EXCLUSIVE: Former Netflix EMEA Head of Animated Sequence Alexi Wheeler is launching UK-based manufacturing firm Wheel In Movement beneath the auspices of burgeoning French content material conglomerate Superprod Group.
The brand new firm will develop new reveals and films focusing on various audiences, in each animation and live-action genres.
The partnership was introduced in opposition to the backdrop of France’s Annecy Worldwide Animation Movie Pageant, working from June 9 to fifteen, the place Superprod Group can be out in pressure on the occasion’s MIFA market and Wheeler may also be in attendance.
Wheeler spent 5 years at Netflix EMEA, first within the function of director of children and household content material, after which as head of animated collection.
Whereas there, he supported a spread of tasks from Aardman’s Oscar-nominated quick movie Robin Robin to collection akin to coming-of-age rom-com Heartstopper and animated reveals The Final Bus, Large Tree Metropolis and Sharkdog.
Previous to Netflix, Wheeler served as Vice President of Worldwide Manufacturing and Improvement at Nickelodeon and was additionally manufacturing affiliate on Peppa Pig early on in his 20-year profession.
“Having held senior roles at main media firms, I really feel the timing is ideal for me to channel every thing I’ve skilled into Wheel In Movement, fostering innovation and creativity within the UK and past,” commented Wheeler.
The partnership additionally marks a big step for Clement Calvet and Jeremie Fajner’s burgeoning Paris-based manufacturing and distribution firm Superprod Group as its first transfer into the UK.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Alexi and Wheel In Movement into the Superprod household,” they stated in a joint assertion.
“This partnership embodies our dedication to increasing our artistic attain and supporting distinctive expertise throughout the globe. Alexi’s imaginative and prescient for Wheel In Movement enhances our mission to supply revolutionary and various content material that resonates with each children, YA and household audiences worldwide.”
Wheel In Movement’s addition to the Superprod Group fold follows the latter firm’s acquisition in April of Luxembourg-based Studio 352 and Melusine Productions, that are in Annecy this 12 months with Competitors title A Boat In The Backyard.
Its different subsidiaries comprise Superprod Animation, Superprod Drama and Superprod Movies in addition to Italy-based live-action and animation producer Crimson Monk Studio, worldwide distribution arm Superights and 440Hz, a music rights administration platform.
In addition to the animation studios in Paris, Angoulême, Milan and Luxembourg, the corporate additionally has workplaces in Los Angeles and New York.
Launched in Paris within the late Nineteen Nineties with a concentrate on animated works, Superprod Group has since branched into dwell motion content material.
Latest manufacturing highlights embrace animation TV collection Batwheels, Spirit Rangers and Paddington, live-action films Mr Blake at your service (starring John Malkovich), and live-action TV collection Panda and Residence Candy Rome.
Purchasers span Ardour Paris, Netflix, (HBO) Max, Warner Bros Animation, Common Footage, Nickelodeon, Canal Plus, France Télévisions, TF1 M6, SND, BBC, RAI and ARD.