Former Canwest and Insight Film Studios execs have teamed up to launch Patron Media, a new Vancouver company that will serve as the unscripted development arm of established West Coast producer Reunion Pictures.
Patron is headed by founder/executive producer Brad McAfee, formerly of Insight Film. Michael Ghent, who was a senior production exec with Canwest in Vancouver, and René Brar, previously director of development for L.A.-based Stone & Company Entertainment (The Mole), are producers with the new outfit.
‘Patron Media is a separate entity unto itself,’ explains Ghent. ‘The understanding between the two companies is we are an arm’s-length unit that develops the projects, and once greenlit, they are handed over to Reunion to do the actual producing.’
It’s a win-win situation for both companies, adds Ghent.
Reunion, a Vancouver-based company run by Tom Rowe, Matthew O’Connor and Lisa Richardson, has primarily focused on drama, most recently producing a number of TV movies for American cable channel Syfy, including Riverworld, Alice, Tin Man and Knights of Bloodsteel.
‘This gives Reunion the opportunity to expand their roster into factual and unscripted production, which they are very excited about,’ explains Ghent. ‘It allows Brad, René and myself to act as freelance development and executive producers with a solid company like Reunion behind us to carry through the actual production. And it allows us to set up a new company without investing in all the hardware of a production company.’
Patron will initially focus on unscripted programming, developing factual, lifestyle, tabloid, docudrama and reality shows. Once the company is established, Ghent says they will look to develop scripted programming as well.
Patron has numerous projects in the early phase of development and plans to hit the international markets selling its slate in 2010.