In the biggest American-British TV production partnership to date, 20th Century Fox TV has joined forces with ITV Global Content, the production and distribution arm of U.K. giant ITV, which also controls the country's leading broadcaster ITV Network.
Under the one-year pact, sealed by three Americans -- 20th chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman and ITV Global Content managing director Lee Bartlett -- the two companies will co-finance a joint development fund to create original programming.
"There is a lot of goodwill and understanding on both sides," said Bartlett, who has been a rising star at ITV since joining the company in March from Fox Broadcasting Co., where he served as head of business affairs.
Under the deal, 20th TV and ITV will have access to the other's roster of formats, as well as production facilities. The first projects to come out the venture is British versions of 20th TV's comedy for ABC "Dharma & Greg," and its 2006 Fox crime drama pilot "Southern Comfort", which will be shepherded by ITV Prods., ITV Global Content's domestic production arm.
Under the one-year pact, sealed by three Americans -- 20th chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman and ITV Global Content managing director Lee Bartlett -- the two companies will co-finance a joint development fund to create original programming.
"There is a lot of goodwill and understanding on both sides," said Bartlett, who has been a rising star at ITV since joining the company in March from Fox Broadcasting Co., where he served as head of business affairs.
Under the deal, 20th TV and ITV will have access to the other's roster of formats, as well as production facilities. The first projects to come out the venture is British versions of 20th TV's comedy for ABC "Dharma & Greg," and its 2006 Fox crime drama pilot "Southern Comfort", which will be shepherded by ITV Prods., ITV Global Content's domestic production arm.
- 6/18/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hot off his pilot directing debut with "Do Not Disturb", Jason Bateman has inked a first-look deal with 20th Century Fox TV.
Under the one-year pact, Bateman will develop series projects for the studio through his F+A Prods. banner, on which he will serve as producer and director.
20th TV chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman were impressed by Bateman's work on "Disturb", which went on to become the only live-action comedy pilot picked up to series at Fox.
"He did an excellent job on the pilot visually, brought great energy and enthusiasm to it and, as an actor, he really understands how to talk to and motivate actors," said Newman, who also is an occasional Bateman golf partner. "Hopefully he will be a better director than golfer."
Bateman, who starred on the 20th TV-produced "Arrested Development", kept the tongue -and-cheek tone in his remarks about the pact.
"Dana and Gary have always made me feel so welcome in their house, and getting my own room now is an exciting start for F+A Prods.," he said, referring to the office space his company will receive as part of the deal.
Under the one-year pact, Bateman will develop series projects for the studio through his F+A Prods. banner, on which he will serve as producer and director.
20th TV chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman were impressed by Bateman's work on "Disturb", which went on to become the only live-action comedy pilot picked up to series at Fox.
"He did an excellent job on the pilot visually, brought great energy and enthusiasm to it and, as an actor, he really understands how to talk to and motivate actors," said Newman, who also is an occasional Bateman golf partner. "Hopefully he will be a better director than golfer."
Bateman, who starred on the 20th TV-produced "Arrested Development", kept the tongue -and-cheek tone in his remarks about the pact.
"Dana and Gary have always made me feel so welcome in their house, and getting my own room now is an exciting start for F+A Prods.," he said, referring to the office space his company will receive as part of the deal.
- 6/16/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
My Name Is Earl executive producer Bobby Bowman has inked a new two-year overall deal with series producer 20th Century Fox TV.
Under the seven-figure pact, Bowman will continue on Earl, where he runs the writers' room and manages the show's writing staff, serving as an executive producer alongside creator Greg Garcia and director Marc Buckland. He also will develop new projects for the studio.
Bowman has spent the past eight years at 20th TV, working on Family Guy, Yes, Dear and Earl.
The studio's continuous collaboration with Bowman is "no coincidence," 20th TV chairman Gary Newman said.
"He can do it all -- animation, multicamera, single-camera," he said. "He's as versatile as it gets, and that's particularly important to this studio, which prides itself on being adventurous in our comedy development."
Bowman also joked about his "monogamous relationship with 20th."
"They do exciting shows and have great executives," he said. "Sure, I would prefer it if 20th were monogamous in return, and didn't feel the need to have multiple partners. But they're not going to change."...
Under the seven-figure pact, Bowman will continue on Earl, where he runs the writers' room and manages the show's writing staff, serving as an executive producer alongside creator Greg Garcia and director Marc Buckland. He also will develop new projects for the studio.
