Rudy Giuliani has been ordered to pay two Georgia election workers a total of $148 million for spreading defamatory conspiracy theories about them in the aftermath of the 2020 election. The massive judgement is the most significant legal accountability any one individual has faced for lying about election fraud.
The eight-person jury reached the decision unanimously on Friday after deliberating for two days. The jury found Giuliani owes Wandrea ArShaye “Shaye” Moss and her mother Ruby Freeman $16,998,000 and $16,171,000, respectively, for defamation; $20 million a piece for emotional distress; and $75 million total in punitive damages.
The eight-person jury reached the decision unanimously on Friday after deliberating for two days. The jury found Giuliani owes Wandrea ArShaye “Shaye” Moss and her mother Ruby Freeman $16,998,000 and $16,171,000, respectively, for defamation; $20 million a piece for emotional distress; and $75 million total in punitive damages.
- 12/15/2023
- by Nikki McCann Ramirez
- Rollingstone.com
Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon - Part One” Trailer Gets Debut
Netflix wrapped up this year’s virtual Geeked Week with the debut of the official trailer for Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire.”
The epic space opera is centered on Kora, a stranger with a mysterious past who crash lands on a moon in the furthest reaches of the universe and begins a new life among the peaceful settlement of farmers. But soon, she becomes their only hope for survival against the tyrannical Regent Balisarius and the Imperium army.
Watch the trailer for “Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire” below:
Sofia Boutella leads the cast also made up of Djimon Hounsou, Charlie Hunnam, Michiel Huisman, Staz Nair, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Cleopatra Coleman, E. Duffy, Anthony Hopkins, Jena Malone, Ed Skrein, Fra Fee, Ingvar Sigurdsson, Stuart Martin, Corey Stoll, Cary Elwes,...
Netflix wrapped up this year’s virtual Geeked Week with the debut of the official trailer for Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire.”
The epic space opera is centered on Kora, a stranger with a mysterious past who crash lands on a moon in the furthest reaches of the universe and begins a new life among the peaceful settlement of farmers. But soon, she becomes their only hope for survival against the tyrannical Regent Balisarius and the Imperium army.
Watch the trailer for “Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire” below:
Sofia Boutella leads the cast also made up of Djimon Hounsou, Charlie Hunnam, Michiel Huisman, Staz Nair, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Cleopatra Coleman, E. Duffy, Anthony Hopkins, Jena Malone, Ed Skrein, Fra Fee, Ingvar Sigurdsson, Stuart Martin, Corey Stoll, Cary Elwes,...
- 11/15/2023
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
New York, June 30 (Ians) Long Covid is not a single condition, and should not be treated as such, according to a new study.
According to researchers from the University of Washington, most long Covid studies have focused primarily on the individual symptoms without considering clusters or patterns of symptoms.
The new study, published in the Open Forum of Infectious Diseases, looked at persistent symptoms experienced by nearly 6,000 patients with Covid both at three- and six-month intervals.
The four major symptom categories for people who tested positive for Covid-19 included: minimal symptoms (72 per cent of the cases); tiredness, headache and muscle/joint aches (17 per cent of cases); tiredness, headache and muscle/joint aches with loss of taste and smell (5 per cent of cases); and symptoms across multiple systems (6 per cent of cases).
“This study is clinically significant because it shows how the long-term symptoms from the virus changes its presentation over time,...
According to researchers from the University of Washington, most long Covid studies have focused primarily on the individual symptoms without considering clusters or patterns of symptoms.
The new study, published in the Open Forum of Infectious Diseases, looked at persistent symptoms experienced by nearly 6,000 patients with Covid both at three- and six-month intervals.
The four major symptom categories for people who tested positive for Covid-19 included: minimal symptoms (72 per cent of the cases); tiredness, headache and muscle/joint aches (17 per cent of cases); tiredness, headache and muscle/joint aches with loss of taste and smell (5 per cent of cases); and symptoms across multiple systems (6 per cent of cases).
