The indefatigable Janell Vela Smith, of Austin-based Iron Dragon Productions and producer of The Next Dragon, the martial arts reality series she was casting last year (see “Witty, Pretty People, the real deal on Austin as a reality TV casting mecca,” Austin Chronicle, April 2, 2010), touched base with TV Eye recently:
“The Next Dragon is signing with a showrunner on a major network,” Smith wrote by e-mail. “This is great news for reality show writers and Austin! I love my city and hope to keep this project here.”
Smith is understandably coy about who and what network she may be working with until the ink is dry on those agreements. She promises to give me first notice when the deal is sealed, though. In the meantime, Smith is busy developing Viva Latino, a Texas-based, lifestyle show that she dubs “eduatainment for the modern Latino.” Celebrity guest hosts will cover music, film and TV, health and fitness, and other topics of interest.
This article appears in April 22 • 2011.