L.A. Screenings Guide THE BUSINESS JOURNAL OF FILM, BROADCASTING, BROADBAND, PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION MAY 2008 VOL. 28 NO. 3 $9.75 ® www.videoage.org BY LEAH HOCHBAUMROSNER This year, the pilot process is somewhat different. It had to be, what with the time constraints imposed by the lengthy Writers Guild of America strike in the U.S. Last year, the U.S. TV networks commissioned their typical number of pilots (ABC had 29; CBS, 21; CW, 12; Fox, 24; and NBC, 20). This year, the numbers are notably different (as of press time, ABC had 17; CBS, 14; CW, 4; Fox, 14; and NBC had already greenlit 13 shows at its early mini-upfront). While many have speculated that fewer pilots might become the norm during future pilot seasons, others believe that next year, things will go back to the way they were in a pre-strike world. The big Foreign Series Take Root in U.S. Soil (Continued on Page 56) (Continued on Page 52) Latin America’s Top Guns Shoot For Region’s Top Show China’s Foreign TV Content Viewed With Contempt BY LEVI SHAPIRO Henry Luce, the founder of Time Magazine , once famously remarked, “There is no such thing as a China expert, only varying degrees of ignorance.” The same could be said about Western content owners selling their programming to local Chinese television stations. Because of economic, (Continued on Page 54) (Continued on Page 50) BY ERIN SOMERS In the industry all are well aware of the Hollywood writers strike’s effects on upcoming TV seasons worldwide and the changes to the U.S. television industry. It remains to be seen if these changes are going to be permanent, as predicted, or just temporary, as hoped. However, little has been said about the effects –– one way or another –– of the strike on the U.S. independents and foreign television production and distribution companies. At first sight, many independents seemed to have come out of the strike unscathed, and a lucky few even saw some benefits. VideoAge spoke to a cross-section of independent companies to find out if and why David fared better than Goliath during the writers’ crisis, which engulfed TV networks, studios, producers, distributors and even cities. Challenges As Opportunities: Writers Strike Benefited Indies EN ESPAÑOL • DISCOP Africa • Hollywood apunta al EST • Dólares de los L.A. Screenings • Evaluando los daños post-huelga Forum Brasil is fast becoming Latin America’s premier TV trade show. This year’s ninth edition promises improvements, and, next year, there’s an even more drastic plan to move the event from its traditional São Paulo location to Rio de Janeiro. These changes are viewed as a signal to the international TV sector to get an early jump on the bandwagon in order to secure a more privileged standing in the future. Forum Brasil, which will take place June 3-5 in São Paulo, will bring
V I D E O A G E • N o. 3 • M a y 2 0 0 8 Cover stories: Comparing TV Seasons. This time foreign series take root in U.S. soil for reel Brasil TV Forum: Latin America’s top guns shoot for region’s top TV trade show Local Sino TV: China’s foreign TV content viewed with contempt Challenges and opportunities: Hollywood writers strike benefited indies and foreign producers 4. World: U.K., Afghanistan, Australia, U.S., China Plus: Famous Quotes, Letters 8. Book Review: Schulz’s life in the unfunny pages. Not just a few peanuts for Peanuts 12. MIP-TV Review: Few parties, many deals. Eco-friendliness now a plus 17. Official L.A. Screenings Guide • Indie Programming Selection. When Fare is Fair • Where, When and Who is screening • Parties & Events • 2008-2009 new season TV series. Yes, that’s all there is! • Capturing the moment. Photopage • Studio sales team. They’re the stars’ stars • Key acquisition executives. Always nice to see y’all. 43. Sección en Español: • Dólares de los L.A. Screenings para Los Angeles • DISCOP Africa: la última frontera de la TV • Evaluando los daños posthuelga. La calma luego de la tormenta • Hollywood apunta al EST 58. Conferences & Events News. Plus, your usual portion of dates and places 60. My 2¢. To dis-cuss or not to dis a cuss (like the “F” word on television)
FremantleMedia Enterprises is pleased to announce www.fidtv.com 1 Stephen Street, London W1T 1AL, UK E: fidsales@fremantlemedia.com Coming soon in primetime to the BBC and NBC D R A M A 1 3 x 1 H O U R MERLIN A YOUNG MAN WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY FUTURE
Movies Pirated Before Premiere Al Pacino thriller 88 Minutes opened in U.S. theaters on April 18. But according to Bloomberg.com, prior to its debut, SurfTheChannel.com had already played the film roughly 51,000 times. A new danger in the Web piracy arena, SurfTheChannel links to a number of other sites, including Tudou.com, 56.com and many sites around the globe. Streaming technology makes movies and TV shows instantly available on Web browsers and hides viewers’ identities, making it nearly impossible for anyone to stop them. The site uses an Internet service to hide its location and links to sites that make copyrighted material available. According to a site spokesman, it’s legal because the content doesn’t reside on SurfTheChannel’s network. Sony’s 88 Minutes is just one of 95,000 titles on Stockholm-based SurfTheChannel, which boasts about 650,000 viewers a month. The site offers films that are still in theaters, as well as movies that aren’t out yet, such as Time Warner Inc.’s Good Chemistry. Online piracy cost the movie biz $7.1 billion in 2005 and, according to the Motion Picture Association of America, is the fastest-growing threat to the film industry A host of other sites, including QuickSilverScreen.com, Joox.net and SideReel.com provide similar services. SurfTheChannel even had a page on MySpace.com, a social networking site owned by News Corp. The page was blocked after the company learned of its existence. Sweden has recently started cracking down on pirates, though. In March, the government began focusing on file sharing after the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry registered complaints against PirateBay.com, which locates pirated material — just like SurfTheChannel does. Afghan Clerics