EXCLUSIVE: Veteran scripted exec Jason Simms has delved into his toolkit and launched TV’s latest drama house, Fusebox Entertainment.
We can reveal the London-based company launches in the run up to MIPCOM with several consultancy partnerships in Europe and the U.S., and co-production and development deals in place with the likes of Fifth Season-backed Cosmopolitan Pictures, Saga Film and High Road Entertainment.
Former Fox and Sky Studios exec Simms will lead the business, which combines scripted consultancy and its own drama slate, following his exit as UK Managing Director role at Cineflix-backed C3 Media in March.
Fusebox will offer exec producer services, along with development, co-production, financing and distribution consultation to producers, networks and financing businesses working across scripted projects. The drama slate comprises co-productions developed directly with partners.
“A fusebox is a place where connections happen and electricity flows – and that’s exactly what I want this company to be: A place that helps creatives, producers, distributors, financiers and platforms plug into new opportunities, ideas and partnerships together, to bring their dramas and comedies to life,” Simms told Deadline.
“We all know building success in the global scripted market is incredibly hard. Changing commissioning priorities, consolidation, audience fragmentation, dwindling margins and ever-more complex financing are among the many headwinds we’re all facing. Forging the right connections to build projects isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ anymore, it’s now a creative and commercial imperative.”
Simms revealed he is consulting for sales and production businesses in the U.S., UK, New Zealand and Poland, and has co-pro and development deals for projects set up at Ben Donald’s Cosmopolitan Pictures and A Thousand Blows producer The Story Collective, Nordic production giant Saga Film and High Road, the production house launched by former Cineflix exec James Durie and Richard Tulk-Hart. More details are expected shortly.
A well-liked personality in the UK and international drama production scenes, Simms was initially known for his role as SVP of Global Acquisitions at Fox Networks Group, where he acquired U.S. franchises including The Walking Dead, Dexter and Legion.
He later joined Sky Studios, where he oversaw commercial strategy, deficit financing and producer relationships on more than 60 Sky originals and third-party scripted series. During that time, he also developed a local originals strategy to support SkyShowtime’s launch, which yielded Polish drama Sleboda alongside others.
More recently, he was the UK MD of C3 Media, working on deals for the Canadian company with the likes of Colin Firth’s Raindog Films and Doctor Foster maker Drama Republic.“I’ve been fortunate to have worked across many facets of the scripted business in my career,” said Simms. “I know what buyers are looking for, I know how to make co-productions actually work across borders, and I’ve built the local and global relationships to bring the right partners together to do that. MIPCOM feels like the right stage to switch Fusebox on, and I’m excited to see more sparks flying in the months ahead.”
MIPCOM, international TV’s biggest market, kicks off this weekend in Cannes, France, and runs through most of next week. Simms will be in town pressing the flesh alongside thousands of other delegates.
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