Fremantle Oz seals first-look deal

Fremantle’s Australian outpost has signed a first-look development, formats and international sales deal with a prodco recently launched by two former execs at Princess Pictures.

Paul Walton

Founded by Paul Walton and Karla Burt, 720 Creative aims to jointly create with Fremantle projects across a range of genres and platforms.

720 Creative’s development slate includes two series for pubcaster the ABC, one based on a novel, the other an unscripted format revolving around peer-to-peer advice. Also in the pipeline are a light entertainment series and a documentary reality series that will follow people in remote communities in Australia’s north as they pursue their hopes and dreams.

Walton departed Princess Pictures in May after seven years as a producer and partner in the production company founded by Laura Waters.

Enlisted to work on Straight to the Plate, a cooking show which celebrates Torres Strait Islander cuisine for indigenous network NITV, he called on the assistance of Burt, a former head of unscripted at Princess Pictures.

They decided to team up and their first commission, Tanya Hennessy Gets a Real Job, a 6×3’ comedy in which the comedian and radio personality tries her hand at working on a farm, a wellness centre and as a barista and tour guide, will premiere next month on IGTV (InstagramTV).

Karla Burt

Fremantle CEO Chris Oliver-Taylor, who had long known Walton and Burt, contacted Walton, who told C21: “As a start-up indie it made sense to partner with Fremantle. They like our nimbleness and our ability to incubate talent like Tanya Hennessy. We are co-developing some shows with Fremantle. They will represent our formats and sell our shows internationally.”

Oliver-Taylor said: “The international reach and creative drive of Fremantle, coupled with the cleverness, nimbleness and digital connections of 720 Creative will allow us to develop a standout slate of projects.”

Burt added: “The relationship with Fremantle will enable us to be hands-on with creators and the creative community knowing we have the support of the Fremantle engine room behind us.”

At Princess Pictures, Walton’s credits included It’s A Date seasons 1 and 2, Open Slather, The Divorce, I Love You Too, The Slot, Koala Man, The Drop Off, Wine and Stand Up @ Bella Union.

Burt’s CV includes casting producer and associate producer on Fremantle’s Farmer Wants a Wife and casting producer on Endemol Shine Australia’s The Great Australian Spelling Bee and The Bachelorette.