The deal marks first-ever format commission for the series outside the USA Saloon Media kicks off casting for Hoarders: Canada this week
Saloon Media kicks off casting for Hoarders: Canada this week
[Toronto, ON – April 12, 2022] – Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Media company, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with A+E Networks to produce the format of the critically acclaimed series, Hoarders, marking the first-ever format commission for the series outside the USA. Under the title Hoarders: Canada, the series has been greenlit by Blue Ant Media for its Canadian programming slate. Hoarders: Canada follows a team of experts as they tackle some of Canada’s most challenging hoards, giving viewers an in-depth look at the emotional stories of those dealing with compulsive hoarding behaviours. Produced by the award-winning Saloon Media, nationwide casting for Hoarders: Canadawill begin this month.
“Blue Ant Media’s global makeup enables us to work with industry-leading partners to license and localize popular TV formats and give them homegrown voices,” said Sam Linton, VP, Head of Original Content, Canadian Media, Blue Ant Media. “We’re proud to be partnering with A+E Networks to bring this hit franchise to Canadians nationwide. Saloon Media’s track record of award-winning TV format series and documentaries makes them the perfect production partner for Hoarders: Canada.
“We’re delighted to be involved with a franchise series as successful and long-standing as Hoarders,” said Michael Kot, Managing Director, Saloon Media. “In keeping with A+E Networks’ format,Hoarders: Canada will be shot documentary-style and with the utmost respect for those sharing their emotional stories.”
Ellen Lovejoy, SVP Global Content Sales at A+E Networks, said: “We are excited to partner with Saloon Media and Blue Ant Media to bring the compelling format that is Hoarders to Canadian viewers. A+E Networks has a long history of creating successful long running formats that are easily adaptable in the global marketplace. We are actively building partnerships to leverage our broad slate to create successful local adaptations.”
Hoarders: Canada will explore the world of extreme hoarding and provide an in-depth look at real-life stories of those directly affected by compulsive hoarding. Each episode will introduce viewers to individuals from across Canada as a team of experts try to help clean out massive hoards and assist with setting these individuals up for future success. Leading Canadian psychologists will work in tandem with extreme cleanup experts in an effort to help these families deal with a hoarding crisis of epic magnitude.Hoarders: Canada will premiere on Blue Ant Media’s specialty channel Makeful in late 2022.
Hoarders: Canada joins a roster of original TV formats commissioned by Blue Ant Media for its Canadian specialty channels, including Makeful’s Landscape Artist of the Year: Canada and Cottage Life’s highest-rated original series,Life Below Zero: Canada, produced by Saloon Media and now in its second season. Casting for Hoarders: Canada is now open and is accepting applications nationwide via hoarderscanadacasting.com
Hoarders: Canada is based on the critically acclaimed A+E Networks series Hoarders. Franklin Cumberbatch and Peter Tarshis serve as executive producers for A+E Networks. Hoarders:Canadais produced by Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Media company. Shannon McKinnon serves as the Series Producer and Deborah MacDonald is the Supervising Producer. Michael Kot, Betty Orr and Pam Mcnair serve as Executive Producers.
Blue Ant International’s robust spring slate includes premium new offerings across factual, specialist factual, high-impact documentaries and kids & family categories
Rochelle Humes: Interior Designer in the Making joins Blue Ant International’s new slate of programming heading to MIPTV 2022.Rochelle Humes: Interior Designer in the Making Picture shows:
(Toronto, ON – March 28, 2022) – Global distribution group, Blue Ant International, announced today that it is heading to MIPTV with 180 hours of new premium programming across tent-pole categories including Factual Entertainment, Specialist Factual, High-Impact Documentaries and Kids & Family. The new slate includes premium titles and long-running franchises that are in high demand from platforms around the world looking to fill their offerings with fresh, compelling programming.
“Audience demand for content across all genres is still on the rise and our international expertise allows us to tap into a variety of ways to bring compelling series and films to buyers around the world, from streaming to linear TV.” says Solange Attwood, EVP, Blue Ant International. “We have a significant new slate this spring that includes returning, fan-favourite programming and must-see limited series that viewers are eager to watch.”
Blue Ant International’s spring slate is set to deliver three new high-impact documentaries, including the highly anticipated true crime docuseries Evil By Design: Surviving Nygard (3 x 60’; HD; Blue Ant Studios), which searches for the truth behind the allegations of disgraced fashion designer, Peter Nygård, and his 40-year reign of terror, featuring exclusive interviews with survivors, never-before-seen photos and video footage. Also joining the slate is Coextinction (1 x 94; 4K, Coexistence Films), which explores the incredible true story of a mother orca who carried her dead calf for 17 days, while examining the collapse of the ecosystem, injustices against Indigenous peoples and the frontlines of environmental threats. Blue Ant’s high-impact documentary offering also includes the previously announced Prince Charles’ Grand Green Design, (1 x 60; HD, B4Films) an exclusive, inside look at a secret project Prince Charles has been working on for over a decade—the restoration of a rundown estate, with the goal of instilling hope and pride to a community.
