Effectively-known worldwide TV exec Michael Murphy is leaving Past after 19 years and has launched his personal enterprise.
Murphy has been with producer-distributor Past Worldwide for almost 20 years, however will launch Rockabill Media at MIPCOM Cannes with a trio of initiatives.
Banijay closed an estimated $30M deal for Past in January, with Past distribution enterprise then assimilated into the Banijay Rights catalog.
The Eire-based Murphy had been at Past since 2009, holding roles resembling Normal Supervisor for Past Distribution and, extra not too long ago, Government Director of Past Leisure Holdings and of specialist music content material producer and distributor BeyondTNC.
Murphy has owned a Rockabill Media entity since 2012 however is launching the manufacturing outfit as a brand new enterprise of the identical title. The operation will work on worldwide TV and movie initiatives and supply consultancy in areas resembling content material technique, distribution, govt manufacturing and financing.
The enterprise opens this week, and is engaged on three initiatives. The primary of those is function movie Ismael, which Murphy is engaged on as govt producer with Norwegian producer Tomas Backström (Insomnia). Set in Eire and based mostly on the novel by Roy Jacobson, it tells the story of a former MI5 operative who should activate previous expertise to guard his household.
Wir Sind Maschinen is billed as a landmark, three-part music doc collection from The Act of Killing maker Spring Movies exploring how German digital music modified the world. Murphy, who’s govt producer, takes the mission from BeyondTNC.
Particulars of the third mission are minimal, however Rockabill is consulting on a fund-raising spherical for a style manufacturing firm targeted on adapting current female-led IP.
At Past, Murphy most not too long ago govt produced Mutiny in Heaven, the function doc about Nick Cave’s band The Birthday Celebration, which premiered on the Melbourne Worldwide Competition final month. Earlier than that, his roles included launching on-demand providers for Sure Tv, Director of Packages at Eire’s TV3, founding father of Irish community Channel 6 and CEO of Windmill Lane Leisure.
“I am excited to bring the Rockabill Media name back to the international market and to do so now with a new focus and three brilliant projects leading the charge,” mentioned Murphy. “I’m particularly delighted to proceed working with the unimaginable Spring Movies group on Wir Sind Maschinen as it’s considerably of a ardour mission.
“However, as I have worked as a broadcaster, producer and distributor, as well as in post production and VFX — and have built an enviable international network — I see Rockabill’s real value in advising on content strategy and then helping IP owners to follow the most relevant — and lucrative — creative and commercial paths.”
