23 March, 2010
Fireworks International, the television and digital distribution arm of ContentFilm plc, has acquired a diverse range of new digital properties, adding five action-packed drama series to its growing multi-platform portfolio. Girl Number 9, Riese, Dimensions, Splatter and Pink: The Series are set to launch at MIP-TV, featuring a host of top talent; blending high production values and captivating storylines with innovative multi-platform content options.
Fast-paced six-part thriller Girl Number 9 centers on a shocking and controversial storyline with a very dark and compelling moral dilemma at its core. Written by James Moran (Doctor Who, Torchwood, Spooks, Severance), the first three episodes are directed by award-winning feature director Dan Turner, while James Moran directs the final three episodes. Vincent Boylan (Joe Absolom; Doc Martin, Personal Affairs) has just been arrested, suspected of being behind the brutal murder of seven girls, but the team only has a limited time to get a confession. If they can’t make him talk, he could slip through their fingers. Detective Matheson (Gareth David-Lloyd; Torchwood) and his boss Lyndon (Tracy-Ann Oberman; Doctor Who, Eastenders) soon find that all is not as it seems and everyone is soon drawn into Boylan’s sick mind games as each twist-packed episode ends on a tantalising cliffhanger, making every installment a must-see.
Girl Number 9 has received five nominations for Streamy Awards, the LA-based awards devoted to honoring excellence in original web television programming, including “Best New Web Series”, “Best Foreign Web Series”, “Best Male Actor in a Drama Web Series”, “Best Directing for a Drama Web Series” and “Best Writing for a Drama Web Series”.
Critically acclaimed sci-fi fantasy series Riese comprises two chapters (5 x 9’ & 5 x 14’) shot in HD alongside a website, ARG game and tie-in iPhone game. Co-created by Kaleena Kiff (When Jesse Was Born) and Ryan Copple (Awkward Silence), Riese follows a reluctant heroine as she travels with her wolf through a hauntingly familiar dystopian world. The once peaceful kingdom of Eleysia is now a dying land, governed by a power-hungry tyrant. Pursued by the assassins of a dangerous religious cult, Riese (Christine Chatelain, The Collector) flees across this collapsing world, piecing together her past and her destiny. In a battle that holds the fate of the world in balance, Riese emerges as the sole beacon of hope. The series, which also stars Alessandro Juliani (Battlestar Galactica), Allison Mack (Smallville) and Ben Cotton (Harper’s Island), garnered four nominations for the 2010 Streamy Awards including “Best Cinematography in a Web Series”, “Best Art Direction in a Web Series”, “Best Sound Design in a Web Series” and “Best Foreign Web Series”.
Directed by BAFTA award winning Tinge Krishnan (Shadowscan) and filmed in HD, Dimensions is an action-packed sci-fi thriller based on the myths and legends of Malaysia. A series of mysterious outbreaks are sweeping through Kuala Lumpur – entire shopping malls struck blind, heart attacks en mass and whole schools comatose. Convinced the events are linked, Dr Lakshmi Arthanayke discovers that the Natural Source Energy Corporation has been secretly working to harness the energy of the dream dimension. Thrown into a world of mythical villains, superheroes, spirits and energy beings, amidst the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur and the ancient Malaysian rainforests, Dr Lakshmi must discover her own unique powers in order to save the city from total destruction. 11 x 5’ episodes are available, alongside additional video materials.
Making his internet video debut, renowned horror filmmaker Roger Corman (Little Shop of Horrors, Pit and the Pendulum) conceived and produced Splatter, a gripping 10 x 10 minute HD multi-platform series. Corey Feldman (The Lost Boys, Stand By Me) stars in the lead role of hard-partying music legend Jonny Splatter, a rock and roll genius who accumulated as many hit records as he did enemies before his apparent suicide. Splatter, which premiered in the US on Netflix, takes the audience on a wild road trip into the dark world of fame, fortune, immortality and immorality, offering viewers the opportunity to select the direction of the series by presenting alternative storylines. Joining Corman is producer Julie Corman (Box Car Bertha) and horror luminary Joe Dante (Gremlins, The Howling) as director.
Critically-acclaimed, graphic novel-style drama Pink: The Series stars Natalie Raitano (V.I.P.) as Natalie “Nate” Cross, a reluctant government assassin who, between kills, yearns for a family of her own. Natalie works for the government – any government that pays, that is. Hired to hunt down and dispose of her targets, Natalie works from “The List” – only now she’s looking for two men – one she’s trying to eliminate, and the other… she’s got something else in mind for. Created by Mike Maden and Blake Calhoun, the thirty-five part series has garnered a collective ten million views in the US. One of the Web’s first original series to be shot entirely in full HD, Pink: The Series was the winner of “Best Directing for a Dramatic Web Series” at the inaugural Streamy Awards in 2009.
Available from Fireworks International at MIPTV 2010, Stand RB.44.
About Fireworks International
Fireworks International is ContentFilm’s international television and digital distribution division with over 3,000 hours of high-quality and commercially appealing programming including an extensive slate of major drama series, non-fiction entertainment, kids live action comedy and drama series, TV movies, mini-series and special event programming. Recent additions include comedic drama series, REPUBLIC OF DOYLE, primetime drama series, THE BORDER and heart-warming family drama series, HEARTLAND; non-fiction primetime documentary specials HUNTING THE LOST SYMBOL and I KNOW WHAT I SAW; U.S. tween comedy THE ASSISTANTS; high definition multi-platform thriller series VALEMONT; new children’s programmes HALF MOON INVESTIGATIONS, FAMILY BIZ as well as the classic anime series, ROBOTECH; plus over 200 U.S. network mini-series and TV movies; and specials including the Annual U.S. PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS show. This new product is combined with the large and valuable Fireworks library catalogue which is complemented by a raft of formidable television shows including Gene Roddenberry’s ANDROMEDA, MUTANT X and RELIC HUNTER.
Fireworks International: Debbie LawrenceThe Lippin Company
Tel + 44 (0) 20 3008 5406
www.contentfilm.com
