Landscape Entertainment has formed a new Internet entertainment production studio that is developing original broadband content with some of the world’s leading writers and directors, to be syndicated on the Web.

The new company, called EzFlix, is spearheaded by Landscape president Robert Cooper, who has appointed former Columbia tv exec Jeff Wachtel to supervise the development and production of content. EzFlix has initial contracts with Genie-Award winner David Cronenberg (The Fly, Dead Ringers), Larry Gelbart (Tootsie, m*a*s*h) and Zak Penn (Inspector Gadget, Small Soldiers) to each produce a 26-part series, at roughly four minutes an episode, that will be distributed to existing websites and portals.

The series will not, however, be sold. Websites and portals will put the programming up for free and EzFlix will share in the ad revenue. The programming will also have sponsors, like in the early days of television, and in the case that a distributor wants exclusivity, it would pay the cost of production and receive an exclusive first window for a specified period of time.

‘It’s a syndication model. We’re not spending money on building website infrastructures or marketing a website. We’re focusing on what we love to do – storytelling,’ says Wachtel.

The upstart has struck its first (non-exclusive) content deal with MP3.com, which will showcase EzFlix’s first three projects, each being shot on digital video with budgets ranging from us$10,000 to us$15,000.

The first of the three projects is a series called David Cronenberg’s Film School, written, directed and starring Cronenberg, who plays an unsuccessful director trying to get financing for his opus and, in the meantime, teaching film. In addition to its entertainment value, the program allows viewers to submit their films to Cronenberg, who will critique them and give advice on the filmmaking process.

Gelbart is writing a political satire series and Penn’s project focuses on life from the point of view of two dogs.

‘We’re creating things specific and unique to the Internet,’ says Wachtel.

All three series are live action, and while the company has no immediate plan to produce animation, Wachtel says that door remains open.

EzFlix will be run out of Landscape’s Toronto and l.a. offices and will have its own website (www.ezflix.com) to serve as a directory and archive that will enable viewers to access episodes in a nonlinear fashion.

Landscape, which wholly owns EzFlix, is 50% owned by ctv.

Rob Green, former vp of programming and acquisitions of Threshold.com, has been appointed the new company’s head of development and technology.

The hiring of a ceo and cfo will be announced in coming weeks.