President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 17 recipients at the White House on Wednesday, including gymnast Simone Biles, former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and soccer champion Megan Rapinoe, as well as posthumous honors to Steve Jobs. Another recipient, Denzel Washington, was to attend, but tested positive for Covid, according to a White House official and the actor’s publicist.
Washington will receive the award at a later date, Biden said. At the ceremony, the president said that Washington “couldn’t be here but wanted to be.” The White House has testing guidelines in place for those who will be in close contact to the president.
The nation’s highest civilian honors typically are given annually to a group that includes politicians, activists, artists and scientists.
Others who received the honor included Sister Simone Campbell, college president Julieta Garcia, civil rights attorney Fred Gray, Father Alexander Karloutsos, religious freedom...
Washington will receive the award at a later date, Biden said. At the ceremony, the president said that Washington “couldn’t be here but wanted to be.” The White House has testing guidelines in place for those who will be in close contact to the president.
The nation’s highest civilian honors typically are given annually to a group that includes politicians, activists, artists and scientists.
Others who received the honor included Sister Simone Campbell, college president Julieta Garcia, civil rights attorney Fred Gray, Father Alexander Karloutsos, religious freedom...
- 7/7/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Denzel Washington can now add Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient to his list of accolades.
President Joe Biden announced the 17 honorees on Friday. Presented annually, the medal recognizes public figures who have made notable contributions to American society, culture, politics or world peace. The awards are presented in a ceremony at the White House every July.
Washington is the only actor or entertainment figure recognized this year, although sports figures Simone Biles and Megan Rapinoe are also among the medal winners. Other honorees include religious figures Sister Simone Campbell and Father Alexander Karloutsos; political leaders Gabrielle Giffords and Alan Simpson; activists Fred Gray, Diane Nash and Raúl Yzaguirre; former University of Texas at Brownsville President Julieta García; healthcare worker Sandra Lindsay; Constitution Literacy and National Unity Project founder Khizr Khan; and U.S military leader Wilma Vaught. Steve Jobs, John McCain and Richard Trumka will be honored posthumously.
Washington is...
President Joe Biden announced the 17 honorees on Friday. Presented annually, the medal recognizes public figures who have made notable contributions to American society, culture, politics or world peace. The awards are presented in a ceremony at the White House every July.
Washington is the only actor or entertainment figure recognized this year, although sports figures Simone Biles and Megan Rapinoe are also among the medal winners. Other honorees include religious figures Sister Simone Campbell and Father Alexander Karloutsos; political leaders Gabrielle Giffords and Alan Simpson; activists Fred Gray, Diane Nash and Raúl Yzaguirre; former University of Texas at Brownsville President Julieta García; healthcare worker Sandra Lindsay; Constitution Literacy and National Unity Project founder Khizr Khan; and U.S military leader Wilma Vaught. Steve Jobs, John McCain and Richard Trumka will be honored posthumously.
Washington is...
- 7/1/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
Oscar winner Denzel Washington, gymnast Simone Biles and the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs are among this year’s 17 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the White House announced today.
Presented to individuals who have “made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” the Medal is the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Other recipients this year include the late Sen. John McCain, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and Olympic gold medalist Megan Rapinoe. See the complete list below.
Washington, who has won two Oscars and a Tony Award, among other accolades, was cited for his service as National Spokesman for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for more than 25 years.
The awards will be presented at the White House next Thursday, July 7.
The following individuals will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom:
Simone...
Presented to individuals who have “made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” the Medal is the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Other recipients this year include the late Sen. John McCain, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and Olympic gold medalist Megan Rapinoe. See the complete list below.
Washington, who has won two Oscars and a Tony Award, among other accolades, was cited for his service as National Spokesman for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for more than 25 years.
The awards will be presented at the White House next Thursday, July 7.
The following individuals will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom:
Simone...
- 7/1/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
President Joe Biden will present the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to 17 people, including actor Denzel Washington, gymnast Simone Biles and the late John McCain, the Arizona Republican with whom Biden served in the U.S. Senate.
Biden will also recognize Sandra Lindsay, the New York City nurse who rolled up her sleeve on live television in December 2020 to receive the first Covid-19 vaccine dose that was pumped into an arm in the United States, the White House announced Friday.
Biden’s honors list, which the White House shared first with The Associated Press, includes both living and deceased honorees from the worlds of Hollywood, sports, politics, the military, academia and civil rights and social justice advocacy.
