Reiser nuances deal with Col TriStar TV
Pact calls for production work
The two-year deal calls for Reiser and manager-producing partner Arthur Spivak to develop TV projects for the studio and serve as producers on other Col TriStar series, but it does not cover Reiser's services as a thesp.
"Paul has a great eye for talent," said Helene Michaels, prexy of network production for Col TriStar TV. "We would love for him to create another show for us, and we would love it if he produced for us. We've been in business for a long time together, and we're looking forward to what's ahead."
Nuance has recruited Vernon Sanders, formerly with Wind Dancer Production Group, as VP of development. Spivak, who has been Reiser's manager for the past 17 years, said the company is looking to develop hourlong series in the dramedy vein as well as comedies.
"Paul understands the mechanics of how to mix art and commerce," Spivak said. "From day one, he was involved in every aspect of 'Mad About You,' " which ended its run on NBC in May.
"We're going to work with actors who want to work in a more creative situation than a big studio would be able to afford," Spivak said. "Hopefully, Paul's experience will give people a comfort level with us on the creative side. He's been there, and he's had to fight those network and studio battles.
"We hope to look back on this as the beginning days of an MTM -- a really artist-friendly environment," Spivak said.
Outside of the TV arena, Reiser is developing a feature for Castle Rock about a young man and his father who take to the road to solve some lingering family mysteries. He'll be seen this fall alongside Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer in Castle Rock's "The Story of Us."
