Behind the Scenes of Spain’s Glitzy, Star-Studded ‘Call My Agent’ Remake, ‘La Agencia’

by

Once again, Madrid serves as the setting for an exciting TV series, with filming for “La Agencia,” the Spanish version of the French blockbuster “Call My Agent!”, currently underway. Boasting a talented cast and a team dedicated to showcasing both the glitz and the grit of the entertainment world, “La Agencia” is shaping up to be one of Spain’s most buzzworthy TV events this year.

The story unfolds in the bustling offices of Rebecca Talent, a prestigious artistic agency in the nation. Here, four agents – Gabi (Javier Gutiérrez), Andrea (Manuela Velasco), Matías (Carlos Bardem) and Maribel (Fiorella Faltoyano) – navigate through a vibrant, cutthroat, and exhilarating work environment filled with clients and artists. Amidst the chaos, they juggle their demanding professional lives with complex personal issues and family obligations.

The story happens in an important art agency’s office (Rebecca Talent). Four agents – Gabi, Andrea, Matías, and Maribel – work there, managing a lively, competitive, and thrilling atmosphere. However, they struggle to balance their busy jobs with personal and family troubles.

Created by the Mediawan company Good Mood, known for popular shows like “Estoy Vivo,” “4 Estrellas,” and “Cristo y Rey,” the show “La Agencia” is set to air on Telecinco in Spain, which is the primary channel of Mediaset España’s broadcast network. Daniel Écija, the founder of Good Mood and a renowned producer and showrunner with over 30 TV series under his belt, will be leading the Spanish adaptation. With his extensive experience in the industry, he aims to make the series more authentic.

Recently, EbMaster dropped by the imaginary workspace of Rebecca Talent and held a conversation with Écija and Ghislain Barrois, who heads acquisitions at Mediaset España, about their dazzling new take on the story.

A Carefully Crafted Adaptation

Translating a proven format into a fresh market is never an easy task. As Écija points out, comedy, being one of the most intricate genres, presents unique challenges due to its strong ties with local culture. “Every nation has its own comedic dialect,” Écija notes. “Comedy flourishes on cultural truth, which is why adapting ‘Call My Agent!’ for a Spanish audience necessitated significant revisions in the scripts and characters. It was crucial that the humor resonated with our audience.

As a movie enthusiast, I can confidently say that this adaptation wasn’t hastily thrown together. Instead, it underwent a painstaking 1.5-year journey of creation, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to striking a perfect balance between authenticity and mass appeal. The creative minds behind the project were determined to infuse the show with undeniable Spanish essence, all while preserving the incisive humor and enchanting charm that catapulted the original French series into international stardom.

Elisabeth d’Arvieu, CEO of Mediawan Pictures, shared her enthusiasm about ‘Call My Agent,’ one of our most acclaimed shows, and the upcoming premiere of ‘La Agencia,’ our Spanish adaptation produced by Good Mood. The series boasts an exceptional cast of Spanish actors. Following the triumph of our Italian remake, now in its third season, producing a Spanish version offers us the chance to expand this distinctive intellectual property even more.

A Star-Studded Cast and the Reality of Show Business

As a movie enthusiast, one thing that truly captured my heart in ‘Call My Agent!’ was the effortless fusion of real-life celebrities with a fictionalized world of talent management. Similarly, “La Agencia” mirrors this approach by presenting a blend of established stars and promising newcomers. Notable figures like Javier Gutiérrez, Marta Hazas, and Carlos Bardem will assume significant roles within the series. Furthermore, we can anticipate a diverse roster of well-known Spanish and international guest stars gracing our screens, each portraying fictionalized versions of themselves.

Barrois argues that incorporating well-known actors was essential for the success of the original “Call My Agent!”, as it added to its popularity through high-profile cameos. In a similar vein, our adaptation intends to replicate this success by featuring Spanish stars, not just for their acting abilities but also to highlight the cultural depth and richness of our own entertainment scene.

