TEEN WOLF
Filled with suspense, horror and the struggle to discover one’s true identity, MTV puts a modern spin on one of the most popular classic films of the eighties, MGM’s “Teen Wolf”. The reinvention comes alive as a sexy thriller set against the drama of high school life with a forbidden, romantic love story at its core. Additionally, MTV steers a fearless path with the greenlight of the North American adaptation of the U.K. drama series “Skins”. Both series greenlights were announced today by MTV President of Programming, Tony DiSanto. From the creator of “Criminal Minds,” Jeff Davis, and the executive producers of “The 4400,” René Echevarria and “Prison Break,” Marty Adelstein, “Teen Wolf” will commence production this summer with 12 one-hour episodes. “Skins” will also begin production this summer with 10 one-hour episodes.
“We are always up for creative challenges at MTV,” said Liz Gateley, MTV Senior Vice President of Series Development. “We loved the conceit of the original film and knew the title had a great hook. The creative challenge was to take that title and reinvent it as a horror series for the MTV audience. It combines romance and high school to make ‘Teen Wolf’ the perfect thriller for MTV.”
Ms. Gateley continues, “Our goal in developing ‘Skins’ from the UK hit was to stay true to the core attributes and the creator-driven vision while also adapting it to be as relatable, real and reflective of high school life to American audiences as the original version has been to UK audience for 5 seasons. We’re thrilled to be bringing ‘Skins’ to MTV!”
David Janollari is Executive Vice President of Scripted Development. He joined MTV in January of this year to head up all new scripted development for the network with his sole focus on aggressively ramping up the scripted slate, raising the creative bar and seeking out fresh new concepts in a variety of genres. He will now partner with Ms. Gateley on “Teen Wolf” and “Skins”.
Mr. Janollari added, “MTV is serious about being in the scripted business, and these two new series are among the first steps in what will be a concentrated effort to add more scripted entertainment to our diverse slate, all created with our core demographic in mind. ‘Teen Wolf’ and ‘Skins’ offer youthful, broad-based entertainment that feel like a natural extension of the MTV brand and we believe will be relevant and resonate with our audience.”
“Teen Wolf,” stars Tyler Posey (“Maid in Manhattan,” “Brothers and Sisters”), as the newly bitten werewolf, ‘Scott McCall,’ Dylan O’Brien as his best friend ‘Stiles,’ Crystal Reed as the mysterious new girl in town, ‘Allison,’ and Tyler Hoechlin (“Road to Perdition,” “7th Heaven”) as the older and possibly quite dangerous werewolf, ‘Derek Hale.’ 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.
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 be writing and executive producing the adapted version— which, like the U.K version, will be largely influenced by teenagers. In 2009, MTV landed the US broadcast rights to the critically-acclaimed U.K. program.
Unknown teenagers have been cast in the lead roles and real teens will help write the storylines, similar to how Elsley wrote 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.
“Teen Wolf” is a co-production with MGM. The pilot was directed by Russell Mulcahy (“Highlander,” “Resident Evil: Extinction”) and written by Jeff Davis (creator of “Criminal Minds”). Executive Producers include Davis, Marty Adelstein (“Prison Break”) and Michael Thorn of Lost Marbles TV and René 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 will serve as MTV executives in charge of production.
“Skins” will be 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, along with Laszlo Barna and Michael Rosenberg from E1 and Charlie Pattinson and George Faber of 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 will serve as MTV executives in charge of production.
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 rated full-day ad-supported cable network for P12-24 and P12-34. Online, MTV.com averaged 24.5 million monthly unique visitors during the first quarter of 2010—up +8% from Q4/2009 and up +13% year-over-year. Average video streams for the first quarter of 2010 increased +8% from the Q4/2009 and is up +6% over the same time period last year. 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. Wanna know more? Come on in… http://www.mtvpress.com
ABOUT METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER INC.COM:
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. 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.