Abacus Media Rights has acquired the Sky Original feature documentary “The Ghost of Richard Harris,” about the Hollywood star and notorious hell-raiser, for worldwide distribution. The release of the film, directed by Adrian Sibley, coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Irish actor’s death.
The film, produced by Bright Yellow Films, Samson Films and Groove Intl., tracks Harris’ career, which was overshadowed by a reputation for drinking and riotous behavior. Exploring this complex, flawed individual, the documentary features Harris’ three sons, BAFTA Award-winning actor Jared Harris, actor Jamie Harris and director Damian Harris.
The film will air in the U.K. on Sky Arts and streaming service Now later this year.
Sibley said: “I had the pleasure of meeting Richard Harris through his son Damian at the Savoy to talk about making a documentary about his life and times. He’d seen my film with Anthony Hopkins where he...
The film, produced by Bright Yellow Films, Samson Films and Groove Intl., tracks Harris’ career, which was overshadowed by a reputation for drinking and riotous behavior. Exploring this complex, flawed individual, the documentary features Harris’ three sons, BAFTA Award-winning actor Jared Harris, actor Jamie Harris and director Damian Harris.
The film will air in the U.K. on Sky Arts and streaming service Now later this year.
Sibley said: “I had the pleasure of meeting Richard Harris through his son Damian at the Savoy to talk about making a documentary about his life and times. He’d seen my film with Anthony Hopkins where he...
- 4/27/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles (BAFTA Los Angeles) celebrated the 2018 Awards Season with their annual Tea Party on Saturday, January 6, 2018.
Emilia Clarke Attends BAFTA Los Angeles Tea Party
The BAFTA Los Angeles Tea Party is one of the most prestigious events in the annual awards calendar, celebrating excellence in the craft, and wishing the best of luck to all nominees for the awards season ahead.
Awards Season Nominees along with leading executives, celebrities and BAFTA members enjoyed British tea and scones, and cocktails in the uniquely relaxed surroundings of a traditional British Tea Party.
Among the stars who attended were Sean Baker (The Florida Project), Claes Bang (The Square), Jacqueline Bisset (Amant Double), Mary J. Blige (Mudbound), Mark Bridges (Phantom Thread), Graham Broadbent (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Lisa Bruce (Darkest Hour), Amanda Brugel (The Handmaid’s Tale), Guy Burnet...
Emilia Clarke Attends BAFTA Los Angeles Tea Party
The BAFTA Los Angeles Tea Party is one of the most prestigious events in the annual awards calendar, celebrating excellence in the craft, and wishing the best of luck to all nominees for the awards season ahead.
Awards Season Nominees along with leading executives, celebrities and BAFTA members enjoyed British tea and scones, and cocktails in the uniquely relaxed surroundings of a traditional British Tea Party.
Among the stars who attended were Sean Baker (The Florida Project), Claes Bang (The Square), Jacqueline Bisset (Amant Double), Mary J. Blige (Mudbound), Mark Bridges (Phantom Thread), Graham Broadbent (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Lisa Bruce (Darkest Hour), Amanda Brugel (The Handmaid’s Tale), Guy Burnet...
- 1/11/2018
- Look to the Stars
The actors have joined Margot Robbie on board the noir thriller that Highland Film Group (Hfg) continued to sell internationally in Cannes.
Production has started in Hungary on Terminal, which now also features Max Irons and Dexter Fletcher.
Vaughn Stein directs from his screenplay about two hitmen to be played by Fletcher and Irons on a suicide mission for a mysterious employer.
David Barron of BeaglePug, Molly Hassell, and Hfg’s Arianne Fraser will produce alongside Tom Ackerley, Josey McNamara, Sophia Kerr and Robbie through their LuckyChap Entertainment banner.
Hfg arranged financing with Ingenious Media, RuYi Media and Miscellaneous Entertainment. CAA represents Us rights.
Terminal’s executive producers are John Jencks, D. Todd Shepherd, Joe Simpson, George Waud, Shelley Madison, Charles Auty, Simon Williams, Hfg’s Delphine Perrier, and Henry Winterstern.
Production has started in Hungary on Terminal, which now also features Max Irons and Dexter Fletcher.
Vaughn Stein directs from his screenplay about two hitmen to be played by Fletcher and Irons on a suicide mission for a mysterious employer.
David Barron of BeaglePug, Molly Hassell, and Hfg’s Arianne Fraser will produce alongside Tom Ackerley, Josey McNamara, Sophia Kerr and Robbie through their LuckyChap Entertainment banner.
Hfg arranged financing with Ingenious Media, RuYi Media and Miscellaneous Entertainment. CAA represents Us rights.
Terminal’s executive producers are John Jencks, D. Todd Shepherd, Joe Simpson, George Waud, Shelley Madison, Charles Auty, Simon Williams, Hfg’s Delphine Perrier, and Henry Winterstern.
- 5/24/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Get ready stateside filmgoers, because the “phoners” (aka “crazies”) are coming to the Us. Stephen King fans know that the master of macabre doesn’t like using cell phones. His 2006 novel, Cell, is a cautionary tale about what can go wrong by pressing portable phones to our ears and keeping them close at hand in our pockets, and its unflinching subject matter contains flocks of murderous lunatics that would be right at home in Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later, George A. Romero’s The Crazies, or Simon Clark’s Blood Crazy.
We knew this unique King novel was getting the adaptation treatment, with King co-writing the screenplay and John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson in the lead roles, but we’re now one big step closer to seeing it on the silver screen, as Clarius Entertainment has acquired the Us rights to the movie.
Slated to hit theaters this year,...
We knew this unique King novel was getting the adaptation treatment, with King co-writing the screenplay and John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson in the lead roles, but we’re now one big step closer to seeing it on the silver screen, as Clarius Entertainment has acquired the Us rights to the movie.
Slated to hit theaters this year,...
- 2/5/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Coverage of ISAs (international sales agents) resumed for the American Film Market. This segment follows leaders, innovation and successful new startups in the world of international film sales and distribution.
The Beverly Hills based International Film Trust (Ift) was started in April 2013 by co-founders Michael Benaroya of Benaroya Pictures and Miscellaneous Entertainment principals D. Todd Shepherd and George Waud.
Since its inception at Cannes in 2013, Ift has acquired 12 films with another set for Berlin 2015. The first titles were successfully presold last year and have since been scheduled for theatrical release.
Ift President Christian De Gallegos brings a wealth of wisdom and experience from his background in the talent agencies and as a sales agent for Voltage Pictures, working on Oscar winners like “The Hurt Locker” and “Dallas Buyers Club”.
De Gallegos talks about the progress of this fairly new sales agency and shares some of Ift’s upcoming films:
How did Ift start?
Michael Benaroya had been an active producer and financier for years, outsourcing international sales to the leading independent companies. His slate was growing and international distribution remained crucial to his business model, so he knew that starting an international sales agency would be financially efficient and would give him a more thorough market awareness which is invaluable when packaging.
Mb: I worked with the top international distributors at Voltage who have thankfully supported Ift since day one and we’ve been lucky to partner with powerhouse companies like Sony, eOne and Universal who are currently scheduled to release half our slate, having come on board in pre-production.
The majority of our lineup to date has been within the Us$ 10 million dollar range, shot with soft money and internationally viable casts, keeping budgets to a reasonable level so presales without confirmed U.S. theatrical distribution are realistic. We comfortably retain production value which validates theatrical upside.
We’re excited to step up to the next level this year. We have two films in which we’re involved with financing and distribution: one at Us$ 33 million and another at Us$ 35 million.
What are some new projects that you’re excited about?
