Amid U.S. Layoffs, Restructures & A Looming Writers’ Strike, Execs Forecast International Future At Berlinale Series Market – Analysis
23.02.2023 - 18:33
/ deadline.com
The restructures, layoffs, cancelations and a maybe-strike currently impacting the U.S. TV industry rippled through the halls of the Berlinale Series Market this week as senior execs forecasted an international future.
Mass redundancies at the likes of Disney, AMC, Paramount and Netflix in recent months and major strategic rethinks from the studios and streamers were the talk of the market. Among the chatter was a sense this may lead to a wave of non-U.S. activity.
Shades of Blue creator Adi Hasak didn’t mince his words when he described U.S. TV as a “disaster zone” Monday. Hasak, who is currently making shows in Scandinavia and the Middle East, was heavily critical of Disney in particular for a strategy that he deemed akin to a “mental breakdown.”
And he wasn’t the only big name pointing to U.S. strife — albeit the others perhaps less forcefully.
Danna Stern, who used to run Fauda and Shtisel outfit Yes Studios and was on the first ever Berlinale Series Award jury, said the U.S. is “feeling a bit dead right now” as she flagged the multiple international funding opportunities that are cropping up all over the world for young writers, directors and producers. A wealth of show cancelations is making the U.S. industry “feel a bit like the accountants have taken over from the creatives,” Stern added.
Stern, Moonlight star André Holland and Danish screenwriter Mette Heeno ultimately selected Disney+’s Italian drama The Good Mothers as the winner of the jury award, as we reported last night. A European streaming series for a U.S.-based global streamer taking home the crown felt apt.
European sources we spoke to throughout the week said they are fielding more calls from U.S. creatives, agents and producers keen to work on