Fred Jung is president of acquisitions and development of Shatner Universe LLC in North Hollywood.
Fred Jung
Can you explain your journey on how you got from Calgary to Los Angeles in your career?
Jung: Boy, it really has been an incredible journey!
Growing up in Calgary in the early ’70s, I was always intrigued with the entertainment industry and that led my desire to create and produce. Back then, there were no smartphone, social media or Internet distractions. So using your imagination was the most important asset to have.
When Fox came calling in the mid-1990s for me to help them develop an idea, I jumped at the opportunity and came to Hollywood.
What is Shatner Universe and what does it do?
Jung: Shatner Universe is an entertainment development company that creates content for all the television networks, as well as the streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Facebook, Apple, etc. Our company has three partners plus the one-and-only William Shatner! We’re honoured to be associated with him as he is such an entertainment icon.
We’re developing a broad spectrum of genres, including: animation, documentary, unscripted comedy, biopics, murder mystery, dramatic scripted and family-oriented entertainment.
We develop show ideas and go pitch them to the networks. Sometimes Mr. Shatner comes with us and that always get everyone’s attention!
How did you hook up with William Shatner initially?
Jung: I met Mr. Shatner through one of my partners, who was already working with him. We hit it off immediately as we were both Canadian!
He is truly one of the most energetic people I’ve ever known. He gets approached daily with new opportunities and projects.
We finally told him he should have his own development company and then he said “Let’s do it!”
What is Jung Guns Entertainment and what does it do?
Jung: Jung Guns is a family-entertainment company I created several years ago. We develop, produce and collaborate with other producers and creators on show ideas.
We’re currently working on a really cool competition show with MJR Contracting Services out of Okotoks.
Any other ventures planned for the future?
Jung: We’re currently developing shows with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Rickey Medlocke, a project with the Los Angeles Police Department and a biopic on the famous comedian Redd Foxx.
Right now, we have over 20 projects in development and it’s growing quickly.
I work with an amazing team of Emmy Award-winning partners and William Shatner. I’m so grateful for all that has happened and am excited about what is going to happen in 2019.
– Mario Toneguzzi
The views, opinions and positions expressed by columnists and contributors are the author’s alone. They do not inherently or expressly reflect the views, opinions and/or positions of our publication.