“You Shall Know Our Velocity”, based off Dave Eggers best-selling novel, will start shooting April 2015 with Daniel Radcliffe. Also, we have a film called “Cymbeline” with Dakota Johnson as the lead (from “Fifty Shades of Grey”), which premiered at Venice this year. Grindstone will theatrically release it in early 2015.
What do you look for when considering a film?
Interesting concepts and relevant topics with the right financing structure. I’ve been involved with the passion projects of A-list actors which can be exciting as they attract great ensembles, cameos, crew and their enthusiasm usually leads to a better movie.
How did you enter the business?
I started in the talent agency world, working at Paradigm in film, music and TV. The agencies are the epicenter of the entertainment industry; there you’re exposed to all sides of the business, so it was just a matter of time before I learned about international sales and figured it would suit me best. I found an opportunity at Voltage Pictures working as Nicolas Chartier’s assistant in 2007. After a few months he promoted me to sell on his behalf. I worked there for six years, sold about 100 movies and was lucky enough to be part of great films like “The Hurt Locker”, which won eight Oscars, “Don Jon”, and “Dallas Buyer’s Club”. The founders of Ift approached me early 2013 and I’ve been thrilled to be a part of our growing company ever since.
What do you love the most about your work?
I love deal making and the satisfaction it brings me, whether it’s a quick handshake or a challenging spin on a tough topic. I love the partnerships I’ve formed and friendships I’ve developed, with both clients and competitors. I love the markets but prefer visiting what is a very nice network of people on their home turf, traveling the world to see firsthand where our influence reaches.
More about International Film Trust:
International Film Trust (Ift) is an international sales and distribution company launched by co-founders Michael Benaroya of Benaroya Pictures and Miscellaneous Entertainment principals D. Todd Shepherd and George Waud to represent the theatrical feature film productions from the founding company’s own banners as well as titles from other producers and third party productions. With over twenty years experience in producing, finance, international sales and distribution, Ift has the knowledge and relationships to cultivate strategic partnerships with A-list producers and filmmakers. Transparent by design in their business practices, Ift is a company that understands and honors the four pillars that sustain the global film marketplace: Creativity, Finance, Sales and Distribution.
Making its debut at Cannes 2013, Ift’s slate includes You Shall Know Our Velocity based on Dave Egger's best-selling novel and starring Daniel Radcliffe; Mark Polish's Headlock starring Polish, Andy Garcia, Dianna Agron and Justin Bartha; Michael Almereyda’s Cymbeline starring Ethan Hawke, Ed Harris, Dakota Johnson and Milla Jovovich; the action thriller Cell starring John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson, and to be directed by Tod Williams (Paranormal Activity 2); The King Of The Kastle starring Clive Owen, Academy Award Nominee Jacki Weaver and Asa Butterfield; Your Voice In My Head based on Emma Forrest's best-selling novel; and the horror thriller Exists directed by Eduardo Sanchez (The Blair Witch Project) and which was released by Lionsgate in October.
The Beverly Hills based International Film Trust (Ift) was started in April 2013 by co-founders Michael Benaroya of Benaroya Pictures and Miscellaneous Entertainment principals D. Todd Shepherd and George Waud.
Since its inception at Cannes in 2013, Ift has acquired 12 films with another set for Berlin 2015. The first titles were successfully presold last year and have since been scheduled for theatrical release.
Ift President Christian De Gallegos brings a wealth of wisdom and experience from his background in the talent agencies and as a sales agent for Voltage Pictures, working on Oscar winners like “The Hurt Locker” and “Dallas Buyers Club”.
De Gallegos talks about the progress of this fairly new sales agency and shares some of Ift’s upcoming films:
How did Ift start?
Michael Benaroya had been an active producer and financier for years, outsourcing international sales to the leading independent companies. His slate was growing and international distribution remained crucial to his business model, so he knew that starting an international sales agency would be financially efficient and would give him a more thorough market awareness which is invaluable when packaging.
Mb: I worked with the top international distributors at Voltage who have thankfully supported Ift since day one and we’ve been lucky to partner with powerhouse companies like Sony, eOne and Universal who are currently scheduled to release half our slate, having come on board in pre-production.
The majority of our lineup to date has been within the Us$ 10 million dollar range, shot with soft money and internationally viable casts, keeping budgets to a reasonable level so presales without confirmed U.S. theatrical distribution are realistic. We comfortably retain production value which validates theatrical upside.
We’re excited to step up to the next level this year. We have two films in which we’re involved with financing and distribution: one at Us$ 33 million and another at Us$ 35 million.
What are some new projects that you’re excited about?
“You Shall Know Our Velocity”, based off Dave Eggers best-selling novel, will start shooting April 2015 with Daniel Radcliffe. Also, we have a film called “Cymbeline” with Dakota Johnson as the lead (from “Fifty Shades of Grey”), which premiered at Venice this year. Grindstone will theatrically release it in early 2015.
What do you look for when considering a film?
Interesting concepts and relevant topics with the right financing structure. I’ve been involved with the passion projects of A-list actors which can be exciting as they attract great ensembles, cameos, crew and their enthusiasm usually leads to a better movie.
How did you enter the business?
I started in the talent agency world, working at Paradigm in film, music and TV. The agencies are the epicenter of the entertainment industry; there you’re exposed to all sides of the business, so it was just a matter of time before I learned about international sales and figured it would suit me best. I found an opportunity at Voltage Pictures working as Nicolas Chartier’s assistant in 2007. After a few months he promoted me to sell on his behalf. I worked there for six years, sold about 100 movies and was lucky enough to be part of great films like “The Hurt Locker”, which won eight Oscars, “Don Jon”, and “Dallas Buyer’s Club”. The founders of Ift approached me early 2013 and I’ve been thrilled to be a part of our growing company ever since.
What do you love the most about your work?
I love deal making and the satisfaction it brings me, whether it’s a quick handshake or a challenging spin on a tough topic. I love the partnerships I’ve formed and friendships I’ve developed, with both clients and competitors. I love the markets but prefer visiting what is a very nice network of people on their home turf, traveling the world to see firsthand where our influence reaches.
More about International Film Trust:
International Film Trust (Ift) is an international sales and distribution company launched by co-founders Michael Benaroya of Benaroya Pictures and Miscellaneous Entertainment principals D. Todd Shepherd and George Waud to represent the theatrical feature film productions from the founding company’s own banners as well as titles from other producers and third party productions. With over twenty years experience in producing, finance, international sales and distribution, Ift has the knowledge and relationships to cultivate strategic partnerships with A-list producers and filmmakers. Transparent by design in their business practices, Ift is a company that understands and honors the four pillars that sustain the global film marketplace: Creativity, Finance, Sales and Distribution.
Making its debut at Cannes 2013, Ift’s slate includes You Shall Know Our Velocity based on Dave Egger's best-selling novel and starring Daniel Radcliffe; Mark Polish's Headlock starring Polish, Andy Garcia, Dianna Agron and Justin Bartha; Michael Almereyda’s Cymbeline starring Ethan Hawke, Ed Harris, Dakota Johnson and Milla Jovovich; the action thriller Cell starring John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson, and to be directed by Tod Williams (Paranormal Activity 2); The King Of The Kastle starring Clive Owen, Academy Award Nominee Jacki Weaver and Asa Butterfield; Your Voice In My Head based on Emma Forrest's best-selling novel; and the horror thriller Exists directed by Eduardo Sanchez (The Blair Witch Project) and which was released by Lionsgate in October.
