MTV BUILDS SLATE OF SCRIPTED PROGRAMMING WITH 2011 PREMIERES OF ORIGINAL SERIES "TEEN WOLF" AND "SKINS"
BEVERLY HILLS, CA (August 6, 2010) - MTV today announced it will expand its slate of scripted programming in 2011 when it premieres the ground-breaking original series "Skins" and "Teen Wolf." A dark and thrilling re-boot of the original hit film from MGM, "Teen Wolf" will begin production in October on 12 one-hour episodes in Atlanta, Georgia. MTV's North American adaptation of the pioneering U.K. drama series "Skins" will begin production later this month on 10 one-hour episodes in Toronto, Canada.
"Teen Wolf"
From the creator of "Criminal Minds," Jeff Davis, and the executive producers of "The 4400," Ren� Echevarria and of "Prison Break" Marty Adelstein, "Teen Wolf" combines friendship and love in the context of horror and high school. "Teen Wolf" stars Tyler Posey ("Maid in Manhattan," "Brothers and Sisters"), as the newly bitten werewolf, 'Scott McCall,' Crystal Reed as the mysterious new girl in town, 'Allison,' Dylan O'Brien as Scott's best friend 'Stiles,' Tyler Hoechlin ("Road to Perdition," "7th Heaven") as the older werewolf, 'Derek Hale' and
Holland Roden as 'Lydia,' the popular girl with a secret.
Always an outsider and often unnoticed, Scott McCall yearns to be recognized in some small way that takes him out of his typical state of high school anonymity. When his best friend, Stiles, convinces him to go into the woods one night to join a police search for a dead body, Scott encounters a creature in the darkness. Narrowly escaping an attack with a vicious bite in his side, the next day brings strange surprises for Scott at school and his life will never be the same.
"Teen Wolf" is a co-production with MGM. The pilot was directed by Russell Mulcahy ("Highlander," "Resident Evil: Extinction"), written by Jeff Davis (creator of "Criminal Minds") and Michael Thorn of Lost Marbles TV served as an executive producer. Executive Producers for the series include Davis, Marty Adelstein ("Prison Break") and Ren� Echevarria ("Medium," "Castle"). Make-up effects for the first season will be supplemented by the Oscar-Winning team K.N.B Effects Group ("Predators," "The Chronicles of Narnia") and state-of-the-art computer graphics by EdenFX ("Lost," "24," "Spider-Man 3"). Liz Gateley, David Janollari and Justin Levy serve as the MTV executives in charge of production.
"Skins"
Created by father and son team at Stormdog Films, Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain, the ground-breaking series "Skins" features an ensemble cast as they navigate complex relationships, the politics of friendship and difficulties of daily life in their formative years. Elsley will write and executive produce the adapted version, which, like the U.K version, will be largely influenced by teenagers.
In 2009, MTV secured the rights to create a US version of the critically-acclaimed U.K. program. Unknown teenagers have been cast in the lead roles and real teens will contribute to the overall creative structure of each episode of the series, similar to how Elsley produced the UK series, now in its 5th season. The network will work collaboratively with the series producers to preserve the authenticity of the British version. The series, which aired on E4 in the UK, quickly became a commercial and critical success, winning the 2009 BAFTA Audience Award, which was voted on by the public, and Best Drama Series at the 2008 Broadcast Awards.
"Skins" is co-produced by E1 Entertainment and Company Pictures, a division of ALL3MEDIA, the same company that produces the Channel 4 series in the UK. Elsley will Executive Produce the series, along with Laszlo Barna and Michael Rosenberg from E1 and Charlie Pattinson and George Faber of Company Pictures. Chris Clough served as an executive producer on the pilot for Company Pictures. The deal was brokered by Greg Lipstone, of ICM, which represents Company Pictures and ALL3Media. Elsley is represented by Ted Miller at CAA. Liz Gateley and David Janollari serve as the MTV executives in charge of production.
"Teen Wolf" and "Skins" were showcased at the TCA conference in Beverly Hills today. For additional information regarding MTV, please go to: http://mtvpress.com.
ABOUT MTV:
MTV is the dynamic, vibrant experiment at the intersection of music, creativity and youth culture. For over 28 years, MTV has evolved, challenged the norm, and detonated boundaries -- giving each new generation a creative outlet and voice that entertains, informs and unites on every platform and screen. On-air, MTV is the number one full day-ad supported network for P12-24. Online, MTV.com averaged 24.5 million monthly unique visitors during the second quarter of 2010 -- up +13% year-over-year. Average video streams for the second quarter of 2010 increased +8% from Q1/2010. And MTV's successful sibling networks MTV2 and mtvU each deliver unprecedented customized content, super-serving young males, music fans, and college students like no one else. MTV is part of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.
ABOUT METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER INC.:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit http://www.mgm.com.
ABOUT E1:
With offices in Toronto, LA and London, E1 Television has rapidly become recognized as one of the industry's foremost creators, producers and international distributors of quality entertainment in all genres. cptfc E1 continues to make significant inroads with major broadcasters in the U.S. and around the world with high-profile series such as Hung for HBO, The Bridge, currently airing on CTV and Rookie Blue premiering June 24 on ABC and Canwest. Haven, currently in production has been picked up by SYFY Channel, Canwest and Tele Munchen Group and production recently wrapped on the first season of Call Me Fitz starring Jason Priestly.
E1 Television is a division of E1 Entertainment (AIM: ETO) a leading independent entertainment content enterprise that acquires and exploits world-class television, film and music properties around the globe. Through operations in Canada, the U.S., the UK and Ireland, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands and Belgium, E1 provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production and distribution, kids programming, and merchandising and licensing.
ABOUT COMPANY PICTURES:
Company Pictures is one of the UK's largest independent television drama and film production companies. Established in 1998 television production highlights include Generation Kill (HBO: 11 Emmy nominations), Skins created by Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain (E4: Bafta Audience Award, Best Drama Series at the Broadcast Awards), Shameless (Channel 4: winner Best Series at the Batas, Broadcast Awards, The Indie Awards and RTS Awards), Elizabeth 1 (Channel 4 and HBO: nine Emmys, three golden globes and a Peabody Award), The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (HBO: winner two Golden Globe Awards for Best TV Movie and Best Actor for Geoffrey Rush), North Square (Channel 4: winner Best Series Press Guild), Bafta-nominated Anna Karenina for Channel 4, A Young Person's Guide to Being a Rock star (RTS award Best Serial) for Channel 4 and Warner Bros, Wild at Heart (ITV), Life Is Wild (The CW), Shot Through the Heart (HBO/BBC: winner of Peabody Award), Bafta-nominated The Devil's Whore (Channel 4: RTS award for Best Drama Serial, Best writer for Peter Flannery and Best Actress for Andrea Rise borough) and Not Only But Always� (Channel 4: Best Single Film BANFF and BAFTA for Best Actor for Rhys Fans).
This year Company Pictures is producing further series of Wild At Heart, Shameless, and Skins. New shows include a four part serial for BBC1 called The Silence, and the second Martina Cole adaptation The Runaway for Sky One.
Amongst its numerous awards Company Pictures has won Best Independent Production Company at the Broadcast awards in 2004 and 2008, European Producers of the Year Award at the 2004 Monte Carlo Awards, four Golden Globes, twelve Emmy Awards and Batas.
Since October 2004 Company Pictures has been a part of the All3 Media http://www.all3media.com/aboutus/news-item.php?id=12 group.
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