Bowman has spent the past eight years at 20th TV, working on Family Guy, Yes, Dear and Earl.
The studio's continuous collaboration with Bowman is "no coincidence," 20th TV chairman Gary Newman said.
"He can do it all -- animation, multicamera, single-camera," he said. "He's as versatile as it gets, and that's particularly important to this studio, which prides itself on being adventurous in our comedy development."
Bowman also joked about his "monogamous relationship with 20th."
"They do exciting shows and have great executives," he said. "Sure, I would prefer it if 20th were monogamous in return, and didn't feel the need to have multiple partners. But they're not going to change."...
- 5/19/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
News Corp. is drawing up big small-screen animation plans.
20th Century Fox TV and Fox Broadcasting Co. have teamed to launch Fox Inkubation, a joint venture designed to discover new animation talent and develop animated projects outside of the traditional model.
Additionally, 20th TV has formed a new animation department focused on more conventional development of cartoon series and has tapped Jennifer Howell, executive vp of Matt Stone and Trey Parker's Important Films, to run it.
"So much of our success has been driven by animated shows, and we have been contemplating how to step up our efforts in the area," 20th TV chairman Gary Newman said. "We believe it is critical to our future success."
Separately, Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly had been looking to do the same on the network side, so the sister companies joined forces to create Inkubation, which also will be overseen by Howell.
The initiative will give aspiring writer/animators funding to make two-minute shorts in lieu of penning a script.
If the shorts are successful, Fox and 20th TV may order additional shorts or go to pilot, possibly pairing the newcomers with experienced showrunners.
20th Century Fox TV and Fox Broadcasting Co. have teamed to launch Fox Inkubation, a joint venture designed to discover new animation talent and develop animated projects outside of the traditional model.
Additionally, 20th TV has formed a new animation department focused on more conventional development of cartoon series and has tapped Jennifer Howell, executive vp of Matt Stone and Trey Parker's Important Films, to run it.
"So much of our success has been driven by animated shows, and we have been contemplating how to step up our efforts in the area," 20th TV chairman Gary Newman said. "We believe it is critical to our future success."
Separately, Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly had been looking to do the same on the network side, so the sister companies joined forces to create Inkubation, which also will be overseen by Howell.
The initiative will give aspiring writer/animators funding to make two-minute shorts in lieu of penning a script.
If the shorts are successful, Fox and 20th TV may order additional shorts or go to pilot, possibly pairing the newcomers with experienced showrunners.
- 5/11/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
DIALOGUES:
Nina Tassler, CBS Entertainment president
Kevin Reilly, Fox Entertainment president
Stephen McPherson, ABC Entertainment president
Dawn Ostroff, CW Entertainment president
More pilot season coverage
The 2008-09 development season will go down in TV history with an asterisk.
It's too early to tell if the footnote will simply say "the season was affected by the WGA strike" or "2008-09 was the season that broke the traditional development cycle," but it certainly jolted some decades-old TV rituals.
It started off with a buying frenzy in the summer, as networks frantically stocked up in the event of a strike. Then came the three-month standstill of the strike, during which all networks except NBC let go of a quarter to a third of their development slates. That was followed by more frenzy after the end of the 100-day work stoppage, with studios racing to get pilots ready in half of the normal time.
"It's a very unusual year", Warner Bros. TV president Peter Roth said. "We are all trying to make up for 3 1/2 months of lost time in what essentially is 3 1/2 weeks."
What makes it even more unusual is that every network is doing things differently.
Fox has stayed closest to tradition with post-strike pilot orders. CBS and the CW opted to do mostly presentations on the drama side, while ABC will not produce its newly picked-up pilots until after the May upfront. And then there is NBC, which held its upfront April 2, where it unveiled a 65-week schedule.
Overall, all networks' pilot slates are slimmer, and NBC, which has been touting a direct-to-series-approach, hasn't ordered a single pilot since the end of the strike.
"It's as frustrating as I thought it would be," ABC Studios president Mark Pedowitz said. "The needs of each network are less, so projects that might have been picked up to pilot in a normal development season didn't make it this year."
Some of the major players, such as Warner Bros. TV and 20th Century Fox TV, are making half the number of pilots they made in recent years.
"We would like to do a few more pilots, but we certainly would be better off if we do fewer pilots than we did in the past," 20th TV chairman Gary Newman said. "We can get a great deal more support to our creators, and we're hopeful that the increased focus will lead to more pilots going to series.
