Category: News
Covid-19 diaries: Caroline Torrance, Guy Bisson and Gary R Benz
Banijay Rights head of scripted Caroline Torrance discusses how the distributor is fending off the pandemic with a slate of dramas from less-affected territories; Ampere Analysis research director Guy Bisson details the US$160bn hit the firm predicts to media and entertainment; and GRB Studios CEO Gary R Benz talks restarting production and an uptick in distribution renewals.
https://www.c21media.net/c21podcasts/covid-19-diaries-caroline-torrance-guy-bisson-and-gary-r-benz/
GRB Studios announces the acquisition of two unscripted series
Content studio and global distribution company GRB Studios has acquired two captivating, original unscripted series for international distribution. The two shows, originally produced by general entertainment television network INSP, and distributed by Imagicomm Entertainment, are adventure seriesTurquoise Fever; and the lifestyle show featuring artisans from across the country, Handcrafted America. The announcement was made by Hud Woodle, Executive Vice President, International Distribution of GRB Studios.
Woodle stated: “GRB Studios is thrilled to add Turquoise Fever and Handcrafted America – two great family-friendly series — to our growing portfolio, which already holds over 4,000 hours of diverse programming. Turquoise Fever follows a dynamic family through the trials and tribulations of turquoise mining while Handcrafted America sheds light on the talented work of craftsmen. Audiences around the world are sure to appreciate these fun and entertaining family-friendly shows.”
Jonathan Collins, VP of Digital Media Distribution for Imagicomm Entertainment, had this to say: “We are pleased that through GRB Studios, more viewers around the world will have the opportunity to enjoy these fan-favorite series. Turquoise Fever offers high-adrenaline excitement, and Handcrafted America is educational and informative, and shines a spotlight on some of the most talented artisans across the U.S. There is truly something for everyone in both of these series.”
About the shows:
Turquoise Fever:
- 1 season: 7 ep x :60
Just north of Las Vegas a real fortune awaits. The unforgiving Great Basin Desert may not seem like an ideal place to strike it rich, but buried beneath the barren landscape is a treasure worth millions. The challenge is knowing how to find it. For three generations the Otteson family has been unearthing some of the most sought-after turquoise in the world. Turquoise Fever follows the clan as they battle inhospitable conditions and intense dangers from their base of operations in Tonopah, Nevada. From detonating explosives on treacherous slopes to the pressure of meeting the demands of international buyers, every day is a wild adventure and there is always a thin line between failure and success.
Handcrafted America:
- S1-13 ep x:30; 1 ep x :60 [year of production 2016]
- S2-13 ep x :30 [year of production 2017]
- S3-13 ep x :30; 2 ep x :60 [year of production 2018]
Host Jill Wagner (Wipeout, Teen Wolf) travels the country meeting talented artisans who create products the old-fashioned way —with their own two hands. In each episode, viewers go behind the scenes, getting to know gifted craftsmen who, with humor and candor, share their process. From leatherworkers to luthiers, bladesmiths to bootmakers, viewers connect with the artisans, learning about their lives, their heritage, and the motivation for their work.
Check Out GRB Studios’ Latest Production – It’s A Dog’s Life
GRB Studios is excited to announce our latest series, It’s a Dog’s Life with Bill Farmer, streaming on Disney+ beginning May 15th! The iconic voice of Goofy and Pluto for more than 30 years, Disney Legend Bill Farmer steps out from behind the microphone to meet his own favorite characters — dogs! Join Bill as he crosses the country meeting dogs doing all kinds of incredible jobs that make our lives better. This series is produced by Dog Tale Productions and GRB Studios, and executive producers Bill Farmer, Jennifer Farmer, Steve Duval, Gary R. Benz and Phil Kruener.
