Factual round-up: C4 explores ‘Ottoman Empire By Train’; Ushuaïa TV adds OTF package; Producers form true crime association  

Ottoman Empire By Train

C4 explores ‘Ottoman Empire By Train’

UK comcaster Channel 4 has ordered Ottoman Empire By Train, a new instalment of the history strand hosted by Professor Alice Roberts.

The five-part show follows up the previous Ancient Egypt By Train, with Spark Media producing and BossaNova Media onboard to co-finance and distribute the series.

Paul Crompton is series director with Mostafa Minawi as series consultant. Head of production is Helen Morrell and the series is executive produced by Steve Havers for Spark Media and Paul Heaney for BossaNova Media.

Ottoman Empire By Train has been pre-bought by SBS Australia and SVT in Sweden. Filmed in an observational documentary style, Roberts takes to the railways once more to learn about another great past empire, providing the viewer with fascinating bite-sized history, genuine travelogue experiences and a fun and entertaining way to learn about our past.

The Future From Above

Ushuaïa TV adds OTF package

TF1-owned French nature broadcaster Ushuaïa TV has picked up The Future From Above in a pre-sale deal with Off The Fence, along with an additional 80-hour factual package.

The 4 x 60-minute The Future From Above is a co-production between OTF Studios, Sky, EarthxTV and Korean channel ENA (KT Skylife TV) and production company Borderless Lab, with funding from Korean communications agency KCA.

The series focuses on how the world could look in 2050 if we embrace the revolutionary technology and thinking needed to transform every aspect of our lives, from how we communicate, harness energy and travel to how we live, eat and recycle our waste.

The 80-hour package meanwhile features titles including Nature’s Ultimate Survivors, Greenhouse by Joost and Galapagos: Hope for the Future.

Kate Beal

Producers for true crime association

A group of UK & Irish indies have partnered to form the the Association of True Crime Producers (ATCP) to establish best practice guidelines for the factual genre.

Avalon, First Look TV, ITN Productions, Monster Films, Peninsula Television, Phoenix Television, Rare TV, Revelation Films, Title Role and Woodcut Media are the founding members and have committed to the continued development of the highest professional standards in true crime production.

They have all signed up to a set of clear guidelines, which put victims and their families at the centre of the production process and aim to enhance current best practice in duty of care.

The member production companies will meet on a regular basis and have committed to ensuring that all members conform to the highest ethical standards and support the continuing integrity and success of true crime production.

Kate Beal, chair, Association of True Crime Producers (and founder of Woodcut Media) said: “As true crime producers, we care deeply for those impacted by the stories we tell and have a duty of care to look after all those involved – from the contributors through to the production teams.

“The creation of the ATCP is the first step, allowing us to join forces under the one umbrella to take collective responsibility, share ideas, assess protocol, and maintain the reputation of the genre.  I’m very grateful to my peers for collaborating on this meaningful and timely project.”