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Dated: 16 October 2008
FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) today announce three production partners selected to create the first content out of their production deal, as announced at MIPTV 2008. The agreement to invest into multi-media TV projects is set to generate $12 million over the next 2 years.
Imaginary Friends Studio (IFS), Oak3 Films and Ochre Pictures have each been awarded investment to produce content out of Singapore. All three deals confirm FME and MDA’s commitment to developing Singapore's production community into a global player in multi-platform content development. Each production partner has been chosen jointly by FME and MDA, with FME retaining the rights to distribute the eventual programming internationally.
FME and MDA have signed a first look deal for audiovisual projects from Asia’s leading graphic novel house, IFS. IFS is a leading concept art, comics and illustration hub that is already responsible for the creative work behind some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry such as DC Comics, Electronic Arts, MTV, Nokia and Sony. Their celebrated work has made an impact in Hollywood, where film producers are in discussions to option IFS’ skills for use in feature films. FME is the first international media company to have a development deal with IFS that will see the company produce content specifically for the television platform with the opportunity to extend into multi-platform applications such as gaming and mobile applications.
The IFS deal will establish a year long relationship that will see all three entities, IFS, MDA and FME working together to develop a number of drama series based on the characters designed and conceived by IFS creative personnel. This deal seeks to exploit Singaporean comic book talent in a way which will extend it into development of new content for the international market.
The FME/MDA deal with Oak3 Films is to produce a timely and informative programme called Tribal Warming. This show is to profile the lives of indigenous people around the world, from Mongolia to Morocco, Pakistan to the Philippines, who are at the very forefront of climate change. The end product will explore the impact on those people who have close relationships with the land and how they have adapted their lifestyle to cope with environmental instability. Tribal Warming will be a travel programme that goes beyond bargains and sight-seeing;an eco-series that uplifts viewers and changes their perspective of the warming world.
The FME/MDA agreement with Ochre Pictures is to produce content within the cooking and travel genres, with a view to pushing its boundaries with original new ideas. Extreme Cooking will centre on the planting of an established chef (to be confirmed) in culturally diverse, foreign environments where he or she will experience individual customs and approaches to cooking which are completely devoid of westernisation. The chef will then use the learnings of their travels to inspire new modern dishes back in their own contemporary kitchen.
FME and MDA first teamed up on the production of Kylie Kwong: My China, that successfully launched at MIPCOM 2007 and has since been sold to 37 territories.
Commented Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer of MDA, "IFS, Oak3 Films and Ochre Pictures are three promising media companies. Their partnership with an established player like FME will further raise their company profiles and fuel the creation of more high-quality Made-by-Singapore content aimed at the global market."
Added David Ellender, FME’s CEO, ''We’re delighted to see these projects develop under our production deal with MDA. We are very excited to be working with some of the best talent in the Singaporean region and look forward to seeing the end products which we will proud to represent under the FME portfolio when they are ready for international launch''.
ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA
FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment. It is a division of FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 countries worldwide. FremantleMedia is a subsidiary of RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is 90% owned by Bertelsmann AG, an integrated media and entertainment company that commands leading positions in the world's media markets. For further information, visit http://www.fremantlemedia.com.
ABOUT MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Formed in 2003, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) plays a vital role in transforming Singapore into a Global Media City and positioning it at the forefront of the digital media age. MDA spearheads initiatives that promote developments in film, video, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation, media services and Interactive Digital Media. At the same time, in ensuring clear and consistent regulatory policies and guidelines, MDA helps to foster a pro-business environment for industry players and increase media choices for consumers. For more information, visit www.mda.gov.sg and www.smf.sg.
ABOUT IMAGINARY FRIENDS STUDIO (IFS)
Imaginary Friends Studios (IFS) is a concept art, comics and illustration powerhouse hosting artistic talent from Southeast Asia in its Singapore and Jakarta studios. In just three years, the studio has built up an impressive clientele that includes marquee names such as DC Comics, Electronic Arts, Marvel Entertainment, MTV, Nokia, Sony, Top Cow and many more. The studio’s 40 artists have since worked on many of the world’s most exciting and popular projects such as Batman, G.I. Joe, Justice League, Soul Calibur 3, Street Fighter, Witchblade, World of Warcraft, producing art that has been showcased in international media platforms such as 2D Artist, ImagineFX, ChannelNewsAsia and Animax. Even with such strong credentials under its belt, Imaginary remains just as committed to delivering quality content for today’s global entertainment market, with new developments for original properties in the pipeline.
ABOUT OAK3 FILMS
With over a decade of success, Oak3 Films has earned a reputation for film and television productions of the highest quality - from documentary projects to children’s programming, conceptualizing to final completion, producing to directing. Oak3 Films is a one-stop shop, with both non-linear video editing facilities and a state-of-the-art audio studio. After an established reputation for high quality work in Asia, Oak3 has begun to work in the international arena.
ABOUT OCHRE PICTURES
Ochre Pictures is inventive in creating refreshing content and alternative ideas for moving pictures. Dramas, Children’s Programmes and Documentaries are Ochre’s forte. It has produced inventive content for international and local networks such as The MediaCorp Group, National Geographic Channel, The Discovery Channel, Disney Channel &VOOM ULTRA HD Channel. Its contents have won accolades and awards from broadcasters, festivals and audiences alike.
