AMENDED FRIDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2009 – "The original UK version of The Office fast became a global cult phenomenon, now shown in 90 countries with remakes in the U.S., France, Germany and now Chile" CHANGED TO "The original UK version of The Office fast became a global cult phenomenon, selling to over 90 broadcasters around the world, with remakes in the US, France, Germany and now Chile".
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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Worldwide Americas partners with Chilecorto and Canal 13–Chile, to license the first event format of The Office in Latin America.
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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Worldwide Americas has licensed The Office format to production company Chilecorto and Canal 13–Chile, part of leading Chilean network UCTV.
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The deal marks the first time a Spanish version of Ricky Gervais' and Stephen Merchant's award-winning comedy will be made, and is the first format deal for The Office in Latin America.
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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Worldwide Americas has licensed series one and two plus the end of season specials. ÌýChilecorto and Canal 13–Chile, will begin production early in 2008.
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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Worldwide will advise on the production and Duncan Cooper, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Worldwide's Executive Producer of Formats & Local Production, will assist Chilecorto and Canal 13–Chile in the show’s development.
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One of the most successful British comedies of all time, The Office is filmed in spoof documentary style, and chronicles the daily lives of employees at a small-town fictional paper supply company. ÌýThe boss is a smug lower middle manager who makes appalling jokes and constantly craves the affection of his staff. Ìý
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The original UK version of The Office fast became a global cult phenomenon, selling to over 90 broadcasters around the world, with remakes in the US, France, Germany and now Chile.
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It is the format on which the Emmy® winning U.S. version, starring Steve Carell, is based, which has just started going into syndication.
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The original received universal rave reviews and some of the most prestigious awards in television including Golden Globes, British Comedy Awards, Royal Television Society Awards and British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards.Ìý Over 4 million DVDs have sold worldwide.
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Ricky Gervais said: "We stopped making The Office in 2003 but the rest of the world didn't. I won't be happy until I see an inuit doing the dance."
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Wayne Garvie, Director Content & Production, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Worldwide says: "The wonderful characters Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant created continue to prove themselves to be universal. It's incredibly exciting that this unique show is now going to be reinvented for Spanish and Latin American audiences, giving them a chance to cringe and squirm with the millions of Office fans around the world!"
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Carmen Gloria Lopez, Head of Programming at Canal 13–Chile, says: "From watching The Office we realised very quickly that the working day in Chile is actually very similar to office life in the UK and America.Ìý Our production with Chilecorto will show you we have more in common than you might think!"
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Commented Chilecorto Executive Producer Nimrod Amitai: "We are very pleased to be the first to develop The Office in South America. We feel we have a great piece of material in our hands and we want to make it as successful as other international adaptations.
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"Our objective is to explore the very worst of our Chilean society, and make the audience laugh about it. So in that way, the project must be therapeutic."
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Well-known Chilean actor, Luis Gnecco has signed to play the role of David Brent.Ìý Gnecco also appeared in the pilot episode produced earlier in 2007. Chilecorto are currently casting for the remaining characters.
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Canal 13–Chile, is planning to air the series in May 2008.
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About ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Worldwide Americas:
³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Worldwide Americas incorporates the U.S., Canadian and Latin American arms of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Worldwide, a commercial and wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (³ÉÈËÂÛ̳).
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With offices in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Sao Paulo and Miami, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Worldwide Americas has five core businesses: Channels, TV Sales, Content & Production, Home Entertainment and Digital Media. Profit from ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Worldwide is returned to the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ public service.
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Alex Fulton
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