Before Legendary Entertainment Godzilla franchise scribe Max Borenstein became attached as showrunner to Winning Time : The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty series, it took co-creator Jim Hecht some years after optioning Jeff Pearlman’s 2014 book, S howtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s, to get HBO to sign on. And that’s because there hadn’t been a series quite like it before. Sure, there were sports dramas like Friday Night Lights; football always is an easy sell to a home or theatrical audience. But as far as detailing the rise of a notable NBA team, told against the shifting racial and gender politics of the 1980s era and featuring its gambler owner Dr. Jerry Buss (played by John C. Reilly) and underdog coaches, Winning Time was a TV show anomaly. “No one has taken a dynasty sports team and given it a treatment of an ongoing drama,” Borenstein tells Crew Call about creating Winning Time. The first season … [Read more...] about ‘Winning Time’ Co-Creator Max Borenstein On Creating “A Great American Novel” Show & Going Beyond Season 2 – Crew Call Podcast
Podcast novels
British Podcast Studio Novel Continues Hiring Spree By Signing PRX & Radiotopia Exec Julie Shapiro As Executive Creative Director
EXCLUSIVE : Novel , the growing British podcast studio behind the likes of The Superhero Complex, has made one its most significant hires yet, bringing in PRX and Radiotopia exec Julie Shapiro as Executive Creative Director. Shapiro will steer Novel’s creative output, coming a few weeks after the outfit hired The Daily Senior Audio Producer Austin Mitchell as Creative Director, Production and Today in Focus ‘ Joint Exec Mythili Rao as Managing Editor. Shapiro has spent the past six years overseeing the growth and evolution of independent podcast studio Radiotopia, where she was instrumental in developing Peabody-nominated and Pulitzer-finalist Ear Hustle. She also co-founded the Third Coast International Audio Festival in 2000 and has been a vocal advocate of women in the podcast and radio industries. She said she is “deeply impressed by [Novel’s] creative ambitions and dedication to craft,” adding: “ I’m keen to bring my experience and artistic vision … [Read more...] about British Podcast Studio Novel Continues Hiring Spree By Signing PRX & Radiotopia Exec Julie Shapiro As Executive Creative Director
Universal Studio Group Hires Netflix’s Jordan Moblo To Lead IP Division
Jordan Moblo has moved from Netflix to Universal Studio Group to oversee its IP charge. Moblo becomes EVP, Creative Acquisitions and IP Management at the NBCUniversal studio. He was previously Director of IP Scouting at the streamer. “Jordan has impeccable taste in identifying and securing intellectual property that can be brought to series,” said Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman, USG. “We’re beyond pleased to have his expertise in sourcing and acquiring projects across the entire USG portfolio while building a team to acquire compelling content that aligns with and broadens our notable roster.” Moblo will be responsible for sourcing and acquiring content for Universal Television, UCP, Universal International Studios and Universal Television Alternative Studio. He will report directly to Universal Television President Erin Underhill, UCP and Universal International Studios President Beatrice Springborn and Universal Television Alternative Studio President Toby Gorman. … [Read more...] about Universal Studio Group Hires Netflix’s Jordan Moblo To Lead IP Division