Exclusive: UTA partner Bec Smith, a company vet of 16 years, is leaving the agency, we can reveal.
Working in the Motion Picture Literary department, the respected Australian native has built a strong internationally-oriented client list (some of whom she has worked with since their first short films) including Garth Davis, Maria Schrader, Goran Stolevski, Oliver Hermanus, Joshua Oppenheimer, Warwick Thornton, Na Hong-Jin, Eva Husson, Emily Atef, Agnieszka Holland, Phillip Noyce, Ellen Kuras, Benedict Andrews, James Ponsoldt, Anthony Chen, Levan Akin, Katrin Gebbe and Andor director Ariel Kleiman.
We hear Smith is likely to segue to management — there has been interest from multiple companies over the years — where she will be able to flex her producorial instincts. Most of her clients are expected to follow.
The timeline for her departure from UTA is understood to be in the 4-6 week range.
Smith’s exit from UTA coincides with a layer of layoffs at the agency.
Working in the Motion Picture Literary department, the respected Australian native has built a strong internationally-oriented client list (some of whom she has worked with since their first short films) including Garth Davis, Maria Schrader, Goran Stolevski, Oliver Hermanus, Joshua Oppenheimer, Warwick Thornton, Na Hong-Jin, Eva Husson, Emily Atef, Agnieszka Holland, Phillip Noyce, Ellen Kuras, Benedict Andrews, James Ponsoldt, Anthony Chen, Levan Akin, Katrin Gebbe and Andor director Ariel Kleiman.
We hear Smith is likely to segue to management — there has been interest from multiple companies over the years — where she will be able to flex her producorial instincts. Most of her clients are expected to follow.
The timeline for her departure from UTA is understood to be in the 4-6 week range.
Smith’s exit from UTA coincides with a layer of layoffs at the agency.
- 2/16/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Veteran UTA Motion Picture Literary Agent Bill Zotti has joined Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment as a manager. Zotti spent the last five years at UTA and before that at CAA, repping high profile writers, directors, and producer that included Scott Neustadter & Michael Weber (Daisy Jones & the Six), Katie Silberman (Don’t Worry Darling), Dan Gregor & Doug Mand (Naked Gun), Gemma Burgess (My Lady Jane), Leah McKendrick (Scrambled), Flora Greeson (The High Note), Carrie Solomon (Ocean’s Prequel), Amy Aniobi (Insecure), Tess Morris (Sooner Or Later), Darren Lemke (Kung Fu Panda), Dave Green (Coyote Vs. Acme), Mike Mitchell (Kung Fu Panda), Yassir Lester (War Machine), Rodney Barnes (Winning Time), and Ryan Kalil & Blake Griffin. Zotti was at CAA for 12 years prior to joining UTA.
They are figuring out which clients he’ll rep as manager, but by all accounts the move is an amicable one.
“Bill is a wonderful person...
They are figuring out which clients he’ll rep as manager, but by all accounts the move is an amicable one.
“Bill is a wonderful person...
- 1/9/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Christina Bazdekis has joined United Talent Agency as an agent in the motion picture division. Based in New York, she will report to MP co-heads Jason Burns and Julien Thuan.
“Christina is incredibly well-respected and a driving force,” said Thuan in a statement. “She has championed artists throughout her career and is responsible for guiding their ambitions in creative storytelling. We look forward to bringing her passion and commitment to advancing film here at UTA.”
“As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, UTA has proven to be an innovative leader in representation, devoted to fostering the most unique and compelling voices working today,” added Bazdekis in a statement. “I am excited to join the dynamic team at UTA, bringing my experience and expanding upon an incredible roster of clients.”
Prior to joining UTA, Bazdekis served as an agent within ICM’s motion picture department. Throughout her career which also included a stint at CAA,...
“Christina is incredibly well-respected and a driving force,” said Thuan in a statement. “She has championed artists throughout her career and is responsible for guiding their ambitions in creative storytelling. We look forward to bringing her passion and commitment to advancing film here at UTA.”
“As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, UTA has proven to be an innovative leader in representation, devoted to fostering the most unique and compelling voices working today,” added Bazdekis in a statement. “I am excited to join the dynamic team at UTA, bringing my experience and expanding upon an incredible roster of clients.”
Prior to joining UTA, Bazdekis served as an agent within ICM’s motion picture department. Throughout her career which also included a stint at CAA,...
- 5/11/2022
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
The Brazilian Filmmakers Collective will launch formally on February 16 at the Berlin Film Festival’s European Film Market.
Formed by a dozen Brazilian filmmakers, and counting such acclaimed directors Ramin Bahrani (Netflix’s The White Tiger) and Fernando Meirelles (City of God) on the creative advisory board, the collective was created last year as a hub for Brazilian filmmakers working abroad to share resources, opportunities and promote creative enrichment.
