Michael Forman Email & Phone Number

Porter Ranch

Develop and create marketable ideas, and identify the best auspices or attachments to strengthen their sales potential. Inspiration comes from a variety of sources, but mostly it’s about being aware of everything going on around me. With a voracious appetite for all things in the zeitgeist, I feed this beast by reading books, watching news, listening to NPR and taking an interest in everyone I meet. As a Producer, the job is fairly simple: use my experience to help influence all meaningful aspects of the projects at hand, take the lead with all problem solving, and always keep a fire extinguisher at the ready for the fires that continually flare up…

Woodland Hills

Integro was acquired by Epic.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Brought in to help create further entertainment opportunities. Their specialty covers TV and film production insurance, music, touring, live events, sports leagues, individual teams, racing, and private client asset (real estate, aviation, marine, equine.)

I was brought on by Virgin Produced CEO, Jason Felts, to help build Virgin’s brand in television. Together, Jason and I hired a Head of Reality to focus on non-scripted projects, securing a first-look deal with Comcast. In our first cycle, we produced two presentations, one of which I created, followed by three more in the first quarter of 2012.On the scripted side, I set up several high-profile projects, including a one-hour drama at FX with Oliver Stone, a half-hour comedy at Showtime with the Farrelly Brothers, and a one-hour drama for Starz with Piers Morgan and Danny Brocklehurst (Shameless – UK & Showtime, The Driver – BBC, Dirty – HBO). Additionally, I established a one-hour project at eOne with Dave Erickson (Sons of Anarchy, Walking Dead), and negotiated deals with talent/producers Freddie Rodriguez (Six Feet Under, Chaos) and the team of Walt Becker/Bill Macdonald (creator of HBO’s Rome, Wild Hogs, Old Dogs) in association with Oxymoron Entertainment.I was also integral in the creation of the Virgin Produced Channel (Channel 11), which launched on every Virgin America flight on April 1st, 2012. Subsequently, the channel expanded to all Virgin international flights, presenting a significant marketing opportunity, with Virgin Airlines carrying over 13.5 million passengers per quarter.

In the inaugural season of Davis Entertainment’s new television division (and smack in the midst of an 5 month writer's strike) I set up 5 projects at various cable and broadcast networks. This is especially notable given our Fox Television Studios deal was suspended for 5 months due to the strike. Those projects included: DR. DOLITTLE, a comedy for ABC Family; THE WRIGHT WAY, a comedy for FOX; MISKATONIC UNIVERSITY, a drama for Sci-Fi Channel; ADAM@HOME, a comedy for Lifetime (based on the comic strip and series of books); and MOUTHPIECE, a drama for FTVS.

Partnering with long-time friend Eric McCormack, I co-founded Big Cattle Productions (BCP) with a pod deal at NBC/Universal Television. Our goal was to establish a high-quality, low-volume production company, focusing on a handful of projects each year that we were genuinely passionate about.In our first season, BCP set up six projects at various broadcast and cable networks: Lovespring, a comedy series at Lifetime (acclaimed by TIME magazine as “one of the top 5 shows to watch” of Summer 2006); a comedy at NBC, Morningside Heights; a 2-hour action/comedy back-door pilot at USA Network, Hunting Rabbets (in partnership with WWE); a drama at UPN, Evil; a drama at Sci-Fi Channel, Blink; and a drama at Lifetime, The Center.Our success continued the following season as we sold and/or produced six more projects, including: a half-hour film pilot for TBS, Imperfect Union (staring Zach Levi and which we conceived); a comedy pilot at ABC, Shooting Blanks (with Touchstone); a late-night comedy for TBS, Thorny Roses (which we conceived and wrote); a half-hour comedy for NBC/Universal Television, The Truth Behind the Rock (based on the novel of the same name); a redeveloped drama script at Lifetime, The Center; and a comedy for VH1, With a Bullet (another project we created, wrote, and shot).

I took on a more active role in producing programming directly as Executive Producer and President of Development at Vin Di Bona Productions.Within the first three months, I sold a series to FBC, Meet the Marks—a notable achievement considering the company had not broken through FOX's doors in over 15 years. During my tenure, I developed and/or created several projects, including: the Jeff Foxworthy series Blue Collar TV for The WB (formerly titled Common Ground); Celebrity: The Gossip Game for Game Show Network; A Day in Your Life for MTV; Under the Influence for VH1; The Show and The One (syndication concepts); and Defending Your Date (taped presentation).

My NBC boss became President of UPN and brought me along to serve as SVP of Programming. In this role, I oversaw all drama and comedy programming, launched the network’s first Reality and Specials department, and managed coordination with promotions, publicity, and scheduling.During my tenure, I supervised UPN’s expansion from three to five nights, the largest in the network’s history. Under my leadership, Moesha and Star Trek both surpassed their 100-episode marks. I guided The Parkers to become the highest-rated television series among African-American households and successfully integrated the WWF franchise SmackDown! into the UPN lineup. SmackDown! quickly became UPN’s highest-rated program, helping to define the voice of the network.

At NBC Studios, I was responsible for developing and producing both comedy and drama series. Additionally, I was charged with identifying top talent to build under the NBC Studios banner. As a senior member of the staff, I was part of the original development team that launched WILL & GRACE. Other series during my tenure were: PROFILER, COLD FEET, KING OF QUEENS, CONRAD BLOOM, THE TONY DANZA SHOW, UNION SQUARE and THE SINGLE GUY.

Creative highlights: JUST SHOOT ME, NEWSRADIO, THE NAKED TRUTH and THE JEFF FOXWORTHY SHOW.

Creative highlights: NBC’s HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET and the ABC series COVINGTON CROSS.