Anti Indian Soaps Indian soap operas have caused outrage in Afghanistan in recent months. In April, a Muslim movement opposing the scandalous programs gained steam when members of Parliament, backed by the national Ministry of Information and Culture, issued a statement demanding that private TV channels stop broadcasting five of the controversial shows. Since they hit the airwaves, the soaps have provoked protests from conservative Muslim clerics and politicians. Opponents object to the shows because men and women are portrayed together, the Hindu religion is prominently featured and women are dressed “immodestly.” Following the demise of the Taliban in 2001, a dozen or so private television stations emerged and began to broadcast the soaps to eager subscribers. A spokesman for Tolo TV, the country’s leading private channel, dismissed the parliamentary declaration, claiming it was against the law. However, many of Kabul’s most influential Muslim leaders have taken up the campaign and have vowed to resort to violence if the shows are not removed. U.S. Video Game Sales Hit The Roof The ailing U.S. economy has not affected video game sales, according to industry data released on April 17. March video game sales in the U.S. were up 57 percent from 2007, reaching $1.7 billion. Nintendo, which led the boom with its Wii console sales, boasted its biggest non-holiday month ever. The sudden popularity of Nintendo Wii accessories has been attributed to the release of the “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” game. The company reported 720,000 Wiis sold, and an additional 2.7 million copies of the hit game. “Wii Fit,” an innovative game that encourages couch potatoes to get some exercise, hits the shelves in May. Nintendo is confident that, with the help of the new game, its strong showing will continue. Sony’s PS3 game console also took off in March, with figures doubling from MAY 2 0 0 8 (Continued on Page 6)
Series: 13 x 1/ 2 hour If you think it’s tough at the top in Hollywood – you’ve never been at the bottom! STARRING: BRENDAN PENNY, BRITT IRVIN, ZAK SANTIAGO, MEAGHAN RATH, MICHAEL B. JORDAN LA SCREENINGS CONTACTS: Saralo MacGregor, Executive Vice-President Worldwide, saralo.macgregor@contentfilm.com Melissa Wohl, Senior Vice-President, melissa.wohl@contentfilm.com Diana Zakis, Vice-President, diana.zakis@contentfilm.com 1337 Third Street Promenade, Suite 302, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA. T: +1 310 576 1059, F: +1 310 576 1859, www.contentfilm.com
2007. The company expects sales to continue to rise, with the premiere of such games as “Metal Gear Solid 4” and “Gran Turismo 5 Prologue” in the coming months. Additionally, Xbox 360 and Nintendo DS games sales have shown improvement, along with handheld units from a variety of makers. Sales on games and consoles are also going up due to a recent increase in supply. Previously, retail shortages of systems throughout the U.S. damaged figures for Nintendo and Sony. As Nintendo’s ability to keep Wiis in stock improved, sales hit new heights. Though Nintendo is still dealing with pockets of shortages, it has become much more adept at handling supply issues. U.K. To Review BBC Funding Ofcom, Britain’s media regulator, is considering requiring the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) to share its annual license fees with commercial broadcasters that offer public service programs. The proposal was one of many under consideration by the regulator, as it began its second major review of the sector. The BBC opposes the idea of sharing the license fee with its rivals and has said that a cut in funding would hurt its ability to fulfill its public service requirements. One choice is to invite commercial broadcasters to bid for “long-term funding to provide public service competition to the BBC.” The license fee is one way to finance it, according to Ofcom. Other options are government funding from a number of different sources or industry levies. Putting a stop to the BBC’s exclusive access to public funds would pressure it to reduce spending. In October, the BBC announced that it would cut 2,500 jobs, sell its London headquarters and produce fewer programs because the government refused to increase the license fee by the amount it had requested. The BBC is financed through a MAY 2 0 0 8 (Continued from Page 4) Letter to the Editor Great piece on TV/Radio Age . I found it especially amusing about how you were considered kind of weird because you knew how to work the telex. I had the same experience with the fax machine and the computer (not to mention using an electric typewriter!). Keep up the great work. Les Luchter LL Communications, New York Famous Quotes Charlotte TV stations should run cartoons instead of local news. They are more entertaining and just as informative. The Charlotte Observer, April 27, 2008 North Carolina mandatory fee paid by all British households with a TV set. Downloads Down Under Aunique struggle has begun down under for the rights to the “last mile” of broadband cabling. The term refers to the last 10 meters of wiring between the front door of a house and the owner’s television. Though it may seem trivial, control of this digital gateway will dictate who gets a piece of the Internet-streaming pie that could end up being worth billions. A variety of diverse companies, including Internet service providers, cable companies and game console makers, have all joined the competition. Australia faces an unusual obstacle in terms of Internet-based television services, in that monthly download limits are much lower than in other countries. This both inhibits the amount of programming users can access, and caps the amount of revenue available to companies. The winner of the “last mile” would be able to exclude its own content from a subscriber’s download cap, and thus exclusively serve a large audience. One of the major players in the running is broadband service provider Telstra Big Pond, which owns rights to distribute Fox News and coverage of the Bejing Olympics. Its biggest competitor for the final 10 meters is provider SingTel Optus, which is partnering with MTV and Disney.