- 11/18/2014
- by Erin Grover
- Sydney's Buzz
We’re back with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting the recent independent horror news sent our way. Today’s feature includes a trailer for Exists, Don’t Blink, and The Wolves of Savin Hill, an announcement of the Fifth Annual PollyGrind Film Festival, Dead Rage first details, and more:
New Clip from Exists: “For five friends, it was a chance for a summer getaway – a weekend of camping in the Texas Big Thicket. But visions of a carefree vacation are shattered with an accident on a dark and desolate country road. In the wake of the accident, a blood curdling force of nature is unleashed – something not exactly human, but not completely animal – an urban legend come to terrifying life and seeking murderous revenge.
Opening in select theaters and On Demand on Friday, October 24th, 2014. Directed by Eduardo Sanchez and written by Jamie Nash, Exists stars Dora Madison Burge,...
New Clip from Exists: “For five friends, it was a chance for a summer getaway – a weekend of camping in the Texas Big Thicket. But visions of a carefree vacation are shattered with an accident on a dark and desolate country road. In the wake of the accident, a blood curdling force of nature is unleashed – something not exactly human, but not completely animal – an urban legend come to terrifying life and seeking murderous revenge.
Opening in select theaters and On Demand on Friday, October 24th, 2014. Directed by Eduardo Sanchez and written by Jamie Nash, Exists stars Dora Madison Burge,...
- 9/21/2014
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Lionsgate has dropped the official trailer for Ed Sanchez's (The Blair Witch Project) new Bigfoot film, Exists, which will be arriving on various VOD platforms and in limited theaters on October 24th. Check it out!
In Bigfoot’s bold return to the big screen, five friends on a camping weekend in the remote woods of East Texas struggle to survive against a legendary predator that is stronger, smarter, and more terrifying than anything they would have ever believed exists.
Related Story: Four New Stills Exist for Exists
The film stars Chris Osborn, Dora Madison Burge, Roger Edwards, Samuel Davis, Denise Williamson, and Brian Steele and is produced by Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Robin Cowie, and J. Andrew Jenkins. Exists, written by Jamie Nash, is executive produced by George Waud, D. Todd Shepherd, Gregg Hale, and Reed Frerichs, and the Sasquatch creature was designed by Spectral Motion.
Synopsis
For five friends,...
In Bigfoot’s bold return to the big screen, five friends on a camping weekend in the remote woods of East Texas struggle to survive against a legendary predator that is stronger, smarter, and more terrifying than anything they would have ever believed exists.
Related Story: Four New Stills Exist for Exists
The film stars Chris Osborn, Dora Madison Burge, Roger Edwards, Samuel Davis, Denise Williamson, and Brian Steele and is produced by Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Robin Cowie, and J. Andrew Jenkins. Exists, written by Jamie Nash, is executive produced by George Waud, D. Todd Shepherd, Gregg Hale, and Reed Frerichs, and the Sasquatch creature was designed by Spectral Motion.
Synopsis
For five friends,...
- 8/25/2014
- by Steve Barton
- DreadCentral.com
Lionsgate gave Entertainment Weekly the first look at the poster for Ed Sanchez's (The Blair Witch Project) new Bigfoot film, Exists, which will be arriving on various VOD platforms and in limited theaters on October 24th. Dig it!
In Bigfoot’s bold return to the big screen, five friends on a camping weekend in the remote woods of East Texas struggle to survive against a legendary predator that is stronger, smarter, and more terrifying than anything they would have ever believed exists.
Related Story: Four New Stills Exist for Exists
The film stars Chris Osborn, Dora Madison Burge, Roger Edwards, Samuel Davis, Denise Williamson, and Brian Steele and is produced by Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Robin Cowie, and J. Andrew Jenkins. Exists, written by Jamie Nash, is executive produced by George Waud, D. Todd Shepherd, Gregg Hale, and Reed Frerichs, and the Sasquatch creature was designed by Spectral Motion.
In Bigfoot’s bold return to the big screen, five friends on a camping weekend in the remote woods of East Texas struggle to survive against a legendary predator that is stronger, smarter, and more terrifying than anything they would have ever believed exists.
Related Story: Four New Stills Exist for Exists
The film stars Chris Osborn, Dora Madison Burge, Roger Edwards, Samuel Davis, Denise Williamson, and Brian Steele and is produced by Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Robin Cowie, and J. Andrew Jenkins. Exists, written by Jamie Nash, is executive produced by George Waud, D. Todd Shepherd, Gregg Hale, and Reed Frerichs, and the Sasquatch creature was designed by Spectral Motion.
- 8/20/2014
- by Steve Barton
- DreadCentral.com
C4, a new research-based SaaS company serving the entertainment industry, made a big statement Wednesday when it agreed to acquire all of Motion Picture Group's extensive data assets. The announcement came just six weeks after C4 was launched by Mpg's former CEO and several of its executives. Also read: Vincent Bruzzese on Mpg Sale: The Consumer Has Changed, but Not the Way We Do Research Former Mpg chief and C4's current CEO, Vincent Bruzzese, is steering the ship for the C4 co-founders, film producers D. Todd Shepherd and George Waud of Miscellaneous Entertainment, film producer and financier Michael Benaroya,...
- 8/7/2014
- by Jason Hughes
- The Wrap
C4, the research-based SaaS company servicing the entertainment industry, has signed an overall agreement including obtaining all Motion Picture Group (Mpg) data assets.
C4 founders film producers D Todd Shepherd and George Waud of Miscellaneous Entertainment and producer and financier Michael Benaroya made the announcement with David Lugliani of Mpg.
“We are all very happy that we could work out this mutually beneficial deal with Mpg and its advisors,” said Shepherd. “The team at C4 is already working to revolutionise the way decision makers analyse creative and financial entertainment content with the support of sound research and smart data algorithms. Having the Mpg research data is useful in that quest.”
“We are pleased to have reached this positive resolution with Mpg,” added Benaroya. “Vincent has skillfully guided this process, and continues to impress with the new research products he has proposed, which we are now developing. With Vincent, and our newly formed management and technology teams, we look...
C4 founders film producers D Todd Shepherd and George Waud of Miscellaneous Entertainment and producer and financier Michael Benaroya made the announcement with David Lugliani of Mpg.
“We are all very happy that we could work out this mutually beneficial deal with Mpg and its advisors,” said Shepherd. “The team at C4 is already working to revolutionise the way decision makers analyse creative and financial entertainment content with the support of sound research and smart data algorithms. Having the Mpg research data is useful in that quest.”
“We are pleased to have reached this positive resolution with Mpg,” added Benaroya. “Vincent has skillfully guided this process, and continues to impress with the new research products he has proposed, which we are now developing. With Vincent, and our newly formed management and technology teams, we look...
- 8/6/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Lionsgate announced today that Ed Sanchez's (The Blair Witch Project) new Bigfoot film, Exists, will be arriving on various VOD platforms October 3rd, a few weeks before it hits limited theaters on October 24th. Finally!
In Bigfoot’s bold return to the big screen, five friends on a camping weekend in the remote woods of East Texas struggle to survive against a legendary predator that is stronger, smarter, and more terrifying than anything they would have ever believed exists.
Related Story: Four New Stills Exist for Exists
The film stars Chris Osborn, Dora Madison Burge, Roger Edwards, Samuel Davis, Denise Williamson, and Brian Steele and is produced by Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Robin Cowie, and J. Andrew Jenkins. Exists, written by Jamie Nash, is executive produced by George Waud, D. Todd Shepherd, Gregg Hale, and Reed Frerichs, and the Sasquatch creature was designed by Spectral Motion.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
In Bigfoot’s bold return to the big screen, five friends on a camping weekend in the remote woods of East Texas struggle to survive against a legendary predator that is stronger, smarter, and more terrifying than anything they would have ever believed exists.
