Nick Widenfeld, Tomorrow Studios launches JV Work Friends Animation

June 19 2020

Tomorrow Studios, a partnership between Marty Adelstein and ITV Studios, has entered into a joint venture with Emmy-winning animated television veteran Nick Weidenfeld to launch Work Friends, the first prime-time television animation label at the current studio. TV show with screenplay by ITV Studios in the United States.

This news follows HBO Max's announcement yesterday for a serial order for Tom 10 years old, written and produced by acclaimed creator, producer and writer Steve Dildarian (Tim's life and times) and executive produced by Weidenfeld and Marty Adelstein of Tomorrow Studios (Hanna next live action Cowboy Bebop series) and Becky Clements (Snowpiercer, physicist)

"The launch of an animation company is a natural progression after our success in global sales of Japanese anime," explained Adelstein. "I see television animation as a unique opportunity to grow Tomorrow Studios' business exponentially around the world, especially under the leadership of Nick, one of the most respected prime-time animation executives and producers on television, with a tieni an eye on the series that resonates all over the world ". We are thrilled to launch with the series order Tom 10 years old and a large development list to bring to market immediately. "

"This is a particularly exciting time to create cartoons. And you couldn't think of better partners to do it, including the creative support of Marty, Becky and all of Tomorrow Studios; solid studio business with Philippe Maigret and his team. at ITV Studios America; and the international support of the ITV Studios team, "Weidenfeld said," and I am thrilled to be able to launch Work Friends with a serial order for Tom 10 years old with Steve producing and writing the series ".

Maigret added, "We are delighted to be part of Marty's partnership with Nick to build a new prime time television animation company." Marty and Becky's established success at Tomorrow Studios, coupled with Nick's proven track record and extensive experience in all aspects of animation, give the new company great creative and commercial potential. The launch of Work Friends marks another step forward to drive the growth of Tomorrow Studios and expand the operations of the scripted television studio and ITV Studios' creative footprint in the United States. "

Emmy Award-winning producer and executive Nick Weidenfeld is one of the most respected and successful producers in prime time television animation, with over 15 years of experience and a solid track record of supervising, developing and producing successful series, including the Peabody Award. winning animated series The Boondocks, Robot Chicken e Rick and Morty during his tenure as Head of Development for Adult Swims and Adult Comedy Pediatric hospital.

In 2012, Kevin Reilly (then president of FOX) called him to create ADHD Studios, where he developed and produced more than 10 animated series for FOX and FX. Most recently, he was President of Programming for Viceland, the youth-oriented television network owned by Vice Media and A&E Networks. Weidenfeld resides in Los Angeles with his wife and son.

The deal was negotiated by Jared Levine at Morris York Barnes Levine Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner & Gellman and Greg Cavic at UTA for Work Friends; and Tom Lane, Executive Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs at ITV Studios America and Lindsay Conner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips for Tomorrow Studios. ITV Studios will distribute the resulting content from the joint venture internationally.