The Office prodco launches comedy film firm

UK comedy indie Roughcut is backing Who’s On First, a new UK-based film production company that already has financing in place for its first project.

The new prodco will be structured as a joint venture between Roughcut founder and boss Ash Atalla and the comedy producer’s former head of comedy, Dan Hine.

Who’s on First will focus on mainstream comedy and comedy drama features “that celebrate all the funny and painful realities of living in an interconnected, socially mobile world”.

Roughcut is the producer behind The Office, The I.T. Crowd and the BBC’s new Making a Murderer spoof.

Managing director, Ash Atalla, said: “We want to build a British brand of bold genre comedy that will travel internationally. Despite all the talent here the UK it has often felt like we’re a poor relation to US comedy films – we hope to change that and become at least equal family members.”

The first Who’s On First film will be & Mrs, which has received backing from US financing outfit Los Angeles Media Fund.

Billed as a dark comic take on the wedding film genre, it will follow a bride-to-be who pushes ahead with her wedding despite the fact the groom has died. Melissa Bubnic (Shameless) is writing the script.

The development slate includes ensemble comedy Home Time from writer/director, Dylan Kidd (Roger Dodger), a high concept TV comedy drama from Fleabag script editor, Vicky Jones, and a blind script deal with actor/screenwriter, Sophie Wu (Kick Ass).

“Every time I look at our slate, I get a rush of blood to the head. I can’t wait to share our stories with the wider world, and I’m delighted LAMF have joined us for the journey from small screen to big,” said Dan Hine, managing director.