Prolific Italian producer Lorenzo Mieli is known for backing Luca Guadagnino (“Bones and All”), Paolo Sorrentino, and Angelina Jolie (“Without Blood”; she also stars in his Pablo Larrain production “Maria”). However, his first American film, Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla,” was a very different kind of challenge.
“I would have never thought of myself as someone able to put together financing,” Mieli said on the phone from Italy. “I understood that in this moment in time, as producers, we want to protect the job of filmmakers. This is what we need to do.”
Based on Presley’s memoir “Elvis and Me,” Mieli struggled to hold the project together: first against resistance from the Elvis Presley estate, and then having to find another international distributor after Sony fell out in response to the estate withholding rights to Presley’s music.
In the end, all of the sow’s ears became silk purses.
“I would have never thought of myself as someone able to put together financing,” Mieli said on the phone from Italy. “I understood that in this moment in time, as producers, we want to protect the job of filmmakers. This is what we need to do.”
Based on Presley’s memoir “Elvis and Me,” Mieli struggled to hold the project together: first against resistance from the Elvis Presley estate, and then having to find another international distributor after Sony fell out in response to the estate withholding rights to Presley’s music.
In the end, all of the sow’s ears became silk purses.
- 11/3/2023
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Jay Roach has signed with UTA in all areas. He moves after a long run at WME.
Roach, who last directed Bombshell, the expose about Roger Ailes and the predation of women aspiring for on air jobs at Fox News, is the director of blockbuster franchises Austin Powers and Meet The Parents.
Roach is an EP and directed all eight episodes of the series High Desert for Apple TV+, and he’s also working on F*cked Up College Dream, inspired by his own experiences of not sleeping as a freshman at Stanford, because of the anxiety of not measuring up. He was forced to find ways around the dilemma, and clearly it worked out as he graduated with a degree in economics and got into USC Film School. He set that one up at HBO.
On the film front, Roach is still working on an Oceans Eleven film...
Roach, who last directed Bombshell, the expose about Roger Ailes and the predation of women aspiring for on air jobs at Fox News, is the director of blockbuster franchises Austin Powers and Meet The Parents.
Roach is an EP and directed all eight episodes of the series High Desert for Apple TV+, and he’s also working on F*cked Up College Dream, inspired by his own experiences of not sleeping as a freshman at Stanford, because of the anxiety of not measuring up. He was forced to find ways around the dilemma, and clearly it worked out as he graduated with a degree in economics and got into USC Film School. He set that one up at HBO.
On the film front, Roach is still working on an Oceans Eleven film...
- 3/29/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Director Jean-Marc Vallée was found dead on Sunday. The award-winning Canadian filmmaker was 58 years old. Jean-Marc Vallée Cause Of Death Vallée was in his cabin outside of Quebec City at the time of his passing. He was reportedly found by his friends, who were visiting him at the cabin. His publicist, Bumble Ward, said […]
The post Jean-Marc Vallée, ‘Big Little Lies’ Director, Dies At 58 appeared first on uInterview.
The post Jean-Marc Vallée, ‘Big Little Lies’ Director, Dies At 58 appeared first on uInterview.
- 12/28/2021
- by Camryn Bolkin
- Uinterview
The Quebecois director Jean-Marc Vallée is being remembered by the entertainment industry, with heartfelt tributes emerging from the late filmmaker’s peers and collaborators.
Vallée, who directed films such as “Dallas Buyers Club” and “Wild” and helmed TV projects including “Big Little Lies” and “Sharp Objects,” died suddenly at his cabin outside Quebec City, Canada on Saturday. He was 58 years old.
“I am in shock. Complete and utter shock,” “Big Little Lies” actress Shailene Woodley wrote in an Instagram story. “I guess somehow I know you will turn it into a grand adventure and one of the books, one I can’t wait to read and watch when my time comes. It doesn’t make sense though, dude. It doesn’t make sense. Maybe when we wake up tomorrow you’ll be there laughing saying it was just a satirical short film you made. That it’s not real.”
Canadian...
Vallée, who directed films such as “Dallas Buyers Club” and “Wild” and helmed TV projects including “Big Little Lies” and “Sharp Objects,” died suddenly at his cabin outside Quebec City, Canada on Saturday. He was 58 years old.
“I am in shock. Complete and utter shock,” “Big Little Lies” actress Shailene Woodley wrote in an Instagram story. “I guess somehow I know you will turn it into a grand adventure and one of the books, one I can’t wait to read and watch when my time comes. It doesn’t make sense though, dude. It doesn’t make sense. Maybe when we wake up tomorrow you’ll be there laughing saying it was just a satirical short film you made. That it’s not real.”
Canadian...
- 12/27/2021
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Jean-Marc Vallée, the Canadian director and producer who helmed films including “Wild” and “Dallas Buyers Club” and the HBO series “Sharp Objects” and “Big Little Lies,” died on December 25 at age 58. The Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning director’s sudden passing has shocked the industry and his colleagues, with past collaborators paying tribute to the Canadian director on social media. See below.