It’s been a great pleasure working on this show and we hope you’ll check it out! It’s entertaining for kids and adults of all ages!
https://disneyplusoriginals.disney.com/show/its-a-dogs-life-with-bill-farmer
GRB STUDIOS TO GLOBALLY DISTRIBUTE “HANDCRAFTED AMERICA” AND TURQUOISE FEVER”
Content studio and global distribution company, GRB Studios has acquired two original unscripted series for international distribution; adventure series “Turquoise Fever” and lifestyle show “Handcrafted America.” The two shows were originally produced by the general entertainment television network, INSP and distributed by Imagicomm Entertainment.
The announcement was made by Hud Woodle, Executive Vice President, International Distribution of GRB Studios. “GRB Studios is thrilled to add ‘Turquoise Fever’ and Handcrafted America, two great family-friendly series, to our growing portfolio, which already holds over 4,000 hours of diverse programming,” Woodle said. “Turquoise Fever’follows a dynamic family through the trials and tribulations of turquoise mining while Handcrafted America sheds light on the talented work of craftsmen. Audiences around the world are sure to appreciate these fun and entertaining family-friendly shows.”
“Turquoise Fever” consists of 7 60-minute episodes that take place just north of Las Vegas. For three generations, the Otteson family has been unearthing some of the most sought-after turquoises in the world. “Turquoise Fever” follows the group as they battle inhospitable conditions and intense dangers from their base of operations in Tonopah, Nevada. From detonating explosives on treacherous slopes to the pressure of meeting the demands of international buyers, the show captures wild adventure and a message that there is a thin line between failure and success.
Host Jill Wagner from “Wipeout” and “Teen Wolf” travels the country meeting talented artisans who create products the old-fashioned way, with their own two hands. In each episode, viewers go behind the scenes, getting to know gifted craftsmen who humourously share their process. From leatherworkers to luthiers, bladesmiths to bootmakers. The show is intended for viewers to connect with the artisans, learning about their lives, their heritage, and the motivation for their work. “We are pleased that through GRB Studios, more viewers around the world will have the opportunity to enjoy these fan-favorite series.” Jonathan Collins, VP of Digital Media Distribution for Imagicomm Entertainment said. “‘Turquoise Fever’ offers high-adrenaline excitement, and ‘Handcrafted America’ is educational and informative, and shines a spotlight on some of the most talented artisans across the U.S. There is truly something for everyone in both of these series.”
“GRB Studios is thrilled to add Turquoise Fever and Handcrafted America, two great family-friendly series, to our growing portfolio, which already holds over 4,000 hours of diverse programming. ‘Turquoise Fever’ follows a dynamic family through the trials and tribulations of turquoise mining while ‘Handcrafted America’ sheds light on the talented work of craftsmen. Audiences around the world are sure to appreciate these fun and entertaining family-friendly shows.”Hud WoodleExecutive Vice President, International Distribution of GRB Studios.
GRB Studios catches Turquoise Fever
US-based producer and distributor GRB Studios has picked up adventure series Turquoise Fever and lifestyle show Handcrafted America from distributor Imagicomm Entertainment.
Turquoise Fever (7×60’) follows the Otteson family of Tonopah, Nevada, as they mine for turquoise in the unforgiving Great Basin Desert. They brave blistering heat, explosions and treacherous slopes in their quest to unearth the elusive blue stone.
Handcrafted America sees host Jill Wagner travel the US as she seeks out talented artisans who handmake products. In each episode, Wagner meets three gifted craftsmen and looks at how their products are created.
Three seasons of the show are available, totalling 39×30’, as well as 3×60’ specials.
Both series are produced and aired by US general entertainment cablenet INSP.
https://www.c21media.net/grb-studios-catches-turquoise-fever/
GRB Studios lanza en Virtual Screenings dos series de INSP
GRB Studios, uno de los proveedores de contenido factual más importante del mundo, adquirió dos series originales no guionadas de INSP que comenzará a distribuir internacionalmente en Virtual Screenings.
Los dos programas, producidos originalmente por la cadena de televisión de entretenimiento general INSP, y distribuidos por Imagicomm Entertainment, son las series aventuras Turquoise Fever; y el programa de lifestyle con artesanos de todo el país, Handcrafted America.
