Natalie Lawley: "We understand the need for programming to relate to audiences locally"

Escapade Media has always endeavored to offer the marketplace projects that are fresh and have a unique point of difference, while remaining highly commercial. "We understand the need for programming to relate to audiences locally, so we strive to get involved in projects that can appeal globally. It’s not always easy to achieve this, but given the vast number of projects in development, we seek out those that best fit this vision," said Natalie Lawley, Managing Director of Escapade Media. "Over the years, one of our biggest challenges has been leaning towards highly localized content. This reminds us of the need to offer content that genuinely appeals to local audiences," she added.

The Australian distributor has brought three key new projects to MIPCOM. One of them is “Debriefing The President” (6x60’), a political action-thriller limited series that revolves around a man’s relentless quest for truth, a nation’s messy campaign of revenge, and the bonds between fathers and sons. "It’s “Zero Dark Thirty meets Frost/Nixon” in tone and tells, for the first time, the intimate story of two men at the heart of one of the 21st century’s most formative conflicts," Lawley described. "We are looking to close further pre-sales on this project, as pre-production has begun, and it will be ready for delivery in August 2025," she confirmed.

Another exciting project is “Follow the Rain” (1x76’ & 1x60’ 4K), where world-famous fungi hunters Stephen Axford and Catherine Marciniak invite audiences on a unique expedition into the wilderness of Australia. "It’s a pioneering fungi safari like you’ve never seen before, with breathtaking imagery that reveals the foundations of life down under," Lawley shared. “Follow the Rain” premiered on Netflix Australia & New Zealand in September 2024, and "we’re excited to discuss this exquisite documentary with our clients during the market," she added.

The third project is “Stiggy” (6x60’ 4K), the story of the man behind the curtain, Stigwood. "MIPCOM 2024 will be the official launch for ‘Stiggy’ – this global story is a musical," Lawley revealed.

STRATEGIES TO EVOLVE
Lawley emphasized that the company’s approach to content has shifted significantly in recent years, particularly regarding financing. Escapade Media is known for securing pre-sales and commissions for both scripted and non-scripted projects, making this a central part of their financing strategy. "We aim to deliver premium production values while working within a budget that clients can afford, often involving innovative financing plans and exploring alternative revenue sources," she explained. To enhance its content offering, Escapade Media has collaborated with international partners. Their exclusive agreement with StoryFirst continues to provide a steady flow of premium scripted projects. "We are bringing these projects to our global clients, and, more importantly, greenlighting them for production," Lawley said. "These projects are developed by highly accredited teams with creatives and cast attached, which leads to strong buy-in from our clients."

The company has also worked with producers from India, the UK, the US, and Australia on non-scripted projects and is open to new collaborations, as long as they align with their model.

Looking ahead to 2025, Escapade Media has set clear objectives. "We’re excited to offer ‘Debriefing the President’ to those clients who weren’t able to pre-buy when it delivers next year, and we look forward to greenlighting more scripted projects while continuing to innovate in content and finance as technology evolves," Lawley concluded.