A new production company is on the mission to bring weird science to life through story.
Neuroscientist and Stanford professor Dr. David Eagleman has teamed up with producers Matt Tauber and Adam Fratto to launch Cognito Entertainment, an independent production company centered around science programming and films. The Los Angeles and Palo Alto-based company has already begun working on scripted television series, documentaries and literary adaptation.
“We are living in an unparalleled moment of scientific advancement,” said Eagleman. “From brains to space to genetics, there are endless mind-blowing stories to share. In a world that sometimes seems upside-down, science can be a source of great inspiration, wonder, and belief.”
In addition to his scientific work, Eagleman is a best-selling author, Guggenheim fellow and Emmy-nominated screenwriter.
In the works is an international film adaptation of Grace Chan’s novel “Every Version of You,” a science fiction story about a pair of...
Neuroscientist and Stanford professor Dr. David Eagleman has teamed up with producers Matt Tauber and Adam Fratto to launch Cognito Entertainment, an independent production company centered around science programming and films. The Los Angeles and Palo Alto-based company has already begun working on scripted television series, documentaries and literary adaptation.
“We are living in an unparalleled moment of scientific advancement,” said Eagleman. “From brains to space to genetics, there are endless mind-blowing stories to share. In a world that sometimes seems upside-down, science can be a source of great inspiration, wonder, and belief.”
In addition to his scientific work, Eagleman is a best-selling author, Guggenheim fellow and Emmy-nominated screenwriter.
In the works is an international film adaptation of Grace Chan’s novel “Every Version of You,” a science fiction story about a pair of...
- 5/10/2023
- by Sophia Scorziello
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Some of Hollywood’s Harvard veterans are helping out scribes from their alma mater find their voices and perhaps become Tinseltown’s future.
Harvardwood today announced the winners of its Writers Competition winners and Most Staffable TV List (see the full list below)
The 18-year old program aims to connect talented scribes from the venerable Ivy League college with studios, networks and agencies. To that end, this year sees industry leaders working as one-on-one mentors with the aspiring and varied writers, who also receive cash prizes. “Harvardwood has strived to support new voices in the industry, and we are proud to see those efforts reflected in our competition winners,” program President Allison Kiessling told Deadline Thursday, noting that many of this year’s winners come from underrepresented communities.
Among the 2021 mentors are Harvard alum 20th Century Fox TV boss Carolyn Cassidy, Sherman’s Showcase’s Diallo Riddle, and Veep and...
Harvardwood today announced the winners of its Writers Competition winners and Most Staffable TV List (see the full list below)
The 18-year old program aims to connect talented scribes from the venerable Ivy League college with studios, networks and agencies. To that end, this year sees industry leaders working as one-on-one mentors with the aspiring and varied writers, who also receive cash prizes. “Harvardwood has strived to support new voices in the industry, and we are proud to see those efforts reflected in our competition winners,” program President Allison Kiessling told Deadline Thursday, noting that many of this year’s winners come from underrepresented communities.
Among the 2021 mentors are Harvard alum 20th Century Fox TV boss Carolyn Cassidy, Sherman’s Showcase’s Diallo Riddle, and Veep and...
- 5/20/2021
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
History has named former Reel One Entertainment executive Adam Fratto VP Scripted Programming for the network. In his new role, Fratto will oversee development and production of History’s scripted slate, as well as develop projects for A+E Studios. Based in Los Angeles, he will report into Eli Lehrer, Evp and General Manager at History, and Tana Jamieson, Svp Programming at A+E Studios.
“Adam is a seasoned producer with a stellar track record of developing programming with epic storytelling,” said Lehrer. “He has the perfect creative instincts that will propel our scripted slate to the next level and I am confident he will be an asset to my senior team.”
Fratto moves to History from Reel One Entertainment, where he served as Svp. During his tenure there he launched a series division for the international distribution and production studio, and built and developed a slate of high profile projects,...
“Adam is a seasoned producer with a stellar track record of developing programming with epic storytelling,” said Lehrer. “He has the perfect creative instincts that will propel our scripted slate to the next level and I am confident he will be an asset to my senior team.”
Fratto moves to History from Reel One Entertainment, where he served as Svp. During his tenure there he launched a series division for the international distribution and production studio, and built and developed a slate of high profile projects,...
- 7/10/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Cable network History has hired Adam Fratto to oversee its growing roster of scripted series.
Fratto, a former Reel One Entertainment executive, joins the A&e Networks channel as vp scripted programming. He will take charge of development and production for History's scripted originals, which include Vikings and Project Blue Book, and also develop projects for A+E Studios.
