A former National Geographic exec has set up a company that will connect freelance executive producers with indies to collaborate on development.
Table41 will incubate new projects in the factual, fact-ent, premium factual and wider non-scripted space as well as limited drama series and is already working with BossaNova Media, Atomic Television and Dare Pictures.
The company will prioritise specific commissioner briefs and individual projects to help fast-track collaborations between freelancers and indies into fruition.
It will also offer one off project-based support, working with existing development teams to research, write and produce premium pitch decks and sizzles.
Francesca Johnson, Nat Geo’s former UK director of development and production, said she set up the company to offer a “flexible, efficient and connected” path to a commission.
“Development can be a real drag in isolation and this agency is about growing your ‘table for one’, expanding your network and creating the positive momentum needed to turn great ideas into even better shows,” she said.
In 11 years at Nat Geo, Johnson oversaw projects including 72 Films docs Diana: In Her Own Words, Drain the Oceans and Inside North Korea’s Dynasty, Raw TV’s Banged Up Abroad and Blakeway Productions’ Lost Cities.
