Australian independent production house Photoplay has appointed Karen Radzyner as its head of development. The company is the only Australian firm to have a show selected for MipTV’s CanneSeries.
Radzyner joins Photoplay from Dragonet Films. She previously produced two award-winning TV mini-series – Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s “Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo” (with Southern Star in 2011) and Nine’s genre anthology “Two Twisted.” She also held roles at Scott Free Films in London, as part of a Screen Australia fellowship, Australian public broadcaster Sbs, federal funding body Screen Australia and regional arts agency Create Nsw.
She will work alongside head of scripted, Linda Micsko, to spearhead the company’s recently established longform arm Photoplay Film+TV.
Radzyner also brings with her a significant slate including: “Appetite”; a co-production with Synchronicity Films and development partner Cineflix Rights with support from Screen Australia; an ABCMe YA action-adventure with development co-funded by...
Radzyner joins Photoplay from Dragonet Films. She previously produced two award-winning TV mini-series – Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s “Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo” (with Southern Star in 2011) and Nine’s genre anthology “Two Twisted.” She also held roles at Scott Free Films in London, as part of a Screen Australia fellowship, Australian public broadcaster Sbs, federal funding body Screen Australia and regional arts agency Create Nsw.
She will work alongside head of scripted, Linda Micsko, to spearhead the company’s recently established longform arm Photoplay Film+TV.
Radzyner also brings with her a significant slate including: “Appetite”; a co-production with Synchronicity Films and development partner Cineflix Rights with support from Screen Australia; an ABCMe YA action-adventure with development co-funded by...
- 3/17/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Punisher and Gossip Girl writer Felicia D. Henderson is set to adapt Tracy Deonn’s YA fantasy novel Legendborn after Black Bear Television acquired the rights.
Henderson, who was a co-exec producer on both series and also worked on series including Fringe and Everybody Hates Chris and co-created BET series The Quad, will write and exec produce a series based on the book. She is currently showrunner of Netflix’s Emma Roberts-produced YA vampire series First Kill.
The book, which was published by Simon & Schuster in 2020, offers a modern-day twist on the Legend of King Arthur with a dose of Black Girl Magic.
After her mother dies in an accident, Bree Matthews leaves home to attend her mother’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Upon arrival, Bree unexpectedly uncovers a centuries-old supernatural war and the world of the ‘Legendborn’, a secret society made up of the magic-wielding,...
Henderson, who was a co-exec producer on both series and also worked on series including Fringe and Everybody Hates Chris and co-created BET series The Quad, will write and exec produce a series based on the book. She is currently showrunner of Netflix’s Emma Roberts-produced YA vampire series First Kill.
The book, which was published by Simon & Schuster in 2020, offers a modern-day twist on the Legend of King Arthur with a dose of Black Girl Magic.
After her mother dies in an accident, Bree Matthews leaves home to attend her mother’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Upon arrival, Bree unexpectedly uncovers a centuries-old supernatural war and the world of the ‘Legendborn’, a secret society made up of the magic-wielding,...
- 2/2/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Black Bear Pictures, the Los Angeles-based production outfit behind pics including I Care A Lot and The Imitation Game, has promoted a trio of executives.
Christopher Casanova will be elevated from Creative Executive to Vice President, Film and TV, while Sleena Wilson and Clementine Quittner have been promoted to Creative Executives for the TV and Film and TV departments, respectively.
Casanova joined in 2018 and has worked on projects including The Marsh King’s Daughter and James Franco’s directing debut The Rental to date. In his new role, he will focus on development and production across Black Bear’s film and TV slates.
Wilson joined in 2019 and will continue to work on the TV side of the biz, with upcoming projects including Amazon Studios series Exciting Times starring Phoebe Dynevor, Scott Cooper’s limited dramatic series Angels & Demons, an adaptation of Kate Quinn’s The Rose Code, as well as thriller Local Woman Missing.