A FAMILY RANCH... A HORSE WHISPERER... ...A FIGHT TO SAVE A DREAM... Drama Series: 31 x 1 hour LA SCREENINGS CONTACTS: Saralo MacGregor, Executive Vice-President Worldwide, saralo.macgregor@contentfilm.com Melissa Wohl, Senior Vice-President, melissa.wohl@contentfilm.com Diana Zakis, Vice-President, diana.zakis@contentfilm.com 1337 Third Street Promenade, Suite 302, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA. T: +1 310 576 1059, F: +1 310 576 1859, www.contentfilm.com
Generations of comics readers and TV watchers view Peanuts as merely a kind-hearted cartoon, rife with gently humorous observations about human nature. Yet, in the 50 years of his life in print, Charlie Brown did a whole lot more than tickle the funny bone of those perusing the Sunday papers. Though his character was forever thwarted in his attempts to kick a football, Schulz succeeded in creating a media empire that spanned print, TV and merchandising, and generated millions of dollars. In biography Schulz and Peanuts (2007, HarperCollins, 655 pages, U.S. $34.95), author David Michaelis looks to the comic strip for insights into the life of its creator and the intricacies of his relationship with television. Schulz himself was quoted as saying, “If somebody reads my strip every day, they’ll know me for sure — they’ll know exactly what I am.” However, despite Michaelis’ impressive breadth of research and painstakingly thorough (and at times absurd) analysis of the comic strip that both catalogued and drove Schulz’s life, the artist and media mogul remains elusive. Success was hard won for Schulz, despite his singular talent and determination. Trained only by a correspondence drawing course, Schulz worked diligently and suffered many rejections in seeking to get his strip picked up by a syndicate. However, his skill was undeniable, and when United Features Syndicate finally premiered his strip on October 2, 1950, he was off and running. It was not long before Peanutsoutgrew newsprint. Merchandisers came knocking, looking to slap Snoopy’s recognizable mug on everything from linens to plush toys, and the entertainment industry soon followed suit. However, Schulz was reluctant to lend his characters to film and TV projects. “There are some greater things in the world than animated cartoons” became his mantra over the next 10 years. Schulz’s real fear was that Hollywood would swoop in and change his characters’ “essential qualities.” But by 1965, when CBS and CocaCola offered to fund a Peanuts Christmas special, a producer named Lee Mendelson had earned Schulz’s trust through collaboration on a handful of commercials. Schulz was confident that Mendelson and his selected director, Bill Melendez, would preserve the look of his uncluttered drawings and the integrity of his vision. He was ready to make his magnum opus. Throughout his life, Schulz was determined and willful, but never were these traits so apparent as during the development of A Charlie Brown Christmas . Melendez recalled that the illustrator “was very sensitive and [collaborators] had to be very careful” when dealing with him. In spite of objections from his director and producer, Schulz was insistent that the special be a condemnation of the holiday season’s materialistic side. Surprisingly, Michaelis fails to call attention to the irony of Schulz’s eagerness to comment on commercialism. He had made millions licensing his characters into merchandizing and endorsement deals and would go on to make a Peanuts special for every holiday including, laughably, Arbor Day. The director and producer voiced their objections to Schulz’s offbeat ideas, but the artist would have his way, and Charlie Brown’s quest V I D E O • A G E MAY 2 0 0 8 8 B o o k R e v i e w Schulz’s Life In The Unfunny Pages Although author Michaelis dutifully recounts the particulars of Schulz’s professional success and personal life, he neglects to fully assess his impact on the entertainment industry. Charlie Brown and his friends changed the way people thought about comics. Suddenly, two-dimensional drawings could become TV stars, sell cars and insurance, and work their charm in countless languages. Though the world saw Schulz simply as Charlie Brown’s human incarnation, he was, in truth, an entertainment and marketing genius. Charles Monroe Schulz was born on November 26, 1922, in St. Paul, Minnesota to a German immigrant and his Norwegian-American bride. Schulz was dubbed “Sparky” by one of his many boisterous Scandinavian relatives while still in infancy. The nickname became ever more contradictory as Schulz grew up — he was a reticent child and an insecure adult. But it nevertheless stuck, contributing to the “Average Joe” image that made him likeable to the public despite the phenomenal wealth he eventually accrued. Michaelis delights in pointing out similarities between young Schulz and Charlie Brown. Both had barbers for fathers, an affinity for little red-haired girls, and a love-hate relationship with a “dog that thought he was a human.” Throughout the book, landmarks from Schulz’s upbringing and childhood friends pop up in the abundant strips that accompany the text. However, the most poignant resemblance of the illustrator to his round-headed drawing is the loser mentality, the shared fixation on being a “bland, stupid-looking kid” unworthy of love or recognition. For Charlie Brown, it was a trait that would draw millions of sympathetic readers to the strip. But for Schulz, it represented a deeper struggle with neuroses and undiagnosed depression. Charles Schulz passed away in 2000. His contribution to the world of comics is immeasurable, and the sheer joy he has brought to the public cannot be denied. Michaelis’ book pays tribute to the adventures of Schulz’s iconic characters in their famed holiday specials and on the printed page. However, when it debuted, Michaelis was denounced by Schulz’s surviving family members. They accused him of deliberately portraying the icon in an unfavorable light, and calling attention to his crippling social deficiencies and greed. But Michaelis’ account is nothing if not balanced. The book’s shortcomings occur not because the analysis is biased, but rather because its focus is off. Michaelis uses Schulz strips to explain the inner workings of Schulz’s psyche, which, coming from an author and not a psychoanalyst, seems presumptuous and irrelevant. Surely, not every strip Schulz ever created reflected his inner turmoil. The intriguing part of Schulz’s story is not in his unknowable emotions, but his impact on comics, entertainment, merchandizing and even holidays, the world over. ES for the true meaning of Christmas became the special’s centerpiece. When A Charlie Brown Christmaswas finally presented to CBS executives, one week before it was scheduled to air and $25,000 over the miniscule $150,000 budget, the suits were baffled. The movie had a melancholy jazz score by Vince Guaraldi, lacked the laugh track that was standard in cartoons of the day, was voiced by children rather than professionals and featured Linus reciting a biblical passage at the climax. All of these were Schulz’s touches. Expecting the worst, they broadcast the quirky film on December 9, 1965. The movie was an instant hit, declared a “Yule classic,” and nominated for prestigious TV awards. Letters poured into CBS, thanking the network and the man of the hour, Charle Schulz. Money-wise, A Charlie Brown Christmascontinues to be a gift that keeps on giving for CBS, which re-airs the special each year.
