©sepavo/123RF.COM I N T E R N A T I O N A L www.V i deoAge.org My 2¢: Broadcast Series Valuable to Streamers if... Page 3 Indies’ Content Highlights and Contacts Page 10 New U.S. TV Primetime Series Page 18 Hollywood Studios’ Executive Sales Teams Page 24 THE BUSINESS JOURNAL OF FILM, BROADCASTING, STREAMING, PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION May 2022 - VOL. 42 No. 3 - $9.75 L.A. SCREENINGS 2022
3 May 2022 My 2¢ Broadcast TV shows pulled out of the international market did not bring in new subscribers. In my opinion, it doesn’t pay for U.S. studios to weaken their broadcast operations with fewer quality programs for several reasons. First of all, a well-watched broadcast network helps the studios’ ownstreamingplatformswithpromotion. In a sea of streaming options, keeping the brand in front of consumers is a great marketing tool. This is because soliciting new subscribers using a promotion within their SVoD platforms is like preaching to the choir. The second reason is that, by keeping their broadcast divisions relevant, the studios have more of a chance to develop hits that could later be successfully carried on their streaming services once they achieve bingeing status (at least 20 episodes). The third reason is that offering some financial stability to the creative community by way of residuals could yield big rewards. This concept is something that was lost with the advent of streaming media’s flat fee productions. The fourth reason has to do with not losing the large revenues from international sales, which, until recently, amounted to over $3 billion per studio. In the excitement over the introduction of various streaming platforms, the studios lost track of the riches derived from international sales, in order to make sure that Wall Street investors were enthusiastic about the launches of the streaming services with an abundance of content and predictions of huge profits in the future. Indeed, it took just twoyears torealizethat streaming platforms would not be making profits anytime soon, and that losing revenue from international sales was going to hurt the bottom line. The most interesting aspect of this losing studio proposition was that the new U.S. broadcast TV shows — pulled out of the international market to feed the studios’ international streaming services — did not bring in new subscribers since the new series were untested and unknown. On the other hand, welltested, branded, and popular broadcast TV series like Friends were used to lure subscribers first by Netflix, and then HBO. Produced by Warner Bros., the first of 236 episodes of Friends debuted on the NBC TV Network in 1994. In 2015, Netflix acquired their streaming rights for $100 million. Upon renewal, Warner Bros. — then WarnerMedia — outbid Netflix to secure the series for its HBO for $500 million. It is highly doubtful that, without the NBC broadcast and the subsequent popularity of the program in the international market, now-iconic comedy series Friends could have become so valuable to streaming services. Finally, streaming broadcast (or cable) content that has been previously licensed internationally will help determine its value to advertisers, now that most streamers are adding ad-supported services for lower SVoD subscription fees. Dom Serafini To make new U.S. broadcast TV series valuable to streaming services, it would be wise for the studios to fully license them internationally first, instead of immediately folding them into their international subscription services. MAIN OFFICES 216 EAST 75TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10021 TEL: (212) 288-3933 WWW.VIDEOAGEINTERNATIONAL.COM WWW.VIDEOAGELATINO.COM P.O. BOX 25282 LOS ANGELES, CA 90025 VIALE ABRUZZI 30 20131 MILAN, ITALY EDITOR-in-CHIEF DOM SERAFINI EDITORIAL TEAM ISME BENNIE (CANADA) BILL BRIOUX (CANADA) ENZO CHIARULLO (ITALY) LEAH HOCHBAUM ROSNER (NY) SUSAN HORNIK (L.A.) CAROLINE INTERTAGLIA (FRANCE) OMAR MENDEZ (ARGENTINA) LUIS POLANCO (NY) MIKE REYNOLDS (L.A.) PUBLISHER MONICA GORGHETTO BUSINESS OFFICE LEN FINKEL LEGAL OFFICE STEVE SCHIFFMAN WEB MANAGER BRUNO MARRACINO DESIGN/LAYOUT CLAUDIO MATTIONI, CARMINE RASPAOLO “Do you have a pill that will curb his streaming program searching?”
4 World May 2022 the Upfronts, where the new TV season was presented to advertisers on May 16-19. The current number of exhibitors at the Century Plaza is 67 percent of the number that exhibited during the last in-person L.A. Screenings in May of 2019, but the number is expected to rise to 70 percent by the start of the event. Among the indie exhibitors at the Century Plaza are Calinos, Inter Medya, and MISTCO from Turkey; Telefilms and Ledafilms from Argentina; and Televisa and TV Azteca from Mexico. From Colombia, RCN is participating. From Peru, Tondero. And from Brazil, Record TV, Sato, and TV Globo are there. With regard to the studios, NBCUniversal, MGM, Lionsgate, Warner Bros., and Disney will each have a presence at the Century Plaza. All in all, these exhibitors will represent 15 countries. The Century Plaza, located in the Century City area of West L.A., was the original venue of the L.A. Screenings (then called the May Screenings), when it started in 1963, but for the last four years of the event (prior to 2020), it was held at the nearby InterContinental Hotel, which is currently closed. To organize the hotel accommodations of the indie portion of the event, Miami, Florida-based Isabella Marquez (pictured below) once again teamed up with NATPE, and together they will be making name badges available at $35 a pop for distributors (free for buyers). Before NATPE came onboard, Marquez negotiated special rates with the Fairmont Century Plaza. The lowest hotel nightly rates were in the order of $750, but Marquez managed to bring that down to $375, which is close to the rate charged at the InterContinental the last time the indies were in attendance, at the 2019 edition, prior to the pandemic. So far, over 45 exhibiting companies — some with multiple suites — have confirmed that they will be setting up shop at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel for the indie portion of the L.A. Screenings, taking place on May 18, 19, and 20. In addition, 13 distribution companies have reserved a meeting table (and some have reserved multiple tables) which will be located one floor below the lobby. The exhibitor suites are located throughout the nine floors of the hotel (from the 3rd floor to the 11th). The indie portion will be followed by the studio screenings, which will be held on their respective lots, and will run through May 25, closing with Paramount Global and Sony Pictures. Their LATAM screenings are scheduled on May 21 for Paramount, May 22 for NBCUni, May 23 for WarnerMedia, and May 24 for Sony. Disney will have a suite at the Century Plaza, and it will be screening in its suite on May 25 only. Prior to the L.A. Screenings, the U.S. TV sector was in New York City for L.A. Screenings Are Back: Studios, Indies, Buyers @all3media_int all3mediainternational.com Compelling dramas, stand-out formats AVAILABLE AS FINISHED AND FORMAT CAN YOU OU T S I NG AND OU T SMAR T YOUR R I VAL S ? F R O M T H E P R O D U C E R S O F T H E M I S S I N G A N D L I A R TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH, HE MUST FIRST DISCOVER WHO HE IS... J14773_VIDEO_AGE_185x230mm_JUNIOR_PAGE_LA_SCREENINGS_RIGHT_SIDE_AD_COMBO_AW.indd 1 06/05/2022 15:03
