Shows Not to Miss at Mipcom Hot Picks Contents

HOT PICKS SHOWS NOT TO MISS AT MIPCOM HOT PICKS CONTENTS

LEADER 33 DRAMA BOOM SPREADS EAST

BRITISH DRAMA 34 LITTLE DRUMMER 34 LES MISÉRABLES 35 INFORMER 36 FLACK 39 THE WAR OF THE WORLDS 39 DEATH AND NIGHTINGALES 35 39

INTERNATIONAL DRAMA 40 ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA 40 DIGGSTOWN 41 PROJECT BLUE BOOK 43 VALLEY OF THE BOOM

FOREIGN-LANGUAGE DRAMA 46 MOSCOW NOIR 46 BESA 47 GIGANTES 47 AN ORDINARY WOMAN 40 43 FORMATS 48 WHAT WOULD YOUR KID DO? 49 YOU KIDDING ME? 50 SHOWDOWN 54 SONGLAND 56 THE GREATEST DANCER 58 DANCE REVOLUTION

CHILDREN’S 60 RISE OF THE TMNT 60 COACH ME IF YOU CAN 62 PROJECT PLANET 46 58 62 THE ATHENA 63 KIRI AND LOU

FACTUAL 64 VINTAGE TECH HUNTERS 64 100 DAYS TO VICTORY 65 WORLD’S MOST EXTRAORDINARY FAMILIES 66 RAY WINSTONE’S WORLD: SICILY 68 EMPIRES OF SILVER 70 INSIDE THE FOREIGN OFFICE 72 SURVIVAL OF THE SPECIES 72 MY TRANS LIFE 73 LANDMARKS LIVE IN CONCERT 63 66

30 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk STEVE ZAHN BRADLEY WHITFORD WAR FOR THE PLANET GET OUT OF THE APES

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DRAMA BOOM SPREADS EAST

OU’D BE FORGIVEN for feeling like you blink once and you’re back on a plane heading to another Mipcom. The international distribution industry moves fast, but there are a few constants: buyers still need amazing content, sellers need to get in front of acquisitions execs and The Grand is where you find a good portion of the TV industry at 2am on Tuesday morning. Y We’ve got the low-down on the best new shows hitting the market, spanning everything from the new John le Carré drama for the BBC and AMC (The Little Drummer Girl) through to Facebook Watch’s celebrity format from Lionsgate (You Kidding Me?) and Simon Cowell’s latest (The Greatest Dancer). On the English-language drama front, the variety is wide and includes UKTV’s first drama (Flack), new versions of The War Of The Worlds and Les Misérables and Showtime’s Ben Stiller-produced prison-break series Escape At Dannemora. There’s a distinct look to the new foreign-language series. These include the first big-budget, international series to come out of the Balkan region, Besa, which has the weight of British drama writer Tony Jordan behind it, and buzzy Russian dramas Moscow Noir and An Ordinary Woman. Maybe eastern Europe is the new Scandinavia. Our selection also reveals companies aren’t yet done trying to find new performance competition formats. Along with Fremantle’s The Greatest Dancer, NBC Universal is debuting Songland, from musician Dave Stewart and the team behind The Voice, and Endemol Shine International is taking Dutch show The Talent Project to buyers for the first time. In our children’s programming section, we profile the latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot and a new tween drama from Sky Kids, The Athena, while the gallery of factual shows includes a Ray Winstone-fronted travelogue from Banijay Rights, Passion Distribution’s Inside The Foreign Office and 100 Days To Victory, and a Kew Media Distribution doc about the final days of World War I. Feel free to share your Mipcom gossip with us as the week progresses in Cannes – we’ll probably be at Ma Nolans. See you in the blink of an eye. Jesse Whittock Insight Editor

HOT PICKS CONTRIBUTORS: Ann-Marie Corvin, Tim Dams, Andy Fry, Max Goldbart, Jessica Goodfellow, Andy McDonald, Gary Smith

broadcastnow.co.uk 12 October 2018 Broadcast 33 THE LITTLE While there are similarities between The Night Manager and DRUMMER GIRL The Little Drummer Girl, Andrews The Little Drummer Girl is the argues that these go beyond the latest John le Carré adaptation to obvious (that both are based on hit the small screen and its makers best-selling Le Carré thrillers and will hope it can match the success had large budgets that afforded of 2016’s The Night Manger. Like international locations and its predecessor, The Little Drummer Hollywood talent). Girl has been adapted by the BBC, “For me, the key similarity US cable channel AMC and The between these two stories is that Ink Factory. we are following a capable but The six-part thriller is a story of relatable protagonist thrust espionage and international intrigue suddenly and unwittingly into with big-name talent attached both the dangerous world of inter- The Little Drummer Girl: from the in front of and behind the camera. makers of The Night Manager national espionage,” she says. Alexander Skarsgård (Big Little Lies) “Both Tom Hiddleston’s Jonathan plays Israeli intelligence ofﬁcer and Florence Pugh’s Charlie are Becker, while Florence Pugh (Lady Kurtz. The latter is played by Michael The Little Drummer Girl outsiders we really root for, as they MacBeth) is Charlie, an idealistic Shannon (The Shape Of Water). marries the thrilling twists face extraordinarily high stakes in actress, whom Becker entangles in a Set in the 1970s but with charac- and turns you’d expect intriguing, hidden worlds.” complex plot devised by master spy ters and themes that resonate with from a Le Carré thriller Like The Night Manager the present day, the mini-series is a with a brooding love story director Susanne Bier, Park Chan- story of love and betrayal set against wook has overseen the full series, LAURA ANDREWS DISTRIBUTOR the background of rising tensions allowing him to put his mark on Endeavor Content in the Middle East. Director Park ENDEAVOR CONTENT all six hours that appear on screen. PRODUCERS The Ink Factory; Chan-wook (Old Boy) takes the “Park brings his eye for sophisti- BBC; AMC; 127 Wall helm and makes his television debut turns you’d expect from a Le Carré cated palettes, bold shots and LENGTH 6 x 60 minutes with the series, which went into thriller with an intense, brooding incredible detail,” says Andrews. BROADCASTERS BBC1 (UK); production at the start of the year. love story,” says Endeavor Content “Although the series is set in the AMC (US) “The Little Drummer Girl vice-president of scripted pro- 1970s, he has made it feel relevant marries the thrilling twists and gramming Laura Andrews. and contemporary.”

LES MISÉRABLES characters such as Fantine, to whom Hugo dedicated one of the five The promise of the BBC adapta- volumes of the 2,783-word novel. tion of Les Misérables to delve Executive producer Faith into unexplored sides of Victor Penhale says: “Andrew has always Hugo’s iconic characters set it been drawn to Fantine’s story, so he apart from its many predecessors. wanted to make sure that was given The classic French novel has space. The intention is to remind been the subject of dozens of film, the audience what it was that Hugo radio and TV versions, while its was conveying in the book. The musical adaptation is one of the musical is the tip of the iceberg.” most successful in history. The tale is one of love and This will be the first English- redemption, with Penhale promising language adaptation of the novel it will be an “utterly compelling itself (rather than the 1980 musical) Les Misérables: screenwriter and heart-breaking six hours”. Andrew Davies explores the since CBS’s 1978 telefilm. The BBC character of Fantine in depth Penhale says the universality previously produced a 10-part of the themes, and the enduring drama tisation in 1967 starring Frank relevance of class and injustice, Finlay as ex-convict Jean Valjean. pursued by police inspector Javert, When you are bringing to will have global resonance as it The character’s quest for and over the course of the novel life a literary classic, you travels to Mipcom. BBC Studios is redemption after serving 19 years in encounters a slew of characters, feel a certain responsibility distributing the series outside the jail for stealing a loaf of bread is at including grisette Fantine and her to do it justice US and will be aiming for a similar the heart of the narrative. Valjean is daughter Cosette. performance to War And Peace, FAITH PENHALE The 19th-century classic is set which sold to around 200 territo- EXECUTIVE PRODUCER against the backdrop of a revolu- ries. In the US, it is for PBS’s DISTRIBUTOR BBC Studios tionary period in France, culmin- Masterpiece drama slot. PRODUCERS BBC Studios; ating in the 1832 June Rebellion in Davies, who has a long relation- The series was filmed in Belgium Lookout Point Paris. Emmy-winning screenwriter ship with the BBC, having penned and France to give it “authenticity”. LENGTH 6 x 60 minutes Andrew Davies – who adapted 1990 political thriller House Of “When you are bringing to life a BROADCASTER BBC1 (UK), Leo Tolstoy’s War And Peace for Cards, has long been considering literary classic, you feel a certain PBS (US) the BBC in 2016 – has written an adaptation of Les Misérables responsibility to do it justice,” the six-part series. that digs deeper into the lives of Penhale says.

34 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk HOT PICKS BRITISH DRAMA

Informer: ‘subtle and smart’ portrayal of the war on terror

INFORMER It is skewering all our Like the writers, lead actor pact that looks set to continue, prejudices, assumptions Nabhaan Rizwan is taking on his according to BBC drama controller When young writing duo Rory and expectations, doing it first major TV role, but Neal Street Piers Wenger. Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani with wit, pathos and truth has also recruited established talent Brown believes distributor approached Nicolas Brown with like Paddy Considine and The Diary All3Media International will sell NICOLAS BROWN a pilot script four years ago, the Of A Teenage Girl’s Bel Powley, which the series particularly well in Neal Street Productions director NEAL STREET PRODUCTIONS the indie hopes will inject global western Europe and English- believed the two had delivered a appeal. The team behind the show speaking countries, comparing it “subtle, smart and clever” exami- officer to go undercover and were “adamant that it was made for to successful ‘war on terror’ explo- nation of the ‘war on terror’. Fast- inform on his own community. BBC1” and got a linear TX, according rations like The Night Manager. forward to 2018 and the resulting Brown will exec alongside the to Brown, who used to head drama “Sometimes a show’s specificity six-part contemporary thriller is founders of Penny Dreadful indie production for the broadcaster. can make it weirdly universal,” approaching TX on BBC1 and Neal Street, while Westworld and “It’s set in a world that is not seen says Brown. “People will say, ‘this Amazon Prime. The Last Post’s Jonny Campbell very often on BBC1, but in many is not about where I live but I know “It’s such a rich show with has been recruited to direct. Brown ways it is a mainstream, engaging, an equivalent’, whereas if it’s too so much going on, but at the says Haines and Noshirvani drew accessible story about a family and generic, then you wouldn’t know same time, it has been made with on a rich vein of local knowledge what happens when an ordinary where it fits in.” a light touch,” says Brown. “It is when developing the script and kid’s life is turned upside down.” completely skewering all of our spent years researching and Brown is pleased that Amazon prejudices, assumptions and speaking to counter-terrorism also came on board, giving an DISTRIBUTOR All3Media expectations, and is doing so with officers and undercover informants. opportunity for the “younger International wit, pathos and complete truth.” “Working with informants is hard audience out there who will be PRODUCER Neal Set and filmed on location in because they’re not reliable; they much more used to streaming Street Productions London, the series tells the story tell you what they think you want to shows and expect to watch the LENGTH 6 x 60 minutes of Raza, a second-generation Paki- hear,” says Brown. “Sifting through whole thing in one go”. BROADCASTERS BBC1 (UK); stani man from east London who that enormous amount of informa- The BBC/Amazon tie-up is Amazon Prime (US) is coerced by a counter-terrorism tion is one of Sohrab’s main skills.” part of a long-running informal

broadcastnow.co.uk 12 October 2018 Broadcast 35 HOT PICKS BRITISH DRAMA

FLACK In UKTV’s debut drama commission, True Blood’s Anna Paquin plays a publicity executive working in the cut-throat world of celebrity PR. The six-part series follow her lead character Robyn, an American living in London, as she struggles to make the best of a string of bad situations in her professional and personal life. The show was created and exec produced by Oliver Lansley, the actor, writer and theatre director best known for creating BBC2 sitcom Whites and starring as Kenny Everett in BBC4 biopic The Best Possible Taste. Lansley, who has a pedigree in comedy, has injected some humour into the series and Paquin says his script walks a “ﬁne line” between character-driven drama and intelligent humour. “My character, Robyn, exists in a world where there are no moral absolutes and humour is used as a sharply executed defence mecha- nism to maintain the illusion of perpetual control,” she adds.

Female leads The series, directed by The Full Monty’s Peter Cattaneo, was produced by Hat Trick Productions and Paquin’s label CASM Films. UKTV is co-producing the series with CBS- and Lionsgate-owned US cable network Pop TV, and it will debut in 2019. Pop executive vice-president of original programming Justin Rosenblatt says the series is a “poignant” look at how, for better Flack: character-driven drama combined with intelligent humour or worse, news happens in a breath. It centres around four female characters: Paquin, her We are not selling this as conﬁdent that Paquin, known for “They won’t be able to pay a com- portraying Sookie Stackhouse in boss Caroline (Sophie Okonedo), a piece that is great for petitive fee if those two territories sister Ruth (Genevieve Angelson) True Blood and Rogue in X Men, are gone,” she says. women. We are hoping it and best friend and colleague Eve will aid with international sales. Lansley has ideas for a further two (Lydia Wilson). They are joined by will sell well because it is “It makes it less of a risk for broad- series and is hoping it will return. Arinzé Kene, who plays Robyn’s good-quality programming casters when they know there’s a UKTV senior commissioning editor boyfriend Sam, Ruth’s husband SARAH TONG big name in it,” she says. Pete Thornton will executive produce Mark (Rufus Jones) and Tom HAT TRICK INTERNATIONAL Tong will be selling the series alongside CASM’s Paquin, Stephen (Marc Warren), who Robyn meets globally, with English-speaking Moyer, Cerise Hallam Larkin and at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. HTI has the global distribution Australia an obvious choice, Mark Larkin and Pop’s Rosenblatt. While the female-heavy cast rights for the series outside the UK followed by dubbed or subtitled “sets it apart” from other high-end and US. In its last drama auction, versions in Europe and Asia. dramas, it will not be used as a ITV’s Northern Irish mini-series Flack is a post-watershed series DISTRIBUTOR Hat Trick selling point, according to Hat Trick The Secret sold to 101 countries, and is therefore more likely to be International International (HTI) director of sales including Starz in the US. picked up by a local or regional PRODUCERS Hat Trick Sarah Tong. “We are not selling this At Mipcom, HTI will turn its SVoD service or pay-TV platform Productions; CASM Films as a piece that is great for women,” attention to Canada, Paquin’s in markets such as Asia, Tong says. LENGTH 6 x 60 minutes she says. “We are hoping it will sell birthplace, having secured a pre- With the UK and US markets off BROADCASTERS W (UK); well internationally because it is sale from TVNZ in New Zealand, the cards, she believes it is unlikely Pop TV (US) good-quality programming.” where her mother is from. Tong is the key SVoD services will bite.