IN A WORLD DIVIDED BY FEAR, THEY HOLD THE LINE STARRING JAMES MCGOWAN AND SOFIA MILOS Drama Series: 26 x 1 hour LA SCREENINGS CONTACTS: Saralo MacGregor, Executive Vice-President Worldwide, saralo.macgregor@contentfilm.com Melissa Wohl, Senior Vice-President, melissa.wohl@contentfilm.com Diana Zakis, Vice-President, diana.zakis@contentfilm.com 1337 Third Street Promenade, Suite 302, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA. T: +1 310 576 1059, F: +1 310 576 1859, www.contentfilm.com
Fewer parties (but an abundance of celebs), the rise of African television, and an attempt at honest-to-goodness ecofriendliness in the Palais des Festivals. This could summarize MIP-TV 2008, which took place in Cannes, France in April. Many companies, including Lionsgate and U.K.-based Fireworks, opted to ditch the confines of the convention center’s “bunker,” instead choosing outdoor terrace areas alongside such luminaries as Disney-ABC and FremantleMedia. On some executives’ minds were Webbased TV series — in fact, a keynote delivered by Hulu CEO Jason Kilar was one of the best attended at the market, on par with a keynote given by Shine Group’s Elisabeth Murdoch. Execs were also talking about the ever-increasing price of oil, and whether or not these petrodollars from the Middle East will soon be making their way to Hollywood, as predicted by The New York Times . Since the L.A. Screenings were right around the corner, the U.S. pilots with early buzz attached to them also had buyers talking. Yet unsurprisingly, it was those people who couldn’t get to Cannes who really had tongues wagging. A number of (former) industry bigwigs, including Drew Levin and Noel Cronin of Team Communications Group and Harel Goldstein of Hilltop Entertainment, were arrested prior to the market for various white-collar infractions. But while these many topics kept people entertained and informed at the conference, it was business as usual for most companies, with deals a-plenty announced throughout the event. Comcast International Media Group announced that its E! Entertainment Television will debut an observational documentary series about Hollywood icon Pamela Anderson. Produced by World of Wonder Productions, the halfhour series, Pamela (working title), will debut summer 2008. The series will focus on Anderson and will not feature her children with ex-husband Tommy Lee. “Pamela Anderson is one of the most captivating personalities in pop culture today,” said Lisa Berger, executive vice president, Original Programming and Series Development for E! “It’s going to be a wild ride.” Duccio Donati, senior vice president, Comcast International Media Group, concurred. “This MIP-TV has been a big show for us. Because of the strike, a lot of programmers have holes in their schedules,” he said. “And it’s a bit of a perfect storm for us that we have programming to fill those schedules.” In addition to Pamela, Comcast was also promoting its previously announced docu-series Living Lohan, which chronicles Lindsay Lohan’s mom Dina as she grooms younger daughter Ali for super stardom, and Denise Richards: It’s Complicated, which follows the actress as she navigates Hollywood. Other deals also made at the market included Starz Media and Tandem Communications’ announcement that, beginning immediately and continuing through 2009, Tandem will handle worldwide TV sales of several key Starz series and collections, including the Fantasy/Adventure Collection and the new Ladies Out Collection; Germanybased Bavaria Media Television’s announcement that it sold three 90minute episodes of international crime series Aspeto German public broadcaster ZDF, and Italy-based RAI Trade’s sales of its Viceroys to Russia’s Film Depot, Bulgaria’s BNT, Benelux’s AMedia, Czech TV, Romania’s TVR and Sweden’s NoStop. MGM Networks said that it would soon launch a high-definition version of The MGM Channel to subscribers in Israel. Like the standard definition channel, it will be subtitled in Hebrew. Argentina’s Telefe and Colombia’s RCN were at MIP fresh off of celebrating the opening of their joint office in Russia. Through the Moscow office, run by Russian specialist Anastasia Korchagina, both companies are seeking to increase their presences in the region through the distribution of programs, telenovelas and formats. “Being in Russia allows us to closely monitor the needs of such a competitive market,” said Alejandro Parra, director of Telefe International, adding that “the Russian market has grown 15 to 20 percent over the last two years.” RCN’s Maria Lucia Hernandez Frieri echoed Parra’s sentiments. “The possibilities are endless,” she said. Nigerian TV companies had planned to be at the market in full force, but unfortunately, things went awry when the majority of the delegation from the three exhibiting companies was held at the border due to visa problems. Despite this, the delegates who did manage to make it to Cannes made an impact. With DISCOP Africa premiering in February 2009 in Senegal, the continent is being hailed as an emerging market. Toyin Subair of Nigeria’s HiTV, one of Africa’s first commercial payTV companies, said: “Africa is the only market now that needs to be expanded,” pointing out that TV has taken off throughout Eastern Europe and Asia, regions which were previously assumed to be barren wastelands of television. This year’s MIP-TV was a more ecofriendly affair than previous incarnations of the international television market. “All of the carpeting in the main areas [in the Palais] is recyclable,” said Paul Johnson of ReedMidem, which organizes MIP-TV, before adding that all of Reed’s print production was also on recycled paper.” Japanese broadcaster NHK was the recipient of the Green World Award, which recognized the network’s V I D E O • A G E MAY 2 0 0 8 12 M I P - T V R e v i e w Few Parties, Many Deals. Eco-Friendliness A Plus (Continued on Page 16) Comcast’s Duccio Donati and Leilani Farinas Power’s Chris Philip and Eloise Tooke Dori Media’s Nadav Palti This MIP-TV has been a big show for us. Because of the strike, a lot of programmers have holes in their schedules,” he said. “And it’s a bit of a perfect storm for us that we have programming to fill those schedules. — Comcast’s Duccio Donati