Nina Tassler, CBS Entertainment president
Kevin Reilly, Fox Entertainment president
Stephen McPherson, ABC Entertainment president
Dawn Ostroff, CW Entertainment president
More pilot season coverage
The 2008-09 development season will go down in TV history with an asterisk.
It's too early to tell if the footnote will simply say "the season was affected by the WGA strike" or "2008-09 was the season that broke the traditional development cycle," but it certainly jolted some decades-old TV rituals.
It started off with a buying frenzy in the summer, as networks frantically stocked up in the event of a strike. Then came the three-month standstill of the strike, during which all networks except NBC let go of a quarter to a third of their development slates. That was followed by more frenzy after the end of the 100-day work stoppage, with studios racing to get pilots ready in half of the normal time.
"It's a very unusual year", Warner Bros. TV president Peter Roth said. "We are all trying to make up for 3 1/2 months of lost time in what essentially is 3 1/2 weeks."
What makes it even more unusual is that every network is doing things differently.
Fox has stayed closest to tradition with post-strike pilot orders. CBS and the CW opted to do mostly presentations on the drama side, while ABC will not produce its newly picked-up pilots until after the May upfront. And then there is NBC, which held its upfront April 2, where it unveiled a 65-week schedule.
Overall, all networks' pilot slates are slimmer, and NBC, which has been touting a direct-to-series-approach, hasn't ordered a single pilot since the end of the strike.
"It's as frustrating as I thought it would be," ABC Studios president Mark Pedowitz said. "The needs of each network are less, so projects that might have been picked up to pilot in a normal development season didn't make it this year."
Some of the major players, such as Warner Bros. TV and 20th Century Fox TV, are making half the number of pilots they made in recent years.
"We would like to do a few more pilots, but we certainly would be better off if we do fewer pilots than we did in the past," 20th TV chairman Gary Newman said. "We can get a great deal more support to our creators, and we're hopeful that the increased focus will lead to more pilots going to series.
- 4/14/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Comedy writer-producer Gary Janetti has inked a two-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox TV.
Under the seven-figure pact, which has an option for a third year, Janetti will join 20th TV's "Family Guy" as a consultant and will develop new projects for the studio, including a multicamera comedy with "Family" creator Seth MacFarlane.
Janetti was based at 20th TV in the late 1990s when "Family" was developed. He worked on the Fox animated comedy for its first three seasons until it was canceled in 2003. Janetti then moved to NBC Universal, where he joined the hit comedy "Will & Grace," and developed for the past few years.
"It is strange to go back to 'Family Guy' now, when it's so incredibly popular, while at the time not a lot of people knew about it," Janetti said. "For me, 20th is the only place that always felt like home, and they always develop the kinds of shows I watch on television."
20th TV chairman Dana Walden said she and fellow chairman Gary Newman loved Janetti's development during his previous stint at the studio and were "upset" when he left to go to NBC Uni.
Under the seven-figure pact, which has an option for a third year, Janetti will join 20th TV's "Family Guy" as a consultant and will develop new projects for the studio, including a multicamera comedy with "Family" creator Seth MacFarlane.
Janetti was based at 20th TV in the late 1990s when "Family" was developed. He worked on the Fox animated comedy for its first three seasons until it was canceled in 2003. Janetti then moved to NBC Universal, where he joined the hit comedy "Will & Grace," and developed for the past few years.
"It is strange to go back to 'Family Guy' now, when it's so incredibly popular, while at the time not a lot of people knew about it," Janetti said. "For me, 20th is the only place that always felt like home, and they always develop the kinds of shows I watch on television."
20th TV chairman Dana Walden said she and fellow chairman Gary Newman loved Janetti's development during his previous stint at the studio and were "upset" when he left to go to NBC Uni.
20th Century Fox Television is completing the realignment of its top-tier management team by signing a deal with executive vp business and legal affairs Howard Kurtzman, whose responsibilities are being expanded.
In a similar move on the creative side, the studio recently upped head of drama development Jennifer Nicholson Salke to the newly created position of executive vp creative affairs, expanding her role to oversee drama and comedy development at the studio.
Reporting to her are senior vp Patrick Moran, who was named head of the drama department, and senior vp Jonathan Davis, who was recruited from sister network Fox to lead the comedy department.