“Beautiful Jean-Marc Vallee. The world has lost one of our great and purest artists and dreamers. And we lost our beloved friend. Our hearts are broken,” “Big Little Lies” Emmy winner and “Wild” Oscar nominee Laura Dern wrote in an Instagram post. See below.
Fellow Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve shared a tribute on Instagram via his wife, filmmaker Tanya Lapointe, in French: “How must I forget these lonesome tears in my eyes? As you told me before: go out there and shine, crazy diamond! I love you, my friend.”
“I am in shock.
“Beautiful Jean-Marc Vallee. The world has lost one of our great and purest artists and dreamers. And we lost our beloved friend. Our hearts are broken,” “Big Little Lies” Emmy winner and “Wild” Oscar nominee Laura Dern wrote in an Instagram post. See below.
Fellow Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve shared a tribute on Instagram via his wife, filmmaker Tanya Lapointe, in French: “How must I forget these lonesome tears in my eyes? As you told me before: go out there and shine, crazy diamond! I love you, my friend.”
“I am in shock.
- 12/27/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Jean-Marc Vallée, the director of the Oscar-winning Dallas Buyers Club and HBO hit show Big Little Lies, died Sunday at his home in Quebec City, Canada at the age of 58. Vallée’s publicist, Bumble Ward, confirmed the news to CNN, though a cause of death was not immediately available.
“He was a friend, creative partner and an older brother to me,” Nathan Ross, a partner in Vallée’s production company Crazyrose, said in a statement. “The maestro will sorely be missed but it comforts knowing his beautiful style and impactful...
“He was a friend, creative partner and an older brother to me,” Nathan Ross, a partner in Vallée’s production company Crazyrose, said in a statement. “The maestro will sorely be missed but it comforts knowing his beautiful style and impactful...
- 12/27/2021
- by Jason Newman
- Rollingstone.com
Harry Clein, 82, co-founder of Hollywood PR agencies Clein + Feldman and Clein + White, died June 18 in Atlanta. He suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.
I first met Clein in Manhattan in 1978 when I worked in the United Artists publicity bullpen at 729 Seventh Ave. He represented Alan J. Pakula on the western “Comes a Horseman,” starring James Caan and Jane Fonda. He admired my Annie Hall vests and fedoras; we bonded over his encyclopedic knowledge of film and Broadway musicals, and remained friends as he founded bicoastal press agency Clein + Feldman in 1981 with Bruce Feldman. Their first client, Pakula’s “Sophie’s Choice,” won Meryl Streep her second acting Oscar.
When I first moved to Los Angeles as the West Coast Editor of Film Comment, Clein + Feldman hired me to be the unit publicist on what would turn out to be Sam Peckinpah’s last movie, “The Osterman Weekend” (1983), starring Rutger Hauer, Dennis Hopper,...
I first met Clein in Manhattan in 1978 when I worked in the United Artists publicity bullpen at 729 Seventh Ave. He represented Alan J. Pakula on the western “Comes a Horseman,” starring James Caan and Jane Fonda. He admired my Annie Hall vests and fedoras; we bonded over his encyclopedic knowledge of film and Broadway musicals, and remained friends as he founded bicoastal press agency Clein + Feldman in 1981 with Bruce Feldman. Their first client, Pakula’s “Sophie’s Choice,” won Meryl Streep her second acting Oscar.
When I first moved to Los Angeles as the West Coast Editor of Film Comment, Clein + Feldman hired me to be the unit publicist on what would turn out to be Sam Peckinpah’s last movie, “The Osterman Weekend” (1983), starring Rutger Hauer, Dennis Hopper,...
- 7/24/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Harry Clein, 82, co-founder of Hollywood PR agencies Clein + Feldman and Clein + White, died June 18 in Atlanta. He suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.
I first met Clein in Manhattan in 1978 when I worked in the United Artists publicity bullpen at 729 Seventh Ave. He represented Alan J. Pakula on the western “Comes a Horseman,” starring James Caan and Jane Fonda. He admired my Annie Hall vests and fedoras; we bonded over his encyclopedic knowledge of film and Broadway musicals, and remained friends as he founded bicoastal press agency Clein + Feldman in 1981 with Bruce Feldman. Their first client, Pakula’s “Sophie’s Choice,” won Meryl Streep her second Best Actress Oscar.
When I first moved to Los Angeles as the West Coast Editor of Film Comment, Clein + Feldman hired me to be the unit publicist on what would turn out to be Sam Peckinpah’s last movie, “The Osterman Weekend” (1983), starring Rutger Hauer,...
I first met Clein in Manhattan in 1978 when I worked in the United Artists publicity bullpen at 729 Seventh Ave. He represented Alan J. Pakula on the western “Comes a Horseman,” starring James Caan and Jane Fonda. He admired my Annie Hall vests and fedoras; we bonded over his encyclopedic knowledge of film and Broadway musicals, and remained friends as he founded bicoastal press agency Clein + Feldman in 1981 with Bruce Feldman. Their first client, Pakula’s “Sophie’s Choice,” won Meryl Streep her second Best Actress Oscar.