Christopher Casanova will be elevated from Creative Executive to Vice President, Film and TV, while Sleena Wilson and Clementine Quittner have been promoted to Creative Executives for the TV and Film and TV departments, respectively.
Casanova joined in 2018 and has worked on projects including The Marsh King’s Daughter and James Franco’s directing debut The Rental to date. In his new role, he will focus on development and production across Black Bear’s film and TV slates.
Wilson joined in 2019 and will continue to work on the TV side of the biz, with upcoming projects including Amazon Studios series Exciting Times starring Phoebe Dynevor, Scott Cooper’s limited dramatic series Angels & Demons, an adaptation of Kate Quinn’s The Rose Code, as well as thriller Local Woman Missing.
- 12/20/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
A Beginner’s Guide to Grief is the latest project to be greenlit via Sbs and Screen Australia’s Digital Originals initiative, with an additional six projects selected for further development.
The series, written by and starring Anna Lindner, follows 31-year-old Harriet Wylde as she returns to her hometown in remote South Australia to care for two terminally ill parents. When both pass away within weeks of each other, she’s forced to face her ultimate fear: absolute aloneness. After reconnecting with her dysfunctional childhood friend Daisy, Harriet discovers that grief doesn’t play by any rules and soon, neither will she.
Renee Mao directs and the series’ EP and creative producer is Linda Ujuk, working with Kojo Studios colleague Kate Butler. Julie Byrne also produces. The South Australian Film Corporation (Safc) has supported the production.
The series emerged from the Digital Originals initiative in 2019, which also included the upcoming queer dramedy Iggy & Ace,...
The series, written by and starring Anna Lindner, follows 31-year-old Harriet Wylde as she returns to her hometown in remote South Australia to care for two terminally ill parents. When both pass away within weeks of each other, she’s forced to face her ultimate fear: absolute aloneness. After reconnecting with her dysfunctional childhood friend Daisy, Harriet discovers that grief doesn’t play by any rules and soon, neither will she.
Renee Mao directs and the series’ EP and creative producer is Linda Ujuk, working with Kojo Studios colleague Kate Butler. Julie Byrne also produces. The South Australian Film Corporation (Safc) has supported the production.
The series emerged from the Digital Originals initiative in 2019, which also included the upcoming queer dramedy Iggy & Ace,...
- 8/25/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
“Bridgerton” breakout Phoebe Dynevor has found her next project, starring in Amazon’s upcoming TV series “Exciting Times.”
Based on Irish author Naoise Dolan’s debut novel, “Exciting Times” centers on Ava (Dynevor), an Irish transplant teaching English grammar abroad to wealthy children. She becomes entangled in a love triangle with banker Julian and lawyer Edith.
Dynevor will executive produce alongside Dolan (who will also write the series) and Cooper Raiff, who will also direct. Additional executive producers include Black Bear’s Teddy Schwarzman, Ben Stillman and Michael Heimler. Black Bear’s Clementine Quittner and Sleena Wilson will co-produce.
Dynevor starred in the first season of Shonda Rhimes’ Regency-era drama “Bridgerton” as Daphne Bridgerton, which was based on Julia Quinn’s novel series of the same name. She will be a supporting character on the second season of the popular Netflix drama, which shifts the story to another character.
Season...
Based on Irish author Naoise Dolan’s debut novel, “Exciting Times” centers on Ava (Dynevor), an Irish transplant teaching English grammar abroad to wealthy children. She becomes entangled in a love triangle with banker Julian and lawyer Edith.
Dynevor will executive produce alongside Dolan (who will also write the series) and Cooper Raiff, who will also direct. Additional executive producers include Black Bear’s Teddy Schwarzman, Ben Stillman and Michael Heimler. Black Bear’s Clementine Quittner and Sleena Wilson will co-produce.
Dynevor starred in the first season of Shonda Rhimes’ Regency-era drama “Bridgerton” as Daphne Bridgerton, which was based on Julia Quinn’s novel series of the same name. She will be a supporting character on the second season of the popular Netflix drama, which shifts the story to another character.