The elevation of Kurtzman and Nicholson Salke solidifies the duo's position as 20th TV chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman's top lieutenants in the business and creative areas. When Walden and Newman were named chairmen in July, the two said they would shift their focus from the day-to-day development efforts at the studio to such areas as digital content and new economic models.
In a similar move on the creative side, the studio recently upped head of drama development Jennifer Nicholson Salke to the newly created position of executive vp creative affairs, expanding her role to oversee drama and comedy development at the studio.
Reporting to her are senior vp Patrick Moran, who was named head of the drama department, and senior vp Jonathan Davis, who was recruited from sister network Fox to lead the comedy department.
The elevation of Kurtzman and Nicholson Salke solidifies the duo's position as 20th TV chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman's top lieutenants in the business and creative areas. When Walden and Newman were named chairmen in July, the two said they would shift their focus from the day-to-day development efforts at the studio to such areas as digital content and new economic models.
In a major executive reshuffling at 20th Century Fox TV, executive vp drama development Jennifer Nicholson-Salke is being upped to oversee both drama and comedy development at the studio.
Senior vp drama Patrick Moran is being named head of the studio's drama department. Jonathan Davis, vp comedy development at sister network Fox Broadcasting Co., is coming to 20th TV as senior vp and head of the comedy department.
Davis will replace 20th TV's senior vp comedy Quan Phung, whose deal is up and is not being renewed.
The restructuring follows the July elevation of 20th TV toppers Dana Walden and Gary Newman to chairmen.
At the time, the two said they will shift their focus a bit from the day-to-day development efforts at the studio to focus on new areas such as digital content and developing new economic models.
Nicholson-Salke, a rising star at 20th TV, was promoted to exec vp drama in May 2006, when she inked a new two-year deal with the studio, which has an option for a third year.
Senior vp drama Patrick Moran is being named head of the studio's drama department. Jonathan Davis, vp comedy development at sister network Fox Broadcasting Co., is coming to 20th TV as senior vp and head of the comedy department.
Davis will replace 20th TV's senior vp comedy Quan Phung, whose deal is up and is not being renewed.
The restructuring follows the July elevation of 20th TV toppers Dana Walden and Gary Newman to chairmen.
At the time, the two said they will shift their focus a bit from the day-to-day development efforts at the studio to focus on new areas such as digital content and developing new economic models.
Nicholson-Salke, a rising star at 20th TV, was promoted to exec vp drama in May 2006, when she inked a new two-year deal with the studio, which has an option for a third year.
- 1/16/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Prison Break executive producer/showrunner Matt Olmstead has inked a new two-year overall deal with series producer 20th Century Fox TV.
Under the seven-figure pact, which has an option for a third year, Olmstead will continue at the helm of Fox's Break and develop new projects for the studio.
He is already dabbling in development with Prison Break: Cherry Hill, a potential Prison Break spinoff set at a women's prison, which he is penning with Break co-exec producer Zack Estrin. The project has received a script commitment by Fox.
" 'Prison Break' is an amazing series for the studio, impacting audiences around the world, and much of that is due to the excellent showrunning Matt has done on it," 20th TV chairman Gary Newman said. "We're looking forward to him continuing his leadership on 'Prison Break' and also creating his own shows."
20th TV is the only studio home Olmstead has ever known.
Following a freelance assignment for Steven Bochco's CBS drama Brooklyn South in 1997, Bochco gave Olmstead his first full-time writing job on Bochco's gritty ABC drama NYPD Blue, which was produced by 20th TV.
Under the seven-figure pact, which has an option for a third year, Olmstead will continue at the helm of Fox's Break and develop new projects for the studio.
He is already dabbling in development with Prison Break: Cherry Hill, a potential Prison Break spinoff set at a women's prison, which he is penning with Break co-exec producer Zack Estrin. The project has received a script commitment by Fox.
" 'Prison Break' is an amazing series for the studio, impacting audiences around the world, and much of that is due to the excellent showrunning Matt has done on it," 20th TV chairman Gary Newman said. "We're looking forward to him continuing his leadership on 'Prison Break' and also creating his own shows."
20th TV is the only studio home Olmstead has ever known.
Following a freelance assignment for Steven Bochco's CBS drama Brooklyn South in 1997, Bochco gave Olmstead his first full-time writing job on Bochco's gritty ABC drama NYPD Blue, which was produced by 20th TV.