When I first moved to Los Angeles as the West Coast Editor of Film Comment, Clein + Feldman hired me to be the unit publicist on what would turn out to be Sam Peckinpah’s last movie, “The Osterman Weekend” (1983), starring Rutger Hauer,...
- 7/24/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
From courting voters to hiring red carpet, the Academy Awards are big business. Here’s what they cost, what they earn – and how much you need to spend to help secure victory
Oscars 2017 live: the red carpet, the awards ceremony and the aftermath
Getting on to the podium is the first and most difficult step for any film: the competition is intense, and getting more intense by the year. To pull your film out of the swirling mass of product, first, hire a specialist Oscar campaigner. They will have contacts and strategies to get to the Academy voters and – crucially – know the rules. (Lavish party, yes; talking down other films, no). “There’s a whole culture of courting the Academy,” says veteran publicist Bumble Ward. “Academy members can go out for lunch and dinner every single day in the season. That is part of the game: who can you get...
Oscars 2017 live: the red carpet, the awards ceremony and the aftermath
Getting on to the podium is the first and most difficult step for any film: the competition is intense, and getting more intense by the year. To pull your film out of the swirling mass of product, first, hire a specialist Oscar campaigner. They will have contacts and strategies to get to the Academy voters and – crucially – know the rules. (Lavish party, yes; talking down other films, no). “There’s a whole culture of courting the Academy,” says veteran publicist Bumble Ward. “Academy members can go out for lunch and dinner every single day in the season. That is part of the game: who can you get...
- 2/26/2017
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
Billy Bush may be about to lose his gig on “Today” — but if the public reactions are any indication, he long ago lost the respect of Hollywood P.R. veterans. The former “Access Hollywood” co-host who is currently embroiled in scandal over a leaked 2005 video featuring sexist talk with Donald Trump — “was rude and lewd to a few female clients of mine,” veteran publicist Marcel Pariseau wrote on Facebook. Pariseau also revealed that he was “boycotting the 9 a.m. hour of the ‘Today’ show,” where Bush worked until this week (officially, he’s on suspension and Carson Daly is filling in). Bumble Ward,...
- 10/11/2016
- by Scott Collins
- The Wrap
The recently promoted president of international theatrical marketing at 20th Century Fox will assume the role of chairman of the board of directors.
Breen replaces Nigel Daly OBE, the head of Us advertising at Screen International who is about to end his year-long term.
Phil Ashcroft and Brian Walton will serve as co-deputy chairs, Deborah Kolar as secretary and Beverley Ward as treasurer in 2015.
“We would like to thank outgoing board members Nigel Daly OBE, Paul Steinke, Gary Dartnall OBE, Kara “Kj” Miller and Rosalie Swedlin for their invaluable contributions to the organisation throughout their time on the board of directors,” read a note from the leadership sent out to members on Monday (December 22).
Newly elected members who will serve a two-year term on the board of directors are Adam Bialow, Ian Jessel, Peter Morris, Stewart Till and Richard Thompson.
Returning members are Bryony Foster, Katherine Haber MBE, Paul Heller, James Knight, Vivian...
Breen replaces Nigel Daly OBE, the head of Us advertising at Screen International who is about to end his year-long term.
Phil Ashcroft and Brian Walton will serve as co-deputy chairs, Deborah Kolar as secretary and Beverley Ward as treasurer in 2015.
“We would like to thank outgoing board members Nigel Daly OBE, Paul Steinke, Gary Dartnall OBE, Kara “Kj” Miller and Rosalie Swedlin for their invaluable contributions to the organisation throughout their time on the board of directors,” read a note from the leadership sent out to members on Monday (December 22).
Newly elected members who will serve a two-year term on the board of directors are Adam Bialow, Ian Jessel, Peter Morris, Stewart Till and Richard Thompson.
Returning members are Bryony Foster, Katherine Haber MBE, Paul Heller, James Knight, Vivian...
- 12/23/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Why isn't Julia Louis-Dreyfus in more movies? Yes, there are likely personal and professional reasons that keep one of the funniest ladies in Hollywood away from the big screen, but allow us to throw up our arms and demand more. Louis-Dreyfus has dominated television since the '80s (revisit her "Saturday Night Live" work and prepare to go bananas), "Seinfeld" making her a household name and providing a curse that only she could break. The success of "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and "Veep" rests entirely on Louis-Dreyfus shoulders. Maybe the weekly format provides a comfort, maybe Hollywood just isn't writing roles for funny women (that's not really a maybe, but let's not digress), but we're tired of the small screen having all the Julia Louis-Dreyfus fun. Her latest accolade only rubs it in. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles announced Monday that Louis-Dreyfus would...
