FIC, Fox Television Studios in Deal for English-Language Drama

LOS ANGELES, May 15: Fox
International Channels and Fox Television Studios have teamed for Mental, a show to be produced in Latin America in English
for the U.S. and the international markets.

From executive producers
Deborah Joy LeVine (Lois and Clark,
Any Day Now) and Dan Levine (The
Division), this medical drama
focuses on a rebellious psychiatrist in a Los Angeles mental health hospital
who uses his ability to plunge inside his patients’ minds, seeing reality the
way they do, to create highly unorthodox treatment methods.

This is the first
production for the new studios at FOX Telecolombia, in Bogotá, Colombia. The
new facilities cover more than 8,000-square meters. The 13×1-hour series is due
to air on Fox International Channels across Latin America, Europe and Asia. It
will be shopped to U.S. networks as episodes become available later this year.

Emiliano Saccone, the
senior VP and managing editor for Fox Latin American Channels, said, “We are
thrilled to be conducting a project that up to recently was deemed impossible
in Latin America. On the other hand, I’m proud to have a very competent
production team, able to develop high-quality products for the most demanding
markets, guaranteeing production quality of international level at a fraction
of the cost.”

Emiliano Calemzuk, the
president of Fox Television Studios, added: “Our industry has changed forever
as the realities of a tougher marketplace have put into question the economics
of television production. FtvS plans to be a leading producer of top quality
U.S. entertainment produced within parameters we expect will be very attractive
to financially-savvy network buyers. While our studio certainly will not
abandon our leadership position in traditional U.S. cable production, we
simultaneously will pursue deals with international broadcasters who are
excited to be in business with Hollywood-caliber talent and want to drive
production, as well.”

—By Mansha Daswani