TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Tuesday 28 January 2025
Kelly Valentine Hendry, Nielsen’s Big Data, psychologists in UK TV, Hat Trick's format focus, Jackie Chan’s new film, and ITV’s undercover scandal series drive today's industry headlines.
Today’s Highlights:
Kelly Valentine Hendry Reflects on Casting and TV's Evolution - Renowned casting director Kelly Valentine Hendry discusses her work on Bridgerton, Mary & George, Kaos, and Rivals, highlighting how lead actors drive greenlights and the challenges of casting for chemistry and ensemble casts. She emphasises collaboration and diverse perspectives to ensure global resonance.
Nielsen Launches Big Data Measurement Amid Industry Challenges - Nielsen's MRC-accredited Big Data + Panel measurement solution aims to replace traditional methods. However, industry scepticism persists due to its delayed launch and competition from platforms like VideoAmp and Comscore.
Psychologists Play a Vital Role in UK Entertainment Productions - UK productions increasingly rely on psychologists to safeguard participant welfare, ensure Ofcom compliance, and enhance authenticity in high-stakes storytelling.
The Last Musician of Auschwitz Uses Unique Artistic Approach - A BBC feature documentary honours Holocaust victims using vintage lenses created by Lore Sternfeld, a Jewish engineer killed at Auschwitz, to create evocative visuals.
Hat Trick Navigates Risk-Averse Formats Market - Hat Trick International focuses on cost-effective spin-offs of proven formats like Rich House Poor House and scripted adaptations, addressing broadcasters' cautious spending.
Screen Australia Names Joey Egger as Head of Games - Screen Australia appoints Joey Egger to lead its games division, aiming to foster innovation and talent development in Australia's growing gaming industry.
The Stolen Child Brings Celtic Mythology to Berlin Market—Sebastian McKinnon’s medieval fantasy The Stolen Child debuts footage at the Berlin market. The film blends Celtic mythology with inspiration from The Lord of the Rings.
Banijay Restructures Scripted Division with New Leadership—Banijay appointed Steve Matthews and Johannes Jensen to lead its scripted division, focusing on creative initiatives and operational strategies across 60+ labels.
Jackie Chan Completes The Shadow's Edge - Jackie Chan wraps up The Shadow's Edge, a Macau-set thriller featuring K-pop star Jun in his acting debut and directed by Larry Yang.
ITV Greenlights The Undercover Police Scandal: Love and Lies Exposed—ITV has commissioned a three-part series delving into the UK spy cops scandal, in which undercover officers deceived women into relationships for over 40 years.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals & Jobs with Prospero, Netflix, ITV, Sony, CJ ENM, Fox & WBD.
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INSIGHTS
Kelly Valentine Hendry Reflects on Casting and TV's Evolution
Renowned casting director Kelly Valentine Hendry discusses her recent projects, including Bridgerton, Mary & George, Kaos, Rivals, and The Tattooist of Auschwitz, highlighting the importance of leading actors in securing TV green lights, similar to film trends. She emphasises the challenges of pairing actors for chemistry and selecting stars for ensemble casts like Rivals. Hendry champions collaboration and diverse perspectives to refine casting, ensuring projects resonate with both production teams and global audiences. Read More
Nielsen Launches Long-Awaited Big Data Measurement, but Challenges Persist
Nielsen’s long-delayed Big Data + Panel measurement solution, now accredited by the Media Rating Council (MRC), aims to replace traditional panel-only ratings in time for this year’s Upfronts. However, scepticism remains about the platform's late arrival, its accuracy, and the MRC’s preference for Nielsen over competitors like VideoAmp, Comscore, and iSpot.tv. With rival solutions already popular and clients like Disney pursuing proprietary measurement tools, the TV industry grapples with a fragmented and evolving measurement landscape amidst the rise of CTV and streaming. Read More
Psychologists: The Hidden Heroes of Ethical and Creative UK Productions
The increasing demand for authentic, high-stakes entertainment has spotlighted the essential role of psychologists in productions. From safeguarding participants' mental health to ensuring Ofcom compliance, psychologists provide vital expertise. They protect participant welfare, support on-set mental health, enhance storytelling authenticity, and uphold ethical standards. Read More
The Profound Legacy of Lore Sternfeld: The Last Musician of Auschwitz
The Last Musician of Auschwitz, a feature documentary for the BBC and Access, directed by Toby Trackman, uses a unique artistic approach to honour the stories of Auschwitz victims. The film employed vintage lenses crafted by Lore Sternfeld, a German Jewish engineer murdered at Auschwitz. Rediscovered and re-engineered by No.9 Optics, these lenses were used to film musical performances at the camp, creating poignant visuals that evoke both remembrance and defiance. Read More
Hat Trick Adapts to a Risk-Averse Formats Market
Sarah Tong, director of sales at Hat Trick International, describes the current formats market as highly risk-averse, with broadcasters favouring revamps of proven formats over entirely new concepts. Popular shows like Have I Got News for You, Rich House Poor House, and Whose Line Is It Anyway? continue to secure global recommissions while scripted format adaptations are gaining traction. Amid tighter budgets, Hat Trick emphasises cost-effective solutions and spin-offs, like Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday, and Have I Got Sport for You, to balance innovation with risk management. Read More
Medieval Fantasy Epic The Stolen Child Explores Celtic Myth with Inspirations from Lord of the Rings and Stalker
At the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin, The Stolen Child will debut its first footage to buyers. Directed by Sebastian McKinnon, the medieval fantasy epic follows the journey of a Faerie Queen who spirits away a grieving young prince to protect his innocence, inadvertently plunging the Human Realm into chaos. Drawing from Celtic folklore and inspired by The Lord of the Rings and Stalker, the film promises a visually rich and archetypal tale of balance and redemption. Read More
Indie TV Creators Like Cooper Raiff and Duplass Brothers See Opportunity Outside Studio System
At Sundance 2025, Hal & Harper, a self-financed indie TV series from Cha Cha Real Smooth creator Cooper Raiff, debuted its first four episodes, earning warm reviews. Starring Raiff, Lili Reinhart, and Mark Ruffalo, the series explores family dynamics with creative freedom unattainable within traditional studio systems. Raiff, frustrated by studio demands to reshape his show into a college-centric format, joins a growing trend of indie TV creators like the Duplass Brothers, who compare the model to indie film's rise in the '90s. Despite the financial hurdles, creators are embracing the chance to tell unfiltered, authentic stories while vying for buyers in a nascent market for independent television. Read More
Indie TV Creators Like Cooper Raiff and Duplass Brothers See Opportunity Outside Studio System
At Sundance 2025, Hal & Harper, a self-financed indie TV series from Cha Cha Real Smooth creator Cooper Raiff, debuted its first four episodes, earning warm reviews. Starring Raiff, Lili Reinhart, and Mark Ruffalo, the series explores family dynamics with creative freedom unattainable within traditional studio systems. Raiff, frustrated by studio demands to reshape his show into a college-centric format, joins a growing trend of indie TV creators like the Duplass Brothers, who compare the model to indie film's rise in the '90s. Despite the financial hurdles, creators are embracing the chance to tell unfiltered, authentic stories while vying for buyers in a nascent market for independent television. Read More
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