8 Book Review May 2022 Where does one begin in the Marvel Universe? Before the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the release of Iron Man, and before The Walt Disney Company bought Marvel in 2009, there was Marvel Comics. While Marvel as a publishing name was established in 1939, the beginning of the Marvel superhero era started in 1961 with the first issue of The Fantastic Four created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. Since then, the world of Marvel Comics has entertained with thousands of comics and a plethora of superheroes and villains. Author Douglas Wolk has written an encyclopedic tome to invite newly initiated admirers and welcome back devoted connoisseurs to underrecognized storylines within Marvel Comics. All of the Marvels: A Journey to the Ends of the Biggest Story Ever Told (384 pgs., Penguin Press, 2021, U.S. $28) is organized as a travel guide, offering the inspired reader with different starting points and storylines to stop by for their own adventure through more than 27,000 comic books that form the expansive Marvel story. As Wolk mentions, he read “all 540,000-plus pages of the story published to date,” and while he wouldn’t suggest that everyone else do the same, the experience has given him the expertise to serve as a responsible coach. Wolk previously wrote Reading Comics, a primer to the genre of graphic novels. In addition to writing about music and pop culture for a variety of publications, including The New York Times and Rolling Stone, he is the host of “Voice of Latveria,” a podcast about Doctor Doom, the supervillain within The Fantastic Four. All of the Marvels continues Wolk’s work as a tour guide and comics buff. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has done a lot of work to entice younger viewers with characters such as the Avengers and Black Panther, the obvious next step is to turn to the library of Marvel comic books. For Wolk, his enthusiasm for Marvel has less to do with the corporation and the cinematic universe behind it today than the stories, their characters, and ideas, that came out of the decades of comics. As he remarks in his conclusion, “A story can never leave you; a corporation can never love you back.” Marvel Comics created, as Wolk mentions, one of the longest-running stories, which can be comparedtoancient epicsandmythologies. Series and storylines of different superheroes often overlap with one another, so that superheroes from one series will make appearances in another, and vice versa, and artists and creators will dip backward and forward in time to follow up on a storyline that was introduced generations ago. In this way, the Marvel Universe offers an avenue for amusement and fantasy to its readers, but also expresses the time of its making. One of Wolk’s interesting assertions is how Marvel Comics became a container for public feeling and national sentiment. “Marvel’s comics are always products and reflections of the moments in which they were made; reading them, you can see how those moments’ politics and aesthetics and hopes for the future turned into little paper artifacts that carry episodes of a gigantic, continuous story,” he writes. “They also reflect the work of particular creators (and their collaborations) over time, and the evolution of the business and technology of comics.” After some introductory chapters on how to read his book, Wolk begins by looking at The Fantastic Four, the comic series of the superhero team that was made up of Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing. As with every comic series he points out, Wolk offers elucidating information on the artists and creators, as well as recaps of plot developments from each issue he highlights. Wolk covers many little-known gems within the Marvel Universe. One such series was Master of Kung Fu, a series about the martial arts superhero Shang-Chi who was created by Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin. While many enjoyed it for its storyline, the series was also problematic for its depiction of Asian characters. The series had a letter column in which discerning fans would respond with their critiques. Different substories and plots within theMarvel world spoke to various people and communities. Wolk mentions how “X-Men was the bestselling American comic book series” from 1978 to 1987. Theseries’ successhingedonthemutantmetaphor central to its premise of ordinary individuals who became outcasts due to their own idiosyncrasies. It was this representation of otherness that spoke to the oppression and marginalization of people around the world, and for this reason the series had a strong LGBTQ readership. Of the many series in the Marvel Universe, the X-Men series was intentionally inclusive of different races, cultures, and sexualities. In addition to chapters on specific storylines or sets of characters, All of the Marvels includes brief interludes on related subjects. Wolk covers the relationship between Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and Stan Lee — the three significant figures to the Marvel Comics origins story, who at times had a disharmonious connection to one another, especially when Lee became a sort of figurehead for the enterprise. Another interlude looks at how cultural attitudes towards the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War could be seen in the development of the comics. Over the decades, there was a shift in Marvel creators and audiences, the latter of whom were often college students sympathetic toward anti-war efforts, reflecting the change in cultural and political attitudes. Wolk highlights two more recent series for how they change the idea of who superheroes are and what do they do. Squirrel Girl and the contemporary Ms. Marvel are both young women who represent the diversity of their readership, with Squirrel Girl as the daughter of Pakistani immigrants and Ms. Marvel supported by characters of color. Their ideologies and values also match those of young people today. Wolk writes, “Now they care about social injustice, and systemic oppression and corruption, and having their voices ignored and their identities erased.” One of Wolk’s takeaways from reading the entirety of Marvel Comics is the comics’ ability to connect with readers across generations and cultures. “That sense of shared experience, of seeing dozens of historical threads and dozens of creators’ separate contributions being woven together, is a particular joy of following the Marvel Universe,” Wolk notes. All of the Marvels encourages readers to dip into the richness and creativity on offer. Pop culture author Douglas Wolk offers a deep dive into the awe and wonder of Marvel Comics for freshly acquainted fans and superhero junkies. Time-Traveling Across Marvel Comics: A Guidebook to Their Stories and Heroes By Luis Polanco
