Channel 4’s Head Of Drama Moves To Films

Tess Ross, the head of drama at Channel 4 is to head up the channel’s new, down-sized film production arm, Film Four.

Ross will take on her new role with immediate effect and will temporarily combine it with her existing role as Channel 4’s head of drama, until a replacement can be found.

Earlier this year, Channel 4 folded its film production arm, FilmFour LTD back into its parent company with the loss of around 60 jobs. The new, substantially reduced FilmFour, will have an annual budget of £10 million, which will be overseen by Ross who will report directly to Channel 4 chief executive, Mark Thompson (see Channel 4 Calls Time On Film Production Arm).

A number of staff from FilmFour Ltd are transferring to the new FilmFour, including the head of experimental filmmaking division, Robin Gutch. The new FilmFour department has also taken on a number of projects from the FilmFour Ltd development slate, including the latest film projects from Lynne Ramsay and Jonathan Glazier and an option on Toby Young’s book How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.

Thompson commented: “Tessa’s knowledge and love of film making, her formidable track record both in television drama and film, her understanding of Channel 4’s aims and values and her unrivalled contacts book, combine to make her the ideal candidate to lead the rebirth of FilmFour.”

2002 has been a tough year for Channel 4 after chief executive, Mark Thompson, cut around 200 jobs at the main channel and closed commercial arm, 4Ventures, as part of a radical restructuring plan (see Channel 4 Cuts 45 Jobs From Commercial Arm). However, last month the channel confirmed that it is set to report a profit for 2002 (see Channel 4 To Return To Profit In 2002).

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