- 10/7/2014
- Hitfix
By Scott Feinberg
The Hollywood Reporter
The Judge‘s lead actor Robert Downey, Jr., Foxcatcher‘s supporting actor Mark Ruffalo, Mr. Turner‘s writer-director Mike Leigh and two beloved British actresses of different generations, Dame Judi Dench and Emma Watson, will be this year’s honorees at BAFTA Los Angeles’ 23rd annual Britannia Awards on Oct. 30 at the Beverly Hilton, the organization announced Thursday.
The gala dinner and ceremony, which raises funds for BAFTA-la’s education, preservation and philanthropic efforts, is an early and high-profile stop on the annual awards circuit that fetes Brits and non-Brits alike “who have dedicated their careers to advancing the art forms of the moving image in the Us, UK and beyond.”
Comedian Rob Brydon will return as host for the second consecutive year. (The ceremony will air on BBC America on Nov 2 at 9pm Est.) And BAFTA’s Bumble Ward and Deborah Kolar will...
The Hollywood Reporter
The Judge‘s lead actor Robert Downey, Jr., Foxcatcher‘s supporting actor Mark Ruffalo, Mr. Turner‘s writer-director Mike Leigh and two beloved British actresses of different generations, Dame Judi Dench and Emma Watson, will be this year’s honorees at BAFTA Los Angeles’ 23rd annual Britannia Awards on Oct. 30 at the Beverly Hilton, the organization announced Thursday.
The gala dinner and ceremony, which raises funds for BAFTA-la’s education, preservation and philanthropic efforts, is an early and high-profile stop on the annual awards circuit that fetes Brits and non-Brits alike “who have dedicated their careers to advancing the art forms of the moving image in the Us, UK and beyond.”
Comedian Rob Brydon will return as host for the second consecutive year. (The ceremony will air on BBC America on Nov 2 at 9pm Est.) And BAFTA’s Bumble Ward and Deborah Kolar will...
- 9/19/2014
- by Anjelica Oswald
- Scott Feinberg
BAFTA La will honour Robert Downey Jr, Mark Ruffalo, Emma Watson, Mike Leigh and Dame Judi Dench at this year’s awards ceremony on October 30.
Downey Jr, who stars in the recent Toronto opening night film The Judge (pictured), will collect this year’s Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence In Film.
Ruffalo will receive the Britannia Humanitarian Award for his work with the non-profit organisation Water Defense.
Watson will collect The Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year presented by Burberry.
Mike Leigh, an awards season contender this year with Mr Turner, is set to receive The John Schlesinger Britannia Award For Excellence In Directing presented by the Great Britain Campaign.
Dame Judi Dench has been awarded the 2014 Albert R Broccoli Britannia Award for worldwide contribution to entertainment.
For the second year in a row, comedian Rob Brydon will host The 2014 BAFTA Los Angeles Jaguar Britannia Awards presented by BBC America and United Airlines.
“There...
Downey Jr, who stars in the recent Toronto opening night film The Judge (pictured), will collect this year’s Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence In Film.
Ruffalo will receive the Britannia Humanitarian Award for his work with the non-profit organisation Water Defense.
Watson will collect The Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year presented by Burberry.
Mike Leigh, an awards season contender this year with Mr Turner, is set to receive The John Schlesinger Britannia Award For Excellence In Directing presented by the Great Britain Campaign.
Dame Judi Dench has been awarded the 2014 Albert R Broccoli Britannia Award for worldwide contribution to entertainment.
For the second year in a row, comedian Rob Brydon will host The 2014 BAFTA Los Angeles Jaguar Britannia Awards presented by BBC America and United Airlines.
“There...
- 9/18/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles (BAFTA Los Angeles) has announced that Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Emma Watson, Mike Leigh and Dame Judi Dench are among the first honorees of this year’s Jaguar Britannia Awards ceremony. Each year, BAFTA Los Angeles honors "individuals who have dedicated their careers to advancing the art forms of the moving image in the U.S., U.K. and beyond." Hosted by Rob Brydon ("The Trip to Italy"), who returns for his second consecutive year, the award ceremony will take place on Oct. 30, 2014 and air on BBC America the evening of Sunday, Nov. 2. Folks might remember last year's broadcast, when Sacha Baron Cohen caused a stir after pushing a wheelchair-bound old lady off stage as he accepted the Charlie Chaplin Award for Excellence in Comedy: Since 1989, when James Bond producer Albert "Cubby" Broccoli earned the first Britannia award, BAFTA...
- 9/18/2014
- by Matt Patches
- Hitfix
The comedian and actor will emcee the 2014 BAFTA Los Angeles Jaguar Britannia Awards on October 30 in Beverly Hills.
For the third year in a row, BBC America will broadcast the event on November 2.
“We are honoured that Rob has agreed to return to host our Britannia Awards for the second year in a row,” said BAFTA Los Angeles chairman Nigel Daly OBE.
“Rob brings a perfect balance of wit and sincerity to the evening and we know he will charm our audiences again this year, both in the ballroom and watching at home.”
“There is no doubt that Rob will add his wry brilliance to the evening and host a memorable Britannias,” added Britannia Award co-chairs Bumble Ward and Deborah Kolar.