Newfactual programming debuting at MipTV includes the long-running See No Evil, Season 8 (20 x 60’; HD; Arrow Media & Saloon Media), a ground-breaking series that shows how real crimes are solved with surveillance cameras, featuring candid footage, dramatic reconstructions and first-hand testimony from police and witnesses. Buyers will also be introduced to Roswell Rediscovered: 75th Anniversary (1 x 120′ & 2 x 60′; 4K HDR; Coleman Television Limited), a deep dive into America’s most infamous UFO incident with new witness testimonies, incredible alternative theories and concrete scientific facts; Ice Vikings, Season 3, (8 x 60’; 4K; Farpoint Films), which looks at the wild and dangerous world of commercial ice fishing as modern day ice vikings battle against the frigid cold to haul in lucrative freshwater catch; and Fraud Squad, Season 4 (10 x 60’; HD; Brown Bob Productions), which follows a team of investigators whose job is to catch and convict the biggest and most shocking cases of theft from the UK’s public funds.
Blue Ant International is bringing an impressive batch of new specialist factual titles to market including returning seriesBattle of the Alphas, Season 2 (12 x 30′ 4K HDR; Yap Films), a look at the science behind animal conflict and competition, from turf wars to mating mayhem, as animals go head-to-head with their own kind in an epic battle for supremacy and Malawi Wildlife Rescue,Season 2 (6×60’; HD, 4K & HDR, Icon Films), which follows the dedicated wildlife rehabilitation team at the Lilongwe Rehabilitation Center in Malawi on new high-octane excursions, including rescuing animals from snares, confiscating illegal wildlife trafficking, such as pangolins and scorpions, translocating elephants and zebras and dealing with mischievous baboons. Additional natural history titles include: One Planet, One Chance (3 x 60′; HD; One Planet Production), which follows renowned conservation photographer and filmmaker Joakim Odelberg around the world to gather facts and raise awareness on the impact humans have on the planet; The Orchard (1 x 60; 4K; Arcadia Entertainment Inc.) a fascinating look at the ecological life cycle in an apple orchard, from the first warmth of spring to the autumn harvest and the previously announced documentary The Ocean’s Greatest Feast (1 x 50’; 4K; Earth Touch), which explores the annual sardine run in South Africa, using an array of new filming technology to bring this renowned phenomenon vividly to life in full 4K, giving audiences an immersive dive into this natural wonder.
Blue Ant International has added several new factual lifestyle series to its offering including Rochelle Humes: Interior Designer in the Making (10 x 60’; HD; UKTV), an aspirational series starring the UK’s singer and television presenter Rochelle Humes, who invites cameras into her home for the first time as she transitions her passion for home decor into the world of professional interior design.
Among the new lifestyle batch, the distributor has acquired several home reno and food titles from General Purpose Entertainment, including: Shotgun Reno (13 x 30′; HD; General Purpose Entertainment) a look at home renovation done in the midst of a life-altering event like a wedding or the birth of a child; The Fix (26 x 30′; SD; General Purpose Entertainment), which follows homeowners who think they’re getting a free renovation and find that the contractors have given their homes absurd makeovers. Once the joke is revealed, the contractors transform their homes into the lovely oases they were hoping for; Dining INNvasion (13 x 30′; HD; General Purpose Entertainment) a makeover show for desperate resort owners in need of a menu revamp and dining room redesign; Making House (13 x 30′; HD; General Purpose Entertainment), which follows interior designer and her contractor husband, Jenn and Chad, as they gut their forever home while living out of a cramped apartment with their three kids; and The Heat with Mark McEwan (39 x 30′; SD; General Purpose Entertainment), a peek inside the professional kitchen of celebrity chef and entrepreneur Mark McEwan. Rounding out the new lifestyle programming is Flat Out Food (6 x 30′; HD; HalterMedia Inc.), which aims to change how audiences think about food with a journalist detailing the history and cultural significance of dishes and their ingredients.
Additional specialist factual programming includes history-themed titles including Art of the Eighth (1 x 60′; 4K; HDR; Coleman Television), an emotional look at the forgotten path of 200,000 American air force personnel serving in England during WWII who turned to art, drawn on the walls of barracks, canteens and block rooms, bringing a new and untold aspect of the war; The Lost Colony of Roanoke: New Evidence (2 x 60′ HD | 1 x 120′ HD; Saloon Media & BriteSpark Films), which examines a gripping 400-year-old mystery and countless conspiracy theories around the disappearance of more than a hundred colonists who settled on Roanoke Island, off North Carolina in 1587; Mysteries From Above (10 x 60′; HD; Saloon Media), a documentary series that investigates significant historic sites from drones, satellites and aerial photography, allowing for a dramatic perspective; and the previously announced title Ancient Earth: Dinosaurs of the Frozen Continent (2 x 60′; HD; NHNZ Worldwide & Giant Screen Films), a two-part series following paleontologists as they uncover fossil evidence of ancient animals and plants that once thrived on Antarctica, while unraveling the mysteries of how these creatures survived in a land where it’s dark for four months.