- 10/30/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hot writer-director Jason Winer has inked his first overall deal with 20th Century Fox TV, the studio behind his well-regarded pilots "The Adventures of Big Handsome Guy and His Little Friend" and "Giants of Radio" as well as "Sluts", which he directed.
Under the one-year pact, Winer will develop and direct his own projects and also can be assigned to a 20th TV pilot or series.
20th TV chairman Gary Newman said the studio's decision to sign Winer under a deal was based on "the incredible work he's done" on his projects for the studio in the past two years.
"He has a great voice and sensibility, but we also see him as a valuable director to have on our roster who can come in and help a writer realize their vision," Newman said. "We think he has a great career in front of him and would like it to be with us."
Winer made headlines this past development season when he took the $150,000 he got from 20th TV to write a script and used it to film the full-length semi-scripted pilot "Giants", which drew the attention of the broadcast networks and was picked up by CBS for fall consideration.
Under the one-year pact, Winer will develop and direct his own projects and also can be assigned to a 20th TV pilot or series.
20th TV chairman Gary Newman said the studio's decision to sign Winer under a deal was based on "the incredible work he's done" on his projects for the studio in the past two years.
"He has a great voice and sensibility, but we also see him as a valuable director to have on our roster who can come in and help a writer realize their vision," Newman said. "We think he has a great career in front of him and would like it to be with us."
Winer made headlines this past development season when he took the $150,000 he got from 20th TV to write a script and used it to film the full-length semi-scripted pilot "Giants", which drew the attention of the broadcast networks and was picked up by CBS for fall consideration.
- 7/19/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Emmy-winning writer-producer Rich Appel has joined Fox's animated comedy American Dad! as executive producer/co-showrunner.
He also has extended his existing seven-figure overall deal with series producer 20th Century Fox TV by another year that will keep him in the studio until at least June 2009.
Appel will run "Dad" with co-creators/executive producers Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman, who have been the showrunners since the show's 2005 launch.
"Matt and Mike and all of us at the studio and the network saw a great opportunity in bringing Rich on board to help us grow the series as we head into the important fourth season," 20th Century Fox TV chairman Gary Newman said. "Rich is an animation veteran and showrunner, and I think the team of Matt, Mike and Rich will be extremely formidable in growing the show into another long-term Fox asset."
Because of the longer production cycles for animated series, "Dad" recently was picked up for a fourth season ahead of its Season 3 premiere in September.
He also has extended his existing seven-figure overall deal with series producer 20th Century Fox TV by another year that will keep him in the studio until at least June 2009.
Appel will run "Dad" with co-creators/executive producers Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman, who have been the showrunners since the show's 2005 launch.
"Matt and Mike and all of us at the studio and the network saw a great opportunity in bringing Rich on board to help us grow the series as we head into the important fourth season," 20th Century Fox TV chairman Gary Newman said. "Rich is an animation veteran and showrunner, and I think the team of Matt, Mike and Rich will be extremely formidable in growing the show into another long-term Fox asset."
Because of the longer production cycles for animated series, "Dad" recently was picked up for a fourth season ahead of its Season 3 premiere in September.
- 7/11/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Eight years after they took the reins of 20th Century Fox Television as presidents, Dana Walden and Gary Newman have been upped to chairmen at the studio.
It is understood that Walden and Newman, who are in the middle of four-year contracts, would begin negotiations immediately to add more years to their current deal.
Walden and Newman continue to report to News Corp. president and COO Peter Chernin.
"Under Gary and Dana's leadership for the past decade, 20th Century Fox Television has achieved unparalleled success in the television marketplace and has been at the forefront of successfully leveraging new technologies to extend its hit franchises," Chernin said. "Their promotion to chairmen is richly deserved."
Under Walden and Newman, 20th TV became the first major TV studio to make a dedicated effort of producing lower-cost series by launching boutique division Fox21 and the first one to create a mobile entertainment unit that pioneered the cell phone series genre with 24: Conspiracy.
Walden and Newman also introduced the now-common industry practice of releasing series on DVD immediately following the first broadcast season, a technique that helped boost the ratings of the studio's drama 24 in its second year on the air.
"Looking back, we feel fantastic about the things this group of executives has been able to achieve," Walden said.
It is understood that Walden and Newman, who are in the middle of four-year contracts, would begin negotiations immediately to add more years to their current deal.
Walden and Newman continue to report to News Corp. president and COO Peter Chernin.
