Ottoman detective series seeks global audience
As the popularity of Turkish TV shows have risen dramatically in the Arab world and the Balkans in recent years, producers are more eager to sell series abroad. Turkey's first detective series set in the Ottoman period, ‘Filinta,' will soon be screened in other countries and regions, notably the Middle East
The state-run broadcaster Turkish Radio and Television Corporation's (TRT) popular TV series "Filinta," Turkey's first detective TV series set in the Ottoman period, will be soon screened in other countries and regions, notably the Middle East. Offering a cinematographic taste with its Hollywood-style action scenes, "Filinta" is being shot in the Kocaeli-based Seka Film Plato, which was transformed into old Pera – a neighborhood in Beyoğlu – and İstiklal Avenue.
The TV series' action scenes are directed by "second-unit" expert Dusan Hyska and his team, famous for their Hollywood productions such as "Titanic," "Spider Man" and "Saving Private Ryan." Renowned make-up artist David Craig Forrest has joined the team as well. Forrest was previously the make-up artist of "Jaws 3," "Lorenzo's Oil," "Charlie's Angels" and "Basic Instinct." Certain scenes are directed by well-known American filmmaker Bobby Roth, who made his name with the hit TV series "Lost" and "Prison Break." Serdar Öğretici, the series producer, said that an Ottoman-era detective TV series is being produced for the first time and will cost much more than other Turkish TV series.
Öğretici said they are aware of the possible risks, but success does not come without taking risks. "TRT has greatly supported us and gave us the opportunity to embark on this project. We started this to create something different that meets international standards. We have made significant progress so far and will continue to do so," he stressed.
The production team thought that when they started this project, it would open a new door, paving the way for better TV series in the following term. "It has been hard work, but we have achieved success with our supporters. I hope other producers or directors will do better and raise the threshold. This is our principal aim," Öğretici added. He also said they are working to introduce the TV series to other countries. "As I said before, we do not only promote the film within Turkey, but have planned an international project. This is because the preparations took more than one year," Öğretici explained, adding that the team has received positive feedback from abroad. "We have received offers from the Middle East. "Filinta" will be introduced at a fair in France next month. Later, we will negotiate with companies in Europe, South America and the U.S.," he said.
"Filinta" is expected to last for 100 episodes. Öğretici said the current season includes 26 episodes, and two more seasons will be aired. "Filinta" hosts guest actors and some of them are still acting in it. "Wilma Elles appeared as guest actress at first, but we have decided to see her in our upcoming episodes. We will present new actors soon. We love surprises and will continue to attract our audience," Öğretici said.
Set in the 1850's and early 1900s, "Filinta" features period designs. Öğretici said that each episode brings a different story, and they use both interior and exterior locations as it is a detective TV series. "We had to establish a big space because viewers watch action scenes with different incidents," he said, adding the costumes, action scenes, decorations and even the script have raised the expenditures. "‘Filinta' is an expensive production project. However, everybody is happy here. Actors get on well with each other. We work no less than 12 hours a day and exert great effort. Every six days, we screen an episode, which is prepared like a movie," he said.
Lead actor Onur Tuna, who plays Filinta Mustafa in the series, said he learns a lot from his colleagues, some of whom have spent 20 or 30 years in the theater. Tuna said he does not see himself as a lead actor but as part of the team, and expressed his satisfaction at being involved in this project. He said he is familiar with Ottoman history from books and school.
Famed actress Elles, who previously appeared as Caroline in another TV drama "Öyle Bir Geçer Zaman Ki," (As Time Goes By), is also excited to be involved with the series. She presently plays as spy named Anita. "It is an exciting project. We are given many opportunities. We are working on one of the biggest production sets here, and I feel as if I were playing in a movie.
Yosi Mizrahi, appearing as War Minister Esad Pasha, said he has been working in this field for 22 years, but is playing in a historical drama for the first time. Mizrahi read the script of the first three episodes with enthusiasm and immediately accepted the offer. "Esad Pasha is the poor son of Eşekçi Sermet. He has always suffered from poverty and even eats potatoes for days when he has no money. Pasha joined the navy and becomes a successful sailor. With focus on his desires and a passionate character, he shows no mercy to others," he said, adding that the pasha is later assigned as the naval minister and wins the favor of the sultan. "Pasha is very good at doing something behind other people's back and tries to become the grand vizier," Mizrahi concluded.