Related Story: Four New Stills Exist for Exists
The film stars Chris Osborn, Dora Madison Burge, Roger Edwards, Samuel Davis, Denise Williamson, and Brian Steele and is produced by Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Robin Cowie, and J. Andrew Jenkins. Exists, written by Jamie Nash, is executive produced by George Waud, D. Todd Shepherd, Gregg Hale, and Reed Frerichs, and the Sasquatch creature was designed by Spectral Motion.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
- 8/4/2014
- by Steve Barton
- DreadCentral.com
Former Sony Pictures Entertainment chief digital strategy officer Mitch Singer has been named special advisor of industry affairs at Verance Corporation.
The company is a developer of anti-piracy technologies and earned an advocate in Singer, who spoke in favour of its Cinavia product while at Sony.
Singer, who left Sony in March, will play a role in helping with the wider roll-out of Cinavia. The product embeds an inaudible audio watermark in film that detects legitimate and unauthorised copies of content.
“Mitch has earned respect for crafting business strategies that advance the evolution to digital content of the entertainment industry,” said Verance CEO Nil Shah.
“As a visionary executive on the frontlines of digital policy, Mitch’s experience will be invaluable as he works with the industry to grow a robust marketplace for filmed entertainment.”
“At Sony Pictures, I saw firsthand how the Cinavia content protection technology drives additional sales by changing consumer viewing habits from piracy...
The company is a developer of anti-piracy technologies and earned an advocate in Singer, who spoke in favour of its Cinavia product while at Sony.
Singer, who left Sony in March, will play a role in helping with the wider roll-out of Cinavia. The product embeds an inaudible audio watermark in film that detects legitimate and unauthorised copies of content.
“Mitch has earned respect for crafting business strategies that advance the evolution to digital content of the entertainment industry,” said Verance CEO Nil Shah.
“As a visionary executive on the frontlines of digital policy, Mitch’s experience will be invaluable as he works with the industry to grow a robust marketplace for filmed entertainment.”
“At Sony Pictures, I saw firsthand how the Cinavia content protection technology drives additional sales by changing consumer viewing habits from piracy...
- 6/24/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Vincent Bruzzese, the former chief executive at Otx and Motion Picture Group, will head new entertainment research firm C4, launched by film producers D. Todd Shepherd and George Waud of Miscellaneous Entertainment and film producer and financier Michael Benaroya. Joining Bruzzese at C4 are research experts and former Mpg executives Kristen Simmons, Rich Fineza, Miriam Brin, Wade Young and Rob Siegel. Josh James, founder and CEO of Domo, will also back the new research company. (Shepherd, Benaroya and Bruzzese from left in photo above). Clients will include major studios, production companies, cable channels and film funds, all of which are wrestling.
- 6/24/2014
- by Todd Cunningham
- The Wrap
Lionsgate has acquired North American distribution rights to "Exists," the Bigfoot found footage film from "Blair Witch Project" director Eduardo Sánchez, the company announced today. The horror film premiered last night at SXSW to a sold-out midnight screening. The film tells the story of five friends who go camping in the backwoods of Texas only to be menaced by the famed -- and feared -- creature. The film stars Chris Osborn, Madison Burge, Roger Edwards, Samuel Davis, Denise Williamson and Brian Steele and is produced by Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Robin Cowie and J. Andrew Jenkins. It is executive produced by George Waud, D. Todd Shepherd, Gregg Hale and Reed Frerichs. The Sasquatch Creature, aka Bigfoot, was designed by Spectral Motion. "It is especially gratifying to sell the film at SXSW in Austin so close to Bastrop, Texas where we shot Exists with an amazing Texas-based cast and crew. We...
- 3/8/2014
- by Paula Bernstein
- Indiewire
Following a successful midnight screening at SXSW, Lionsgate announced that they’ve acquired North American distribution rights to Exists, a new bigfoot movie from The Blair Witch Project co-director Eduardo Sánchez:
“Lionsgate (NYSE: Lgf) has acquired North American distribution rights to Exists, a new horror film from The Blair Witch Project director Eduardo Sánchez. The film played last night to a sold-out midnight screening at SXSW in Austin.
In Bigfoot’s bold return to the big screen, five friends on a camping weekend in the remote woods of East Texas struggle to survive against a legendary predator that is stronger, smarter, and more terrifying than anything they would have ever believed exists.
The film stars Chris Osborn, Dora Madison Burge, Roger Edwards, Samuel Davis, Denise Williamson and Brian Steele and is produced by Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Robin Cowie and J. Andrew Jenkins. Exists is executive produced by George Waud,...
“Lionsgate (NYSE: Lgf) has acquired North American distribution rights to Exists, a new horror film from The Blair Witch Project director Eduardo Sánchez. The film played last night to a sold-out midnight screening at SXSW in Austin.
In Bigfoot’s bold return to the big screen, five friends on a camping weekend in the remote woods of East Texas struggle to survive against a legendary predator that is stronger, smarter, and more terrifying than anything they would have ever believed exists.
The film stars Chris Osborn, Dora Madison Burge, Roger Edwards, Samuel Davis, Denise Williamson and Brian Steele and is produced by Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Robin Cowie and J. Andrew Jenkins. Exists is executive produced by George Waud,...
- 3/8/2014
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Hot off last night’s midnight premiere at SXSW, Lionsgate has acquired the North American distribution rights to the Bigfoot found footage movie Exists.
Exists follows a group of five friends as they struggle to fight off the Bigfoot during a camping trip in the remote Texas woods.
This is very cool news. I been tracking this project for a minute and can’t wait to check it out. For those not in the know Exists was directed by Eduardo Sanchez who co-directed The Blair Witch Project back in the day. Full press release below.
(Austin, TX & Santa Monica, CA, March 8, 2014) — Lionsgate (NYSE: Lgf) has acquired North American distribution rights to Exists, a new horror film from The Blair Witch Project director Eduardo Sánchez. The film played last night to a sold-out midnight screening at SXSW in Austin.
In Bigfoot’s bold return to the big screen, five friends on...
Exists follows a group of five friends as they struggle to fight off the Bigfoot during a camping trip in the remote Texas woods.
This is very cool news. I been tracking this project for a minute and can’t wait to check it out. For those not in the know Exists was directed by Eduardo Sanchez who co-directed The Blair Witch Project back in the day. Full press release below.
(Austin, TX & Santa Monica, CA, March 8, 2014) — Lionsgate (NYSE: Lgf) has acquired North American distribution rights to Exists, a new horror film from The Blair Witch Project director Eduardo Sánchez. The film played last night to a sold-out midnight screening at SXSW in Austin.
In Bigfoot’s bold return to the big screen, five friends on...
- 3/8/2014
- by El Mayimbe
- LRMonline.com
Good ol' Lionsgate came through today for Sasquatchploitation fans as they just snapped up the North American distro rights for Ed Sanchez's (The Blair Witch Project) new Bigfoot film, Exists, following its SXSW Midnighters screening last night.
From the Press Release:
Lionsgate (NYSE: Lgf) has acquired North American distribution rights to Exists, a new horror film from The Blair Witch Project director Eduardo Sánchez. The film played last night to a sold-out midnight screening at SXSW in Austin, TX.
In Bigfoot’s bold return to the big screen, five friends on a camping weekend in the remote woods of East Texas struggle to survive against a legendary predator that is stronger, smarter, and more terrifying than anything they would have ever believed exists.
The film stars Chris Osborn, Dora Madison Burge, Roger Edwards, Samuel Davis, Denise Williamson, and Brian Steele and is produced by Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Robin Cowie,...
From the Press Release:
Lionsgate (NYSE: Lgf) has acquired North American distribution rights to Exists, a new horror film from The Blair Witch Project director Eduardo Sánchez. The film played last night to a sold-out midnight screening at SXSW in Austin, TX.