"Under Gary and Dana's leadership for the past decade, 20th Century Fox Television has achieved unparalleled success in the television marketplace and has been at the forefront of successfully leveraging new technologies to extend its hit franchises," Chernin said. "Their promotion to chairmen is richly deserved."
Under Walden and Newman, 20th TV became the first major TV studio to make a dedicated effort of producing lower-cost series by launching boutique division Fox21 and the first one to create a mobile entertainment unit that pioneered the cell phone series genre with 24: Conspiracy.
Walden and Newman also introduced the now-common industry practice of releasing series on DVD immediately following the first broadcast season, a technique that helped boost the ratings of the studio's drama 24 in its second year on the air.
"Looking back, we feel fantastic about the things this group of executives has been able to achieve," Walden said.
"American Dad!" executive producers Rick Wiener and Kenny Schwartz have inked a two-year overall deal with the series' producer, 20th Century Fox TV Studio.
Under the seven-figure pact, which has an option for a third year, Wiener and Schwartz will continue on "Dad!" as exec producers alongside Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker, Matt Weitzman and David Zuckerman.
The two also will develop new projects for 20th TV, returning to the studio's talent roster 10 years after they co-created with Danny Jacobson the ABC/20th TV comedy "Two Guys and a Girl".
"It is incredibly satisfying for them to return to the fold not only to work on a key show for us but also to get a chance to develop," 20th TV president Gary Newman said. "They really impressed us all with their work on 'American Dad!' and we decided that we wanted to make a deal with them."
Wiener and Schwartz have been on "Dad!" since the animated series' launch in 2005.
"We love the people on 'American Dad!' we love the show and we love the studio, so it was a logical place for us to stay," Schwartz said.
Under the seven-figure pact, which has an option for a third year, Wiener and Schwartz will continue on "Dad!" as exec producers alongside Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker, Matt Weitzman and David Zuckerman.
The two also will develop new projects for 20th TV, returning to the studio's talent roster 10 years after they co-created with Danny Jacobson the ABC/20th TV comedy "Two Guys and a Girl".
"It is incredibly satisfying for them to return to the fold not only to work on a key show for us but also to get a chance to develop," 20th TV president Gary Newman said. "They really impressed us all with their work on 'American Dad!' and we decided that we wanted to make a deal with them."
Wiener and Schwartz have been on "Dad!" since the animated series' launch in 2005.
"We love the people on 'American Dad!' we love the show and we love the studio, so it was a logical place for us to stay," Schwartz said.
Prolific 24 director-producer Brad Turner has inked a two-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television, which produces the real-time drama with Imagine TV.
Under the pact, Turner will be upped to co-executive producer on "24" this coming season and to executive producer the next season.
"Brad has been incredibly valuable on '24, ' " 20th Century Fox TV president Gary Newman said. "He is equally adept with action and emotional material and brings consistency and quality to any production."
This marks the first overall deal for Turner, a veteran series director. For the past two years, he had a show deal for "24," serving as a producer and supervising producer.
"It helped me expand creatively and grow as a filmmaker, and on a show like '24, ' you have to be a filmmaker," Turner said.
In addition to his duties on "24," for the past two years Turner was assigned to direct the important first post-pilot episodes of 20th TV's series Prison Break in 2005 and Standoff in 2006.
Under the pact, Turner will be upped to co-executive producer on "24" this coming season and to executive producer the next season.
"Brad has been incredibly valuable on '24, ' " 20th Century Fox TV president Gary Newman said. "He is equally adept with action and emotional material and brings consistency and quality to any production."
This marks the first overall deal for Turner, a veteran series director. For the past two years, he had a show deal for "24," serving as a producer and supervising producer.
"It helped me expand creatively and grow as a filmmaker, and on a show like '24, ' you have to be a filmmaker," Turner said.
In addition to his duties on "24," for the past two years Turner was assigned to direct the important first post-pilot episodes of 20th TV's series Prison Break in 2005 and Standoff in 2006.
- 6/11/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chris Alexander has been promoted to senior vp corporate communications at 20th Century Fox Television.
He will continue to represent 20th TV presidents Gary Newman and Dana Walden and their senior management team as well as the studio's boutique division Fox21.
Alexander also will continue to serve as 20th TV's primary liaison to the daily trade, financial and business media as well as to various other Fox divisions, including Fox Mobile Entertainment and Licensing and Merchandising.
Additionally, Alexander oversees the publicity campaigns for such flagship 20th TV series as the Emmy-winning drama "24" and the animated hit Family Guy. He continues to report to senior vp marketing Steven Melnick.