continued commitment to raising public awareness on environmental issues. “They’ve been [trying to raise awareness] for over 50 years — way before it was even cool or trendy,” said Johnson. Teri Fleming, vp, Marketing, for Santa Monica, California-based Lionsgate, also took it upon herself to ensure that her company’s new booth and location were as green as possible. “The decking is all reusable,” she said. She also brought biodegradable cups and reused walls from Lionsgate’s old booth. “We’re just trying to be as eco-friendly as possible,” she said. Being eco-friendly is less expensive for new booths. Re-fitting older booths can be quite pricey, however. Plus, it seems that the new trend is having a booth with terrace space, which offers lots of natural sunlight. And while entertainment companies were successful in their attempts at being green (meaning environmentally conscious), it seemed that they were holding onto their greenbacks (as dollars and other currencies are sometimes called) this year. Lavish parties are usually a large part of MIP-TV, but this year, they were few and far between. Of course, there was the traditional opening night gala provided by Reed Midem. This year’s had a Japanese theme complete with paper lanterns and ladies dressed in traditional kimonos. Also on the first night, Granada, Portman and Distraction all threw their own shindigs. On the second day of MIP, Dori Media, Court TV (launching its new rebrand as truTV) and the Singapore Media Development Agency hosted some bashes. Regardless of the dearth of gettogethers, the stars were out in full force. Actors Shirley MacLaine, Derek Jacobi and Sam Neill graced the hallowed halls of the Palais with their presences. Simon Beaufoy, writer of The Full Monty, was also on hand to meet and greet. At VideoAge ’s traditional MIP-TV breakfast, held at the Plage Royale in Cannes, editor Dom Serafini told a crowd of 20 executives that this year’s L.A. Screenings could finally be the break that independents have been waiting for. “This is a unique opportunity simply because the studios have fewer pilots this year,” said Serafini, alluding to the after-effects of the writers strike. “The independents need to capitalize on this.” Representatives from such indies as Ledafilms, Televisa, CDC United Network, RCN, Globo TV and RAI Trade were present looking for suggestions on how best to take advantage V I D E O • A G E MAY 2 0 0 8 16 M I P - T V R e v i e w MIP-TV Power Women: Mediaset’s Nella Allegretti, SPI’s Revi Benshohsan, Rai Trade’s Marilena Avola and Rita Lombardi, Funwood Media’s Almudena Campo, Zebracom’s Amanda Garay Sarasti, Sonaecom’s Susanna Barbato, Telemundo’s Esperanza Garay Turkish Power lunch: Antalya Fest’s Ziya Temeltas, Comcast’s Nazan Giasson and Regent’s Merve Berker discuss how to best promote the Antalya Film Fest. Launch -pad for Philip Mazzei, a film by Francesco Fulcini (left) to be produced by Buskin Film’s Roberto Bessi, here with Bavaria Media Italia’s Giuseppe Proietti (right) MIP-TV Power Women II: Sony’s Hayley Babcock, NBC Universal’s Pauline Bohm, Channel Four’s Ruby Kuraishe, Programs4Media’s Tracy Vaughan, Granada’s Jennifer Harrington, NBC Universal’s Lara Ingle, Outline Productions’ Helen Veale, Promofilm’s Marcela Campos, NBC Universal’s Millie Savinon, Mediaset’s Nella Allegretti, International Emmys’ Camille Bidermann, Debmar-Mercury’s Beata Hegedus of this unexpected development. Serafini pointed out that the studios might keep buyers in their screening rooms for fewer hours, leaving them ample time to spend with independents. “This year, buyers will have more time to visit independents at their hotels,” said Pedro Leda of Ledafilms. “It will be a very good year for independent product.” The L.A. Screenings were on many executives’ minds at MIP. “Like everyone else, we’re still recovering from the hit of the strike,” said Henri Ringel, vice president of Sales for Walt Disney Television International (Latin America). “But if anything, that’s only given us more strength.” Keith LeGoy, executive vice president, Distribution, Sony Pictures Television International, said that he believes the Screenings will be “pretty much the same as any year.” But he did mention that he thinks the Screenings might be shorter this year. “The real difficulty for buyers will be how to evaluate a series that has been picked up straight from a script,” said LeGoy. On the seminars side, there were a total of 51 seminars, including keynotes, pitch sessions and master classes. MIP-TV 2008 drew 13,360 participants up from 13,311 in 2007. Some 4,551 companies from 111 countries took part in the market. MIP-TV 2009 will take place March 30-April 3. (Continued from Page 12)
VISION FILMS & VISION MUSIC LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT LA SCREENINGS • CENTURY PLAZA SUITE 1730 VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.VISIONFILMS.NET 14945 VENTURA BLVD. STE. 306, SHERMAN OAKS, CA 91403, USA PHONE: 818-784-1702 FAX: 818-788-3715 SALES@VISIONFILMS.NET WWW.VISIONFILMS.NET EXTREME SPORTS PACKAGE 42 x 1/2 hr EGYPT: NEW DISCOVERIES HIGH DEFINITION 7 x 1hr CONQUEST OF THE SKY: THE HISTORY OF AVIATION 2 x 1hr FASCINATION: THE HISTORY OF MERCEDES-BENZ 6 x 1hr DIAMOND DOG CAPER EXIT SPEED BRUCE LEE & JACKIE CHAN FILM PACKAGE MAMA, I WANT TO SING! IN CONCERT 430 Episodes BEYOND THE MUSIC 10 x 1/2 hr BOB MARLEY: FREEDOM ROAD LEGENDS IN CONCERT 30 x 1hr T V S E R I E S F E A T U R E F I L M S M U S I C L.A. Screenings Guide 2008 • Indie Program Offerings • Who's Screening and Where • New Season Pilots • Photo Gallery • Studios’ Teams • Acquisition Executives in L.A. ®
L . A . S C R E E N I N G S 2 0 0 8 Indie Programming Guide AMERICAN CINEMA INTERNATIONAL 1563 Victory Blvd. Van Nuys, CA 91406 T: (818) 907-8700 F: (818) 907-8719 www.aci-americancinema.com Jack Hunter: The Lost Treasure of Ugarit Action movie about a treasure hunter who journeys to an ancient city. Jack Hunter: The Quest For Akhenaton’s Tomb The adventurer’s journey continues, this time with a pharaoh’s fortune at stake. The Boxer An ex-con redeems himself with the help of his mentor. The Lost Samaritan When a passerby stops to help two car accident victims, he becomes the target of deadly assassins. Fatal Rescue A boy’s mysterious disappearance into a magical well brings his divorced parents back together. Last Chance Sci-fi film set in the future in which humanity faces ecological disaster. 