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Published on November 14, 2007

Operator of the Live television-cable channel and Radio Double 9.5, Live Incorporation's foray into film is part of attempts since late last year to reshuffle its businesses, with the aim of wiping out its accumulated losses of the past several years. Company CEO Sivaporn Chomsuwan did not mention the total investment in the four films but said the company had allocated a total of Bt100 million for the ventures.

He said Memotion would be its main business partner, with the responsibility of finding interesting content and local and international movie-production companies, while Live would scout for local and international investors.

He said Live's main strategy was to find potential investors from around the world instead of solely investing in all films.

David Allen Jones, Memotion's managing partner, said all of the films would focus on both Thai and international audiences and that all of them should have Thai aspects.

With Jones's years of experience working in the US entertainment industry, the company expects him to use his connections with several entertainment companies and actors in Hollywood. Live also expects him to ensure that all of the films measure up to global standards of production and global distribution.

The first film, scheduled to be launched next May, is a horror feature called "Prey". Another horror movie, "Coffin", will be next, followed by the comedy "Venus Flytrap". "Beverly Hills Ninja 2" will be launched in 2009.

Sivaporn said Live was negotiating with film-distribution companies worldwide, including Buena Vista.

He said Live should earn revenue of Bt50 million to Bt100 million by the end of next year and break even in the new business in 2009.

Currently, Live operates the new

 business under its newly established Live Film business unit, but Sivaporn said a separate company might be set up next year.

The company estimates the Thai film industry to be worth as much as Bt2.7 billion.

Sivaporn added that revenue from the movie business should contribute one-fourth of total annual revenue in the long run. Its revenue this year is expected to be Bt300 million, with 30-per-cent revenue growth next year.

Nitida Asawanipont

 The Nation