"Adam is a seasoned producer with a stellar track record of developing programming with epic storytelling," Eli Lehrer, executive vp and Gm at History, said Wednesday in a statement. "He has the perfect creative instincts that will propel our scripted ...
Fratto, a former Reel One Entertainment executive, joins the A&e Networks channel as vp scripted programming. He will take charge of development and production for History's scripted originals, which include Vikings and Project Blue Book, and also develop projects for A+E Studios.
"Adam is a seasoned producer with a stellar track record of developing programming with epic storytelling," Eli Lehrer, executive vp and Gm at History, said Wednesday in a statement. "He has the perfect creative instincts that will propel our scripted ...
- 7/10/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
British reality format Love Island scored a peak audience of 3.4m viewers on ITV2 as the digital broadcaster cleaned up against its bigger rivals. The series, which follows a group of singletons including Danny Dyer’s daughter Dani Dyer who must couple up in a Majorcan villa, averaged 2.9m viewers across its 90-minute episode, more than double the 1.3m that tuned in to last year’s opener. Some 52% of its audience was aged between 16-34, a massive boon for the commercial broadcaster. The show helped the network beat major rivals including BBC One, which aired doc Suffragettes With Lucy Worsley in the timeslot, as well as The Queen’s Coronation In Colour on parent channel ITV, Versailles on BBC Two and C4’s 24 Hours in Police Custody. ITV bosses will hope that the increasing success of the format, a relative rarity in UK non-scripted formats, will help it sell the format into the U.
- 6/5/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Cleverman.
A second season of Cleverman will go into production in Australia later this year, with production to again be based in Sydney.
Season two will constitute a further six one-hour episodes produced by Goalpost Pictures Australia and New Zealand.s Pukeko Pictures.
Series directors Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell are returning, while the season two writers room will consist of Stuart Page, Jane Allen, Jada Alberts, Justine Gillmer and Ryan Griffen..
Producers are Rosemary Blight, Ryan Griffen, Jane Allen and Sharon Lark.
Executive producers are Sally Riley, Ben Grant, Kylie du Fresne, Wayne Blair, Angela Littlejohn, Lisa Chatfield, Adam Fratto, Jan David Frouman, Amelie Kienlin and Irena Ignatiew.
Weta Workshop will again provide the creature design and physical effects, while Park Road Post is providing picture, visual effects and sound post production services.
ABC TV's Head of Scripted Production Sally Riley noted that it was .rare that you get...
A second season of Cleverman will go into production in Australia later this year, with production to again be based in Sydney.
Season two will constitute a further six one-hour episodes produced by Goalpost Pictures Australia and New Zealand.s Pukeko Pictures.
Series directors Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell are returning, while the season two writers room will consist of Stuart Page, Jane Allen, Jada Alberts, Justine Gillmer and Ryan Griffen..
Producers are Rosemary Blight, Ryan Griffen, Jane Allen and Sharon Lark.
Executive producers are Sally Riley, Ben Grant, Kylie du Fresne, Wayne Blair, Angela Littlejohn, Lisa Chatfield, Adam Fratto, Jan David Frouman, Amelie Kienlin and Irena Ignatiew.
Weta Workshop will again provide the creature design and physical effects, while Park Road Post is providing picture, visual effects and sound post production services.
ABC TV's Head of Scripted Production Sally Riley noted that it was .rare that you get...
- 6/2/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Red Arrow International and SundanceTV have stuck a deal to distribute Australian production Cleverman internationally.
The epic genre series, to be shot in Sydney, will feature an ensemble cast led by Scottish actor Iain Glen (Game of Thrones), Golden Globe nominee Frances O.Connor (The Missing), Deborah Mailman (The Sapphires), Hunter Page-Lochard (The Sapphires), Rob Collins (The Lion King) and Stef Dawson (The Hunger Games).
Cleverman, (6 x 1 hour) is produced by Goalpost Pictures Australia and New Zealand.s Pukeko Pictures for ABC TV Australia in co-production with SundanceTV and Red Arrow International, with the assistance of Screen Australia, Screen Nsw and the New Zealand Screen Production Grant.
Red Arrow International is distributing the drama worldwide and the show will have its market launch at Mipcom in October.
AMC and SundanceTV president of orgiginal programming and development, Joel Stillerman, said SundanceTV was becoming the Us home to some of the most...
The epic genre series, to be shot in Sydney, will feature an ensemble cast led by Scottish actor Iain Glen (Game of Thrones), Golden Globe nominee Frances O.Connor (The Missing), Deborah Mailman (The Sapphires), Hunter Page-Lochard (The Sapphires), Rob Collins (The Lion King) and Stef Dawson (The Hunger Games).