80 Minutes After being injected with lethal poison, Alex has 80 minutes to save his own life. ARTEAR/PREMIUM MEDIA Lima 1261, C1138ACA Buenos Aires, Argentina T: (54 11) 4370 1234 F: (54 11) 4370 1403 www.mki.artear.com.ar More Than Partners ( Socias) Dramedy about three female lawyers who open a firm together. Nobody’s Women ( Mujeres de Nadie) Telenovela set at a hospital following the lives of a trio of women. Jam Session Acclaimed Latin guitarist Diego Mizrahi hosts a music program that incorporates guest performances, interviews with musicians and footage from live concerts. Killer Women ( Mujeres Asesinas) This series dramatizes the stories of different women who have committed jaw-dropping crimes, including murder. CARACOL TELEVISION 2100 Coral Way, Ste 602 Miami, FL 33145 T: (305) 960-2018 F: (305) 960-2017 www.caracolinternacional.com Accomplices When a wealthy foreigner sets out in search of his birth family, nine con artists take advantage of his naiveté with an elaborate ruse. Overdrawn Love A man is torn between his fiancé and an intriguing woman who appears in his life. A Branch of Heaven Telenovela set in 1971 that tells the story of two families coping with the cultural changes of the times. New Rich, New Poor Brayan and Andres join forces to try to make it in the business world. Who Will Love Maria? Maria’s self-imposed deadline to have a child is fast approaching and she doesn’t even have a boyfriend. She sets out to find a mate that has the ideal genetic material. The Snitch Cartel A group of friends rise through the ranks of a drug cartel. But when they get to the top, betrayal and violence ruin their lives. CCI ENTERTAINMENT 18 Dupont St. Toronto, Canada M5R 1V2 T: (416) 964-8750 F: (416) 964-1980 www.ccientertainment.com Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs Animated children’s show in which a little boy’s dinosaurs are much more than toys. When no one is looking, his prehistoric pals come to life and join him. Frankenstein’s Cat Named Nine for the number of ill-fated felines that went into making him, this cat is a monstrous pet. Erky Perky Two silly bugs are taken from their hotdog cart home and transplanted to a squeaky clean suburban kitchen. Beautiful Dreamer A story about love in wartime. Sticks and Stones Based on the true story of a Canadian peewee hockey team that organized a tournament to make amends for the ill treatment of a U.S. team during a visit to Canada. In Dreams In each episode two guests reveal their most haunting and memorable dreams. CUBE INTERNATIONAL 1330 West 165 North, Ste B-3 Orem, Utah 84057 T: (801) 722-1000 www.cubeinternational.com Pangea Stop-motion animation brings the ancient super-continent of Pangea to life. The Light Before Christmas Holiday special incorporating the classic tale The Night Before Christmas . Spooky Bats and Scaredy Cats Two friends take a haunted Halloween journey that leads them through swamps, cemeteries and forests. The Mysterious Origins of Man: Re-writing Human History Charlton Heston hosts a documentary investigating the validity of startling evidence that indicates that humans and dinosaurs co-existed. Dark Secret of the Black Sea Ancient legends of the mysterious body of water, including its possible connection to the Bible. About Face The story of young Jewish immigrants who fled Europe during the Holocaust and then enlisted in the Allied forces to fight Hitler. The Secret: Evidence We Are Not Alone Science-fiction program centering on the U.S. government’s position on UFOs. DIC ENTERTAINMENT 4100 W. Alameda Ave. Burbank, CA 91505 T: (818) 955-5400 F: (818) 955-5409 www.dicentertainment.com Dino Squad Five adolescent misfits discover they have the ability to transform into crime-fighting dinosaurs. Together, they use their powers to defeat an evil velociraptor. Sushi Pack An animated series that follows five superhero sushi rolls as they protect Wharf City from a slew of evil villains. Horseland Horses and kids can talk to each other at the world’s most amazing stable. Cake A live-action/reality series starring 13 Going On 30’s Christa B. Allen that centers on a teen 1. Artear’s Socias 2. Cube’s Pangea 3. DIC’s Dino Squad 4. Caracol’s The Snitch Cartel 5. CCI ’sFrankstein’s Cat 6. Dori Media’s Lalola 7. ACI’s Jack Hunter: The Lost Treasure of Ugarit 8. Granada’s Headcases MAY 2 0 0 8 V I D E O • A G E 18 (Continued on Page 20) 4 5 6 8 3 2 1 7
L . A . SCREEN I NGS 2008 Indie Programming Guide 1. Fireworks’ The Border 2. Lionsgate’s Mad Men 3. FremantleMedia’s Oprah’s Big Give 4. Power’s XIII: The Conspiracy 5. Latin Flower’s Urban Tales 6. Telefilms’ Dan In Real Life 7. Ledafilms’ Blonde Ambition 8. Mediaset’s Corleone 9. Telefe’s Talking Lives with her own cable access show. DORI MEDIA GROUP 2 Raul Wallenberg St. Ramat Hachayal, Tel Aviv, Israel 69719 T: 972 3 647 8185 F: 972 3 647 8491 www.dorimedia.com The Wizardess ( La Maga) Classic tale The Wizard of Oz is revamped into a modern teen series. Olivia & I ( Olivia y Yo) A timid cartoonist falls in love with her studio manager. To cope with her feelings, she creates an animated proxy who ends up doing more harm than good. Screenz ( Pantallaz) Drama about relationships formed on the Internet. Mannequins ( Maniquiz) The cutthroat world of modeling is revealed in this drama series. Lalola A spurned girlfriend takes revenge on her philandering ex by magically turning him into a woman. FIREWORKS INTERNATIONAL 19 Heddon Street London, U.K. W19 8HR T: (44) 20 7034 3410 F: (44) 20 7851 6504 www.contentfilm.com The Border Agents of the Immigration and Customs Security Squad investigate terrorism and trafficking at the Mexican border. Heartland Hi-def drama series about a family that owns a horse ranch in the rugged Rocky Mountains. The Assistants Four Hollywood underlings slave away under their eccentric producer boss. Dating Confidential Documentary exploring the lengths to which people go to find a mate. Wine Confidential Takes viewers behind the scenes of the intoxicating world of wine production. Gardening Confidential The history of the popular leisure activity with some surprising modern twists. ABC WID DA MOB Animated adult comedy that lampoons Mafioso stereotypes. FRECUENCIA LATINA 1250 East Hallandale Beach Blvd, Ste 606 Hallandale, FL 33009 T: (954) 457-1200 F: (954) 457-1213 www.flinternational.tv La Pre The son of a famous singer, who died tragically in a car accident, wants to follow in his father’s footsteps and enrolls in an exclusive performing arts school. El Otro Plano A show about the paranormal world. Does life exist after death? Can the dead communicate with the living? Amores en Conflicto Raul and Veronica, a therapist and a lawyer, join forces to open a couples-therapy practice. But they can’t seem to keep from getting involved in their clients’ lives. Mi Problema Con las Mujeres Jose undergoes a special therapy treatment, in which he has to revisit the problems of past relationships. Sexo Con…Sentido Talk show exploring all aspects of sex in modern life. Diablos Azules A group of kids with a passion for soccer help each other grow up and overcome problems. (THE) FREMANTLE CORPORATION 23 Lesmill Rd, Ste 201 Toronto, Canada M3B 3P6 T: (416) 443-9200 F: (416) 443-8685 www.fremantlecorp.com Sports Extreme and Wrestling A variety of titles including Wrestling Titans , Lucha Mania, Tactical Paintball and monster truck and motocross competitions. ZombieFest Made up of seven gory horror flicks. Hot Pursuit Feature film jammed with car races. All My Children Classic soap now in its 38th season. Documania Edgy documentary series featuring Impaler , Snuff , Risk Takers , Kidnapped, and many more. Christmas Holiday Fare The Alpha-Bots Christmas Special and two other holiday cartoons. Bikini Beach Hi-def series full of bathing beauties and sunkissed celebrities. FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES 1 Stephen Street London, U.K. W1T 1 AL T: (44) 20 7691 6000 F: (44) 20 7691 6100 www.fremantlemedia.com DEA Viewers are invited along as special agents from Detroit’s Drug Enforcement Agency do battle in the war on drugs. Anthony Bourdain No Reservations The prestigious chef and food writer travels the world tasting local fare. Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern No dish is too exotic for this globetrotting chef, who will consume anything. She’s Got the Look Reality series featuring supermodel Kim Alexis in her search for the next up-and-coming top model. Oprah’s Big Give Ten contestants compete to see who can do the most to help perfect strangers. The Best Years Set at a university in Boston, this drama series chronicles the lives of college students as they cope with their love lives and plan for the future. Falcon Beach A teenage drama set in a seaside town in the off season. GRANADA INTERNATIONAL The London Television Centre, Upper Ground London, U.K. SE1 9LT T: (44 20) 7491 1441 F: (44 20) 7493 7677 www.granadamedia.com/international The Colour of Money Gameshow where contestants battle a super cash machine to try to win a fortune. The Pinky & Perky Show Two cuddly piglets host a variety show with hilarious stunts, crazy cartoons and a ton of celeb guests. Lost in Austen Modern remake of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice . Headcases An animated series that skewers public figures and pop culture icons including Gordon Brown, Victoria Beckham and Vladimir Putin. The Murdoch Mysteries Period drama series about a 19th century detective and his cutting-edge forensic techniques (THE) LATIN FLOWER COMPANY Julio a Roca 590, 12th Floor 1067 Cap. Fed. Buenos Aires, Argentina T: (54) 911 5025 9521 www.thelatinflowercompany.com Living on the Edge ( El Tiempo No Para) A group of thirtysomethings is reunited by an old friend’s suicide. My Beloved Housekeeper ( Amo de Casa) When Alberto loses his job, his wife decides to return to the workforce to support the family. The Black Sheep ( Oveja Negra) Family comedy about a married couple with opposite personalities and their spirited teenage children. Urban Tales ( Voces Anonimas) Suspense series that travels the globe in search of chilling urban legends and hair-raising modern myths. Social Slaves ( Adicciones ) Series dealing with 13 different kinds of addictions and their consequences. High Mountain (Breaking Limits) ( Alta Montaña) Teen series set in breathtaking Patagonia, Argentina about a group of young people from different walks of life who work together to restore a hotel. Swindlers ( Farstantes) Two very different con artists team up to become the perfect crime duo. LEDAFILMS Virrey Olaguer Feliu 2462, 3rd Floor C1426EBB Buenos Aires, Argentina T: (54 11) 4788 5215 F: (54 11) 4788 5220 www.ledafilms.com Blonde Ambition An innocent country girl takes on big city executives in this feature film starring Jessica Simpson. Home of the Brave Four American soldiers face their final tour of duty in Iraq. My Mom’s New Boyfriend Meg Ryan, Antonio Banderas and Colin Hanks star in this action comedy about an FBI agent and his lovelorn mother. I Know Who Killed Me Aubrey Fleming (Lindsay Lohan) escapes the clutches of a sadistic serial killer. But she is not out of danger yet… Lost City Raiders When a series of radical natural disasters flood the continents, a group of adventurers roam the high seas in submarines searching for relics of lost civilizations. (Continued on Page 22) MAY 2 0 0 8 V I D E O • A G E 20 (Continued from Page 18) 1 2 3 4 5 6 9 8 7
CONTINUING A TRADITION SINCE 1952 BLACK Beauty NETWORK ANIMATION MOVIE COLLECTION HORROR FEATURES FAMILY CLASSICS WRESTLINGTITANS Emerald m o v i e col l e c t i on (ABC) (TBA) (SHOWTIME) (CBS) 100 X 30MIN. 104 X 30MIN. (CBS) AWARDS® 24-
Indie Programming Guide L . A . SCREEN I NGS 2008 Masters of Horror 2 An anthology series featuring 13 new thrillers from an all-star group of horror directors. Planet’s Funniest Animals A clip show made up of home videos, bloopers and commercials featuring hilarious creatures. LIONSGATE 2700 Colorado Avenue, Ste 200 Santa Monica, CA 90404 T: (310) 255-3700 F: (310) 255-3880 www.lionsgate.com Fear Itself Horror anthology show featuring the genre’s premier writers and directors. Crash Series based on the Oscar-winning feature dealing with race issues in Los Angeles. Mad Men Drama series set in the world of ad executives on Madison Avenue in the ’60s. Weeds Dramedy about a suburban mom who resorts to dealing marijuana to support her family after the death of her husband. Chandon Pictures Sitcom following an over-ambitious wedding videographer. Speed Racer: The Next Generation Animated series that builds on the classic cartoon. Dirty Dancing UK: The Time of Your Life Reality competition in which 16 dancers battle it out for the grand prize. MEDIASET DISTRIBUTION Via Aurelia Antica 422 Rome, Italy 00165 T: (39) 06 66390566 F: (39) 06 66390650 www.mediasetdistribution.com Corelone: Il Capo dei Capi Miniseries depicting the life of notorious Italian mob boss Totó Riina. Nasiriyah: A True Story From Iraq Based on a true story, this dramatic miniseries follows a unit of Italian soldiers on a dangerous peace-keeping mission in Iraq. Teacher in the Hood Pietro teaches remedial students with troubled homes and ties to organized crime. Teaching the Future: The True Life of Maria Montessori The true-life story of the Nobel Prize-winner who revolutionized early education. What If Santa Claus…Again? TV movie about a thief who wreaks havoc on toy stores just two days before Christmas. POWER 34 Gresse St. London, U.K. W1T 1QX T: (44) 20 7323 0070 F: (44) 20 7323 0060 www.powcorp.com Crusoe A castaway is marooned on a desert island in this adaptation of the classic adventure novel by Daniel Defoe. XIII: The Conspiracy A miniseries following a man with a mysterious neck tattoo and a bad case of amnesia. The Summit Desperate for retribution, a mother turns to biological weapons to avenge her son’s death. The Changeling Heroine Sorrow is caught between the cruel city of Metropolis and the world of the Faeries in this sci-fi/fantasy series. Pinocchio The timeless classic about a puppet turned real boy gets a modern makeover. The Catch Ex-cons become government agents to bust an underground crime ring. The Devil’s Mistress Angelica Fanshawe manipulates and exploits everyone in her way in a period drama about lust and ambition. TELEFE INTERNATIONAL Pavón 2495 (1248) Cap. Fed. Buenos Aires, Argentina T: (54 11) 4308 4496 F: (54 11) 4774 6848 www.telefeinternacional.com.ar Don Juan and His Fair Lady Telenovela about a lothario who fears commitment and the woman who reforms him. Taking Lives Telenovela dealing with forensics and peopletrafficking. Dazzled Teen telenovela about a girl with humble roots who has one chance to make a splash in the film industry. Teenangels Series for teens centering on a group of adolescents who live together in a home. Cool Daddy Family comedy about a widower with three teenage daughters and a world of relationship problems. Countdown Each episode takes place in real time and follows different people during the most suspenseful hour of their lives. B & B A ballet dancer and a rock musician team up to open an arts school. They soon discover they have undeniable chemistry. TELEFILMS S.A. Avda. Del Libertador 1068, Piso 11, C1112 ABN Buenos Aires, Argentina T: (54) 11 5032 6000 F: (54) 11 5032 6099 www.telefilms.com.ar Che Academy Award winner Benicio del Toro stars as Che Guevara in this gripping movie about the famous revolutionary. 3:10 To Yuma Rusell Crowe stars in this Western about a small town rancher who is enlisted to escort an outlaw on a train ride. Dan In Real Life Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is a single father who is devoted soley to his children, but his life is changed when he meets Marie (Juliette Binoche) in a bookstore. The Other Boleyn Girl Period drama featuring Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson as sisters who compete for the affections of King Henry VIII (Eric Bana). Eastern Promises Viggo Mortensen stars as Nikolai, a member of one of the most feared crime families in London. Naomi Watts plays the woman who gets involved with him and risks destroying the organization. Butterfly on a Wheel Suspense film starring Pierce Brosnan and Maria Bello about a family threatened by kidnappers. In Bruges Follows the adventures of two hired killers (Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson) who are exiled to Bruges, Belgium. TELEMUNDO INTERNACIONAL 2745 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Coral Gables, FL 33134 T: (305) 774-0033 F: (305) 774-7372 www.telemundointernacional.com Secret Lies ( El Juramento) The story of a man who will stop at nothing to avenge his brother’s death, based on classic novela La Mentira. Victoria Telenovela about a middle-aged woman who gets a second shot at love after a turbulent failed marriage. Happy Widow ( Viuda Alegre ) When Beatriz’s fourth husband passes away, she begins to realize that she may be the carrier of a deadly curse. Dance Dance Dance Shot in hi-def, this musical telenovela follows aspiring dancers in São Paulo, Brazil. Betrayed ( La Traición) Twin brothers are torn apart by a rivalry over a beautiful woman. My Husband’s Lover ( La Mujer de mi Esposo) Telenovela set in Korea about a woman who conducts an affair with her best friend’s husband. Aqualarre Only female babies have been born in a small town for the last 30 years. A doctor goes to investigate the phenomenon. TELEVISA INTERNACIONAL 6355 NW 36th St. Miami, FL 33166 T: (786) 265-2500 F: (786) 265-2269 www.televisainternacional.tv Dear Enemy ( Querida Enemiga) Two sisters turn on each other when they discover that one is inheriting a fortune. Dumb Girls Don’t Go to Heaven ( Las Tontas No Van al Cielo) Telenovela about a woman who finds her husband in her sister’s arms and decides to begin her life afresh. Soul of Steel (Alma de Hierro) Jose’s world is turned upside down when his wife’s prosperous ex-boyfriend returns to town. Burning For Revenge ( Fuego en la Sangre ) Three brothers set out to avenge their sister’s death by any means necessary. The Panther ( El Pantera) After five years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit, Gervasio breaks out to search for his fiancé’s murderer. Searching for Timbiriche, the New Band ( Buscando a la Nueva Banda Timbiriche) Reality show in which hopefuls compete to become part of a band. Code FAME ( Código FAMA) Viewers decide the winner of this talent competition. VENEVISION INTERNATIONAL 121 Alhambra Plaza, Ste 1400 Coral Gables, FL T: (305) 442-3411 F:(305) 446-4743 www.venevisioninternational.com Valeria Telenovela in which a woman’s past comes back to haunt her. Reach for the Stars ( Te Llegue a Querer) Six young musicians struggle to make it to the top. Torrent of Passions ( Torrente) Love and motherhood tear two lifelong friends apart. China Through the Yangtze River ( China a Través del Rio Yangtze) Documentary revealing the many natural wonders of China. Poor Millionaire ( Pobre Millonaria) The Panama Canal provides the lush, tropical setting for a story of love and betrayal. Love Contract ( Amor Comprado) Telenovela in which a young couple’s relationship is constantly thwarted by their financial situation. VISION FILMS/VISION MUSIC 14945 Ventura Blvd., Ste 306 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 T: (818) 784-1702 F: (818) 788-3715 www.visionfilms.net Exit Speed A bus full of passengers is attacked by a vicious motorcycle gang. Diamond Dog Caper A clever kid takes on a gang of crooks to save the dog being used in a heist. Mama, I Want to Sing! Patti LaBelle, Billy Zane and singer Ciara star in a drama about a young girl who dreams of a musical career. Necessary Evil Thriller about a young journalist who encounters paranormal events while investigating a mysterious psychiatric institute. What We Do Is Secret Biopic starring Shane West and Bijou Phillips about the hectic life of Darby Crash, lead singer of The Germs. National Lampoon’s TV: The Movie The Jackass gang spoof popular reality shows. Jackie Chan & Bruce Lee Film Package Anthology of martial arts films showcasing the two masters from the years 1973 – 1983. Legends in Concert Features performances by Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash and many more. (Continued from Page 20) V I D E O • A G E MAY 2 0 0 8 1. Televisa’s Soul of Steel 2. Vision’s Diamond Dog Caper 3. Telemundo’s Betrayed 4. Venevision’s Poor Millionaire 1 2 4 3 22
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