ITV

Tag: Once Upon a Time

  • ABC Family to change name to Freeform in January

    ABC Family to change name to Freeform in January

    MUMBAI: ABC Family will be officially renamed Freeform from 12 January, 2016, a name that speaks to the network’s ongoing priority to super-serve the ‘Becomer’ audience.

     

    According to the company, traditionally ‘Becomers’ are in high school, college and the decade that follows and they’re navigating the wonderful, fun, exciting and scary time when you experience many of life’s firsts – from first kiss to first kid. Becomers are on that epic adventure of becoming an adult.

     

    The audience’s identity and experience are fluid as they explore endless possibilities and their passions take shape. Freeform is inspired by the interconnection between content and audience, media and technology, interactive and linear, life stage and life style and the way Becomers interact with them all.

     

    “The Freeform brand represents the passion, fun, energy and new ideas that infuse young adulthood. We’ve been evolving naturally for a while now, so it’s time that our name reflects the true essence of our brand. We are excited to take our network in some new directions and continue to evolve alongside culture while delivering those favorite shows our viewers already love,” said ABC Family president Tom Ascheim.

     

    The name change coincides with the season premiere of the network’s No. 1 original hit series, Pretty Little Liars, and the world premiere of Shadowhunters, a new original series based upon novelist Cassandra Clare’s bestselling young adult fantasy book series The Mortal Instruments. Both shows kick off their season on 12 January, while the midseason premiere of The Fosters and the debut episode of the brand-new series Recovery Road air on 25 January.

     

    Freeform also has several new series in the works including the supernatural series Beyond from executive producer Tim Kring; thriller series Guilt; horror tale Dead of Summer, from Once Upon a Time creators Adam Horowitz & Edward Kitsis, with Ian Goldberg; and the recently unproduced new reality series The Letter.

     

    Additional projects include the pilot Famous in Love, from Pretty Little Liars producer Marlene King, based on the novel by Rebecca Serle; and the highly anticpated Nicki Minaj comedy project, which is inspired by Nicki’s life growing up in Queens with her vibrant family after immigrating from Trinidad – as well as her personal and musical evolution that led to her eventual rise to stardom.

     

    The network is also planning new seasons of established series including Switched at Birth, Stitchers andThe Fosters, as well as a second season of recent unscripted hit Monica the Medium.

  • Get ready for the Season 4 of Once Upon a Time with Star World and Star World HD

    Get ready for the Season 4 of Once Upon a Time with Star World and Star World HD

    MUMBAI:  Star World and Star World HD is back with a new story-line for Season 4 of Once Upon a Time. Once Upon a Time is a unique show where fairy tale legends collide with some characters from the earth. The show will premiere on 21 November 2015 at 12 pm and will be telecasted on 22, 28 and 29 November 2015.

     

    Expect more magic and excitement this season, with elements from the movie Frozen and new characters like Elsa, Princess Anna, Kristoff, the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Little Bo Peep and Poseidon.

     

    The channel also offers the audience to watch the Season 4 at one go, on Star World Weekend Binge.

     

    The show has added two new adventurous elements to it for this season. The first half of the season will portray characters from the movie Frozen uniting with people in the world while the second half will observe an exiled Gold with Ursula, Cruella De Vil and Maleficent. The anti-heroes will be seen entering Storybrooke to get the happy ending that has eluded them since long.

     

    Speaking about the show, Jennifer Morrison, who plays the role of Emma Swan says, “I need you to believe in Magic! We talk about magic in a very literal way on the show and part to what people relate to on the show is that in certain moments magic means love and in certain moments magic means adventure and in certain moments magic means loving your child or discovering your passion in life. I think we all sort of deal with magic in a metaphorical sense because I think it represents bigger things in life on Once Upon a Time whereas in the real world it wouldn’t be the same.”

  • Priyanka Chopra’s ‘Quantico’ makes smashing debut on ABC with 7 mn viewers; India awaits premiere

    Priyanka Chopra’s ‘Quantico’ makes smashing debut on ABC with 7 mn viewers; India awaits premiere

    MUMBAI: This girl tread on the trail that none before her have. She wiped out all boundaries and it seemed as if to her, no goal or dream was unachievable or out of bounds. We’re talking about the golden girl of Indian cinema – Priyanka Chopra, who is currently making waves on American television courtesy Quantico and living her dream Queen size. With 7.1 million viewers tuning in for the premiere episode, Quantico has shattered ratings records on ABC.

     

    It was a bold move on Disney owned ABC Network’s part to cast an Indian actress as the lead for their television series but the ‘no risk, no gain’ policy seems to have paid off for the network. Quantico’s premiere episode has given ABC its best Sunday ratings since the 2012 telecast of Desperate Housewives’ finale.

     

    Be it the larger than life scripting and narrative, the top notch production, or the fan base that Chopra has in the US as a Bollywood actress as well as a pop singer — the fact is that Quantico may just be perfect answer to what ABC Network was looking for. With an average demo rating of 1.9, the pilot episode aired on 27 September topped other popular shows on the network like Revenge and Once Upon A Time by a good margin, as per reports from international media. To reiterate, that’s over seven million viewers in a single day!

