‘Pulp’ Director Lines Up ‘Anomaly’
Adam Hamdy, who co-directed Brit indie Pulp, the first feature to premiere on the Xbox platform, has inked a deal for his next film. He’ll write and direct sci-fi thriller Anomaly for L.A.-based production firm Alexander Content and UK-based Dare Productions. Principal photography is scheduled for a September start on the story of a young man who wakes up in the hospital after a terrible car accident and sets out on a quest to discover the truth about what really happened to him. Producers are Alexander Content principal Rick Alexander and UK-based Phil Bland. Exec producers are Syndicate Works principal Pat Nelson and Hamdy. Pic is financed by UK-based accountancy Smith & Williamson.
Foxtel Shuffles Exec Deck
Foxtel Networks Australia announced a series of executive changes on Monday, orchestrated by executive director of television Brian Walsh. The restructure follows the January 1 launch of the Foxtel-branded movies and premium drama channels. Brendon Moo takes the role of general manager, general entertainment channels, responsible for Fox8, Arena, Fox Classics, The Comedy Channel and 111 Hits. Previously he was general manager of Foxtel on Demand, new media and PPV. Graham Burrells takes the expanded role of creative director, movies and drama. Shaun James, general manager of the paybox’s music channels, adds oversight of the Foxtel digital team. Ross Crowley, director of programming and channels, gains oversight of Main Event and On Demand TV. – Don Groves
Endemol Acquires Format ‘The Common Denominator’
Endemol has picked up international format rights to The Common Denominator. The game show from Israel’s Armoza asks contestants to find the shared connection between two seemingly random things via a mix of associative thinking and exceptional general knowledge. Only one player advances to the high tension end round that comes with a cash prize. Endemol will produce local versions of the show in major territories via its own network of production companies. The first 40-episode run debuted in daytime on the UK’s Channel 4 today hosted by Location, Location, Location’s Phil Spencer. The format was created by Roy Even-Tov and Omri Even-Tov, in partnership with Armoza, and was sold to Channel 4 by the Israeli format company.
Shorts International’s ShortsTV Gears Up Launches In Romania, East Africa
Twenty-four-hour channel ShortsTV airs short films from across six continents in thematic blocks. It will begin airing on Romtelecom affiliates in Romania and on Wananchi’s Zuku satellite platform in Eastern Africa on March 1. Programming next month includes a focus on World Cinema with Around The World In 80 Shorts and a series of Hollywood’s Best Film Directors with interviews from Francis Ford Coppola, Terry Gillam and Ridley Scott. ShortsTV is already available to over 8M homes in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Luxembourg and Turkey. Shorts International’s U.S. channel, ShortsHD, is available to 20M homes through AT&T and DirectTV.
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