Duo Exits Uni To Start Prod'n Firm

Universal Pictures development executives Jon Berg and Damien Saccani have left their posts to form production/management company Berg-Saccani Entertainment, which signed a first-look deal with the studio.

Berg and Saccani, who served as directors of development on such films as "American Pie" and "Bowfinger," respectively, had time remaining on their contracts with Universal and negotiated early departures in order to launch the company. The duo is signing emerging writers and writer-directors for representation.

"Studios are making big profits off of low-budget films such as 'American Pie' and 'Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,' but there don't seem to be many producers out there actively making those low-risk/high-return films," Berg said. "There is a niche out there that we want to fill."

"This year, Universal took a chance on first-time talent on "American Pie" and "The Best Man," both of which started as spec scripts and ended up being very profitable for the studio," Saccani said. "That really inspired us to want to champion emerging voices."

Berg-Saccani also plans to launch a television division that will capitalize on the principals' relationships with screenwriters who are crossing over from film to the smaller screen. They also plan to launch an online studio to design and create Web sites for the entertainment industry as well as develop content. The company will keep its existing Web site, www.scriptcave.com, which they use to search for new voices and compelling ideas.

Berg and Saccani each joined Universal Pictures in 1998.