17TH FEBRUARY 2010
WTTV IS LAUNCHED
Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, co-Chairmen of Working Title Films and Peter Smith, President, NBC Universal International, have announced the creation of a new television production company, Working Title Television (WTTV). WTTV, based in London and LA, is a joint venture between NBC Universal International, Bevan and Fellner.
Former NBC Universal TV executive, Shelley McCrory, has been named President of Working Title Television, reporting directly to Bevan and Fellner.
McCrory will spearhead the development of new comedy and drama properties for UK and US broadcasters. She will also use Bevan, Fellner and NBC Universal's extensive talent relationships and help transition relationships with feature writing, directing, and acting talent into television, as well as identifying new and existing TV talent to bring into the WTTV fold.
Based in London and reporting to McCrory, Juliette Howell, has also been appointed Head of Television (UK) to oversee the UK production slate. Howell previously served as Executive Producer in the BBC Drama Commissioning Group, overseeing a slate of films for BBC2's 80s season. As Drama Commissioner and Head of Development for Film 4, her past credits include Slumdog Millionaire, Enduring Love, Shameless, Sunday, Shackleton, White Teeth, Buried and Second Generation.
In the US, WTTV will produce a pilot for NBCU, based on the one-hour romantic comedy anthology Love Bites, created by Sex and the City's Cindy Chupack and to be considered for Fall 2010. Emmy award-winning director Marc Buckland (My Name is Earl) is attached to direct. Bevan, Fellner and McCrory will executive produce.
McCrory, who, in a long career with NBCU, was part of the creative team behind such hits as Friends, The Office, Freaks and Geeks and 30 Rock, will be based between Los Angeles and London. She will be responsible for creating formats and series for WTTV, with a mandate to also maximise the creative value of Working Title Film's library of feature film hits.
As a key part of the joint venture arrangement, WTTV has also secured a distribution deal with NBC Universal which will draw on NBCU's extensive distribution networks and expertise to distribute the output of WTTV productions in the US and international markets.
Tim Bevan, Co-Chairman of WTTV said, "We are delighted to be partnering with NBC Universal who bring backing and distribution expertise. We've had our sights set on television for some time because creating dramas, comedies and episodic programming for an international audience is an obvious extension of what we do. For us, it was about finding the right executive to help us maximise the potential of the talent we've worked with on our films and migrate that into TV. Shelley has a terrific track record and we're delighted to have her on board."
Eric Fellner, Co-Chairman of WTTV added, "This is clearly a significant development for us but at the same time it feels like a natural next step for the Working Title brand. The creation of this new company, after our most recent expansion into theatre with Billy Elliot, will allow us to also develop the Working Title brand for TV. Shelley's a great fit for us because she shares the same creative values and ambition as Tim and I, so we're really pleased she's agreed to join us to help build WTTV."