New kids and family titles include the recently announced, long-running live action series Detention Adventure Season 3, (31×11’, LoCo Motion Pictures/Broken Compass Films), which continues to follow the Detention Adventure gang, this time working to uncover a secret in a hidden Lawren Harris painting. When they are sent to a dilapidated Island School, they soon realize that it is more than it appears to be and might just hold the answers that they are looking for. Additional kids and family series include: Leo’s Pollinators (26 x 11′; HD; Fifth Ground Entertainment), starring Leo the catfish on her mission to save pollinators who help plants grow by spreading pollen, including bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and flying squirrels; Pixie Fix and the Last Dewdrops (13 x 12′; HD; Umatik Entertainment), the charming animated story of Pixie Fix, a wise elf and his clumsy assistant, Huey Gluey, who set off on a quest through desert, snowy mountains and the jungle to uncover the whereabouts of the missing dewdrops and Cute Baby Animals (20 x 5′; HD; Three Arrows Media), a series of wildlife shorts featuring the cutest baby animals around the world, from rhinos to wombats, while exploring how these irresistible babies survive in their diverse habitats. Blue Ant Internationalis a leading worldwide distributor of high-quality, creative content that engages audiences worldwide and across multiple platforms. The company offers a full-service approach to production partners with sales operations in the U.S., UK and Canada. Blue Ant International has a growing slate of over 4,000 hours of premium content, including distinctive series and formats in five key genres including factual entertainment, specialist factual, high-impact documentaries, kids and family, and scripted. Blue Ant International also has one of the world’s largest offerings of 4K natural history content. Blue Ant International is a division of Blue Ant Media.
This series of key personnel moves supports the company’s continued expansion in North America
Betty Orr, Pam McNair, Elizabeth St. Philip (left to right)
(TORONTO, ON – February 23, 2022) Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Media company, today announced the appointment of Betty Orr to Senior Vice President of Production, Pam McNair to Production Executive, and Elizabeth St. Philip to Senior Producer, as part of the company’s continued expansion. These personnel moves will see Orr take on an expanded executive role, and bring McNair and St. Philip, who have worked with the company on award-winning projects, including Canada’s Drag Race and 9/11 Kids respectively, to the production team in a full-time capacity.
In her expanded role as SVP of Production, Orr will continue to work closely with Managing Director Michael Kot to lead all aspects of Saloon’s production business. Previously serving as Head of Production, Orr joined Saloon Media when it launched in 2013 and has more than 25 years of television and film production experience, ranging from producing award-winning television series such as Kids In The Hall to her critically acclaimed feature film, Cube. Orr has played an integral role in building Saloon’s team and slate since the company’s inception, and recently served as executive producer on Canada’s Drag Race (produced with Blue Ant Studios for Crave),Prime Video’s Ted Bundy: Falling for a Killer, and T+E’s hit series, Hotel Paranormal, narrated by Dan Aykroyd. Prior to Saloon, Orr worked with eOne, Cineflix, White Pine Pictures, Decode Entertainment (DHX Media), Jim Henson Productions and CBC.
“I am so proud of what we are creating at Saloon and am eager to continue working with our talented team to produce new content that is not only entertaining, but also impactful and informative,” said Orr. “I look forward to continuing to expand our footprint in North America and beyond, and to developing more exciting projects as we continue to grow our dynamic slate.”
“Betty’s vision and expertise has played an invaluable role in building Saloon’s business since the day our doors opened. We’re thrilled for her to take on this expanded role as we continue to grow our production presence,” said Michael Kot, Managing Director ofSaloon Media. “Pam and Elizabeth are best-in-class creatives with whom we have had the opportunity to work on several projects over the past few years, and we are extremely fortunate to now have them bring their talents to our team full-time.”
Pam McNair joins Saloon as Production Executive, reporting to Orr. An award-winning producer, McNair has previously worked with Saloon as a producer on projects including Canada’s Drag Race and Ted Bundy: Falling for a Killer. In her new role, McNair will produce factual series for buyers in North America and around the globe. McNair’s production experience spans docu-series, factual, competition programming, game shows, dramatic features, and live television events including several Olympic Games. Her previous credits include Hockeyville (CBC and Kraft Canada), Chopped Canada (Corus), Shaun’s Great Adventure (CBC), The Magical Gathering (Disney + CBC), and 2000 TODAY, a global television special commemorating the beginning of the Year 2000.
Elizabeth St. Philip joins Saloon as Senior Producer, reporting to Kot. An award-winning producer and director, St. Philip will develop and produce documentaries and docu-series for national and international markets. Her credits include directing and producing the feature documentary 9/11 Kids for Saloon, which was nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards in 2021, won the Donald Brittain Award for Best Social/Political Documentary, and won a Rogers Audience award at Hot Docs in 2020. Previously, she was a senior producer for CTV, where she covered national news for 20 years. St. Philip has also directed documentaries for the National Film Board of Canada, and her work has won or been nominated for over 20 awards across the industry.
These moves come during a period of rapid growth at Saloon Media, which produced over 100 hours of content in 2021. Saloon’s recent series include World’s Most Scenic River Journeys (co-produced with BriteSpark East for Channel 5 UK and Smithsonian Channel Canada), History By The Numbers (CuriosityStream + Smithsonian Channel Canada), Deep Water Salvage (The Weather Channel + Cottage Life), See No Evil (Investigation Discovery), Mysteries From Above (Cottage Life),The Lost Colony of Roanoke (T+E), and Life Below Zero: Canada (Cottage Life).
Blue Ant International appoints Bryan Gabourie as SVP, International Sales & Partnerships.
