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MUMBAI:
Twelevision format creator and distributor FremantleMedia
Enterprises (FME) has further expanded its drama development
portfolio with the announcement of a new first-look deal with
Hollywood film and TV producer Barry Josephson’s production
company, Josephson Entertainment.
As
part of the deal, Josephson Entertainment has hired a new
VP for Television, Tia Maggini, who will work alongside FME
senior VP of global content Jeff Tahler and FremantleMedia
North America (FMNA) senior VP of scripted programming Tony
Optican to develop new drama projects for the US cable and
global TV market. A number of projects are already underway,
including thriller 'The Dover Agenda', for which a pilot script
is currently being developed for Syfy in the US.
Josephson
is a film and television producer, who has established mainstream
success through numerous motion pictures, television series
and specials across a variety of genres. Josephson’s
film credits include 'Enchanted', 'Life As We Know It' and
'Hide and Seek'. He is also at the helm of the television
drama 'Bones', which is entering its eighth season on Fox.
In addition Josephson currently has projects in development
at TNT and AMC.
Fremantleedia
Enterprises Global CEO David Ellender said, “US cable
drama is now the most consistently compelling content anywhere
on television. Having identified the opportunities that exist
on these networks, FME is partnering with the industry’s
most prominent talent in order to help create high quality
dramas that not only work for US audiences but which also
have worldwide appeal. With several exciting projects already
in the pipeline, our deal with Josephson is off to a flying
start.”
Josephson
said, “I am very excited to work with Tony Optican, Jeff
Tahler and their entire team at FremantleMedia. They have
been very aggressive about securing rights for new material
and strengthening our network relationships.”
Maggini
joins from Disney Channel Original Movies where she was responsible
for acquiring new projects for the channel, working directly
with writers to develop original ideas. Prior to this she
held the role of Senior Executive at Marc Platt Productions
for five years.
Since
the launch of the company’s global drama initiative three
years’ ago, FME has signed first look deals with producers.
These have resulted in a number of series commissions from
broadcasters across the world, with recent examples including
'Wedding Band', produced by FMNA for TBS in the US, and 'Hit
And Miss' for Sky Atlantic in the UK, created by Paul Abbott’s
production and development company AbbottVision.
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