Former Jerry Springer producer Richard Dominick is one of several Chicago-Hollywood producers teaming with Pixel Brothers (PBI) to develop and produce original content in Chicago and Los Angeles.
PBI is presently working on a slate of 25 new TV shows and movie concepts, ranging in budgets up to $20 million, reported John Patterson, Pixel’s Business and Content Development director.
“We create, develop and sell original content that can be produced by our company in Chicago and/or on location,” said Patterson, who opened development offices for PBI in L.A. last month.
Teaming with writers and producers in Chicago and Los Angeles, Pixel Brothers is working with note-worthy talent on primarily unscripted programs in varying states of development; three of which are currently being negotiated for cable. "We are excited to announce the relationship with Dominick and look forward to the announcement of relationships with other known producers very soon", says Patterson.
Dominick and PBI have had a productive client-vendor relationship for the last 15 years.
Dominick had spent 18 years as producer for The Jerry Springer Show for which Pixel produced field shots, motion graphics, pay-per-view and post. They did the same for The Steve Wilkos Show that began in 2007.
Dominick struck out on his own prior to syndicator NBC/Universal’s announcement last February that it was moving the two shows to Stamford, Conn to leverage tax credits. Although Illinois has a hefty 30% credit, which includes almost any production costs, the incentive does not include Talk Shows primarily due to the constraints The Oprah Winfrey Show would place on the credit.
Dominick said about PBI, “They’re a top notch editing and production house, with more equipment than a lot of places in L.A. They need to be known outside Chicago.” In 2007, the partners expanded their physical space to 12,000-sq. ft. of space with 12 HD Edit Suites, color/sound finishing, graphics and animation and have produced over 600 episodes of television for NBC Universal.
The Springer-Wilkos move was a loss to Pixel, but they had always prepared for losing them for non-renewel. "We’ve moved on and we’re selling Chicago in L.A. as a key production center, especially to people who aren’t aware of its many established capabilities and resources" said Patterson.
Pixel Brothers’ partners, producer/directors Andrew Ryann, David Moravec and Mike Torchia, have worked together for more than 12 years and began working on the development of original content in 2005. “We have always been intent on being a strong development house, in addition to guns-for-hire’, says Ryann, "our Producer partners plus the incentives make a huge difference for projects shot in Chicago.”
Pixel Brothers is located at 400 W. Wolcott in Chicago. www.pixbros.com