(Toronto, ON – January 18, 2022) – Global distribution group, Blue Ant International, announced today the appointment of Bryan Gabourie to the role of SVP, International Sales & Partnerships. In this role, he will oversee all sales activities from originals, pre-sales, content licensing, co-productions and strategic partnerships in the U.S. market. Based in New York, Bryan will report to Solange Attwood, EVP, Blue Ant International.
“Bryan’s deep experience and relationships with buyers across all platforms in the U.S. market is a huge asset in growing our business in the United States.” says Solange Attwood, EVP, Blue Ant International. “Additionally, his track record in global distribution and development makes him a valuable member of the Blue Ant International team.”
“I’m thrilled to be joining such a dynamic and fast-growing media company,” says Bryan Gabourie, SVP International Sales & Partnerships, Blue Ant International. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to further grow our business, and forge new partnerships in this constantly evolving landscape.”
Gabourie has over 15 years experience in global distribution and development and was most recently Vice President, Global Content Sales & Digital Licensing at A+E where he represented A+E Networks brands and programming for content sales, co-production, channel partnership and format sales and managed multi-territory streaming opportunities. There he honed partnerships with linear broadcasters, digital and streaming platforms in the U.S. and English and French speaking Canada for all genres within the A+E portfolio.
Prior to joining A+E, Gabourie was Vice President, International Distribution & Development, Rive Gauche Television, where he was responsible for distribution of over 2,500 hours of television and film content to international broadcasters in Asia, Europe, The Middle East and major North American and worldwide/pan regional clients for both finished programming and formats. This role also included global acquisitions for new programming, co-production agreements and original development. Before becoming a distribution executive, Gabourie spent the first half of his career in production and development holding several positions at Paramount Studios/20th Century Fox TV, Nickelodeon and Warner Bros.
Blue Ant Internationalis a leading worldwide distributor of high-quality, creative content that engages audiences worldwide and across multiple platforms. The company offers a full-service approach to production partners with sales operations in the U.S., UK and Canada. Blue Ant International has a growing slate of over 4,000 hours of premium content, including distinctive series and formats in five key genres including factual entertainment, specialist factual, high-impact documentaries, kids and family, and scripted. Blue Ant International also has one of the world’s largest offerings of 4K natural history content. Blue Ant International is a division of Blue Ant Media.
Sales include popular paranormal, natural history and Royal documentary titles from the distributor’s diverse catalogue
Blue Ant International secures sales with leading Latin American platforms for a diverse range of popular titles including Harry and Meghan: Two Troubled Years, included in a collection called The Royal Documentaries.
(Toronto, ON – January 11, 2022) – Global distribution group, Blue Ant International, announced today that it has secured several sales with leading linear and streaming platforms across Latin America. The deals include premium programming across the distributor’s Factual and Specialist Factual categories to buyers across Latin American territories including DIRECTV, DIRECTV GO, Sky Brazil, Globosat and AMC Networks International.
“These most recent sales are a reflection of popular and ratings-driving titles across paranormal, documentaries and natural history. The broad range of content illustrates how versatile and diverse our catalogue is for providing programming for all types of audiences,” says Maria Ibarra, VP, International Sales, Blue Ant International. “Overseeing both pre-sales and content licensing with our Latin American buyers, I look forward to being in contact with Latam partners for our most current content offerings.”
Blue Ant International Sales Highlights
Latin America PayTV service DIRECTV and the streaming platform DIRECTV GO, in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Mexico, havepicked up Bathsheba (2 × 60’; HD; Cream Productions). The documentary tells the chilling true story behind the horror film, The Conjuring. The two-part special sets out to separate fact from fiction beneath the blockbuster film, using archives of world famous paranormal investigators and family members who were terrorized by a 19th-century ghost believed by many to be a witch named Bathsheba Sherman. DIRECTV and DIRECTV GO have also licensed The Royal Documentaries (ITN Productions), a package of 20 one-off documentaries that present fresh perspectives on the royal family ranging from the recent dynamics of Prince Harry to nostalgic look backs at Diana and Queen Elizabeth II, offering a look at their lives through a lens of historical context and cultural significance. Additionally, as part of this deal, Sky Brazil has also picked up The Royal Documentaries to air in Brazil.
AMC Networks International – Latin America has picked up a programming package from Love Nature’s celebrated 4K originals library in Mexico, South America and Central America. Love Nature series that will air on the platform include Baby Animals (13 x 30’; 4K; Blue Ant Studios), which follows adorable baby animals from infant elephants to rambunctious rhinos as they eat, sleep and play their way to adulthood and Strange Creatures (13 x 30’; 4K; Blue Ant Studios) a look at the astounding adaptations, marvelous mating rituals and amazing abnormalities among the weirdest of wild animals, captured in stunning 4K detail.
Globosat in Brazil has tapped exclusive PayTV and SVOD rights for Into the Blue (8 x 60’; 4K; Zona Mixta), a stunning exploration of the various marine ecosystems and thousands of underwater creatures that live in the Coral Triangle in the western Pacific Ocean.