36 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk FLACK

HAT TRICK PRODUCTIONS AND CASM FILMS Visit us at MIPCOM 2018: Stand R7: F24 FOR UKTV AND POP www.hattrickinternational.com | @Hattrickint COMMISSIONERS | PROGRAMMES | INSIGHTS

Track global spend on TV content

Market Developments Content and Monetisation Strategies

The transatlantic TV report charting production, distribution and revenue generation. For sports this model is a multi-tiered package Programming Spend 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

structure, for movies it is a Total Spend $m 2,188 2,298 2,487 4,662 4,886 5,217 6,200 system of content windows % Growth 5.0% 8.2% 87.5% 4.8% 6.8% 18.8% Original Spend $m 358 393 453 929 951 1,057 1,037 % Growth 9.8% 15.4% 104.9% 2.3% 11.1% -1.9% Acquisitional Spend $m 274 287 311 583 611 652 775 % Growth 5.0% 8.2% 87.5% 4.8% 6.8% 18.8%

Programming Spend 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Sports Spend $m 1,557 1,618 1,723 3,150 3,324 3,508 4,388 % Growth 3.9% 6.5% 82.9% 5.5% 5.5% 25.1% Movie Spend $m ------% Growth

Revenues (Geography) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Global Revenue $m 6,597 6,791 7,235 10,776 11,283 11,965 12,916 % Growth 2.9% 6.5% 48.9% 4.7% 6.0% 7.9% International Revenue $m - - - 3,234 3,386 3,591 4,312 % Growth 4.7% 6.0% 20.1% UK Revenue $m 6,597 6,791 7,235 7,542 7,897 8,374 8,604 % Growth 2.9% 6.5% 4.2% 4.7% 6.0% 2.7% USA Revenue $m ------% Growth #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0!

Revenue (Business Model) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Advertising $m 458 440 440 472 712 778 826 % Growth -3.9% 0.0% 7.3% 50.8% 9.3% 6.2% $IͤOLDWH)HHV $m ------% Growth Content sales $m ------% Growth Subscription $m 568 594 635 534 771 815 870 % Growth 4.7% 6.8% -15.8% 44.4% 5.6% 6.7%

*Excludes Sky pay-TV operations, subscription revenue from sky channels and D2C operations.

This new report includes: z Spend of 20 groups including Netﬂ ix, Amazon, Disney, BBC and Sky z $35bn spike in content investment z $31bn growth in traditional broadcasters’ revenues z Key commercial and content strategies

Go to broadcastintel.com to download an excerpt Or contact Matthew Wright for more information: E: [email protected] T: 0208 102 0934 HOT PICKS BRITISH DRAMA

DEATH AND with emphasis placed on their flawed nature. Red Arrow Studios NIGHTINGALES International executive vice-presi- The BBC has put a modern twist dent of global sales Bo Stehmeier on its latest period drama, Death explains: “It is trendy right now to And Nightingales – the first have flawed characters like Luther, adaptation of Eugene McCabe’s even in a classic period piece.” debut novel set against a backdrop Stehmeier is hoping the con- of religious and political turbu- temporary treatment of the 19th- lence in 19th-century Ireland. century classic will broaden the Set in the Fermanagh country- customer base. “We will be going side in 1885, the series recounts a to commercial broadcasters to see day in the life of Beth Winters who, if this modern treatment is some- on her 23rd birthday, decides to thing they would explore for the escape from her limited life under Death and Nightingales: stars first time,” he says. Seasoned free- the rule of violent stepfather Billy. Jamie Dornan, Beth Winters to-air period drama buyers and and Matthew Rhys She is born into a divided family – pay-TV broadcasters drawn to the with a Catholic mother and a cast will be key targets. Protestant father – and the clash Ann Skelly plays the lead role It is trendy right now to Stehmeier believes the series of the two religions during a strife- alongside The Fall’s Jamie Dornan have flawed characters will appeal to SVoD platforms such ridden period in Irish history as the roguish Liam Ward and The as Netflix and Amazon “that like like Luther, even in a underscores the story. Post’s Matthew Rhys as Billy. The properties with strong IP and a show reunites Dornan with The classic period piece built-in audience”, but favours Fall creator Allan Cubitt, who has BO STEHMEIER selling the series on a territory-by- DISTRIBUTOR Red Arrow adapted and directed the series. RED ARROW STUDIOS INTERNATIONAL territory basis to extract maximum Studios International The action condenses 24 hours value. “Sometimes a gentler, free- PRODUCERS The Imaginarium; into three. BBC2 will air a 3 x The drama was filmed in Northern to-air approach will have a better Soho Moon Pictures 60-minute version, but it has Ireland over the summer, with TX entry to the market,” he says. LENGTH 3 x 60 minutes; also been cut as a 2 x 90-minute set for later this year. “It is also our responsibility as 2 x 90 minutes version for central European While the setting is authentic for a distributor to keep feeding the BROADCASTER BBC2 (UK) public broadcasters with the period, the characters have ecosystem that pays 80% of our 90-minute slots to fill. been given a modern treatment, salaries: free to air.”

THE WAR OF terror of an alien invasion. “This is a marriage or clash of period THE WORLDS drama and science fiction,” says In 1938, an incredibly realistic US Meldal-Johnsen. “It’s really radio dramatisation of HG Wells’ cool to see Edwardian frocks sci-fi epic The War Of The Worlds and alien attacks on screen at had American citizens panicking, the same time.” with life as they knew it supposedly There are other versions of coming to an end as aliens attacked The War Of The Worlds in develop- from the skies – or so the story goes. ment – Fox Networks Group At Mipcom this year, ITV Europe and Africa and France’s Studios Global Entertainment Canal+ are partnering on an eight- (ITVSGE) will be hoping to send part series set in the present day. clients into a buying frenzy over its The novel came out of copyright new three-part adaptation of the a few years ago, leading to a glut original novel for BBC1. of development around the IP. “The War Of The Worlds is the “There has been a lot of seminal alien invasion story and The War Of The Worlds: stays true interest over the decades but to the original setting of the book thanks to the book and radio and film what makes our version unique adaptations, it is a beloved IP,” says is we will be the first to market ITVSGE executive vice-president of British broadcaster has attempted and the only one that stays true to global content Julie Meldal-Johnsen. its own version of the story, which It’s really cool to see the original setting of the book,” The Mammoth Screen-produced was also adapted for the big screen Edwardian frocks and says Meldal-Johnsen. drama marks the first time a by Steven Spielberg in 2005, with alien attacks on screen Still some way ahead of the Tom Cruise playing the lead. at the same time show’s 2019 debut, ITVSGE is Rafe Spall (The Big Short) plays JULIE MELDAL-JOHNSON heading to Cannes with scripts, DISTRIBUTOR ITV Studios leading man George this time ITVSGE teasers and promos. The finished Global Entertainment around, with Eleanor Tomlinson episodes will include significant PRODUCER Mammoth Screen (Poldark) portraying his wife Amy, In the script by Peter Harness, special effects that mark the show LENGTH 3 x 60 minutes Rupert Graves (Sherlock) as his George and Amy’s plans to start out as one of the biggest-budget BROADCASTER BBC1 brother Frederick and Robert Carlyle a life together in Edwardian mini-series to come out of the UK (28 Weeks Later) as scientist Ogilvy. Liverpool are curtailed by the in some time.

broadcastnow.co.uk 12 October 2018 Broadcast 39 ESCAPE AT Co-writer Brett Johnson adds: “Initially, there wasn’t much DANNEMORA research available, so we made CBS Studios International will stuff up. Then the inspector host the world premiere screening general came out with a 170-page of the new Showtime series Escape report about what happened. At Dannemora at Mipcom, with That’s the source material and Hollywood actor Ben Stiller, it’s real. We decided to scratch executive producer and director everything else and make the of the series, in attendance. show as real as possible.” The show is based on a stranger- That meant meeting with than-fi ction prison break in upstate the inspector general, going to New York in 2015, which spawned Dannemora prison and meeting a state-wide manhunt for two con- with the district attorney there. victed murderers. They were aided “We met a lot of people in their escape by a married female involved and tried to infuse it prison employee, who had affairs with as much of the real stuff with both men. Escape At Dannemora: as possible all the way through based on a true story Speaking about his involvement the process,” says Johnson, who in the series, Stiller – best known is an executive producer along for fi lms like There’s Something admits to being fascinated by with Stiller, Michael Tolkin, Bryan About Mary and Meet The Fockers – prison life. “I wanted to try to I wanted to try to portray Zuriff, Bill Carraro, Academy portray the reality of what life is the reality of what life is Award nominee Michael De like for the people who live and like for the people who live Luca (The Social Network) for DISTRIBUTOR CBS Studios work at this prison; how some- and work at this prison Michael De Luca Productions International thing like this happens and what BEN STILLER and Nicky Weinstock for Red PRODUCERS Michael the human relationships are that EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Hour Productions. De Luca Productions; contribute to an escape,” he says. Co-writers Johnson and Tolkin Red Hour Productions “The relationships that escapee that whole story in as real a way fi rst met on another Showtime LENGTH 8 x 60 minutes Matt was able to form with people as possible within the genre of series, Ray Donovan, which has BROADCASTER Showtime (US) in the prison were the key to being the prison escape story was why sold around the world and aired able to break out. Trying to tell I got involved.” on Sky Atlantic in the UK.

DIGGSTOWN makes for a very interesting, individual and opinionated Entertainment One’s latest heroine, and Vinessa is a really story-of-the-week drama for marketable female lead.” the international market is Each episode tackles a Diggstown, a six-episode series different issue, with B and set in the legal-aid industry in C stories based around sup- Halifax, Nova Scotia. The unusual porting characters. “It has that precinct is among the factors fundamental kick of a great that sets the show apart from story, not just from the lead others on the market, says execu- but also from the ensemble,” tive vice-president of television says Hedges. acquisitions Noel Hedges. Over recent years, buyers “We’re always on the lookout have often decried a lack for story-of-the-week-style drama of strong, long-running with an international perspective Diggstown: story-of-the-week procedurals. Hedges says and that’s exactly what Diggstown drama with a unique setting the involvement of Canadian is, but with a unique location public service broadcaster and setting in a legal-aid offi ce,” dramatic, expansive vistas and prosecution, with the motivation CBC, which has thrown its weight he adds. open spaces and coastlines. to stop the legal system destroying behind the show, should offer Hedges says the city of Halifax Themes of privilege – or lack innocent lives. reassurance over its quality. offers the cityscapes common to thereof – and those “beaten up by “She is an ex-corporate lawyer The fact that it is 6 x 60 minutes many procedural shows but with the system” are central to the work who also feels the pull back into points to CBC’s keenness to get of central character Marcie Diggs, that world,” says Hedges. “That the series, which debuts next year, who is played by Canadian actor quickly into production, he adds. DISTRIBUTOR Vinessa Antoine (Being Erica, “Six-episode acquisitions are Entertainment One It has that fundamental General Hospital). Antoine is also kick of a great story, not common to most broadcasters.” PRODUCERS Circle Blue notable as the fi rst black female Entertainment One will be Entertainment; Freddie Films just from the lead but also lead on a Canadian show. from the ensemble heading to Cannes with a “fi rst LENGTH 6 x 60 minutes Diggs has given up a high- glimpse” of the show, hoping to NOEL HEDGES BROADCASTER CBC (Canada) powered law job after the suicide drum up interest from inter- of her aunt following a malicious ENTERTAINMENT ONE national buyers.

40 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk HOT PICKS INTERNATIONAL DRAMA

PROJECT BLUE BOOK Project Blue Book: Aidan Gillen stars as a UFO investigator One of the few topics that is pretty much guaranteed to immediately command the attention of signiﬁ - cant audience is aliens and their transport of choice, the UFO. The possibility of alien life lies at the core of A+E Networks International’s Project Blue Book, the studio’s new scripted series about the US Air Force’s 1952-1970 investigation into the UFO phenomenon. In a world obsessed with fakery and authenticity, the fact that the series’ stories are inspired by true covert events and real, declassiﬁ ed US Air Force reports is a clear plus. “Everybody loves UFOs and aliens,” says executive producer Barry Jossen. “In the lead-up to the launch, we’ve been doing lots of screenings and follow-up interviews because we need to know how the show makes viewers feel. One of the best quotes so far was: ‘It made me wonder about the mysteries of life’, which I think sums up the root of the appeal of UFOs and aliens.”