Hud Woodle, EVP, Distribución Internacional de GRB Studios, comentó: ‘Son dos excelentes series para toda la familia, que se añaden a nuestro creciente catálogo que ya cuenta con más de 4,000 horas de programación. Turquoise Fever (7x’60) sigue a una familia dinámica a través de las pruebas y tribulaciones de la minería de turquesa, mientras que Handcrafted America arroja luz sobre el talentoso trabajo de los artesanos. El público de todo el mundo seguramente apreciará estos espectáculos divertidos y entretenidos para toda la familia’.
Jonathan Collins, VP de distribución de medios digitales de Imagicomm Entertainment, añadió: ‘Estamos encantados de que a través de GRB Studios espectadores de todo el mundo tengan la oportunidad de disfrutar de estas series favoritas de los fanáticos. Turquoise Fever ofrece emoción de alta adrenalina, y Handcrafted America es educativo e informativo, y destaca a algunos de los artesanos más talentosos de los Estados Unidos. Hay realmente algo para todos en ambas series’.
Justo al norte de Las Vegas, te espera una verdadera fortuna. El implacable Desierto de la Gran Cuenca puede no parecer un lugar ideal para hacerse rico, pero enterrado bajo el paisaje árido hay un tesoro que vale millones. El desafío es saber cómo encontrarlo. Durante tres generaciones, la familia Otteson ha descubierto algunos de los turquesas más buscados del mundo. La fiebre turquesa sigue al clan mientras luchan en condiciones inhóspitas y peligros intensos desde su base de operaciones en Tonopah, Nevada. Desde la explosión de explosivos en pendientes traicioneras hasta la presión de satisfacer las demandas de los compradores internacionales, cada día es una aventura salvaje y siempre hay una delgada línea entre el fracaso y el éxito.
Producidas entre 2016 y 2018, Handcrafted America está disponible en 3 temporadas de 13 episodios cada una y 3 episodios de una hora. La presentadora Jill Wagner (Wipeout, Teen Wolf) viaja por el país conociendo artesanos talentosos que crean productos a la antigua usanza, con sus propias manos. En cada episodio, los espectadores van detrás de escena y conocen a artesanos talentosos que, con humor y sinceridad, comparten su proceso. Desde trabajadores del cuero hasta luthiers, desde herreros hasta fabricantes de botas, los televidentes se conectan con los artesanos, aprenden sobre sus vidas, su herencia y la motivación para su trabajo.
https://www.prensario.net/28555-GRB-Studios-lanza-en-Virtual-Screenings-dos-series-de-INSP.note.aspx
GRB Studios Adds to Slate
GRB Studios has acquired two new titles for its catalog, the reality adventure series Turquoise Fever and the lifestyle show Handcrafted America.
Turquoise Fever follows the Otteson family, who have been unearthing some of the most sought-after turquoise in the world, as they battle inhospitable conditions and intense dangers from their base of operations in Tonopah, Nevada. From detonating explosives on treacherous slopes to the pressure of meeting the demands of international buyers, every day is a wild adventure and there is always a thin line between failure and success.
Handcrafted America features host Jill Wagner (Wipeout, Teen Wolf), who travels the country meeting talented artisans who create products the old-fashioned way—with their own two hands. In each episode, viewers go behind the scenes, getting to know gifted craftsmen who, with humor and candor, share their process.
The two shows were originally produced by the general entertainment television network INSP and distributed by Imagicomm Entertainment.
Hud Woodle, executive VP of international distribution of GRB Studios, said: “GRB Studios is thrilled to add Turquoise Fever and Handcrafted America—two great family-friendly series—to our growing portfolio, which already holds over 4,000 hours of diverse programming. Turquoise Fever follows a dynamic family through the trials and tribulations of turquoise mining while Handcrafted America sheds light on the talented work of craftsmen. Audiences around the world are sure to appreciate these fun and entertaining family-friendly shows.”
