Nickelodeon Movies has recently opened a Los Angeles office, with a development slate of two to three features a year. Kathrin Seitz, vice president of Nickelodeon Movies, will oversee activities in the new office, including developing movies in association with Viacom sister company Paramount Pictures, distributor of Nick’s modestly successful first feature, Harriet the Spy.

‘The advantage you have with Nickelodeon is parent loyalty. Harriet proved that,’ says Seitz. ‘Parents perceive Nickelodeon as fresh, unique and irreverent.’

Animated and live-action features in a variety of kids and family genres are planned, starting with the first animated release, Rugrats, based on the television series. At least one animated film will be produced annually until the year 2000, says Seitz.

The L.A. office will work closely with Nickelodeon Movies in New York, and some executives, including J’e D’Ambrosia, director of development and Julia Pistor, vice president, will travel between the two offices. Licensing and merchandising campaigns for the movies will be handled by the New York office, which will continue as the corporate headquarters of Nickelodeon Movies.

Seitz, who has been an executive with Nickelodeon for six years, was formerly supervising producer at Nicktoons, working on shows such as AAAHH!!! Real Monsters and Hey Arnold! Former MTV/Nickelodeon executive Tanya Heidelberg has come on board as vice president, business, strategy and operations.