Broad appeal After two years of development, Jossen believes that Project Blue Book will be a major mainstream success. “Of course, we hope that it’ll be the most-watched show in US TV history,” he jokes. “But it is what I would term a ‘four- quadrant show’. By that I mean it appeals to the young, to adults and to men and women as well. “It is a wonderful combination of creative intent, action and suspense, with strong male and female characters, plus healthy doses of fun and wonder. It has edge and sophistication as well, so if you like It is a combination of The series’ dedicated website order to deliver an optimal viewing watching TV, you’ll love this show.” features the original stories from creative intent, action and experience,” says Jossen. Surprisingly, given how the the declassifi ed fi les. “The fact that Other executive producers suspense, with strong male topic resonates with viewers, it the series is based on real stories on the show include Hollywood doesn’t currently have any compe- and female characters creates opportunities, both within director Robert Zemeckis (Forrest tition. “There is nothing else like BARRY JOSSEN and alongside the broadcast show,” Gump), Jack Rapke (Cast Away), Project Blue Book on TV right now,” EXECUTIVE PRODUCER says Jossen. Jackie Levine (Allied) from Jossen says. “Quite apart from the The series stars Aidan Gillen Compari Entertainment, writer appeal of the subject matter, there sightings by civilian and military (Game Of Thrones) as UFO David O’Leary and showrunner is also the fact that lots of the inci- radar operators and pilots. researcher Dr J Allen Hynek, Sean Jablonski (Suits). dents documented in the Air Force “There were so many reports along with Michael Malarkey fi les were never solved or satisfac- that a special intelligence unit of (The Vampire Diaries) as Captain torily explained. the US Air Force was brought in to Michael Quinn and Laura Mennell DISTRIBUTOR A+E Networks “For example, there were reports investigate them, which was the (The Man In The High Castle) as International of UFOs near the White House and start of the actual Project Blue Mimi Hynek. “We were looking PRODUCERS A+E Studios, various Washington monuments Book. The Air Force’s bland offi cial for people able to execute at the in association with Compari in July 1952. There were photos explanation then fuelled some of highest level who could also be Entertainment on the cover of the Washington Post the earliest conspiracy theories creative, because the bar in TV is LENGTH 10 x 60 minutes and other newspapers, who were about a government plot to hide so very high these days that you BROADCASTER History (US) reporting multiple, credible evidence of alien life.” have to be brave and tenacious in

broadcastnow.co.uk 12 October 2018 Broadcast 41

HOT PICKS INTERNATIONAL DRAMA

Valley Of The Boom: docu-drama

VALLEY OF THE BOOM Buyers are longing for three companies: Pixelon, evening or late evening scripted something that stands Netscape and theGlobe.com. slot, while its digital theme will be Valley Of The Boom producer The series features contribu- attractive to non-linear buyers. out and tries to attract STX TV first pitched the show tions from executive producer and One challenge may be selling to to National Geographic as a a younger demographic Huffington Post founder Arianna the heavily censored Chinese terri- straight documentary, but the PRENTISS FRASER Huffington, and the showrunner tory, according to Fraser, although US-headquartered channel felt FOX NETWORKS GROUP is Matthew Carnahan, creator of the lack of a linear Nat Geo channel it could transform its into one of FX comedy House Of Lies. in the country means that any pur- its growing roster of ambitious A whole new team of writers, Other execs include Punk’d’s chase would be a first-window deal. hybrid docu-dramas. directors and producers was Jason Goldberg, Bar Rescue’s Brant Fraser says the show’s “amazing Prentiss Fraser, executive vice- assembled to reshape the content Pinvidic and David Walpert. It soundtrack”, curated by Stranger president and managing director and, as production progressed, has also attracted big-name stars Things composers Michael Stein of content distribution for distrib- the team realised it would work including The West Wing’s Bradley and Kyle Dixon, will be attractive utor Fox Networks Group, says best as ‘mixed medium’, combining Whitford, Treme’s Steve Zahn and to the younger viewer. about two years ago, the decision scripted with factual elements like New Girl’s Lamorne Morris. “People who experienced it was made to shift the show away interviews and explainers. first-hand would remember these from Nat Geo’s factual team to The scripted-to-factual split Sales challenge stories and look at it nostalgically, the channel’s small but growing has ended up at a ratio of around Fraser compares the show’s scope while the younger audience will scripted division. 90:10, with the factual elements to Nat Geo’s previous 2016 hybrid think it’s current in its style of “Most people think of Nat Geo helping the audience “feel like they offering Mars, which sold well storytelling,” she adds. “Buyers are as being a factual channel, so they know what it was like at the time”, internationally and has a second longing for something different often pitch factual formats, but according to Fraser. series due to TX later this year. that stands out and tries to attract we have a small, curated scripted She adds that the six-hour series Valley Of The Boom will go a younger demographic.” library and when we find a topic is an attempt by the international- out on Nat Geo’s circa-200 inter- that could be commercial and facing Nat Geo to reflect on an national channels next month, relevant in that space, we look to era in the US that has shaped making it an interesting inter- DISTRIBUTOR Fox Networks try out that type of show,” says today’s digital world. It examines national sales challenge for Fox Group Content Distribution Fraser. “The goal of the scripted the culture of innovation and Networks Group. But Fraser PRODUCER STX Television team is to hold up a mirror to debauchery that led to the rapid believes the show will sell well as LENGTH 6 x 60 minutes society, reminding us of some of boom and bust of the 1990s “the internet is something every- BROADCASTER National the activities of the past and not Silicon Valley tech bubble, one is curious about”. She says it Geographic (US) to make those same mistakes.” focusing mainly on the story of could sit comfortably in an early

broadcastnow.co.uk 12 October 2018 Broadcast 43 Take your career to the next level The skills and training programmes supported by ScreenSkills help to deepen the TV industry’s talent pool and help those working in it move up the ladder

ROM NEW ENTRANTS to mid- career professionals, ScreenSkills, Fformerly known as Creative Skillset, supports skills and training programmes including those supported by contributions from prestige high-end television to the High-end TV Skills Fund. With more than £1.14bn spent on HETV productions in the UK last year, the skills fund received a record £2.6m contribution from more than 100 productions. Kudos, creator of dramas Tin Star and Humans, is a longstanding contributor. The company’s chief executive, Diederick Santer, says: “It is incredibly important that HETV drama productions pay their dues into the HETV levy. “There have always been great TV and ¿OPFUHZVLQWKLVFRXQWU\EXWWKHGHPDQGIRU them is growing. We need to invest in the future and deepen the pool of talent in this Safe: Andy Morgan secured a country, across the board. It’s our duty.” placement following producer Michaela Fereday Working groups led by people working in high-end television decide how to invest the funds and took the decision last year to focus my skills gaps, and we agreed to focus on Media, which needed a production manager more strategically on skills shortages with a three core areas: scripts, working with actors and a line producer, and realised Screen- host of new training investments. and post-production,” he says. “As a location Skills’ Make a Move programme might These case studies give a snapshot of the manager, I had never interacted with the artists KHOS¿OOWKHYDFDQF\ZKLOHRIIHULQJKLPWKH work they supported. – there was no reason to – but it is key for a experience he wanted. producer. I wanted to know why they went The programme provides investment to cut CASE STUDY: into acting and what they looked for in a good the risk for productions of supporting the step ANDY MORGAN script – a good producer or a good director?” up of individuals to a more senior grade on a From location manager Morgan was determined to produce but production. Make a Move paid for cover so to producer believes it would have taken longer without the that Knopf could attend meetings on both the Andy Morgan spent 15 programme. Now with an agent, he has gone FUHDWLYHDQG¿QDQFLDOVLGHRISURGXFWLRQDQG years as a location manager, on to work for Left Bank Pictures on Strike Back learn skills including people management with credits including for Sky, shooting in Malaysia and securing and how to use Movie Magic budgeting and Peaky Blinders. He felt the time was right to KLV¿UVWSURGXFHUFUHGLW³,¶PVXUHWKDWWKH scheduling software. take a step up. scheme helped me get the job,” he says. “As a production manager, I didn’t get “I knew I wanted to be a TV drama Fereday adds: “With the massive crew much chance to focus on budgets, or my next producer – even though it is an unusual shortages facing production, we want to career step, because I was so busy on the day- move for a location manager. I wanted encourage people already in the industry to-day running of things and dealing with more creative input into projects, more to remain in it.” problems on set,” Knopf says. responsibility, and I wanted the challenge He had worked in London before but the of putting the whole show together while CASE STUDY: expense was a deterrent. The scheme helped being part of the team,” Morgan says. ADAM KNOPF make it viable and led to his second job – line The High-end TV New Producer Pro- From production gramme offered a route in. It supported manager to line professionals with at least 10 years’ experi- producer There have always been great TV ence and included mentoring, masterclasses Zimbabwe-born Adam and ﬁ lm crews in this country, but and the costs of a placement on a high-end Knopf began work in the demand for them is growing. drama with an agreed on-screen credit. children’s TV in Cardiff after studying jour- We need to invest in the future Morgan secured a placement shadowing nalism in the city and worked his way up to Michaela Fereday, the producer of Safe, an production manager. Next he wanted to move and deepen the pool of talent eight-part drama from Harlan Coben, with the into line producing. The opportunity came DIEDERICK SANTER production company Red. “We talked about with Marcella, produced by Buccaneer KUDOS

44 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

producing on another police drama, Dark Heart. “I owe my career to the scheme,” he says. Buccaneer head of production Nadia Jaynes adds: “The scheme helps to ensure that we are able to push our talented free- lancers up through the ranks with the necessary level of support to enable them to advance their careers effectively.”

CASE STUDY: KIT LAMBERT Writing primetime TV drama Kit Lambert had been writing commissions for television successfully for a decade. But the Cardiff-based writer had IRXQGLWLPSRVVLEOHWR¿QGWLPHWRGHYHORS his own drama series and break into the list of top writing talent favoured by broadcasters. He applied to the Advanced Writing for TV Drama scheme, which was designed by MediaXchange and funded by the HETV Skills Fund to build the professional writing and collaborative working skills primetime drama writers need. It included feedback sessions with a script editor and masterclasses to support him – and 18 others – in moving from being a mid-level writer to lead writer on larger-scale drama. ³7KHFRXUVHKHOSHGPHWREXLOGP\SUR¿OH Dickensian: Lisa Clarke was mentored by director Harry Bradbeer DQGFRQ¿GHQFHDQGJDYHPHWKHWLPHVWUXF ture and support I needed to develop a project I’d been working on into a treatment and pilot I have shadowed on shows before, an on-the-job training scheme to develop script that I am proud of, and happy to take but only for a couple of days. What new-entrant production crew in Scotland, out to the industry,” he says. ¿QDQFHGE\DSDUWQHUVKLSRISXEOLFDQG made this experience especially private bodies including the High-end TV CASE STUDY: valuable was being able to start the Skills Fund. LISA CLARKE process during the prep period The traineeship is very structured, with a From directing LISA CLARKE training plan and lots of hands-on experience continuing drama DIRECTOR – “something that I wouldn’t have had the to primetime chance to see, to practise or learn anywhere Lisa Clarke started work in else,” she says. theatre, then developed her She has since worked on two series of Call Production manager Steven Moore says: directing career in continuing drama at the The Midwife, The Good Karma Hospital on “Historically, specialist niche production BBC. But she was keen to direct primetime location in Sri Lanka, with a crew of 200 and skills have been London-based. Before series and won a place on the Directors UK more than 100 extras, and The Spanish Princess, Outlander, productions in Scotland didn’t High-End TV Drama Directors Career a dynastic saga of Tudor England. necessarily require a construction department Development Programme, funded by the Red Planet Pictures executive producer of 80 people or a costume department of 80 HETV Skills Fund. Candidates are paid Belinda Campbell says: “Her involvement in people. When Outlander opened up here, for their time on set. Dickensian provided a bridge between her we had to bring in the skills from London. She was placed on Red Planet Pictures’ work on continuing and high-end series, a Four years on, a lot of our trainees are still Dickensian, mentored by the director, Harry move that can be hard to make and is vital with us, enriching the production’s – and Bradbeer, observing meetings with the to the health of our drama industry.” Scotland’s – talent.” Q producer execs, directors of photography, designers and script team, and shooting second- CASE STUDY: unit material for the opening episode. ZOE KEMP “I have shadowed on shows before, but Outlander/ScreenSkills only for a couple of days of the shoot. What Trainee Finder made this experience especially valuable programme was being able to start the process during Zoe Kemp studied prop- the prep period,” Clarke says. “All these PDNLQJIRUWKHDWUH¿OP TO READ THE CASE STUDIES IN FULL, meetings helped me get a handle on the and TV at the Royal Conservatoire of VISIT complicated jigsaw that is required to Scotland in Glasgow before winning www.screenskills.com/highendtv launch a show the size of Dickensian.” a place on the Trainee Finder programme,

broadcastnow.co.uk 12 October 2018 Broadcast 45 MOSCOW NOIR up the story: “Moscow Noir was predominantly shot in Lithuania, French distributor StudioCanal is with a few scenes in Sweden, launching 8 x 60-minute thriller Russia and Finland. We chose Moscow Noir at Mipcom. The series, Mikael Håfström to direct as set in Russia, is based on the trilogy we wanted a seasoned and by Swedish authors Camilla Grebe experienced director who had the and Paul Leander-Engström, talent to create a suspense-driven which was inspired by true events. drama series with all the tension It is unique in that it takes a long, and nuanced anticipation that hard look at the world of Russian such a project involves. We are oligarchs and their private armies delighted with what he has at the turn of the 21st century. brought to the screen.” International drama stories Gustafsson points to the work about the modern Russian condi- of writers Grebe and Leander- tion have become more prevalent Engström as a key element for the on TV in recent years through the story’s development. He says the likes of BBC1’s gangster series Moscow Noir: based on a true story pair authored “an amazing, best- McMafi a, starring James Norton. selling trilogy that really exposes However, StudioCanal managing what was happening in Moscow in director Françoise Guyonnet says completely new: “This delivers the late 1990s”, adding: “They read Moscow Noir provides something Russia like you’ve never seen it This delivers Russia like and made comments on our before. It is a genuinely thrilling you’ve never seen it scripts and Paul was able to advise drama that turns around a deep before. It goes right under on fi nancial and Russian matters.” DISTRIBUTOR StudioCanal and revealing dive into the murky the skin of a city in fl ux Produced by Black Spark and PRODUCER Black Spark world of oligarchs and politicians. FRANÇOISE GUYONNET fi lmed in English, Swedish and Film & TV “We all think we know some- STUDIOCANAL Russian, the commissioning LENGTH 8 X 60 minutes thing about Moscow, but Moscow broadcasters for Moscow Noir are BROADCASTERS TV4/C More Noir goes right under the skin of a retain power, control and money. Stockholm-based pay-TV group (Sweden); NC+ (Poland); city in fl ux that is being run by a Plus, it’s based on a true story.” TV4/C More, which has been Lumière (Benelux) select few who will go to extra- Producer Piodor Gustafsson pushing into original content, ordinary lengths to seize and then of Black Spark Film & TV takes and NC+ in Poland.

writer Tony Jordan, who agreed to BESA Besa: four times more expensive than Balkans’ previous set up a Serbian-Albanian writers’ When Pete Smith was approached highest-budget drama room, with around six local by Serbian advertising mogul writers. “Because Tony has such a Srðan Šaper with an idea for a terrifi c CV, broadcasters and OTT local gangster caper, he spotted an players realise that this is a pretty opportunity to follow in the foot- serious project,” says Smith. He steps of the Scandinavian giants and adds that Jordan was able to kickstart an era of ‘Balkans noir’. strike a balance between local Smith, group managing director authenticity and a global perspective. of Greece-based Antenna Group While Antenna won’t be targeting before recently switching to specifi c territories, Smith envisages Dubai’s MBC, wanted a show that the series as being more appealing could match the international to the global SVoD players, due success of Spain’s La Casa De Papel to its box-setting potential and (Money Heist) and Italy’s Gomorra. edgy subject matter, although it Two years and many hundreds will initially TX on three Balkans- of rewrites later, Besa will TX in four times more expensive than The series will be so based linear channels. mid-October and at £2.5m (with the region’s previous highest- Smith also feels that major successful that the 50% investment from Šaper- budget drama, according to Smith. territories like Russia and the US backed indie Adrenalin) is around The 12 x 45-minute series tells Balkans will be set up could localise the IP and place their the story of Uros, a man who falls for a lot more work own spin on it, in a similar vein to into the clutches of the local mafi a PETE SMITH Swedish-Danish success The DISTRIBUTOR Antenna when a crime syndicate forces him ANTENNA GROUP Bridge, which has been adapted by International Enterprises to become a hitman in order to both regions. “The series will be so PRODUCERS Antenna Group; protect his family. Smith says that when he began successful that the Balkans will be Red Planet Pictures; Adrenalin It features a mixture of local and work on Besa, his biggest concern set up for a lot more work,” he says. LENGTH 12 x 45 minutes international talent, with Harry was fi nding writers who could pen Early ‘Balkans noir’ signs are BROADCASTERS PRVA Potter’s Arben Bajraktaraj playing a series that not only worked positive, with Antenna head of (Serbia); RTL (Croatia); the lead. Director Dusan Lazarevic’s locally but would also travel. international distribution Tatjana Planet TV (Slovenia) previous credits include Death In His solution was to call on Pavlovic in discussions with Paradise and Silent Witness. friend and celebrated UK drama several pan-territorial buyers.

