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[08/05/09 - 02:47 PM]
Syfy Gives Greenlight to 'Alphas' Pilot from Bermanbraun
Zak Penn and Michael Karnow are behind the project, which was originally set up as "Section 8" at ABC.

[via press release from USA]

SYFY GIVES GREENLIGHT TO 'ALPHAS' PILOT FROM BERMANBRAUN

Action Adventure Was Penned By Zak Penn And Michael Karnow

Pasadena, CA � August 5, 2009 � Syfy has ordered the action-adventure 90-minute pilot, Alphas (working title) from writers Zak Penn (X-Men: The Last Stand, Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk) and Michael Karnow, it was announced today by Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Syfy and Co-Head of Content for Universal Cable Productions, which is the studio for the project. Alphas is executive produced by Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun for BermanBraun Television and is expected to commence production in early fall 2009.

Alphas follows a team of ordinary citizens who possess extraordinary and unusual mental skills. Using physical feats and mental trickery, this elite force of heroes take the law into their own hands and uncover what the CIA, FBI and Pentagon have not been able or willing to solve. Each possessing their unique and not always visible power, they alone solve the crime, stop the ticking time bomb and catch the enemy.

"Alphas' unconventional approach to the traditional superhero genre couldn't be a better fit for Syfy as we continue to build a programming slate of fun, imaginative entertainment," said Stern. "Zak and Michael's dry, naturalistic humor, combined with Gail and Lloyd's incredible producing leadership promise to make this a very special project."

"We are pleased to be in business with Syfy and delighted to be extending the reach of our relationships within the NBC-Universal family," said Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun. "Zak and Michael have created a unique and compelling story which we believe the Syfy audience will find both intriguing and entertaining."

Zak Penn has written and produced many of Hollywood's top science-fiction blockbuster films including X-Men: The Last Stand, X2: X-Men United, Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk and Elektra. He is currently in development on upcoming projects including, The Argonauts, Bermuda Triangle and Spy Hunter.

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in 95 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

BermanBraun is an independent media company whose three divisions � television, feature film and digital media � seek to create and exploit entertainment content and advertising solutions across all platforms throughout the world. The Santa Monica, Calif.-based company, founded by principals Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun in January 2007, has separate strategic global alliances with NBC, Microsoft and Pepsi to create and distribute creative content for television, the Internet and mobile.

In February 2009, BermanBraun launched WONDERWALL � the primary celebrity destination on the MSN Network. BermanBraun is presently producing two network series for the 2009/2010 television season, including MERCY on NBC and ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE on CBS. BermanBraun is also producing the series IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM? for MTV.





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· ALPHAS (SYFY)





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