“This study is clinically significant because it shows how the long-term symptoms from the virus changes its presentation over time,...
- 6/30/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Two Georgia election workers targeted by a vicious campaign of false conspiracy theories about the 2020 election have sued the pro-Trump TV network One America News, Oan’s owners, a network correspondent, and Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani in federal court.
On Thursday, the two election workers, Rudy Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, alleged defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and civil conspiracy by Giuliani, Oan, Oan executives Robert and Charles Herring, and Oan correspondent Chanel Rion for promoting the claims that Freeman and Moss, who are both black, engaged in election...
On Thursday, the two election workers, Rudy Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, alleged defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and civil conspiracy by Giuliani, Oan, Oan executives Robert and Charles Herring, and Oan correspondent Chanel Rion for promoting the claims that Freeman and Moss, who are both black, engaged in election...
- 12/24/2021
- by Andy Kroll
- Rollingstone.com
Washington – The family of Seth Rich, the Democratic National Committee staffer whose unsolved murder in 2016 spawned a wave of conspiracy theories, has notched another legal victory against the proponents of baseless theories about Rich.
On Monday, pro-Trump conspiracy theorist Jerome Corsi retracted a nearly year-old column published on the website Infowars, run by another notorious conspiracy peddler, Alex Jones, that promoted the unfounded claim that Rich and his brother participated in the hack of the DNC and leaked documents to WikiLeaks. In addition to the retraction, Corsi apologized to the Rich family.
On Monday, pro-Trump conspiracy theorist Jerome Corsi retracted a nearly year-old column published on the website Infowars, run by another notorious conspiracy peddler, Alex Jones, that promoted the unfounded claim that Rich and his brother participated in the hack of the DNC and leaked documents to WikiLeaks. In addition to the retraction, Corsi apologized to the Rich family.
- 3/4/2019
- by Andy Kroll
- Rollingstone.com
In honor of Joe Cornish's long awaited Attack The Block follow-up, The Kid Who Would Be King, we're taking a look at the last children's movie that took on King Arthur… A Kid in King Arthur's Court (1995) Director: Michael Gottlieb Stars: Thomas Ian Nicholas, Kate Winslet, Daniel Craig Merlin kidnaps a child against his will and brings him back in time to…...
- 1/24/2019
- by Jason Adams
- JoBlo.com
Washington — The family of Seth Rich, the Democratic National Committee staffer whose 2016 murder was twisted into a right-wing conspiracy theory, has finally received its first public apology.
On Sunday evening, the Washington Times published a lengthy retraction and apology for a March 1st opinion column that promoted the theory that Rich and his older brother, Aaron, stole thousands of DNC documents and gave them to Wikileaks, which published a trove of hacked Democratic Party emails in the summer and fall of 2016. The retraction and apology are part of a settlement...
On Sunday evening, the Washington Times published a lengthy retraction and apology for a March 1st opinion column that promoted the theory that Rich and his older brother, Aaron, stole thousands of DNC documents and gave them to Wikileaks, which published a trove of hacked Democratic Party emails in the summer and fall of 2016. The retraction and apology are part of a settlement...
- 10/1/2018
- by Andy Kroll
- Rollingstone.com
Mr. Nanny (1993) Director: Michael Gottlieb Stars: Hulk Hogan, Sherman Hemsley, Austin Pendleton Last weekend gave us Ryan Reynolds guarding the body of Samuel L. Jackson in The Hitman's Bodyguard, so Awfully Good Movies is here to take a bullet for the one and only Hulk Hogan, as he guards two little troublemakers in 1993's Mr. Nanny! Yes, even after the failure of... Read More...