46 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk HOT PICKS FOREIGN-LANGUAGE DRAMA

GIGANTES We all knew we were By normal Spanish budgetary involved in something very standards, Gigantes (Giants) is, special. Gigantes is not according to producer Gonzalo a run-of-the-mill kind of Salazar-Simpson, a very big deal: show. It is very intense the show’s ¤1m (£900,000) per GONZALO SALAZAR-SIMPSON episode budget is twice what PRODUCER previous high-end Spanish shows have cost. partly down to the multi-discipli- “The budget certainly is nary backgrounds of the director, enormous by local standards, crew and writers, partly down to but the end product more than the three years the show was in justifi es it,” he says. development, but also due to the The main characters are fact that Movistar+ [which com- professional criminals, which is missioned the two series] knows where the name comes from. very well that in a world where “They consider themselves to be Netfl ix, Amazon and HBO domi- giants surrounded by pygmies,” nate the ratings, you’d better do says Salazar-Simpson. “But something extraordinary if you Gigantes is not just about crime want to attract an audience,” and criminals, it’s about people. says Salazar-Simpson. At its core, it’s a family drama Gigantes: £900,000 about some very hard and per-episode budget ruthless characters.” DISTRIBUTOR About The show’s epic qualities were Premium Content obvious to all concerned, he adds. feel that Gigantes is not a run- Unsurprisingly given Spain’s PRODUCERS Movistar+; “We all knew we were involved in of-the-mill kind of show. It’s recent track record with series Lazona Producciones something very special. From very intense and special. That like Cable Girls, La Casa De Papel LENGTH 6 x 52 minutes director Enrique Urbizu right belief was validated when a second and Grand Hotel, the show looks BROADCASTER Movistar+ through to the electricians and series was commissioned before fantastic as well. “It has a very (Spain) technicians, everybody could the fi rst was even fi nished.” cinematic look and feel, which is

AN ORDINARY This is not just speaking WOMAN about Russia today, but Cinefl ix Media senior vice- about a woman’s story president of global scripted co- in extreme circumstances productions Julien Leroux fi rst JULIEN LEROUX became aware of An Ordinary CINEFLEX MEDIA Woman at France’s Series Mania event earlier this year, where it was With an increasing number of being showcased as the fi rst Russian international channels and on- drama series to make the offi cial demand services experimenting selection and being compared to with a widening pool of foreign- Breaking Bad and Happy Valley. language dramas, Cinefl ix Rights “It was intriguing,” says Leroux. will be pushing the series hard in “There are lots of good Russian Cannes. It has acquired full inter- drama series, but most are made An Ordinary Woman: compared national rights, promoting it as to BBC1 drama Happy Valley for Russian audiences. This has a Russian network TV3’s fi rst big universal story that is not just internationally saleable series. speaking about Russia today but secrets: her husband is an adulterer, are elements of dark comedy and Though Russia is better known more about a woman’s story in her eldest daughter skips school to family drama that sit alongside for importing and remaking extreme circumstances.” deal drugs and her youngest is a the core crime story. Western dramas such as The Coming from director Boris sociopath. The action unfolds as Leroux points to the central Bridge for its TV channels, Leroux Khlebnikov and a pair of Russian her carefully constructed house of performance of lead Anna will explore format deals for the producers, the series follows a cards begins to collapse after one Mikhalkova, who won the coveted serialised, eight-part series. 39-year-old female fl orist named of her ‘girls’ is found dead. Best Actress Award at Series Marina, whose business is a front The set-up has led to the Mania, with her portrayal of for her real work running a clan- Breaking Bad comparisons, but Marina described by judges as a DISTRIBUTOR Cinefl ix Rights destine prostitution operation Leroux says the tone and pacing is “sensitive and nuanced perfor- PRODUCERS 1-2-3 using her mobile phone and a more akin to the Sarah Lancashire- mance of a strong woman who Production; Look Film WhatsApp group. fronted BBC1 cop drama Happy constantly has to repress her LENGTH 8 x 60 minutes Her family are unaware of her true Valley. “It’s a very good reference most private feelings to survive BROADCASTER TV3 (Russia) occupation but also have their own point,” he says, adding that there in a corrupted society”.

broadcastnow.co.uk 12 October 2018 Broadcast 47 What Would Your Kid Do?: comedian Jason Manford hosts the UK version

WHAT WOULD distinctive is the pressure it puts ongoing. The first, 26 x 90-minute It’s one of the few factual on the parents.” reversion started airing in Turkey in YOUR KID DO? entertainment series to Particularly popular is the pay-off. August. Next to launch will be a 21 Over the past couple of years, there have really landed in the “The prize selection pay-off was one x 60-minute version in Hungary. has been a revival of interest in UK in the past year of those game mechanics we had Typically, says Leach, adapta- entertainment shows with young MELANIE LEACH been thinking about for a while, and tions are made by ITV Studios children as their central characters. TWOFOUR GROUP this was the perfect show to use it (Twofour’s parent company). One show that is riding this wave is in,” adds Leach. “The show has gone Where the production giant isn’t What Would Your Kid Do?, which empathy to lateral thinking, risk- viral because of that. Its YouTube present, the usual approach is to debuted on ITV in early 2018. Pro- taking and rule-breaking. channel now has 175,000 sub- take the format to channels and duced by Cardiff-based Boomerang, Back in the studio, a host scribers and has generated around work with their preferred supplier. part of Twofour Group, the show (comedian Jason Manford in the 35 million views since launch.” So what is the pitch to buyers? launched with 3.9 million viewers UK) challenges the kids’ parents to The origin of the show was a “It’s one of the few factual enter- and an 18% share in a midweek predict what their child will do in piece of black-and-white video tainment series to have really slot, and has already been commis- each situation, providing a funny archive dug up by the development landed in the UK in the past year,” sioned for a second series. and surprising insight into their team at Boomerang. “It was a clip says Leach. “It’s got cross-genera- In the primetime family show, behaviour. The family with the of a child answering a telephone tional appeal. It can also be deliv- children aged five to seven are most correct predictions goes that really made us laugh – it ered at a reasonable price point, so filmed in a school rigged with through to the final. However, the inspired us to try to develop some- it’s affordable to a range of buyers.” hidden cameras. The children think adults don’t choose which prize thing around children and their In terms of guidance to buyers, they’re taking part in classroom they will receive – the kids do. In funny antics,” says Leach, “As part she says one key learning from activities and games, unaware they one sequence, a young girl chooses of our development, we have been the UK series “is having a host are being tested for everything from a selection of fluffy unicorn soft looking at subjects that tradition- who is a parent”. toys rather than an all-expenses- ally sit in the factual arena and “Jason Manford has five children paid holiday to Mexico. asking if there is a way of giving and that has really helped him DISTRIBUTOR Twofour Rights Twofour Group chief executive them an entertainment dimension.” connect with the kids in the show, PRODUCER Boomerang Melanie Leach says: “There has The show was soft-launched and develop comedy based on his LENGTH 6 x 60 minutes been a resurgence in shows that in spring and has already been own experiences. Kids respond to BROADCASTER ITV (UK) centre on the funny things children snapped up by five territories, him because he knows how to do, but what makes this one with negotiations for a US version communicate at their level.”

48 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk HOT PICKS FORMATS

YOU KIDDING ME?! multi-generational and a peek into celebrity family relationships. Executive produced by Kim “The idea that you have control Kardashian West, You Kiddin’ Me?! over someone close to you, espe- is a show in which celebrities cially a parent, is a total wish- must do everything they are told fulfi lment scenario and it is as they try to pull off an elaborate refreshing to see we all have prank on the public. similar familial relationships Lionsgate executive vice- that we can relate to.” president and head of worldwide In terms of the unique charac- alternative programming Jennifer teristics of launching on Facebook, O’Connell says: “Our celebrities O’ Connell says: “There was more have signed on to participate in fl exibility with running time, this fun, family prank show, which allowed us to edit the show knowing that they will have to say in a way that best tells the story. and do everything their family tells We also shot a tonne of shoulder them but having no idea what that You Kiddin Me?!: Zoe Saldana (left) content to provide the community with her sisters Mariel and Cisely will be until they show up.” with a robust experience.” Explaining the format, she adds: There was also a synergy “We start the show with a test The show will easily Kardashian, and actress Zoe between Facebook and social prank on one of the production translate to many markets Saldana. It is also available as media queen Kardashian West. team members. I love this moment because it is funny and a linear format that can work “Tapping into Kim’s global reach, because the controlling participants across different slots. as well as the other celebrities on multi-generational realise how much power they have In terms of its appeal to buyers, the show, was super-helpful.” over their famous family members JENNIFER O’CONNELL O’Connell says: “You Kiddin’ Me?! or friends. Next comes the main LI0NSGATE will thrive on any network that prank, where we put the celebrity is interested in comedy shows, DISTRIBUTOR Lionsgate in a public setting, like a fake info- The fi rst series launched on celebrity-driven content and PRODUCER Lionsgate mercial, talk show, art gallery, stand- Facebook Watch in September programming that is targeted LENGTH 10 x 30 minutes up performance or cooking class. and included Kardashian West, at a wide audience. The show BROADCASTER “The best part is watching the her family members Kris Jenner, will easily translate to many Facebook Watch reactions of the public.” Kendall Jenner and Kourtney markets because it is funny,

THE TALENT PROJECT People like singing Endemol Shine is showing there’s shows, people still enjoy still life in the singing talent show watching them, so yes, format with new series The Talent there’s still life in them Project. Developed by the produc- LISA PERRIN tion and distribution giant’s ENDEMOL SHINE Dutch arm, the show made its debut on RTL4 in September and The Voice since 2010. “People like is one of two new formats that singing shows, people still enjoy Endemol Shine International will watching them, so yes, there’s still be launching at Mipcom. life in them,” says Perrin. Much like well-worn singing Alongside The Talent Project, formats The X Factor and The Voice, Endemol Shine is launching The Talent Project nurtures a group another big format, The Heist, at of talented hopefuls, who in this Mipcom this year. The real-life case emerge from their training game of cops and robbers will regime to perform in front of a appear fi rst on Sky 1 and is being panel of three judges. Contestants produced by Shine TV. audition for their place in a training Perrin says it feels like Endemol academy where they will undergo The Talent Project: developed by Shine has had “a big year for enter- Dutch arm of Endemol Shine 100 days of tuition and develop- tainment” and that broadcasters ment from a team of 14 coaches. are hungry for the next big enter- However, rather than follow them Eight contestants emerge to tainment studio show. through this entire process, The compete in the fi nal stage of DISTRIBUTOR Endemol All Together Now, a singing Talent Project condenses those 100 the show, performing in front Shine Group format that Endemol Shine took days into a two-minute time-lapse of the judges. PRODUCER Endemol Shine to market at Mipcom 2017, has trav- of their training. “You don’t have Perrin says RTL4 airs the six- Netherlands elled quickly and will hopefully be to wait for the big swan reveal,” says part series in the same slot as The LENGTH 6 x 90 minutes in 10 markets by the time this Endemol Shine Creative Networks Voice Of Holland, demonstrating BROADCASTER year’s market rolls around, Perrin chief executive Lisa Perrin. “The the broadcaster’s belief in the RTL4 (Netherlands) says. She will be hoping for similar reveal is the big studio moment.” new format. RTL4 has aired success with The Talent Project.

broadcastnow.co.uk 12 October 2018 Broadcast 49 HOT PICKS FORMATS

SHOWDOWN Showdown: consistently one of Israel’s top 10 shows of the week Showdown is an Israeli format that launched with strong ratings on broadcaster Keshet 12 last summer. Produced by Tedy Productions, it was one of Israel’s top 10 shows of the week throughout its debut run, despite stiff competition from Big Brother and Game Of Chefs on rival broadcaster Reshet 13. The Israeli version of the show was called Showdown – Aviv/Eyal and featured popular and controversial performers Aviv Geffen and Eyal Golan. Keshet International senior sales manager Rose Hughes says the pair “took their well- known rivalry to another level in a battle to discover Israel’s next great singing talent”. The strength of the Israeli version of the show is that it is more than just another singing competition, says Hughes. “It has all the glitz and glamour you’d expect from a studio-based talent show, but what really sets it apart is this gladiatorial clash between two giants from opposing worlds – Mediterranean melodies versus Israeli rock. The conflict creates a very provocative and compelling piece of television.” During the show, would-be contestants had to impress both Aviv and Eyal at initial auditions, despite often favouring one or the other’s musical style. With a third judge acting as referee, a select number were chosen to go on to audience auditions. “Having prepared a song with both Aviv and Eyal, the singers then had to read the crowd and make an on-the-spot decision, while standing on stage under most talented singers, who battled The showdown element At times, the dispute between the glare of the lights,” says it out in a final showdown. the Israeli mentors became quite between the two Hughes. “Whose arrangement In terms of global appeal, feisty and emotional, says Hughes, would win the audience’s hearts, Hughes says: “The strong debut in competing artists proved prompting the occasional walk guaranteeing their survival in Israel allowed us to road test every to be a really engaging out. “Again, that’s something the competition?” stage of this format. The show- hook for viewers broadcasters can dial up or down Aviv and Eyal narrowed down down element between the two ROSE HUGHES depending on their audience,” their teams to just six each through competing artists proved to be a KESHET INTERNATIONAL she adds. a series of high-stakes elimination really engaging hook for viewers.” “One of the interesting dimen- performances overseen by the Whether you’re a fan of the con- styles of music or different rivals in sions of the Israeli show is that third judge. Then came head-to- trasting musical styles or not, the each new season. the discussion often went beyond head duels, whittling down the 12 rivalry is fierce, dynamic and highly Could it have more musical music, sparking national debates remaining contestants to the four entertaining, says Hughes, while mentors? “That would be a decision about social and political issues.” social media “keeps the fans for the acquiring broadcaster,” she Keshet International will buzzing and the show in the head- says. “However, you have to remem- begin pitching the format in the DISTRIBUTOR lines between episodes”. Another ber that the ‘referee’ of the show is run-up to Mipcom. Hughes says: Keshet International key strength of the format “is that it also a third key character. The good “The fact that it has already com- PRODUCER Tedy Productions generates an online debate among news for the development of the pleted a season on air will be of LENGTH 21 x 75 minutes the mentors’ own fans”, she adds. format is that there is no shortage of interest to buyers, and we’ve just BROADCASTER Keshet 12 Hughes says the format is musical rivalries out there that it had confirmation there will be a flexible, so it could involve different can be based around.” second series.”