May 2022 L.A. Screenings 2022 ALL3MEDIA INTERNATIONAL Fashion House (documentary) This anthology series reveals the stories behind three of the greatest fashion houses of all time — Gucci, Versace, and Burberry — from their rise to fame to the clothes they designed. Witness Number 3 (thriller) Jodie is ‘Witness No. 3.’ After witnessing a killer and his victim moments before the murder, and providing evidence to the police, she is exposed to an intimidation campaign for her silence. Close To Me (drama, thriller) Jo seems to have it all, but after an accident, she forgets the last year. She must play detective in her own life to piece together what happened. Gordon Ramsay Future Food Stars (factual entertainment) (pictured) Chef Gordon Ramsay is on the hunt for the most exciting food and drink entrepreneurs and is prepared to back the winner with a life-changing investment. Rise of the Billionaires (unscripted) Tells the story of the rise of big tech and the young upstarts who created the modern world. Using unseen archival material and interviews, this series will explain how tech took over the world. Fairmont Century Plaza Table #6 www.all3mediainternational.com AMERICAN CINEMA INTERNATIONAL Plus One at an Amish Wedding (romance) (pictured) At their six-month anniversary dinner, Jesse surprises April with a trip to Paris! Plans change when Jesse is invited to his brother’s wedding. A Royal Surprise (romance) When Riley Stevenson visits her boyfriend Madla’s family in South Africa, she learns that he is extremely wealthy and also the prince of Chacula! Finding Love in San Antonio (romance) In San Antonio, TV chef Adela must restore her reputation after an interviewwith a local food writer. That unlikely relationship will help her decide if she wants to stay or take an offer in Europe. Finding Love in Big Sky (romance) Paisley takes on the task of upholding her grandfather’s ranch. After being denied funding to refurbish the ranch, she agrees to work with her ex-boyfriend to brainstorm ways to raise money. Address: 15363 Victory Blvd. Van Nuys, CA 91406 Tel: 818-907-8700 www.aci-americancinema.com ATV Your Honor (drama) Judge Ömer Arif Derman tries to protect his son, who gets involved in an accident that kills someone. The war he enters results in sacrifice, not only for himself but loved ones, too. Hidden Wings (drama) High school teacher Elif Türkkan takes Zeynep under her wing, and in doing so enters a war with the wealthy Baykara family. Elif struggles so that her students might find a brighter future. Lone Wolf (drama) Altay, who earns his living by fighting in cages, helps Esra reunite with her daughter. As soon as Altay takes a step to help Esra, he embarks on a new journey into his own past. Destan (drama) (pictured) Akkız and Batuga cross paths with two lies that could cost them their lives. Batuga, the hidden Khan of the Turks, will write an epic legend with Akkız, by proving what they can do together. For My Family (drama) Kadir and his three younger siblings face the sudden death of their parents. Akif, who is responsible for that unfortunate event, finds a job for Kadir and lets his siblings into a private school. Fairmont Century Plaza Suite #1029 www.atvdistribution.com CALINOS ENTERTAINMENT Lawless Love (drama) (pictured) It’s 1940 in Zonguldak, where everybody in town makes a living at Malik’s coal mine. The relationship between the protagonist, Davut, and Malik’s daughter, Gulfem, begins with hate, but it eventually turns into something else. Yesilcam (romance) After losing his production company, Semih Ates has two goals: to make a blockbuster movie without losing his new company, and to win back his unforgettable ex-wife, famous actress Mine Cansu. Deeply (drama, romance) Deniz and Barıs’s unbridled love spans 10 years. Their love story is sometimes sunny, sometimes stormy, sometimes possible, often impossible. Adela (drama) Sisters Adela and Andreea were raised by their parents, Nuti and Mitu, in a slum near Bucharest. One day, Adela’s biological grandfather decides to repair his past mistakes. In doing so, Adela’s secret identity will be revealed. Forbidden Fruit (drama, romance) Yıldız and Zeynep are two sisters whose lives will take an unexpected turn when Istanbul socialite Ender asks Yildiz to seduce her husband Halit so that she can get a divorce without losing her position in high society. Fairmont Century Plaza Suite #856 www.calinosentertainment.com CONDISTA INTERNATIONAL Condista is the leading provider of top-rated TV networks and VOD content in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., Condista offers the best Spanish-language TV channels from Latin America and Europe, as well as leading Italian channels. Condista represents more than 35 Spanishlanguage TV channels from countries including Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Argentina, Spain, and Colombia, reaching nearly every U.S. Hispanic household regardless of country of origin. In Latin America, Condista represents linear TV channels and offers a robust selection of video-on-demand content, appealing to the multiple segments of the Spanish-language audience. In addition, Condista also provides support to the channels it distributes, as well as satellite and cable operators. The Condista team has been working with Spanish-language television networks since they first entered the market, and is led by a group of professionals whose combined experience surpasses 100 years. Address: 2105 NW 102 Avenue, 3rd Floor Miami, Florida 33172 Tel: 305-588-9567 www.condista.com ELECTRIC ENTERTAINMENT Leverage: Redemption Seasons 1 and 2 (action, crime) The Hitter, the Hacker, the Grifter, and the Thief are together again, this time with help from a new tech genius and corporate fixer, to take on a new kind of villain. The Ark (drama, sci-fi) (pictured) The spacecraft “Ark One” and its remaining crew members try to survive after a catastrophic event causes massive destruction to the ship during its mission to save humankind. Almost Paradise Seasons 1 and 2 (action, crime) A U.S. DEA agent retires to a tranquil beach in the Philippines. Against doctor’s orders, he uses his skills as a long-time operative to put criminals away. The Outpost Seasons 1, 2, 3, and 4 (fantasy, adventure) Talon avenges the destruction of her village. On her journey, she discovers she has supernatural powers she must learn to control to defend the Outpost. The Deal (drama, sci-fi, thriller) Amother fights to save the life of her ailing daughter after an unprecedented pandemic ravages the planet. Fairmont Century Plaza Suite #556 www.electricentertainment.com FILMRISE Dr. G: Medical Examiner (unscripted, medical series) Renowned coroner Dr. Jan Garavaglia provides explanations and theories for mysterious causes of death that don’t make sense from the outside. Iron Chef (unscripted, cooking competition series) With an almost limitless supply of exotic gourmet ingredients, the competition introduces a “secret ingredient” that the challenger and the chosen Iron Chef must incorporate into every dish. The Dick Van Dyke Show (classic TV, comedy series) Classic TV series centered around the work and home life of comedy writer Rob Petrie, played by Dick Van Dyke. Also stars Mary Tyler Moore. Highway to Heaven (faith drama series) A probationary angel (Michael Landon) is sent back to Earth and teams up with an ex-cop to help people. PrestonPlayz (unscripted, reality series) (pictured) Popular YouTuber and gamer Preston Arsement tackles unimaginable video game challenges and fights high-stakes battles in Minecraft. Fairmont Century Plaza Table #5 www.filmrise.com Indie Programming Guide 10 (Continued on Page 12)
May 2022 L.A. Screenings 2022 Ultimate Love (telenovela) Everyone would like to experience a love story capable of overcoming any prejudice or obstacle imaginable. It’s this intense love that provides a background for this contemporary telenovela. Jesus (Biblical telenovela) Tells a fascinating story about the trajectory of the man who changed humanity. The telenovela shares little-known passages and deepens the stories of the people who were touched by the words of Jesus. Fairmont Century Plaza Suite #656 www.recordtvnetwork.com TELEFILMS CODA (drama) (pictured) Teenage Ruby is a CODA, a child of deaf adults. When she joins choir club, she discovers a gift for singing and finds herself torn between her family obligations and pursuing her dreams. 355 (action, thriller) When a top-secret weapon falls into mercenary hands, five women band together on a lethal, breakneck mission to retrieve it. Moonfall (action, adventure) A mysterious force knocks into the Moon and sends it on a collision course with Earth. NASA executive and former astronaut Jo Fowler believes she has the key to saving us all. Dog (animation) Army Ranger Briggs and Lulu, a BelgianMalinois, race down the Pacific Coast in hopes of making it to a fellow soldier’s funeral. Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (action, comedy) Super spy Orson Fortune must track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology wielded by a billionaire arms broker. Fortune and his crew recruit Hollywood’s biggest movie star to help save the world. Fairmont Century Plaza Suite #954 www.telefilms.com.ar TONDERO DISTRIBUTION Luz de Luna (telenovela, musical drama) Tells the story of the great love between a father, León, and a daughter, Luz, who were separated by life but united by music. Maricucha (telenovela, family comedy) (pictured) Maricucha, a talented cook, starts to work for the wealthy Corbacho family at Don Antonio’s mansion. She will support the entire family and, along the way, fall in love with the handsome grandson. Junta de vecinos (telenovela, family comedy) This comedycelebrates friendship, ambition, creativity, Peruvian ingenuity, and the importance of family. Medias hermanas (comedy) Victoria, divorced and in debt, must sell her father’s beach house. But the property is also owned by her half-sister, Marita. Cosas de amigos (comedy) Raúl, Eduardo and Santiago have been friends since childhood. When Santi confesses that he is gay, Raúl can’t stand the idea. But, Raúl puts aside his prejudices to support his friend. Fairmont Century Plaza Suite #732 www.tonderodistribution.com of India. They must navigate these formative years against the backdrop of college politics, exams, romance, and friendship. Swimming With Sharks (drama) (pictured) When LouSimms starts her internship at Fountain Pictures, she seems like a newcomer awestruck by CEO Joyce Holt. In truth, Lou has done extensive research on Joyce and will do anything to get close to her idol. Becoming Elizabeth (drama) The death of her father, King Henry VIII, sets into motion a scramble for power and young Elizabeth Tudor will struggle to control her own destiny. Gaslit (drama) This modern take on Watergate looks at untold stories and forgotten characters of the infamous scandal, including Nixon’s bumbling subordinates and the tragic whistleblowers who would eventually bring the whole enterprise crashing down. Address: 2700 Colorado Ave. Santa Monica CA, 90404 Tel: 310-449-9200 www.lionsgate.com MULTICOM ENTERTAINMENT GROUP TheArchive (channel) TheArchive is dedicated to rare, retro, and 4K restored films and classic TV. Available on both linear and VOD on any device worldwide. TheGrapevine (channel) TheGrapevine channel features topics from food to travel, politics to religion, pop culture to current events. Container Masters (reality TV movie) Repurposed shipping containers are turned into beautiful homes and unique building projects. Container Master Jim Russell brings clients’ unique shipping container dreams to life. But I’m a Cheerleader (romance, comedy) A naive teenager is sent to rehab camp when her straitlaced parents and friends suspect her of being a lesbian. Stars Natasha Lyonne, Michelle Williams, Clea DuVall, and Melanie Lynskey. One Day in September (documentary) This Academy Award-winning doc looks at the 1972 Munich Olympics, which became the Olympics of terror when a terrorist group called Black September held 11 Israeli athletes hostage. Address: 10801 National Blvd., Suite 603 Los Angeles, CA 90064 Tel: 310-693-8818 www.multicom.tv / www.TheArchive.tv RECORD TV Genesis (Biblical telenovela) This story of the first 2,300 years of humanity begins by giving a greater understanding of why we exist and how we turned from perfection to imperfection. Kings (Biblical telenovela) (pictured) Tells the story of Israel, from when the prophet Samuel led God’s people up to the fall of Jerusalem caused by the armies of Babylon. Moses and the Ten Commandments (Biblical telenovela) The telenovela depicts the life of Moses from his birth until his death, highlighting his encounter with God on Mount Sinai, the plagues thrown over Egypt, and more. GLOBAL AGENCY The Game of Destiny (drama) Asiye’s world is turned upside