- 8/25/2017
- by Jesse Shade
- JoBlo.com
Ron Moody as Fagin in 'Oliver!' based on Charles Dickens' 'Oliver Twist.' Ron Moody as Fagin in Dickens musical 'Oliver!': Box office and critical hit (See previous post: "Ron Moody: 'Oliver!' Actor, Academy Award Nominee Dead at 91.") Although British made, Oliver! turned out to be an elephantine release along the lines of – exclamation point or no – Gypsy, Star!, Hello Dolly!, and other Hollywood mega-musicals from the mid'-50s to the early '70s.[1] But however bloated and conventional the final result, and a cast whose best-known name was that of director Carol Reed's nephew, Oliver Reed, Oliver! found countless fans.[2] The mostly British production became a huge financial and critical success in the U.S. at a time when star-studded mega-musicals had become perilous – at times downright disastrous – ventures.[3] Upon the American release of Oliver! in Dec. 1968, frequently acerbic The...
- 6/19/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Michael Gottlieb, who is best known for writing and directing the 1987 comedy "Mannequin," died in a motorcycle accident on the Angeles Forest Highway. He was 69 years old. In addition to "Mannequin," Gottlieb also directed Hulk Hogan's "Mr. Nanny," Cheech Marin's "The Shrimp on the Barbie" and Thomas Ian Nichola's "A Kid in King Arthur's Court." The helmer also produced video games, including "Mortal Komb 4," "Muppet Monster Adventure" and "NBA Hang Time." He most recently taught screenwriting classes at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.
- 5/29/2014
- WorstPreviews.com
Michael Gottlieb, the writer and director of comedies like "Mannequin" and "Mr. Nanny," was killed in a motorcycle accident last Friday at the age of 69. Gottlieb began his career as a fashion photographer, moved into advertising, and later transitioned into a career as a producer, writer, and director. Gottlieb was also a professor at Pasadena's Art Center College of Design, where he taught screenwriting.
Michael Gottlieb's "Mannequin" starred Brat Packer Andrew McCarthy as an artist who falls in love with the fashion mannequin he created. Kim Cattrall, who'd previously appeared in "Porky's," "Police Academy," and "Big Trouble in Little China," co-starred as Emmy, the mannequin that occasionally returns to life to hang out with her new pal. Gottlieb's "Mr. Nanny" starred Hulk Hogan and former New York Doll David Johansen. He also directed the comedy "The Shrimp on the Barbie" under the pseudonym "Alan Smithee," and "A Kid in King Arthur's Court...
Michael Gottlieb's "Mannequin" starred Brat Packer Andrew McCarthy as an artist who falls in love with the fashion mannequin he created. Kim Cattrall, who'd previously appeared in "Porky's," "Police Academy," and "Big Trouble in Little China," co-starred as Emmy, the mannequin that occasionally returns to life to hang out with her new pal. Gottlieb's "Mr. Nanny" starred Hulk Hogan and former New York Doll David Johansen. He also directed the comedy "The Shrimp on the Barbie" under the pseudonym "Alan Smithee," and "A Kid in King Arthur's Court...
- 5/28/2014
- by Jenni Miller
- Moviefone
Michael Gottlieb, best known for the 1987 film “Mannequin,” died in a motorcycle accident. He was 69. Gottlieb was killed in La Cañada Flintridge, Calif., on Friday, May 23, according to media reports. He was a writer, producer, and director, as well as a professor of film at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Gottlieb wrote and directed “Mannequin” in 1987, starring Andrew McCarthy and Kim Cattrall, which opened at number one at the box office. He followed that up with a sequel, “Mannequin 2: On the Move.” Gottlieb wrote the script for that film, though he did not...
- 5/28/2014
- by Jason Hughes
- The Wrap
It only took one film for Michael Gottlieb to make his mark in Hollywood. The writer and director of the cult-classic comedy Mannequin, starring a pre-Sex and the City Kim Cattrall as the real-woman version of a department-store mannequin come to life, died May 23 of injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident, according to reports. He was 69. "Very sad," tweeted Andrew McCarthy, who starred as the lovable nerd who wished Cattrall's Mannequin into being. The accident occurred on the Angeles Crest Highway in nearby La Cañada Flintridge. Gottlieb was on his 2012 Ducati, riding behind a 2003 Toyota when he "crossed into opposing traffic in an attempt to pass [the...