The Democratic president will present the medals at the White House next week.
Biden himself is a medal recipient. President Barack Obama...
President Joe Biden will present the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to 17 people, including actor Denzel Washington, gymnast Simone Biles and the late John McCain, the Arizona Republican with whom Biden served in the U.S. Senate.
Biden will also recognize Sandra Lindsay, the New York City nurse who rolled up her sleeve on live television in December 2020 to receive the first Covid-19 vaccine dose that was pumped into an arm in the United States, the White House announced Friday.
Biden’s honors list, which the White House shared first with The Associated Press, includes both living and deceased honorees from the worlds of Hollywood, sports, politics, the military, academia and civil rights and social justice advocacy.
The Democratic president will present the medals at the White House next week.
Biden himself is a medal recipient. President Barack Obama...
- 7/1/2022
- by Associated Press
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Comedian, actor, artist, writer, musician and presenter, Billy Connolly (“Mrs. Brown”), will be honored with the BAFTA Fellowship at this year’s Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards.
The fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA in recognition of an individual’s contribution to film, television or games across their career. Previous TV honorees include Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, Jon Snow, Bruce Forsyth, Joanna Lumley, Melvyn Bragg, Michael Palin, Trevor MacDonald, David Attenborough, Julie Walters, Ray Galton, Alan Simpson, Katie Adie and Joan Bakewell.
In 1995, Connolly won the BAFTA Scotland entertainment category for “Billy Connolly’s World Tour of Scotland.” He has since received five BAFTA nominations, and has been presented with a BAFTA special award in 2002 and the BAFTA Scotland outstanding contribution to television and film in 2012.
Connolly left school at 15 and began a career as a musician and also started a folk duo with Gerry Rafferty called The Humblebums.
The fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA in recognition of an individual’s contribution to film, television or games across their career. Previous TV honorees include Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, Jon Snow, Bruce Forsyth, Joanna Lumley, Melvyn Bragg, Michael Palin, Trevor MacDonald, David Attenborough, Julie Walters, Ray Galton, Alan Simpson, Katie Adie and Joan Bakewell.
In 1995, Connolly won the BAFTA Scotland entertainment category for “Billy Connolly’s World Tour of Scotland.” He has since received five BAFTA nominations, and has been presented with a BAFTA special award in 2002 and the BAFTA Scotland outstanding contribution to television and film in 2012.
Connolly left school at 15 and began a career as a musician and also started a folk duo with Gerry Rafferty called The Humblebums.
- 5/3/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Beryl Vertue, the prolific British producer behind BBC’s “Sherlock” and “Men Behaving Badly,” passed away peacefully Saturday night at her home, according to reports in the British press. She was 90.
“It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we have to share the sad news that mum/Beryl passed away peacefully last night,” her daughters and Hartswood Films co-producers Sue and Debbie said in a statement to Reuters. “It wasn’t Covid, it was just her nearly 91-year-old body saying enough is enough.”
They continued: “We were there so the passing was as good as one could hope for. Nothing wrong with her brain – even earlier this week she was grilling us both about work. It’s really impossible to believe that she has gone though, because I know we’re not alone in thinking that somehow she’d go on forever. She meant so much to so many.
“It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we have to share the sad news that mum/Beryl passed away peacefully last night,” her daughters and Hartswood Films co-producers Sue and Debbie said in a statement to Reuters. “It wasn’t Covid, it was just her nearly 91-year-old body saying enough is enough.”
They continued: “We were there so the passing was as good as one could hope for. Nothing wrong with her brain – even earlier this week she was grilling us both about work. It’s really impossible to believe that she has gone though, because I know we’re not alone in thinking that somehow she’d go on forever. She meant so much to so many.
- 2/13/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Beryl Vertue, the renowned British television producer and founder of Hartswood Films, died on Saturday, her family has confirmed. She was 90.
No cause of death has been given but her daughters, Sue and Debbie Vertue, who worked with her at Hartswood Films, confirmed she died “peacefully” and surrounded by family.
“It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we have to share the sad news that mum/Beryl passed away peacefully last night,” her daughters and Hartswood Films co-producers Sue and Debbie said in a statement. “It wasn’t Covid, it was just her nearly 91-year-old body saying enough is enough.”
