Movie Extra has announced that its quirky TV dramedy Chandon Pictures has sold format rights to premiere international distribution company Lionsgate, following their acquisition of the worldwide distribution rights in January.
Building on this success, Movie Extra recently signed off on a second series from creator Rob Carlton through his production company Shadowfax TV, comprising eight new half hour episodes.
Carlton says that the project he began writing in 1998 about a struggling video production company with visions of grandeur has evolved into a flourishing product that he is proud of.
"We were all very proud of Series 1 – we love working with Extra and are thrilled they’ve put their faith in us again with a greenlight for Series 2. The opportunity to work with Lionsgate in the US is an honour and is a snug fit with our overall strategy of ruling the world,” said Carlton.
Of the format deal, Kevin Beggs, President of Television Programming and Production for Lionsgate, said: “From the moment we screened the series we knew it was something that can translate seamlessly here in the U.S. Rob Carlton has done an amazing job of crafting characters involved in situations that are extremely accessible and relatable.
“We have high hopes for the original version as well as our ability to replicate the Australian success here in the US.”
Peter Jenetsky, General Manager, Marketing & Content Strategy for Movie Network Channels says that the series has delivered on network objectives.
“We set out to create a unique local production for our Movie Extra channel that would be distinctly different, yet highly relatable to a wider audience. From the outset, the long term vision has always been to see that product through to a second series and attract international interest, so Chandon Pictures has certainly ticked those boxes,” said Jenetsky.
For the second series, Creator, co-Director and star Rob Carlton will bring back members of his core production team.
The experienced hand of esteemed comedy Executive Producer Ted Robinson will return for Series 2, as will Carlton’s Co-Director Alex Weinress, who won world-renowned Australian short film competition, Tropfest, alongside Carlton in 2006.
Principal cast members returning for the second series include Darren Gilshenan, who plays the awkward but loyal cameraman Nick; and Rebecca Massey, as Chandon Pictures’ pragmatic and sometimes problematic producer, Lucy.
Since it debuted original and exclusive to Movie Extra last November, Chandon Pictures has been critically acclaimed in Australia for its offbeat brand of humour and was nominated for Most Outstanding Drama earlier this year at the ASTRA (Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association) Awards and is currently nominated for the 2008 AWGIES (Australian Writers Guild Awards).
While working on the second series of Chandon Pictures , Rob Carlton can be seen on the ABC in the upcoming new six-part political comedy/drama produced by Working Dog, The Hollowmen.
Series 2 of Chandon Pictures ill premiere early 2009
Chandon Pictures is an 8 x 30min series produced by Shadowfax TV for Movie Extra.
[Release by Movie Extra]