Former Netflix Exec Reveals Collapse of Ambitious Project into Alleged $11 Million Fraud

Despite a failure to deliver a groundbreaking Netflix series, what emerged was merely a coffee table book.

On Tuesday, former Netflix executive Peter Friedlander provided testimony regarding director Carl Rinsch's inability to bring 'White Horse' to fruition, a project expected to revolutionize sci-fi television but ultimately ended in chaos.

In a federal courtroom in Manhattan, Friedlander recounted how initial impressive footage from Rinsch's series eventually led him to a frustrating pursuit for progress reports. Friedlander, who played a significant role in Netflix hits like 'House of Cards' and 'Orange is the New Black,' described situations where efforts to obtain updates stalled as Rinsch often departed meetings prematurely.

Not a single episode of the show reached completion. Prosecutors accuse Rinsch of deceit and illegal financial activities, claiming he misappropriated $11 million meant for production to fund personal indulgences such as luxury cars, cryptocurrency ventures, divorce costs, and expensive bedding.

Rinsch's defense team argues this case is about a 'contract disagreement' rather than fraudulent activity. During his opening argument, attorney Michael Arthus portrayed Rinsch as a 'creative mastermind' overwhelmed by his multifaceted responsibilities as director, writer, and producer, suggesting Netflix's lack of support contributed to the project's collapse.

Friedlander detailed a peculiar encounter in May 2020 at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons, where Rinsch, instead of presenting finished episodes, handed over a photo book. This collection contained 'highly polished' behind-the-scenes snapshots from 'White Horse' filming in 2019.

Friedlander shared with the jury that Rinsch likely believed this would win their favor, although productions had ceased.

The Budgets Soar Uncontrollably

After departing Netflix for Amazon MGM Studios in September, Friedlander recalled choosing 'White Horse' for its groundbreaking concept when approached by Rinsch in 2018. The potential was evident in footage showcasing a futuristic realm where synthetic beings formed their own society apart from humans.

He recounted his initial awe at the project's visuals and the novel narrative direction, branding the footage as something completely unique.

Filming initiated in 2019, with Rinsch ambitiously planning shoots across multiple global locations including, Budapest, Prague, and several others. Early concerns arose from Friedlander over Rinsch's apparent failure to enlist a line producer, a vital role for managing complex international shoots.

The challenges of organizing these multinational filming sessions worried Friedlander from the beginning.

Mid-2019 saw difficulties escalate when Rinsch alerted Friedlander to the skyrocketing production costs through a concerning email, proposing either halving the episode count or acquiring more funds from Netflix.

Alarmed by the unexpected budget increase, Friedlander sought an in-depth understanding of these excessive costs.

The Troubles Intensify

The courtroom witnessed Friedlander narrating these events, observing the attentive demeanor of Rinsch, who appeared invested in revisiting this tumultuous development process.

In October 2019, Friedlander journeyed to Budapest to meet Rinsch, visiting sets and reviewing earlier shots. However, Rinsch's evasive behavior during these meetings resulted in unmet informational needs. Friedlander noted his abrupt departures, signaling an unproductive engagement.

Concluding the Budapest phase in November 2019 left plans for additional international filming unclear, with no concrete steps outlined.

Subsequent months involved negotiations between Rinsch and Netflix to salvage the venture, introducing documented email negotiations as evidence.

By February 2020, a financial agreement saw Netflix transferring $11 million to Rinsch's company for further development, committing him to deliver complete episodes with specified budget allocations for production tasks.

Regular submissions of raw footage drafts, known as 'assemblies,' were part of this commitment. Nevertheless, the pandemic soon halted any progression in filming. Rinsch, however, assured Friedlander of continued efforts despite the pause.

Despite this, Friedlander remarked on the absence of tangible advancements following the presentation of the coffee table book in May, leading Netflix to record a production write-off towards the end of 2020.