- 5/27/2014
- E! Online
Michael Gottlieb, the director behind Mannequin and producer of several Mortal Kombat games, has died.
The writer-director was involved in a motorcycle accident on Friday (May 23) and passed away. He was 69 years old.
Between 1995 and 2005, Gottlieb produced Mortal Kombat: Special Forces, Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat 4.
He also produced games including Muppet Monster Adventure and Paperboy.
Gottlieb also wrote and directed the film Mr Nanny, which starred Hulk Hogan.
He was raised in New York and began his career as an assistant on shoots. He became a successful fashion photographer before working on national advertising campaigns for the likes of Coca-Cola and McDonald's.
Watch the trailer for Mannequin below:...
The writer-director was involved in a motorcycle accident on Friday (May 23) and passed away. He was 69 years old.
Between 1995 and 2005, Gottlieb produced Mortal Kombat: Special Forces, Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat 4.
He also produced games including Muppet Monster Adventure and Paperboy.
Gottlieb also wrote and directed the film Mr Nanny, which starred Hulk Hogan.
He was raised in New York and began his career as an assistant on shoots. He became a successful fashion photographer before working on national advertising campaigns for the likes of Coca-Cola and McDonald's.
Watch the trailer for Mannequin below:...
- 5/27/2014
- Digital Spy
Film-maker and video game producer died on Friday in a motorcycle accident.
Michael Gottlieb has died at the age of 69.
The writer/director of films such as Mr. Nanny and Mannequin died on Friday in a motorcycle accident on the Angeles Forest Highway north of La Canada Flintridge, official said.
As well as films, Gottlieb also produced several video games including Mortal Kombat 4 and NBA Hangtime.
Beginning his professional career working as an assistant on film and photo shoots, Gottlieb found success as a fashion photographer before becoming a Clio Award-wiinning commercial director and cinematographer, making national spots for the likes of Xerox, Coca-Cola and McDonald’s.
Gottlieb most recently taught screenwriting classes for the undergraduate and graduate film departments at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. “Michael Gottlieb was superbly talented in an unusual number of creative disciplines,” commented Film Chair Ross Lamanna.
“His love for his students and generosity with his time and...
Michael Gottlieb has died at the age of 69.
The writer/director of films such as Mr. Nanny and Mannequin died on Friday in a motorcycle accident on the Angeles Forest Highway north of La Canada Flintridge, official said.
As well as films, Gottlieb also produced several video games including Mortal Kombat 4 and NBA Hangtime.
Beginning his professional career working as an assistant on film and photo shoots, Gottlieb found success as a fashion photographer before becoming a Clio Award-wiinning commercial director and cinematographer, making national spots for the likes of Xerox, Coca-Cola and McDonald’s.
Gottlieb most recently taught screenwriting classes for the undergraduate and graduate film departments at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. “Michael Gottlieb was superbly talented in an unusual number of creative disciplines,” commented Film Chair Ross Lamanna.
“His love for his students and generosity with his time and...
- 5/27/2014
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Michael Gottlieb, who wrote and directed such big-screen comedies as Mannequin and Mr. Nanny, died Friday in a motorcycle accident on the Angeles Forest Highway north of La Canada Flintridge. He was 69. Gottlieb also produced several A-list video game titles from 1995 through 2005, including Midway Arcade Treasures 3; Fire Blade; Mortal Kombat: Special Forces; Muppet Monster Adventure; Paperboy; NBA Hang Time; Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero; and Mortal Kombat 4. In addition to his work on Mannequin (1987), which starred Andrew McCarthy and Kim Cattrall, and the Hulk Hogan-starring Mr. Nanny (1993), Gottlieb helmed The Shrimp on the
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- 5/27/2014
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Knowing that the Latino community is a pivotal element for its success today, Hollywood has finally adapted open spaces for content and talent that speak directly to an underrepresented sector of the population. However, despite the current outpouring of interest, this was not always the case. Only a few decades ago the Latino market consisted of a few individuals trying to bring attention to projects, actors, and filmmakers that could connect with people that rarely saw their stories on the screen. One of those pioneers was Isabel Echeverry who, through her unceasing efforts, has managed to make a success out of meeting the developing need for Latino talent in both film and advertising.
