A Day in the Life was the first title it took out to the international market under the pact. FME and Spurlock have since continued their relationship. The company entered into a first-look agreement with Spurlock’s production company, Warrior Poets. The deal sees FME representing the Sky Atlantic HD commission New Britannia, in which Spurlock dissects the eccentricities of British culture. The pact also includes Failure Club, originally produced for Yahoo! in the U.S. In this video interview, Spurlock talks to TV Real Weekly about his experience with producing for digital platforms, and also let’s us in on what new projects he’s working on. no 6:24 Documentary filmmaker http://worldscreen.com/articles/display/34664 Thu, 31 May 2012 12:00:53 -0400 987DC42E-ADF1-47D7-8AAB-50210EE8B5F3 A slew of deals have been secured by SevenOne International within the last month. This includes selling the game-show format Family Showdown to RAI1 in Italy, Lilyhammer scoring a slot in Israel and My Man Can being adapted in South Africa, for pay-TV station kykNET, and in the U.K., for ITV1. Just in this short list of sales, the breadth of the SevenOne slate is evident, ranging from non-scripted to scripted, from formats to TV movies and more. Jens Richter, the managing director of SevenOne, talks in this video interview about the company’s aim of bulking up its English-language productions. He also discusses the company’s growth and the priorities for continued expansion. no 7:10 Managing director of SevenOne. Wed, 23 May 2012 12:22:12 -0400 801AADA7-A64C-462D-9F5E-25F30AE56765 HISTORY delivered a record-breaking prime-time performance in Western Europe during the first quarter this year. In the U.K., Italy and Spain, HISTORY was the fastest growing factual pay-TV channel in Q1 2012, with ratings growth of 65 percent over the year-ago period, marking the second consecutive year of first-quarter growth. The network has ramped up its local commissioning in Europe, finding success in the U.K. with Mud Men and in Italy with La Vera Storia Della Mala del Brenta. A+E Networks continues to roll out its HISTORY and HISTORY HD brands across Europe, with Turkey as the latest country to gain a fully localized 100-percent high-definition channel from the group. A+E Networks’ Crime & Investigation Network has also been successfully rolling out across the region. Shepherding these developments is Dean Possenniskie, the managing director for Europe at A+E Networks. Possenniskie joined the company in 2010 after having served as senior VP and general manager for channels across EMEA at BBC Worldwide. He recently sat down with TV Real Weekly to talk about the success of HISTORY and Crime & Investigation in Europe and the strategy for local commissions on those channels. Possenniskie also touches on the gains the company is making in the 3D space and the opportunities he sees within digital distribution. no 12:24 Managing director for Europe at A+E Networks Wed, 16 May 2012 12:24:14 -0400 8DB5C4EC-2423-4B81-AE0B-6EB07085B8E8 Celebrity chef and restaurateur Chuck Hughes has taken his talents from the kitchen to the television in three award-winning seasons of Chuck’s Day Off, distributed by Beyond Distribution. The Canada native branches out even further in his new 8x30-minute series with Beyond, Chuck’s Week Off: Mexico, as he heads south of the border in search of culinary adventures. Beyond has also lined up a holiday special featuring Hughes, Chuckmas. Despite all his success in front of the camera, Hughes remains passionate about his restaurants and his love of cooking. “At the base I’m a cook, and that’s what’s important,” he tells TV Real Weekly in a special sit-down interview. Hughes shares with us details of his new TV programs, his dedication to showcasing local flavors and plans for continuing to build his brand, in this video interview. no 11:18 Celebrity chef and restaurateur Mon, 14 May 2012 23:10:59 -0400 F8A002F9-C733-417E-B216-E193D958661B A relatively young company, Banijay International has made tremendous gains in the format market since it arrived on the scene just over two years ago. Karoline Spodsberg, the managing director of Banijay International, says the focus hasn’t been to have the biggest catalogue out there, but to have the best. To do so, Banijay International has tried to secure relationships with the strongest creatives from all over the world, Spodsberg says. Third-party deals have complemented the content coming from the subsidiaries housed within the larger Banijay Group. With this slate, Banijay International has been making inroads in emerging markets, including the Middle East. Spodsberg says Asia and South America are two key areas of interest currently. The company recently wrapped agreements for two of its formats, Date My Car and Super Star Ding Dong, in China. Spodsberg has noticed more unscripted formats popping up in Latin America, and notes that Banijay’s entertainment-driven catalogue works well for this region. Spodsberg elaborates on the strategy for emerging markets, including cracking into India, in this video interview. no 13:32 Managing director of Banijay International Thu, 10 May 2012 11:30:44 -0400 7131604B-D008-461D-A5AE-FECBEA42206A The sci-fi franchise The X-Files became a cult hit in the ’90s, and writer/producer Frank Spotnitz worked on the series for eight of its nine seasons. Spotnitz is now putting his