Fremantle, Pukeko in first-look deal

FremantleMedia Companies has signed a preliminary-look deal with Pukeko Pictures, the tv affiliate of "Master in the Rings" production shingle Weta Workshop, to develop scripted television series.The partners attempt to take advantage from the Weta Workshop facilities as well as the Wellington, Nz, film and television production industry. The companies have with each other hired Adam Fratto in your thoughts progression of new television projects for your global market, working out of FremantleMedia's La office.Fratto will account to Martin Baynton, who co-has Pukeko with Richard Taylor, and work alongside FremantleMedia Companies senior global content veep Rob Tahler and FremantleMedia The U . s . States senior scripted programming V . p . Tony Optican."The teams at Pukeko and Weta Workshop are respected all over the world for focus on the key edge in the film and television industry," FremantleMedia Companies global Boss David Ellender mentioned. "Adam's appointment provides tremendous options, enabling for incredibly close collaboration between our two organizations round the development, financing and output of ambitious and new scripted content."Pukeko Pictures is connected with Weta Workshop through founding partners Taylor and Tania Rodger, renowned for their concentrate on films like the "Master in the Rings" trilogy, "King Kong," "Avatar," "The Adventures of Tintin" and "The Hobbit" as well as on television shows "Hercules" and "Xena."Fratto formerly introduced development at Atticus Entertainment within first-look deal with Cinemax and it has offered as co-executive producer of Syfy series "Haven." More youthful crowd oversaw development at Piller/Segan."Together with (FremantleMedia Companies) and Adam," Taylor mentioned, "we anticipate creating high-quality and globally appealing productions. Adam provides the partnership years of industry understanding about Atticus Entertainment and Piller/Segan, which we're thrilled to announce his appointment." Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com