Thunderbird Films

Thunderbird Films
Private
Industry Film
Television
Founded 2003
Headquarters Vancouver, British Columbia
Toronto, Ontario
Los Angeles, California
Website http://www.thunderbirdfilms.net/

Thunderbird Films is an expanded multiplatform media production, distribution and rights management company based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Thunderbird has a catalogue of more than 400 hours of Canadian and US television content, including such children's series as Zigby, Zixx, Mr. Young and dramas such as Endgame, Da Vinci's Inquest and Intelligence. Thunderbird's programming airs on major networks around the globe.

Reunion Pictures

On April 4, 2013 it was announced that Thunderbird Films purchased the Continuum producer Reunion Pictures. Matthew O’Connor, Lisa Richardson and Tom Rowe, who formed Reunion Pictures in 2004, will remain with the company and produce under their own brand, as will Thunderbird.[1]

About Reunion Pictures

Vancouver-based Reunion Pictures was formed in 2004 and churns out content for international audiences such as the series Tin Man (which was awarded an Emmy) as well as the miniseries' Ring of Fire and Eve of Destruction. Reunion is currently producing Season II of the television series Continuum which airs on Showcase in Canada, and SyFy in the US and UK.

Package Deal

On May 29, 2012 CityTV's original content team announced that it had commissioned Package Deal, a new comedy series produced by Thunderbird Films and created by Andrew Orenstein (Malcolm in the Middle, 3rd Rock from the Sun). Package Deal will be a 13-episode, half-hour, multi-camera original comedy about three overly close brothers and the woman who comes between them.[2] On April 1, 2013 it was announced that Package Deal will begin airing on the CityTV network starting Monday, May 6, 2013 at 8:30pm PST.[3]

Mr. Young

Thunderbird Films and Corus Entertainment commenced production on a 26 episode first season of the comedy series Mr. Young in October 2010. The series was created by Dan Signer (The Suite Life on Deck, A.N.T. Farm), and stars Brendan Meyer, Matreya Fedor and Gig Morton. Mr. Young centers on child prodigy Adam Young (Brendan Meyer), who graduated from university at the age of 14. He decides to come back to high school to live the high school experience, only he becomes the science teacher at the school. With one-foot in the lunch room and the other foot in the staff room, it’s Mr. Young’s social life that’s being put to the test.[4] On April 29, 2011 Mr. Young was renewed for a 26 episode second season.[5] The series was renewed for a third season in April, 2012. Thunderbird began production of a 28 episode third season on May 10, 2012.[6] Mr. Young is broadcast on YTV in Canada and Disney XD in the United States.[4]

Endgame

Endgame is a Drama Series that was developed and produced by Thunderbird Films.[7] The series premiered on Showcase Television network on Monday, March 14, 2011.[8] In the US, Endgame was broadcast exclusively on Hulu.[9] The series follows former World Chess Champion Arkady Balagan, a genius who uses his analytical skills to solve crimes. Endgame stars Shawn Doyle (Big Love, 24) as Arkady Balagan and features Patrick Gallagher (Glee), Torrance Coombs (Heartland), Katharine Isabelle (Da Vinci's Inquest, Supernatural) and Carmen Aguirre (The L Word).

Blade Runner

Thunderbird Films owns a 50 percent stake in the Blade Runner franchise and will be an active partner in the new Blade Runner feature film, with CEO Tim Gamble and Frank Giustra will serve as Executive Producers.[10] It was announced on August 18, 2011 that Ridley Scott has signed on to direct and produce the new installment of Blade Runner[11] and that the original screenwriter, Hampton Fancher is in talks to pen the untitled sequel.[10]

Sea to Sky Entertainment

In March 2012, Thunderbird Films announced a new partnership between Lionsgate Entertainment to form Sea to Sky Entertainment. The announcement came weeks after Frank Giustra became a major shareholder in Thunderbird Films.[12] Lionsgate and Thunderbird will jointly manage the venture, which is designed to share production and distribution costs for all scripted projects picked up to series.[13] Thunderbird and Lionsgate intend to do eight to ten productions a year through the Sea to Sky pact.[12] In February 2013, Sea to Sky Entertainment announced Brett Burlock as its vice president of creative affairs. The ex-head of development at CTV, whose credits include Flashpoint and The Borgias has been charged by Lionsgate and Thunderbird Films with creating a one-stop studio alternative for Canadian Networks.[14]

Thunderbird Catalogue

TV series

References

  1. ↑ Reporter, The Hollywood (2013-04-04). "MIPTV: Thunderbird Films Acquires 'Continuum' Producer Reunion Pictures (Exclusive)". Thehollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 2013-04-08.
  2. ↑ "CITYTV | Citytv Greenlights Two New Original Comedy Series, Package Deal and Seed". Newswire.ca. 2012-05-29. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  3. ↑ "CITYTV | City to debut Package Deal comedy on May 6". playbackonline.ca. 2013-04-01. Retrieved 2013-04-08.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Press Release - Whiz-Kids-Turned-Teen Genius Mr. Young Acquired By Disney XD Around the World". Corusent.com. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  5. ↑ April 29, 2011 by Wendy Goldman Getzler (2011-04-29). "YTV’s Mr. Young gets second season". Kidscreen. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  6. ↑ Wild, Diane (2012-04-24). "Mr. Young season 3 going into production | TV, eh?". Tv-eh.com. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  7. ↑ "Thunderbird Films Inc. - News - SHAWN DOYLE STARS IN CANWEST'S NEW ORIGINAL DRAMA SERIES ENDGAME - Thu Jul 12, 2012". Thunderbirdfilms.net. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  8. ↑ March 11, 2011 (2011-03-11). "ENDGAME | Vancouver TV Listings, Real Estate Listings, and Movie Listings - What's On". Whatsoninvancouver.ca. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  9. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie. "Hulu Picks Up Canadian Drama 'Endgame'". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "'Blade Runner' Writer to Re-Team with Director Ridley Scott on Sequel". Hollywood Reporter. 2012-05-17. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  11. ↑ "Ridley Scott to Direct New 'Blade Runner' Movie". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Sun, Vancouver (2012-03-15). "Sea to sky 'wins on all kinds of fronts'". Canada.com. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  13. ↑ "Lionsgate Reunites with Founder for TV Venture (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  14. ↑ Online, Playback (2013-02-06). "Brett Burlock to head up Toronto base for Sea to Sky Entertainment". playbackonline.ca. Retrieved 2012-04-08.