As it forges ahead with expansion into Europe, Starzplay is on the hunt for “edgy” returning scripted series of between six and ten episodes and promises all its partners a decent cut of the IP, according to the platform’s strategy head Peter Tortorici.
In his on-demand keynote at Conecta Fiction Friday, the former head of CBS and Telemundo laid out Starzplay’s content requirements as it makes its migration from cable channel to international streaming platform.
The niche player, which has now expanded into 56 countries, is focusing on “adult edgy dramas” as part of its originals commissioning strategy, Tortorici said.
The streamer’s first local language production has already wrapped in Spain – a territory that Tortorici remarked had a “high but not exhaustive level of talent” that enabled the platform to execute its “brand promise.”
Productions in this territory includes “Express” from showrunner Iván Escobar (“Locked Up”) – a co-production...
In his on-demand keynote at Conecta Fiction Friday, the former head of CBS and Telemundo laid out Starzplay’s content requirements as it makes its migration from cable channel to international streaming platform.
The niche player, which has now expanded into 56 countries, is focusing on “adult edgy dramas” as part of its originals commissioning strategy, Tortorici said.
The streamer’s first local language production has already wrapped in Spain – a territory that Tortorici remarked had a “high but not exhaustive level of talent” that enabled the platform to execute its “brand promise.”
Productions in this territory includes “Express” from showrunner Iván Escobar (“Locked Up”) – a co-production...
- 9/17/2021
- by Ann-Marie Corvin
- Variety Film + TV
Produced with U.S. streamer Pantaya and top European production house The Mediapro Studio, “Express,” Starzplay’s first Spanish-language original, is rounding the final bend of production, shooting last week at the Casa Huarte in a leafy luxury suburb of northern Madrid.
Reuniting “Locked Up” creator Ivan Escobar with its star, Maggie Civantos, “Express” refers to the phenomenon of short-lived abductions, lasting a few hours, where the victim or relatives are forced by assailants to max out their credit cards or rapidly pay off assailants. Abductions sometimes end in murder.
Created by Escobar, the series’ showrunner and writer, “Express” is shaping up as one of the banner Spanish-language productions of 2021. It also points an alternative – and often complementary – way forward for top producers which do not want to work just as producers for hire for the world’s biggest studio streamers. Seven takes on the eight-part series:
Grasping the Holy...
Reuniting “Locked Up” creator Ivan Escobar with its star, Maggie Civantos, “Express” refers to the phenomenon of short-lived abductions, lasting a few hours, where the victim or relatives are forced by assailants to max out their credit cards or rapidly pay off assailants. Abductions sometimes end in murder.
Created by Escobar, the series’ showrunner and writer, “Express” is shaping up as one of the banner Spanish-language productions of 2021. It also points an alternative – and often complementary – way forward for top producers which do not want to work just as producers for hire for the world’s biggest studio streamers. Seven takes on the eight-part series:
Grasping the Holy...
- 6/7/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Starzplay has unveiled plot details, casting and a first-look image for “Express,” an original co-produced with Spanish production giant The Mediapro Studio and U.S. streaming platform Pantaya. “Express” is Starzplay’s first local language Spanish production, but one of several announced in August of last year. Each will be available on the Starzplay platform in Spain and Latin America as well as Spanish-language focused streamer Pantaya – a co-venture between Lionsgate and Hemisphere Media Group – in the U.S.
Heading the cast of “Express” is “Locked Up” and “Cable Girls” star Maggie Civantos, joined by Spanish Academy Goya Award nominee Kiti Mánver, Vicente Romero (“Cell 211”), Loreto Mauleón (“Patria”), Esteban Meloni (“Los Internacionales”), Alba Planas (the Spanish version of “Skam”), Ana Marzoa (“Locked Up”), Omar Banana (“Veneno”), Bernardo Flores (“Women in Charge”) and newcomer Carmen Daza and Manuela Rojas.
In “Express,” criminal psychologist Bárbara (Civantos) becomes the victim of an express kidnapping,...
Heading the cast of “Express” is “Locked Up” and “Cable Girls” star Maggie Civantos, joined by Spanish Academy Goya Award nominee Kiti Mánver, Vicente Romero (“Cell 211”), Loreto Mauleón (“Patria”), Esteban Meloni (“Los Internacionales”), Alba Planas (the Spanish version of “Skam”), Ana Marzoa (“Locked Up”), Omar Banana (“Veneno”), Bernardo Flores (“Women in Charge”) and newcomer Carmen Daza and Manuela Rojas.
