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DOC/FEST: Discovery Networks International (DNI) has commissioned two science series from London-based indies Blink Films and October Films.
Blink is working on World’s Top 5 (6x60′), which analyses and rates the world’s engineering accomplishments, from extra large aircraft to mega-sized factories. The series is executive produced by former Channel 5 programming chief Dan Chambers.
You Have Been Warned (6x60′) is an October production that explores the web’s best amateur and professional science experiments, stunts and inventions through user-generated content. Denman Rooke, Lucy Pilkington and Helen Hawken are the executive producers.
Both series will premiere on Discovery Channel in the UK later this year, before rolling out across other Discovery channels in Western Europe and beyond. Both were commissioned by Elizabeth McIntyre, VP of production and development, factual, at DNI.
McIntyre told C21: “These are real examples of things that will work internationally.
“We have a chorus of experts in World’s Top 5 who are drawn internationally, speaking English as a first or second language, who analyse and rate those giants of engineering, so we can find the ultimate best in class. It’s a nice simple format, hopefully returnable, and one that will play well around the world.
“You Have Been Warned is a charming way into science, looking at clips from around the world. It’s witty, for a younger demographic, 18 to 49, male-skewed with co-viewing. It’s a humorous script with a lot of factual take-out.”
The commissions are particularly relevant at Doc/Fest this week as one of the experts in You Have Been Warned – scientist Alistair Linsell – was picked up by Discovery after a pitching event at last year’s festival.
