Beilby shingle goes full Circa
Oz co. to produce features, TV dramas
Circa Entertainment will develop "quality drama and sitcoms with international cachet," Beilby said.
Oz drama skeins have bombed at international markets in recent years. "The crisis in Australian drama is to do with balancing domestic and international demands," he said.
Steering clear of cop shows and legal dramas produced expertly in U.K. and U.S., Circa will concentrate on tapping the 13-28 demographic reached by shows like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Charmed."
Children's division will develop contemporary, inspirational live action series, and animation via joint venture with Viskatoons.
Feature division's mission is to develop Oz's next breakthrough debut writer-directors.
Beilby, an industry vet of 27 years and former production partner of Fred Schepisi ("Six Degrees of Separation"), wrapped his two-year Granada contract in March after investing A$60 million ($30.9 million) in local productions.
He is joined by former Granada production and development topper Linda Klejus, ex-Nine Network drama producer John Hugginson and former Southern Star producer Susie Campbell.
