Renowned Films is a London based creative production company backed by US studio Critical Content. Renowned is fast establishing itself as a leader in high end factual and factual entertainment programming.
In 2015, Channel 4 took an equity stake in Renowned Films as part of the networks £20 million Growth Fund. In 2017, Critical Content acquired the stake from Channel 4 and provided additional growth capital, thereby setting up Renowned as one of the most promising and fast growing indie production companies in the UK
Donovan Jerome Leitch is an English-born actor and documentary maker who has served as an executive producer on Showtime’s NAKED SNCTM and AXS TV’s BREAKING BAND. He has produced several documentaries including SUNSET STRIP, THE LAST PARTY, and SCHMATTA: RAGS TO RICHES TO RAGS
This POD is overseen by James, J. Gutierrez, a 19 year veteran of television. Prior to joining Critical Content, Gutierrez was a showrunner for MTV, Spike, TruTV & Discovery. He’s sold 13 concepts including two series, Billy Bob’s Gags to Riches for Discovery & Black Jesus on Adult Swim. This POD is named after the fictional Sopranos character, Noah Tannenbaum, a pretentious film student who was Meadow Soprano’s first college boyfriend.
Hoosick Falls Productions, helmed by George Verschoor, specializes in groundbreaking unscripted programming. Considered one of the pioneers of non-fiction programming, George developed, produced and directed the first four seasons of MTV’s groundbreaking series THE REAL WORLD. Most recently at Critical Content, Verschoor created and is currently showrunning a new makeover series for Netflix, STAY HERE. Previous to that, he was the show runner on HOME FREE (Fox), EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION (ABC), and BUILDING WILD (Nat Geo).
Berman has been making television history for years including the very first LIVE reveal on the season finale of Survivor on CBS to his most recent production of the epic National Geographic, world-wide live event, Earth Live. He’s continued to push the envelope in live television broadcasting over a career that has resulted in some of the most highly rated and groundbreaking shows in television history while logging more than 6000 hours of live network television and receiving four Emmy® awards.
David Metzler is an Emmy Award-winning Executive Producer, Showrunner and Director. He is best known for co-creating, producing and directing the runaway Bravo hit, QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY, and for showrunning MTV’s current hit CATFISH: THE TV SHOW. QUEER EYE earned Metzler a Primetime Emmy Award, a second Emmy nomination, the Producer’s Guild of America’s Producer of the Year Award and two GLAAD Media Awards. He also created and executive produced Sundance Channel’s critically acclaimed BIG IDEAS FOR A SMALL PLANET, which won the Environmental Media Award for Best Documentary.
Quality Control Music was formed in March 2013 by Kevin “Coach” Lee and Pierre “P” Thomas. Lee and Thomas began this venture by hiring radio and promotion staff, while they personally ventured into publishing and management. They invested $1 million and one year into building a headquarters in West Atlanta, which holds four recording studios and office spaces. Quality Control is known to find and develop smaller artists, which is the reason why many Quality Control artists seem to come out of nowhere. Quality Control uses Internet-based analytical tools to cater to the areas where their artists are the most popular.
I create, develop, and produce original series and specials for Disney, Netflix, Amazon, Discovery+, E!, Comcast Networks, Awesomeness TV, HGTV, and more. I’ve worked for and with A-list executives and creative talent as SVP of Programming & Development for Disney ABC, as VP of Programming & Development for E! & The Style Network, and as an independent Executive Producer. My experience covers a wide range of formats and genres including Talk Shows, Lifestyle, Fashion, Celebrity, Documentaries, Home Makeovers, Music, Comedy, Live Events, Horror, Food, and Game Shows. Hit series include The View, Who Wants To Be a Millionaire, Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, The Chew, Cheap Old Houses, Disney Fairy Tale Weddings, Clean House, and Dr. 90210.
Colleagues and network executives I’ve worked for will tell you that I put the viewers first and I’m a trusted steward for the brand. I’m honest and confident in any room and passionate about doing what is needed to deliver the win. My teams know I’m a loyal champion who provides them with what they need to succeed.