"As the studio has expanded and innovated in recent years -- from launching Fox21 to developing content for alternative platforms, including Web, mobile and DVD -- Chris has been an excellent communicator of our strategy both within the company and to the industry," Melnick said. "He's earned the faith and trust of Dana and Gary, both in terms of articulating strategy and implementing campaigns, and the other divisions have come to rely on him a great deal."
Alexander, who joined 20th TV's publicity department in 2000 as a manager, most recently was vp media relations.
He will continue to represent 20th TV presidents Gary Newman and Dana Walden and their senior management team as well as the studio's boutique division Fox21.
Alexander also will continue to serve as 20th TV's primary liaison to the daily trade, financial and business media as well as to various other Fox divisions, including Fox Mobile Entertainment and Licensing and Merchandising.
Additionally, Alexander oversees the publicity campaigns for such flagship 20th TV series as the Emmy-winning drama "24" and the animated hit Family Guy. He continues to report to senior vp marketing Steven Melnick.
"As the studio has expanded and innovated in recent years -- from launching Fox21 to developing content for alternative platforms, including Web, mobile and DVD -- Chris has been an excellent communicator of our strategy both within the company and to the industry," Melnick said. "He's earned the faith and trust of Dana and Gary, both in terms of articulating strategy and implementing campaigns, and the other divisions have come to rely on him a great deal."
Alexander, who joined 20th TV's publicity department in 2000 as a manager, most recently was vp media relations.
- 5/21/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Emmy-winning writer-producer Kevin Falls, creator of NBC's newly picked up drama series "Journeyman", has inked a new two-year overall deal with the show's producer 20th Century Fox TV.
Under the seven-figure pact, Falls will focus on "Journeyman", on which he will serve as executive producer/showrunner.
"Kevin's writing is beautiful. There is elegance and a subtlety to it that is very unique," 20th Century Fox TV president Dana Walden said. "He is as nice a guy as you've ever met, and he is an incredibly collaborative partner."
Falls said he is "delighted" to continue working with 20th TV presidents Walden and Gary Newman, head of drama Jennifer Nicholson-Salke and their creative and production teams.
"Every step of the way, they've been supportive," Falls said. "On 'Journeyman, ' they stepped up to help Alex Graves and I make a pilot that we're especially proud of."
"Journeyman", which was directed by Graves, is described as an epic fantasy starring Kevin McKidd as a man who travels back in time to fix the lives of people in trouble.
Under the seven-figure pact, Falls will focus on "Journeyman", on which he will serve as executive producer/showrunner.
"Kevin's writing is beautiful. There is elegance and a subtlety to it that is very unique," 20th Century Fox TV president Dana Walden said. "He is as nice a guy as you've ever met, and he is an incredibly collaborative partner."
Falls said he is "delighted" to continue working with 20th TV presidents Walden and Gary Newman, head of drama Jennifer Nicholson-Salke and their creative and production teams.
"Every step of the way, they've been supportive," Falls said. "On 'Journeyman, ' they stepped up to help Alex Graves and I make a pilot that we're especially proud of."
"Journeyman", which was directed by Graves, is described as an epic fantasy starring Kevin McKidd as a man who travels back in time to fix the lives of people in trouble.
- 5/11/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Writer-producer Rich Appel has inked a new seven-figure deal with 20th Century Fox TV. Under the two-year pact, which has an option for a third, Appel will work on existing 20th TV comedy series and will develop new projects for the studio. "I love the fact that Rich Appel is almost uniquely versatile," 20th TV president Gary Newman said. "He can work on a variety of shows ranging from animated to multi- and single-camera comedies, and he has the great ability of being able to mimic the voice of the creator. Additionally, he has a great comedic voice himself and will get his own show on the air."...
20th Century Fox TV head of drama Jennifer Nicholson Salke has been promoted to executive vp drama and has signed a new two-year deal with the studio. Under the deal, which has an option for a third year, Nicholson Salke will continue to oversee drama development for the studio. Her promotion from senior vp to executive vp reflects 20th TV's success this season in the drama field with the freshman series Prison Break and Bones for Fox and The Unit for CBS and on the development front with two drama projects, Vanished and Primary, already picked up to series for fall by Fox. "You need only look at the fantastic roster of hits Jennifer has nurtured from pitch to pilot to series order to understand what a gifted executive she is," 20th TV president Gary Newman said.