As the popularity of Turkish TV shows have risen dramatically in the Arab world and the Balkans in recent years, Turkey earned more than $150 million last year from exports of the series, according to a report released by Deloitte Turkey last August. The export revenue of Turkish TV series, which was a meager $10 million in 2008, reached more than $150 million last year – approximately a 70 percent annual growth in the last five years. Due to the increase in quality and popularity, each TV series episode can be sold for up to $200,000 to Middle Eastern countries.
The TV series' action scenes are directed by "second-unit" expert Dusan Hyska and his team, famous for their Hollywood productions such as "Titanic," "Spider Man" and "Saving Private Ryan." Renowned make-up artist David Craig Forrest has joined the team as well. Forrest was previously the make-up artist of "Jaws 3," "Lorenzo's Oil," "Charlie's Angels" and "Basic Instinct." Certain scenes are directed by well-known American filmmaker Bobby Roth, who made his name with the hit TV series "Lost" and "Prison Break." Serdar Öğretici, the series producer, said that an Ottoman-era detective TV series is being produced for the first time and will cost much more than other Turkish TV series.
Öğretici said they are aware of the possible risks, but success does not come without taking risks. "TRT has greatly supported us and gave us the opportunity to embark on this project. We started this to create something different that meets international standards. We have made significant progress so far and will continue to do so," he stressed.
The production team thought that when they started this project, it would open a new door, paving the way for better TV series in the following term. "It has been hard work, but we have achieved success with our supporters. I hope other producers or directors will do better and raise the threshold. This is our principal aim," Öğretici added. He also said they are working to introduce the TV series to other countries. "As I said before, we do not only promote the film within Turkey, but have planned an international project. This is because the preparations took more than one year," Öğretici explained, adding that the team has received positive feedback from abroad. "We have received offers from the Middle East. "Filinta" will be introduced at a fair in France next month. Later, we will negotiate with companies in Europe, South America and the U.S.," he said.
"Filinta" is expected to last for 100 episodes. Öğretici said the current season includes 26 episodes, and two more seasons will be aired. "Filinta" hosts guest actors and some of them are still acting in it. "Wilma Elles appeared as guest actress at first, but we have decided to see her in our upcoming episodes. We will present new actors soon. We love surprises and will continue to attract our audience," Öğretici said.
Set in the 1850's and early 1900s, "Filinta" features period designs. Öğretici said that each episode brings a different story, and they use both interior and exterior locations as it is a detective TV series. "We had to establish a big space because viewers watch action scenes with different incidents," he said, adding the costumes, action scenes, decorations and even the script have raised the expenditures. "‘Filinta' is an expensive production project. However, everybody is happy here. Actors get on well with each other. We work no less than 12 hours a day and exert great effort. Every six days, we screen an episode, which is prepared like a movie," he said.
Lead actor Onur Tuna, who plays Filinta Mustafa in the series, said he learns a lot from his colleagues, some of whom have spent 20 or 30 years in the theater. Tuna said he does not see himself as a lead actor but as part of the team, and expressed his satisfaction at being involved in this project. He said he is familiar with Ottoman history from books and school.
Famed actress Elles, who previously appeared as Caroline in another TV drama "Öyle Bir Geçer Zaman Ki," (As Time Goes By), is also excited to be involved with the series. She presently plays as spy named Anita. "It is an exciting project. We are given many opportunities. We are working on one of the biggest production sets here, and I feel as if I were playing in a movie.
Yosi Mizrahi, appearing as War Minister Esad Pasha, said he has been working in this field for 22 years, but is playing in a historical drama for the first time. Mizrahi read the script of the first three episodes with enthusiasm and immediately accepted the offer. "Esad Pasha is the poor son of Eşekçi Sermet. He has always suffered from poverty and even eats potatoes for days when he has no money. Pasha joined the navy and becomes a successful sailor. With focus on his desires and a passionate character, he shows no mercy to others," he said, adding that the pasha is later assigned as the naval minister and wins the favor of the sultan. "Pasha is very good at doing something behind other people's back and tries to become the grand vizier," Mizrahi concluded.
As the popularity of Turkish TV shows have risen dramatically in the Arab world and the Balkans in recent years, Turkey earned more than $150 million last year from exports of the series, according to a report released by Deloitte Turkey last August. The export revenue of Turkish TV series, which was a meager $10 million in 2008, reached more than $150 million last year – approximately a 70 percent annual growth in the last five years. Due to the increase in quality and popularity, each TV series episode can be sold for up to $200,000 to Middle Eastern countries.
Last Update: March 24, 2015 01:05