Blakeway revisits Hollywood’s golden age with two specials

Zinc Media Group-owned, UK-based factual prodco Blakeway Productions has scored a two-part commission with Channel 5, exploring a Hollywood heyday from decades past.

Across two 90-minute specials, 1939: Hollywood’s Golden Year will feature a cast of family members, friends and experts such as Judy Garland’s daughter Lorna Luft; actor and writer Stephen Fry (pictured); Laurence Olivier’s son Tarquin and director Peter Bogdanovich to celebrate the films of a pivotal year during which such classics as Wuthering Heights, The Wizard of Oz and Gone With The Wind were made.

Daniel Pearl, VP, commissioning editor for Channel 5, said in a statement: “This show will take an in-depth look at one of the most glamorous times in Hollywood which I know our viewers are going to love. With never-before-seen footage and interviews with the people who knew them best, it will reveal some of the best kept secrets of Tinsel town’s most famous icons.”

The specialist factual prodco has also been recommissioned for a second season of Tony Robinson’s History of Britain, coproduced by Motion Content Group.

(By Barry Walsh)

Cream Productions bolsters team with promotions

Toronto’s Cream Productions has unveiled four key exec moves this week, including a new SVP and head of post.

Former VP of production, Patrick Cameron, has been promoted to the position of senior vice president of operations, working with CEO David Brady and president Kate Harrison Karman to manage the company’s day to day. Cameron has more than two decades of experience, including the Netflix series Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan, which hit number four for the streamer globally and number two in the US.

Shawn Gerrard will be the prodco’s new head of post-production. Gerrard has over a decade of experience, working with platforms and networks such as Netflix, BBC and PBS.

Matt MacLellan and Francine DiBacco, meanwhile, have been tapped as supervising line producers, reporting to Cameron.

MacLellan is a veteran of the Toronto film industry, working on projects for clients such as Netflix, Hulu and CNN. He will oversee the company’s team of line producers, as well as managing complete schedules and budgets for Cream’s development slate.

DiBacco previously served as production manager, stickhandling series for Netflix, History Channel and Discovery UK. She will manage Cream’s production office, train and mentor team members, and also do budgeting and scheduling with MacLellan.

“This trio of promotions reflects our passionate storytelling and the unparalleled talent we curate and develop at Cream Productions,” says Cameron. “Gerrard, MacLellan and DiBacco’s in-depth knowledge of television and film, coupled with their enthusiasm and energy, will advance our commitment to creating exciting experiences for our clients and viewers.”

(By Brendan Christie)