In Bigfoot’s bold return to the big screen, five friends on a camping weekend in the remote woods of East Texas struggle to survive against a legendary predator that is stronger, smarter, and more terrifying than anything they would have ever believed exists.
The film stars Chris Osborn, Dora Madison Burge, Roger Edwards, Samuel Davis, Denise Williamson, and Brian Steele and is produced by Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Robin Cowie,...
- 3/8/2014
- by Debi Moore
- DreadCentral.com
The studio has picked up North American rights at SXSW to Eduard Sanchez’s Bigfoot film, which International Film Trust handles for international sales.
Exists stars Chris Osborn, Dora Madison Burge, Roger Edwards, Samuel Davis, Denise Williamson and Brian Steele in the story of five friends who go camping in the remote East Texas woods and encounter a mythical predator.
Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Robin Cowie and J Andrew Jenkins produced, while the executive producers were George Waud, D Todd Shepherd, Gregg Hale and Reed Frerichs.
Lionsgate neogitated the deal with Wme and Stuart Rosenthal at Bloom Dekom.
Exists stars Chris Osborn, Dora Madison Burge, Roger Edwards, Samuel Davis, Denise Williamson and Brian Steele in the story of five friends who go camping in the remote East Texas woods and encounter a mythical predator.
Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Robin Cowie and J Andrew Jenkins produced, while the executive producers were George Waud, D Todd Shepherd, Gregg Hale and Reed Frerichs.
Lionsgate neogitated the deal with Wme and Stuart Rosenthal at Bloom Dekom.
- 3/8/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Lionsgate has acquired North American distribution rights to Exists , a new horror film from The Blair Witch Project director Eduardo Sánchez. The film played last night to a sold-out midnight screening at SXSW in Austin. In Bigfoot's bold return to the big screen, five friends on a camping weekend in the remote woods of East Texas struggle to survive against a legendary predator that is stronger, smarter, and more terrifying than anything they would have ever believed exists. The film stars Chris Osborn, Dora Madison Burge, Roger Edwards, Samuel Davis, Denise Williamson and Brian Steele and is produced by Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Robin Cowie and J. Andrew Jenkins. Exists is executive produced by George Waud, D. Todd Shepherd, Gregg Hale and Reed Frerichs, and the...
- 3/8/2014
- Comingsoon.net
International Film Trust has sold out Eduard Sanchez’s recently completed horror film Exists.
President Christian de Gallegos closed a multi-territory deal with Sejin Croninger and Joel Kennedy on behalf of eOne for Germany, France, Benelux, Scandinavia and South Africa. Ift licensed UK rights to eOne at the Afm.
Further deals closed in Japan (At Entertainment), the Middle East (Shooting Stars), Malaysia and Thailand (Sahamongkol), Philippines (Pioneer), Singapore (Cathay), Taiwan (Well Go), Cis (Luxor), India (Pictureworks), Mexico and Pan Latin pay TV (Dragon Multimedia) and Pan Asia pay TV (Star TV).
Jamie Nash wrote Exists, which follows five friends partying in the Texas woods who encounter what may be the mythical Bigfoot.
The producer roster includes Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Andy Jenkins and Robin Cowie. Reed Frerichs, Gregg Hale, George Waud and D Todd Shepherd are the executive producers.
President Christian de Gallegos closed a multi-territory deal with Sejin Croninger and Joel Kennedy on behalf of eOne for Germany, France, Benelux, Scandinavia and South Africa. Ift licensed UK rights to eOne at the Afm.
Further deals closed in Japan (At Entertainment), the Middle East (Shooting Stars), Malaysia and Thailand (Sahamongkol), Philippines (Pioneer), Singapore (Cathay), Taiwan (Well Go), Cis (Luxor), India (Pictureworks), Mexico and Pan Latin pay TV (Dragon Multimedia) and Pan Asia pay TV (Star TV).
Jamie Nash wrote Exists, which follows five friends partying in the Texas woods who encounter what may be the mythical Bigfoot.
The producer roster includes Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Andy Jenkins and Robin Cowie. Reed Frerichs, Gregg Hale, George Waud and D Todd Shepherd are the executive producers.
- 2/7/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
La-based sales company’s slate includes Cymbeline and Stephen King adaptation Cell.
Kevin Hoiseth [pictured] has joined La-based sales company International Film Trust (Ift) as director of international sales.
Hoiseth most recently served as director of international sales and marketing at Voltage Pictures where he worked on the likes of Dallas Buyers Club and Don Jon.
The new arrival will focus chiefly on Asia and Eastern Europe on an Ift slate that includes Cymbeline starring Ethan Hawke, Milla Jovovich and upcoming Fifty Shades Of Grey lead Dakota Johnson, Your Voice In My Head with Emma Watson, The King Of The Kastle starring Clive Owen and the Stephen King adaptationCell.
Ift president Christian De Gallegos and Ift co-founders Michael Benaroya, D Todd Shepherd and George Waud of Miscellaneous Entertainment made the announcement.
Kevin Hoiseth [pictured] has joined La-based sales company International Film Trust (Ift) as director of international sales.
Hoiseth most recently served as director of international sales and marketing at Voltage Pictures where he worked on the likes of Dallas Buyers Club and Don Jon.
The new arrival will focus chiefly on Asia and Eastern Europe on an Ift slate that includes Cymbeline starring Ethan Hawke, Milla Jovovich and upcoming Fifty Shades Of Grey lead Dakota Johnson, Your Voice In My Head with Emma Watson, The King Of The Kastle starring Clive Owen and the Stephen King adaptationCell.
Ift president Christian De Gallegos and Ift co-founders Michael Benaroya, D Todd Shepherd and George Waud of Miscellaneous Entertainment made the announcement.
- 2/6/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
International Film Trust (Ift) has appointed Marcin Janowski to the newly created position of head of international marketing and publicity, effective immediately.
Janowski most recently oversaw international marketing and publicity at Red Granite International and worked on Martin Scorsese’s December 25 release The Wolf Of Wall Street, among others.
He heads to Afm and in his new role at Ift will oversee marketing strategies and creative campaigns for such titles as Eduardo Sanchez’s horror thriller Exists; Cymbeline, which is currently in post-production and stars Ethan Hawke, Ed Harris and Milla Jovovich; and Your Voice In My Head to star Emma Watson.
Prior to Red Granite International Janowski served as director of international marketing and publicity at Nu Image/Millennium Films and also worked at Village Roadshow Pictures.
Ift head of sales Christian De Gallegos, Michael Benaroya of Benaroya Pictures and Miscellaneous Entertainment principals D Todd Shepherd and George Waud made the announcement.
“Marcin’s expertise...
Janowski most recently oversaw international marketing and publicity at Red Granite International and worked on Martin Scorsese’s December 25 release The Wolf Of Wall Street, among others.
He heads to Afm and in his new role at Ift will oversee marketing strategies and creative campaigns for such titles as Eduardo Sanchez’s horror thriller Exists; Cymbeline, which is currently in post-production and stars Ethan Hawke, Ed Harris and Milla Jovovich; and Your Voice In My Head to star Emma Watson.
Prior to Red Granite International Janowski served as director of international marketing and publicity at Nu Image/Millennium Films and also worked at Village Roadshow Pictures.
Ift head of sales Christian De Gallegos, Michael Benaroya of Benaroya Pictures and Miscellaneous Entertainment principals D Todd Shepherd and George Waud made the announcement.
“Marcin’s expertise...
- 10/31/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Benaroya Pictures and International Film Trust have acquired the rights to the remaining international territories for Cell, the forthcoming film based on the bestselling Stephen King novel. The film is set to be directed by Tod Williams (Paranormal Activity 2). Read on for the full press release.
