The Big Steal - an NFTS quiz show format in which it pays to steal from your opponents – has been optioned by Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP) from the National Film and Television School (NFTS) in a deal that will involve the students in the production. The aim is for the series to go into production in the Autumn.
This is the fourth National Film and Television School (NFTS) original format to be optioned in the past two years and the second to be optioned by WBITVP in the past 18 months.
The Big Steal was created by students André Sousa and Anti Reinthal as their graduation project for the NFTS two year Producing and Directing TV Entertainment MA.
Anti Reinthal said: “We are really thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Warner Bros. – responsible for such great entertainment hits. We hope that our show is their next big hit series.”
Andre Sousa said: "We always believed our show had potential and we are ecstatic at the prospect of having The Big Steal in such good hands as Warner brothers. It's simply amazing."
In the high-stakes strategic quiz show, The Big Steal, contestants are given £40,000 each to play with and a chance to ‘steal’ money off their opponents if they answer questions correctly. But they must hold their nerve because the longer they wait the more they can win. If they wait too long or fail to answer correctly, they lose money so the skill lies in knowing when to buzz. The battle is played over three stages and there’s a nerve-wracking big money finale. It’s aimed at 18-45 year old male and female viewers. The show also features a strong audience interactive element.
NFTS Head of Television David G Croft said: “I am delighted that yet another NFTS Television Department format has been optioned by such a serious international player as Warner Bros. It is proof positive that our TV students can develop and produce entertainment pilots that can match anything in the professional sector. The Big Steal was made for a fraction of an industry budget and I am justly proud of Andre Sousa & Anti Reinthal and we wish them and the show all success.”
“The Big Steal fits in well with the type of formats we are looking for, entertainment shows that are original, well structured, with the capacity for returning series and a concept that will travel well around the globe. We look forward to working with Andre and Anti to develop the format further and bringing it to the international market” said Andrew Zein, SVP, Creative, Format Development and Sales WBITVP.”
A pilot version will be screened to the Industry at the NFTS Graduation show hosted at the BFI on 27 February 2013. You can watch the teaser on our YouTube channel here.
