Animation management firm The Gotham Group is aggressively pursuing opportunities in network television via a development deal with the FOX Broadcasting Co. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the company is developing three half-hour animated series, one of which will be given a pilot order by FOX. The arrangement expands on a pre-existing relationship between the broadcaster and Gotham, whose clients work on The Simpsons, Family Guy and King of the Hill.
Founded by CEO Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Gotham represents more than 300 animation writers, directors, animators and animation studios. Though most animation writers are not directly involved with the WGA strike, the picketing has reportedly interfered with the company’s efforts to sell FOX on new ideas for building its roster of primetime animated series.
Gotham made its first foray into network television with CBS’ Americanized version of Aardman Animations’ Comfort Creatures. The company is currently working with Aardman and creator Carl Gorham on developing Stressed Eric, an animated comedy series for cable outlet TBS. Gotham is also seeking to get a foothold in the area of animated features through a $250 million production and distribution deal with the Weinstein Co. and the Chungcheongnam-do government of South Korea. The projects produced by the venture will be based on work from Gotham’s clients, as well as outside sources. In addition, Gotham has inked a first-look deal with Yahoo! Studios for animated Internet content.