creative force behind the new British spy drama Hunted. The show is produced by Kudos Film & Television and Spotnitz’s Big Light Productions for BBC One in the U.K. and HBO sister channel Cinemax in the U.S. Shine International holds the broadcast rights for the eight-part prime-time series. Spotnitz recently sat down with World Screen Weekly to talk about the series: how it came together, what makes it unique and how the story arc is mapped out. He also shared his thoughts about working in the U.K. compared to working in Hollywood. no 6:29 American television writer and producer, best known for his work on The X-Files television series. Tue, 08 May 2012 11:42:36 -0400 E2340FBA-45F4-42C5-BDD1-4E7C0027D085 When Nerd Corps Entertainment opened up shop in Canada, about eight years ago, its co-founders knew that success would come from focusing on only the highest quality projects. The same mantra rings true for the company today. Ken Faier, the president of Nerd Corps, tells TV Kids Weekly that the company has put tremendous efforts into making sure each property has the best writing, the best animation and contains the key ingredient of humor. This commitment to quality has attracted the attention of broadcast partners such as Disney XD, which is launching Slugterra globally later this year. Nerd Corps also aligns itself with strong distribution partners when it sees necessary for certain territories, as it did in a recent partnership with Televix Entertainment for Rated A for Awesome and Slugterra in Latin America. Nerd Corps has continued to expand its operations, honing its expertise in production, and particularly in 3D animation, but also evolving the exploitation side of its business. Faier discusses the company’s growth, its prowess in the interactive space and more in this video interview. no 13:51 President of Nerd Corps. Thu, 03 May 2012 10:01:31 -0400 BBD65DD9-8315-4593-B83D-9CC3AD3CCBFC Entertainment One (eOne) Television has been busy building out its scripted drama business. Its stable now includes The Firm, adapted from John Grisham’s best-selling novel; the AMC original Hell on Wheels, which has been renewed for a second season; and two titles from producer Ilana Frank, Rookie Blue and Saving Hope, the latter of which premieres this June on NBC and CTV. John Morayniss, the CEO of eOne Television, says that part of the company’s strategy to grow its scripted business has been to partner with the best writers, the best showrunners and that track record, in turn, draws in new top-level producers, writers and agents. He says that the U.S. networks have become increasingly open to the idea of working with independents like eOne. With its independent strategy, Morayniss explains, eOne is able to be more generous with the partners and the parties that bring in projects. In this video interview, Morayniss provides some examples of innovative partnerships that eOne has done and the flexibility required when entering deals nowadays. He also discusses how eOne has been taking advantage of new opportunities in the digital space. no 9:53 CEO of eOne Television Tue, 01 May 2012 10:33:21 -0400 F963EEA8-DABF-475C-9C15-7913E259448C As the head of children’s programs and channels for France’s Canal+ Group, Laurence Blaevoet oversees a bouquet of services that each has a distinctive target. There’s Piwi+, a preschool channel for the 3-to-5 set; TéléTOON+, focused on children 6 to 12; and Canal+ Family, a premium pay-TV service targeting kids 4-plus with an emphasis on co-viewing with parents. Blaevoet tells TV Kids Weekly about the programming mandates she must observe for each of the channels, which feature a wealth of European content. She says that Canal+ does a lot of pre-buying from the market. She also gives advice for those looking to work with the French outfit. Blaevoet says that above all, shows must be funny in order for them to fit with the Canal+ brand. no 8:30 Head of children’s programs and channels for France’s Canal+ Group Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:09:23 -0400 6105A0D7-5AFF-48ED-B886-A313038251F6 It was just over a year ago when Nordic World made its foray into the format market. Some might argue that was a tough financial time to enter the arena, but Jan Salling, Nordic World’s COO and sales director, says he’s seen the company’s format business flourish. Salling believes the keys to success have been having the right content, packaging it right, timing it right and hyping it properly, along with being a little bit lucky. He also says that the Nordic region as a whole has been on a bit of a hot streak lately, in terms of its creative output. Everyone wants to know what’s working best in the format business nowadays, and Salling shares his insights into what the broadcasters and viewers are after. He also provides an answer to the elusive question of, “What’s ‘the next big thing’?” no 13:04 COO and Sales Director at Nordic World Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:55:55 -0400 A2800648-8897-4B79-96E2-5D471B3FED64 Just ahead of MIPTV, Peace Point Entertainment Group announced the launch of its dedicated international distribution arm, Peace Point Rights. The Toronto-based outfit, which has been around for more than a decade, has a back-catalogue of more than 400 hours of content to offer to the global market through its new division. Factual and lifestyle series lead off the