Blue Ant Internationalis a leading worldwide distributor of high-quality, creative content that engages audiences worldwide and across multiple platforms. The company offers a full-service approach to production partners with sales operations in London, Toronto, Miami and Los Angeles. Blue Ant International has a growing slate of over 4,000 hours of premium content, including distinctive series and formats in five key genres including factual entertainment, specialist factual, high-impact documentaries, kids and family, and scripted. Blue Ant International also has one of the world’s largest offerings of 4K natural history content. Blue Ant International is a division of Blue Ant Media.
(Left to Right) Momo Film Co. co-founders Tan Si En and Kris Ong
(SINGAPORE – November 17, 2021) – Award-winning production company Beach House Pictures, a Blue Ant Media company, announced today that it has purchased a majority stake in Singapore-based scripted producer Momo Film Co., led by co-founders Tan Si En and Kris Ong. The move brings Momo Film’s expertise and innovation in Asian scripted content to Beach House Pictures — one of the largest independent production companies in Asia — doubling down on the company’s commitment to expanding its premium scripted slate.
Formed in 2018 by producer Tan Si En and writer/director Kris Ong, Momo Film Co. has quickly established itself as a young and dynamic premium producer of high-quality Asian scripted content for viewers in the region and around the world. Their works have traveled to film festivals such as the International Film Festival of Rotterdam, Locarno Film Festival and Berlin International Film Festival among others. Momo Film’s content tells new, authentic, and ambitious Asian stories with style and a fresh perspective, collaborating with legacy media partners as well as with new creators and up-and-coming talent.
As demand for top-quality Asian content continues to surge, Momo FIlm is at the forefront of providing unique and culturally diverse, premium Asian television and film. Tan Si En’s recent credits include The Year of the Everlasting Storm, which screened at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival – she also produced Anthony Chen’s award-winning film Wet Season. Kris Ong, a script consultant at HBO Asia, is also a writer/director whose latest short film Sunday had its world premiere at the Palm Springs International Shortfest in 2019. She is also the co-writer on He Shuming’s debut feature film Ajoomma, which is currently in production.
The deal will supercharge Beach House’s growing scripted slate, expand its diverse library of Asian IP, and complement its flourishing unscripted business, with recent standout projects including The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea (Netflix), Otter Dynasty (Animal Planet, Love Nature), MasterChef Singapore (MediaCorp Channel 5), Ed Stafford: First Man Out (Discovery; Bilibili), and the Kate Beckinsale narrated documentary Best Dog India (Netflix, Discovery+). It also marks the latest in a series of moves that further poise Beach House for growth both in Asia and internationally, coming on the heels of the launch of its custom-built post-production facility Space Lion Studios, the first 8K-ready premium longform post facility in Southeast Asia with global capabilities.
“Scripted content remains a huge priority for Beach House Pictures as we continue to expand our slate on a global scale. We were instantly energized by the opportunity to be in business with Momo Film Co. and its dynamic and talented team,” said Jocelyn Little, Managing Director of Beach House Pictures. “Si En and Kris have an ambitious creative vision and are producing the kind of bold scripted content that will resonate with audiences around the world right now. We are proud to welcome Momo Film Co. to the Beach House Pictures family.”
Si En and Kris added, “Working with extraordinary Asian talent and producing stories we believe in is the essence of Momo Film Co. We couldn’t be more excited to be joining forces with Beach House Pictures, whose industry links and respect for our vision is exciting to us. We look forward to working together and furthering our ambitions to create and deliver impactful drama.”
About Beach House Pictures
Beach House Pictures, a Blue Ant Media company, is one of Asia’s largest independent production companies. Headquartered in Singapore, and operating in the US, China and Japan, Beach House Pictures specializes in factual and unscripted programming for international streamers and cable networks, creating high-profile series such as The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea, Best Dog India,Otter Dynasty, Ed Stafford: First Man Out, Wild City, MasterChef Singapore, Raffles: Remaking an Icon and China From Above. Other divisions include: Beach House Kids, which is behind scripted series My Buddy Bonemasher and the live action puppetry show Teddies; Beach House Entertainment, which produces formats and general entertainment programs like Record Rides and Cesar’s Recruit; Beach House Labs, experts in digital and branded content and; Beach House Academy, which offers outreach programs and skills training to established and aspiring producers throughout Asia. Beach House Pictures launched its foray into scripted production in 2019, acquiring the rights to iconic Asian properties such as the 1970s action heroine Cleopatra Wong and Mr. Midnight, a best-selling kids horror fiction book series. beachhousepictures.com
Space Lion Studios Offers Comprehensive Post Services With International Capabilities; Marks The First 8K-Ready Premium Longform Post-Production Facility In Southeast Asia
(SINGAPORE – October 19, 2021) – Beach House Pictures, one of Asia’s largest independent production companies, has announced the opening of the custom-built global post-production facility Space Lion Studios. As content continues to boom in Asia and the fast-growing market remains a focus for streamers and networks globally, Singapore-based Space Lion Studios provides a center of excellence for HDR streaming quality deliveries from the heart of Southeast Asia.
The first 8K-ready premium longform post-production facility in Southeast Asia, Space Lion Studios offers the very latest in Dolby Vision 8K HDR Grading, Dolby Atmos Audio Mixing and Netflix IMF Mastering & Delivery over a high-speed EditShare secure collaborative storage network and a comprehensive range of post services for projects big or small.
