DE C E M B E R 2 0 1 1 (Continued from Page 24) we produce in the region. The amount of hours varies by network. Our ability to program our networks by feed gives us the flexibility to segment our programming to individual countries or regions.” Ruiz added that genres vary by network, “For History we produce documentaries, reality type competition, docu-drama, travelandothers.ForA+Eweareproducing crime/police unscripted, scripted drama, realities such as Intervention, Hoarders and now our latest production out of Mexico, El Luchador. This is a reality series based on the day-to-day life of four well known ‘Lucha Libre’ [wrestling] personalities. On Bio we produce biographies and other formats such as I Survived. In addition to these genres of programming, we produce web exclusive content for all of our productions.” Ruiz also explained, “the majority of our productions are intended for the entire region, but others are marketspecific,” and that productions are generated from a combination of formats from A+E Networks or others, as well as original scripted and non-scripted series. He then added: “We have our production team based out of Buenos Aires. All of our productions are produced locally in the region, not in the U.S. “We do casting calls in search of new talent or depending on the production, we may decide to go after a locally recognizable individual that fits the product and the targeteddemographic… [and] we do make an effort to use as neutral a Spanish as possible,” he said. In terms of co-production, Ruiz said, “We have done numerous co-productions. We have in place a number of agreements with local production houses that co-produce product for us.” However, when asked if local LAM productions travel well as finished products, he answered: “In my experience it has been very difficult to find local productions that travel well throughout the region. The first major hurdle in our territory is Brazil. Not only is there a language difference, but a cultural difference as well. Then you add the cultural differences between Mexico and, say, Argentina or even Chile, and the chances of success diminish.” LAM’s local production is now open to indie producers as well. Claudio Villarruel, a former in-house producer for Telefe, is the co-founder of ON-TV, a Buenos Aires-based independent production company that has seen success with various programming genres. He is also in charge of the content for 360tv, one of the first digital channels to air in Argentina. “The core of our production is drama. We have been producing series (13 episodes) and telenovelas (60-150 episodes) [in recent] years,” said Villarruel, adding, “Our Contra las Cuerdas (Against The Ropes) has been nominated for best telenovela at the International Emmy Awards. A local version of Against The Ropes is being produced in Colombia. We have also produced game shows like 3,2,1 Win, whose local version is now on the air in Colombia,” he said. Villarruel explained that, right now ON-TV’s main focus is on local networks, with programs produced in Latin America that can also travel across the region as finished product. As far as the type of Spanish accent his productions use, Villarruel stated, “We produce with the Spanish accent of the country where we produce and select local talent, based on the story we want to tell.” LAM Local Production Elie Wahba, SVP Latin America & Caribbean for 20th Century Fox Distribution Eddy Ruiz, EVP and general manager of A+E Ole Network V I D E O • A G E 26
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