Lotus Entertainment has hired Aaron Michiel as evp of business and legal affairs. Michiel will report directly to Lotus co-founders and co-chairmen Jim Seibel and Bill Johnson. Prior to Lotus he served in the same capacity...
For the third year in a row, BBC America will broadcast the event on November 2.
“We are honoured that Rob has agreed to return to host our Britannia Awards for the second year in a row,” said BAFTA Los Angeles chairman Nigel Daly OBE.
“Rob brings a perfect balance of wit and sincerity to the evening and we know he will charm our audiences again this year, both in the ballroom and watching at home.”
“There is no doubt that Rob will add his wry brilliance to the evening and host a memorable Britannias,” added Britannia Award co-chairs Bumble Ward and Deborah Kolar.
Lotus Entertainment has hired Aaron Michiel as evp of business and legal affairs. Michiel will report directly to Lotus co-founders and co-chairmen Jim Seibel and Bill Johnson. Prior to Lotus he served in the same capacity...
- 8/20/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
This kind-of parallelquel to Zack Snyder's Thermopylae outing is both bloody and dull, even if camply entertaining
Hollywood publicist Bumble Ward was once interviewed about her desire for action king Michael Bay to show his softer side: what she called the "gay Bay". The 300 movies are the nearest thing to the "gay Bay" genre. This is a sort of parallelquel to Zack Snyder's original 300, which was about the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC: this shows what happens around the same time when the Greek general Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton) is battling the Persian naval forces, commanded by the super-sexy Artemisia. She is played with a good deal of frowning, pouting and strutting by Eva Green, a performer who is becoming so eccentric she may be the Sarah Miles of her generation. Snyder co-writes with Kurt Johnstad; Noam Murro directs and again it is based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller,...
Hollywood publicist Bumble Ward was once interviewed about her desire for action king Michael Bay to show his softer side: what she called the "gay Bay". The 300 movies are the nearest thing to the "gay Bay" genre. This is a sort of parallelquel to Zack Snyder's original 300, which was about the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC: this shows what happens around the same time when the Greek general Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton) is battling the Persian naval forces, commanded by the super-sexy Artemisia. She is played with a good deal of frowning, pouting and strutting by Eva Green, a performer who is becoming so eccentric she may be the Sarah Miles of her generation. Snyder co-writes with Kurt Johnstad; Noam Murro directs and again it is based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller,...
- 3/7/2014
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Screen International’s vp of business development Nigel Daly has been elected chairman and Deborah Kolar and Brian Walton have been elected deputy chairs of BAFTA La.
Paul Steinke is named treasurer and Beverley Ward secretary. Donald Haber continues as executive director and COO at BAFTA La.
The following have been elected to serve a two-year term on the board: Philip Ashcroft, Kieran Breen, Katherine Haber, Kolar, Sandro Monetti, Julia Verdin, Walton, Beverley Ward and Bumble Ward. The new team began their term on January 1.
They join the following members who will begin the second year of their two-year term: Daly, Gary Dartnall, Bryony Foster, Paul Heller, James Knight, Vivian Mayer, Kara Miller, Paul Steinke and Rosalie Swedlin.
“I am honoured to have been elected chairman for 2014,” said Daly. “BAFTA has an impressive track record in Los Angeles including our commitment to education and the support of emerging talents, our important community outreach work, and celebrating...
Paul Steinke is named treasurer and Beverley Ward secretary. Donald Haber continues as executive director and COO at BAFTA La.
The following have been elected to serve a two-year term on the board: Philip Ashcroft, Kieran Breen, Katherine Haber, Kolar, Sandro Monetti, Julia Verdin, Walton, Beverley Ward and Bumble Ward. The new team began their term on January 1.
They join the following members who will begin the second year of their two-year term: Daly, Gary Dartnall, Bryony Foster, Paul Heller, James Knight, Vivian Mayer, Kara Miller, Paul Steinke and Rosalie Swedlin.
“I am honoured to have been elected chairman for 2014,” said Daly. “BAFTA has an impressive track record in Los Angeles including our commitment to education and the support of emerging talents, our important community outreach work, and celebrating...
- 1/16/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Last year, when Life of Pi was shown to the Nyff, no one really knew what to make of it. Meanwhile, back in Los Angeles, a few of us bloggers...
- 10/6/2013
- by Sasha Stone
- AwardsDaily.com
The top stories of the week from Toh! Reviews: This Weekend: Head to "The Heat" and "Laurence Anyways," Skip Emmerich's Latest Disaster "White House Down" Features: Ex-Gay Survivors Speak Out in Doc Aired Day After Supreme Court Ruling (Trailer) Immersed in Movies: Pulling Off a New VFX Twist for "White House Down" Interviews: Talking "Wadjda" Firsts: Film Shot Entirely in Saudi Arabia, and By a Woman (Trailer) News: James Gandolfini Remembered at Manhattan Funeral Services by David Chase, Family and Friends Short Concept Videos to Be Eligible for Option at Amazon Studios Casting Watch: Keira Knightley to Produce and Star in 1920s Suspense Tale "The Other Typist" Former Fox PR Chief Bumble Ward Establishes Hive Communication Collective Focused on Social Media and Philanthropy "Fifty Shades of Grey" Gets a 2014 Release Date Updated Festivals: Comic-Con Update: "Ender's Game" Preview and Panel Added to Lineup (New Posters) Television: How Danish Political Drama Series.
