Though the practice is as old as the entertainment industry itself, it has become increasingly common of late for new televisions shows and films to find their inspiration from literary source material. This style of development has proven both successful and creatively stimulating over the years, with the adaptation of novels for the screen giving us some of the most influential properties in modern popular culture. Ever aware of the state of the industry, Bruna Papandrea’s production company, Made Up Stories, has been creating buzz recently with a slew of development deals aimed at bringing the latest novels from well-known female authors to television. With a team of seasoned executive producers that includes industry vet Steve Hutensky, these projects are well-placed for success. We’ll take a look at a few of these projects along with the producers that are helping to make their development a reality.
Industry background
Before diving into the specifics of these deals, let’s examine some of the many perks brought to the table by key co-executive producer, Steve Hutensky. An industry fixture for years, he first made a name for himself by starting his own production company, Walk The Walk Entertainment. That company, originally founded in New York, was a springboard for many of his early projects. As his reputation for quality production work increased and the company found more frequent requests for collaboration, it began to partner with other companies and studios to produce more ambitious projects. Steve still heads the company to this day and still produces content under its umbrella.
Beyond Walk The Walk, he also brings a discerning business and legal eye to his work with Papandrea. This unique perspective stems in part from his time as the head of business affairs for Relativity Media. In that role, he not only oversaw all aspects of the legal and business side of the company but also numerous items pertaining to film and tv producing. These responsibilities included acquisition, development, and finance.
Different voices
The slew of new projects being produced by the team at Made Up Stories are all rooted in novels by popular female authors who command a loyal fanbase. One project that stands out, in particular, is the adaptation of “Roar,” the new novel by Irish author Cecelia Ahern. That book, set to be published in the UK in November, follows the stories of thirty different women as they grapple with a variety of emotions spanning situations both humorous and dark in tone. The project will be executive produced alongside Nicole Kidman, who has recently been turning heads for her role producing and starring in the hit series “Big Little Lies.” That series, which has garnered numerous accolades, is now entering its second season and is also produced by Papandrea.
Another project under development by the busy production company is the new book from Allison Pearson, “How Hard Can it Be.” The book, which was recently optioned by the company, serves as a sequel to Pearson’s popular novel “I Don’t Know How She Does It,” which was adapted into a 2011 film that grossed $30 million. That project, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, helped to establish Pearson as a force in the world of entertainment and is also cause for some of the buzz building around this latest development announcement.
Female narratives
A clear thread that connects the two books above, as well as numerous projects underway at the production company, is the focus on female artists who are interested in exploring female voices and experiences. This theme is further underscored by the selection of the showrunners for “Roar,” Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch, the co-creators and showrunners of “GLOW.” That show, which has scored big at the Emmys, emerged under the guidance of Flahive and Mensch as a raw and introspective look at a range of unique female experiences.
That the company is taking on these kinds of narratives for its upcoming projects is unsurprising since it is a mission that is built into the very foundation of its creative roots. The company has long been committed to creating content that features compelling female figures prominently and realistically. It also actively works to promote and enable the efforts of female directors, actors, producers, and writers in order to tell stories that they find personally affecting and powerful. Examples of this commitment can be seen through past film projects which include “Wild” and “Gone Girl.”
Other films
In addition to the films listed above, the company draws on the experience of producer Steve Hutensky to lend his own filmmaking experience to its endeavors (LinkedIn). Through his past projects, he has created a range of intriguing and unique works that have served to showcase stories that may have otherwise gone untold. One example of this is his recently produced science fiction thriller, 2:22. That film, which tells the story of an air traffic controller grappling with a mysterious near-fatal crash alongside the appearance of a new love, has been lauded for the manner in which it spans genres.
Another of Steve’s film projects that displays his ability to seek out unique stories is the spiritual documentary “Wake Up.” That film, which chronicles the story of a man who suddenly finds himself with the ability to observe a range of paranormal phenomena, met with wide acclaim as it toured through the country upon its initial release. That reception was compounded by the film’s use in the first episode of “Super Soul Sunday,” which was aired on Oprah Winfrey’s television network.
With so many novels making their way to television and film, it is rare for announcements of adaptations to stand out in the way they once did. However, due in part to a long track record of success and innovative storytelling, head are still turning at the recently released deals that outline the plans Made Up Stories has in store for viewers. With Bruna Papandrea and Steve Hutensky operating alongside a team of seasoned producers, many feel that these announcements are a sign that we are in store for a slew of well-told, female-driven stories that will see success in the years to come.
More about Steve Hutensky at https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/video/sam-claflin-kristina-ceyton-aisling-franciosi-jennifer-news-footage/1032081552
