Filming on five of the many shows slated for Apple’s long-rumored streaming service have finishing shooting, a report said Sunday.
Apple
With Apple set to unveil its long-rumoured video streaming service next Monday, it now appears that the company has already completed actual filming on several of its original content projects, although with post-production work remaining to be done, it seems that we still won’t be seeing these shows debut until later this year.
A new report from the New York Times confirms earlier reports that Apple’s original content won’t release right away but actually goes further by identifying a number of those shows likely to debut as part of Apple’s first wave of content. While the majority of the shows listed are already known, the report marks the first time we’ve seen how Apple’s production schedules are working out.
The New York Times report revealed what stage the first wave of shows has reached. These five are reportedly first up:
An untitled drama series starring Jennifer Aniston, Reece Witherspoon, and Steve Carell is almost done filming its first season. A second has already been commissioned. Meanwhile, science-fiction drama See, featuring Aquaman star Jason Momoa, is still shooting.
The documentary Home, an unscripted series from filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer, will be finished “in the next few months,” while a cartoon musical named Central Park, featuring Frozen voice actor Josh Gad, will also be finished soon.
It’s important to keep in mind the difference between being wrapped and being done; editing, CGI, and all sort of post-production effects can take months to complete. However, this timeline lines up perfectly for the fall debut of several of Apple’s original shows.
The report also highlights that Apple’s entertainment team has not been transparent in regards to the release date of the shows and their marketing plans.
“Apple’s entertainment team has not been totally opaque,” reads the report. “It has provided feedback to individuals involved in the shows, but it has been tight-lipped about the marketing and rollout plans. The March 25 event may allay Hollywood’s concerns, but several people involved in the new programs have interpreted the lack of communication as a sign that there may not be a clear game plan.”
Apple’s content efforts are being led by former Sony executives Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg, with Eddy Cue overseeing their work. They were initially allocated a budget of $1 billion USD for programming which they have easily exceeded by now.
While Apple’s streaming service will contain content from studios like HBO, Starz, and Showtime, the company will primarily focus on its own original programmes at the “Show Time” event next Monday.
