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Pioneers in Local Adaptations In the following interview, the director of Production at Disney Media Distribution Latin America talks about the process of developing local adaptations kicked off by its division in Latin America in 2005, that has now spread to countries like Turkey, Holland, France, Spain, Italy and Ukraine, among others. The Amazing Race Reality Competition
“It all started with the adaptation of ‘Desperate Housewives’ in the region, an experience we used as a model for other local adaptations in Europe and Asia.” “Then came the concept of “super-series”, so popular today in Latin America.”
“I believe the globalization of television has made audiences familiar with content from different countries. For instance, ‘Desperate Housewives’ was a series that aired in over 200 countries. But in addition, today audiences also have the desire to watch their own stars in stories with local flavor,” said Leonardo Aranguibel, director of Production at Disney Media Distribution Latin America, who in the following interview explains how local productions got started in Latin America, and expanded to other regions in the world. Disney Distribution Latin America’s first adaptations were four local versions of ‘Desperate Housewives’ in 2005. From then on, the company replicated the experience
across the region and even all the way to Europe. What experience have you gained from this journey? The fact that today we are adapting content and supervising Disney’s titles in Europe is product of our experience with adapting Disney’s catalog in Latin America. It all started with the adaptation of ‘Desperate Housewives’ in the region, an experience we used as a model for other local adaptations in Europe and Asia. How did the process of developing local adaptations in Latin America get started? The first adaptation was the series ‘Desperate Housewives’, which also set the model for this type of adaptations. It was made into four local versions (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia-
Leonardo Aranguibel,
Ecuador and US Hispanic). From this experience we set the way in terms of which model was better suited for our local audiences and how many episodes to make. Then came the concept of “super-series”, so popular today in Latin America, which basically refers to any series with the production qualities of a classic series, but resembling a telenovela in its extension.
Director of Production Disney Media Distribution Latin America
“The first adaptation was the series ‘Desperate Housewives’, which also set the model for this type of adaptations. It was made into four local versions.”
How does the “super series” concept evolve from then on? The “super series” got started with ‘A Corazón Abierto’ (adaptation of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’), which was very successful for RCN Television in Colombia. It was so successful that after 80 episodes, a second season was developed. In addition, there was also a version of ‘A Corazón Abierto’ made for Azteca in Mexico. It was two seasons. The first one produced by RCN Television Studios in Colombia, and the second one developed by Azteca’s studios. What other adaptations have been made in the region?We also made ‘Los Años Dorados’ (adaptation of ‘The Golden Girls’), which was broadcast on Telemundo in US Hispanic, in addition to several broadcast TV networks in Latin America. We develop ‘Secretos de Familia’ (adaptation of ‘Brothers & Sisters’) for Azteca in Mexico, and we’re currently producing a local version for RCN Tele vision in Colombia. Then we are preparing a local adaptation of the series for Chile, which will begin filming in October and will be announced very soon. Another hit have been the local adaptations of ‘The Amazing Race’ in Latin America. What can you tell about this reality and its local versions? We just finished producing a sixth adaptation of ‘The Amazing Race’ in Latin America. We’ve produced two seasons for Discovery Networks Latin America/US Hispanic, and four for Turner Broadcasting System Latin America. It’s actually the reality’s seventh adaptation, because the first one was a local version for Brazil.
local versions in Norway, France, Israel and the Ukraine. We’ve also made a version -obviously- in Canada, then one in Australia and another one in Asia, in addition to the ones I mentioned we made in Latin America. And what about scripted shows? In Spain, we developed a local version of ‘Ghost Whisperer’, locally named ‘El don de Alba’, created for the Telecinco network. We’ve also made a version of ‘The Golden Girls’ in Holland and are currently preparing an adaptation of ‘Switched at Birth’ in Italy. In addition, we’re trying to develop other projects in new countries across the region.
