Tim Crescenti – Small World IFT
“I am a few taco’s short of a combination plate”
When Tim and his wife Colleen Crescenti founded formats distributor Small World IFT back in 2005, formats were only just a thing. “But they were rapidly becoming big business — and I was lucky enough to be associated with one of the biggest and best of them, Dragon’s Den,” Tim Crescenti tells the FRAPA Newsletter. Since discovering that “ropey Japanese business show” and turning it into a global sensation, the Crescentis have built a successful company on mining for formats in previously unexplored territories. Today, Small World’s roster of hits includes Better Late Than Never!, Got What It Takes and Big In Japan — formats that exemplify the Crescentis’ “semi tongue-in-cheek mission to make the world a better place through television”…
Tell us about Small World today…
“We’re one of the last totally independent format specialists. We’re still scouring the world, digging for those hidden gems. Recently, my beautiful business partner and I went back to our Japanese roots with Fuji TV’s To The Limit, which is an hilarious physical game show that does exactly what you’d expect from a Japanese game show — push contestants well past any dignified limit! On the other end of the spectrum, there’s also a lot of interest in our original Small World format, Road Trippin’ with the Stars of Route 66, which takes celebrity challengers on a 10-day adventure through Americana down the iconic Route 66 from Chicago and LA.”
Anything exciting coming up?
Yes – and it’s called 12 Weeks to Save His Life. It’s a powerful social experiment that sets out to break the cycle of toxic masculinity that’s destroying eight men’s relationships, not only with their loved ones, but with themselves. It’s hosted by Caleb Jude Packham, aka the Wellness Warrior, who calls on experts in range of disciplines — yoga, psychotherapy, nutrition, mindfulness, self-care — to explore the source of each man’s anger, fear and self-sabotaging behaviours. For the viewer, it’s got it all: drama, jeopardy, transformation, resolution… And for the eight participants, the experience is quite simply life-changing.”
What’s special about your approach?
“We have a select menu of formats that we love and which we’ll battle to the finish line, whether it takes three months or three years — which is how long it took to convince NBC to take on Better Late Than Never. Additionally, because we’re small, we’re able to be nimble and reactive, which gives us a jump on the biggies. And as my FRAPA mates know, I’m a few tacos short of a combination plate, which means that I don’t follow the traditional rules. But most of all, Colleen and I just love being part of this wonderful TV world.”
What’s the format scene like in your home market?
“I’ve spent so much of my life on the road, I’m not sure I have a home, much less a home market! Generally, I’m seeing more opportunities every day, thanks to streaming, social media, big data, AI and online video. That over-used word ‘disruption’ hardly does justice to the impact of the digital revolution on traditional TV. Good things are flowing from this, but there are also challenges as we negotiate other ways of life and work.”
What’s the best thing about FRAPA member?
“Free snacks and wine twice a year in Cannes! Seriously, it’s the people. I love my colleagues — actually, make that my industry family. Colleen and I called our company Small World for a reason: because this is a small world of valuable, life-affirming relationships.”