MUMBAI: First there was an Oscar winning film in the 1960s called ?Lawrence of Arabia?. Now television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia International has announced the development of a six hour event mini-series based on the story of Lawrence of Arabia.

The epic drama will be produced by film director and producer Roland Emmerich ?Independence Day? along with Marc Frydman ?Straw Dogs? and Rod Lurie ?The Contender?. It will be written by screenwriter Clive Bradley and Lurie.

Michael Korda, the biographer whose works include ?Ike?, ?Ulysses S. Grant?, and ?Hero: The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia? will be the official historical consultant on the project. Michael Korda and the Korda family have for a long time been associated with filmmaking in the UK and worldwide.

CEO David Ellender said, "T.E. Lawrence was undoubtedly one of the greatest military and political strategists of our time and a stunningly intrepid Englishman who tried to unite the Arab world. The heritage of this story is fascinating - beyond the historical element, it?s a personal tale of emotional turmoil, identity crisis, conflicting loyalties and individual brilliance. The Middle East and Arab Spring as we know them today are linked to Lawrence?s actions, which make this epic incredibly topical. I am delighted that we are working with partners of such high caliber to bring this project to the screen."

The production will centre on the heroic journey of the British Army officer T.E. Lawrence who became famous as Lawrence of Arabia owing to his role with Arab leaders during World War I. His story was recreated in the earlier mentioned 1962 film of the same name, widely considered as one of the most influential in the history of cinema.

An exceptional diplomat, Lawrence?s ability to influence and win the trust of the most senior of leaders made him an invaluable resource both for his native Britain and for the Arab insurgents he fought with in the war against the Ottoman Empire - it also made him a sworn enemy of the Turks who placed a bounty on his head. He was a powerful communicator, able to galvanise the support of others, speaking fluently in Arabic to convince an otherwise disparate group of insurgents to co-ordinate their efforts in line with British strategy. His aptitude for strategic warfare led his allies to capture the town of Aqaba and the Tafilah region, before ultimately enforcing the Ottoman Empire?s surrender of Damascus. His uniquely complex character and the scope of his life make him a fascinating topic with no equivalent in modern times.

This new show is part of FremantleMedia International?s global drama strategy. The company?s aim is to deliver film-scale, epic dramas through partnerships with writers, producers, creators and directors worldwide.

The company recently announced that it will partner with Hollywood writer Craig Pearce ?Moulin Rouge? and Pukeko Pictures to develop ?The Maid?, a story based on Joan of Arc; and with Marshall Herskovitz ?The Last Samurai? to develop a drama series inspired by the popular non-fiction book Hitlerland by Andrew Nagorski.

Working with Headline Pictures and film director Ridley Scott?s production company Scott Free Productions, FremantleMedia International is developing ?The Drivers?, a series based on the high-octane 24-hour motor race in Le Mans during the 1950s-1960s, which is being written by Michael Hirst ?The Tudors?. The company is also working with UK producer Paul Abbott ?Shameless? to adapt the French drama ?Les Revenants? (w/t They Came Back) for English speaking audiences.

MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia has announced a review of its arm FremantalMedia Enterprises arm. Its plan is to create one new, stand-alone, global division focused on distribution and kids and family entertainment.

All remaining digital, licensing, sponsorship and other ancillary activities previously undertaken by FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) would be housed within FremantleMedia?s regional production operations. In addition, a new digital & branded entertainment division will be created to focus on the company?s global digital and branded entertainment activities.

As a part of the planned new structure, David Ellender, previously FME global CEO will be appointed as FremantleMedia International and Kids CEO, overseeing FremantleMedia?s new global distribution and Kids and Family Entertainment division. This is a board level position reporting directly to FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz.

Sander Schwartz will continue lead FremantleMedia?s Kids and Family Entertainment division, reporting to Ellender. A head of digital & branded entertainment will be appointed and announced in due course.