How much time and effort goes into a local adaptation? What generally demands the most time are negotiations with the content owners, which is when you explore all the possibilities with the local partner. This is done in markets such as Natpe, LA Screenings or Mipcom, for instance. Then comes the time to choose the local writers, and then we begin with the production process: casting, scouting for locations, filming, etc. In this sense, we offer our experience and knowledge, and our know-how to manage these productions. This is one of our main strengths, and one of the most valuable things we give our partners. Important decisions about the cast or creative choices are always made as a team. According to Jim Series
In regard to adaptations in other international markets, mainly Europe or Eastern Europe; how was it to adapt content in Turkey? Disney’s Turkish division has grown notably in the field of local adaptations for the market. They have all been very successful. I’m happy to have participated in these experiences. The first adaptation was a local version of ‘Desperate Housewives’, and then we adapted ‘Private Practice’, ‘Hope & Faith’ and ‘According to Jim’, all with great results. Which other experiences would you highlight? One of the most successful and highly-requested products is ‘The Amazing Race’, which is a reality series that has been adapted on countless territories outside the US and Canada. In this sense, we’ve made
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The Original The Amazing Race Ecuador: Ecuador Ama La Vida ‘The Amazing Race’ is a reality game show in which teams of two people race against each other around the world. At each pit stop, they stand to win prizes and risk elimination if they come in last. Contestants race through different countries by plain, hot air balloon, trucks, bicycles, taxis, boats, running and however they can do it. Through five seasons, ‘The Amazing Race Latin America’ has travelled to the most majestic places in the region. The Ecuadorian edition (‘Ecuador Ama la Vida’) will feature 11 teams from different parts of Latin America, who will discover everything Ecuador has to offer.
America’s Funniest Videos Latin America and Brazil
Umutsuz Ev Kadinları (Desperate Housewives)
Disney Media Distribution and Canal TBS present ‘America’s Funniest Videos Latin America and Brazil’. Based on home videos, the show presents an array of hilarious situations, starring normal families. The show has had 25 successful seasons in the US and a legion of fans worldwide, making it one of the most popular shows in primetime. The Latin American version is hosted by Fernando Arau, with Marcio Ballas as host of the Brazilian version.
‘Umutsuz Ev Kadinlari’ takes a darkly comedic look at suburbia, where housewives’ lives aren’t always what they seem. One day, Handan leaves her perfect house in the loveliest of suburbs and ends it all. Now she takes us into the lives of her family, friends and neighbours, commenting from her elevated point of view. Handan sees more now than she ever did alive and she’s planning to share all the delicious secrets that hide behind every neighbour’s closed doors.
Productions Merhaba Hayat (Private Practice) Leaving behind a broken marriage and torn love affairs, an old friend’s invitation brings renowned surgeon Deniz (Vahide Gördüm) to a new city and new life. Reuniting with medical school friends Zuhal (Yasemin Sannino) and Sinan (Yetkin Dikiciler) at their clinic, Deniz must learn to deal with the trials and tribulations of her new colleagues. The sexy alternative medicine doc who’s only after onenight stands; the paediatrician whose success in his profession belies his rocky personal life; and the therapist who doubts she’s doing any good at all. While Deniz and her colleagues are dedicated professionals, it’s their private lives that need a little practice.
Doktorlar (Grey’s Anatomy) Ela (Yasemin Ergene) is a woman trying to lead a real life whilst doing a job that makes having a real life impossible. Ela is a first-year intern on the tough surgical residency programme at Seattle Grace Hospital. She and her fellow first-year interns were students yesterday.Today they’re doctors. In a world where on-the-job training can be a matter of life and death, juggling the ups and downs of their own personal lives is a complicated business.
Intikam (Revenge) Yağmur Özden (Beren Saat) took Istanbul by storm last summer as the intriguing new arrival to this exclusive community. By all appearances, she is a friendly and sophisticated “girl next door” whose disarming charm and generosity have allowed her seamless access to the restricted circles of Istanbul’s high society. However Yağmur Özden is anything but what she seems: hiding behind an assumed identity, she is a woman with just one endgame… revenge.
Two Alhambra Plaza 9th floor, Coral Gables, FL33134, USA Tel.: (+1) 305-567-3785 Fax: (+1) 305-774-3913 www.daet.tv Suite: 1917 Executives Attending MIPCOM 2014 Fernando Barbosa, SVP Distribution and Production Henri Ringel, VP, Distribution Jack Morera, Director, Distribution Leonardo Aranguibel, Director, Production Fabiola Bovino, Senior Manager, Marketing