“Apple has given a straight-to-series order for a drama series that hails from acclaimed filmmaker Damien Chazelle, Variety has learned,” Joe Otterson reports for Variety. “Details of the series’ plot are being kept under wraps, but Chazelle will write and direct every episode of the series, as well as serving as executive producer.”
“Chazelle is an award-winning screenwriter, director and producer. His most recent film, ‘La La Land,’ won six Academy Awards last year, including Best Director for Chazelle and Best Actress for Emma Stone,” Otterson reports. “His previous film, 2014’s ‘Whiplash,’ received five Academy Award nominations and three wins, including Best Supporting Actor for J.K. Simmons.”
“This also marks Chazelle’s second foray into streaming television. Previously, it was announced that he was attached to executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the musical drama ‘The Eddy’ for Netflix,” Otterson reports. “The Apple project, however, will be the first time Chazelle has written and directed every episode of a series.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Chalk up another one!
Those who can wrap their heads around Apple’s massive cash mountain and the company’s unparalleled ability to generate cash can clearly see who the winner will be. The most talented producers, writers, directors, editors, actors, etc. are attracted to exactly what Apple has and makes in vast abundance: Cash. The king.
Like bears to honey, it’s happening already.
There will be a market for content that Apple will not want to put their name on. The also-rans that survive will do so by becoming the “skinamax” of the content streamers or by narrowly specializing and sharply focusing their branding. – MacDailyNews, January 3, 2018
SEE ALSO:
Apple’s entrance into scripted originals dramatically inflates salaries for TV actors – January 18, 2018
Apple orders ‘See’ series, a futuristic drama from ‘Hunger Games’ director – January 10, 2018
Life after iTunes: Apple’s big media challenge – January 9, 2018
Apple developing new original drama ‘Are You Sleeping’ starring Octavia Spencer – January 3, 2018
Three more Amazon Studios executives move to Apple – December 26, 2017
Apple orders space drama series from ‘Battlestar Galactica’ producer Ronald D. Moore – December 15, 2017
Apple gives Jennifer Aniston-Reese Witherspoon series a 2-season order, confirms Spielberg’s ‘Amazing Stories’ reboot – November 9, 2017
Apple outbids Netflix for show starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon – November 8, 2017
Apple eyes iconic studio as base for Hollywood production push; vying with Netflix for high-profile Jennifer Aniston drama – September 1, 2017
The magic and misdirection of Apple’s streaming strategy – August 18, 2017
Apple wants to spend $1 billion on 10 original TV shows over the next year – August 16, 2017
Former WGN America president Matt Cherniss joins Apple in latest TV push – August 15, 2017
Rivals leaving Apple behind as Apple TV remains stuck in a test pattern – August 8, 2017
Apple’s so-called TV ‘strategy’ continues to be an embarrassing joke – June 30, 2017
Apple poaches Sony TV executives to lead major push into original content – June 16, 2017
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dan K.” for the heads up.]
Is Apple waiting for these shows to film their first seasons before revealing whatever service they will stream on?
Tim wants to get as much as possible in the can.
More waste while the Apple stock tanks and Amazon, Netflix, Facebook, and Google soar….
Seriously? Thanks to streaming services and high-speed broadband, content is everything; the old paradigm of networks is worthless (sorry NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX). Signing up the director of Whiplash and La La Land is a major coup. Let the bidding war commence.
Can’t wait for the reviews.
‘La La Land’, zero interest in this type of show!
Yeah, that’s right. All he does is La La Land over and over. Try not to be a moron, m’kay?
Take THAT, Netflix!
Everybody should understand that it is very hard to amen a great tv series regardless of how much Apple, Amazon or Netflix pay for it. Getting treat taken is key, but it’s still a crap shoot. How many GREATY series have either Netflix or Amazon produced? Netflix has Stranger Things and House of Cards. Amazon has nothing in my opinion. The guys from Sony are spying big, but let’s frost see the results of their purchases before declaring anything is good. Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston in a morning TV drama sounds horrible and they are paying them both 1.25m/episode when I bet they can’t get that for a feature film anymore. It’s all nonsense. Make your own stars like Game of Thrones. That’s the way to go. Wish the guys luck and with I had their purchasing power.
SPELL CHECKED VERSION:
Everybody should understand that it is very hard to make a great tv series regardless of how much Apple, Amazon or Netflix pay for it. Getting talent is key, but it’s still a crap shoot. How many GREAT series have either Netflix or Amazon produced? Netflix has Stranger Things and House of Cards. Amazon has nothing in my opinion. The guys from Sony are spying big, but let’s first see the results of their purchases before declaring anything is good. Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston in a morning TV drama sounds horrible and they are paying them both 1.25m/episode when I bet they can’t get that for a feature film anymore. It’s all nonsense. Make your own stars like Game of Thrones. That’s the way to go. Wish the guys luck and with I had their purchasing power.
It’s immensely tricky to create a brand new successful televisions series, but the most likely way to succeed is to hire people with a stunning track record and who have plenty of ideas for the future.
I’m very impressed by the calibre of people that Apple has been hiring. I take your point that paying huge fees to stars can be expensive compared to finding lesser known, talented actors, but when Apple is starting out in this type of operation, it could make good use of the big name stars to generate publicity and credibility. Once Apple has found it’s feet, there will be plenty of opportunities to introduce new talent for future productions.
I would very much like to see Apple develop a culture where creativity and originality is encouraged. Part of the deal has to be the acceptance that not every project will be a financial success and that the occasional failure is OK. The BBC did that in the 60’s and 70’s with strands such as “Play for Today” and “Comedy Playhouse”. Many of those one-off plays became the launchpads for hugely popular series and many successful actors, directors and writers got their first break in one of these strands.
A common complaint about television and movies these days is that nobody creates anything truly original any more. I would like to see Apple as the people who create and deliver new and original material.
Hopefully it will be progressive and full of social justice issues and identity politics.:)