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Tag: : Colosceum

  • Colosceum and Ormax to launch consumer-created fiction shows

    Colosceum and Ormax to launch consumer-created fiction shows

    MUMBAI: There is no dearth of creativity in the country and to give a new meaning to how content is generated, Colosceum Media and Ormax Media, have come together to introduce consumer-created fiction shows for the Indian television industry.

    Consumer research was conducted over the last six months across more than 15 cities in India to generate original stories and then tested using Ormax True Value, an industry standard that has been used on more than 250 television shows across more than 20 channels since 2008. Together, the two companies will approach leading broadcasters with shows that have tested exceptionally well, with more than 85 per cent probability of success.

    Speaking about the deal, Colosceum Media CEO Lalit Sharma said, “Ormax has used very advanced consumer research techniques to generate original stories for daily fiction shows for Hindi GECs. These concepts are stories that have been both created and validated with the consumers. A story may have originated in Indore, developed in Jalandhar and then fine-tuned by another set of consumers in Amravati. Currently, production houses make large investments in getting concept developed in-house. The broadcasters then make investments to judge their viability. By creating concepts that are sourced from consumers, we are creating a win-win situation for all stakeholders.”

    Ormax Media founder and CEO Shailesh Kapoor said, “It’s been a long but fulfilling process of engaging with the actual consumers in story generation. Having produced shows like Roadies, Splitsvilla and MasterChef India, Colosceum are an established leader in the non-fiction space. We’re excited to partner them in their plans to establish a strong presence in the fiction space.”

    Sharma added, “Having produced shows like Jai Shree Krishna, Bandhan, Shakuntala and Bani Ishq Da Kalma in partnership with boutique creative outfits, we were keen on identifying a differentiated proposition for our next fiction offering. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner than Ormax, who are a leader in providing the industry with market insights for seven years now.”

    “When we meet the broadcasters, we are not just going with a concept but a complete consumer package that has a potent combination of consumer insights, fine storytelling and a very capable creative and producing team.” Kapoor stated.
    Tulsea Pictures conceived this partnership and brought both Colosceum and Ormax together.

    “We believe this partnership will be disruptive and will bring the much need diversification in the themes of shows running on prime time. The business model created by this partnership is very unique and there is no global precedence that we are aware of. It’s content of the consumer, by the consumer, for the consumer,” said Tulsea Datta Dave. “It’s very exciting to bring Colosceum and Ormax together. They are leaders in their respective fields and this innovative partnership has potential implications for the global entertainment industry.”

     

  • “Non-fiction is expensive, hence need to strengthen fiction”: Siddharth Anand Kumar

    “Non-fiction is expensive, hence need to strengthen fiction”: Siddharth Anand Kumar

    MUMBAI: Vidya Balan’s famous line about entertainment sells, stay true to the television business as well.

     

    With new channels launched and new genres explored every now and then, the production houses have a lot on their platter. One such production house, Colosceum, known for its non-fictional properties like Roadies, Splitsvilla recently got on board Siddharth Anand Kumar as scripted content head to strengthen its overall approach.

     

    A graduate in filmmaking, he has worked as an assistant to Mira Nair during the making of Kamasutra (1995), as DOP and editor for Bobby Bedi during the production of the TV series Rajdhani (2000), and as the executive producer for Shekhar Kapur’s company Digital Talkies during which he oversaw the production of two feature films and the country’s first International Digital Film Festival (2001).

     

    He has directed two films: Let’s Enjoy (2004), a film about a Delhi farmhouse party, and Semshook (2010), a coming of age story set in the Tibetan exile community. And his TV projects include Seven and Khotey Sikkey by Yash Raj Films on Sony and Mahabharat by Swastik Pictures on Star Plus.

     

    “We have a partnership with Colosceum. And our aim is to bring in some really interesting new content into the Indian television which is currently happening and we want to be a part of it,” says Kumar while elaborating on his role.  “In the industry there is a position of content director and director and I will be mixing both these roles. It is also something which the channels want and are eager to do because it is the director who makes the show. And sometimes we have creative director who doesn’t engage in day to day procedure of the show or while communicating with the broadcasters. We want to bridge that gap.”

     

    He along with the Colosceum team is currently busy conceiving and pitching ideas to broadcasters, which will then be taken forward if the broadcaster shows interest.  

     

    The production house is known for its seasonal shows, but with this hire it wants to strengthen its fiction side as well. Kumar goes on to explain why. “Colosceum had non-fiction bend but if you look at the trend, all the big production houses whether they are Endemol or Fremantle, you will see a small shift little away from non-fiction because non-fiction costs a lot. And the numbers that you get are pretty much the same as a hit fiction property. So, everyone understands that the return of investment is higher on fiction. Producers who have had a very strong non-fiction background like Colosceum need to partner with strong fiction heads to tell the broadcasters ‘look we have the right team in place’.”