down by a chain of fateful events through which she must battle to rebuild a family shattered by violence, abandonment, and emotional turmoil. Redemption (drama) (pictured) Zeynep’s life is destroyed by her daughter’s kidnapping, but aided by the detective Sinan she launches a tumultuous search that profoundly transforms her and all those involved. When A Man Loves (dramedy) Tells the enthralling love story of the beautiful Zeynep and charismatic businessman Kenan, and the rivals who threaten to doom their romance with a web of deception and lies. Good Singers (singing entertainment show) Talented and untalented singers try to impress celebrities without actually singing in the first place! Two teams compete in this new musical contest and must use all their powers of perception to succeed. Beat Me If You Can (singing game show) The primetime show combines singing talent format and game show elements. Each week, 10 contestants get a spotlight in the show, with a jury of two celebrity singers. Fairmont Century Plaza Suite #832 www.theglobalagency.tv KANAL D INTERNATIONAL Three Sisters (premium drama) (pictured) Sisters Türkan, Dönüs, and Derya dreamed of a promising future. After spending years with their fairy tale family, each will face the harsh facts of real life. Hekimoglu (medical drama) With his team of three young doctors, Ates Hekimoglu does whatever it takes to solve the most puzzling cases. This is the local version of the hit U.S. scripted series House M.D. Ruthless City (premium drama) Two families are tested with “sin” after an indecent deal. The first season shows the duality of good and evil within each person, and the second season reveals the characters’ evil sides. Twist of Fate (romantic comedy) Ada tries to maintain her marriage with Rüzgar to avoid being “happily n’ever after.” She starts working with a handsome boss, who is closed off to love, but Cupid ends up hitting them both! Recipe of Love (romantic comedy) Kebab restaurant chef Fırat’s life changes with coaching from TV’s Doctor Love. His journey takes him to a French restaurant where he meets Naz Soyluer. Can Fırat find the recipe for love? Address: 100. Yıl Mah. 2264. Sk. Demioren Medya Center Apt. No:1/21 34218 Bagcilar, Istanbul, Turkey Tel: 90 212 413 51 11 www.kanald.international LIONSGATE Leopard Skin (drama) After a botched jewelry heist, a criminal gang is forced to hide out in a remote beachside estate, where two intriguing women live. Dark and humorous complications arise when they are joined by dinner guests. Jugaadistan (dramedy) A group of university students encounter one of the most corrupt academic scams to hit the North 12 (Continued from Page 10)
AMERICAN CINEMA / AMERICAN CINEMA INSPIRES – LA SCREENINGS 2022 To schedule a meeting, please contact George Shamieh at george@aci-americancinema.com I Cole Gaffney at cole@aci-americancinema.com
14 May 2022 MIPTV 2022 Review MIPTV 2022 kicked off on Monday, April 4, under sunny skies — although frigid temperatures (which continued for all three days of the market) made things colder than usual — with film/TV executives eager and happy to get back to doing business face-toface. All executives that VideoAge met with on the first day said that they had a full schedule of appointments. Several distributors opted for attending without a stand this year and were present only as participants, but said that they plan to return to MIPCOM in October on a full scale. Many buyers made a final decision to attend just a few days before MIPTV started. Indeed, while the official number of registered buyers was just 780 right before the start of the market, the number “swelled” to some 1,200 before all was said and done. This resulted in Riviera aisles that were abuzz with activity, and packed meeting places like the buyers’ and Lerins lounges. If there were any complaints, they had to do with the large number of construction sites all around the Croisette and Palais area. On the conference side, this year, all MIPTV events were labeled under one of three sections: “Inspiration,” “Discovery,” or “Connection.” Day one featured seven seminars, including a wellattended keynote in the morning on “Audience Driven Franchises” with Candle Media’s Kevin Mayer (who was featured in a front cover story in the December 2021 issue of VideoAge) and Moonbug’s Rene Rechtman. The day concluded with a pre-opening party, followed by the MIPTV Opening Party, in partnership with TV5 Monde, at Riviera 8. Day one of the market started late for some U.K. participants due to airline cancellations on Sunday. Massive airline cancellations on Saturday were also registered in the U.S. as severe weather in Florida caused a national and international chain reaction that delayed many a flight. Day two saw four showcases (including a panel in the afternoon with Ukrainian media representatives), two screenings, one pitch, and one summit on formats. A group of media companies fromUkraine were at MIPTV with a stand despite the devastating Russian invasion. Kateryna Udut of Ukraine’s Media Resources Management explained that for them business has never stopped and, although different logistics are necessary, the Ukrainian content business is alive. Most Ukrainian executives are now working from other European countries or, like Udut, are based in the relatively safer western part of their country. The aforementioned stand grouped four Ukrainian media companies together under one umbrella — 1+1 Media, Starlight Media, UK TV Channel, and Film.ua. The group was seeking to keep and strengthen projects on the global content industry map and to showcase their catalog of titles. Day two of MIPTV continued to be busy for all participants contacted by VideoAge, and exhibitors, whoweremostly housed in the Riviera section of the Palais, met with their clients in modular stands that were actually quite similar to those used pre-pandemic. Positive reports also came from buyers in attendance. “I have a full schedule,” said Max Einhorn, SVP, Acquisitions and Co-Productions, for FilmRise, who was in Cannes looking for, among other rights, unscripted TV content rights (pictured below with the FilmRise MIPTV team). Televisa Internacional’s Mario Castro registered productive meetings with clients from Africa and Eastern Europe, and said he was looking forward to the return of Asian buyers, who were still absent at MIPTV due to COVID travel restrictions. VideoAge also spoke with Ron Thomson, CEO of Canada’s Liquid Media, who was promoting the company’s own blockchain initiatives for independent producers. NFTs (or Non Fungible Tokens) and their impact on television was the topic of a well-attended conference held in the morning with Blockchain Creative Lab’s Scott Greenberg and creative consultant Danielle Lauren. The MIPTV floor was