“We were there so the passing was as good as one could hope for. Nothing wrong with her brain – even earlier this week she was grilling us both about work. It’s really impossible to believe that she has gone though, because I know we’re not alone in...
No cause of death has been given but her daughters, Sue and Debbie Vertue, who worked with her at Hartswood Films, confirmed she died “peacefully” and surrounded by family.
“It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we have to share the sad news that mum/Beryl passed away peacefully last night,” her daughters and Hartswood Films co-producers Sue and Debbie said in a statement. “It wasn’t Covid, it was just her nearly 91-year-old body saying enough is enough.”
“We were there so the passing was as good as one could hope for. Nothing wrong with her brain – even earlier this week she was grilling us both about work. It’s really impossible to believe that she has gone though, because I know we’re not alone in...
- 2/13/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
On Monday, President Biden met with 10 supposedly moderate Republicans in the Oval Office to discuss their scaled-down $618 billion Covid-relief proposal. Even though the economy is still reeling from the pandemic and tens of millions of Americans are struggling to feed their families and put a roof over their heads, they are very concerned about the $1.9 trillion price tag on Biden’s plan. Lately, it seems, Republicans have taken renewed interest in deficits and our growing national debt. That’s because a Democrat is in the White House.
When a Republican is president,...
When a Republican is president,...
- 2/5/2021
- by Al Franken
- Rollingstone.com
Matt Lauer appears to be making a statement with his new tattoo. Earlier this week, the former Today show co-host was spotted driving in Sag Harbor near New York City. And while this is a rare spotting for the journalist, what fans are really talking about is the ink job on his arm. In pictures obtained by E! News, Matt drove around town while wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses and a white button-down that showcased his new tattoo. The ink read, "Hatred corrodes the container it's carried in." While many are trying to decipher the meaning and message, theories have already started popping up online. Some pointed out that the quote was repeated by former Senator Alan Simpson during his eulogy...
- 5/21/2020
- E! Online
Tony Hancock’s two leading film roles are a reminder of the extremes of his comic genius. Paul Merton talks about the legacy of his hero – and how comedy is too coarse today
Seven years before his suicide, Tony Hancock tried to become a movie star. The Rebel (1961) is a comedy about a clerk who quits his job and moves to Paris to become an artist, despite his total lack of talent. Scripted by Half Hour creators Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, it was a deluxe bespoke vehicle, designed to take Hancock across the Atlantic and turn him into the new Peter Sellers.
Brits flocked. Homegrown critics raved. And Hollywood absolutely hated it.
Seven years before his suicide, Tony Hancock tried to become a movie star. The Rebel (1961) is a comedy about a clerk who quits his job and moves to Paris to become an artist, despite his total lack of talent. Scripted by Half Hour creators Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, it was a deluxe bespoke vehicle, designed to take Hancock across the Atlantic and turn him into the new Peter Sellers.
Brits flocked. Homegrown critics raved. And Hollywood absolutely hated it.
- 9/20/2019
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
1946: TV's first network soap opera premiered on DuMont.
1963: Hope Bauer was born on The Guiding Light.
1987: Chase Gioberti was presumed dead on Falcon Crest.
2009: Crystal Chappell returned to Days of our Lives as Carly."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1944: Procter & Gamble soap opera Rosemary premiered on NBC Radio. The show was created by Elaine Carrington and ran until July 1, 1955, switched from NBC to CBS on March 26, 1945.
1946: David P. Lewis' Faraway Hill premiered on the DuMont Network as the very first television soap opera broadcast on a network. The show lasted...
1963: Hope Bauer was born on The Guiding Light.
1987: Chase Gioberti was presumed dead on Falcon Crest.
2009: Crystal Chappell returned to Days of our Lives as Carly."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1944: Procter & Gamble soap opera Rosemary premiered on NBC Radio. The show was created by Elaine Carrington and ran until July 1, 1955, switched from NBC to CBS on March 26, 1945.
1946: David P. Lewis' Faraway Hill premiered on the DuMont Network as the very first television soap opera broadcast on a network. The show lasted...
- 10/2/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
C3 Entertainment, Grand Peaks Entertainment and The Exchange are preparing the big-screen return of the iconic property, which will be available to buyers on the Croisette next week.
The partners have repurposed The Three Stooges as an action-comedy and will welcome back Sean Hayes, Will Sasso and Chris Diamantopoulos, who reprise their roles as Larry, Curly and Mo last seen in Fox’s 2012 release directed by the Farrelly brothers.
