TALKING SHOP: French movie studio Gaumont has become the latest European company to set up a US-based scripted TV operation, developing series for the global market.
Gaumont International Television CEO Katie O'Connell and head of international distribution and coproduction Erik Pack discuss their plans.
Says O'Connell: "We are a company that is looking internationally and in the US at the same time and I think the biggest challenge for all of us is how do we close that gap - how do we continue to produce things that work in the US and around the globe consistently."
O'Connell and Pack discuss how a growing legion of independent studios are now able to break into a US marketplace that is no longer dominated by the established players; how the vibrancy of cable and the entry of new players like Netflix is encouraging broadcasters to become more open about the kind of deals they do, and willing in some instances to go straight to series.
