The pre-production phase for 'Catch Me If You Can' is set to kick off shortly, and filming is scheduled to commence in October.
Israeli producer and distributor Keshet International (KI) has launched a commissioning initiative, titled “KI’s Greenlight: Factual & Formats.” Simultaneously, the company has announced its inaugural straight-to-series order for international distribution, according to a report by Rapid TV News.
In the first step, KI has commissioned Woodcut Media with the production of a 10×60’ true crime docuseries titled Catch Me If You Can. This marks KI’s first venture into the realm of factual series, and they have chosen to fully finance this project.
Catch Me If You Can delves into the world of elusive murderers who meticulously plan their crimes and engage in psychological warfare with investigators. Each episode embarks on a chase to capture a different killer, offering an in-depth exploration of the intricate mind games they employ to outsmart law enforcement. The series focuses intensely on the pursuit, delivering a true crime experience.
With a blend of first-hand accounts, expert analysis, and stylised recreations, this series provides viewers with a glimpse into the methods and tactics employed by law enforcement to ultimately bring these perpetrators to justice. The first season profiles infamous criminals such as James Watson, convicted in June 2022 for the 1994 murder of Ricki Neve; Todd Kohlhepp, the Amazon Review Killer responsible for seven murders over a decade; Eric Frein, the cop killer who evaded capture in the Pocono Mountains, initiating Pennsylvania’s longest manhunt lasting 48 days and costing $12m; and Amanda Taylor, a 24-year-old fugitive who went on the run with a friend after fatally stabbing her husband’s father-in-law.
Commenting on the deal, Kelly Wright, Managing Director of Distribution, KI, said: “Premium factual content and formats continue to be in high demand from buyers, while many producers are struggling to get series commissioned. So, we are thrilled to be launching KI’s Greenlight: Factual & Formats initiative while announcing our first series order for Catch Me If You Can, following our first true crime producer pitch. By responding collaboratively to market needs in this way, we’re finding a different way of getting fresh, new content onto TV screens around the world.”
Kate Beal, CEO of Woodcut Media, added: “We first partnered with Keshet International on World’s Most Evil Killers back in 2016, with the first episodes premiering on Sky the following year. Telling these stories with sensitivity towards the victims, and those close to them was paramount…With Catch Me If You Can we take the same approach, thoroughly researching each case and providing expert analysis and stylised re-enactments. However, with this new series, the focus is on the actual chase and final capture of the elusive killer, with each episode taking viewers on a kind of roller coaster ride of ‘will they or won’t they catch them’ at every turn.”
Catch Me If You Can will be executive produced by Kate Beal and Nick Mavroidakis at Woodcut Media, in collaboration with KI’s Kelly Wright, with Angie Cox serving as Series Producer. Pre-production is set to commence shortly, and filming is scheduled for October. Keshet International intends to launch Catch Me If You Can to the global market at Mipcom 2024.
KI has also outlined plans to host its second annual producer pitch on November 27, 2023. This year, the initiative has expanded to encompass premium factual content and formats, alongside true crime projects. With a goal of greenlighting up to three English-language projects annually, KI’s Greenlight: Factual & Formats initiative will focus on commissioning original premium factual content and formats with broad international appeal for distribution.