- 6/29/2013
- by TOH!
- Thompson on Hollywood
Hollywood veteran Bumble Ward and philanthropy professional Tracy Bechtold have launched Hive Collective, a new company that plans to take a fresh approach to communication. Sitting at the intersection of entertainment and philanthropy in Los Angeles, the firm will offer a full complement of communication services including strategic messaging, media relations, and social and digital media outreach to forward-thinking entertainment companies, creators and projects, as well as local and national non-profits and social causes. Formerly executive VP of publicity at 20th Century Fox, Ward wanted to forge a new kind of paradigm...
- 6/28/2013
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
La-based film and PR maven Bumble Ward, who in October 2012 left her post as publicity Evp at Twentieth Century Fox, has co-founded a new social strategy hub for art and philanthropy, Hive Communication Collective. She is partnered with philanthropy vet Tracy Bechtold, per their press release today: The firm will offer a full complement of communication services including strategic messaging, media relations, and social and digital media outreach to forward-thinking entertainment companies, creators and projects as well as local and national non-profits and social causes.Following a long hiatus from PR after shutting down her lucrative firm Bumble Ward and Associates in 2004, Ward joined Fox in summer 2011. She left the studio last October before her contract was to expire in February 2013, citing "different approaches" and a "mutual parting of ways." Having leveraged many large-scale campaigns for Fox features including last year's "Prometheus" and the awards track for...
- 6/27/2013
- by Anne Thompson and Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
Hive Collective just opened the doors to its new West Los Angeles offices today. The digital-oriented firm from one-time 20th Century Fox Evp of publicity Bumble Ward and philanthropy specialist Tracy Bechtold will specialize in entertainment companies, non-profits, and social causes. ”Sitting at the intersection of entertainment and philanthropy in Los Angeles, the firm will offer a full complement of communication services including strategic messaging, media relations, and social and digital media outreach,” the announcement said. One of Hollywood’s smarter publicists, Ward previously had Bumble Ward & Associates, her own director-driven flackery before she folded it to focus on creative writing and then spent only 18 months of a two-year contract at 20th. Bechtold was formerly executive director of Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena and a PR exec with Burson/Marsteller and Bender/Helper. The duo originally partnered up to represent Megan Chernin’s La Fund For Public Education. ”Blogging...
- 6/27/2013
- by NIKKI FINKE, Editor in Chief
- Deadline TV
Hive Collective just opened the doors to its new West Los Angeles offices today. The digital-oriented firm from one-time 20th Century Fox Evp of publicity Bumble Ward and philanthropy specialist Tracy Bechtold will specialize in entertainment companies, non-profits, and social causes. ”Sitting at the intersection of entertainment and philanthropy in Los Angeles, the firm will offer a full complement of communication services including strategic messaging, media relations, and social and digital media outreach,” the announcement said. One of Hollywood’s smarter publicists, Ward previously had Bumble Ward & Associates, her own director-driven flackery before she folded it to focus on creative writing and then spent only 18 months of a two-year contract at 20th. Bechtold was formerly executive director of Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena and a PR exec with Burson/Marsteller and Bender/Helper. The duo originally partnered up to represent Megan Chernin’s La Fund For Public Education. ”Blogging...
- 6/27/2013
- by NIKKI FINKE, Editor in Chief
- Deadline Hollywood
Suddenly Team Life of Pi has gone very quiet and it makes me worry that someone high up on the food chain has dropped the ball. Things looked sketchy for...
- 12/26/2012
- by Sasha Stone
- AwardsDaily.com
Updated, 1:11 p.m. Pst Bumble Ward has stepped down as executive vice president of publicity for 20th Century Fox's film marketing division, an individual with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. The studio is looking for a replacement. The British publicity veteran (pictured left) with the evocative name left the studio Monday with roughly four months left on her 18-month contract. Part of the issue had to do with a culture clash: Ward, who had worked independently for decades, struggled to fit into a massive studio structure, two other individuals familiar with her...
- 10/16/2012
- by Brent Lang & Liza Foreman
- The Wrap
Bumble Ward, a veteran personal publicist-turned-studio executive, is leaving her post as executive vp publicity at 20th Century Fox after joining the studio Aug. 30, 2011. Her abrupt exit comes on the heels of the departure of Fox Filmed Entertainment co-chairman Tom Rothman, who was instrumental in hiring Ward along with Oren Aviv as co-president of domestic theatrical marketing and chief marketing officer. However, insiders say it quickly became apparent that she wasn't the right fit and that Ward's skills as a personal publicist didn't translate. She has four months left on her 18-month contract.