In “Express,” criminal psychologist Bárbara (Civantos) becomes the victim of an express kidnapping,...
- 3/16/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Apparently, the success of the female-centric Wigs channel isn’t enough for its creators, because they want to take things to the next level. Filmmakers Jon Avnet, Jake Avnet, and Rodrigo Garcia are starting a new digital media production company which has already received investments from Wpp and the UK broadcasting company ITV. The production company, called Indigenous Media, plans to create original content and develop content brands across multiple, global platforms. Indigenous will specialize, among other formats, in scripted half-hour to hour-long series, with Wpp and ITV providing advertising and distribution aid. “Shortly after the launch of Wigs, Peter Tortorici [of Wpp] approached us with his vision for the potential of scripted content on digital platforms,” stated Jon Avnet in the release. “We agreed and now are working to scale this model with our new investors.” “As digital media continues to evolve and new models for content creation and distribution emerge and proliferate,...
- 9/16/2014
- by Bree Brouwer
- Tubefilter.com
Chris Grant, President, Shine International, and Jordan Levin, CEO, Generate, have been elected Natpe 2011 co-chairs. Newly elected members of the 2011 Natpe Board are Rob Barnett, Founder and CEO, My Damn Channel; Cesar O. Diaz, Vice President of Sales, Venevision International; David Ellender, Global CEO, FremantleMedia Enterprises; Bob Friedman, President, Media and Entertainment, Radical Media; Greg Lipstone, Svp & Head of International TV and Media, Icm; John Morayniss, CEO, Entertainment One Television; Scott Sternberg, President, Scott Sternberg Prods.; and Elizabeth Tumulty, Evp, Distribution, The CW. Returning to the Natpe Board are Lisa Berger, Evp, Entertainment Programming, E!; Paul Buccieri, CEO and President, ITV Studios, Inc.; Nancy Dubuc, President & General Manager, Lifetime and History, A&E Television Networks; Luis Fernandez, President, Entertainment & Univision Studios; Phil Gurin, President, The Gurin Co.; Gary Lico, President & CEO, CABLEready Corporation; Neal Sabin, Evp, Weigel Broadcasting; Hans Schiff, Agent, Creative Artists Agency; Eric Schotz, CEO & President, Lmno Prods.
- 1/19/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
The upcoming Natpe TV trade show in Miami will dedicate its closing day, Wednesday Jan. 26, to panels and workshops organized around newfangled advertising solutions and digital opportunities.
For the first time, the confab will directly connect top brands, media buyers, producers and ad solution companies via its special Ad Innovations Track at the non-profit org's annual three-day sales bazaar.
The idea is to showcase branded content and new advertising solution technologies through a series of panels and networking events featuring industry players. Attendees will take part in an interactive forum to learn more about the evolving advertising and brand entertainment industries.
"This track provides attendees with an unprecedented opportunity to hear directly from many of the leading brands and ad agencies," said Natpe president-ceo Rick Feldman.
American Express Cmo John Hayes will deliver the program's keynote address.
In addition, key executives from companies as diverse as At&T Mobility, Grey Goose Vodka,...
For the first time, the confab will directly connect top brands, media buyers, producers and ad solution companies via its special Ad Innovations Track at the non-profit org's annual three-day sales bazaar.
The idea is to showcase branded content and new advertising solution technologies through a series of panels and networking events featuring industry players. Attendees will take part in an interactive forum to learn more about the evolving advertising and brand entertainment industries.
"This track provides attendees with an unprecedented opportunity to hear directly from many of the leading brands and ad agencies," said Natpe president-ceo Rick Feldman.
American Express Cmo John Hayes will deliver the program's keynote address.
In addition, key executives from companies as diverse as At&T Mobility, Grey Goose Vodka,...
- 1/12/2011
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kate Edwards, partner of brand-funded content company Quail Content reports from Mipcom 2010.
For the first time ever, Mipcom put together a program about the rise of brand-funded content. This day’s program coincided with the announcement that @Radical Media was being bought (60 percent) by Fremantle worldwide – this only further proves the relevance of such a convergence model both in today’s clutter interruption advertising market and the TV production space.
