WTFN acquires drama company

Factual-based production company WTFN is moving into scripted drama.

WTFN, which produces Bondi Vet, The Living Room and Tony Robinson’s Time Walks, has acquiring Melbourne-based production company The Film Company, with producer Richard Keddie joining the WTFN board as Director of Drama and Features.

The Film Company has produced Hawke (pictured), Curtin, My Brother Jack, After the Deluge and the features Little Fish and the recently-released Goddess.

The move represents another union between medium-sized production companies, following a merger between Zapruder’s Other Films and Cordell Jigsaw.

“We are delighted to be taking the next step in the development of WTFN as a significant independent producer of content in Australia,” said WTFN’s CEO, Daryl Talbot.

“We are now able to offer broadcasters in Australia and abroad the opportunity to work with us on projects in the branded, factual, light entertainment and scripted genres. We know from experience that broadcasters appreciate WTFN’s ability to deliver quality programs, and we’ll now be able to offer them the same service in the scripted space.

“Richard Keddie’s drama and feature film credits are impeccable. He also has a long history of producing factual films which makes him a natural fit for our business. With the full resources of WTFN behind him, we believe Richard will be responsible for a lot more high quality Australian drama and feature films. We’ve always done things a little differently at WTFN and we have some ideas about how we’d like to tackle this new extension of our content business. We’re hopeful that our first major project will commence production by the end of the year.”

“I’m really looking forward to being part of the WTFN team. They are amongst the most innovative people in the business,” Keddie said. “For some time I have been seeking to develop a drama production studio model that can sustain and grow a drama business and the WTFN business model is perfect.”

WTFN recently received Screen Australia funding to expand its boutique distribution business Fred Media, and development funds from the ABC for a light entertainment format in conjunction with Rob Carlton.