The producers said they would shortly announce a cast addition in the form of a “major action star”.
Cameron Fay has been hired to write the screenplay and most recently wrote Brother In Laws for Paramount and has Cosmic in development at Walden Media.
The Three Stooges brand owner C3 will produce alongside Grand Peaks and worldwide sales agent The Exchange. C3 will also oversee licensing, merchandising and promotions.
Pablo Velez of C3 will produce alongside Grand Peaks CEO Alan Simpson and Nat McCormick of The Exchange. Simpson...
The partners have repurposed The Three Stooges as an action-comedy and will welcome back Sean Hayes, Will Sasso and Chris Diamantopoulos, who reprise their roles as Larry, Curly and Mo last seen in Fox’s 2012 release directed by the Farrelly brothers.
The producers said they would shortly announce a cast addition in the form of a “major action star”.
Cameron Fay has been hired to write the screenplay and most recently wrote Brother In Laws for Paramount and has Cosmic in development at Walden Media.
The Three Stooges brand owner C3 will produce alongside Grand Peaks and worldwide sales agent The Exchange. C3 will also oversee licensing, merchandising and promotions.
Pablo Velez of C3 will produce alongside Grand Peaks CEO Alan Simpson and Nat McCormick of The Exchange. Simpson...
- 5/8/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Actors Sean Hayes (Larry), Chris Diamantopoulos (Moe) and Will Sasso (Curly) are set to reprise their roles in an upcoming sequel to the 2012 comedy film adaptation of "The Three Stooges" for C3 Entertainment, Grand Peaks Entertainment and The Exchange.
A major action star is reportedly slated to join the cast of the sequel which will Not involve the original's directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly.
Cameron Fay has been hired to write the script whilst Pablo Velez, Alan Simpson and Nat McCormick will produce. The first film grossed around $55 million worldwide on a $30 million budget.
Source: C3 Entertainment...
A major action star is reportedly slated to join the cast of the sequel which will Not involve the original's directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly.
Cameron Fay has been hired to write the script whilst Pablo Velez, Alan Simpson and Nat McCormick will produce. The first film grossed around $55 million worldwide on a $30 million budget.
Source: C3 Entertainment...
- 5/8/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
The Three Stooges are coming back for a new movie starring Sean Hayes as Larry, Chris Diamantopoulos as Moe and Will Sasso as Curly, it was announced Thursday by C3 Entertainment CEO Earl Benjamin, Grand Peaks Entertainment CEO Alan Simpson and The Exchange CEO Brian O’Shea. Cameron Fay has been hired to write the action-comedy script, having most recently written the upcoming comedy “Brother in Laws” starring Taran Killam. A major action star will be added to the cast of the new film, which C3 and Grand Peaks will produce with The Exchange, the latter of which is also handling worldwide sales.
- 5/8/2015
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Between Into The Woods and now The Last 5 Years, 2015 is shaping up to be The Year Anna Kendrick Sings. And like Woods, there’s more than just fairy-tale romance to be found in the latter, as this trailer reveals. The Last 5 Years, adapted from Jason Robert Brown’s stage musical by Richard Lagravenese, is the story of the love affair between struggling actress Cathy Hiatt (Kendrick) and up and coming novelist Jamie Wellerstein (Jeremy Jordan).This one takes an intriguing narrative track with its story and its songs – Jamie’s view runs from their initial encounters through to the end of their marriage, while Cathy’s is in reverse, spinning back the clock from unhappy endings to ebullient beginning, meeting briefly in the middle on their wedding day. It’ll be interesting to see how the show’s concept works on screen: one assumes you can explore more...
- 12/8/2014
- EmpireOnline
The Jean-Claude Van Damme thriller will be released on a date to be announced shortly. International sales agent The Exchange has sold out all territories.
Alfred Molina, Lennie James, Catalina Sandino Moreno and Freya Tingley also star in the story of bank robbers who break out of prison and go after the one gang member who got away and has no recollection of his involvement.
Keith Parmer directed. Eleonore Dailly of Film Invaders, Alan Simpson of Grand Peaks and Chris Ranta of The Exchange produced Swelter and Don Simpson from Grand Peaks, Nat McCormick, Laura Ivey and Brian O’Shea of The Exchange served as executive producers.