The branded-content seminars were full and the panels put together were representative of some of the sector’s Big players – again only proving the merit of this form of content creation and moving further toward legitimising it. The panel included Peter Tortorici – GroupM Entertainment UK, Doug Scott Ogilvy Entertainment Us, Robert Friedman @Radical Media Us, Domonique Delport – Haavas Intl France, Cameron Death NBC Digital Studios, Marcus Vinton – Publicis Entertainment UK.
The key out-take of their mission in the brand-funded revolution...
For the first time ever, Mipcom put together a program about the rise of brand-funded content. This day’s program coincided with the announcement that @Radical Media was being bought (60 percent) by Fremantle worldwide – this only further proves the relevance of such a convergence model both in today’s clutter interruption advertising market and the TV production space.
The branded-content seminars were full and the panels put together were representative of some of the sector’s Big players – again only proving the merit of this form of content creation and moving further toward legitimising it. The panel included Peter Tortorici – GroupM Entertainment UK, Doug Scott Ogilvy Entertainment Us, Robert Friedman @Radical Media Us, Domonique Delport – Haavas Intl France, Cameron Death NBC Digital Studios, Marcus Vinton – Publicis Entertainment UK.
The key out-take of their mission in the brand-funded revolution...
- 10/12/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
"In the Motherhood" is moving from the Web to primetime with some new leading ladies.
ABC has handed out a 13-episode order to a comedy series based on MindShare's online series, which stars Chelsea Handler, Leah Remini and Jenny McCarthy as three mothers and girlfriends whose exploits are based on real-life stories of moms across the country.
Of the three, only comedian/talk show host Handler is expected to be on the ABC series, with "Will & Grace" alumna Megan Mullally and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" leading lady Cheryl Hines in talks to join her.
ABC Studios is producing the ABC series, which will be shepherded by the team behind the ABC/ABC Studios comedy pilot "Bad Mother's Handbook," writers Jennifer Konner and Alexandra Rushfield and executive producer Stu Bloomberg. Also making the transition from "Handbook" to "Motherhood" is Emmy winner Mullally, who co-starred in the pilot.
Konner, Rushfield and Bloomberg will...
ABC has handed out a 13-episode order to a comedy series based on MindShare's online series, which stars Chelsea Handler, Leah Remini and Jenny McCarthy as three mothers and girlfriends whose exploits are based on real-life stories of moms across the country.
Of the three, only comedian/talk show host Handler is expected to be on the ABC series, with "Will & Grace" alumna Megan Mullally and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" leading lady Cheryl Hines in talks to join her.
ABC Studios is producing the ABC series, which will be shepherded by the team behind the ABC/ABC Studios comedy pilot "Bad Mother's Handbook," writers Jennifer Konner and Alexandra Rushfield and executive producer Stu Bloomberg. Also making the transition from "Handbook" to "Motherhood" is Emmy winner Mullally, who co-starred in the pilot.
Konner, Rushfield and Bloomberg will...
- 9/8/2008
- by By Nellie Andreeva and James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The new ABC summer drama series "The Days" is the first project to come from an unusual development partnership between ABC and media buying agency MindShare North America, which is a co-producer of the series with Tollin/Robbins Prods. MindShare North America chief executive Marc Goldstein and MindShare director of programming Peter Tortorici recently spoke with THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER about the business model behind "Days" and why MindShare is getting into TV production.
- 7/24/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ABC has partnered with advertising agency MindShare North America on a program development initiative that calls for MindShare to invest in the production of scripted series for the network. The deal, in the works for months, calls for MindShare to work closely with network brass and outside studios in sharing the costs of developing series projects that could be attractive advertising and integrated marketing opportunities for MindShare clients, which include retailer Sears and consumer products giant Unilever. MindShare will own or co-own the copyrights to any productions, while ABC will retain all distribution rights. The arrangement is not exclusive for ABC or MindShare, meaning that either company could cut a similar deal with a rival agency or network. MindShare recently hired industry veteran Peter Tortorici, former president of CBS Entertainment and Telemundo, to spearhead MindShare's development efforts from a Los Angeles-based office.
- 12/2/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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