This article was produced by Olswang LLP, which joined with CMS on 1 May 2017.
International technology, media and telecoms law firm Olswang has advised Tessa Ross, producer and former head of Film4, and Juliette Howell, Working Title's former head of television, on the formation of a new film and television production company House Productions.
House Productions is backed by BBC Worldwide and Access Entertainment, part of Access Industries. Olswang acted on both the investment by BBC Worldwide, which has taken a 25% stake, and the film development deal with Access Entertainment, newly spearheaded by ex-BBC chief Danny Cohen. BBC Worldwide will act as the global distributor for House’s TV content, and Access Entertainment has agreed a first-look deal to develop and finance feature films with House Productions.
Tessa Ross is renowned as an executive producer responsible for award-winning films including Slumdog Millionaire, 12 Years a Slave, Ex Machina, A Most Wanted Man and In Brugge as well as major Cannes indie successes, Carol and The Lobster. Whilst leading Working Title's TV division, Juliette Howell oversaw acclaimed and award-winning programmes including London Spy, You, Me and The Apocalypse, Birdsong and The Borrowers.
Olswang Corporate Partner Katie Nagy de Nagybaczon commented: "It has been a pleasure advising Tessa and Juliette on the establishment and funding of their new production company. Given their industry know-how in their respective fields, extensive experience and of course, their enviable list of historic successes in TV and film, this is sure to be a dynamic partnership to watch out for in the coming years."
The Olswang team, led by founding and Senior Partner Mark Devereux, included Corporate Partner Katie Nagy de Nagybaczon, Corporate and Commercial Associate Ed Buggé, Commercial Associate Rebecca Platt and Trainee Will Holder.
Olswang's Media practice is consistently ranked in the top tier of leading legal directories Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500. Throughout the past 35 years, Olswang has developed a stand-out reputation in the media sector, not only in the UK, but across its international offices. The firm's knowledge of the sector and its players, experience in dealing with all types of media transactions and disputes, and its network throughout Europe and Asia makes it ideal for acting for a range of clients in this sector from broadcasters, film and TV distributors to advertisers, publishers and record labels as well as burgeoning digital media and adtech businesses.
