Red Arrow backs Saade prodco

Germany’s Red Arrow Studios and its US-based prodco Kinetic Content are backing the launch of a production company from ABC unscripted veteran John Saade.

John Saade

Spinnaker Chaos will be housed at Kinetic Content and focus on developing broad-based entertainment formats, as well as projects based on history, science and technology.

Saade spent more than a decade at ABC in the US and served as executive VP of alternative series and late-night until 2013, with credits including Dancing with the Stars, Shark Tank and Wipeout.

He will work exclusively with the Kinetic team including CEO Chris Coelen and Michael Schmidt, chief creative officer of Red Arrow Studios, to develop format ideas and roll them out globally.

Spinnaker’s team includes Amy Graves, who was previously manager of development at Core Media Group. The prodco has already set up multiple projects at both cable and broadcast networks but details are yet to be revealed.

All projects will be produced by Kinetic Content in association with Spinnaker Chaos, with Red Arrow Studios International handling worldwide format distribution.

Schmidt said: “John personifies the type of creator Red Arrow always aims to attract and work with, pushing us to be the best possible home for outstanding creatives like him.”

Coelen added: “John and I have worked together for a long time, on shows like Wife Swap, Secret Millionaire and The Taste. I respect his experience and long-running track record of success, but even more importantly I admire his honesty, intelligence and collaborative approach.”

The deal between Kinetic and Saade comes in the same week sibling Red Arrow US scripted business Fabrik Entertainment joined forces with UK-based The Imaginarium to produce a drama based on the books of bestselling neurologist Oliver Sacks.

Fabrik, which was behind series including Amazon’s Bosch, will work with The Imaginarium, co-owned by Lord of the Rings star Andy Serkis, to develop a series based on Sacks’ two titles The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and An Anthropologist on Mars.

Red Arrow teamed up with The Imaginarium three years ago to develop high-end TV drama.