Jonathan Collins, VP of digital media distribution for Imagicomm Entertainment, commented: “We are pleased that through GRB Studios, more viewers around the world will have the opportunity to enjoy these fan-favorite series. Turquoise Fever offers high-adrenaline excitement, and Handcrafted America is educational and informative, and shines a spotlight on some of the most talented artisans across the U.S. There is truly something for everyone in both of these series.”
How’d They Do That?
The latest evolutions in the diverse pop-science genre, where everything from engineering shows to motoring series are in demand.
The simple flush of a toilet belies the almost unimaginable complexities of cities’ sewer systems. The beep of a microwave oven signals the end of a journey that required incredible innovations in food science. The click of a TV remote ignites a chain reaction so you can flip on your favorite shows.
Audiences are gripped by the narrative being woven on top of the visuals that make them feel privy to private worlds. “The high production value is attractive, but viewers stay for the storytelling,” says Hud Woodle, executive VP of international sales and operations at GRB Studios. “It always goes back to the storytelling.”
ENGINEERING DEMAND
The engineering and technology genres are seeing an upswing in nearly every market around the world. Orange Smarty, for one, has seen a great performance from Inside Jaguar: A Supercar is Reborn, an engineering documentary that follows a team of automotive artisans as they hand build the Jaguar XKSS from scratch. In the same vein is GRB’s Tech Toys 360, one of the company’s most popular pop-science programs. The series gives viewers “the story behind the coolest gear, from personal flying machines to supercars, and interviews with inventors and exclusive tours of the factories that produce these gadgets,” Woodle says.
GRB’s Man at Arms: Art of War explores engineering from a different angle. “This fun show highlights weapons from famous movies or TV shows, like Conan the Barbarian or Game of Thrones, and then talented artists re-create the weapons,” says Woodle.
PLEASED TO PRESENT
Producers always keep in mind their potential market when chewing over the perennial question of how to present a pop-science topic to audiences. Sometimes, series need to be anchored with a host and given a little bit of a human touch. But for distributors, it can be a tough sell if a series has a person fronting it because it narrows the potential market. Hosts mean personality, but locality as well. So how do you strike the right balance between the two? “There’s really no formula to it, it just depends on meeting the audience demands,” says GRB’s Woodle. “As many options as we can have with versioning a show, the better a show can perform.”
GRB to shop Comedy Dynamics content
US-based producer and distributor GRB Studios has partnered with Comedy Dynamics to distribute more than 500 hours of the indie prodco’s content.
Comedy Dynamics’ catalogue includes award-winning stand-up content from comedians including Kevin Hart, Jim Gaffigan, Tiffany Haddish, Craig Ferguson, Russell Peters and Sam Kinison.
The comedy prodco is also behind the reboot of Mad About You featuring Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt, Netflix show Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History and The CW’s Discontinued, which will now be distributed internationally by GRB alongside Comedy Dynamics’ other content.
Gary R Benz, CEO of GRB Studios, said: “With more than 500 hours of premium content, the Comedy Dynamics catalogue is the largest independent comedy library and GRB Studios is thrilled to be representing it.
“We expect our buyers around the globe to be just as excited as we are about this new offering that will thoroughly entertain their viewers – just at a time when the world really needs to laugh.”
https://www.c21media.net/grb-to-shop-comedy-dynamics-content/
GRB Studios & Comedy Dynamics Enter Distribution Pact
GRB Studios has partnered with Comedy Dynamics to distribute over 500 hours of content featuring top-tier comedic talent.
Comedy Dynamics, a Nacelle company that was founded in 2008 by Brian Volk-Weiss, is behind the reboot of Mad About You, Netflix’s Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History and The Toys That Made Us, The CW’s Discontinued, Animal Planet’s Animal Nation with Anthony Anderson, Hulu’s Coming To The Stage and There’s… Johnny!, History’s Join or Die with Craig Ferguson, and MTV2’s Wild ’N On Tour and Jim Gaffigan: Noble Ape.
