Spotlight on Ronde

Production company name?
Ronde

When was the company founded?
Ronde commenced as a production company in 2015, starting with Here Come The Habibs.

Where are you based and which states did you film in for 2023 / 2024 productions?
Ronde HQ is on William Street in Woolloomooloo, in 2023/24 we filmed in NSW, QLD, VIC, NT.

How many full-time equivalent staff and how many does it expand to during production?
We currently have five full time staff. Plus 4 specialist contractors. During production we usually extend to an average of 30 – 60. We can well run over 200+ with multiple productions.

What is your ownership model and who are key principals?
The company is privately owned by Ben Davies.

Describe the genres you specialise in for production?
While we’re genre agnostic – we try to let the ideas determine the genre and format – we are best known as specialists in factual – especially character led ob-doc/follow docs and unstructured reality shows.

What have been some of your notable credits and with which broadcasters / streamers?
Drama series Territory (Netflix) has been a recent hit reaching number 2 on Netflix global top 10 list.
Season 3 of factual series Big Miracles is headed to Nine soon.
Upcoming reality series Billion Dollar Playground (Binge/Foxtel) is an original format which has extraordinary potential to be made in different territories.
Observational documentary series Outback Ringer (ABC).
Global-hit factual series Bondi Rescue (Paramount/Ten x 18 season). And spin-off series Bondi Rescue – Bali (Ten) (Co-pro with CJZ).
Hit comedy-drama series Here Come The Habibs (Channel Nine)
Comedy-panel series Show Me The Movie (Channel Ten, hosted by Rove McManus).
Landmark Australian documentary series The First Inventors (Paramount/Ten and NITV)
Tough job ob-doc series Aussie Truck Rehab (Warner-Discovery)
Bondi Boardriders vs The World (Red Bull TV)
Three Blue Ducks, (Channel Ten, starring Masterchef judge Andy Allen).
Comedy fact-ent series – Australia Now and Then (hosted by Shane Jacobson, on Network 7)

What’s coming up on your slate and how many projects are in active development?
Some of the above are coming back and we have 10+ projects in active development. Deep hustle and development mode right now at Ronde.

Do you receive unsolicited material, what are you looking for, how should people pitch projects?
We don’t accept unsolicited material, but if you have a well-formed idea, or exclusive access to a “world” or engaging talent, get in touch and we’ll set up an opportunity to present your idea: [email protected]

What change would you most like to see when it comes to commissions?
Development can be very expensive and time consuming for producers, especially when so much is done on “spec”. When there’s a clear commissioning process, there are much better outcomes for everyone – including the creative results. Some broadcasters have this already – a very defined pathway, and we’re grateful when it does exist.