The state-of-the-art facility offers a seamless experience through all stages of post: from technical consultation and workflow planning, to editing, motion graphics design, VFX and CGI coordination, to sound editing and audio mixing, to color grading and more. Space Lion also offers remote workflow capabilities and editing services, leveraging the very latest technologies to deliver high quality content for major international TV platforms and branded programming agencies around the world.
Helmed by General Manager Paul Stevens and Head of Post and Technology Benjamin Goh, Space Lion Studios is an award-winning, world-class team of visual storytellers with deep experience creating premium longform content for a global audience. The uniquely diverse team hail from different backgrounds and cultures, including resident editors, designers, colorists, and audio engineers, as well as a roster of international editors based in the U.S., rest of Asia and Singapore. Among Space Lion’s current list of clients are international streamers and networks including Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Discovery+, National Geographic, Bilibili and others, with recent projects including the upcoming three-part Netflix docuseries The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea and the acclaimed feature documentary Best Dog India narrated by Kate Beckinsale.
“Asian content is going through unprecedented growth and our work with leading streamers inspired us to launch a truly seamless, one-stop-shop post facility in SEA with the capabilities to support premium longform deliveries to producers, networks, and streamers worldwide,” said Donovan Chan, Creative Director at Beach House Pictures. “Beach House Pictures has been at the forefront of content creation in Asia for 16 years, and the launch of Space Lion Studios marks another important milestone as we go from strength to strength.”
“Space Lion Studios blends the latest in technology and craft with a talented and culturally diverse team to bring a fresh perspective and a rich, top-quality experience unlike any other facility,” said Paul Stevens, General Manager of Space Lion Studios. “Our multicultural DNA also allows us to work across borders and languages enabling us to provide truly global post services to our clients and collaborators.”
Beach House Pictures, a Blue Ant Studios company, is one of Asia’s largest independent production companies. Headquartered in Singapore, and operating in the US, China and Japan, Beach House Pictures specializes in factual and unscripted programming for international streamers and cable networks, creating high-profile series such as The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea, Best Dog India,Otter Dynasty, Ed Stafford: First Man Out, Wild City, MasterChef Singapore, Raffles: Remaking an Icon and China From Above. Other divisions include: Beach House Kids, which is behind scripted series My Buddy Bonemasher and the live action puppetry show Teddies; Beach House Entertainment, which produces formats and general entertainment programs like Record Rides and Cesar’s Recruit; Beach House Labs, experts in digital and branded content and; Beach House Academy, which offers outreach programs and skills training to established and aspiring producers throughout Asia. Beach House Pictures launched its foray into scripted production in 2019, acquiring the rights to iconic Asian properties such as the 1970s action heroine Cleopatra Wong and Mr. Midnight, a best-selling kids horror fiction book series. beachhousepictures.com
New appointment announced alongside additional sales executive promotions as Blue Ant International Expands Sales Team
Blue Ant International appoints Maria Ibarra to VP, International Sales to further build reach with Latin partners
(Toronto, ON – October, 11 2021) – Global distribution group, Blue Ant International, announced today the appointment of Maria Ibarra to the role of VP, International Sales. Ibarra will be responsible for overseeing pre-sales and content licensing across U.S. Hispanic, Latin America and Iberia. Based in Miami, Ibarra will report to Solange Attwood, EVP, Blue Ant International.
In addition to bringing Ibarra on board, Blue Ant International has also promoted Nick Solowski to Senior Director, International Sales and Acquisitions, overseeing pre-sales and licensing across Canada, Asia-Pacific and Ancillary Rights and Fleur Wheatley has been promoted to Director, International Sales and Acquisitions, overseeing Benelux, Scandinavia, the Middle East, Africa, Greece and Israel.
“Maria brings an impressive track record in international distribution, strategic partnerships and strong relationships which will be invaluable for growing our reach in those markets,” says Solange Attwood, EVP, Blue Ant International. “I’m also thrilled to announce promotions for both Nick Solowski and Fleur Wheatley as they continue to build robust relationships with key commissioners and buying executives in their respective regions”
“I’m thrilled to be joining such an accomplished, international team of peers,” says Maria Ibarra, VP, International Sales, Blue Ant International. “I’m looking forward to combining my knowledge and experience with the momentum and success Blue Ant has gained in our rapidly evolving media landscape.”
Ibarra brings two decades of experience in international television distribution, programming, production and business development in which she has become an expert in format licensing, co-productions and pre-buys in Latin America and Canada. During her tenure with Viacom International Media Networks, she held multiple roles within the company. Her last role at the company was Director of International Program Sales for Latin America and Canada, where she was responsible for multiplatform deals including SVOD, PayTV, FreeTV, co-productions, pre-buys and format sales throughout Latin America and Canada.
Ibarra started her career in production before becoming a distribution executive. She joined MTV Networks Latin America in 2006 as Unit Production Manager for production management and worked on live-to-tape shows such as Los Premios MTV, Ricky Martin Unplugged, as well as managing on air/off air promotional campaigns for MTV and Vh1, etc. Prior to that, she worked for multiple Production Companies in Mexico and USA.