Cleverman, (6 x 1 hour) is produced by Goalpost Pictures Australia and New Zealand.s Pukeko Pictures for ABC TV Australia in co-production with SundanceTV and Red Arrow International, with the assistance of Screen Australia, Screen Nsw and the New Zealand Screen Production Grant.
Red Arrow International is distributing the drama worldwide and the show will have its market launch at Mipcom in October.
AMC and SundanceTV president of orgiginal programming and development, Joel Stillerman, said SundanceTV was becoming the Us home to some of the most...
- 9/4/2015
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
The ailing screen production sector is set to get a major boost with more than $80 million worth of films, TV dramas and a documentary receiving funding from Screen Australia.
The agency is investing more than $12 million in four features, four adult dramas, two children.s dramas and a theatrical doc. In addition Scroz is providing completion funding to sex comedy The Little Deaths, writer-director Josh Lawson.s feature debut.
The projects include a Blinky Bill animated movie, a comedy set during the Cronulla race riots, the long-mooted Molly Meldrum TV drama and The Principal, the first drama commissioned by Sbs since Better Man.
.We have backed some of our great contemporary writers, directors and producers, alongside some exciting new voices, . said Screen Australia head of production Sally Caplan.
.The projects target audiences as diverse as Australia is today, with projects which are ambitious, risk-taking and culturally important, revealing we have...
The agency is investing more than $12 million in four features, four adult dramas, two children.s dramas and a theatrical doc. In addition Scroz is providing completion funding to sex comedy The Little Deaths, writer-director Josh Lawson.s feature debut.
The projects include a Blinky Bill animated movie, a comedy set during the Cronulla race riots, the long-mooted Molly Meldrum TV drama and The Principal, the first drama commissioned by Sbs since Better Man.
.We have backed some of our great contemporary writers, directors and producers, alongside some exciting new voices, . said Screen Australia head of production Sally Caplan.
.The projects target audiences as diverse as Australia is today, with projects which are ambitious, risk-taking and culturally important, revealing we have...
- 8/6/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The movie adaptation of the Melissa Marr novel Wicked Lovely has conjured up a second wind. Originally set up at Universal by Wild West Picture Show Productions, the project is now freed up and Wwpsp has brought in indie production house Pukeko Pictures to produce and oversee special effects, and Weta Workshop for design and physical effects. They will set a director shortly and then CAA will shop the project. Wwpsp’s Vince Vaughn, Valeri Vaughn and Peter Billingsley are producing with Pukeko’s Martin Baynton and Adam Fratto, and Richard Taylor is exec producing. The project was grabbed back from turnaround […]...
- 7/11/2014
- Deadline
Harvardwood, the Harvard University-sanctioned nonprofit, has announced the winners of its 2014 Writers Competition. This year’s honorees are Nicholas Paleologos, The Race for Television (feature screenplay); Anna Fishko, Baghdad (one-hour TV pilot); Kathleen Chen and William Brian Polk, Year Of The Tiger (half-hour TV pilot); and Paul D’Andrea, Win Win (one-act play). The writers, selected by a panel of television executives, writers, producers, agents and managers, were judged for excellence in categories that included marketability and originality. Each writer will receive a cash prize and a one-on-one mentorship with an industry pro. This year’s mentors include Carolyn Cassidy, Svp Comedy Development, Fox; Adam Fratto, Evp Pukeko Pictures/Weta Workshop; Nicky Weinstock, President, Invention Films, creative head of 10/90 Television at Lionsgate; and Pier Talenti, resident dramaturg/literary manager at Center Theatre Group. In its previous three years, writers selected by the program went on to score agency representation at CAA,...
- 2/1/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Australian script writer Craig Pearce will develop a new drama series for the UK’s FremantleMedia and Pukeko Pictures about the legend of Joan of Arc.
Pearce co-wrote original stories Moulin Rouge and Australia with writing partner Baz Luhrmann, and adapted both Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet and the forthcoming The Great Gatsby.
Adapted from New York bestseller The Maid, by Kimberly Cutter, the international production will be the first in the partnership between FremantleMedia and Pukeko Pictures, founded by Richard Taylor, head of Weta Workshop.
The story aims to go beyond the myth and tell the story of Joan as a girl, and her personal struggles to lead the French against the British in the final years of the Hundred Years War, by telling it not just from her perspective but also the noble houses that fought for control of the French throne.
Adam Fratto and Martin Baynton, executive...