not only busy with buying and selling activities, but also with many recreational and networking events. Earlier on Tuesday several of such events were held in the Palais: The Producers Networking breakfast, the MIPDoc Co-Production Summit, and the Exports Networking lunch. Outside the Palais, Tokyo Broadcasting System hosted a breakfast event at the Majestic Hotel to launch two of its formats that were presented at MIP. On the afternoon of Day two, Spanish wine and tapas were offered at the Audiovisual From Spain pavilion, and champagne flowed (as usual) at the Unifrance pavilion, now housed for two consecutive markets (MIPCOM 2021 and MIPTV 2022) where the CBS Global Distribution stand used to be. Outside the Palais, Cineflix hosted a cocktail party on a rooftop terrace. The last day of the 59th edition of MIPTV saw busy exhibitors take their last round of meetings while packing up their stands. The general consensus was that expectations were fully met and that everyone will be back on a larger scale at MIPCOM, which is scheduled for October 1720, 2022. A Time Report on the First In-Person Post-Pandemic Cannes TV Market Kanal D International’s Gamze Utma, Ekin Koyuncu Karaman, Selim Türkmen, Burcu Anis Enthusiasm was evident, content sales were satisfactory, participation was adequate: Overall, it was a good market for everyone involved. (Continued on Page 16) Electric Entertainment’s Steve Saltman, Sonia Mehandjiyska, Nolan Pielak FilmRise’s Kayleigh Mize, Lily Schaer, Katie Carroll, Max Einhorn, Melissa Wohl, Emilia Nuccio, Katherine Weinstein, Stephanie Fialkow
16 May 2022 MIPTV 2022 Review (pictured at left are Bernhard Schwab, Lisa Kramer, Philippe Renouard, and Lauren Marriott at the Paramount Global Content Distribution stand). TelevisaUnivision is switching to a sea-view stand, since its old pre-pandemic location on the Riviera roof will not be open. It’s still uncertain if the lower/ basement area of the Palais will be re-opened. Market organizer RX is moving fast in promoting the fall event. A rebranding is currently in progress and will soon be finalized. Among the main objectives is attracting more streamers and OTT executives, as well as producers. As for the kids’ market, MIPJunior, it will take place on October 15-16 at the JWMarriott hotel. Finally, at the Wrap Press Conference, Lucy Smith released the dates for MIPTV 2023. The Cannes trade show will be held later than usual, on April 17-20, when the weather could be milder, but a date critically close to the L.A. Screenings, which could induce the U.S. studios to reduce their MIP participation. In other news, this time around, MIPTV participants had to carry their stuff in bags they brought from home because there were no market bags being distributed by the market organizers. Plus, the city of Cannes became even more expensive for MIPTV 2022 attendees than it was in October 2021 for MIPCOM... and COVID was for once not a topic of conversation. In terms of figures, the habit of tweaking market attendance numbers is never lost on market organizers. Just before the market started, a MIPTV rep told a Canadian participant that they were expecting 8,000 attendees, when as of mid-March, VideoAge had estimated approximately 3,000 registrants. On Wednesday, during the end-of-themarket official press briefing (the so-called “Wrap Press Conference”) market director Lucy Smith indicated that the number of total participants in Cannes was 5,000 from over 80 countries, including 1,200 buyers. Organizers are already working with distributors on the new layout for the upcoming MIPCOM. It’s been reported that 80 percent of the Riviera exhibition floor has already been booked and that the majority of MIPCOM 2019 exhibitors will be coming back this October. For MIPCOM, many distributors, such as Turkey’s ATV (led by Emre Gorentas, pictured with the ATV team in the right end column), are now looking for larger spaces in order to accommodate enough offices for all their executives’ meetings. Paramount Global Content Distribution (formerly CBS Global) will retain its current space — and its large terrace overlooking the marina — but will have a brand new design (Continued From Page 14) Global Agency’s Gila Kantar was at MIPTV to promote new format Beat Me If You Can
2105 NW 102nd Ave, 3rd Floor, Miami, FL 33172 - 305 227 6000 - info@condista.com
18 May 2022 U.S. Broadcast TV Season For the new broadcast TV season, the U.S. networks are looking at the following 39 new pilots. Pick-ups will be announced at the Upfronts in New York City, to be held May 16-19. Updates on which series are picked up and their international distribution companies will be available at videoageinternational.com. ABC (COMEDY) Josep In this single-cam comedy, a recently divorced Filipino American nurse attempts to navigate dating, fatherhood and a very Filipino mother who loves to “help.” Production Team: Steve Joe, Jo Koy, Kourtney Kang, Jake Kasdan, Melvin Mar, Joe Meloche, Randall Park, Michael Golamco, Hieu Ho Studio: 20th Television Not Dead Yet Broke, newly single and feeling old, Nell Stevens works to restart the life and career she left behind 10 years ago. When she lands the only job she can find —writing obituaries —Nell starts getting life advice from an unlikely source. Adapted from Confessions of a Forty-Something F**ck Up by Alexandra Potter. Production Team: Casey Johnson, David Windsor, McG, Mary Viola, Corey Marsh Studio: 20th Television The Son-In-Law The single-cam comedy follows a salt of the earth man who finds himself seeking the approval of his new fiancée’s sophisticated parents — even as he’s a difficult to impress father-in-law to his daughter’s longtime boyfriend. Production Team: Ajay Saghal, Jake Kasdan, Melvin Mar Studio: 20th Television. ABC (Drama) Avalon (ordered straight to series) Based on a short story by Michael Connelly, the series takes place in the main city of Avalon on Catalina Island, where L.A. Sheriff Department Detective Nicole “Nic” Searcy heads up a small office. Detective Searcy is pulled into a careerdefining mystery that will challenge everything she knows about herself and the island. Production Team: David E. Kelley, Michael Connelly, Ross Fineman, Barry Jossen, Tana Jamieson Studio: 20th Television, A+E Studios International Distribution: Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution The Company You Keep A night of passion leads to love between con-man Charlie and undercover CIA officer Emma. While Charlie ramps up the “family business” so he can get out for good, Emma’s closing in on the vengeful criminal who holds Charlie’s family debts in-hand. Based on the Korean series My Fellow Citizens. Production Team: Julia Cohen, Milo Ventimiglia, John M. Chu, Todd Hartham, Caitlan Foito, Russ Cundiff, Lindsay Goffman, Deann