Frot-Coutaz said, "This is a very powerful shift in our company?s structure that we believe will significantly strengthen our core business activities, while also better positioning us to capitalise on growth opportunities for the future. We have built a formidable expertise in extending our market-leading brands both on and beyond the television screen, through licensing, sponsorship, digital activities and other valuable commercial ancillaries."

He said by transferring these skills into the local production businesses, the company creates a far more direct and seamless integration between production efforts and the commercial activity surrounding hit shows. Not only will this bolster and enhance creative development process, but it will also give the company the ability to manage and grow its brands in a far more holistic way, creating added value and the opportunity for even greater engagement with viewers around the world.

"At the same time, we will continue to focus on our world class distribution capabilities and on our growing Kids & Family Entertainment business under the leadership of David Ellender, as well as on our significant digital and branded entertainment activities worldwide. We?re very proud of the capabilities we have built through our creative and commercial operations so far, and are confident that these proposed structural changes will drive a very exciting next stage of growth and development."

MUMBAI: FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), the commercial and brand extension arm of television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia, has acquired rights to adapt the French supernatural thriller series ?Les Revenants? for the English language. The English adaptation, ?They Came Back? (working title), will be produced by writer, creator and producer Paul Abbott and his company AbbottVision, with which FME has a first look deal.

Originally developed as a feature film, ?Les Revenants? was adapted for TV by producers Haut et Court for the French pay TV channel Canal+. The series launched in Autumn 2012, attracting a sizable audience averaging 1.4 million viewers across eight one hour episodes. It is the most-watched Canal+ original series. FME will distribute the English adaptation internationally.

?Les Revenants? tells the story of a group of men and women in a small Alpine village in the shadow of a vast dam, who find themselves in a state of confusion, trying to return to their homes. What they do not yet know is that they have been dead for several years, and no-one is expecting them back.

FME CEO David Ellender said, " ?They Came Back? has all the hallmarks of a successful international drama - a compelling concept, proven track record, some of the world?s most talented producers and a committed distributor. We await the final product of this exciting project with great anticipation."

AbbottVision founder Paul Abbott said, "The scripts are a fantastic distillation of the emotional content honed from the film and crafted into a five star TV series, with highly rewarding expansion, suspense and depth."

AbbottVision executive producer Martin Carr said, "We are very excited to be able to take They Came Back into production. There has been fierce international interest in the format and we are very fortunate to have been able to forge a relationship with Haut et Court through FME to take the series and remake it. It is a perfect fit for the AbbottVision brand."

Haut et Court producers Caroline Benjo and Jimmy Desmarais said, "We are absolutely thrilled to have Paul Abbott on board, as he is one of the most idiosyncratic and original writers and we dreamt of being associated with him one day."

MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) are partnering to co-develop television and digital video programming featuring contemporary lifestyle personalities.

Under this new first look and development deal, FME and MSLO will identify the next generation of lifestyle talent to star in programming to be produced under the Martha Stewart banner. FME will support the new programming with its unrivalled global TV, licensing and home entertainment capabilities. The objective is to develop a pipeline of lifestyle talent across food, fashion, home, gardening and more that will resonate with global audiences on all media platforms. FME and MSLO will name a development executive to head up the initiative.

FME?s Global CEO David Ellender said, "Martha Stewart and her team are the best in the business at discovering and developing new talent. Combining America?s best-known domestic and lifestyle expert with the industry?s most successful distributor of multi-format brands is a really exciting prospect."

MSLO president, CEO Lisa Gersh said, "FME is a key player in the global content and brand space and we?re delighted to be working with them to find the next big lifestyle superstars. They?ll help us deliver on our goal of putting our considerable expertise in everything from cooking and decor to gardening and crafting in easy reach of consumers wherever they are, and on whatever platform they?re engaging with, from smart phones and tablets to TVs and social media."

FME and MSLO have also expanded and renewed their long-standing television programming distribution deal outside of the US, which sees FME continuing to be the exclusive distributor of MSLO content around the world, including titles such as the Emmy? Award-winning series "The Martha Stewart Show" and "Martha Stewart?s Cooking School."

