Origin secures a development deal with BBC Fiction and major deal
with Fremantle Media and Distant Horizon
David Thompson, former Head of BBC Films who ran the division for more
than a decade, is to launch his own independent film and television
production company, Origin Pictures, in June.
The company will retain its close links with the BBC as it starts a three
year, first look development deal with BBC Fiction for both feature film
and television drama.
On the TV side, Origin has struck a significant deal with major
international distributor Fremantle Media Enterprises, which also entails a
first look, development deal. Thompson’s own background has been in
television production for many years, latterly as Head of BBC Single
Drama, where he was responsible as producer and executive producer for
many award winning dramas.
Mark Gray, Vice President Programming, FremantleMedia Enterprises
(FME) commented: “David’s track record is second to none. He has been
such a major creative force, responsible for some of the finest and most
innovative TV drama over the past decade. There can be little doubt that
working with Origin promises to be both enormously exciting as well as
artistically productive”.
Origin Pictures will also have significant backing from producer and
financier Anant Singh through his company Distant Horizon, the
international production and distribution company with wide ranging media
interests including holdings in film studios and pay tv. Singh’s numerous
credits in international production include the Academy Award™ and
Emmy nominated ‘Yesterday”, and ‘Sarafina” starring Whoopi Goldberg on
which Thompson and Singh first collaborated. Through the relationship
with Distant Horizon, Origin Pictures will have the potential to co-finance
films.
Anant Singh said: “I’ve had the privilege to work with David Thompson for
the past 20 years and we have produced many films together. His
exceptional experience in motion pictures and television coupled with his
1
global relationships will make Origin Pictures a formidable independent
production house in the UK and we are delighted to be a part of it.”
Origin is generating a wide range of new projects for film and TV; it will
also be taking on several films to produce which Thompson has worked on
closely during his time at BBC Films.
Origin has recently optioned Michel Faber's best-selling and critically
acclaimed novel THE CRIMSON PETAL AND THE WHITE, which will be
developed as a four-part drama serial.
Thompson has brought with him Ed Rubin, who will serve as Head of
Development for the company and will manage Origin's growing slate of
projects. Rubin has worked in the industry for eight years across
development and production, most recently as Development Executive at
BBC Films. Nicola Blacker will also be making the transition from BBC
Films to Origin Pictures as Production Executive. Other appointments will
follow in due course.
Says Thompson, “It’s a very exciting time as we launch Origin Pictures
with such great partners. After many fantastic years running BBC Films, I
look forward to continuing my relationships with the inspiring talent I have
been privileged to work with over many years.
Backing new talent has
been at the heart of what we have built at BBC Films and we will certainly
continue to do that. I am delighted to be building on my close relationship
with the BBC in a new guise while also working with other broadcasters
and partners in the UK and internationally.”
Thompson is also set to continue his role as Executive Producer for BBC
Films over the next couple of years, on a slate of existing projects he's
been closely involved with. These include Armando Ianucci’s IN THE LOOP,
Jane Campion's BRIGHT STAR, Saul Dibb's THE DUCHESS, Martin
Campbell’s EDGE OF DARKNESS, and new films from Andrea Arnold and
Pawel Pawlikowski, and an adaptation of Jon Ronson’s book MEN WHO
STARE AT GOATS.
Jane Tranter, Controller, BBC Fiction said, “David Thompson leaves BBC
Films with an impressive slate of international and domestic successes and
a truly awesome contribution to the film and drama creative community in
the UK. However, despite leaving the Corporation to set up his new
venture I am delighted the BBC will continue to benefit not only from his
unrivalled years of expertise and experience, but from his infamous
tenacity, impeccable taste and sharp wit."
During his time at BBC Films, Thompson executive produced films which
won numerous awards including many Baftas, Golden Globes and an
Oscar. Films include BILLY ELLIOT, IRIS, DIRTY PRETTY THINGS, IN THIS
WORLD, NOTES ON A SCANDAL, THE HISTORY BOYS, A COCK AND BULL
2
STORY, and most recently REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, EASTERN PROMISES.
THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL, BRIDESHEAD REVISITED, and AN EDUCATION
by Nick Hornby. He has made a special contribution to introducing the
work of new directors such as Pawel Pawlikowski, Andrea Arnold, Lynne
Ramsay, Saul Dibb, Dominic Savage, Sarah Gavron and Francesca Joseph.
His TV credits as producer and executive producer include many acclaimed
and award winning films
such as THE FIRM, SHADOWLANDS,
CONSPIRACY, THE GATHERING STORM, SHOOT THE MESSENGER, THE
LOST PRINCE and most recently MISS AUSTEN REGRETS, with upcoming
dramas including EINSTEIN & EDDINGTON and CHURCHILL AT WAR. He
has won numerous international awards including three Baftas, two
Emmys and Golden Globes.
3