(Cannes, France) – May 15, 2013 – On the eve of the Cannes Film Market, Benaroya Pictures and Miscellaneous Entertainment’s newly formed international sales company, International Film Trust (Ift), has added a new title to their Cannes slate: the Stephen King adaptation, Cell starring John Cusack, it was announced today by Ift President Ariel Veneziano.
Ift has acquired the remaining international territories for Cell, based on the novel by Stephen King, with Benaroya Pictures now on board to finance and co-produce.
Cell stars Golden Globe nominee John Cusack (2012) and will be directed by Tod “Kip” Williams (Paranormal Activity 2, The Door In The Floor).
Richard Saperstein (The Toxic Avenger,...
(Cannes, France) – May 15, 2013 – On the eve of the Cannes Film Market, Benaroya Pictures and Miscellaneous Entertainment’s newly formed international sales company, International Film Trust (Ift), has added a new title to their Cannes slate: the Stephen King adaptation, Cell starring John Cusack, it was announced today by Ift President Ariel Veneziano.
Ift has acquired the remaining international territories for Cell, based on the novel by Stephen King, with Benaroya Pictures now on board to finance and co-produce.
Cell stars Golden Globe nominee John Cusack (2012) and will be directed by Tod “Kip” Williams (Paranormal Activity 2, The Door In The Floor).
Richard Saperstein (The Toxic Avenger,...
- 5/15/2013
- by Andy Greene
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Arnold Schwarzenegger (Terminator series, Total Recall) is in negotiations to star in writer/director Steve Pink’s (Hot Tub Time Machine 1 & 2) big budget action comedy The Toxic Avenger produced by Akiva Goldsman (Constantine, I Am Legend, Mr And Mrs Smith), Richard Saperstein (Hancock, 1408, SE7EN), Charlie Corwin (Half Nelson, The Squid And The Whale), Stephen Kessler and Michael Benaroya (Lawless, Margin Call). Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz will executive produce. The announcement was made today by International Film Trust’s President Ariel Veneziano who will handle all international rights to the film alongside Ift’s Head of Sales Christian de Gallegos.
Set to be introduced to buyers at Cannes 2013, The Toxic Avenger is currently in pre-production and scheduled to start principal photography this fall.
Loosely based on Lloyd Kaufman’s classic Troma franchise, The Toxic Avenger is the tale of a high-school kid who gets dunked in a vat of toxic...
Set to be introduced to buyers at Cannes 2013, The Toxic Avenger is currently in pre-production and scheduled to start principal photography this fall.
Loosely based on Lloyd Kaufman’s classic Troma franchise, The Toxic Avenger is the tale of a high-school kid who gets dunked in a vat of toxic...
- 5/14/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Here’s some casting news most people didn’t see coming. A big budget remake of The Toxic Avenger has been in the works for quite some time, but it just got a big boost with the announcement that Arnold Schwarzenegger is in talks to join the cast:
Los Angeles, CA (May, 2013) –Action superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger (Terminator series, Total Recall) is in negotiations to star in writer/director Steve Pink’s (Hot Tub Time Machine 1 & 2) big budget action comedy The Toxic Avenger produced by Akiva Goldsman (Constantine, I Am Legend, Mr And Mrs Smith), Richard Saperstein (Hancock, 1408, SE7EN), Charlie Corwin (Half Nelson, The Squid And The Whale), Stephen Kessler and Michael Benaroya (Lawless, Margin Call). Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz will executive produce. The announcement was made today by International Film Trust’s (Ift) President Ariel Veneziano who will handle all international rights to the film alongside Ift’s Head of Sales Christian de Gallegos.
Los Angeles, CA (May, 2013) –Action superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger (Terminator series, Total Recall) is in negotiations to star in writer/director Steve Pink’s (Hot Tub Time Machine 1 & 2) big budget action comedy The Toxic Avenger produced by Akiva Goldsman (Constantine, I Am Legend, Mr And Mrs Smith), Richard Saperstein (Hancock, 1408, SE7EN), Charlie Corwin (Half Nelson, The Squid And The Whale), Stephen Kessler and Michael Benaroya (Lawless, Margin Call). Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz will executive produce. The announcement was made today by International Film Trust’s (Ift) President Ariel Veneziano who will handle all international rights to the film alongside Ift’s Head of Sales Christian de Gallegos.
- 5/14/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Benaroya Pictures and Miscellaneous Entertainment are assembling pics for International Film Trust, the sales company they are launching at Cannes. They’ve made their first pic the comedy King of the Kastle, which stars Clive Owen and Jacki Weaver, with Owen playing a philanderer who’s blackmailed by a teen. They’ve also acquired the horror thriller Exists, directed by Blair Witch Project co-helmer Eduardo Sanchez about pals who venture into the Texas woods and are chased by Bigfoot. The new sales company will in part represent the theatrical feature film productions from their own banners on a non exclusive basis as well as titles from other producers and third party productions. It will be run by Ift cofounders Michael Benaroya and Miscellaneous Entertainment principals D. Todd Shepherd and George Waud. They start with a $15 million fund to acquire and provide minimum guarantees on third party productions for international sales.
- 5/10/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
International Film Trust is launching at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival as a sales company representing theatrical features produced by Benaroya Pictures and Miscellaneous Entertainment on a nonexclusive basis as well as other productions. In making the announcement Thursday, Michael Benaroya and Miscellaneous principals D. Todd Shepherd and George Waud said they have created a $15 million fund to acquire other movies and provide minimum guarantees to third-party productions that they represent for international sales. The first two movies they will be selling around the world are the comedy King of the Castle, starring Clive Owen and produced by Benaroya;
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- 5/10/2013
- by Alex Ben Block
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Breaking… Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley and CSI: NY’s Hill Harper have signed on for Parts Per Billion. Teresa Palmer and Alexis Bledel have also joined the Brian Horiuchi-directed and -written drama, which follows three separate couples as they deal with an event that threatens to destroy their relationships. Frank Langella, Gena Rowlands, Rosario Dawson and Josh Hartnett star. The recently created Aka/Bow Street Films is producing; Dawson is executive producing with Joe Jenckes, Cotty Chubb, Arianne Fraser and D. Todd Shepherd and George Waud. Molly Hassell, Jennifer Levine, Michael Benaroya and David Dickson are producing. Parts Per Billion is shooting in Detroit until the end of the year. Harper is repped by Innovative Artists and Luber Roklin Entertainment. Badgley, who stars in Greetings From Tim Buckley, out next year, is repped by CAA and Anonymous Content.
- 12/12/2012
- by DOMINIC PATTEN
- Deadline TV
- I was beginning to think that it would be the bring screen treatment of Paulo Coehlo's classic, The Alchemist that would get a green light first, after all The Weinsteins put in a huge announcement at Cannes that it was among their top priorities. It is instead 11 Minutes (re-named and not to be confused with the recently released docu film about a fashion designer's nightmare in Gotham) that will see the day of light with an international cast in hometown girl Alice Braga, France's Vincent Cassel, Italy's Riccardo Scarmarcio and Mickey Rourke on board Coehlo's other classic. Variety reports that filming begins June 1st starting and or ending with Brazil or Geneva. Paradise Now's Hany Abu-Assad has remained on board the project since it was announced that he was attached back in 2005, and in the interim, the director has rewritten Marcos Bernstein's script. This revolves around Maria
- 3/4/2009
- IONCINEMA.com
Alice Braga, Mickey Rourke and Vincent Cassel are set to star in 11 Minutes , an adaptation of the steamy Paulo Coehlo novel that will be directed by Hany Abu-Assad ( Paradise Now ), says Variety . Hollywood Gang's Gianni Nunnari is producing, with Craig J. Flores and George Waud as executive producers. Shooting begins June 1 in Brazil and Geneva. Braga plays a naive girl who is betrayed by her first lover and swears off romance. She becomes a high-priced call girl who works at an upscale gentlemen's club in Geneva. Cassel plays a music executive who gets her hooked on S&M. Rourke plays the club owner. Italian heartthrob Riccardo Scamarcio is in talks to round out the cast. Abu-Assad has rewritten a script by Marcos Bernstein.
