Greenlight Communications and Everest/Greenlight Motion Pictures have signed a deal with Francis Ford Coppola, Chris Brancato, and John Curtis to produce 22 episodes of First Wave, a one-hour weekly sci-fi series.

The series is budgeted at 1.2 million per episode, and is slated for the 1997/98 season.

Vancouver-based Motion Works will produce the special effects for First Wave. The value of the contract is pegged at $770,000.

Ford Coppola, Brancato and Curtis will executive produce, with Brancato writing or co-writing at least 11 episodes in season one.

Everest Entertainment is handling North American distribution.

The series will begin shooting in Toronto July 6.