The group’s directorial work has premiered at film festivals around the world including Toronto, Venice, Sundance, SXSW, New York and more. Members are at similar stages in their careers: they have each premiered their first or second feature films at A-list festivals or are working on their first feature projects with the support of competitive A-list fellowships such as the Torino Screenwriting Lab, TIFF Filmmaker Lab, Sundance Labs, Tribeca Institute Fellowships, Sffilm Residencies, Hola Mexico, and more.
Despite the differences in approach and styles,...
Formed by a dozen Brazilian filmmakers, and counting such acclaimed directors Ramin Bahrani (Netflix’s The White Tiger) and Fernando Meirelles (City of God) on the creative advisory board, the collective was created last year as a hub for Brazilian filmmakers working abroad to share resources, opportunities and promote creative enrichment.
The group’s directorial work has premiered at film festivals around the world including Toronto, Venice, Sundance, SXSW, New York and more. Members are at similar stages in their careers: they have each premiered their first or second feature films at A-list festivals or are working on their first feature projects with the support of competitive A-list fellowships such as the Torino Screenwriting Lab, TIFF Filmmaker Lab, Sundance Labs, Tribeca Institute Fellowships, Sffilm Residencies, Hola Mexico, and more.
Despite the differences in approach and styles,...
- 2/9/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: 47 Meters Down outfit Tea Shop Productions has signed writer-director Natasha Kermani (Lucky) to adapt and direct Locke & Key co-creator Joe Hill’s short story Abraham’s Boys as a feature film.
The action-horror story is a follow-up of sorts to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, testing the relationships Stoker formed in his original novel. The plot follows Max and Rudy Van Helsing, who know nothing of their father Abraham’s past and cannot understand his overprotective attitude and strange behavior. To make matters worse, Abraham is becoming increasingly more unhinged, paranoid, and violent.
Kermani’s adaptation is set to explore the boys’ trauma through the eyes of a young Asian woman who is no stranger to death.
The project will mark the third feature for Iranian American filmmaker Kermani, who last year played in SXSW with her genre film Lucky, which was picked up by Shudder.
Author Hill, the son of Stephen King,...
The action-horror story is a follow-up of sorts to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, testing the relationships Stoker formed in his original novel. The plot follows Max and Rudy Van Helsing, who know nothing of their father Abraham’s past and cannot understand his overprotective attitude and strange behavior. To make matters worse, Abraham is becoming increasingly more unhinged, paranoid, and violent.
Kermani’s adaptation is set to explore the boys’ trauma through the eyes of a young Asian woman who is no stranger to death.
The project will mark the third feature for Iranian American filmmaker Kermani, who last year played in SXSW with her genre film Lucky, which was picked up by Shudder.
Author Hill, the son of Stephen King,...
- 6/7/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
United Talent Agency (UTA) has hired media rights agent Sarah Luciano to join the company out of its New York offices, the company announced on Tuesday.
Luciano began her career at CAA in 2012 and was most recently a manager in Anonymous Content’s newly-formed media rights department. She has worked with authors, journalists, talent and publications across multiple platforms to usher IP onto the screen.
“Sarah’s background in transforming IP into successful on-screen projects will be a tremendous asset not only to our clients but the agency at large,” said Julien Thuan, co-head of UTA’s motion picture literary department in a statement. “She will be a great addition to our team.”
Also Read: UTA Sets Joint Venture With 'House of Cards' and 'Ozark' Producer Media Rights Capital
Luciano is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
UTA recently promoted nine coordinates...
Luciano began her career at CAA in 2012 and was most recently a manager in Anonymous Content’s newly-formed media rights department. She has worked with authors, journalists, talent and publications across multiple platforms to usher IP onto the screen.
“Sarah’s background in transforming IP into successful on-screen projects will be a tremendous asset not only to our clients but the agency at large,” said Julien Thuan, co-head of UTA’s motion picture literary department in a statement. “She will be a great addition to our team.”
Also Read: UTA Sets Joint Venture With 'House of Cards' and 'Ozark' Producer Media Rights Capital
Luciano is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
UTA recently promoted nine coordinates...
- 11/6/2018
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
UTA has hired Sarah Luciano as an agent in the Media Rights division in New York, bringing her over from Anonymous Content, where she was a manager in that company’s media rights division.
Luciano has worked with authors, journalists, talent and publications across platforms to identify IP and get it to the screen. She began her career at CAA in 2012.
“Sarah’s background in transforming IP into successful on-screen projects will be a tremendous asset not only to our clients but the agency at large,” said Julien Thuan, co-head of UTA’s Motion Picture Literary department. “She will be a great addition to our team.”...
Luciano has worked with authors, journalists, talent and publications across platforms to identify IP and get it to the screen. She began her career at CAA in 2012.
“Sarah’s background in transforming IP into successful on-screen projects will be a tremendous asset not only to our clients but the agency at large,” said Julien Thuan, co-head of UTA’s Motion Picture Literary department. “She will be a great addition to our team.”...
- 11/6/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
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