Promark, Mediaset to stamp 'Letters'

Film set to start shooting in March

By BENEDICT CARVER

Promark Entertainment Group has struck a deal with Italian broadcasting giant Mediaset to co-finance Gordon Boos' $4 million action-adventure "The Vivaro Letters." The film, based on the novel by British author Desmond Bagley, will begin shooting in March, probably in either Costa Rica, the Philippines or the Dominican Republic.

"Letters" is being directed by Boos (the upcoming "A Breed Apart") and produced by Rafaello Monteverde's Rome-based Leader Films. It is one of five Bagley projects that PEG has in active development.

PEG president Jonathan Kramer said he intended the Mediaset deal to become a prototype for a dramatic increase in PEG's international co-production ac-tivities. "For example, we will get more international clients to come in early on some of our projects," he said. Other new titles that might be financed in this way are actioner "Angel's Dance" and action-thriller "New World Order."

PEG -- whose parent company is Swedish conglomerate Promark Konsult AB -- has closed a $9 million credit facility with Imperial Bank. According to Kramer, the funds will be used as a production loan facility and as working capital.

In addition to its lineup of $2 million-to-$4 million genre pictures, PEG is increasing its output of family fare. Three such features will debut at this year's NATPE: "Legends of Pirate's Point," "Waking Up Horton" and "Angels in the Attic."

At NATPE, which kicks off next week in New Orleans, Promark is also launching its first TV series, "Clubhouse Detectives: The Series."