     

    Chopra’s growing popularity internationally, especially after her pop album release, is no secret. Her recent public appearance during the NBA match between Warriors and Cavaliers where they played the Quantico promo, made headlines instantly. However, having said that, it certainly doesn’t compare to her fan base back home in India.

     

    It’s a proud moment for Chopra’s fans, who are waiting with bated breath for Star World and Star World HD to premiere the show in India on 3 October.

     

    Chopra was recently seen reassuring a fan on Twitter, who questioned why her Indian fans have to wait seven days for the show to air in India. “@priyankachopra -:))) we are so deprived in India…why do we have to wait for one whole week to see your first episode? Not fair #Quantico,” a fan tweeted.

     

    Chopra responded back saying, “Tried my hardest @priyaguptatimes to show in India ASAP! Can’t wait for u all to c it on 3rd October!”

     

    It does seem a tad uncanny that while shows like Downton Abbey, Modern Family, Homeland and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, are being simulcast in both the US and Indian network on Star World and Star World HD, a show likeQuantico, which has an obvious Indian connect and the potential to be more successful on home turf, is airing seven days after its airtime in the US.

     

    It will be interesting to see, if the broadcaster buckles under pressure from Indian fans, if they continue to demand Quanticoto be simulcast after the pilot episode is released.

     

    While it will be a one of a kind fan service for Chopra on the network’s part to allow the show to be simulcast here, the current air-time schedule might actually work in the show’s favour. Some argue that it couldn’t have been a better way to introduce the show in India — among a flurry of excitement of its international success. After all, having a Bollywood star as a cast isn’t always an assurance of the show’s success, as we observe from the fate of shows like Yudh, which starred none other than Amitabh Bachchan.

     

    While the show’s fate in India will only be decided after the pilot episode on 3 October, the broadcaster can easily piggy back ride its marketing and promotions on the buzz, which is already stirring around the show. What’s more with Chopra and the entire Bollywood fraternity cheering her on social media, the excitement is palpable.  

     

    Social networking platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are already abound with gossip about the show. Whatever little screenshots, dialogues and status updates that Indians can source online is effective in working them up for the premiere. Now, whether the show and Chopra’s role as an FBI agent will be able to live up to this hype, we will know soon enough.

  • Paul Edwards tapped to helm National Geographic’s four-hour movie event

    Paul Edwards tapped to helm National Geographic’s four-hour movie event

    MUMBAI: Acclaimed television director Paul Edwards has been tapped to direct National Geographic Channel’s four-hour scripted movie event Saints & Strangers.

    The program, produced by Sony Pictures Television with Little Engine Productions, is scheduled to start shooting this summer in South Africa, with a premiere set for fall 2015. The film puts a new lens on the familiar historical account of the trials and tribulations faced by the first American settlers and the native Americans they encountered upon their arrival.

     
    “Paul’s resume reads like a ‘must-watch’ list of TV programs from the last two decades, and we’re excited to watch him bring this story to life in a creative and cohesive way,” said NGC president of original programming and production Tim Pastore.

    “We are thrilled that Paul will be at the helm of this extraordinary project to contribute his vast expertise and experience as a director and cinematographer,” said Sony Pictures Television executive vice president of movies and limited series Helen Verno.

     
    Edwards has been directing for television series for more than 15 years. He has directed episodes of the popular current hits Gotham, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Blacklist, Once Upon a Time, Sleepy Hollow and Bates Motel, along with such cult favorites as Fringe and Lost. He received a BAFTA TV award for his work onHeroes.

     
    Saints & Strangers is a story that goes beyond the familiar historical version of the founding of America, revealing the trials and tribulations of the first American settlers: 101 men, women and children who sailed on the Mayflower for a place no one had ever seen. Half of these “pilgrims” were religious separatists who had abandoned their prior lives for religious freedom and an opportunity to create a new social order built on their values. The other half, “adventurers,” were mostly single men seeking financial opportunity and a rapid acquisition of wealth in a new land or trying to escape their old identities or criminal pasts. Intertwined with these complex inner struggles is the relationship with the Native Americans and the conflicting allegiances among these groups, culminating in trials of assimilation, faith and compromise that to this day define our country.

    Saints & Strangers will be produced for National Geographic Channels US by Sony Pictures Television. For Little Engine Productions, executive producers are Grant Scharbo and Gina Matthews; Teri Weinberg is executive producer; Eric Overmyer is executive producer/writer; Seth Fisher is writer. Original script was written by Chip Johannessen, with revisions by Walon Green. For Sony Pictures Television, executive vice president of movies and limited series is Helen Verno. For National Geographic Channels, president of original programming and production is Tim Pastore; vice president of production is Matt Renner.

  • Endemol acquires International Drama producer Artists Studio

    Endemol acquires International Drama producer Artists Studio

    MUMBAI: Endemol, a world leader in multiplatform entertainment, today announced it has acquired international drama production company Artists Studio.

