F/X series deal

Toronto-based Skyvision Entertainment has announced a deal in principle with Orion Pictures and Rysher Entertainment to produce a 22-episode series based on the feature film f/x and its sequel F/X2. Production is scheduled to start Oct. 1 in Toronto and continue through to June 1995. Skyvision and California-based Rysher – the team behind the Robocop television series – are the coproducers.

According to the agreement, Rysher will handle worldwide tv distribution and Orion will be responsible for American home video distribution. Skyvision will be in charge of merchandising worldwide.

Skyvision president Brian Ross says the deal came about ‘basically because of the success of Robocop and the desire to do another action-adventure program. There is a real desire out there for action-adventure and for a program with one male hero.’

Skyvision initiated the project following an assessment of all Orion titles up for option. It picked f/x for its ‘unique twist,’ according to Ross, and spent four months bidding for the rights.

The two f/x features tell of a special effects wiz (played by Bryan Brown in the films) who uses his ‘f/x’ expertise to solve crimes.

Ross will not disclose the price paid for the exclusive rights, but says the project is budgeted at us$25 million.

The series is being cofinanced by Skyvision and Rysher with Skyvision holding exclusive rights to the feature films.

Expansion of Skyvision will be necessary to accommodate this project, says Ross. ‘We will be looking for more people. We’re going to follow our Robocop model: we will hire the best possible people we can, and if it’s Cancon, fine. We don’t go for government incentives, so our strength is always in the creative.’

Ross explains his take on national incentives: ‘There are people who have said that Robocop is the best produced Canadian series ever. Ultimately, the long-term effect is if there are Canadians working on shows that are accepted internationally, it’s good for the whole industry.’ Ross adds Robocop has been sold to 72 countries.

All episodes of f/x are to be shot in Toronto. Ross pegs the impact on the local production community as comparable to but ‘a bit less’ than the $400,000 weekly payroll for Robocop.

The expected life span of the series is no less than five years, says Ross. ‘We only look for titles that have at least a five-year life span. We’re positioning it in the neighborhood of a ’90s cross between Mission Impossible, MacGyver and The Fugitive.’

Ross says he hopes f/x will be ready to air by January or March of next year.

There are no broadcasters on side, following the Robocop model once more. ‘I think that’s the strength of our ability,’ says Ross. ‘We put the financial commitment together. We get guarantees from our distributors. Then we go to broadcasters. By the time we get to them, we’re showing a series bible, the people involved (the producer, the director), a merchandising campaign and first draft of the script.’

There was no merchandising hooked to the f/x films, but Ross sees the series as a great source for goods. ‘We see an f/x truck, all sort of toys creating special effects, and a great video game. The merchandising is part of our analysis of a title in the first stages.’

While it has been rumored that Skyvision optioned Last of the Mohicans for a series, Ross denies any such move.

Skyvision does have new titles in development which are not action-adventure, but details are not yet available.