Together with her business partner Erika Olmos, who is known for her work in different facets of the film industry, Echeverry merged her company, Kontakto Rep with the Olmos Talent Management, forming what is now Olmos Kontakto. This unique new venture aims to provide support and representation to Latino talent working in all aspects of the business. Both powerhouse women saw the potential of the Latino market long before it became a consistent part of the entertainment industry. They share a particular perspective on the ins-and-out of how to create a successful career out of one’s passion.
Echeverry believes dreams are still attainable in Hollywood today when the dreamer is provided with the adequate tools. That’s what Olmos Kontakto wants to do, to offer that support and expose hidden Latino talent to an industry and audiences eager for new and innovative works.
Here is what Isabel Echeverry told us about her journey and this new fantastic project:
Aguilar: How did you get started in the entertainment industry, and how did Olmos Kontakto come about?
Isabel Echeverry: I started out about thirteen years ago working at ICM for Jeff Berg, as an agent trainee, and while I was there I offered the idea of starting the Latin American department. At the time Jennifer Lopez had just done Selena, and it was a big hit of course. They were kind of interested, but really it was too early. Thirteen years ago the Latin market was just starting in terms of people being interested in the power of the Latinos, etc. I remember bringing Sofía Vergara and they passed on her, so funny [Laughs]. After three years at ICM, I left to work with Reber Covington who represents directors in the general market for advertising and production company editors among others. While I was there they said, “Look we have one director who is Colombian, Simon Brand. Since you speak Spanish, why don’t you see if you can start him at Dieste? Dieste was the only company back then that was big in terms of productions for advertising. It was the only company that general production companies also would go after. So I started selling him, and that’s how I started with the Latin market as it grew.
In my six years at Reber Covington I created the successful Hispanic division. Everybody wanted me to represent them, all the general market companies and the Latino companies alike. It was amazing! Then, five years ago I went on my own and created Kontakto Reps., which had been a huge success. I moved back to Miami where I had my three babies, then came back here in June of last year because I have a script, a personal story, that I want to get off the ground. So I thought “I have to be in L.A for this. This is were the whole market for film is” The advertising part of my job I could do from anywhere, but for film you have to be in L.A. My script is actually at CAA right now, I’m very happy.
I always wanted to expand the focus on getting Latinos into film, like I originally did at ICM. So I started asking people in the industry that are Latinos, “Who do you think that I could partner with? I want to expand and invest into a company that is Latino focused and has talent.” Therefore, it was perfect to meet Erika Olmos because she had a wealth of around 25 great actors and actresses; she was also starting with Asher - a project in pre-production right now - so it was a great fit. We get along great and it has been a great success ever since we merged. We named our company Olmos Kontakto. She focuses more on the day-to-day management aspect for the actors, and I continue focusing on the advertising side: directors, editors, etc. We are fully immersed in everything that is Latino, both in Hollywood and in advertising in the U.S.
We have these two great companies and we benefit from each other with our projects. For example, recently one of my clients was shooting a commercial and he said, “I need a Latin actress”. We sent him an actress for casting and he booked her. That works as a vice-versa situation with anything anybody might need. Our main focus is to get people to think of Olmos Kontakto whenever they think about anything Latino.
Aguilar: What do you think has allowed the Latino market to evolve into the highly profitable industry it is today?
Isabel Echeverry: The population has grown, so it is really about the numbers. There are over 50 million Latinos in the U.S. and the number is growing. It has also changed creatively because of the power of the Latino audience who access content in different platforms and have the discretionary spending money to buy tickets and products. All these demographics have affected the investment in brands for this market. Everybody wants to invest in this market right now. There is more money, and both the quality and the demand have increased. There is an awareness of the power of Latinos and what they can offer the general market creatively. It is really powerful!