Pearce co-wrote original stories Moulin Rouge and Australia with writing partner Baz Luhrmann, and adapted both Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet and the forthcoming The Great Gatsby.
Adapted from New York bestseller The Maid, by Kimberly Cutter, the international production will be the first in the partnership between FremantleMedia and Pukeko Pictures, founded by Richard Taylor, head of Weta Workshop.
The story aims to go beyond the myth and tell the story of Joan as a girl, and her personal struggles to lead the French against the British in the final years of the Hundred Years War, by telling it not just from her perspective but also the noble houses that fought for control of the French throne.
Adam Fratto and Martin Baynton, executive...
- 12/18/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
FremantleMedia Enterprises has made a global deal with Pukeko Pictures, the affiliate television company of Richard Taylor’s Weta Workshop. The companies will work together on new scripted television series
The announcement:
Fremantlemedia Enterprises Forges Global Partnership With Richard Taylor’S Pukeko Pictures
FremantleMedia Enterprises (Fme) has announced a major first look deal with Pukeko Pictures, the affiliate television company of Richard Taylor’s Weta Workshop. The partnership will see the two companies working together on new scripted television series, which will benefit from the expertise from within the New Zealand entertainment sector, in particular the Weta Workshop facilities and the world-renowned talents of the Wellington film and television production industry. As part of the new relationship, Fme and Pukeko have jointly hired Adam Fratto to head up development of new television projects for the global market, working out of FremantleMedia’s La office. Reporting to Martin Baynton, co-owner of Pukeko Pictures,...
The announcement:
Fremantlemedia Enterprises Forges Global Partnership With Richard Taylor’S Pukeko Pictures
FremantleMedia Enterprises (Fme) has announced a major first look deal with Pukeko Pictures, the affiliate television company of Richard Taylor’s Weta Workshop. The partnership will see the two companies working together on new scripted television series, which will benefit from the expertise from within the New Zealand entertainment sector, in particular the Weta Workshop facilities and the world-renowned talents of the Wellington film and television production industry. As part of the new relationship, Fme and Pukeko have jointly hired Adam Fratto to head up development of new television projects for the global market, working out of FremantleMedia’s La office. Reporting to Martin Baynton, co-owner of Pukeko Pictures,...
- 3/8/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
FremantleMedia Enterprises (Fme) has struck a 'first look' deal with Weta Workshop's affiliate TV business, Pukeko Pictures.
The companies, which plan to work together on new scripted television series, have jointly hired former Atticus Entertainment executive Adam Fratto to head development of new television projects aimed at the global market.
He will work from FremantleMedia.s La office although the two companies are expected to tap into the vast resources of Weta Workshop, which has provided physical and digital effects for films such as Avatar, District 9 and The Adventures of Tintin.
While at Atticus Entertainment, Fratto spearheaded television, feature and new media development under a first-look deal with HBO. He is also co-executive producer of mystery series Haven, based on The Colorado Kid novel by Stephen King, airing on Syfy in the Us and more than 100 cable channels around the world.
Fratto will report to Martin Baynton, co-owner of Pukeko Pictures,...
The companies, which plan to work together on new scripted television series, have jointly hired former Atticus Entertainment executive Adam Fratto to head development of new television projects aimed at the global market.
He will work from FremantleMedia.s La office although the two companies are expected to tap into the vast resources of Weta Workshop, which has provided physical and digital effects for films such as Avatar, District 9 and The Adventures of Tintin.
While at Atticus Entertainment, Fratto spearheaded television, feature and new media development under a first-look deal with HBO. He is also co-executive producer of mystery series Haven, based on The Colorado Kid novel by Stephen King, airing on Syfy in the Us and more than 100 cable channels around the world.
Fratto will report to Martin Baynton, co-owner of Pukeko Pictures,...
- 3/7/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
FremantleMedia Enterprises (Fme) has struck a 'first look' deal with Weta Workshop's affiliate TV business, Pukeko Pictures. The companies, which plan to work together on new scripted television series, have jointly hired former Atticus Entertainment executive Adam Fratto to head development of new television projects aimed at the global market. He will work from FremantleMedia.s La office although the two companies are expected to tap into the vast resources of Weta Workshop, which has provided physical and digital effects for films such as Avatar, District 9 and The Adventures of Tintin. While at Atticus Entertainment, Fratto spearheaded television, feature and new media development under a first-look deal with HBO. He is also co-executive producer of mystery...
- 3/7/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
Several comments along the lines of "Haven seems to have absolutely nothing to do with the Stephen King novel (The Colorado Kid) on which it's based" got us wondering about the upcoming Syfy series. Luckily, thanks to the magic of Twitter, the show's co-writer, Sam Ernst, has cleared things up a bit.
