Gail Berman recently stepped down from her top post over at Paramount (see related story) to start her own production company. At the time we here at Slice were a bit upset over Gail’s leaving the Viacom daughter company because she was one of the main thrusts behind reviving the Star Trek franchise and a real supporter of Abrams’ efforts to get Star Trek XI launched off the ground. While we are still holding our combined breaths to see what the new Paramount boss intends to do with Trek, we can announce that Berman has already set her new course and joined up with ex-competitor Lloyd Braun. Together they have created a new multimedia production company that will have its main focus in TV and internet entertainment product, and some film as well.
Berman and Braun, who use to go head-to-head when they competed for viewers visa-vie ABC vs. Fox have already begun discussions with a large list of top network players from in front of and behind the cameras.
What I already like about this new production company is their not limiting their deals to the biggies in the biz, but their indie-type feel and idealism, giving all callers a chance to hawk their wares. This may bring in a lot of garbage, but at least the diamonds hidden in the ruff won’t be missed either. Berman/Braun’s approach should allow for the whole array of entertainment possibilities to get their day to shine, from the more traditional right over to the “alternative” programming styles so popular today via the internet.
The business model they plan on using is not new, but is a road less traveled by the entertainment industry and one that we welcome and are glad to see giants like Berman/Braun not be afraid to venture down.
Berman, no stranger to innovative thinking, is the person responsible for bringing such big hits like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel” to the small screen, and, as mentioned earlier, was the main Star Trek supporter over at Paramount. We hope that kind innovation will continue now that she has her own company to jointly run with Mr. Braun.
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