- 3/3/2009
- Comingsoon.net
- Less than two weeks ago The Weinstein Company proudly announced their big screen adaptation intentions for Paulo Coelho's classic The Alchemist and now, Warner Bros. are quick to follow announcing that they have re-set a Coelho project originally set up at New Line. Variety reports that Hollywood Gang Prods. has set Hany Abu-Assad (Paradise Now) to direct the project and rewrite the script by Marcos Bernstein (Central Station). Abu Assad who was one of the official ambassadors of the "Cinema and Politics" spotlight at the Cannes' Critics Week sidebar 2008 edition, is attached to direct The Vanished - a Focus Features project about a father's search for a missing older son with Nicholas Cage up for the lead. So far no updates on that project have been provided. Eleven Minutes revolves around Maria, a young girl from a Brazilian village who is swept off to Geneva in an affair with a Swiss businessman.
- 6/3/2008
- IONCINEMA.com
Marcos Bernstein has been tapped to adapt the Paulo Coelho novel Eleven Minutes for New Line Cinema. Gianni Nunnari is producing via his Hollywood Gang shingle.
The erotically charged tale centers on a Brazilian woman who goes to Switzerland to seek her fortune only to find work in a gentleman's club. Her journey of self-discovery takes her on the many roads of sex and love.
Brazilian writer Coelho is the author of the worldwide best-seller The Alchemist.
Craig Flores and Alan Finkelstein are executive producing Minutes, as is George Waud. Nathalie Peter-Contesse is co-producing. Hollywood Gang is co-financing with the studio.
Nunnari produced Warner Bros.' adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel 300 and is adapting Miller's miniseries Ronin, also for Warners.
The studio and producers are aiming to keep the novel's Brazilian voice by bringing Bernstein on board. The Rio de Janeiro-born writer wrote Central Station, a Brazilian film nominated for a best foreign-language Oscar in 1998. He is attached to direct Furious, a thriller written by Terry Curtis Fox being produced by Artfire Films, and his award-winning 2004 Brazilian film The Other Side of the Street is being remade by Jeff Sharp's New York-based company Sharp Independent.
The erotically charged tale centers on a Brazilian woman who goes to Switzerland to seek her fortune only to find work in a gentleman's club. Her journey of self-discovery takes her on the many roads of sex and love.
Brazilian writer Coelho is the author of the worldwide best-seller The Alchemist.
Craig Flores and Alan Finkelstein are executive producing Minutes, as is George Waud. Nathalie Peter-Contesse is co-producing. Hollywood Gang is co-financing with the studio.
Nunnari produced Warner Bros.' adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel 300 and is adapting Miller's miniseries Ronin, also for Warners.
The studio and producers are aiming to keep the novel's Brazilian voice by bringing Bernstein on board. The Rio de Janeiro-born writer wrote Central Station, a Brazilian film nominated for a best foreign-language Oscar in 1998. He is attached to direct Furious, a thriller written by Terry Curtis Fox being produced by Artfire Films, and his award-winning 2004 Brazilian film The Other Side of the Street is being remade by Jeff Sharp's New York-based company Sharp Independent.
- 5/15/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Real life already has stolen the thunder from this movie's title. We now know that water bottles and hair gel can be much more dangerous on planes. But snakes on planes, as this film so abundantly illustrates, can ruin your flight in so many ways. Thanks to the Internet and continual media attention, many of those ways already are well known. The minute an amorous couple slip into the coach cabin toilet, the giggles begin: We know what's going to happen to yooo-uuu! A guy eases into another toilet to take a leak and glances casually away. Wrong move, buddy!
So in the crudest terms, "Snakes on a Plane" delivers on its promise. This is a coolly efficient, tongue-in-cheek horror-comedy about poisonous snakes on a rampage at 30,000 feet. The snakes sink their fangs into a tongue, eye, penis, breast and ass. A boa even tries to swallow a man. A very large man. You'll never complain about those in-flight meals again. Things could be so much worse.
Opening weekend will, of course, be huge. Because the movie isn't nearly the rancid snake oil you might expect from New Line's 'fraidy cat no-press-screenings policy, the phenomenon may continue for several weeks. Yes, "Snakes" does have legs.
The setup: A surfer dude (Nathan Phillips) witnesses a brutal murder by a vicious Hawaiian crime boss. So an FBI super agent (Samuel L. Jackson) must safely escort him from Honolulu to Los Angeles to testify against the hood. The crime boss has enough contacts in airport operations, security and the airlines to smuggle aboard hundreds of deadly snakes into the plane's cargo hold. Their release is perfectly timed for the midway point between Hawaii and the mainland.
In the time-honored tradition of disaster movies, you watch the passengers embark and try to pick out the potential victims. A mother with a baby. No way she doesn't survive. A hot girl with Chihuahua. That dog is snake food. A tipsy old lady, a guy who hates to fly and a guy who hates other people who fly. Don't like their chances. The rap star and his overweight bodyguards could go either way. And Julianna Margulies, as a flight attendant in the noble tradition of Karen Black in "Airport 1975", will most certainly team with Jackson to save the day.
Director David R. Ellis and writers John Heffernan and Sebastian Gutierrez (working from a story by David Dalessandro and Heffernan) operate on a meticulous timetable. The first snake sighting happens a mere 23 minutes into the movie. The two toilet attacks serve as hors d'oeuvres, so to speak. All hell breaks loose at the 49-minute mark. Did I mention the electrical storm outside and the death of a pilot?
Jackson (in a take-charge performance) gets passengers to move to the front of the plane. He then creates a temporary barrier between them and the snakes by piling up carry-on luggage -- you know, those things you can't carry on anymore. The action now is fast and furious, but Trevor Rabin's music cues and Howard E. Smith's editing never miss a beat, while resourceful cinematographer Adam Greenberg just loves big close-ups of snake heads. Those snake point-of-view shots of wiggly targets are a nice touch, too. But how come no one thought to do this thing in 3-D?
The film is replete with great cornball one-liners, though it's not clear if credit should go to the writers or Internet contributions: A pilot explains that if snakes get into sensitive areas in the plane's circuitry, "this bird goes down faster than a Thai hooker." A snake expert on the ground declares, "Time is tissue". And, of course, Jackson has the already famous line, "I want these motherfuckin' snakes off this motherfuckin' plane!"
It is cathartic fun to confront those twin fears of flying and of snakes. This represents a kind of entertainment genius along the lines of fun houses, roller coasters and tricks those Thai hookers perform with razor blades and soda bottles in Bangkok sex shows. This should never be confused, however, with such genuine horror as "Psycho", "Alien" and "The Exorcist".
SNAKES ON A PLANE
New Line Cinema
A Mutual Film Company production
Credits:
Director: David R. Ellis
Writers: John Heffernan, Sebastian Gutierrez
Story by: David Dalessandro, John Heffernan
Producers: Gary Levinsohn, Don Granger, Craig Berenson
Executive producers: Toby Emmerich, George Waud, Justis Greene
Director of photography: Adam Greenberg
Production designer: Jaymes Hinkle
Music: Trevor Rabin
Costumes: Karen Matthews
Editor: Howard E. Smith.
