Marta Balaga As global consumers turn towards series produced in their own countries and other non-US content, developing authentic stories for local markets might be the key to global success, pointed out participants of the Berlinale Series Market opening on Monday.“Great successes can come from anywhere.
That’s the biggest learning,” said Jens Richter, CEO at Fremantle Media International, calling South Korean surprise smash “Squid Game” – repeatedly mentioned throughout the event – another “steppingstone towards creating more openness,” – also when it comes to the European market.As pointed out by executive director at Ampere Analysis Guy Bisson, kicking off the “Mission: Europe.
How Local Markets Muscle Up” panel, co-hosted by Film und Medien Stiftung NRW, “Europe is playing the quality game.” With new markets emerging as production powerhouses, including Russia, Ukraine, Poland, certain Benelux countries and Scandinavia, he also noticed some clear patterns emerging such as period-set local stories, adapted from existing, successful content, which are much more likely to get commissioned by the likes of an Amazon or Netflix.
While getting worldwide attention is the ultimate goal, it’s crucial to develop new ideas in an “authentic” way, argued Richter, mentioning “The Investigation,” a six-part series directed by Tobias Lindholm and inspired by the murder of Swedish journalist Kim Wall.“It’s based on a true story, from a local territory, but it made global headlines.
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