initial slate, including Bake with Anna Olson, and, in time for the summer Olympics, SuperBodies. Peace Point is actively seeking out co-productions and format opportunities as well, according to Les Tomlin, the company’s president and CEO. This move is the latest in Peace Point’s expansion efforts, after having established a U.S. operation and a dedicated digital group. So what’s next on the company’s roster? Tomlin talks to TV Real Weekly about the opportunities that lie ahead. no 4:36 President and CEO of Peace Point Entertainment Group Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:38:03 -0400 480C1E56-5778-4DD2-BB6C-90934E2A11BC Fran Drescher, best known from her iconic role as Nanny Fine in the long-running comedy The Nanny, made her return to television last year on TV Land's Happily Divorced, distributed internationally by Endemol Worldwide Distribution. Drescher not only stars in the show, she is co-creator and co-executive producer. She is working alongside Peter Marc Jacobson. Jacobson previously worked with Drescher as co-creator and writer on The Nanny. The pair’s relationship also served as inspiration for the TV Land sitcom, as the show is based on Drescher and Jacobson’s real-life experience as a formerly married couple. The two split after Jacobson announced he was gay. Such is the premise of Happily Divorced, which features Drescher as a Los Angeles florist whose 18-year marriage ends when her husband comes out of the closet. The sitcom returned last week in its second season. Drescher and Jacobson reveal to World Screen Weekly what viewers can expect from the new season, along with sharing insight into their personal and professional relationship. no 9:44 Co-Creators Fran Drescher & Peter Marc Jacobson Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:56:46 -0500 87DA218A-203F-404E-B6DB-74EF114C03A6 With its recent U.K. launch and continued expansion across Latin America, Netflix has been notching up programming deals around the world for its streaming service. World Screen Weekly recently caught up with Ted Sarandos, the company’s chief content officer, about licensing programming for its U.S. and international platforms, the move into original series and the importance of the site’s recommendation algorithms. no 10:50 Chief Content Officer, Netflix Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:56:07 -0500 4C0A856B-7179-4D82-9F0C-9977266D1EDA Best known as guitarist in Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and from his work in HBO’s The Sopranos, Steven Van Zandt leads the cast of the new series Lilyhammer. He plays Frank “The Fixer” Tagliano, a New York mobster who is forced into the Witness Protection Program after testifying against his Mafia boss. He is then relocated to the quiet Norwegian town of Lillehammer, where he struggles to adjust to the Scandinavian way of life. A Norwegian original, the dramedy, produced by Rubicon TV and distributed by SevenOne International, has already proven its global appeal. The eight-part series was quickly scooped up by Netflix, which debuts the show on February 6 in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. It will mark the service’s first original launch, to be followed by House of Cards, starring Kevin Spacey, and the revival of Arrested Development. Netflix is also on board to co-produce a second season of Lilyhammer. In this video interview, Van Zandt talks about the significance of the Netflix deal, along with discussing the show and his hands-on involvement in its production. no 8:00 Actor & Musician Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:32:56 -0500 6F144E42-C30A-4561-8280-7287E55A8833 Currently in its first season on BBC One, the Caribbean-set crime drama Death in Paradise follows a detective inspector who is assigned to investigate a murder on the island of Saint-Marie. While it may sound like paradise for some, DI Richard Poole, played by Ben Miller, hates the sun, sea and sand, making the quintessential British cop feel like a fish out of water. His new partner is the feisty and instinctive Camille Bordey, played by Sara Martins. Miller and Martins’ on-screen chemistry plays out as they solve a new crime in each episode. Off-screen, the pair kept cracking each other up as our cameras rolled for this video interview. The stars sat down with World Screen Weekly to talk about how the show differs from a traditional detective drama and what it was like filming in paradise. The series, launched at MIPCOM, is part of a growing slate of high-quality drama that BBC Worldwide has on its roster. Death in Paradise is produced by Red Planet Pictures and Atlantique Productions in association with BBC Worldwide and Kudos Film and Television for BBC One and France Télévisions with support from the region of Guadeloupe. It marks the first-ever drama collaboration between BBC and France Télévisions as well. no 9:30 Death in Paradise's Ben Miller and Sara Martins Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:34:09 -0500 32693CD6-6524-4B17-80D6-C31F5F88C00D The renowned French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand has spent much of his career exploring the beauty of the world around us. His photographs capturing unique views of our planet as seen from the sky in Earth from Above became a best-selling book and large-scale exhibition that drew more than 60 million people. The sequences filmed during