Emma Moroney aims to develop international TV co-productions with Australian producers and talent in her new job with Malaysia’s Ideate Media.
The former production and development executive at Screen NSW, Moroney has been appointed vice president of production at the Kuala Lumpur-based studio.
Ideate Media is a co-venture between Khazanah Nasional Berhad (the Malaysian government’s investment arm) and Astro Overseas Limited, the international division of Malaysia’s leading media/entertainment group Astro, which controls Australian-based Fetch TV.
Its remit is to develop and produce film, TV fiction and factual content and animation for global audiences.
Production is underway on Ideate’s first co-production, animated children’s series Bubble Bath Bay, in league with Essential Media and Entertainment and Telegael Ireland.
Commissioned by ABC children’s, the 52×11’ series follows the adventures of Sydney the Sailboat, Zip the Water Taxi and their nautical friends in magical waterways, islands and coves, based on a concept created by Gareth Eden Styche of Shambles Inc.
“Essentially our co-pro strategy is to work with Australian producers on joint IP to develop and produce high-qualityTV drama, kids, comedy, animation and factual for the global market,” Moroney tells IF.
“We are looking for truly international stories that can cross cultures and work in multiple markets. With a progressive mindset the exploitation of stories over multiple platforms is also key to our strategy so we are keen to hear from producers with proven success in this area.
“We have a big slate that includes international projects but at this stage no confirmed talent attached. We hope to bring in some Aussie writers on TV projects this year.”
Moroney spent nearly three years at Screen NSW, assessing and managing feature films, documentaries, TV series and shorts from early stage through to production.
Malaysia has emerged as an attractive destination for international filmmakers thanks to the Film In Malaysia Incentive (a 30% cash rebate on all qualifying Malaysian production expenditure) and the opening of Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios.