'Paranormal Activity' creators ink TV deal

2:00 PM PDT 10/14/2010 by James Hibberd, AP

Comments

Dreamworks TV, ABC to collaborate on spooky 'River' series

Dreamworks TV and ABC Studios are teaming with the creators of "Paranormal Activity" on a spooky TV project.

"Paranormal" writer-director Oren Peli and "Paranormal 2" screenwriter Michael R. Perry have co-created a new series idea that brings the horror hit's style to the small screen.

Titled "The River," the story involves a search for a person who went missing on the Amazon river and employs the found-video footage format popularized by "Blair Witch Project," "Cloverfield" and, of course, "Paranormal Activity."

Dreamworks is near a pilot deal at ABC, whereby the pilot must be produced otherwise a penalty is incurred. Sources say the network aggressively pursued the project, edging out also-interested NBC.

Executive producers Steven Schneider and Jason Blum, both of whom worked on "Paranormal," are also on board.