Well Go USA president Doris Pfardrescher negotiated the deal with The Exchange chief O’Shea.
“We are again very happy to work with Well Go,” said O’Shea. “They are very strong domestically and confident that they will do a great job on releasing the movie.”...
Alfred Molina, Lennie James, Catalina Sandino Moreno and Freya Tingley also star in the story of bank robbers who break out of prison and go after the one gang member who got away and has no recollection of his involvement.
Keith Parmer directed. Eleonore Dailly of Film Invaders, Alan Simpson of Grand Peaks and Chris Ranta of The Exchange produced Swelter and Don Simpson from Grand Peaks, Nat McCormick, Laura Ivey and Brian O’Shea of The Exchange served as executive producers.
Well Go USA president Doris Pfardrescher negotiated the deal with The Exchange chief O’Shea.
“We are again very happy to work with Well Go,” said O’Shea. “They are very strong domestically and confident that they will do a great job on releasing the movie.”...
- 4/2/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
CEO Brian O’Shea has announced that the Jean-Claude Van Damme action title virtually sold out at the recent Afm.
Swelter marks the first completed film backed by Exchange Peaks Film Capital, the fund established by Grand Peaks and run by The Exchange. Talks are ongoing for a North American deal.
Deals have closed in Germany/Switzerland (Planet Media), France (Happy Audience), the UK (Anchor Bay), Australia / New Zealand (Transmission), Cis/ Baltics/Poland (Revolutionary Releasing), Latin America (Swen), Japan (Convenience Club), Spain (Tot Media), Portugal (Lusomundo), Bulgaria/Hungary/Czech Republic/Slovakia/Romania (Padora) and Benelux (A Film) and former Yugoslavia (Mg Film)
Rights also went in Middle East (Eagle), Spain (Tot Media), Turkey (Mars Sinema), Greece (Hollywood Entertainment), South Africa (Okhma), South Korea (Sonamu Pictures), Thailand (Sahamongkolfilm), Singapore (Shaw Organization), Indonesia (Pt Prima), Taiwan (Well Go), India (Pictureworks), Hong Kong / Macao (DDDream), Philippines (Pioneer Films) and Pan-Asia Ptv (Fox International). Jaguar took airlines.
Keith Parmer directed...
Swelter marks the first completed film backed by Exchange Peaks Film Capital, the fund established by Grand Peaks and run by The Exchange. Talks are ongoing for a North American deal.
Deals have closed in Germany/Switzerland (Planet Media), France (Happy Audience), the UK (Anchor Bay), Australia / New Zealand (Transmission), Cis/ Baltics/Poland (Revolutionary Releasing), Latin America (Swen), Japan (Convenience Club), Spain (Tot Media), Portugal (Lusomundo), Bulgaria/Hungary/Czech Republic/Slovakia/Romania (Padora) and Benelux (A Film) and former Yugoslavia (Mg Film)
Rights also went in Middle East (Eagle), Spain (Tot Media), Turkey (Mars Sinema), Greece (Hollywood Entertainment), South Africa (Okhma), South Korea (Sonamu Pictures), Thailand (Sahamongkolfilm), Singapore (Shaw Organization), Indonesia (Pt Prima), Taiwan (Well Go), India (Pictureworks), Hong Kong / Macao (DDDream), Philippines (Pioneer Films) and Pan-Asia Ptv (Fox International). Jaguar took airlines.
Keith Parmer directed...
- 11/22/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
I am using the term Isa to stand for International Sales Agent, a term also to be seen in IMDbPro.com when you look for Company Credits. Occasionally, though not daily, before and during the markets, I feature a story on a particularly noteworthy Isa.
Today I salute Brain O'Shea's company, The Exchange. Since he left Affinity when it merged with Sierra to form Sierra Affinity, he had been selling, producing, discovering scripts and talent, such as the recent Sundance star writer/director Sebastian Silva's Magic Magic as well as the script, Young Ones, written and directed by Jake Paltrow, both of which he brought to Marina Fuentes of 6 Sales and Dreamtcatchers (read more about her here).
Now he has announced The Exchange, an international sales agency created in 2011, and Grand Peaks Entertainment, a Denver-based entertainment company, created Exchange Peaks Film Capital, a full-service specialty film fund which will be run by Exchange President Laura Ivey, reporting to Exchange CEO Brian O'Shea. Grand Peaks was introduced to The Exchange by VP of Worldwide Distribution, Nat McCormick.