50 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk SLEEPINGSLEEPING BEARSBEARS SOME SECRETS ARE NOT MEANT TO BE DISTURBED ONE FAMILY. THREE GENERATIONS. ONE SUMMERHOUSE.

Genre: Psychological Drama Duration: 10x60'

Genre: Comedy Duration: 10x22'

Life after death wasn’t supposed to be this funny

Genre: Drama Duration: 12x40'

Genre: Black Comedy Duration: 4x40' CONTENT FIRST

VISIT US AT MIPCOM, STAND R8.C9, RIVIERA 8 Catalogue: www.keshetinternational.com Contact us: [email protected] @KeshetIntl KeshetInternational @KeshetInternational BORDERFORCE USA: EXTREME LOVE THE BRIDGES STORIES MADE IN THE 10 x 60’ 8 x 60’ Stampede Productions Barcroft TV UK FUNDED BY The Rio Grande River creates the True stories of love overcoming huge border between USA and Mexico, the odds from; sharing your man with his busiest crossing in the World. There are other wives, loaning out your girlfriend THE WORLD 28 bridges with 5,000 highly trained because she has a superior sex-drive and officers, who are the gatekeepers of this even being fed excessively to satisfy your most notorious border, dealing with partner’s obesity kink. These are just a everything from huge drug busts to few extreme stories that show there truly people smuggling. is someone for everyone.

WORLD’S MOST MASSIVE EXTRAORDINARY ENGINEERING FAMILIES MISTAKES 6 x 60’ 10 x 60’ Title Role Productions BriteSpark Films What exactly defines a family in today’s All over the world there are complex world? These extraordinary unbelievable building blunders. Learning families all shun the norm, sharing from the experts who help unpick their positivity and eccentricity with the science behind these designs, and the world as we explore their less than eyewitness reports of these crazy conventional lives. calamities, this series analyses what went wrong and how it was fixed.

CRAZY ON A PLANE ABANDONED WORLD’S SCARIEST BORDER 6 x 60’ ENGINEERING HAUNTINGS INTERCEPTORS Back2Back Productions SERIES 3 10 x 60’ 10 x 30’ With billions of passengers flying all over 12 x 60’ Woodcut Media Crackit Productions the world every year we witness the bizarre, Like A Shot Entertainment the bust ups and the on board terror, all Extraordinary phenomenon witnessed Capturing the frontline work and fast- Seeking out examples of incredible captured on camera. Watch the drama by ordinary people unfold in places that paced lives of these border protectors. engineering that have somehow unfold from check in to cabin to arrival. have become some of the world’s most Their mission is to monitor millions of fallen into disuse. We travel the world terrifying to visit. Delving deeper into tonnes of goods that cross the 3000 and hear fascinating comments whether these sightings, frightenings and kilometres of coastline every year and from a specially assembled team fears are real or imagined are the series ensure that everything is above board, in of panellists plus the best on-site experts, who uncover the sinister stories order to safeguard this nation. experts at each location. behind these places.

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+44 20 3970 5577 [email protected] MIPCOM 2018 www.tcbmediarights.com STAND NO. R8.D3 BORDERFORCE USA: EXTREME LOVE THE BRIDGES STORIES MADE IN THE 10 x 60’ 8 x 60’ Stampede Productions Barcroft TV UK FUNDED BY The Rio Grande River creates the True stories of love overcoming huge border between USA and Mexico, the odds from; sharing your man with his busiest crossing in the World. There are other wives, loaning out your girlfriend THE WORLD 28 bridges with 5,000 highly trained because she has a superior sex-drive and officers, who are the gatekeepers of this even being fed excessively to satisfy your most notorious border, dealing with partner’s obesity kink. These are just a everything from huge drug busts to few extreme stories that show there truly people smuggling. is someone for everyone.

+44 20 3970 5577 [email protected] MIPCOM 2018 www.tcbmediarights.com STAND NO. R8.D3 HOT PICKS FORMATS

Songland: music producers Dave Stewart (left) and Ryan Tedder (centre) appear on the show

compositions to three music “Second, it takes you behind the SONGLAND It takes you behind the producers and a guest celebrity scenes of how a record is made – The US-originated Songland is one artist. The five are pre-selected scenes of how a record is how it goes from lyrics and harmony of NBC Universal International after uploading songs. made. Audiences will enjoy to a production ready for global Formats’ key launches at Mipcom, “The artist chooses three songs seeing inside the studio release. Audiences will enjoy the where the company will lay on an to advance to the studio, where ANA LANGENBERG process of seeing inside the studio.” introductory event for buyers. they are each arranged by one of NBC UNIVERSAL Langenberg envisages “each NBCU senior vice-president of the producers,” she adds. “The series having a mix of celebrity formats and production Ana songwriters then perform their The series once again teams talent”. She adds: “The beauty of Langenberg says: “The show is not song in front of an audience and Morrissey with Maroon 5 singer the format is its flexibility and like other music competition shows. the celebrity artist chooses one Adam Levine, who is an executive ability to cover different genres. It is not about the performing of them to release worldwide via producer. Both are integral to It is also very affordable to broad- talent – but the songwriter.” platforms such as iTunes. The NBC’s biggest entertainment casters in most markets.” In each episode, five undiscov- process is about giving the song- series The Voice, with MTV alumna NBCU has begun pitching the ered songwriters are given the writer a once-in-a-lifetime break Morrissey acting as showrunner format in the run-up to Mipcom, chance to perform their own into the industry.” and creative chief behind the but no buyers have seen the pilot juggernaut and Levine a judge yet and negotiations have not Imminent pick-up since its first series in 2011. begun. “Our activity is all timed to DISTRIBUTOR NBC Universal The show has been piloted in the Langenberg says Songland is really start at the market,” she says. International Formats US, with a series pick-up by NBC not designed to be a head-on The show was first mooted in PRODUCER Universal imminent. At Mipcom, buyers challenger to the big talent shows: March 2015 but its progress was Television Alternative Studio; will get a sneak peek of the pilot “It does a different job. But there held up by a lack of clarity over Live Animals in association with and meet the music producers are a couple of very interesting who would legally own the songs Dave Stewart Entertainment & from the US show – Dave Stewart things about it. First, every episode uploaded, performed and released. 222 Productions and Ryan Tedder – and Songland is self-enclosed, with a different This issue has now been addressed LENGTH TBC producer Audrey Morrissey, celebrity artist and songwriters to ensure that the originating BROADCASTER NBC (US) who will take part in a detailed each week [the producers stay artists are not excluded from Q&A session. the same throughout the series]. eventual ownership.

54 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk Screen TV Dedicated to high-end drama and the cross-over between the ﬁ lm and television worlds

Screen International is bringing the crossover between ﬁ lm and TV into sharper focus with the launch of its dedicated online section Screen TV.

To read more about Screen International’s unique insight into the most important trend in the business today visit www.ScreenDaily.com/TV HOT PICKS FORMATS

The Greatest Dancer: Syco series will air on BBC1 in the UK

Dancer as “a dance show for the more solitary. Dancers might arrive THE GREATEST I’ve been to a lot of studio DANCER people”, adding: “The amazing with their coach or parents, but thing about dance is that it’s a productions and never when they face the studio mirror, Fremantle’s big format launch at language everyone can speak. It’s a seen an audience jump to it’s a really intimate moment.” Mipcom is The Greatest Dancer, way of bringing people together.” its feet so instinctively Clark was at the production of a new collaboration with Syco Brown is reluctant to tempt ROB CLARK early episodes and says the mirror Entertainment. The first version of fate by comparing the show to FREMANTLE reveal is impactful. “I’ve been to a lot the dance talent show is being pro- Fremantle’s juggernaut formats, of studio productions over the years duced by Fremantle label Thames but says it does seek to capture Fremantle director of global and never seen an audience jump to for BBC1. No date has been set for the same warmth and mass entertainment Rob Clark says the its feet so instinctively,” he says. “It launch but early 2019 seems likely. appeal as Got Talent. “Ultimately, show was designed as a companion was a really uplifting experience.” Dancers (including troupes) the final will be about dancing piece to the BBC’s long-running There is always a risk with perform in front of a mirror, as if excellence, but along the way the hit Strictly Come Dancing and, as handing the audience control in a dance studio. On the other audience will see dancers of all such, “is intended to have appeal that bona fide talent will be pushed side of the mirror is a studio audi- ages, from seven to 81, across a to a broad audience”. aside by novelty acts like Honey G ence watching them on a big wide range of dancing styles, Clark says much of the appeal or Pudsey the Dog, but Clark says: screen. If 75% of the audience from ballet to jazz, hip hop and comes from the build-up to a “We worried a bit that the audi- press a button to indicate that they Bollywood,” says Brown. “It’s performance: “The audition ence might just vote through every like the dancer, the mirror opens unique that the studio audience process starts with our receptionist eight-year-old girl they saw, but and they are through to the next decides who progresses to the live eliciting information about the they didn’t do that. At the same round – similar to The Voice’s shows, so their fate is not decided dancer. We learn what inspired time, they aren’t going to vote for a spinning-chair mechanic. by our dance captains.” them to dance and this creates dancer solely on technical merit if Thames managing director While the role of the dance cap- an emotional bridge. It’s a show they don’t also connect with them Amelia Brown describes The Greatest tains is limited at first, they become where the stories are as important emotionally. I’d say 90% of the more important later on as they pick as the performances.” time they got it right.” who they want to mentor and take In terms of international rollout, DISTRIBUTOR Fremantle through to the live stage. The live Familiar elements Clark says Mipcom is the major PRODUCERS Thames; shows are when the performers are This element is similar in intent launch platform for the show: “A Syco Entertainment really put through their paces, says but different in design to Got Talent, few partners have been over to see LENGTH TBC Brown, by having to show they can he adds. “Got Talent begins with the show in production but no BROADCASTER BBC1 (UK) perform in a range of different people chatting about what they deals for the format have been dance styles and scenarios. are going to perform, but dance is done yet.”

56 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk PREMIERES ON BBC1 JANUARY 2019

MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL, WHO’S THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL?

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Dance Revolution: 128-camera set-up means dance moves can be viewed from every angle

DANCE REVOLUTION State-of-the-art technology episodes being anywhere between insights that usually aren’t availa- is used to create a 360˚ one and two hours in length, ble in dance or talent shows,” says Dance Revolution is a primetime shot of each dancer’s depending on the scheduling Armoza. “In every dance routine, needs of individual networks. dance show that encourages most spectacular contestants will choreograph a key dancers of all styles and ages to Armoza says the show’s key moment, and this technology will ‘Revolution’ moment compete. Originated in French- distinctive feature is the use of allow the judges and the audience speaking Canada by broadcaster AVI ARMOZA “state-of-the-art technology to to form a clear view on whether it TVA, it will be sold around the ARMOZA FORMATS create a 360˚ shot of each dancer’s was executed well – for example, world by Israel’s Armoza Formats. most spectacular ‘Revolution’ did an entire group of dancers “We have had a co-operation all of the marketing support is now moment”. The judges can use these move exactly in time? agreement with TVA for three in place for pre-Mipcom launch.” throughout the competition – “This will help them decide who years, so we have been tracking In terms of the format’s struc- capturing the dancers’ precise progresses to the next round, but this show since its inception two ture, dancers start by having to movements to make sure they make also give the contestants informa- years ago,” says Armoza chief exec- impress three dance industry the right decision. The dancers’ tion they can use to improve their utive Avi Armoza. “We have been experts to secure a spot in a round overall performances and their best performance. I’ve seen how it working closely together on the of head-to-head dance battles. As moments are used to decide the works during the shooting of the format for the past six months, and the season progresses, they must four finalists. One of these will be series and it’s very impressive.” prove their passion for dance on named ‘Best Revolution Dancer’ Armoza says it is an advantage the stage as they perform solo and and win a $100,000 grand prize. to be able to show buyers episodes DISTRIBUTOR Armoza Formats in groups, and work to convince Akin to high-end football or in the run-up to Mipcom. “Buyers PRODUCERS Fair-Play; the experts to mentor them and Olympics coverage, the show’s always like to see examples of shows Québecor Content protect them from elimination. 128-camera set-up means dance that have already aired. In this LENGTH 11 x 90 minutes The 90-minute TVA version moves can be viewed from every case, the finale of season one isn’t BROADCASTER TVA (Canada) launched on Sunday 23 September. angle and in super slo-mo. “This being shot until November, so we Internationally, Armoza envisages will give judges the kind of can invite clients to the studio.”

58 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk ETHICALLY SOURCED

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RISE OF THE While these new features may draw in the franchise’s core demo- TEENAGE MUTANT graphic of six to 11 year-olds, it’s NINJA TURTLES the villains that are likely to appeal New York’s pizza-loving quartet have to the series’ legion of superfans. burst up through the sewers with Former Sex Pistol John Lydon is new superpowers, new weapons set to guest star as a mutant pig and new villains to combat. While called Meat Sweats, while Game Of “reinvention is part of the Turtles’ Thrones’ Lena Headey gets to play DNA”, says Viacom International a huge spider called Big Mamma. Media Networks vice-president Mirage, the original creator, is for international content sales no longer involved in the franchise Lauren Marriott, this reboot is and the production work is now arguably the most radical yet. handled by Nickelodeon in Los For starters, the turtles are now all Angeles, with animation duties different breeds, with Viacom, which Rise Of The Mutant Ninja Turtles: carried out at Flying Bark in new powers in radical reboot has owned the rights to the fran- Australia and Digitoonz in India. chise since 2010, assuming its Gen-Z The animators have opted for a audience knows more about natural “The idea is to give the show a The turtles have been ‘lighter’ 2D look, but have also history than previous cohorts. totally different look and feel,” says created a darker underbelly in the given fantastical ninja The fact that they are all different Marriott. “It’s more comedic than form of a hidden city beneath the ages has also been accentuated. previous outings, which is all based powers, as well as new New York cityscape, said to be on audience feedback.” weapons and vehicles inspired by 1980s martial arts Along with comedy, there is also LAUREN MARRIOTT fantasy Big Trouble In Little China. DISTRIBUTOR Viacom more high-concept action. “The VIACOM INT’L MEDIA NETWORKS The first season of the reboot International Media Networks Turtles have been given fantastical debuted on 17 September in the PRODUCERS Nickleodeon; ninja powers, which are character- Josh Brener as Donnie and Ben US, with global rollout set for Flying Bark; Digitoonz driven, as well as new weapons Schwartz (Parks And Recreation) the autumn. Nick’s faith in the LENGTH 26 x 30 minutes and vehicles,” says Marriott. as Leo. The Vampire Diaries’ Kat franchise is strong: toy merch- BROADCASTER Nickelodeon In keeping with the show’s Graham, meanwhile, will be the andise will roll out this month (international) comedic aspirations, the voice first African-American to play the and a second 26-part season is cast includes Silicon Valley’s turtles’ human ally, April O’Neil. already under way.

COACH ME in-house and Xilam has now employed 250 animators in IF YOU CAN France in a bid to regain control Even before France’s World Cup of the production process and win, Paris-based animation house subcontract less to Asia. Xilam had put out a call to its ani- “When you’re working with mators to come up with an idea for your own team, turnaround times a new football-focused show. are much quicker. Taking back “One of our artists came back control also gives our studio a with a brilliant idea about the chance to grow its expertise and reality of football in local clubs and for us to bring on board a wider playgrounds across the country, of range of artists to source even kids dreaming they will make it as a more creative material.” professional footballer,” says Xilam Xilam’s other shows, including chief executive Marc du Pontavice. Coach Me If You Can: tapping Oggy And The Cockroaches and Zig football’s universal appeal The show, aimed at six to 10 year- & Sharko, are currently delivering olds, revolves around a boy called huge returns for the firm online. Daniel and his football – which is France Télévisions is attached We’ll be launching the show Xilam’s YouTube channels receive actually Erico Platana, the world’s to the series, which is now in pro- at Mipcom and seeking an average of 300 million monthly greatest player, who has been turned duction and is set to air on France 3 further partnerships views and have amassed 5 million into a football by a mad sorcerer. To Ludo in 2019. The 52-episode series around the world subscribers, although Du Pontavice become human again, he must learn has pre-sold to Discovery-owned sees the platform as more of a MARC DU PONTAVICE to deflate his ego and help clumsy kids’ channel K2 in Italy. “We’ll be vehicle for its library than for new XILAM Daniel become a football champ. launching the show at Mipcom and content like Coach Me If You Can. seeking further broadcaster part- “YouTube gives a phenomenal nerships around the world, tapping comes above everything, but it’s second chance to content and can DISTRIBUTOR Xilam into the universal appeal of foot- also hugely important to have a significantly grow its viewership. PRODUCER Xilam ball,” Du Pontavice says. strong visual look and endearing Zig & Sharko wasn’t very well LENGTH 52 x 13 minutes In a market awash with anima- characters that audiences can known in the US until it started BROADCASTERS France 3 tion, Du Pontavice believes a create a bond with,” he says. airing on Netflix, and then it Ludo; K2 (Italy) strong visual look and endearing The chief exec adds that it is became a phenomenon on characters are important. “Comedy easier to create the tone and look YouTube,” he says.

60 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk Orange Smarty The UK’s Fastest Growing Factual Distributor

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SMART CHOICE SMART CONTENT

C21 Mipcom Oct 2018.indd 1 03/10/2018 16:33 PROJECT PLANET as a show it’s entertaining and manages to create debate,” she says. BBC factual format Hugh’s War On Rayson adds that the live-action Waste inspired big conversations market has “really evolved” and around the impact of material that “children’s buyers seem braver disposal and inspired a successful than they used to be”. Australian version, which aired on The kids that feature in the ABC last year. Aussie factual format show are upper primary school Project Planet aims to start the and in its home territory it aired same conversations in schools. on ABC Me – a dedicated digital It was created by Sally Browning and broadcast service designed for at Emerald Films after her son primary school-age children. voiced concerns about our planet’s Rayson says the show garnered future. “He said he was afraid of high co-viewing figures in its what my generation has done to 4.30pm timeslot on Wednesdays our planet, what it means for his and Thursdays and the production future and whether his generation Project Planet: aims to start company is now developing a conversations in schools has control,” she says. “So I wanted prime-time version. to find a way to bring the benefits In terms of the territories Project of sustainability to a TV audience.” Five students with a passion for It’s a subject that we feel Planet is likely to perform well in, The resulting show, Project environmental issues are anointed Rayson says it has “broad enter- passionate about, and as a Planet, aims to become a global TV as ‘Waste Warriors’ and charged tainment appeal” suitable for PSBs, format in which children empower with leading a sustainability drive show it’s entertaining and commercial channels and streaming their peers to make a difference. at three diverse schools. manages to create debate services, and is being sold as both a Each week, the warriors are given ALISON RAYSON format and a finished tape. surprise challenges – such as looking RAYDAR MEDIA “It would be great to see US, DISTRIBUTOR Raydar Media at ways in which they can get rid of British and German versions,” she PRODUCER Emerald Films old electronic items. Each task is distribution rights, says appetite for adds. “Each country would take a LENGTH 8 x 30 minutes designed to demonstrate how small shows that push for social change different approach, but with the BROADCASTER ABC Me actions can make big differences. has filtered down to children’s. “As Australian version, you really see (Australia) Alison Rayson, whose firm Raydar a company, it’s a subject that we feel the reality of what is happening to Media has taken international particularly passionate about, and our landscape.”

THE ATHENA was also drawn in by the high production values and talented A drama without mermaids, cast and crew. vampires, dancers or horses is Lead writer on the series is a rarity in tween scripted, and Holly Philips, whose credits Katharina Pietzsh, director of include ABC Australia’s hit ZDFE Junior, admits that the high- drama Dance Academy 2, while light of the German distributor’s the protagonist is played by Ella kids’ slate this year is a departure Balinska, whose profile is set to from its usual fare. skyrocket, having been cast along- Made through Riviera producer side Kristen Stewart in the new Foz Allan’s new indie Bryncoed Charlie’s Angels reboot. Productions, The Athena is set in a Pietzsh says there’s a huge hip London art college and follows appetite in the market for high- the journey of Nyela Malik, a production-value tween fiction shot former model who sets her sights The Athena: aimed at in English, which is why ZDFE has on becoming a fashion designer. nine to 12 year-olds co-produced so many shows with Filmed on location in London’s Australian and UK networks. trendy Shoreditch, the show is fantasy, it does “tap into certain Our idea was to have “For independent distributors, populated by photographers, aspirations they might have these are a rarity outside the aspirational characters and costume designers, graphic artists around their dream jobs”. American kids’ networks, which and jewellery-makers. Pietzsh says Unusually for a drama aimed a teen environment, and tend to have their own distribution that while the series may not be at nine to 12 year-olds, it doesn’t have that world explore the arms,” says Pietzsh. “Many of the features tweens, with the series concerns of the tweens US shows also tend to be sitcoms, relying on a younger audience KATHARINA PIETZSH which don’t play so well in territo- DISTRIBUTOR looking up to these older teen ZDFE JUNIOR ries such as Germany.” ZDF Enterprises characters in an aspirational way. ZDFE currently has three PRODUCER Bryncoed in Allan, whose previous credits and have that world explore the episodes of The Athena to view association with Sky Kids include Wolfblood, The Dumping concerns of the tweens.” and expects to receive the rest LENGTH 26 x 30 minutes Ground and Hetty Feather, explains: ZDF Enterprises, which worked before the end of the year. The BROADCASTER Sky (UK) “Our idea was to have aspirational with Allan on three series of CBBC series is slated to debut on Sky characters and a teen environment, drama co-production Wolfblood, in spring 2019.

62 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk HOT PICKS CHILDREN’S

Kiri And Lou: gender-neutral appeal

“Stop-motion can be very and producer Fiona Copland made KIRI AND LOU Right now, the market non-fluid and cold, but this is their names in a string of relation- Antony Elworthy, the lead animator is flooded with CG the opposite. The lighting is ship-based indie features. on Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs, is ‘bubblegum’ shows but incredible,” he says. “It’s fluid in The show is set to air on TVNZ in now taking on kids’ TV with a this fills another need – it’s movement and background, it New Zealand and CBC in Canada stop-motion series featuring two gentle as well as being achieves a robust level of warmth, next year, with Cake handling the prehistoric creatures, which aims entertaining and funny and it’s very heartwarming.” international rights and Wow Dadi to teach pre-schoolers about ED GALTON The narrative centres around overseeing Greater China. friendship and kindness. CAKE Kiri, a feisty character with over- According to Galton, the show is The Kiwi artist, whose other powering emotions, and Lou, who aimed at three to six year-olds and is credits include the acclaimed cuteness and style to it that I is gentle and thoughtful. They are gender-neutral in terms of appeal. features My Life As A Courgette haven’t seen in the pre-school joined by motherly Pania, who He expects it to perform well in and Tim Burton’s Coraline, hand- space in a while,” says Cake offers advice; sensitive Dalvanius, northern and southern Europe, crafted the mismatched dinosaurs chief commercial officer and who disappears completely when Asia and the US. “It’s a strong Kiri and Lou from paper and clay. managing director Ed Galton. he feels shy; and Sorry, a small but enough property to appeal to a wide The 52-episode property, “Right now, the market is extremely fast and caring animal. range of territories,” he says. produced through New Zealand- flooded with CG ‘bubblegum’ Together the characters navigate based animation brand Stretchy shows but this fills another need – their way through different feelings and Canada’s Yowza Animation it’s gentle as well as being an via adventures and music – there’s DISTRIBUTOR Cake (Welcome To The Wayne, Curious entertaining and funny series.” an original song in every episode. PRODUCERS Stretchy; George), was quickly snapped up by The characters all have The project comes with an array Yowza Animation independent distributor Cake, and their own emotional needs and of Kiwi talent attached including LENGTH 52 x 5 minutes is scheduled for launch at Mipcom. this is handled in a way that Flight Of The Conchords’ Jemaine BROADCASTERS TVNZ (New “It’s a unique-looking show that Galton describes as “both Clement, who voices the series, Zealand); CBC (Canada) is incredibly touching and it has a warm and moving’. while its director Harry Sinclair

broadcastnow.co.uk 12 October 2018 Broadcast 63 VINTAGE TECH Critic. It is shooting Vintage Tech Hunters in cities including HUNTERS Toronto, Ottawa, Los Angeles, Discovery’s latest Canadian Dallas and Chicago. original seeks to fi nd tech treasure “As we continue to build our hidden in garages, attics and fl ea catalogue, this is a great example of markets that can be sold on for factual content with wide appeal,” a profi t. Vintage Tech Hunters, a says Vinet. “We are developing co-commission by Discovery and more content that falls into this Boat Rocker Studios, follows hosts wide genre through our factual Shaun Hatton and Bohus Blahut production companies, as well as as they scour North America for acquiring third-party content that vintage items such as games con- complements these strong brands.” soles, jukeboxes, pinball machines, Vintage Tech Hunters will toys and space suits. Vintage Tech Hunters: negotiations premiere at Mipcom and Vinet under way for multi-territory deal Blahut and Hatton are both says Boat Rocker Rights is already collectors of vintage tech and seeing a lot of interest around the memorabilia. Hatton formerly “It’s great entertainment for As we continue to build our show. “We are in the fi nal stages co-hosted the syndicated video the viewer,” says Natalie Vinet, catalogue, this is a great of negotiating with a premium game series EP Daily and Blahut vice-president of global sales for broadcast television and cable example of factual content is a journalist and the editor of factual at Boat Rocker Rights, enter tainment service a multi- tech blog Retro Thing. which is distributing the show with wide appeal territory deal for the UK, the internationally. “We discover NATALIE VINET Scandi region, central and eastern unusual items. Some bring us a BOAT ROCKER RIGHTS Europe, Benelux and South Africa” DISTRIBUTOR little nostalgia, and then there is she says. “We hope to close more Boat Rocker Rights the transactional part of the show Media (which recently opened a deals in Europe, as well as deals in PRODUCER Crooked where we realise a profi t can be UK sales offi ce). Crooked Horse is Asia and the Pacifi c Rim.” Horse Productions turned out of these items.” focused on unscripted program- The series joins Discovery LENGTH 14 x 30 minutes The show is being produced by ming and counts among its credits Canada’s line-up of programming, BROADCASTER Crooked Horse Productions, a Canada’s Next Top Model, music which includes Deadliest Catch, Discovery (Canada) division of expanding Canadian show Cover Me Canada and the Highway Thru Hell and Alaskan content company Boat Rocker Giles Coren-fronted Million Dollar Bush People.

