Saban, German ARD link for vidpic quartet
Pact calls for four 'high-concept event movies'
By BENEDICT CARVER


Saban Entertainment has inked a four-picture co-production deal with German pubcaster ARD/Das Erste.

The pact calls for the firms to co-produce four "high-concept event movies" for TV premiere in the U.S. on Fox Family Channel, with the German bow on Das Erste.

Each pic will feature U.S. and German talent in major roles. The two partners will retain creative control over script and director.

Shooting begins this month on the first title, the actioner "Voyage of Terror," starring Horst Buchholz, Lindsay Wagner, Brian Dennehy, Martin Sheen and Michael Ironside.

The second to roll will be disaster pic "Earthquake in New York," starring Greg Evigan and Gotz Otto.

The announcement was made by Stan Golden, president of Saban Intl., and Klaus Lackschewitz, managing director of ARD's acquisitions division, Degeto Film.

Saban Intl.'s office in Cologne, headed by veepee of sales Tomas Arteaga, will liaise between Saban and ARD.