Apple's video execs hunting for 'big, smart, splashy dramas,' taking pitches from agencies...
Apple executives are focused on finding "big, smart, splashy dramas" for the company's original video programming, and are both seeing and delivering numerous pitches, according to one report.
Apple shows could be modeled after the likes of "Game of Thrones," "Breaking Bad," and "The Crown," one of several sources told the Hollywood Reporter. The two executives in charge of Apple programming -- Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg -- have been seen across Los Angeles, trying to sell Apple as a platform to both agents and studio heads.
Agencies like the United Talent Agency are said to be bombarding Apple with spec scripts and pre-packaged options, pitching the company with the same material they might take to HBO or Netflix. Erlicht and Van Amburg are thought to have a special advantage as former Sony Pictures Television executives, better known in Hollywood than their rivals at Netflix.
One studio head suggested that people "want to be the 'Mad Men' or 'House of Cards' on Apple" -- referring to the shows that established AMC and Netflix as household names.
Multiple sources mentioned that "Ratched," a prequel series to "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" starring Sarah Paulson, could have been among the new wave of Apple shows, since Erlicht and Van Amburg sat down with producer Ryan Murphy this summer and made an offer for several seasons. The company was eventually outbid by Netflix though, which was willing to guarantee two seasons up front and threw in additional perks, such as payment to keep streaming "American Horror Story."
The company has allegedly been selective about putting out bids -- two examples include an update of Steven Spielberg's "Amazing Stories" anthology series, and a previously-rumored morning show drama with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.
Erlicht, Van Amburg, and development head Matt Cherniss are said to be talking directly actors and creators as well, approaching people like Bryan Cranston, Vince Gilligan, and "Outlander's" Ron Moore. They're also believed to be lining up meetings with people like "Black Panther" director Ryan Coogler, and "The Good Place" writer Mike Schur.
Another former Sony employee -- Kim Rozenfeld -- is thought to be exploring documentary shows, including talking to the creators of Netflix's "Making a Murderer."
Still unclear is how Apple intends to distribute its future programming. While it might theoretically make it exclusive to Apple Music, like "Planet of the Apps" or "Carpool Karaoke," the budgets for a Netflix- or HBO-level drama would presumably demand a broader reach. Apple is expected to spend about $1 billion on shows over the course of the next year -- much less than Netflix, but similar to what Amazon spent when it first dipped into original video.
Apple shows could be modeled after the likes of "Game of Thrones," "Breaking Bad," and "The Crown," one of several sources told the Hollywood Reporter. The two executives in charge of Apple programming -- Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg -- have been seen across Los Angeles, trying to sell Apple as a platform to both agents and studio heads.
Agencies like the United Talent Agency are said to be bombarding Apple with spec scripts and pre-packaged options, pitching the company with the same material they might take to HBO or Netflix. Erlicht and Van Amburg are thought to have a special advantage as former Sony Pictures Television executives, better known in Hollywood than their rivals at Netflix.
One studio head suggested that people "want to be the 'Mad Men' or 'House of Cards' on Apple" -- referring to the shows that established AMC and Netflix as household names.
Multiple sources mentioned that "Ratched," a prequel series to "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" starring Sarah Paulson, could have been among the new wave of Apple shows, since Erlicht and Van Amburg sat down with producer Ryan Murphy this summer and made an offer for several seasons. The company was eventually outbid by Netflix though, which was willing to guarantee two seasons up front and threw in additional perks, such as payment to keep streaming "American Horror Story."
The company has allegedly been selective about putting out bids -- two examples include an update of Steven Spielberg's "Amazing Stories" anthology series, and a previously-rumored morning show drama with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.
Erlicht, Van Amburg, and development head Matt Cherniss are said to be talking directly actors and creators as well, approaching people like Bryan Cranston, Vince Gilligan, and "Outlander's" Ron Moore. They're also believed to be lining up meetings with people like "Black Panther" director Ryan Coogler, and "The Good Place" writer Mike Schur.
Another former Sony employee -- Kim Rozenfeld -- is thought to be exploring documentary shows, including talking to the creators of Netflix's "Making a Murderer."
Still unclear is how Apple intends to distribute its future programming. While it might theoretically make it exclusive to Apple Music, like "Planet of the Apps" or "Carpool Karaoke," the budgets for a Netflix- or HBO-level drama would presumably demand a broader reach. Apple is expected to spend about $1 billion on shows over the course of the next year -- much less than Netflix, but similar to what Amazon spent when it first dipped into original video.
Comments
I’m sure Jony Ive and the tech guys aren’t gonna be directing and writing the shows.
Apple is fine.
Splashy dramas feels right as a start -- comedy is hard to get right tonally. Animation is very difficult especially when it's also for adults. They need material that already has developed itself in a way, with a cult following preferably, and artists who command attention from the getgo.
Way better strategy than PLANET OF THE APPS, as laudable as that was.
TV used to be were actors go to die but now it's a huge major jumping off point for many silver screen actors as well as a medium that many interchange between being in films. The money is there. The quality is there. I expect this to increase over time as streaming services which can write for long story arches due to the popularity of binge watching become more common place. Maybe Apple will fail here, but it won't be because of saturation.
You really don't understand what "miniseries" means.
As for GoT, whether its the books or the show, the violent acts are very often parts of the characters and narrative.
Or this idea -- they could sell premium hardware to run said exclusive content from all the other smaller content companies, and rake in historic levels of dough never before seen in all of humanity.
I jest, but do you really believe any one of those exclusive content sellers is going to have anything near the level of success Apple does with its hardware + ecosystem? Netflix, Amazon, HBO, even new Disney channel....none of them will come anywhere near Apple profits. Yet Apple can sell you the gear to run all of those on.
Agreed, this is the golden age of television (also the name of NPR's TV critic's book). TV narrative has never been stronger or better budgeted, which is why silver screen actors are happy to show up in shows today.
Yeah except people have been saying that about commoditized PCs for decades now, and yet Apple is still here making unseen profit from computing hardware. They've defied the doomsayers for 40 years. I'm inclined there will still be amazing hardware gadgets in the future, and quality will still be a value in future consumers.
It could be either a tragicomedy or a drama.
The comedy could be the Misadventures of Eddie Cue where the lead is a clownish buffoon who keeps getting ripped off by the sharks of the NY and LA media world. The pilot can show him getting ripped off by paying $3 Billion for an also ran Streaming Music Service that also sells garish and crappy headphones.
I’ll let you figure out the drama.
D A R K M A T T E R
That is all apple needs to do, shake this show under its wings, add a bit of focus and you would have a great show.
While I don't want to dismiss more general drama I'd really would like to see Apple back more good science fiction. SyFy just sucks when it comes to successful shows.
We've seen in the past with delayed product (various OS releases) and we see it now with the stagnant mac product line.
The Apple Car might be their next $100B product line, not a tv series.