the photo sessions were turned into a four-part HD series for television, produced by France 2, and were later released on DVD. The production focuses largely on the fragility of Earth's ecosystems and spotlights how easily they are damaged by human activity. The same messages have been pervasive throughout his work as a journalist and environmentalist, leading him into the realm of filmmaking and directing. In his first full-length feature film, Home, Arthus-Bertrand examines the state of our planet and the challenges we as humans face if we don’t work to protect it. Produced by the celebrated French filmmaker Luc Besson, Home was released on TV, the Internet, DVD and in cinemas worldwide, almost entirely free of charge. Arthus-Bertrand's latest effort is a royalty-free production company called Hope Production. Founded in partnership with Robin & Co.’s CEO, Jean-Yves Robin, the joint venture is dedicated to producing films and TV programs that address international environmental issues. The company’s profits are reinvested in other sustainable development projects and non-governmental organizations. Arthus-Bertrand sat down with TV Real Weekly to discuss the work of Hope Production and reflect on his long and storied career. no 9:23 Photographer & Filmmaker Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:08:01 -0500 FB90DED8-BCB0-4A8F-8273-523700A7E3C4 Set on the magical planet Jammbo, where all the music in the universe originates from, the animated preschool comedy Jelly Jamm made its debut this fall in more than 150 territories. The show was one of the banner properties for the rollout of Cartoonito in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and has also been a hit on Discovery Kids in Latin America, among other networks worldwide. Following its successful string of linear deals, licensing activity for the property, which was developed and produced by Spanish indies Vodka Capital, 737 Shaker, RTVE and toy giant Bandai, has begun to heat up, says Steven Posner, Vodka’s managing partner. Music deals for Jelly Jamm are currently in the works, and book publishing and other categories are already in place. Together with 737 Shaker, Vodka is now in the process of raising financing for Pirata & Capitano, a new series about the adventures of a girl pirate and boy pilot, with hopes to move into production next year. In this video interview, Posner discusses the global appeal of Jelly Jamm, as well as the company’s aim of continuing to develop cross-platform entertainment brands for kids. no 6:30 Vodka capital Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:12:02 -0500 2C547AAF-B9CE-412F-8C3A-782F54FEB4D0 This special video report features interviews with Subhash Chandra, the chairman of Zee Group; Ward Platt, the president for the Asia Pacific and the Middle East at FOX International Channels; and Jana Bennett, the president of worldwide networks and the global BBC iPlayer at BBC Worldwide. no 8:27 Ahead of the Asia TV Forum, World Screen caught up with three leading channel operators about how they are building on their businesses in Asia. Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:09:35 -0500 22443502-2627-4E02-9667-0171B20390DF Returning to television after having spent the majority of her career working in film, Ashley Judd leads the cast of the new ABC Studios drama Missing. Judd plays Becca Winstone, a single mother who’s on a quest to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of her son, who vanished while on a summer internship in Italy. Adding a twist to the action, her character is actually a former CIA agent, and now must put her resourcefulness, skill and determination to work to bring her son home alive. The New Zealand-born actor Cliff Curtis and Adriano Giannini of Italy co-star in the series, which is launching in the U.S. on ABC in midseason 2012. Missing not only features an international cast, but was also filmed in several locations across Europe, including Prague and Istanbul. Disney Media Distribution has already licensed the series to a slew of global broadcasters. no 8:35 Ashley Judd, Cliff Curtis & Adriano Giannini Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:28:15 -0500 ACD203EE-8F21-435C-8BB2-DD64F7A1B2A7 no 14:31 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:44:11 -0400 517D21C0-8ACF-4B88-88D2-C29330EC6729 no 13:58 Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:45:00 -0500 44365802-CEF6-4DC9-AA4C-718CA26F195A no 7:24 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:45:34 -0400 9270B285-8F86-4C35-ABAB-8B6344B0018F no 6:18 Sun, 10 Jul 2011 13:46:33 -0400 E6F1D43A-308F-45C3-AC20-AA5B9B82E007 no 7:14 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:47:07 -0400 C3AF9F48-950C-4AB0-BA9C-A54801B6C1F8 no 6:54 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:33:41 -0400 Podcasting http://newsletters.worldscreen.com/podcasts/worldscreen/2011-06-23%20David%20Leach.m4v World Screen In Conversation With... no 5:45 Podcasting Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:33:16 -0400 Podcasting http://newsletters.worldscreen.com/podcasts/worldscreen/2011-06-22%20Enrique%20R.%20Marti%CC%81nez.m4v World Screen In Conversation With... no 5:49 Podcasting Tue, 21 Jun 2011 13:32:16 -0400 Podcasting http://newsletters.worldscreen.com/podcasts/worldscreen/2011-06-21%20Lesli%20Rotenberg.m4v World Screen In Conversation With... no 6:50 Podcasting