Fremantle inks first-look deal with ‘Severance’ EP Nicholas Weinstock

Severance

Fremantle has signed a first-look agreement with veteran producer Nicholas Weinstock’s nascent Invention Studios.

Under the terms of the deal, Invention Studios will develop and produce projects, including television, new media, and podcasts, alongside the production and distribution giant.

Invention is currently producing several dozen premium series and feature films, with a focus on “diversity, originality, and boldness”. The firm was set up by Weinstock, who served as the creative head of Ben Stiller’s Red Hour Films from 2015 to 2021, at the beginning of this year.

During his time at Red Hour, Weinstock worked on projects including the limited series Escape At Dannemora for Showtime, Severance for Apple TV+ and the upcoming series High Desert, also for Apple TV+. Weinstock is also the executive producer of the series In The Dark, currently in its fourth season on the CW and Netflix.

Lorenzo De Maio of De Maio Entertainment was instrumental in bringing the deal together, according to Fremantle, and De Maio Entertainment will be a strategic advisor and partner across the slate.

Fremantle will also support the continued expansion of Weinstock’s other creative venture, Craft Services, an online network and support system for emerging writers and directors worldwide.

Founded during the pandemic to provide resources, real-time information, and peer-to-peer networking to aspiring creatives far from Hollywood, Craft Services now has hundreds of members across the U.S. and in Mexico, England, Europe, Australia, and Africa, with Invention Studios producing several of its participants’ projects.

“I’m thrilled to partner with a company as progressive and expansive as Fremantle on a wide range of television series for both the American and international markets, given their vast global reach and our shared excitement about championing brave voices and authentic storytelling from all over the world,” said Weinstock.

Jennifer Mullin, Global CEO of Fremantle, added: “Invention Studio’s creative and global ambition truly aligns with Fremantle’s, and I am so pleased to welcome them to our family. I am looking forward to working with Nicky on the expansion of Craft Services to champion unique voices and stories from every corner of the world.”