Emmy-winning Frasier writer-producer Jeffrey Richman has inked a new two-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television. Under the seven-figure pact, Richman will develop comedy projects for the studio and is expected to join an existing 20th TV series. "Jeff is extremely versatile and has a personality that works great in a comedy (writers) room," 20th TV president Gary Newman said. "He knows how to guide and support young showrunners, and his writing is sophisticated yet relatable."...
- 4/28/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Writer-producers Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts have inked a new three-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television. Under the seven-figure pact, the duo, which created WB Network's midseason dramedy Pepper Dennis, will continue on the series if it gets picked up by WB and UPN's successor, CW, and will develop new projects for the studio. "Not only do they have a great voice as they have proven on 'Pepper Dennis, ' but they're very versatile writers who are valuable for the studio in having them support other shows," 20th TV president Gary Newman said.
- 4/17/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Shield writer-producer Glen Mazzara has inked a seven-figure overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television. Under the two-year deal, which has an option for a third, Mazzara will develop series projects for the studio. Gary Newman, president of 20th TV, said it was Mazzara's versatility as a writer and producer that spurred them to make the deal with him. "He's one of those incredibly valuable writer-producers who can be as helpful to you in helping (another writer) realize the potential of their idea as he can be in developing his own," he said. "Glen deserves enormous credit for the continued quality of 'The Shield.' We believe he has stories and characters of his own that can be the basis of a successful series."...
- 6/29/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
20th Century Fox Television has named Mark Pearson to the newly created post of senior vp brand and franchise management. He will be responsible for developing growth strategies for 20th brands and franchises, including The Simpsons, Family Guy and 24. While many of the major film studios have appointed executives to similar positions that also include responsibilities for television properties, 20th Television is the first TV production studio believed to have created a brand and franchise management position. Pearson will report to 20th presidents Gary Newman and Dana Walden. He will collaborate with the studio's producers, creative and marketing executives as well as its online, wireless, licensing and home entertainment divisions to identify potential new business opportunities and promotional platforms, 20th said. The studio added that Pearson will work with the broadcast networks and third-party partners to explore ways to maximize viewer interest in 20th's series and products. Pearson said he will also be responsible for orchestrating brand integration deals for 20th Television properties.
20th Century Fox Television has named CAA entertainment marketing executive Elie Dekel executive vp licensing and merchandising, replacing Peter Byrne, who is leaving the studio to pursue other interests. Dekel will oversee the worldwide licensing of Fox's diverse portfolio of film and television properties across such platforms as interactive gaming, themed entertainment, television promotions, literary publishing and a wide array of consumer-product categories. Fox licensing and merchandising is a unit of 20th Century Fox Television, but Dekel, like Byrne, will be responsible for licensing both film and TV properties. "We are thrilled to bring Elie on board in this very important position," 20th Century Fox Television president Gary Newman said. "With this studio's gold-standard properties like 'The Simpsons' and 'Family Guy, ' we think there are enormous opportunities to expand our licensing and merchandising activities."...
- 5/18/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
20th Century Fox Television has named CAA entertainment marketing executive Elie Dekel executive vp licensing and merchandising, replacing Peter Byrne, who is leaving the studio to pursue other interests. Dekel will oversee the worldwide licensing of Fox's diverse portfolio of film and television properties across such platforms as interactive gaming, themed entertainment, television promotions, literary publishing and a wide array of consumer-product categories. Fox licensing and merchandising is a unit of 20th Century Fox Television, but Dekel, like Byrne, will be responsible for licensing both film and TV properties. "We are thrilled to bring Elie on board in this very important position," 20th Century Fox Television president Gary Newman said. "With this studio's gold-standard properties like The Simpsons and Family Guy, we think there are enormous opportunities to expand our licensing and merchandising activities."...
- 5/16/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Comedy writer-producer Danny Zuker has inked a two-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television. Under the seven-figure pact, Zuker will develop half-hour projects for the studio and possibly join an existing 20th TV series. "Danny Zuker is someone that we've had our eye on for some time; he has helped us punch pilots and has worked as a staff writer on series," 20th TV president Gary Newman said. "We felt he would be a great addition to our roster. He is very versatile, he loves to work, and we saw a tremendous upside in him developing for us. We hope to be the lucky studio that will get his big hit." Zuker already is developing a single-camera half-hour project for 20th TV and Fox Broadcasting Co. as part of the network's strategy for year-round programming.
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