Season...
- 8/18/2021
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor has found her next TV series starring vehicle. The actress, who received global recognition for her role as Daphne on the hugely popular Netflix Regency-era romance, has closed a deal to executive produce and is attached to star in Exciting Times, a series in development at Amazon Studios that explores contemporary romance with a twist.
The project, based on Irish writer Naoise Dolan’s debut novel, hails from U.S. financier-producer Black Bear Pictures, which optioned rights to the book ahead of its June 2020 U.S. release to turn it into a premium series. Cooper Raiff (Cha Cha Real Smooth) will co-write the TV adaptation with Dolan and is also slated to direct.
Based on Dolan’s novel, described as “bracingly intelligent, hilarious and raw,” Exciting Times centers on Ava, the role Dynevor is in talks to play. Ava is an Irish transplant abroad teaching English grammar to wealthy children,...
The project, based on Irish writer Naoise Dolan’s debut novel, hails from U.S. financier-producer Black Bear Pictures, which optioned rights to the book ahead of its June 2020 U.S. release to turn it into a premium series. Cooper Raiff (Cha Cha Real Smooth) will co-write the TV adaptation with Dolan and is also slated to direct.
Based on Dolan’s novel, described as “bracingly intelligent, hilarious and raw,” Exciting Times centers on Ava, the role Dynevor is in talks to play. Ava is an Irish transplant abroad teaching English grammar to wealthy children,...
- 8/17/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Production and distribution company Arcadia Films is set to expand with two new appointments to its management team in Bec Janek and Anna Dadic.
The duo will steer the company with founding partners, producer Lisa Shaunessy and head of distribution Alexandra Burke.
Janek will be Arcadia’s head of production, having already worked as a co-producer on its sci-fi 2067 and line producer for upcoming film Sissy. A former executive at Russell Crowe’s Ssm, her credits also include the Cannes-selected short film, Dots.
Of her new role, she said: “I have known Lisa and Alex for many years and I’m excited to join this dynamic and creative company in this role to advance their bold and exciting production output.”
A former theatrical agent at Hla, Dadic will be head of development, managing the current feature slate and expanding slate of scripted television.
Already underway in development under Dadic is...
The duo will steer the company with founding partners, producer Lisa Shaunessy and head of distribution Alexandra Burke.
Janek will be Arcadia’s head of production, having already worked as a co-producer on its sci-fi 2067 and line producer for upcoming film Sissy. A former executive at Russell Crowe’s Ssm, her credits also include the Cannes-selected short film, Dots.
Of her new role, she said: “I have known Lisa and Alex for many years and I’m excited to join this dynamic and creative company in this role to advance their bold and exciting production output.”
A former theatrical agent at Hla, Dadic will be head of development, managing the current feature slate and expanding slate of scripted television.
Already underway in development under Dadic is...
- 8/5/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: Australian producer-distributor Arcadia, whose recent credits include Netflix pic 2067 with Kodi Smit-McPhee and Ryan Kwanten, has made two hires and revealed its upcoming distribution and development slates.
Bec Janek is joining as Head of Production and Anna Dadic will take the role of Head of Development.
Janek comes into the role after a close collaboration with Arcadia, more recently as a co-producer on sci fi feature 2067 and line producer on Sissy, starring Aisha Dee (The Bold Type). Prior to those films, Janek produced Cannes 2018 shhort Dots and was a former executive at Russell Crowe’s Ssm.
Janek will be responsible for shepherding projects into production and will take the lead on select projects.
Dadic, a former theatrical agent at Hla Management, will manage Arcadia’s feature development slate and expand Arcadia’s slate of scripted TV.
Already underway in development under Dadic are the sci-fi series The Immaculate Void,...
Bec Janek is joining as Head of Production and Anna Dadic will take the role of Head of Development.