The show isn’t only about the fame associated with celebrities; it also seeks to portray the complexities of talent management in Spain. According to Écija, “We aimed for more than a behind-the-scenes series. We wanted to showcase the ups and downs of this profession – the crisis situations, the personal compromises, and the frequently ridiculous aspects of show business.

Madrid as a Character

In our production, “La Agencia,” I’m part of a team that uses the dynamic backdrop of Madrid to craft a visually captivating stage. Much like Paris in the French version, Madrid takes on a starring role in this series. It’s not simply about office scenes for us; we’re filming in some of the city’s most iconic spots, from Gran Via to museums to glamorous events. The pulsating energy of Madrid will be palpable in every episode we produce.

Stepping beyond the four walls of a talent agency, our series intends to be an ode to Madrid’s vibrant cultural milieu and a mirror reflecting the intricacies of the industry. As I, Écija, explain, “We’re not creating a drama confined within studio walls. We’re presenting Madrid in its full splendor.

Balancing Prestige with Mainstream Appeal

Instead of catering exclusively to a niche, intellectual audience like some European TV dramas do, “La Agencia” is created with a broader, mainstream audience in mind but still retains the sophistication found in top-tier programs. As Écija explains, “We’re producing a premium series, yet we want it to resonate with as many people as possible while maintaining the highest artistic quality.

The philosophy behind this choice is extending each episode from the 45-minute length of the original French version to approximately 65 minutes per episode. This modification suits the viewing preferences of Spanish viewers, who typically watch longer episodes. As Barrois points out, “the narrative structure had to be adapted.” We couldn’t simply translate the French script; instead, we needed to adjust the pace, humor, and emotional moments to fit the Spanish format.

Marketing and Audience Expectations

In the vast sea of series spread across numerous platforms, making an impact has become tougher than ever before. Instead of relying on new TV festivals like many contemporary high-end shows do for attention, “La Agencia” intends to connect directly with Spanish viewers. Barrois, the creator, emphasizes that this show is crafted with audiences in mind, rather than just critics. Although festival recognition would be appreciated, our primary objective is to produce a series that viewers eagerly anticipate watching week after week.

The marketing effort for the show is anticipated to rival that of a big-screen movie premiere, involving intense promotion on both traditional and online channels. As Barrois puts it, “We’re viewing this debut as a significant cultural moment.” Our aim is to spark conversations about ‘La Agencia’ among people, from street advertisements to social media discussions.

The Challenge of Open Television in the Streaming Era

Nowadays, when streaming services dominate, creating a major TV series for a traditional broadcast network comes with distinct hurdles. As Écija points out, “Television may have evolved, but its core principles endure.” The success of a series isn’t only about high-quality production, but also about audiences identifying with the characters and narratives.

Streaming services offer opportunities for specialized storytelling, whereas network TV needs to cater to a wide range of viewers. As Barrois explains, “We can’t risk being too elitist.” That’s why we’re concentrating on universal topics like friendship, drive, and deception, all set within the distinctive setting of the entertainment world.

Can “La Agencia” Go Global?

With its popular format, star-studded cast, and captivating storyline, “La Agencia” has the potential to achieve success not just within Spain but globally. Barrois hypothesizes that this series might find a resurgence on international streaming platforms. “There’s a strong global demand for Spanish-language content,” he says, “and with an effective distribution strategy, ‘La Agencia’ could become a sensation beyond our national boundaries.

Despite being steeped in the richness of Spanish culture, the show’s themes resonate universally. “At its heart,” as Écija explains, “it portrays individuals striving to juggle their personal and professional obligations amidst an ever-changing industry. This struggle is a tale that transcends borders and speaks to audiences globally.

As the filming progresses, anticipation for “La Agencia” keeps escalating. Blending wit, emotion, and a behind-the-scenes perspective of the entertainment industry, this series is shaping up to be an unmissable spectacle on Spanish TV – and potentially on screens worldwide.

Read More

2025-03-21 17:50