Leftfield hires SundanceTV, ex-Discovery execs

US unscripted prodco Leftfield Pictures has hired development executives from Discovery Communications and SundanceTV, while also promoting a production chief to COO.

The firm, part of ITV Studios-owned Leftfield Entertainment, has hired Joe Weinstock as head of West Coast development and SundanceTV’s Brenna Eckerson as senior director of development, and promoted executive VP, production Heath Banks to COO.

Weinstock was previously been a West coast exec at Discovery. At the cable giant he oversaw series such as Blue Grass Boys and Game of Stones. Also worked as VP of production at another ITVS-owned company, Gurney Productions, and began his career at Comedy Central.

Eckerson was director of development at AMC Networks-owned SundanceTV, where she oversaw shows such as The Approval Matrix and The Writers’ Room.  Prior to that, she was at unscripted indie Trailblazer Studios.

Both will report to Leftfield Pictures’ VP, development Will Nothacker.

Banks, meanwhile, has been promoted to COO. He joined Leftfield in 2012, and in his new role reports to Chris Valentini, COO and general manager of Leftfield Entertainment.

Banks will oversee all aspects of production operations, having most recently managed the production slate, including recent shows such as Bravo’s Blood, Sweat and Heels and History’s Pawnography.

He is a former Pilgrim Studios senior VP, and began his career in film production.

Leftfield Pictures last year named David George president, following ITVS’s deal to buy 80% of Leftfield Entertainment for US$360 million.