According to Ernst, who is scripting the series along with his partner Jim Dunn, "We basically absorbed the whole book and then added a supernatural storyline and back story for the characters."
He also added, "Stephen King read the supernatural storyline we added and the mythology and emailed us: 'sounds like a blast!' Then Jim and I drank."
Adam Kane ("The Mentalist," "Heroes") is at the directorial helm for the series' pilot episode for the Syfy Channel and Showcase Television in Canada. Emily Rose, Lucas Bryant, Eric Balfour, Richard Donat, and John Dunsworth all star.
Filming is taking place in Halifax,...
According to Ernst, who is scripting the series along with his partner Jim Dunn, "We basically absorbed the whole book and then added a supernatural storyline and back story for the characters."
He also added, "Stephen King read the supernatural storyline we added and the mythology and emailed us: 'sounds like a blast!' Then Jim and I drank."
Adam Kane ("The Mentalist," "Heroes") is at the directorial helm for the series' pilot episode for the Syfy Channel and Showcase Television in Canada. Emily Rose, Lucas Bryant, Eric Balfour, Richard Donat, and John Dunsworth all star.
Filming is taking place in Halifax,...
- 5/20/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
SyFy will be launching a 13 episode series titled "Haven", based on the Stephen King novella "The Colorado Kid". The novella was a tribute to the 'hard-boiled' genre of noir mystery, complete with King staples including a mysterious body, a small Maine island, and the usual procession of rustic characters. You could call it North-Eastern noir, I suppose.
The series itself seems to be one of those 'in the flavor of' things, with no direct King connection – yet – outside of providing the source 'inspiration.' For the full story, let's turn the mic over to SyFy's newly minted press release:
Syfy has ordered 13 episodes of the supernatural drama series Haven, based on the novella “The Colorado Kid,” from renowned author Stephen King. Haven from E1 Entertainment will be the first property to be produced for Syfy Pay channels around the globe (excluding Canada and Scandinavia). The announcement was made today by Mark Stern,...
The series itself seems to be one of those 'in the flavor of' things, with no direct King connection – yet – outside of providing the source 'inspiration.' For the full story, let's turn the mic over to SyFy's newly minted press release:
Syfy has ordered 13 episodes of the supernatural drama series Haven, based on the novella “The Colorado Kid,” from renowned author Stephen King. Haven from E1 Entertainment will be the first property to be produced for Syfy Pay channels around the globe (excluding Canada and Scandinavia). The announcement was made today by Mark Stern,...
- 11/30/2009
- by Jon Lachonis
- TVovermind.com
More Mipcom coverage
Toronto -- Universal Networks International has signed a co-financing/acquisition deal with indie studio E1 Entertainment for "Haven," the 13-part suspense TV series based on a Stephen King novella.
In a deal to be unveiled Tuesday at Mipcom, Toronto-based E1 Entertainment will produce the small-screen adaptation of King's 2005 novella "The Colorado Kid" along with "The Dead Zone" executive producers Piller/Segan/Shepherd, and handle the worldwide distribution of the one-hour series.
And Universal Networks International, NBC Universal's global channel division, will co-finance the drama and acquire the exclusive pay TV broadcast rights for the world, excluding Canada, U.S. and Scandinavia.
Production on "Haven" is set to start early next year ahead of a planned fall 2010 airdate.
The drama will portray a small Maine town where the cursed attempt to lead normal lives as FBI agent Audrey Parker investigates supernatural forces that threaten to unravel the many mysteries of Haven.
Toronto -- Universal Networks International has signed a co-financing/acquisition deal with indie studio E1 Entertainment for "Haven," the 13-part suspense TV series based on a Stephen King novella.
In a deal to be unveiled Tuesday at Mipcom, Toronto-based E1 Entertainment will produce the small-screen adaptation of King's 2005 novella "The Colorado Kid" along with "The Dead Zone" executive producers Piller/Segan/Shepherd, and handle the worldwide distribution of the one-hour series.
And Universal Networks International, NBC Universal's global channel division, will co-finance the drama and acquire the exclusive pay TV broadcast rights for the world, excluding Canada, U.S. and Scandinavia.
Production on "Haven" is set to start early next year ahead of a planned fall 2010 airdate.
The drama will portray a small Maine town where the cursed attempt to lead normal lives as FBI agent Audrey Parker investigates supernatural forces that threaten to unravel the many mysteries of Haven.
- 10/6/2009
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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