Aguilar: I understand your focus is on Latino talent here in the U.S. Are there any plans to expand into representing talent from their native countries?
Isabel Echeverry: It is very important that our talent speaks English, like you and I; we are bilingual. That’s who we are. If they do speak English, and we meet them on a trip or someone recommends them, and of course, if they have what it takes, of course we are open. For example, I was in Miami and one of our Venezuelan editors introduced me to an actor. I met him and spoke to him in English, and he is perfect, so we are going to represent him out of L.A. but will find him work in Miami as well. We are going to send him to auditions; we’ll get him an agent and get him working. It is possible to do this anywhere in the U.S. with any Latin talent. There is another actress who lives in Uruguay right now; she wants to move to L.A, and we really believe in her so we are sponsoring her. This is something we will consider case by case, but we are committed. If we see the talent and we believe we can get them a job, we will do anything to help them establish themselves. We really want to help people fulfill their dreams.
Since we started our company we’ve booked three series regulars, that’s very big. The last one was Octavio Pisano, who has a Mexican background. He just booked a series regular job on Tyler Perry’s new TV show. Then two other Mexican-American actors have just booked roles for several seasons in Hulu’s East Los High.
Aguilar: Can you tell us about the current projects being developed through Olmos Kontakto?
Isabel Echeverry: We have a TV project slate and we have a feature slate. On the feature site we have about eight projects that are in the creative development stage. One of them is Asher, directed by Francisco Ordonez, which is getting ready to shoot in New York. We have the funding in place, Danny Glover, Mekhi Phifer, and others are attached to the project.
Then we have Allegro, my personal story. I hired Michael Gottlieb, the director of Mannequin and he has been mentoring me. He sat down with me for five months and showed me how to write the script. It’s about “brujeria” (witchcraft),which is a very Latino subject. It’s now at CAA and they loved it. They sent me a list of writers that they are considering to polish the script, and then they will attach an actress and a director. Lastly, we have Chasing Rubi, which is about Porfirio Rubiosa, a diplomat from the Dominican Republic who was also known for being a playboy. We have a file from the FBI and information on his case, so it’s going to be a really interesting story. That will be a bigger budgeted film.
In terms of TV we have a few unscripted reality shows. One of them is I Am Genie. We have attached Richard Devinki, a producer who worked on The Apprentice. We're moving a lot, there is so much happening. We are overwhelmed with how our company has become a big success so quickly because of the buzz. People are reaching out to us, which is amazing!
Aguilar: Is there anything else about this new venture you would like to share?
Isabel Echeverry: Here is what I want to share. We want to be a bridge or pathway to anyone in the Latino community who has a project and who is talented. It’s a very a hard business to get into. We have the contacts; we know what it takes for anyone to be a director in commercials, in features, an editor, effects, color correction, a writer, actors who want to get their careers to where they need to be, and also anyone needing help with creative development. We have a lot of talent and projects that come to us, but my main focus is offering people an amazing opportunity. That’s really what I love to do; I love making people’s dreams come true. Since I was sixteen when I got into this business to pursue my own acting career (and it was very hard), I have done everything. I have worked at agencies, I have worked as an assistant, I was acting, and I learned the hard way. I’m here to offer people my knowledge. This is my way of giving back.
For more information on Olmos Kontakto you can visit Here...
Together with her business partner Erika Olmos, who is known for her work in different facets of the film industry, Echeverry merged her company, Kontakto Rep with the Olmos Talent Management, forming what is now Olmos Kontakto. This unique new venture aims to provide support and representation to Latino talent working in all aspects of the business. Both powerhouse women saw the potential of the Latino market long before it became a consistent part of the entertainment industry. They share a particular perspective on the ins-and-out of how to create a successful career out of one’s passion.
Echeverry believes dreams are still attainable in Hollywood today when the dreamer is provided with the adequate tools. That’s what Olmos Kontakto wants to do, to offer that support and expose hidden Latino talent to an industry and audiences eager for new and innovative works.