100 DAYS TO VICTORY speaks to modern viewers. The two-part series was two years Timed to coincide with the cente- in the making. nary of the end of World War I, Focusing on generals from fi ve 100 Days To Victory chronicles different countries makes the series the fi nal period of the confl ict by a natural project for inter national profi ling the fi ve Allied generals co-production. It was commis- who worked together to win the sioned by Corus Entertainment’s war: France’s Marshall Ferdinand History in Canada and Foxtel’s Foch, Britain’s Field Marshal The History Channel in Australia Douglas Haig, the US’s General and New Zealand, as well as BBC John J Pershing, Canada’s General Scotland, with production invest- Arthur Currie and Australia’s ment from Screen Australia in General John Monash. 100 Days To Victory: aiming for a association with Screenwest and wide audience, not just history fans Bristow Global Media president the Canada Media Fund (CMF). Julie Bristow says the idea for International sales are handled 100 Days To Victory sprung from 100 Days To Victory, which It’s an exciting, truly global by Bristow’s sister company Kew the company’s experience of pro- Bristow has produced alongside Media Distribution. Kew executive story which has worldwide ducing Canada: The Story Of Us, Australia’s Electric Pictures, also vice-president of sales and distri- which used personal stories to uses personal stories. Instead of resonance, and will appeal bution Jonathan Ford says the tell the nation’s history. focusing on battlefi elds, the series to diverse territories series has already sold to a number puts the spotlight on the minds JONATHAN FORD of key territories. “It’s an exciting, and motivations of the Allied KEW MEDIA DISTRIBUTION dramatic and truly global story DISTRIBUTOR Kew generals. It was, says Bristow, a that has worldwide resonance, and Media Distribution “fairly unique alliance”. Many of history fans, so it borrows heavily we think it will appeal to diverse PRODUCERS Bristow Global the generals were controversial from the world of fi lm to tell territories,” he says. Media; Electric Pictures fi gures but, starting at the Battle the story, using “superhero con- Ford predicts that 100 Days LENGTH 2 x 60 minutes of Amiens in 1918, they reversed structs” to frame the portrayal of To Victory will appeal to linear BROADCASTERS History the tide of the war. the generals. The use of CGI, such platforms for a fi rst run, timed (Canada); The History Channel Bristow says the production as a depiction of the Hindenburg as an event to coincide with the (Australia); BBC Scotland team wanted the series to be seen Line, is also a good way to bring centenary, followed by a second by a wide audience, not just niche history to life, she says, so that it run on OTT platforms.

64 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk HOT PICKS FACTUAL

WORLD’S MOST EXTRAORDINARY FAMILIES The families that producer Title Role has assembled for TCB Media Rights’ 6 x 60-minute series World’s Most Extraordinary Families are, as the title suggests, unconventional. Each episode features three families from around the world who live their lives in a totally different way to most people. One family live off grid in the Arctic Circle, another settled on an island they bought near the coast of Cambodia, while a Texas family share their home with a 2,000lb bison. One particularly eye- catching story follows a family with a transgender dad and daughter in the same household (mum has transitioned to dad, while the son is now a daughter). Beyond the stories themselves, however, it’s the tone of the series that makes it stand out. Many shows that focus on ‘extraordinary’ people end up poking fun at their subjects, says TCB Media Rights commissioning editor Hannah Demidowicz. Not so this series. “This doesn’t have the tone of some shock doc series in this space,” she adds. The show aims to reveal that the concept of family has never been more fl uid. But the one common characteristic the families have is that they are all happy and proud of their lives. Demidowicz describes World’s Most Extraordinary Fami- lies as warm, insightful and inspir- World’s Most Extraordinary Families: TCB is looking to sell to a wide range of territories ing. “It celebrates the diversity of the modern world and the modern family,” she adds. 50 hours of self-funded or co- Demidowicz has high hopes This ‘warmth’ was something The series celebrates funded projects and is aiming for the series in Cannes, noting TCB Rights was looking for right the diversity of the to double this over the next two that it has been produced with from the start. Unusually, the modern world and the years with producers around the broad appeal in mind, and not just distributor has commissioned modern family world. Manchester-based indie for a female-skewing audience. and fully funded the series itself, HANNAH DEMIDOWICZ Title Role has a track record of “We’ll be looking mainly at sales to without a broadcast partner, in the TCB MEDIA RIGHTS working with TCB – it makes bigger commercial channels and belief that it will be of interest to shows such as World’s Wildest their subsidiaries,” she says. the international market. Indeed, from Bristol-based production Weather and British Airways: 100 The UK, Australia, New Demidowicz was hired specifi cally company Spark TV. Years In The Sky, both of which Zealand, Scandinavia, Poland and to develop and greenlight new “We’re looking for ideas that are repped by the distributor. Benelux are cited as the territories shows for distribution. have international appeal and fi t The Title Role production team where it is likely to fi nd interest The series is one of a number what our clients are looking for – has travelled widely, including from buyers. of glossy and globally focused celebratory, positive series,” in the US and the UK, on what shows that TCB has greenlit over explains Demidowicz. She says Demidowicz calls a “fairly effi cient the past year, confi rming its status that by developing and funding budget” to make World’s Most DISTRIBUTOR as a ‘mini-commissioner’. Other its own content, TCB is both in Extraordinary Families, and will TCB Media Rights recent orders include World’s Most control of its own pipeline and be delivering the completed series PRODUCER Title Incredible Hotels, co-produced “totally invested in the quality by the end of the year. Some Role Productions by UK indies Blackball Media and success of our shows”. episodes will be fi nished in time LENGTH 6 x 60 minutes and Woodcut Media, and Wild In the past year, TCB Media for Mipcom and will be ready for BROADCASTER TBC Tube, a natural history series Rights has greenlit approximately screening at the market.

broadcastnow.co.uk 12 October 2018 Broadcast 65 HOT PICKS FACTUAL

RAY WINSTONE’S Ray Winstone’s World: Sicily: marks WORLD: SICILY the actor’s first foray into factual TV Ray Winstone’s World: Sicily is a travelogue that explores the island the Sexy Beast actor likes to call his second home. In the six-part series, Winstone travels the length and breadth of the island – accom- panied by his friends, restauran- teur Bruno Zoccola and sports broadcaster Matthew Lorenzo – taking in the history, food and culture of this corner of Italy in his own inimitable style. Banijay Rights funded the project without attaching a broadcaster first. It is a model that is gaining popularity among distributors and has been used previously by the London-based company – for example, with its First Look TV- produced factual crime series Inside The Mind Of A Serial Killer.

Celebrating Sicily Ray Winstone’s World: Sicily is being produced by SWR Media in association with Dash Pictures. However, Banijay Rights vice- president of acquisitions, sales and co-productions for North America Andreas Lemos says the idea came from Winstone himself: “He’s got a house in Sicily and knows the island really well, so I guess this has been gestating in his mind for a couple of years.” Lemos says Winstone and his friends wanted to celebrate the island, its history and the culture in a funny and accessible way. Describing the tone of the piece, he says: “This is not Simon Schama and never was it intended to be. Ray is very entertaining, but at the same time there’s a lot of take-out – it covers every- Banijay’s decision to fund the key pre-sale markets on which thing from Greek temples to World It covers everything from series allowed it to shoot during Banijay Rights is focusing. The War II landings, medieval torture Greek temples to World a gap in Winstone’s busy schedule show will be a key title for the chambers and ancient markets.” War II landings to medieval – something that may not have distributor at Mipcom. The show got off the ground torture chambers been possible if it had waited for Asked whether the show could when Winstone linked up with ANDREAS LEMOS broadcasters or other partners to become a returnable series, Lemos SWR earlier this year and his idea BANIJAY RIGHTS come on board first. says Banijay would be keen to was moulded into a TV project that Winstone has worked with collaborate further with Winstone. SWR founder Daniel Sharp took to Rights and found a home on Travel major directors such as Martin “We would love to do more with him Banijay Group’s sales arm. Channel and Discovery. Scorsese and Steven Spielberg as and SWR if the schedules allow,” he Lemos says that Banijay has been In turn, Sharp recognised well as acting alongside Jack says. “We know that the market’s keen to work with Sharp for some Banijay Rights’ experience in the Nicholson, Matt Damon and responded really well so far to the time, following the work he did on travelogue genre through shows Harrison Ford. His latest turn on show and to the premise.” Road Rivals, an SWR-produced like Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railway the big screen is in King Of Thieves, factual entertainment series that Journeys – a Whitworth Media and a true-crime film about a crew of paired Ewan McGregor’s Long Motion Content Group show for retired crooks who pull off a major DISTRIBUTOR Banijay Rights Way Round travel companion Russ Channel 5 in the UK that is now on heist in London’s jewellery district, PRODUCERS SWR Media in Malkin with Britain & Ireland’s its fourth series. “It was a perfect which was released in September. association with Dash Pictures Next Top Model judge Charley Speed marriage,” says Lemos. “We co- Winstone has a global profile, LENGTH 6 x 60 minutes on a series of travel adventures. developed it together a bit further which is perhaps biggest in the BROADCASTER TBC This was distributed by Cineflix and greenlit it pretty swiftly.” UK and US, and these are the

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Empires Of Silver: documentary was filmed in 4K in locations all over the world

new South American colonies. in universities across North and EMPIRES OF SILVER Without Chinese demand for vast The sheer amount of new South America, China and Europe. At first glance,Empires Of Silver quantities of silver, the vast Spanish discoveries and insights Matchlight and Ei China/Ei looks to be a straightforward Armada might never have sailed. that counter traditionally Asia approached TVF early on. history of the precious metal, but It also profiles one of the held Western views of The distributor has experience of it is much more than that. Filmed richest men in the world, a Chinese history is very exciting developing and distributing Asian in 4K, this is an impressive- merchant called Howqua, noting JULIAN CHOU-LAMBERT and Chinese-produced factual looking Chinese-funded series how the deals he struck – for silver, TVF INTERNATIONAL internationally and helped to made by Bafta and RTS-winning tea and opium – helped build ensure that the series would have UK indie Matchlight that reveals America, shaping the fortunes with the idea of developing and strong appeal around the world. how silver helped to shape the of prominent families like the co-producing documentary series TVF was also involved in shaping history of the world from the 16th Roosevelts. Today, China is once about China, its culture and the project, with Chou-Lambert century to the present day. again the world’s largest importer history, for the international acting as a script editor on the The series puts China, which of silver, fuelled by its solar panel market, using a mix of UK and series. “Working closely with the has often been overlooked by and electronic manufacturing boom. Chinese production talent. producers, we have been able to Western historians, at the heart of TVF International acquisitions Empires Of Silver was shot all over present an essentially Chinese per- the story, uncovering connections manager Julian Chou-Lambert the world, with locations and experts spective of world history combined between the Chinese, Spanish and says Empires Of Silver reconnects from Asia, the US, Russia, South with the strongest Western editorial British empires, as well as the US, China to its central role in the America, the UK and Europe. The values and independence,” he says. through silver. world’s economic history and production team filmed at altitude TVF represents the series for For example, the documentary shows how China’s need for silver in working Bolivian silver mines, in worldwide rights and has secured shows that the wealth that enabled has driven the rise and fall of the Tsar’s palace in St Petersburg and pre-sales with Foxtel in Australia the Spanish to launch the Armada fortunes and empires across across China, from the Forbidden and BBC Arabic in the Middle East of 1588 actually came from sales to the planet. “The sheer amount City to the solar-cell factories in and North Africa (MENA). Chou- China of raw silver, mined in Spain’s of new discoveries and insights China’s industrial heartland. Lambert says TVF also has offers that counter traditionally held on the table from channels and Western views of history is very Key challenges platforms in the Americas, as well DISTRIBUTOR exciting,” he adds. Key challenges during production as interest across Europe and Asia. TVF International Empires Of Silver is co-devel- included the reconstruction of “Given the scale and scope of PRODUCERS Matchlight; oped and co-produced by Match- costumes and sets that would stand this programme, and its universal Ei-China/Ei-Asia light and China-based arts and up to the gaze of 4K cameras, as appeal, we expect the series to sit LENGTH 3 x 60 minutes media business Ei-China/Ei Asia. well as working across a large span on major VoD platforms as well BROADCASTERS Foxtel Paul Dong, chief executive and of international locations. as linear – pay and free – in many (Australia); BBC Arabic (MENA) founder of Ei-China, had first Chou-Lambert says the series individual territories across the approached Matchlight in 2017 draws on the expertise of academics globe,” says Chou-Lambert.

68 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk

HOT PICKS FACTUAL

Inside The Foreign Office: Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson resigned halfway through filming of the doc

INSIDE THE confidential, making the FCO wary It’s not a PR job for the interested in something about FOREIGN OFFICE of opening up to the cameras. That Foreign Office, but it’s the inner workings of a British said, Waldman insists that the government department? not a hatchet job either. It took director Michael Waldman BBC retains full editorial control Passion Distribution head of 18 months of negotiations to win over the series. We examine how it all sales Nick Tanner says that while access to The Foreign and Com- Waldman has been filming over works without an agenda the documentary is about the monwealth Office (FCO) for this the past 12 months, a dramatic MICHAEL WALDMAN British Foreign Office, it’s really three-part documentary, which year in which Britain’s diplomats DIRECTOR about how countries pick up the airs on BBC2 later this year. have been grappling with the twists phone and talk to each other to Waldman has a raft of high- and turns of Donald Trump’s with an engaging, mischievous get things done. It’s about inter- profile access documentaries to presidency, the Skripal poisoning line of questioning. national diplomacy and how coun- his name, such as Our Queen and affair, crises in Syria and Myanmar Waldman describes the series as tries engage with the world, told Inside Dior. Notably, he won a and ongoing conflict in Ukraine. an authored doc that helps guide through the lens of the FCO. Bafta for his engrossing fly-on-the- To cap it all, Britain’s high-profile viewers through the workings of Tanner says the series taps into wall series The House. A portrayal foreign secretary Boris Johnson the FCO. “It’s certainly not a PR growing interest in the workings of a turbulent year in the life of the resigned mid-way through filming. job for the Foreign Office,” he says. of government, citing BBC2’s Royal Opera House, it didn’t make Waldman’s lean production team “But it is not a hatchet job either. acclaimed recent series American many of the organisation’s senior (just him and a cameraman) has We examine how it all works Justice. “There is a genuine appetite executives look good on camera. travelled the globe to make this film, without an agenda.” for this kind of documentary when It was partly for that reason that shooting not only in the Foreign However, the series is not only told in an ambitious way.” negotiations for this series were, in Office in London, but also during about high-level diplomacy – He says that such a “riveting, Waldman’s words, “extremely hard key sessions at the UN General there’s compelling human drama top-level and ambitious” series won”. But it was also because a lot Assembly in New York, as well as too. Inside The Foreign Officetakes will appeal to free-to-air broad- of the workings of the Britain’s at the British embassies in cities a close look at the work that casters, as well as SVoD platforms foreign ministry are (necessarily) such as Washington, Lagos, embassies do, profiling some of and big cable networks that want Ulaanbaatar, Kiev, Yangon (for- the staff who deal with the thou- premium, authored TV shows. merly Rangoon) and Baghdad. sands of Britons abroad who seek Waldman, meanwhile, points DISTRIBUTOR Waldman had incredible access their help for all sorts of reasons, out that another series about the Passion Distribution to ministers, including former such as fleeing a forced marriage workings of civil servants – the PRODUCER BBC Studios foreign secretary Johnson, top or winding up in a foreign jail. classic BBC sitcom Yes Minister – LENGTH 3 x 60 minutes civil servants and professional One obvious question about a sold all over the world. “You could BROADCASTER BBC2 (UK) diplomats, teasing out information series like this seeking international argue that this series is the real from smart and wary officials buyers is: why would they be version of the comedy,” he says.

