FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has struck a 'first look' deal with Weta Workshop's affiliate TV business, Pukeko Pictures.
The companies, which plan to work together on new scripted television series, have jointly hired former Atticus Entertainment executive Adam Fratto to head development of new television projects aimed at the global market.
He will work from FremantleMedia’s LA office although the two companies are expected to tap into the vast resources of Weta Workshop, which has provided physical and digital effects for films such as Avatar, District 9 and The Adventures of Tintin.
While at Atticus Entertainment, Fratto spearheaded television, feature and new media development under a first-look deal with HBO. He is also co-executive producer of mystery series Haven, based on The Colorado Kid novel by Stephen King, airing on Syfy in the US and more than 100 cable channels around the world.
Fratto will report to Martin Baynton, co-owner of Pukeko Pictures, and work alongside Jeff Tahler, FME’s senior vice president of global content, and Tony Optican, senior vice president of scripted programming for FremantleMedia North America.
FME has previously worked with other global companies to produce TV content, such as The Wedding Band (with Tollin Productions for TBS in the US) and Hit & Miss (with Abbott Vision for Sky Atlantic in the UK). Pukeko has developed the successful children's TV series The WotWots.
Contact this reporter at bswift@www.if.com.au or on Twitter at @bcswift.