     

    Furthermore, he believes channels are now moving towards fiction. Stating the example of how Bindass, which once used to air shows like Big Switch and Dadagiri, today has fiction shows. Similarly Channel V and MTV have now become youth general entertainment channels (GECs).

     

    Moreover, even GECs which offered their viewers two to three non-fictional properties over weekend, now only have one such property. 

     

    “Take Colors for instance, apart from Jhalak Dikhla Ja it doesn’t air any other non-fictional property on the weekend. I won’t take Comedy Nights with Kapil to be one as it is scripted. The trend is indicating that every channel is putting their money into one non-fiction show because they are expensive and rest on fiction,” he says and adds, “Right now we are in the phase when there is a greater demand for fiction than non-fiction. At some time, the circle might change again. So, this is a good time to generate some quality fiction content and strengthen it so we are able to serve the broadcaster in both the genres.”

     

    Kumar believes that as audiences mature, the content will change as well and hence, channels are moving towards younger content as well as dealing with social issues apart from the regular saas-bahu dramas. Another aspect which is also a main reason for this shift in content today is the demand from the advertisers. “The consumer categories which are very hot at the moment are smartphones, cars and e-commerce, and they need to talk to a younger-skewed audience not only in metros but also in tier I and II cities where there is high aspirational power. Youth has more spending power because as one grows older, the commitments/priorities change. So advertisers need to talk to them and hence broadcasters need to create content for this audience.”

     

    One needs to just turn on the TV to see who is advertising so if it’s a Karbonn mobile it doesn’t want to advertise on Saath Nibana Saathiya but need a show like Airlines or Shastri Sisters.

     

    In the coming years, he proposes that as more and more people start consuming content on digital, production houses might have to start making specific content for that medium and also learn how to monetise it well. As media proliferates there is going to be more fragmentation and niche programming.

     

    Hence, Colosceum will focus on creating tailor-made shows for broadcasters based on what that broadcaster wants in its programming lineup. Currently, the team has a lot of ideas on the platter and will soon approach broadcasters with the innovative and interesting ideas.

     

    In his 12 years career, Kumar says that even today “we don’t know what the audience wants.” There is still a lot of guess work even though there are various research agencies doing a lot of footwork. So when it comes to talking to the audience and seducing them with the work there is still a bit of hit and miss. “We usually have the tendency of coping what becomes a hit, but it won’t serve our purpose as we will start creating same content that will create fatigue amongst audiences.”

     

    “We need to provide a varied content to audience which is also dynamic. So that we can learn what the audience wants,” he concludes.

     

  • Colosceum gets a new CEO in Lalit Sharma

    Colosceum gets a new CEO in Lalit Sharma

    MUMBAI: Colosceum, which has seen a few senior exits in the past couple of years, has reasons to cheer.

     

    Lalit Sharma, who was part of the founding team with Ajit Andhare and Rajiv Lakshman, has been promoted to CEO. He was earlier working at the capacity of COO with the company.

     

    “Yes, I have taken charge from today and already have had three meetings, so far. So it’s business as usual,” says Sharma who plans to finish the existing workload before he can look at other expansion plans.

     

    “We are working on a number of shows right now. And once that’s done we will be venturing into two more verticals,” elaborates Sharma without revealing much about the two verticals. “It will take a couple of years for things to take shape,” he adds.

     

    The production house has shows like Roadies and Master Chef India to its credit.

     

    Prior to Colosceum, Sharma has worked with Star India for a decade for its operations department.

  • Rajiv Lakshman quits Colosceum as CCO

    Rajiv Lakshman quits Colosceum as CCO

    MUMBAI: Colosceum’s chief creative officer Rajiv Lakshman has decided to quit. He is currently serving his notice period, with his last day in office being 31 July 2014. Lakshman has been one of the founding members and the creative core of the company. He is expected to announce his new venture soon.

     

    That apart, Hitesh Bhatia has joined Colosceum as VP – programming. Bhatia has been associated with Colosceum for more than four years and has been director of all seasons of MasterChef for Star Plus. Bhatia has over 14 years of rich experience working as both director and creative director. Further, Colosceum has also elevated Vikrant Bharadwaj as VP – programming.

     

    Speaking on the development Colosceum COO Lalit Sharma said, “Rajiv has been an invaluable asset to the company. He gave the team strong creative leadership with the freedom to experiment and he’ll be hard to replace. I wish him good luck with his future venture. I am sure soon we will be working together on our next big project. At the same time I repose full faith in Hitesh and Vikrant who have been associated with Colosceum for quite some time now. In fact we have worked with Hitesh on all our big ticket shows. The ability of both Hitesh and Vikrant to create and execute shows fits well with Colosceum’s goals.”