Exchange Peaks Film Capital will participate in all forms of production financing, including minimum guarantees, gap, super gap, tax credits, foreign sales collateral, bridge and equity lending.
Ivey said Exchange Peaks Film Capital is eyeing to finance and produce four to six feature projects per year.
"We are thrilled to partner with The Exchange on this fund and are excited to expand our relationship together in the future, as well as to help talented filmmakers bring their visions to life." said Grand Peaks partner, Alan Simpson.
O'Shea said of the partnership, "Exchange Peaks Film Capital is an integral component to building The Exchange. From the start, we envisioned adding a financing side to the company and have found the ideal partner in Grand Peaks."
The first fund beneficiary is The Exchange's previously announced film, The Last 5 Years, directed by Richard Lagravenese (P.S. I Love You, Beautiful Creatures) and starring Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect, Up in the Air, 50/50.)
Collaborative and transparent, The Exchange is a leading international sales and finance company committed to creating strong relationships between filmmakers, film financers and distributors through the exchange of product, information and commerce. Created by veteran sales executive Brian O'Shea, the company specializes in high quality, commercial films that appeal to North American audiences and the ever-evolving global film market. In less than two year, The Exchange has acquired, financed, produced and/or sold over 140 films ranging in budgets from $5 million to $90 million, including studio films from Disney, Sony, Fox, and Universal. Such films include Universal's 2 Guns, starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg; 2013 Sundance Award Winner The Spectacular Now staring Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley; Sony's Magic Magic, starring Juno Temple, Emily Browning and Michael Cera; and Fox Searchlight's Sound of My Voice, starring Brit Marling and directed by Zal Batmanglij. For more information, please visit: www.theexchange.ws.
Today I salute Brain O'Shea's company, The Exchange. Since he left Affinity when it merged with Sierra to form Sierra Affinity, he had been selling, producing, discovering scripts and talent, such as the recent Sundance star writer/director Sebastian Silva's Magic Magic as well as the script, Young Ones, written and directed by Jake Paltrow, both of which he brought to Marina Fuentes of 6 Sales and Dreamtcatchers (read more about her here).
Now he has announced The Exchange, an international sales agency created in 2011, and Grand Peaks Entertainment, a Denver-based entertainment company, created Exchange Peaks Film Capital, a full-service specialty film fund which will be run by Exchange President Laura Ivey, reporting to Exchange CEO Brian O'Shea. Grand Peaks was introduced to The Exchange by VP of Worldwide Distribution, Nat McCormick.
Exchange Peaks Film Capital will participate in all forms of production financing, including minimum guarantees, gap, super gap, tax credits, foreign sales collateral, bridge and equity lending.
Ivey said Exchange Peaks Film Capital is eyeing to finance and produce four to six feature projects per year.
"We are thrilled to partner with The Exchange on this fund and are excited to expand our relationship together in the future, as well as to help talented filmmakers bring their visions to life." said Grand Peaks partner, Alan Simpson.
O'Shea said of the partnership, "Exchange Peaks Film Capital is an integral component to building The Exchange. From the start, we envisioned adding a financing side to the company and have found the ideal partner in Grand Peaks."
The first fund beneficiary is The Exchange's previously announced film, The Last 5 Years, directed by Richard Lagravenese (P.S. I Love You, Beautiful Creatures) and starring Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect, Up in the Air, 50/50.)
Collaborative and transparent, The Exchange is a leading international sales and finance company committed to creating strong relationships between filmmakers, film financers and distributors through the exchange of product, information and commerce. Created by veteran sales executive Brian O'Shea, the company specializes in high quality, commercial films that appeal to North American audiences and the ever-evolving global film market. In less than two year, The Exchange has acquired, financed, produced and/or sold over 140 films ranging in budgets from $5 million to $90 million, including studio films from Disney, Sony, Fox, and Universal. Such films include Universal's 2 Guns, starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg; 2013 Sundance Award Winner The Spectacular Now staring Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley; Sony's Magic Magic, starring Juno Temple, Emily Browning and Michael Cera; and Fox Searchlight's Sound of My Voice, starring Brit Marling and directed by Zal Batmanglij. For more information, please visit: www.theexchange.ws.
- 2/8/2013
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
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