     

    Artists Studio produces critically acclaimed hits such as The Fall, starring Gillian Anderson (‘The X-Files’, ‘The Last King of Scotland’) and Jamie Dornan (‘Fifty Shades of Grey’, ‘Once Upon a Time’). Created and written by Alan Cubitt, this remains BBC Two’s most successful drama to date, averaging more than 4 million viewers per episode across its first season in 2013.  

     

    Previous Artists Studio credits include Combat Hospital for ABC and Thorne for Sky UK. 

     

    Endemol will globally distribute Artists Studio productions including the second season of The Fall, which has been commissioned for production in 2014 (6 x 1 hours for BBC Two); as well as numerous projects commissioned and in development for UK and US broadcasters. Further announcements will be made in due course. 

     

    Emmy award-winning producer, Gub Neal (‘Prime Suspect’; ‘Cracker’; ‘Queer as Folk’) co-founded Artists Studio in February 2009, alongside Justin Thomson-Glover and Patrick Irwin, all three of whom formerly ran drama producer Box TV. 

     

    Based in South Wales and with offices in London, Artists Studio also incorporates sister company  Far Moor Media, which provides executive production services including pre-sales, deal structuring, rights management and casting, for an extensive portfolio of international drama producers. Far Moor’s most recent project is Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBC1, BBC America, Space), currently filming for delivery in late 2014. 

     

    Artists Studio becomes part of Endemol UK, which has drama credits including Peaky Blinders (Tiger Aspect and Caryn Mandabach for BBC Two), Ripper Street (Tiger Aspect for BBC One and Amazon Studios), Black Mirror (Zeppotron for Channel 4), Prisoners’ Wives (Tiger Aspect for BBC One) and The Mill (DSP for Channel 4). 

     

    Lucas Church, CEO of Endemol UK comments: “Artists Studio is led by outstanding talent and has a slate that includes one of the BBC’s biggest ever dramas and a world-class line up of new series for the international market.  This acquisition underpins Endemol UK’s position as a company with some of the most successful drama in the business.” 

     

    Cathy Payne CEO of Endemol Worldwide Distribution adds: “Artists Studio is one of the most exciting producers of quality drama in the marketplace today. Their productions combine exceptional writing and performances with gripping storytelling that can captivate audiences all over the world. Having them in the Endemol family will be a further boost to the Group’s global scripted output and to our worldwide distribution business. “ 

     

    Gub Neal, Creative Director of Artists Studio comments: “Artists Studio’s international activity has grown rapidly over the last 12 months, creating huge opportunities, which is why it now makes total sense to join forces with a truly global player.  Endemol have the status, scale and reach to help us grow the business outside the UK, but equally the creative hubris and sensitivity to allow us to continue our work with UK talent in the bespoke manner that defines our brand.” 

     

    Joint Managing Director of Far Moor Media, Justin Thomson-Glover adds: “We are delighted that Endemol understand the unique potential of Far Moor’s services.  As consultant executive producers we will continue to offer production companies and talent, significant added value in the sphere of bespoke co-production deals and pre-sales for event television in the international market.” 

     

    Endemol’s scripted programming business has grown internationally by 75% in the last five years and today represents a quarter of the company’s worldwide business. 

     

    Other Endemol drama productions around the world include Hell on Wheels, which is now in its fourth season on AMC in the USA; as well as major forthcoming series such as Gallipoli (Endemol Australia for Nine Network and TV3 New Zealand) and Fortitude (Tiger Aspect/Fifty Fathoms for Sky Atlantic), starring Michael Gambon, Stanley Tucci, Christopher Eccleston and Sofie Grabol. 

     

    Endemol also globally distributes a growing portfolio of more than 10,000 hours of scripted programming.  This includes major series such as The Crimson Field (BBC Drama for BBC One), Death Comes to Pemberley (Origin Pictures for BBC One, produced in association with Far Moor), The Thirteenth Tale (HeyDay Films for BBC One), Hot in Cleveland (TV Land USA), and Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (Cuba Pictures /Feel Films / Far Moor for BBC One).

  • Once Upon a Time… first Bollywood film shot in Oman

    Once Upon a Time… first Bollywood film shot in Oman

    MUMBAI: Ekta Kapoor‘s Balaji Motion Pictures recently shot parts of its much-awaited film Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai-2 in the Sultanate of Oman. This marks the first time that a major Bollywood film has been shot in Oman.

    The sequel to the 2010 blockbuster, that has stars like Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Imran Khan and Sonali Bendre among others, is slated for 8 August worldwide release.

    Speaking about the destination and the experience of shooting in the country, Balaji Motion Pictures CEO Tanuj Garg said, “Oman is a stunning country with varied landscapes. We required a good mix of retro and contemporary for the part we wanted to shoot there, and Oman gave us a lot more. It has a lot to offer visually, which worked well for us as film-makers.”

    “There are so many beautiful locations across the globe but little did we know that a country of such stark yet stunning beauty is a neighboring country.

    We needed a location of pristine beauty in the Middle East, and Oman, a relatively virgin location, worked for us like a charm. It‘s a rich mix of sea, sand and mountains,” added director Milan Luthria.

    The film was shot at the Qantab Beach, Qurum Corniche, Central Business District and The Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa.