Former Sky Studios exec Jason Simms launches scripted firm Fusebox Entertainment

Former Sky Studios and Fox executive Jason Simms has launched a London-based scripted outfit called Fusebox Entertainment, focused on drama and comedy.

Jason Simms

Fusebox combines consultancy services for producers and financiers with its own slate of drama coproductions, developed directly with creative and production partners.

It will offer executive producer services and consultancy across development, coproduction, financing and distribution to producers, networks and financing businesses working on scripted projects.

Fusebox said it has already secured consultancy partnerships with sales and production businesses in the US, UK, New Zealand and Poland.

The company has also struck a raft of coproduction and development deals, including with Fifth Season-backed Cosmopolitan Pictures, The Story Collective, Nordic production company Saga Film, and High Road Entertainment, the new label from Richard Tulk-Hart and James Durie. Further details are expected shortly.

Simms said: “We all know building success in the global scripted market is incredibly hard. Changing commissioning priorities, consolidation, audience fragmentation, dwindling margins and ever more complex financing are among the many headwinds we’re all facing. Forging the right connections to build projects isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ anymore; it’s now a creative and commercial imperative.”

Simms brings more than two decades of scripted experience across acquisitions, development, coproduction and distribution roles at broadcasters, prodcos and sales businesses.

At Sky Studios, he oversaw commercial strategy, deficit financing and producer relationships for more than 60 Sky originals and third-party premium scripted series. He also developed the local originals strategy that supported the launch of SkyShowtime and yielded hit Polish drama Sleboda, among others.

Earlier, as senior VP of global acquisitions at Fox Networks Group, he built the company’s scripted ownership model across more than 120 markets, securing franchises including The Walking Dead, Dexter and Legion.

He was most recently UK MD of C3 Media, leading the prodco’s international scripted slate and negotiating collaborations with firms including Raindog Films and Drama Republic.