Blue Ant Internationalis a leading worldwide distributor of high-quality, creative content that engages audiences worldwide and across multiple platforms. The company offers a full-service approach to production partners with sales operations in London, Toronto and Los Angeles. Blue Ant International has a growing slate of over 4,000 hours of premium content, including distinctive series and formats in five key genres including factual entertainment, specialist factual, high-impact documentaries, kids and family, and scripted. Blue Ant International also has one of the world’s largest offerings of 4K natural history content. Blue Ant International is a division of Blue Ant Media.
Kelly Will Bolster Blue Ant’s Rapidly Expanding Unscripted Slate; Previously Developed Priority Unscripted Series for Networks Including Discovery, Bravo, and National Geographic
Casey Kelly joins Blue Ant Studios as Vice President of Unscripted Development.
(Los Angeles, CA) October 5, 2021 — Award-winning production company Blue Ant Studios, the producer behind series including Ghislaine Maxwell: Epstein’s Shadow and Canada’s Drag Race, has brought on development executive Casey Kelly to serve as Vice President of Unscripted Development. In this newly created role, Kelly will be based in Los Angeles and oversee all aspects of Blue Ant’s unscripted development pipeline and produce current series through production and network delivery.
Kelly will report to Jennifer Harkness, Senior Vice President of Unscripted Content Production, and also work closely with Chief Creative Officer and Co-President, Content ProductionLaura Michalchyshyn and Co-President Content Production, Sam Sniderman to bolster Blue Ant’s dynamic unscripted slate. Prior to joining the team full time, Kelly worked as a consulting development producer for Blue Ant Studios and is already embedded in the efforts for several upcoming priority projects, focusing on premium documentary series for both the U.S. and Canadian markets.
The addition of Kelly points to Blue Ant’s rapidly scaling and diversifying production business in the U.S. and globally, and comes on the heels of several recently-announced development partnerships in the unscripted space. These upcoming initiatives include a multi-project deal with Emmy-nominated executive producer Tamra Simmons, as well as a development partnership with Julie Bristow’s Content Catalyst Fund, in which the two companies will join forces to develop, produce, and distribute female-led unscripted programming for international markets.
“I am excited to join Blue Ant Studios, an innovative and collaborative company dedicated to producing unique and compelling content worldwide,” said Kelly. “With their commitment to global storytelling and ambitious top-level strategy, I could not ask for a better team to work with.”
“Casey brings passion, a sharp creative eye, and innovation to all of her projects, and the range of content she has developed is dynamic and impressive,” said Jennifer Harkness, SVP of Unscripted Content Production for Blue Ant Studios. “We have been fortunate enough to work with Casey over the past six months in a consulting role, during which her insight has been invaluable. We couldn’t be more excited to make her addition to the team official.”
Prior to joining Blue Ant Studios, Kelly was Senior Director of Development at Pilgrim Media Group where she developed and launched series and pilots for Discovery, Bravo, National Geographic, TLC, E!, HGTV and ABC. Before Pilgrim, Kelly served as Director of Development at IM Global Television where she focused on international formats for the global unscripted landscape and worked on series such CBC’s Fridge Wars. Over the last 10 years, she has held various titles and positions at The Gurin Company, Gurney Productions, BBC Worldwide, and MTV after transitioning from production on TLC’s What Not To Wear, MTV’s Are You The One? season one, and BCC One’s live event series Stargazing Live.
About Blue Ant Studios
Blue Ant Studios is a leading international studio and production business, based in Los Angeles with offices in New York. Blue Ant Studios includes production companies in the US, Canada, Singapore and Japan, which produces content in multiple genres including Scripted, Documentary, Kids, Adult Animation, Factual Entertainment and Natural History. Current series and documentaries include Epstein’s Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell (Peacock, Sky), Canada’s Drag Race (Crave for Bell Media), Daylight(FOX), The Healing Powers of Dude (Netflix), Neopets, produced in partnership with JumpStart Games Inc., and Hotel Paranormal(Travel Channel and T+E). Blue Ant Studios works with all major international streaming, cable and broadcasting companies as well as regional players in the markets it operates in. Blue Ant Studios is a subsidiary of Blue Ant Media.
Season 2 delves further into the impact of climate change on salvage operations and the courageous people risking their lives on harrowing missions
Second instalment of the docuseries to air on The Weather Channel in the U.S. and Cottage Life in Canada as Extreme Weather Salvage
Blue Ant International oversees worldwide licensing for both seasons
Saloon Media partners with Renowned Films on Season 2 of Deep Water Salvage, which follows the incredible work of professional salvage teams
(Toronto, ON – October 4, 2021) – Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Studios company, announces today that it is partnering with LA and UK-based Renowned Films to co-produce the second season of Deep Water Salvage (10 x 60’; HD). The second installment of this returnable action-packed docuseries will go even further behind the scenes with professional salvage teams who brave rough seas around the world to save ships wrecked by fierce storms. The new episodes will also take a closer look at the havoc wreaked by the increase in deadly weather events like hurricanes, floods and tidal waves and the dire need for salvage crews to save the day. Deep Water Salvage Season 2 is an original commission for The Weather Channel in the U.S. and Blue Ant Media’s Cottage Life channel in Canada. Season 1 of the series was a hit with viewers in The Weather Channel’s winning slate of original programming. On Cottage Life, the series is broadcast with the title Extreme Weather Salvage. Blue Ant International oversees all international licensing for Season 1 and Season 2 of the series outside of the U.S.