Harris Studio: 20th Television L.A. Law An update of the NBC drama that sees the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman reinvent itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most highprofile, boundary-pushing, and incendiary cases. Production Team: Marc Guggenheim, Ubah Mohamed, Dayna Bochco, Jesse Bochco, Blair Underwood, Anthony Hemingway Studio: 20th Television Untitled Alaska Project Revolves around a star journalist who moves to Alaska for a fresh start after a career-killing misstep and finds redemption personally and professionally after joining a daily metro newspaper in Anchorage. Production Team: Tom McCarthy, Bert Salke, Melissa Wells, Hilary Swank, Kyle Hopkins, Ryan Binkley Studio: 20th Television Untitled Kay Oyegun Project Five therapists in Philadelphia find unique ways to solve problems in their patients’ lives while grappling with their own. The owner of the practice has her life turned upside down when she begins working with a sociopathic patient who may hold the key to her sister’s disappearance. Production Team: Kay Oyegun Studio: 20th Television Untitled National Park Project A procedural that revolves around the messy lives of the agents who work for the ISB — an elite law enforcement unit responsible for solving all serious crimes that occur in our country’s 81,000 square miles of protected land. Production Team: Rashad Raisani, Barry Jossen, Tana Jamieson Studio: 20th Television, A+E Studios International Distribution: Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution Untitled Rookie Spin-Off Simone Clark is a force of nature, the living embodiment of a dream deferred — and the oldest rookie in the FBI Academy. She is a single mother of two who put her dreams on hold to make sure her kids pursued their own — and she never has shied away from a challenge or a fight. Planted spinoff follows the premise of The Rookie. Production Team: Alexi Hawley, Terence Paul Winter, Mark Gordon Studio: eOne/ABC Signature International Distribution: eOne International Will Trent (order is cast contingent) Special Agent Will Trent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations endured a harsh coming-of-age in Atlanta’s foster care system. Determined to make sure no one feels as abandoned as he was, Will Trent has the highest clearance rate in the GBI. Based on Karin Slaughter’s Will Trent series. Production Team: Liz Heldens, Dan Thomsen, Karin Slaughter Studio: 20th Television CBS (Comedy) The Hug Machine A dad gets a second chance to save both his marriage and his f lailing rock career when his band unintentionally finds success in the raucous, cutthroat world of children’s music. Production Team: Sam Laybourne, Jorma Taccone, Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, Ali Bell Studio: CBS Studios International Distribution: Paramount Global Content Distribution Rust Belt News A single-camera comedy about a small Ohio town where the local newspaper goes out of business, leaving the reporters of the high school newspaper as the only people left to report on scandals and dig up corruption. Production Team: Matt Warburton, Leslie Morgenstein, Gina Girolamo Studio: Warner Bros. Television International Distribution: WBD International Sober Companion Eliza, a hot-mess alcoholic who owns a bar with her uncle in New Orleans, is forced to get her life in order when the court appoints her an upbeat sober companion with whom she has to live 24/7. Production Team: Gracie Glassmeyer, David Rosenthal, Jennie Snyder Urman, Joanna Klein, Christine Gernon Studio: CBS Studios International Distribution: Paramount Global Content Distribution Unplanned In Akron A series about two teenagers navigating parenthood in the best way they know how. With a little help from their friends and parents, they’ll learn that mistakes don’t have to derail your life. Production Team: Schuyler Helford, Emily Wilson, Samie Falvey, Erik Feig, Chris Mills, Chris Emerson Studio: CBS Studios International Distribution: Paramount Global Content Distribution CBS (Drama) Bridge City (fka Untitled Mother and Son Legal Drama) Despite their opposing personalities, a talented but directionless P.I., who is the black sheep of his family, agrees to work as the in-house investigator for his overbearing mother, a successful attorney reeling from the recent dissolution of her marriage. Production Team: Scott Prendergast, Phil McGraw, Jay McGraw, Julia Eisenman Studio: CBS Studios International Distribution: Paramount Global Content Distribution Cal Fire Seeking redemption and a shorter prison sentence, a young convict joins a program that returns him to his Northern California hometown where he and other inmates work alongside elite firefighters to extinguish massive blazes across the region. Production Team: Tony Phelan, Joan Rater, Max Thieriot, Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman, KristieAnne Reed, David Grae, James Strong Studio: CBS Studios International Distribution: Paramount Global Content Distribution Early Edition In the reboot of the original CBS series, an ambitious but uncompromising journalist starts receiving 2022-2023 New Series In Consideration (Continued on Page 22)
22 May 2022 U.S. Broadcast TV Season tomorrow’s newspaper today. She then finds herself in the complicated business of changing the news instead of reporting it. Production Team: Melissa Glenn, DeVon Franklin, Bob Brush, Jenna Nicholson Studio: Sony Pictures/CBS Studios International Distribution: Sony Pictures East New York Follows Regina Haywood, the newly promoted police captain of East New York, an impoverished, working-class neighborhood at the eastern edge of Brooklyn. Production Team: William Finkelstein, Mike Flynn, Mike Robin, Mark Holder, Christine Holder Studio: Warner Bros. Television International Distribution: WBD International The Never Game Revolves around survivalist Colter Shaw, who roams the country as a “reward seeker” and uses his tracking skills to solve mysteries as he contends with his own fractured family. Production Team: Michael Cooney, Justin Hartley, Ken Olin Studio: 20th Television, CBS Studios True Lies (rolled over from 2021) Shocked to discover that her unremarkable husband is a skilled international spy, a suburban housewife is propelled into a life of adventure when she’s recruited to work alongside him to save the world. Based on the 1994 James Cameron movie. Production Team: Matt Nix, McG, James Cameron, Rae Sanchini, Mary Viola, Anthony Hemingway Studio: 20th Television The CW (Drama) Gotham Knights In the wake of Bruce Wayne’s murder, his rebellious adopted son forges an unlikely alliance with the children of Batman’s enemies when they are all framed for killing the Caped Crusader. This team of mismatched fugitives will become the next generation of