Giuliano Papadia, CEO and Creative Director at BlackBox Multimedia
BlackBox Multimedia is an international production company specialises in producing high-end contemporary scripted content based on award-winning IP, developing and producing both returnable and limited content in multiple languages alongside A-list talent and partners. Giuliano Papadia, CEO and Creative Director, talked with Señal News about the current projects of the company and their international potential.
BlackBox Multimedia specialises in producing high-end contemporary scripted content based on award-winning IP. How do you recognize when a story has global potential?
"The global potential of a story can come from many different elements. It can be finding a book that has resonated well across different countries, as that should give an indication of the story’s appeal in different territories – as was the case of our adaptation of Luis Sepulveda’s short story 'Diary of a Sentimental Killer'. Otherwise, it can be a case of finding a story that is distinctive and memorable for a specific territory whilst exploring themes that are universally recognised in different ways. If you take shows like 'Narcos' or '3%', they are clear examples of stories that were very rooted in a territory but found global success. We’ve got a few shows in the works with partners from Mexico, Argentina and Brazil that we are confident have the right elements to appeal internationally."
BlackBox Multimedia has made multiple alliances to develop projects. How do you choose the right partner in each project?
"We’re an entirely independent company, which gives us great flexibility when it comes to partnering up. We look for the best partner for each individual project, which might differ from case to case. Sometimes it can be a distributor, sometimes it can be a co-producer to build a multi-territory collaboration, or any hybrid in between. But ultimately, what we really look for in a partner is the same passion for the project, the same creative vision and the same flexibility and transparency that we, as partners, can offer."
What are the highlight projects you are working on?
"We have begun a great partnership with Ezequiel Olzanski’s EO MEDIA, with whom we’re developing a number of projects that will create a production bridge between Europe and Latin America. Most recently, we have announced our first collaboration on the adaptation of the best-selling author Luis Sepulveda’s 'Diary of a Sentimental Killer'. We’re advancing very quickly and have been receiving amazing feedback from the market. It is a very unique show, an international thriller imbued with the Latin spirit and of course the great dark humour of the late Chilean master of storytelling. But there are also many other shows in the works that you’ll no doubt hear about later in the year."
What are the main rules you have to follow when you produce content in the middle of a pandemic?
"When it comes to development, it’s always difficult to predict what audiences will want to watch in the future, so it’s important to avoid bias and keep an open mind. Back in March of 2020, we said to ourselves that we would never touch a horror show that even came close to talking about a pandemic. But since then, we have been sent a treatment for a project we are now developing in Spain that edges very close to this, but it’s set in the past and takes a very different and unique approach to the whole issue. Storytelling for during and after a global crisis is all about the idea and how the narrative can be developed – this past year we’ve learnt that audiences are a lot more flexible and curious than we predicted."
What are the main 2021 goals of the company?
"We’re going into production with our first commission in the summer, and we are in advanced development with a number of projects in more than four territories. We’re really looking to continue expanding into territories like Latin America, strengthening our relationship with local partners, talent and buyers, and establish ourselves as a one-stop shop for high end international projects."
By Romina Rodríguez