Here is what Isabel Echeverry told us about her journey and this new fantastic project:
Aguilar: How did you get started in the entertainment industry, and how did Olmos Kontakto come about?
Isabel Echeverry: I started out about thirteen years ago working at ICM for Jeff Berg, as an agent trainee, and while I was there I offered the idea of starting the Latin American department. At the time Jennifer Lopez had just done Selena, and it was a big hit of course. They were kind of interested, but really it was too early. Thirteen years ago the Latin market was just starting in terms of people being interested in the power of the Latinos, etc. I remember bringing Sofía Vergara and they passed on her, so funny [Laughs]. After three years at ICM, I left to work with Reber Covington who represents directors in the general market for advertising and production company editors among others. While I was there they said, “Look we have one director who is Colombian, Simon Brand. Since you speak Spanish, why don’t you see if you can start him at Dieste? Dieste was the only company back then that was big in terms of productions for advertising. It was the only company that general production companies also would go after. So I started selling him, and that’s how I started with the Latin market as it grew.
In my six years at Reber Covington I created the successful Hispanic division. Everybody wanted me to represent them, all the general market companies and the Latino companies alike. It was amazing! Then, five years ago I went on my own and created Kontakto Reps., which had been a huge success. I moved back to Miami where I had my three babies, then came back here in June of last year because I have a script, a personal story, that I want to get off the ground. So I thought “I have to be in L.A for this. This is were the whole market for film is” The advertising part of my job I could do from anywhere, but for film you have to be in L.A. My script is actually at CAA right now, I’m very happy.
I always wanted to expand the focus on getting Latinos into film, like I originally did at ICM. So I started asking people in the industry that are Latinos, “Who do you think that I could partner with? I want to expand and invest into a company that is Latino focused and has talent.” Therefore, it was perfect to meet Erika Olmos because she had a wealth of around 25 great actors and actresses; she was also starting with Asher - a project in pre-production right now - so it was a great fit. We get along great and it has been a great success ever since we merged. We named our company Olmos Kontakto. She focuses more on the day-to-day management aspect for the actors, and I continue focusing on the advertising side: directors, editors, etc. We are fully immersed in everything that is Latino, both in Hollywood and in advertising in the U.S.
We have these two great companies and we benefit from each other with our projects. For example, recently one of my clients was shooting a commercial and he said, “I need a Latin actress”. We sent him an actress for casting and he booked her. That works as a vice-versa situation with anything anybody might need. Our main focus is to get people to think of Olmos Kontakto whenever they think about anything Latino.
Aguilar: What do you think has allowed the Latino market to evolve into the highly profitable industry it is today?
Isabel Echeverry: The population has grown, so it is really about the numbers. There are over 50 million Latinos in the U.S. and the number is growing. It has also changed creatively because of the power of the Latino audience who access content in different platforms and have the discretionary spending money to buy tickets and products. All these demographics have affected the investment in brands for this market. Everybody wants to invest in this market right now. There is more money, and both the quality and the demand have increased. There is an awareness of the power of Latinos and what they can offer the general market creatively. It is really powerful!
Aguilar: I understand your focus is on Latino talent here in the U.S. Are there any plans to expand into representing talent from their native countries?
Isabel Echeverry: It is very important that our talent speaks English, like you and I; we are bilingual. That’s who we are. If they do speak English, and we meet them on a trip or someone recommends them, and of course, if they have what it takes, of course we are open. For example, I was in Miami and one of our Venezuelan editors introduced me to an actor. I met him and spoke to him in English, and he is perfect, so we are going to represent him out of L.A. but will find him work in Miami as well. We are going to send him to auditions; we’ll get him an agent and get him working. It is possible to do this anywhere in the U.S. with any Latin talent. There is another actress who lives in Uruguay right now; she wants to move to L.A, and we really believe in her so we are sponsoring her. This is something we will consider case by case, but we are committed. If we see the talent and we believe we can get them a job, we will do anything to help them establish themselves. We really want to help people fulfill their dreams.