MUMBAI: Twelevision format creator and distributor FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has further expanded its drama development portfolio with the announcement of a new first-look deal with Hollywood film and TV producer Barry Josephson?s production company, Josephson Entertainment.

As part of the deal, Josephson Entertainment has hired a new VP for Television, Tia Maggini, who will work alongside FME senior VP of global content Jeff Tahler and FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) senior VP of scripted programming Tony Optican to develop new drama projects for the US cable and global TV market. A number of projects are already underway, including thriller ?The Dover Agenda?, for which a pilot script is currently being developed for Syfy in the US.

Josephson is a film and television producer, who has established mainstream success through numerous motion pictures, television series and specials across a variety of genres. Josephson?s film credits include ?Enchanted?, ?Life As We Know It? and ?Hide and Seek?. He is also at the helm of the television drama ?Bones?, which is entering its eighth season on Fox. In addition Josephson currently has projects in development at TNT and AMC.

Fremantleedia Enterprises Global CEO David Ellender said, ?US cable drama is now the most consistently compelling content anywhere on television. Having identified the opportunities that exist on these networks, FME is partnering with the industry?s most prominent talent in order to help create high quality dramas that not only work for US audiences but which also have worldwide appeal. With several exciting projects already in the pipeline, our deal with Josephson is off to a flying start.?

Josephson said, ?I am very excited to work with Tony Optican, Jeff Tahler and their entire team at FremantleMedia. They have been very aggressive about securing rights for new material and strengthening our network relationships.?

Maggini joins from Disney Channel Original Movies where she was responsible for acquiring new projects for the channel, working directly with writers to develop original ideas. Prior to this she held the role of Senior Executive at Marc Platt Productions for five years.

Since the launch of the company?s global drama initiative three years? ago, FME has signed first look deals with producers. These have resulted in a number of series commissions from broadcasters across the world, with recent examples including ?Wedding Band?, produced by FMNA for TBS in the US, and ?Hit And Miss? for Sky Atlantic in the UK, created by Paul Abbott?s production and development company AbbottVision.

MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and online video service Hulu have announced a new first look deal for international distribution rights to the online video service?s original commission programming.

This is the first time an international distributor has signed such an agreement with an online video service. The deal enables FME to distribute Hulu original series globally across all platforms including traditional media.

The first title FME will take to the global market is Morgan Spurlock?s acclaimed documentary series, ?A Day In The Life?, which Hulu premieres for a second season on Hulu and the Hulu Plus subscription service.

Hulu?s foray into long-form original content kicked off in 2011 with the premiere of A Day in the Life, which chronicles a complete day in the life of some the world?s most fascinating humans, from billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and street artist Mr. Brainwash to multi-platinum Black Eye Peas front man, will.i.am.

The second season features chef Mario Batali, the Roots drummer and frontman Questlove, comedian Marc Maron, hip-hop duo Das Racist and more. Morgan Spurlock gives viewers a 24-hour snapshot of his subjects? lives on a day that may be ordinary to them but feels extraordinary to viewers.

FremantleMedia Enterprises global CEO David Ellender said, ?This is a ground-breaking deal, which sets a new precedent for acquiring content that can live on both digital and linear platforms, while dentifying opportunities outside of the traditional distribution models. We are delighted to be part of Hulu?s ambitious push in to the production of original programming and to be offering audiences across the world access to innovative new shows like A Day in the Life.?

Hulu senior VP of content Andy Forssell said, "As we expand into original series, we?re collaborating with some of the world?s greatest independent storytellers to make and distribute great TV. Through this new partnership with FME, we now have the opportunity to extend the reach of these distinctive stories like Morgan Spurlock?s ?A Day in the Life,? on a global scale."

With its original programming, Hulu provides opportunities for independent storytellers to produce and distribute their work across its optimised distribution platform. Hulu recently launched its first original scripted series, ?Battleground?, a drama with comedic moments set in the world of political campaigns.