Volk-Weiss said: “Our commitment to getting top-tier comedy content into the hands of everyone has taken a big step forward with this deal and we look forward to working with our great partner, GRB Studios.”
https://worldscreen.com/grb-studios-comedy-dynamics-enter-distribution-pact/
GRB Studios and Comedy Dynamics get partnered to distribute over 500-hours of content
GRB Studios has announced that partner deal with Comedy Dynamics to distribute over 500 hours of content featuring top tier talent from Comedy Dynamics (a Nacelle Company) for international distribution.
The announcement was made it by Gary R. Benz, CEO of GRB Studios, meanwhile Senior Vice President of Development, Pamela Welch, and Anna Roberts of Comedy Dynamics helped broker the deal. GRB’s Executive Vice President of International Sales and Operations, Hud Woodle, will oversee global distribution.
Benz commented: ‘With over 500 hours of premium content, the Comedy Dynamics catalog is the largest independent comedy library and GRB Studios is thrilled to be representing it. We expect our buyers around the globe to be just as excited as we are about this new offering that will thoroughly entertain their viewers – just at a time when the world really needs to laugh!’.
Brian Volk-Weiss, founder of Comedy Dynamics, said, ‘Our commitment to getting top tier comedy content into the hands of everyone has taken a big step forward with this deal and we look forward to working with our great partner, GRB Studios’.
Founded in 2008 by Brian Volk-Weiss, Comedy Dynamics is one of the largest independent comedy production company responsible for the reboot of Mad About You featuring Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt; Netflix’s Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History and The Toys That Made Us; The CW’s Discontinued; Animal Planet’s Animal Nation with Anthony Anderson; Hulu’s Coming To The Stage and There’s… Johnny! (scripted comedy); History’s Join or Die with Craig Ferguson; MTV2’s Wild ’N On Tour; and Jim Gaffigan: Noble Ape. Comedy Dynamics works with a wide range of established and emerging comedic talent including Ali Wong, Jim Gaffigan, Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, Aziz Ansari, and Pete Davidson, among others. The company was nominated for an NAACP Spirit Award in 2019 for Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History. To date, their comedy albums have garnered four Grammy awards and seventeen Grammy nominations. They were the producer for all five nominees in the Comedy Album category for the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, an unprecedented nomination sweep in this category.
GRB STUDIOS ADDS 500 HOURS OF COMEDY DYNAMICS’ CONTENT
The company will distribute award-winning catalog of the Nacelle Company that includes stand-up of Kevin Hart, Jim Gaffigan, Tiffany Haddish, Craig Ferguson, Russell Peters, and Sam Kinison.
GRB has partnered with Comedy Dynamics to distribute over 500 hours of content featuring top tier talent from the Nacelle Company, for international distribution.
GRB’s Senior Vice President of Development, Pamela Welch, and Anna Roberts of Comedy Dynamics helped broker the deal. GRB’s Executive Vice President of International Sales and Operations, Hud Woodle, will oversee global distribution.
Gary R. Benz, CEO of GRB Studios, commented on the deal, which was recently agreed upon: “With over 500 hours of premium content, the Comedy Dynamics catalog is the largest independent comedy library and GRB Studios is thrilled to be representing it. We expect our buyers around the globe to be just as excited as we are about this new offering that will thoroughly entertain their viewers – just at a time when the world really needs to laugh!”.
Brian Volk-Weiss, founder of Comedy Dynamics, a Nacelle Company, said, “Our commitment to getting top tier comedy content into the hands of everyone has taken a big step forward with this deal and we look forward to working with our great partner, GRB Studios.”
Founded in 2008 by Brian Volk-Weiss, Comedy Dynamics is the largest independent comedy production company responsible for the reboot of “Mad About You” featuring Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt; Netflix’s Kevin Hart’s “Guide to Black History” and “The Toys That Made Us”; among others.