saviors, the Gotham Knights. Production Team: Chad Fiveash, James Stoteraux, Natalie Abrams, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, David Madden Studio: Warner Bros. Television International Distribution: WBD International Walker: Independence An origin story set in the late 1800s that follows Abby Walker, an aff luent Bostonian whose husband is murdered on their journey out west. On her quest for revenge, Abby crosses paths with the lovable rogue Hoyt Rawlins. Production Team: Seamus Fahey, Anna Fricke, Jared Padalecki, Dan Lin, Lindsey Liberatore, Laura Terry Studio: CBS Studios International Distribution: Paramount Global Content Distribution The Winchesters The Supernatural prequel spinoff centers around Dean and Sam’s parents, John and Mary Winchester. The untold love story will be told from the perspective of their eldest son, Dean, with Jensen Ackles narrating. Production Team: Robbie Thompson, Jensen Ackles, Danneel Ackles Studio: Warner Bros. Television International Distribution: WBD International Zorro (six-script order) A young Latinx woman seeking vengeance for her father’s murder joins a secret society and adopts the outlaw persona of Zorro. Production Team: Sean Tretta, Robert Rodriguez, Rebecca Rodriguez, Ben Silverman, Howard T Owens, Rodney Ferrell, Geoff Clark, Eric Bromberg, John Getz, Jay Weisleder Studio: CBS Studios International Distribution: Paramount Global Content Distribution FOX (Comedy) Grimsburg (ordered straight to series) Marvin Flute, a detective who can’t crack his own family, is back in Grimsburg, a town where everyone has a secret or three. Production Team: Catlan McClelland, Matthew Schlissel, Jon Hamm, Gail Berman, Hend Baghdady, Connie Tavel, Chadd Gindin Studio: FOX Entertainment Krapopolis (ordered straight to series) Set in ancient Greece this series follows a family of humans, gods, and monsters trying to run one of the world’s first cities. Production Team: Dan Harmon, Jordan Young Studio: FOX Entertainment FOX (Drama) Accused (ordered straight to series) The anthology opens in a courtroomwith a defendant being accused of a crime, then backtracks to reveal how these people got caught up in the extraordinary situations in which they find themselves. Each season follows a different crime. Based on the BAFTA-winning British show. Production Team: Howard Gordon, Alex Gansa, David Shore, Glenn Geller, Erin Gunn, Jacob CohenHolmes, Sita Williams, Jimmy McGovern, Roxy Spencer Studio: FOX Entertainment, Sony Pictures Television International Distribution: Sony Pictures End of Watch (piloted with script-to-series commitment) Follows the daily grind of two young L.A. police officers who are partners and friends and what happens when they meet criminal forces greater than themselves. Based on the 2012 movie. Production Team: David Ayer, Chris Long, Daryll C. Scott, David Matthews, John Lesher, James Masciello, Andrea Iervolino, Monika Bacardi Studio: Fox Entertainment Monarch (ordered straight to series) A Texas-sized, multigenerational musical drama about America’s first family of country music. The Romans are fiercely talented, but the very foundation of their success is a lie. Production Team: Melissa London Hilfers, Gail Berman, Hend Baghdady, Jason Owen, Michael Rauch Studio: FOX Entertainment International Distribution: Sony Pictures NBC (Comedy) Hungry (rolled over from 2021 season) A group of friends belong to a food issues support group and help one another as they look for love, success, and the perfect thing in the fridge that’s going to make it all better. Production Team: Suzanne Martin, Sean Hayes, Todd Milliner, Scooter Braun, Scott Manson, James Shin Studio: Universal Television International Distribution: NBCUniversal Global Distribution Lopez vs. Lopez A working-class family comedy about dysfunction, reconnection, and all the pain and joy in between. Production Team: Debby Wolfe, Bruce Helford, George Lopez, Katie Newman, Michael Rotenberg, P Mayan Lopez Studio: Universal Television International Distribution: NBCUniversal Global Distribution Night Court (series order) In the sequel series, unapologetic optimist judge Abby Stone, the daughter of the late Harry Stone, follows in her father’s footsteps as she presides over the night shift of a Manhattan arraignment court. Production Team: Melissa Rauch, Winston Rauch, John Larroquette Studio: Warner Bros. Television International Distribution: WBD International NBC (Drama) Blank Slate Special Agent Alexander McCoy is a legend in law enforcement. The only issue is… he doesn’t actually exist. So what happens when a man claiming to be Alexander McCoy walks through the door? Production Team: Dean Georgaris, John Fox, John Davis Studio: Universal Television International Distribution: NBCUniversal Global Distribution Found In any given year, more than 600,000 people are reported missing in the U.S. A public relations specialist — who was once herself one of those forgotten ones — now makes sure there is always someone looking out for the missing people. Production Team: Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, David Madden, Lindsay Dunn Studio: Warner Bros. Television International Distribution: WBD International The Irrational A world-renowned professor of behavioral science lends his expertise to an array of high-stakes cases involving governments, law enforcement and corporations. Based on the book Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely. Production Team: Arika Mittman, Sam Baum, Mark Goffman Studio: Universal Television International Distribution: NBCUniversal Global Distribution Quantum Leap It’s been 30 years since Dr. Sam Beckett stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator and vanished. Now, a new team has been assembled to restart the project. Production Team: Steve Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt, Don Bellisario, Deborah Pratt, Martin Gero, Helen Shaver Studio: Universal Television International Distribution: NBCUniversal Global Distribution Unbroken Three dynastic ranch families on the California central coast set the stage for a group of fiercely determined young women to win big for all at the National Championship of Rodeo. Production Team: Shaun Cassidy Studio: Universal Television International Distribution: NBCUniversal Global Distribution Untitled Mike Daniels Project Based on the Dutch series Adam - E.V.A., the series chronicles the love and lives of two complete strangers whose multiple run-ins lead both to believe in fate. Production Team: Mike Daniels, David Janollari, Rob Golenberg, Alon Aranya, Robert Alberdingk Thijm, Norbert ter Hall Studio: Universal Television International Distribution: NBCUniversal Global Distribution (Continued from Page 18)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI4OTA5