Tele

The „repeat offender“ from Switzerland

BERLIN - Swiss director Florian Froschmayer (33) is a much sought-after man in his new homeland.

It should have been called "Explosive", not "Exclusive": Florian Froschmayer's debut dropped like a small bomb in 1999. It showed action in a completely novel way and had more product placement than any US series. The director, an absolute unknown, made the film without external funding, but with much enthusiasm, which he would need soon - he applied at over 70 production companies without success and had to make a living as an editor. His next film, "L.A. X", was a flop. And then the Thalwil-born director had had enough. He moved to Germany. "Here, films are an industry, not just 'breadless' art," he says. His first two years weren't successful, but then, suddenly, he became a force to be reckoned with in the series business.

Looking at him today, you would never guess that he has directed 30 episodes in five different formats since moving to Germany. In 2005 alone, he filmed eleven episodes. "I can't take police officers seriously since I've done so many crime series. Unfortunately, it's not my call." He grins. Nobody from his generation has done this in Germany. That is why he is in no hurry to get away from the series, though: "By the fourth forest scene, I don't know where to put the camera anymore."

In the meantime, he is driving through the city with Berlin plates. He speaks German without an accent, rarely lets an "amigs" slip out. Only those who look closely can tell he isn't from the German capital: the FCZ keychain hanging from his pocket. Froschmayer is a fan of the coarser variety and goes to Zurich to watch matches.

His perspective of Switzerland has changed. "I love it, but it is too small for me." He is paying 900 euros for three airy rooms and deals with homesickness by taking chocolate to Berlin. He even brings his crew some, and treats himself to Swiss cheese from the deli. He listens to his Zurich channel online. He finally found his loft and got a satellite dish so he can get SF (Swiss TV).

His appearance has also changed in these five years. He looks young with a three-day beard, temples starting to gray. He doesn't bite his nails anymore. The child in the man is active again. "Flo" is making a short film, a "epochal knighthood with puppets, politically super incorrect." The application for financing in Berlin was "very embarrassing. Three adults with Punch puppets. You fight half a lifetime for funding and get it for something like this," he shares, speaking enthusiastically of pyrotechnic effects that even a stuntman wouldn't go for.

"Potz Millione!", a feature film with Birgit Steinegger and Walter Andreas Mueller, wasn't an apprentice piece, as he calls the excursion into the Middle Ages. "The two belong in the cinema." The first clapper you're still trying to raise 400 000 francs, but you're doing plenty of other great things too.

HIS FILMS

Froschmayer's career began with feature films. He is now filming series in Germany.
EXCLUSIVE: His first film, which showed in 1999 and featured Martin Rapold
L.A. X: The road movie (2002), again with Martin Rapold, was not a success.
Coast guard / Küstenwache: The director (who can't swim) filmed 13 episodes for ZDF.
SOKO 5113: Froschmayer directed five episodes of the ZDF series in 2005.
THE SPECIALISTS: He filmed the pilot episode of the new ZDF series among others.

original text by: Mirjam Zollinger

Outlet: Tele (Switzerland)
Date: March 15th, 2006
Circulation in 2006: 200.000 (Switzerland’s premier TV-Guide)

TELE is a Swiss program magazine based in Zurich. It was founded in 1967 by Hans Ringier, then manager of the Swiss publishing house Ringier. In 2007, the Swiss media company Jean Frey AG (since November 2007 «Axel Springer Schweiz AG») took over the magazine. In addition to Tele, TV-Star, TV 2 and TV 4 are among the program media of Axel Springer Schweiz AG. Tele and TV-Star have been awarding the Swiss Television Prize since 2008.Tele is the only Swiss TV magazine that also contains the programs of the digital channels.