GIO, Discovery announce new series called ‘Portrait: Taiwan’

Discovery Channel and the Government Information Office (GIO) yesterday announced a co-production initiative to commission Taiwan-based production companies for a new series called “Portraits: Taiwan.”

The initiative is aimed at recruiting and nurturing local talent, while providing aspiring producers with an avenue to develop and showcase their skills on an international platform. Six Taiwan-based production companies will be selected to produce one episode each.

“Portraits: Taiwan” is a six-hour series which will feature six present-day Taiwan personalities or individuals who have made outstanding contributions to six different categories and have put Taiwan on the world map.

The six categories are: Business and Economics, Science and Technology, Public Welfare and Environmental Protection, The Arts, Entertainment and Pop Culture, and Sports and Education.

One individual from each category will be selected for filming of the six episodes.

The new programs are scheduled to air on Discovery Channel in the fourth quarter this year and expected to reach more than 90 million households across the Asia-Pacific region.

GIO Director General Lin Chia-lung said, “GIO is pleased to be collaborating with Discovery Networks Asia (DNA), the leading broadcaster in our region with and a strong reputation for high production values, high-quality content and broad distribution. As such, DNA is the perfect partner for this project. Through DNA’s flagship brand, Discovery Channel, viewers everywhere will be introduced to six of Taiwan’s finest and most accomplished individuals, who embody the Taiwanese spirit and the very best of Taiwan. The series is a unique way of documenting some of Taiwan’s success stories, and bringing Taiwan to international audiences through its people.”

James Gibbons, Discovery Networks Asia’s vice president of programming and creative services, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with GIO in this initiative which will provide talented Taiwanese producers with the opportunity to develop their skills and to showcase their work to an international audience. Discovery Channel has been investing more in creating relevant, local productions in the region, and we believe that this series will not only appeal to local Taiwanese viewers but also to viewers everywhere, as each episode tells the inspiring stories of highly successful and well-respected individuals from different arenas.”

Tommy Lin, general manager of DNA’s Taiwan office, said, “Discovery Networks Asia has had several successful projects with the government of Taiwan, such as ‘Secrets of Taroko’ — the highest rated program on Discovery Channel in Taiwan, ‘Made in Taiwan’, and ‘Fun Taiwan.’ However, ‘Portraits: Taiwan’ is the first collaboration where the entire project will be made entirely in Taiwan. This project further enforces our commitment to investing in local talent and increasing the number of hours for local production here in Taiwan.”

Interested parties are invited to attend a special workshop on January 28 where they can find out more about the requirements and criteria for the project. Details and information about the recruitment will also be posted on DNA’s and GIO’s Web sites later this month.

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