Comedy Dynamics works with a wide range of established and emerging comedic talent including Ali Wong, Jim Gaffigan, Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, Aziz Ansari, and Pete Davidson.
“With over 500 hours of premium content, the Comedy Dynamics catalog is the largest independent comedy library and GRB Studios is thrilled to be representing it”Gary R. BenzCEO of GRB Studios
WorldScreen Video Interview with GRB Studios’ Sarah Coursey
Sarah Coursey, GRB Studios’ senior VP of international, tells TV Real’s Anna Carugati that the company is seeing an upswing in demand for true-crime docuseries like Wicked Attraction and For My Man, especially from female viewers.
GRB Studios has a factual catalog brimming with true-crime, medical, DIY, lifestyle and celebrity fare that piques the interests of viewers from all walks of life. With over 3,500 hours of programming, GRB’s slate includes classic factual titles like the Emmy-winning docuseries Intervention (A&E) and Untold Stories of the ER (TLC), which is celebrating its 15th anniversary as demand from buyers remains as strong as ever.
GRB shakes up sales, names exec VP
US-based producer and distributor GRB Studios has rejigged the management of its international sales unit and appointed a new executive to run the division.
Hud Woodle
Hud Woodle is rejoining GRB as executive VP of international sales and operations and is tasked with running the global distribution business as well as forging international partnerships. He previously served as the company’s director of international sales between 2006 and 2007.
Most recently, Woodle held a number of roles at Scripps Networks International, including VP of international programme sales and distribution, general manager at Food Networks Asia and director of programme sales covering Asia, Latin America and Iberia.
Woodle also worked at NBCUniversal International Television’s E! Entertainment as a sales executive and spent a year at Tech TV in 2002 in global programme sales.
Other changes at GRB have seen Melanie Torres promoted to VP of international sales, reporting to Woodle and continuing to handle sales in the US Hispanic, Lat Am, Spanish and Italian markets.
Sarah Coursey, senior VP of international, will continue to focus on global acquisitions and coproductions as well as sales into Canada, Russia, Benelux, and Scandinavia.
Sales consultant Liz Levenson will add acquisitions to her role and remains responsible for sales into Africa, and the Middle East, while Torquil Macneal will continue overseeing sales in the APAC region.
Coursey, Levenson and Macneal will report directly to Woodle.
GRB Studios Rejigs International Sales Team
GRB Studios has made several management changes in its international sales unit, with Hud Woodle, the company’s newly appointed executive VP of international sales and operations, assuming leadership of the division.
Woodle previously worked at GRB as director of sales in 2006 and 2007. He is tasked with running the global distribution business as well as forging international partnerships. Additionally, Melanie Torres has been promoted to VP of international sales. She will report to Woodle and continue handling sales for U.S. Hispanic, LatAm, Spain and Italy.
Sarah Coursey, senior VP of international, will continue her focus on global acquisitions and co-productions as well as sales into Canada, Russia, Benelux and Scandinavia. Longtime GRB associate Liz Levenson will also be charged with acquisitions and remains responsible for sales into Africa and the Middle East, and Torquil Macneal will continue overseeing sales for the APAC region. Coursey, Levenson and Macneal will report directly to Woodle.
Most recently, Woodle worked at Scripps Networks International in a variety of roles: VP of international program sales and distribution, general manager at Food Networks Asia (working in New York and Singapore) and director of program sales covering Asia, LatAm and Iberia. Prior to Scripps, Woodle worked at NBC Universal International Television as a sales executive for E! Entertainment, and he spent a year at Tech TV in 2002 in global program sales. He began his career at E! Entertainment in 1999 handling inflight sales.
Benz said: “We are very excited to welcome Hud back to GRB Studios. He brings a great wealth of international television experience and contacts. I am confident that he will take GRB Studios to the next level.”
Woodle added: “GRB Studios is a dynamic production and distribution company with a stellar reputation, and I am thrilled to be back with Gary and the team. I look forward to further developing GRB’s global business amid this fast-changing television landscape.”