Since we started our company we’ve booked three series regulars, that’s very big. The last one was Octavio Pisano, who has a Mexican background. He just booked a series regular job on Tyler Perry’s new TV show. Then two other Mexican-American actors have just booked roles for several seasons in Hulu’s East Los High.
Aguilar: Can you tell us about the current projects being developed through Olmos Kontakto?
Isabel Echeverry: We have a TV project slate and we have a feature slate. On the feature site we have about eight projects that are in the creative development stage. One of them is Asher, directed by Francisco Ordonez, which is getting ready to shoot in New York. We have the funding in place, Danny Glover, Mekhi Phifer, and others are attached to the project.
Then we have Allegro, my personal story. I hired Michael Gottlieb, the director of Mannequin and he has been mentoring me. He sat down with me for five months and showed me how to write the script. It’s about “brujeria” (witchcraft),which is a very Latino subject. It’s now at CAA and they loved it. They sent me a list of writers that they are considering to polish the script, and then they will attach an actress and a director. Lastly, we have Chasing Rubi, which is about Porfirio Rubiosa, a diplomat from the Dominican Republic who was also known for being a playboy. We have a file from the FBI and information on his case, so it’s going to be a really interesting story. That will be a bigger budgeted film.
In terms of TV we have a few unscripted reality shows. One of them is I Am Genie. We have attached Richard Devinki, a producer who worked on The Apprentice. We're moving a lot, there is so much happening. We are overwhelmed with how our company has become a big success so quickly because of the buzz. People are reaching out to us, which is amazing!
Aguilar: Is there anything else about this new venture you would like to share?
Isabel Echeverry: Here is what I want to share. We want to be a bridge or pathway to anyone in the Latino community who has a project and who is talented. It’s a very a hard business to get into. We have the contacts; we know what it takes for anyone to be a director in commercials, in features, an editor, effects, color correction, a writer, actors who want to get their careers to where they need to be, and also anyone needing help with creative development. We have a lot of talent and projects that come to us, but my main focus is offering people an amazing opportunity. That’s really what I love to do; I love making people’s dreams come true. Since I was sixteen when I got into this business to pursue my own acting career (and it was very hard), I have done everything. I have worked at agencies, I have worked as an assistant, I was acting, and I learned the hard way. I’m here to offer people my knowledge. This is my way of giving back.
For more information on Olmos Kontakto you can visit Here...
- 5/7/2014
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Let us pay our respect to the late Sherman Hemsley by cherishing his greatest cinematic work. Mr. Nanny (1993) Director: Michael Gottlieb Stars: Hulk Hogan, Sherman Hemsley, Madeline Zima A former wrestler gets hired as a bodyguard for a national security expert, only to be pawned off as a babysitter for his nightmarish kids. Mr. Nanny is not as great as Suburban Commando. Let's get that out of the way first. It doesn't feature the broad comedy of Hulk Hogan as a...
- 8/1/2012
- by Jason Adams
- JoBlo.com
Kim Cattrall and Andrew McCarthy's quirky eighties film hit Mannequin is set to be remade.
The 1987 Michael Gottlieb film, in which Sex & The City star Cattrall played a showroom dummy who comes to life, was savaged by critics upon its release but became a cult hit.
A sequel, Mannequin 2: On The Move, came out in 1991 and has been dubbed "one of the worst follow-ups ever made".
Moviehole.net reports Gladden Entertainment bosses are "said to be in early development" on the remake with the new version featuring a lonely man who falls for a "laser display hologram".
The 1987 Michael Gottlieb film, in which Sex & The City star Cattrall played a showroom dummy who comes to life, was savaged by critics upon its release but became a cult hit.
A sequel, Mannequin 2: On The Move, came out in 1991 and has been dubbed "one of the worst follow-ups ever made".
Moviehole.net reports Gladden Entertainment bosses are "said to be in early development" on the remake with the new version featuring a lonely man who falls for a "laser display hologram".
- 1/8/2010
- WENN
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