'Sanctuary' in Sci Fi's world

Hollywood Reporter article by Nellie Andreeva and Kimberly Nordyke

Sci Fi Channel has greenlighted “Sanctuary,” the first television series to use live-action actors against virtual sets in the style of the features “300” and “Sin City.”

Sci Fi has ordered a full 13-episode season of the new scripted drama series, which originated online as the first high-definition sci-fi Web series.

“Sanctuary” hails from the “Stargate SG-1” trio of star Amanda Tapping, writer-producer Damian Kindler and producer-director Martin Wood, who are executive producing the series with Sam Egan …

Sci Fi’s decision to forgo a pilot and go for a straight 13-episode series order for “Sanctuary” dovetails recent statements by NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker that the company’s new mandate is to order more projects straight to series. [Sci Fi Exec VP Original Programming Mark Stern] called that a coincidence, noting that the network’s decision was based on the fact that execs already had seen material from the Web series.

Read the full article about FanTrust client Stage 3 Media, its multiplatform approach to “Sanctuary” and its broadcast deal with Sci Fi Channel.