“The second season of Deep Water Salvage has been increased to ten episodes and gives audiences even more inside access to the people and stories in this largely unknown world of thrilling ocean rescue missions,” says Julie Chang,EVP, International Co-Productions. “Partnering with Renowned Films on this ambitious and returnable series has given both teams the financial and creative resources to create a truly unique viewing experience and is a great example of Blue Ant Media’s commitment to developing strong, long-lasting partnerships with a broad range of premium producers around the globe.”
“This series offers viewers another chance to immerse themselves in the characters who sail, dive and salvage what Mother Nature tried to destroy. Daring, skill and bravery are the attributes needed and this series allows audiences to get to know these heroes of the sea up close and personal. The unprecedented access secured across the world means the stories unfold in real time, and the audience can be right there under the sea alongside the divers getting an insight to this underwater world.” Says Kate Maddigan, Head of Content, Renowned Films.
“Deep Water Salvage takes our viewers to the depths of the sea for exhilarating adventures and in Season 2 we have even more inside access to the salvage missions, intensifying the thrilling ocean rescue stories,” said Howard Sappington, Vice President of Original Programming at The Weather Channel. “The Weather Channel’s commitment to sharing impactful stories about weather and our changing climate that are science-based, educational and entertaining fits perfectly as our next season of Deep Water Salvage is set to deliver the kind of exciting original programming that our viewers love.”
Deep Water Salvage offers a rare and in-depth look at the demanding world of marine construction firms around the globe on missions to salvage ships in peril from extreme ocean weather. Each episode is an immersive, revealing and exciting adventure in which viewers get access to the closed and sometimes secretive world of marine salvage. Through exclusive admission to salvage companies operating in regions including the USA, Central America and the UK, the docuseries offers a look into the tough and unrelenting world of the salvage crews. Body cams and diving helmets equipped with HD cameras, combined with footage captured by production crews embedded in the action, allow audiences to go along on these high pressure missions.
Deep Water Salvage is executive produced by Max Welch, Duane Jones and Kate Maddigan at Renowned Films. Michael Kot, Betty Orr and Julie Chang are Executive Producers at Saloon Media. Overseeing the series for Cottage Life is Sam Linton, Head of Original Content, Blue Ant Media; and Howard Sappington, Vice President of Original Programming oversees the series for The Weather Channel.
Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Studios company, is a creative hub for compelling new television and digital productions. The founding partners have a wealth of experience in broadcasting and factual production, and a track record for delivering successful and award-winning programs to international clients. Saloon’s productions have broadcast on History, National Geographic, Smithsonian, Investigation Discovery, CMT, SBS, ZDF, Yesterday, Four, More4, and Netflix. Saloon is a specialist in international co-production, working with like-minded production partners around the world to produce top quality returning series and high-impact specials. Saloon Media is based in Toronto.
Renowned Films is UK Production Company of the Year as voted for by Edinburgh TV Festival and is 3rd fastest growing production company in the UK, headquartered in London, Manchester and LA with over 50 hours in production for UK/US and global buyers. Renowned is founded by youngest ever award winning Broadcast hotshot Max Welch, Tim Withers and Sony Gold Award winning Duane Jones, and is backed by leading indecent US studio Critical Content, Emmy winning producers of worldwide hit franchises including Catfish.
Renowned’s mission is to disrupt traditional media and create innovative, attention grabbing, engaging and compelling factual entertainment, documentaries and formats, all with a fresh perspective, difficult deep access, supporting new talent, and with a thought-provoking tone of voice. Renowned have big ideas and a broad set of specialisms, craft great stories, engaging characters and have great awareness of channel brands, audience trends and insights, making content that cuts through noise in order to connect with 16-34 audiences.
Landmark factual series for the company include major competition format ‘The Drop’ for The BBC starring grammy award winning Miguel, the global hit franchise ‘Copwatch’ which currently airs on BET in the US, BBC in the UK and has sold to platforms including Netflix, as well as feature length film ‘The Modern Game’ with David Beckham, Neymar Jr, Lionel Messi, ‘How to Be Anne Marie’ for youTube Originals, Red Bull Music global ’The Cut’ which syndicated across YouTube and the Red Bull VOD platform, as well as ‘Backyard Envy’ on Bravo, current affairs series tackling the dark worlds of trophy hunting in ‘Women Who Kill Lions; for Channel 4, and Broadcast nominated series ‘Peng Life’ as best original.
Renowned currently has over 50 hours of content in production including major formats, documentary series for a mix of next generation SVOD platforms, major legacy brands including Discovery, NBCU, YouTube Premium, BBC and more.
Blue Ant Internationalis a leading worldwide distributor of high-quality, creative content that engages audiences worldwide and across multiple platforms. The company offers a full-service approach to production partners with sales operations in London, Toronto, and Los Angeles. Blue Ant International has a growing slate of over 4,000 hours of premium content, including distinctive series and formats in five key genres including factual entertainment, specialist factual, high-impact documentaries, kids and family, and scripted. Blue Ant International also has one of the world’s largest offerings of 4K natural history content. Blue Ant International is a division ofBlue Ant Media.
