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Lantern Pictures enters major first-look deal with Fremantle
New alliance sets the stage for dynamic and female-focused storytelling
In an exciting development, Lantern Pictures, a new yet ambitious player in the entertainment industry, has entered a first-look content deal with global distribution powerhouse Fremantle. Established a mere six months ago, Lantern Pictures is breaking new ground with its commitment to shaping the future of television.
Pioneering visionaries behind Lantern Pictures
The powerhouse trio steering Lantern Pictures comprises a multi-award-winning writer and showrunner, a visionary director, and a seasoned TV executive. Their impressive credentials include widely acclaimed series such as Lambs of God, Love Child, and Amazon’s The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. From the outset, the company’s goal has been clear: to be Australia’s foremost showrunner-centric, female-focused production house.
A creative synergy with Fremantle
The melding of Lantern Pictures with Fremantle is more than just a business transaction—it’s a partnership rooted in shared creative visions. This collaboration offers Lantern Pictures access to Fremantle’s extensive distribution network and resources, promising a fertile ground for inventive storytelling.
“We’re launching a creative partnership between the two companies, one that we’re very excited about,” said a key executive from Lantern Pictures. “It provides us unparalleled access to Fremantle’s broader corporate reach, network of similarly-minded creatives, and vast distribution capabilities.”
Expectations and upcoming projects
Although specific projects haven’t yet been announced, anticipation is high for the first joint ventures, expected to be unveiled by late 2024 or early 2025. The global slowdown in productions has undeniably impacted the industry, yet the executive team at Lantern Pictures remains optimistic. They have several projects already underway, potentially involving Fremantle, that are generating buzz among broadcasters and other entities.
Strong creative slate and genre versatility
The leadership at Lantern Pictures has a clear vision for the future. They seek to produce two to three projects annually, focusing primarily on high-quality drama. While they are not confined to a specific genre, their projects often adopt a female-centric approach.
“We want to create dramas that resonate not only in Australia but worldwide,” an executive observed. “Our current slate includes genre-driven stories that aim to push the envelope.”
A history of fruitful collaborations
The creative rapport between the teams has roots in earlier successful projects. A key figure shared insights on working with Fremantle’s scripted head on past productions:
“Our collaboration on Lambs of God was the first time I felt I could truly explore my voice as a writer. The experience taught me the power of shared creative ambition,” she noted. “We share a common goal: to produce bold, distinctive, and dynamic television.”
Evolving the showrunner model in Australia
Lantern Pictures is on a mission to redefine the role of the showrunner in Australia, drawing inspiration from successful models in the U.S. They aim to ensure that writers and showrunners stay involved throughout the production process, maintaining their creative vision from script to screen.
“In our current system, writers often hand over their scripts to directors and producers after delivery,” a Lantern Pictures executive explained. “We aspire to create a new model where the head writer remains involved through to the final cut, enabling on-the-fly rewrites and ensuring the original vision is retained.”
Fremantle’s global ambitions
Fremantle’s Global Drama CEO expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership, highlighting its strategic importance and alignment with Fremantle’s commitment to producing award-winning content globally. This partnership is part of Fremantle’s broader strategy to collaborate with top-tier talent worldwide.
Other notable partnerships under Fremantle
Fremantle’s innovative collaborations extend beyond this latest deal. They have ongoing creative partnerships with several other renowned entities, including Kristen Stewart’s Nevermind Pictures, Fabula, and Roughcut Television. This global network underlines Fremantle’s dedication to nurturing diverse storytelling from all corners of the world.
Exciting times ahead for fans
Fans can look forward to more groundbreaking content, as Fremantle gears up to shoot the third season of the international hit Netflix series Heartbreak High, and recently completed a second season of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Bay of Fires.
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting partnership and other thrilling projects. Share this content on social media or follow our platform for the latest in TV and film news.