Cast:
Neville Flynn: Samuel L. Jackson
Claire Miller: Julianne Margulies
Sean Jones: Nathan Phillips
Mercedes: Rachel Blanchard
Three G's: Flex Alexander
Troy: Kenan Thompson
Big LeRoy: Keith Blackman) Dallas
MPAA rating: R
Running time -- 105 minutes...
So in the crudest terms, "Snakes on a Plane" delivers on its promise. This is a coolly efficient, tongue-in-cheek horror-comedy about poisonous snakes on a rampage at 30,000 feet. The snakes sink their fangs into a tongue, eye, penis, breast and ass. A boa even tries to swallow a man. A very large man. You'll never complain about those in-flight meals again. Things could be so much worse.
Opening weekend will, of course, be huge. Because the movie isn't nearly the rancid snake oil you might expect from New Line's 'fraidy cat no-press-screenings policy, the phenomenon may continue for several weeks. Yes, "Snakes" does have legs.
The setup: A surfer dude (Nathan Phillips) witnesses a brutal murder by a vicious Hawaiian crime boss. So an FBI super agent (Samuel L. Jackson) must safely escort him from Honolulu to Los Angeles to testify against the hood. The crime boss has enough contacts in airport operations, security and the airlines to smuggle aboard hundreds of deadly snakes into the plane's cargo hold. Their release is perfectly timed for the midway point between Hawaii and the mainland.
In the time-honored tradition of disaster movies, you watch the passengers embark and try to pick out the potential victims. A mother with a baby. No way she doesn't survive. A hot girl with Chihuahua. That dog is snake food. A tipsy old lady, a guy who hates to fly and a guy who hates other people who fly. Don't like their chances. The rap star and his overweight bodyguards could go either way. And Julianna Margulies, as a flight attendant in the noble tradition of Karen Black in "Airport 1975", will most certainly team with Jackson to save the day.
Director David R. Ellis and writers John Heffernan and Sebastian Gutierrez (working from a story by David Dalessandro and Heffernan) operate on a meticulous timetable. The first snake sighting happens a mere 23 minutes into the movie. The two toilet attacks serve as hors d'oeuvres, so to speak. All hell breaks loose at the 49-minute mark. Did I mention the electrical storm outside and the death of a pilot?
Jackson (in a take-charge performance) gets passengers to move to the front of the plane. He then creates a temporary barrier between them and the snakes by piling up carry-on luggage -- you know, those things you can't carry on anymore. The action now is fast and furious, but Trevor Rabin's music cues and Howard E. Smith's editing never miss a beat, while resourceful cinematographer Adam Greenberg just loves big close-ups of snake heads. Those snake point-of-view shots of wiggly targets are a nice touch, too. But how come no one thought to do this thing in 3-D?
The film is replete with great cornball one-liners, though it's not clear if credit should go to the writers or Internet contributions: A pilot explains that if snakes get into sensitive areas in the plane's circuitry, "this bird goes down faster than a Thai hooker." A snake expert on the ground declares, "Time is tissue". And, of course, Jackson has the already famous line, "I want these motherfuckin' snakes off this motherfuckin' plane!"
It is cathartic fun to confront those twin fears of flying and of snakes. This represents a kind of entertainment genius along the lines of fun houses, roller coasters and tricks those Thai hookers perform with razor blades and soda bottles in Bangkok sex shows. This should never be confused, however, with such genuine horror as "Psycho", "Alien" and "The Exorcist".
SNAKES ON A PLANE
New Line Cinema
A Mutual Film Company production
Credits:
Director: David R. Ellis
Writers: John Heffernan, Sebastian Gutierrez
Story by: David Dalessandro, John Heffernan
Producers: Gary Levinsohn, Don Granger, Craig Berenson
Executive producers: Toby Emmerich, George Waud, Justis Greene
Director of photography: Adam Greenberg
Production designer: Jaymes Hinkle
Music: Trevor Rabin
Costumes: Karen Matthews
Editor: Howard E. Smith.
Cast:
Neville Flynn: Samuel L. Jackson
Claire Miller: Julianne Margulies
Sean Jones: Nathan Phillips
Mercedes: Rachel Blanchard
Three G's: Flex Alexander
Troy: Kenan Thompson
Big LeRoy: Keith Blackman) Dallas
MPAA rating: R
Running time -- 105 minutes...
- 8/21/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New Line Cinema has picked up the rights to Meg, Steve Alten's horror adventure about a prehistoric shark, with Jan de Bont on board to direct. The story features a 80-foot-long prehistoric shark -- scientifically known as Carcharodon megalodon and believed by some to be an ancestor of the great white shark -- which terrorizes the California coast. Two men from opposite points of view are forced to come together to neutralize the threat. Alten's Meg was published in 1997 and originally was set up at Walt Disney Pictures' Hollywood Pictures label. The book spawned two sequels, The Trench and last year's Meg: Primal Waters. Shane Salerno is rewriting Alten's script. Producing are Ken Atchity, Nick Nunziata, Guillermo Del Toro, Larry Gordon, Lloyd Levin and Chi-Li Wong. New Line's Jeff Katz and George Waud, who brought the project into the studio, are the execs in charge, along with NL president Toby Emmerich. The studio is putting the project on the fast-track. De Bont most recently directed Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life. His credits include The Haunting, Twister and Speed. He is repped by ICM, Marty Bauer at the Bauer Co. and attorney Stan Coleman.
- 4/11/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Gurinder Chadha, director of last year's indie hit Bend It Like Beckham, is attached to helm Nine Wives, a romantic comedy at New Line Cinema that Neal Moritz is producing with Michael Pierce, Mark Williams and Tania Landau. Wives is about a commitment-phobic guy who breaks up with his longtime girlfriend and begins to wake up every morning with a different wife. It marks the third project the director has attached herself to since her indie soccer film hit the big time, scoring $32.5 million at the domestic boxoffice. She is developing I Dream of Jeannie at Columbia as well as Tucker Ames at Fox 2000. The original draft for Wives was written by Scott Fifer. The project is now out to writers for a rewrite, and Chadha will work with them to develop the project. Stokely Chaffin, George Waud and Jeff Katz are overseeing the project at the studio. The ICM-repped Chadha is completing Bride and Prejudice, a Bollywood musical version of Pride and Prejudice, for Pathe U.K. and Miramax Films.
- 3/16/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
George Waud has been named vp production and development at New Line Cinema, president of production Toby Emmerich said. Waud was senior vp production and development at De Line Pictures. He served as associate producer on the John Travolta starrer Domestic Disturbance and developed and packaged such films as The Italian Job and Let's Make Friends. Waud also has held the post of vp production and development at Norman Lear's Act III Prods.
New Line Cinema has picked up Scott Sturgeon and Marius Balchunas romantic comedy script Taming Ben Taylor. Kevin Costner is attached to the project, which centers on a powerful and beautiful businesswoman who tries to convince a stubborn and difficult man (Costner) to sell his land to a country club. Sturgeon and Balchunas penned the screenplay along with Amy Lasser. New Line Cinema is interested in Diane Lane to star opposite Costner as the businesswoman, though she does not yet have an official offer, the studio said. The project is currently out to directors. Producing the project are Sturgeon and Balchunas through their 2 Loop Films along with Gianni Nunnari. Costner and his producing partner Jim Wilson will also serve in a producer capacity, sources said. At the studio, the project is being shepherded by senior vp production Stokely Chafin and production executive George Waud. Sturgeon and Balchunas are repped by ICM and attorney P.J. Shapiro. Costner is repped by CAA. He recently finished shooting The Upside of Anger.
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