All 4 commissions new original mini-series on House Music

27 April 2017

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I Was There When: House Took Over The World, is a 2 part series for All 4, and was ordered by All 4’s Managing Editor Charlie Palmer and Commissioning Editor Thom Gulseven.  It is Exec Produced by Music Nation creator Ravi Amaratunga Hitchcock.

The documentary charts the birth of House Music from its origins in Chicago through to its takeover of the UK club scene and pop charts. It stars music icon Nile Rodgers and house music legends Marshall Jefferson, Jesse Saunders, Chip E, Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley, Honey Dijon and many, many others. The show was directed by prolific documentarian Jake Sumner (Fantastic Man, The Plastic Age, Tracks).  I Was There When: House Took Over The World launches exclusively in the U.K. on All 4 on Monday 8th May 2017.

It is the first commission from new Amsterdam-based entertainment company Pi Studios.  Led by ex-VICE Media global executive producer and ex-Channel 4 commissioner Ravi Amaratunga Hitchcock.

The show’s commission also includes an innovative media partnership with Lad Bible, translating the story into the world’s first Instagram Stories premium music documentary.

Channel 4’s Thom Gulseven commented "The death of Disco and the birth of House is such an incredible story that is as relevant to the music culture today as it was then. It's been great work with Pi Studios on new ways of telling such an iconic story, from mid-form episodes for All 4, right down to 15 second documentary cut downs that can extend the reach of the project as far as possible."

Executive producer Amaratunga says, “I’m absolutely thrilled to be a part of this new Pi Studios adventure, with such exciting show commissions. We want to lead important steps towards joining the dots across the modern media landscape. Our goal is connecting brands, publishers and broadcasters in a meaningful way. With the deep expertise of the WE ARE Pi family and my background in TV commissioning and digital publishing, we’re launching Pi Studios not just to produce great shows, but deliver the strategy and digital marketing around them to make real waves across all screens.”

Notes to Editors

Pi Studios is part of the fast growing independent WE ARE Pi group that was founded in 2011 by Alex Bennett Grant, Rick Chant, Barney Hobson and Patrick Garvey.  The company is building on a legacy of developing IP, entertainment and brand experience platforms for the likes of LEGO, Heineken, Under Armour and TED Conferences.