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- 10/16/2012
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bumble Ward is out as PR chief at Twentieth Century Fox. "It was a mutual parting of the ways," she says. Her contract expires February 29, 2013, but she left the studio Monday. "We had different approaches." After taking a break from publicity and shutting down her lucrative PR firm Bumble Ward and Associates in 2004, Ward returned to PR at Fox for what was to be a short-lived tenure. As head of the smallest PR department of any major studio (smaller than Fox Searchlight), Ward masterminded the PR campaign for Ridley Scott's "Prometheus" and set Ang Lee's "Life of Pi" on its awards track, showcasing it at CinemaCon and booking it as the opening night of the prestigious New York Film Festival. But hard-charging press agents and studios don't aways mix. From when she started August 29, 2011, Ward, 49, owned her own authority and did not necessarily play softball with the Fox brass.
- 10/16/2012
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Exclusive: Bumble Ward has just left 20th Century Fox, some 18 months into her two-year contract as Evp Publicity for Fox’s Film Marketing unit. Nobody was being specific about the reasons for her exit, but it clearly didn’t work out. Ward would only say that she had a “great time and loved working with the department on the campaigns for films like Life Of Pi, Prometheus and Chronicle, but we’ve decided it was time to move on.” Ward, who ran her own director-driven shop before she folded it to focus on creative writing, said she will now explore other opportunities, while she continues writing on the side. Fox will begin looking for a new exec veep soon. Ward’s last day was yesterday.
- 10/16/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Twentieth Century Fox has brought in veteran PR executive Louise Kaufman as senior vp publicity. She will run the studio's New York office, reporting to Fox executive vp publicity Bumble Ward. Kaufman starts in her new position on May 29. She arrives from Summit Entertainment, where for the past three years she organized New York campaigns for projects including the Twilight series and the best picture Oscar winner The Hurt Locker. She previously worked at Paramount for 18 years, leading the studio’s New York publicity team for 12 years. At Paramount, she worked on publicity for films such as Iron
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- 5/16/2012
- by Austin Siegemund-Broka
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Louise Kaufman will run Fox’s New York PR shop starting May 29, the studio announced Wednesday. Kaufman has spent the last three years on Summit Entertainment’s New York publicity team where she headed the campaigns for the "Twilight" franchise and "The Hurt Locker." Prior to Summit, Kaufman spent 18 years at Paramount, 12 of them running the studio’s New York PR team. Also read: Sarah Greenberg Roberts Seeks to Exit Publicity at Weinstein Co (Exclusive) "We are extremely lucky to have such a seasoned pro heading our New York publicity efforts," Bumble Ward, Fox’s Evp...
- 5/16/2012
- by Lucas Shaw
- The Wrap
Los Angeles (May 16, 2012) __ Twentieth Century Fox has tapped veteran PR executive Louise Kaufman to run the studio’s New York publicity office. The announcement was made today by Fox’s executive vice president of publicity Bumble Ward, to whom Kaufman will report. With over 20 years of industry experience, Kaufman comes on as senior vice president of publicity and will oversee all publicity and promotional operations in New York. She is set to take her post on May 29th. “We are extremely lucky to have such a seasoned pro heading our New York publicity efforts,” said Ward of Kaufman. “She has not only managed campaigns for some of the biggest blockbusters and most critically acclaimed films of all time, but she has the superb reputation of cultivating lasting relationships across the industry.” Kaufman spent the last three years leading Summit Entertainment’s New York publicity team; spearheading campaigns for The Twilight Saga franchise,...
- 5/16/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
That was quick. Emily Bear, who in late January was named head of 20th Century Fox’s New York publicity office, has resigned her Svp post after just five weeks on the job. She wasn’t fired, but decided it wasn’t a good for for her, I’m told. Bear would only say that “I adore Bumble Ward and Fox’s publicity team and wish them continued success.” Bear, who oversaw awards-season publicity for producer Scott Rudin, hasn’t figure out what’s next.
- 3/20/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Exclusive: 20th Century Fox is hiring Emily Bear to run the studio’s publicity office in New York. Bear will come in as Svp Publicity and report to Evp Bumble Ward. She will oversee all publicity, promotional and field operations in New York. I’m told Bear will start next month. Until then, she will continue working on awards-season films for producer Scott Rudin. Bear has overseen publicity on Rudin’s behalf on The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Moneyball and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, as well as last year’s Best Picture nominees The Social Network and True Grit, and the Tony-winning Broadway musical The Book Of Mormon. Bear previously ran publicity at Miramax Films and oversaw campaigns for No Country For Old Men, The Diving Bell And The Butterfly, The Queen, and Gone, Baby, Gone. Before that she ran publicity for Bob Weinstein’s Dimension Films.
- 1/20/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Bumble Ward, a former publicist who shut down her firm five years ago to concentrate on writing, is indeed returning to the PR business full-time as Fox's executive VP, domestic publicity, the studio announced Monday. She replaces Carol Sewell, who was executive vice president, publicity and field marketing, and who left the company in May. Since closing Bumble Ward & Associates, Ward has written a popular blog, Miss Whistle, and has advised clients on social media marketing. Word of her negotiations to join Fox surfaced last week. Also read: Bumble Ward in Talks to...