70 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk

SURVIVAL OF of Africa and the important environmental message hooked THE SPECIES the team’s interest.” Amiable adventurer Ben Fogle Shot in 4K, the show makes the provides a route in to the complex, most of Africa’s wildlife and and often distressing, subject of diverse locations. One of the big humanity’s impact on wildlife in challenges of making it was time: this new documentary. In Survival given the huge size of the conti- Of The Species, which went into nent, it could often take three days production in August, Fogle and for the production crew to reach a a team of wildlife experts travel location, says Fuller-Campbell. across Africa learning about the DCD head of sales Rick Barker continent’s wildlife, meeting with says that what sets Survival Of poachers, anti-poaching volun- The Species apart is its sheer scale teers, hunters, conservationists in looking for solutions to the and black-market agents. Survival Of The Species: Ben Fogle will threats facing wildlife. explore African wildlife for the series Examining subjects such as Fogle, he adds, is known globally rhino horn poaching, trophy for his adventurous exploits and hunting and deforestation, Series creator and Oxyg3n co- has a strong identity with both male- Fogle also looks at some of the founder Rebecca Fuller-Campbell, I wanted to create a and female-skewing channels. The controversial methods used to who moved from the UK to Africa, series that started a key territories, he believes, will be preserve species. The series is says: “Through my exposure to conversation, without the UK, US, Canada, Europe and produced by South Africa-based Africa, it really became clear to me having an opinion Australasia. It will also appeal to Oxyg3n Media. that there are many dynamics to REBECCA FULLER-CAMPBELL 4K channels. wildlife and conservation. The OXYG3N MEDIA Barker says: “We see this as a human impact is always frowned natural cross-platform series that DISTRIBUTOR DCD Rights upon. I wanted to create a series Oxyg3n, through taking inter- will sit on both traditional linear PRODUCER Oxyg3n Media that started a conversation, without national rights. DCD factual television, with PSBs being inter- LENGTH 10 x 60 minutes having an opinion. Conservation is acquisitions manager Philippa ested due to its blue-chip quality, BROADCASTER Discovery nothing without a conversation.” Chuter says: “The mix of an expert and also appealing to SVoD plat- Channel (UK) It’s the first show that DCD popular host in Ben Fogle, the forms that look to showcase strong Rights has invested in from stunning and exotic backdrop personalities such as Ben.”

MY TRANS LIFE participants came out as transgender, and it quickly became clear There has been a huge rise in how difficult a decision it was – awareness of transgender issues and how little knowledge many in recent years, fuelled by media people had about the reality of life interest. Documentaries such as for transgender people. ITV’s Transformation Street and The idea was pitched to public BBC2’s Transgender Kids: Who broadcaster RTÉ, which commis- Knows Best? , and the casting of sioned an hour-long programme the first transgender role on soap in 2016 – rising to two hours Emmerdale, have further put a during the two-year production spotlight on the subject. period. “It’s been a massive com- My Trans Life is a notable addition mitment for the producers to see to the genre. Filmed over two years this through,” says Edwards. in Ireland, this access doc from My Trans Life: doc follows five young My Trans Life has since been people and was filmed over two years producers Zucca Films and That’s submitted to the Mipcom Diversity A Wrap TV offers an intimate Awards and has been nominated portrait of the lives of five young state intervention, making Ireland We’ll be targeting all in the doc category for the Prix transgender people. one of just five countries in the audiences. There is no Europa. Edwards says RTÉ It’s a pertinent story for Ireland: world with such legislation. specific place I think it would like to take the programme in July 2015, Irish citizens were RTÉ head of programme sales much further afield than English- won’t work given the right to change their Edel Edwards says that by focusing language territories, particularly to legal gender based on self-identifi- on the journeys of young people EDEL EDWARDS Asia and countries like Germany cation alone, without medical or to transition, the doc sheds a huge RTÉ and Scandinavia. light on the subject. In terms of audience, she says We meet, for example, Dubliner from Northern Ireland – who live My Trans Life may be about young DISTRIBUTOR RTÉ Television Nicky Manning, who was gendered together in north Dublin and would people, but it will be of interest PRODUCERS Zucca Films; female at birth and has recently like to start a family. to anyone who wants to know That’s A Wrap TV undergone a hysterectomy and a The doc’s origins go back to a more about the subject. “We’ll LENGTH 2 x 60 minutes double mastectomy. There’s also project about youth employment be targeting all audiences,” says BROADCASTER RTÉ (Ireland) a trans couple – Jamie O’Herlihy that the producers were making. Edwards. “There is no specific from Cork and Harry Matthews During production, one of the place I think it won’t work.”

72 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk HOT PICKS FACTUAL

Landmarks Live In Concert: Foo Fighters play at the Acropolis

LANDMARKS LIVE Prophets Of Rage at The Stone This is its own genre in Scorpion has already struck a Pony in New Jersey and Brad many ways. It’s not a number of deals for the series IN CONCERT Paisley at West Virginia University with airlines, including Emirates, straight music show, nor The Foo Fighters playing the complete the line-up. Alitalia, Air France and Qantas. Acropolis in Athens is just one of Broadcast on PBS at the a straight travel series Cornwall says he is also finalising the outlandish gigs that features end of 2017, Landmarks Live In DAVID CORNWALL deals with broadcasters in various in Landmarks Live In Concert. Concert is now being represented SCORPION TV territories – and not just specialist Elsewhere in this seven-part worldwide outside the US by music channels. series, Alicia Keys performs her independent UK distributor says Cornwall. He adds that it He reckons it will appeal across anthem Empire State Of Mind from Scorpion TV. The series is pro- is a difficult series to pigeonhole, the board, given the spread of the deck of a cruise ship in front of duced by US-based City Drive combining as it does travel, musicians and locations, with the Statue of Liberty, while Italian Group, which specialises in live- culture and music. Alicia Keys and Will.i.am drawing tenor Andrea Bocelli plays at the music specials, docs and event “This is its own genre in many in younger audiences, the Foo Florence’s iconic town hall, the programming. One of its recent ways. It’s not a straight music Fighters bringing in slightly older Palazzo Vecchio. credits is Intimissimi On Ice, a show, nor a straight travel series,” viewers and Andrea Bocelli attracting It’s all held together by Red Hot music and ice-skating event from he says. “It’s unique in that sense – more mature audiences. Chilli Peppers drummer Chad Verona’s Roman amphitheatre. we’ve not got anything like it in “The key thing is its uniqueness Smith, who accompanies the Scorpion founder and managing our catalogue, and I don’t think – it really does stand out in the musicians around each location, director David Cornwall says he anyone else has. And the fact market,” says Cornwall. teasing out personal stories had been tracking Landmarks that it is iconic bands playing from the artists as well as their Live In Concert since he first heard in stunning locations means it favourite haunts. about it, and approached City kind of sells itself.” DISTRIBUTOR Scorpion TV Will.i.am and The Black Eyed Drive Group about distributing A second series of Landmarks PRODUCER City Drive Group Peas at London’s Royal Albert the series. Live In Concert is now in the works LENGTH 7 x 60 minutes Hall, Kings Of Leon at the Beale “Our catalogue is alternative and the ambitions for the locations BROADCASTER PBS (US) Street Music Festival in Memphis, and commercial, which this is too,” are “huge”, says Cornwall.

broadcastnow.co.uk 12 October 2018 Broadcast 73 FOR 2019 MIP LISTINGS OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT: TALIA LEVINE 020 8102 0858 [email protected]

DRIVE WARSHIP: LIFE AT SEA MIPCOM BOOTH: P-1: D56 Running time 4 x 60 minutes Genre Factual Description This series documents the everyday life on board HMS Duncan, one of the most advanced warships of its kind, as

our cameras capture the most dramatic moments in the ship’s short history.

HEALTHY APPETITE Drive Somerset House, Strand, London Running time 8 x 30 minutes WC2R 1LA Genre Format Tel: +44 (0) 20 3701 7325 Description An exciting new cooking format [email protected] Queen of the World where two top chefs compete in a cook off drive-tv.co.uk as they are challenged to to re-create PROGRAMME LISTINGS healthier versions of their signature dishes. EXECUTIVES ATTENDING QUEEN OF THE WORLD MAFIA KILLERS Ben Barret Joint Managing Director Running time 2 x 60 minutes Lilla Hurst Joint Managing Director Genre Factual Running time 6 x 60 minutes Laura Masson Head of Sales Genre Factual Description An exclusive portrait of a year Lulu Prutton Acquisitions and Sales in the life of the Queen and the Royal Description Mafia busting detective Colin Executive Family as she celebrates 65 years as McLaren takes a close look at six notorious Sovereign over more that 2.4 billion American mobsters, revealing the inside commonwealth citizens. stories of their dramatic rise and fall.

FOX NETWORKS GROUP INTO THE OKAVANGO MIPCOM BOOTH: C.16.C Running time 1 x 120 minutes Genre Feature Documentary Description Into the Okavango chronicles a team of modern-day Free Solo explorers on an epic, four-month, 1,500-mile expedition to save the river PROGRAMME LISTINGS system that feeds the Okavango Delta. VALLEY OF THE BOOM THE FLOOD Running time 6 x 60 minutes Fox Networks Group Content Distribution Genre Drama Running time 2 x 60 minutes 10 Hammersmith Grove, London, W6 7AP Genre Blue-chip Natural History Description An adrenaline-fueled ride Tel: +44 (0)20 3426 7000 through the culture of speculation, Description A truly beautiful and [email protected] innovation and debauchery that led to the mesmerizing blue-chip mini-series, set in ficcontentsales.com rapid inflation and burst of the 1990s tech the heart of Southern Africa’s largest bubble – as well as the game-changing desert – and the miracle region that is EXECUTIVES ATTENDING arrival of Silicon Valley as the headquarters the Okavango Delta. Prentiss Fraser Executive Vice President & of modern technology. MD FREE SOLO MARS 2 Peter Grant Vice President, Global SVOD & Running time 1 x 120 minutes France/Germany/Benelux Running time 6 x 60 minutes Genre Feature Documentary Joanna Rowley Executive Director - UK, Genre Docudrama Description The film provides an Ireland, Nordics, Africa Description The acclaimed drama- intimate and unflinching portrait of Maria Grazia Ursino Executive Director - documentary hybrid from Ron Howard and professional rock climber Alex Honnold Italy, Spain & Portugal Brian Grazer returns. Set nine years after as he prepares to attempt the first ever Connie Hodson Vice President, Content & the original astronauts left Earth for Mars, free solo climb of the 3,200-foot, Corporate Communications Olympus Town is now a fully-fledged colony. vertical face of El Capitan.

74 Broadcast 12 October 2018 broadcastnow.co.uk MIPCOM LISTINGS

HAT TRICK INTERNATIONAL FANTASY HOMES BY THE SEA MIPCOM BOOTH: R7: F24 Running time 20 x 60 minutes Genre Factual Description Brand new series following house hunters as they head to the coast in search of their dream home. Flack CELEBRITY TRAWLERMEN: PROGRAMME LISTINGS ALL AT SEA FLACK Running time 4 x 60 minutes Running time 6 x 60 minutes Genre Factual Format Genre Drama Hat Trick International Description Three celebrities experience 33 Oval Road, London NW1 7EA Description Drama starring Academy the reality of one of the toughest and most Tel: +44 (0)20 7184 7777 Award winner Anna Paquin as a PR agent dangerous jobs in the world, on a North Sea whose job is to fix other people’s lives trawler in the peak of winter. [email protected] even though she can’t fix her own. hattrickinternational.com SUPERMARKET LAST CHANCE LAWYER NEW YORK CITY SECRETS REVEALED EXECUTIVES ATTENDING Running time 4 x 60 minutes Running time 3 x 60 minutes Sarah Tong Director of Sales Genre Factual Genre Factual Sarah Bickley Senior Sales Executive Elfyn Morris Senior Sales Executive Description Obdoc series following one of Description This investigative consumer Cassandra Toller Sales Executive New York’s most infamous, outlandish and series uncovers exactly what we’re feeding James Mill Sales and Marketing Executive feared criminal defence attorneys where our families and whether it’s as good for our winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing. health as it is for our wallets.

PASSION DISTRIBUTION POSTCODE PLAYDATES MIPCOM BOOTH: P4.C18 Running time 3 x 60 minutes Genre Factual Entertainment Description Families with children from the same neighbourhood but across social divides, open their doors to their neighbours’ offspring for a playdate for the very first time. Passion Distribution Ltd No.1. Smiths Square, 77-85 Fulham Inside the Foreign Office DR CHRISTIAN: Palace Road, Hammersmith, 12 HOURS TO CURE YOUR STREET London, W6 8JA PROGRAMME LISTINGS Running time 6 x 60 minutes INSIDE THE FOREIGN OFFICE Tel: +44 (0)207 199 9801 Genre Factual Entertainment Running time 3 x 60 minutes www.passiondistribution.com Description Dr Christian: 12 Hours To Cure Genre Documentary Series EXECUTIVES ATTENDING Your Street follows Dr Christian as he travels across the country in a mobile clinic to treat Emmanuelle Namiech CEO Description Insight into a crucial 12 individuals in their hometowns. Nick Rees Managing Director months for the British Foreign Office Nick Tanner Director of Sales and as it responds to a fast changing, unpredictable world. MACHINERY OF WAR Co-productions Running time 6 x 60 minutes Sean Wheatley Head of Acquisitions EMMA WILLIS: DELIVERING BABIES Nikki Andrews Senior Sales Manager Genre Documentary Series Running time 6 x 60 minutes Description Series which uses archive Genre Factual Entertainment and contemporary footage, expert Description The series follows television interviews and detailed animation to presenter Emma Willis as she trains for explore landmark developments in three months on a busy maternity ward weaponry and military technology over as a Maternity Care Assistant. the past 150 years.

broadcastnow.co.uk 12 October 2018 Broadcast 75