DREW S LEVIN GEARS UP FOR PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPY ON PBS SERIES

Executive Producer Drew S Levin announced today that his company Initiative Productions has assembled the team it needs to launch production of its 8-hour PBS primetime historical/archeological series The Route to Christianity.

Drew Levin will bring over twenty years of success as Executive Producer to oversee, steer and mold the project into another successful PBS series in the tradition of his Emmy-winning show Futurequest starring Jeff Goldblum, Pros and Cons, Westside Detective (see above) and his most recent critical and ratings success Walking the Bible.

Helming the series and sharing executive producer duties is top broadcast, cable and feature film director/producer Hector Galán who has already began shooting the series in the Holy Land. Working with a top Israeli crew, Galán shot for five days in Bethlehem and Jerusalem over the Christmas holidays, recording a total of over 600 minutes of high definition footage.

The host is Jonathan Phillips, a history professor who has frequently appeared on documentaries as an expert commentator but whose charisma and talent, says Levin, “…will make him the next big PBS star presenter.”

Serving as the primary creative consultant in charge of content is Alex Gregory, who served as principal writer on Drew Levin’s hit series Walking the Bible as well. Assisting Alex with research and story development is Tip McPartland.

Providing production services in Israel and Palestine is Sharon Schaveet and her company Biblical Productions. In Egypt and other Arab areas, Ash Hasen, another veteran of Walking the Bible, will serve as the shows “fixer” to obtain permits and will also field produce including hiring crews.

The editorial team is being assembled and Levin is targeting top editors such as Clement Barkley, Ash Hasen, Duncan Burns and Chuck Cirino.

Slated to score the series is top composer and Ph.D. in music Richard Friedman whose music for Walking the Bible not only generated awards buzz but sold well as a soundtrack CD.

National Public Media is working with several major corporations on series underwriting and as Levin says, “They are the best in the business.”

Levin is also working with top publicists and marketing executives in the faith-based sector to ensure that the show equals or exceeds the huge ratings success of Levin’s previous show Walking the Bible.

Says Drew Levin, “We have truly assembled the A-team that can produce another award-winning PBS series that will again garner exceptional ratings and high critical acclaim.”