Janek comes into the role after a close collaboration with Arcadia, more recently as a co-producer on sci fi feature 2067 and line producer on Sissy, starring Aisha Dee (The Bold Type). Prior to those films, Janek produced Cannes 2018 shhort Dots and was a former executive at Russell Crowe’s Ssm.
Janek will be responsible for shepherding projects into production and will take the lead on select projects.
Dadic, a former theatrical agent at Hla Management, will manage Arcadia’s feature development slate and expand Arcadia’s slate of scripted TV.
Already underway in development under Dadic are the sci-fi series The Immaculate Void,...
- 8/5/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
(L – R): AiF executive director Peter Ritchie, 2019 Regional Screen In La Program recipient Joshua Tyler, Australian Consul General La Chelsey Martin, AiF chair Simonne Overend and Screenworks CEO Ken Crouch.
The second iteration of Screenworks and Australians In Film (AiF)’s Regional Screen in La Program will take the form of an internship with Animal Logic Entertainment (Ale), offering upcoming or recent grads from regional Australia an opportunity to work out of the company’s La office.
AiF have run internship programs with Ale for the past five years and recipients have gone onto careers in the Australian and international screen industries, including Melanie Jayne (HBO), Sleena Wilson (Black Bear Pictures) and Lauren Brown (Ludo Studio).
The internship will run for two months in 2020 and cover all aspects of international feature film development, acquisitions, packaging and production. The successful recipient will work with both Ale and its subsidiary live-action production company,...
The second iteration of Screenworks and Australians In Film (AiF)’s Regional Screen in La Program will take the form of an internship with Animal Logic Entertainment (Ale), offering upcoming or recent grads from regional Australia an opportunity to work out of the company’s La office.
AiF have run internship programs with Ale for the past five years and recipients have gone onto careers in the Australian and international screen industries, including Melanie Jayne (HBO), Sleena Wilson (Black Bear Pictures) and Lauren Brown (Ludo Studio).
The internship will run for two months in 2020 and cover all aspects of international feature film development, acquisitions, packaging and production. The successful recipient will work with both Ale and its subsidiary live-action production company,...
- 11/11/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Sleena Wilson.
Sydney producer Sleena Wilson has begun three months’ work experience in Los Angeles as the recipient of this year’s Village Roadshow Animal Logic Entertainment internship.
Wilson is working with the creative teams on the development slates at the Village Roadshow Entertainment Group and Animal Logic Entertainment in the initiative organised by Australians in Film.
“Exposure to the Us industry will no doubt be invaluable in shaping my career and slate of projects and I look forward to returning to Australia with this international perspective,” she said.
Previous recipients of the internship are David Edwardz (The Third Floor), Melanie Jayne (HBO), Lauren Brown (Ludo Studios) and Petra Lovrencic (Animal Logic).
After getting a Create Nsw producer’s attachment on Aquarius Films’ ABC/Netflix series The Unlisted, Sleena became an assistant to Aquarius producers Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford.
Last year she also served as assistant to producer Matt Reeder...
Sydney producer Sleena Wilson has begun three months’ work experience in Los Angeles as the recipient of this year’s Village Roadshow Animal Logic Entertainment internship.
Wilson is working with the creative teams on the development slates at the Village Roadshow Entertainment Group and Animal Logic Entertainment in the initiative organised by Australians in Film.
“Exposure to the Us industry will no doubt be invaluable in shaping my career and slate of projects and I look forward to returning to Australia with this international perspective,” she said.
Previous recipients of the internship are David Edwardz (The Third Floor), Melanie Jayne (HBO), Lauren Brown (Ludo Studios) and Petra Lovrencic (Animal Logic).
After getting a Create Nsw producer’s attachment on Aquarius Films’ ABC/Netflix series The Unlisted, Sleena became an assistant to Aquarius producers Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford.
Last year she also served as assistant to producer Matt Reeder...
- 5/14/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
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