- 8/30/2011
- by Joshua L. Weinstein
- The Wrap
Bumble Ward Buzzing Into Fox Rp Post Los Angeles (August 29, 2011) — Bumble Ward has been named Executive Vice President of Publicity in Twentieth Century Fox’s Domestic Theatrical Marketing Department, it was announced today by Oren Aviv, the studio’s President of Domestic Theatrical Marketing and Chief Marketing Officer, and Tony Sella, President, Domestic Theatrical Marketing and Chief Creative Officer. Ward will report to Aviv and Sella. “Bumble has long been one of the industry’s most respected publicity professionals and over the past several years she has become a top social media marketing specialist,” said Aviv and Sella in a joint statement. “Her wealth of experience in both traditional and cutting edge approaches will bring an exciting new dynamic to our publicity team, as we continue to innovate and evolve to maximize the opportunities presented by the rapidly-changing media landscape.” Ward will oversee all aspects of the studio’s domestic publicity campaigns.
- 8/29/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Fox is in talks with Bumble Ward, the personal publicist-turned-writer, to head its national publicity department, TheWrap has confirmed. If things work out, she'll get the job held by Carol Sewell, who was executive vice president, publicity and field marketing, before she left Fox in May. An individual close to the negotiations told TheWrap that the details -- including the job title -- still are being worked out. Ward would report to co-president of domestic marketing and chief marketing officer Oren Aviv and co-president of domestic marketing and chief creative officer Tony Sella. From...
- 8/26/2011
- by Joshua L. Weinstein
- The Wrap
Bumble Ward, who halted her career as a personal publicist to take up creative writing in 2005, is in negotiations to head up film publicity at 20th Century Fox, I’m told. She would replace Carol Sewell and report to Oren Aviv and Tony Sella. When Ward stepped away from the PR game, it was a shock. At the time she shuttered the 10-year old firm she built after coming to Hollywood from London in 1987, Ward had a list of clients to die for — repping Quentin Tarantino, Sofia Coppola, Peter and Bobby Farrelly, Marc Forster, Tony Scott, Stephen Gaghan, James Mangold, Mira Nair, Tim Burton and Paul Thomas Anderson. She also had a thriving Oscar-season business. I could not get a confirmation from Fox, but I believe this will all go down soon.
- 8/26/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Phedon Papamichael's thriller "From Within" has been announced to be the latest horror film selection to be included in After Dark Horrorfest III's line-up of the "8 Films to Die for". Outed on Wednesday, September 3, by After Dark Films' CEO Courtney Solomon, it will be joining the other previously-selected movies, "The Broken", "Slaughter (2009)", "Perkins 14" and "The Butterfly Effect: Revelation".
Sharing his excitement upon knowing that the film starring Elizabeth Rice, Thomas Dekker, Kelly Blatz, Laura Allen, Adam Goldberg and Rumer Willis has become the fifth film on the list, producer Adrian Butchart stated, "We've been fans of the After Dark Horrorfest '8 Films to Die For' series since it blasted onto the scene two years ago. We feel that we are in great company this year since the films look to be the best yet. We are delighted to have 'From Within' take part in the latest installment."
Having been...
Sharing his excitement upon knowing that the film starring Elizabeth Rice, Thomas Dekker, Kelly Blatz, Laura Allen, Adam Goldberg and Rumer Willis has become the fifth film on the list, producer Adrian Butchart stated, "We've been fans of the After Dark Horrorfest '8 Films to Die For' series since it blasted onto the scene two years ago. We feel that we are in great company this year since the films look to be the best yet. We are delighted to have 'From Within' take part in the latest installment."
Having been...
- 9/5/2008
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Peter Morris, chairman of the board of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts/Los Angeles, will continue in that role this year, it was announced Wednesday. Also continuing in their current positions are deputy chair David Ginsburg and secretary Alexander Rufus-Isaacs. Bumble Ward remains on the board but is stepping down as treasurer, with Ian Wrigley taking that post. Newly elected Pam Wilson joins the board, while Gary Dartnall returns. Donald Haber continues as executive director and chief operating officer.
- 1/11/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Film-making couple Spike Jonze and Sofia Coppola are divorcing after four years of marriage. The pair - who met on the set of Sonic Youth music video "100%" in 1992 and wed in 1999 - have confirmed their marriage is over in a brief statement. Read by Coppola's representative Bumble Ward, it reads, "It is with sadness that Sofia Coppola and Spike Jonze have jointly announced that they are divorcing." Being John Malkovich director Jonze, 34, is rumored to be the inspiration behind the protagonist's distant spouse in Coppola's new film Lost In Translation - which previously led to speculation their union was in trouble. Paper LA Weekly observed that the "rumpled schleppiness" of actor Giovanni Ribisi - who plays Scarlett Johansson's absent spouse - "reminds one of Coppola's husband".
- 12/9/2003
- WENN
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