Roughcut TV Backs Film Venture

LONDON: The Office producer Roughcut TV is backing the new feature-film company Who’s On First, which will specialize in mainstream comedies and comedic dramas.

The outfit is launching as a joint venture between Roughcut’s former head of comedy, Dan Hine, and managing director, Ash Atalla. Who’s On First has already secured full funding for the development of its first feature film, & Mrs, from the financing and production outfit Los Angeles Media Fund (LAMF).

& Mrs is a darkly comedic take on the wedding film genre. It is the bittersweet story of a girl who surprises everyone and decides to go ahead with her wedding despite the fact the groom has just died. The script will be penned by Melissa Bubnic (Boys Will Be Boys, Shameless).

Other projects from Who’s On First in the pipeline include the adult ensemble comedy Home Time from writer/director Dylan Kidd (Roger Dodger), a high-concept TV comedy drama from Fleabag script editor Vicky Jones and a blind script deal with actor/screenwriter Sophie Wu.

Hine, the managing director of Who’s On First, commented: “Every time I look at our slate, I get a rush of blood to the head. I can’t wait to share our stories with the wider world, and I’m delighted LAMF have joined us for the journey from small screen to big.”

Atalla, the managing director of Roughcut TV, added: “’Dan is one of the smartest comedy minds around so it’s great that Roughcut can continue its relationship with him in the film world. With Who’s On First, we want to build a British brand of bold genre comedy that will travel internationally. Despite all the talent here [in] the U.K. it has often felt like we’re a poor relation to U.S. comedy films—we hope to change that and become at least equal family members.”