Executive producer Steve Cohen has worked with Billy Joel for decades, and if there’s one thing he knows about the legendary musician it’s that Joel is quite reluctant to perform on camera. But the New York native made an exception for a historic milestone in his monthly residency at Madison Square Garden. To celebrate the 100th consecutive sellout at the world’s most famous arena, Cohen and Joel decided to commemorate the occasion with a special event on CBS, “The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden,” the first concert film for Joel since 2010’s “Last Play at Shea.”
“I’m an old school guy, I remember appointment television on Sunday evening and Billy’s the same,” Cohen tells Gold Derby in an exclusive video interview as part of our Making of “The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden” roundtable panel. So the choice was made to...
“I’m an old school guy, I remember appointment television on Sunday evening and Billy’s the same,” Cohen tells Gold Derby in an exclusive video interview as part of our Making of “The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden” roundtable panel. So the choice was made to...
- 5/17/2024
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Lovo, a Berkeley-based AI startup, was accused in a class action lawsuit on Thursday of stealing actors’ voices to create Genny, a publicly accessible AI generator.
Paul Skye Lehrman and Linnea Sage, a New York couple who work as voice actors, alleged that they were deceived into providing voice samples through a freelance website. They were paid $1200 and $400, respectively, for reading scripts, and were told the recordings would be used internally, or for academic purposes.
Years later, they discovered that their voices had been cloned and were being used publicly without their permission or additional payment, the suit alleges. They are seeking to represent every actor whose voice was taken, and to stop Lovo from using those voices without consent and payment.
“You gotta get back control of their voices and their professional destiny,” said Steve Cohen, a partner at Pollock Cohen Llp, who filed the complaint. “There’s gotta...
Paul Skye Lehrman and Linnea Sage, a New York couple who work as voice actors, alleged that they were deceived into providing voice samples through a freelance website. They were paid $1200 and $400, respectively, for reading scripts, and were told the recordings would be used internally, or for academic purposes.
Years later, they discovered that their voices had been cloned and were being used publicly without their permission or additional payment, the suit alleges. They are seeking to represent every actor whose voice was taken, and to stop Lovo from using those voices without consent and payment.
“You gotta get back control of their voices and their professional destiny,” said Steve Cohen, a partner at Pollock Cohen Llp, who filed the complaint. “There’s gotta...
- 5/16/2024
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Voiceover actor Paul Skye Lehrman was at his friend’s house in 2022 when a YouTube video was pulled up from a channel called Military News about Russia’s advance into Ukraine. He immediately recognized the voice as his own, though he never contracted with the channel operator for use of his likeness.
“It was my voice dictating the conflict and talking about weapons,” Lehrman says. “These are words I never said.”
A year later, he was on his way to a doctor’s appointment when he says he again stumbled upon his voice in a podcast about Hollywood’s dual strikes in which a generative artificial intelligence text-to-speech tool was used to answers questions about the dangers of the technology. That’s when he and his wife Linnea Sage, also a voiceover actor who suspects her voice was stolen in a similar manner, reached out to an attorney.
On Thursday,...
“It was my voice dictating the conflict and talking about weapons,” Lehrman says. “These are words I never said.”
A year later, he was on his way to a doctor’s appointment when he says he again stumbled upon his voice in a podcast about Hollywood’s dual strikes in which a generative artificial intelligence text-to-speech tool was used to answers questions about the dangers of the technology. That’s when he and his wife Linnea Sage, also a voiceover actor who suspects her voice was stolen in a similar manner, reached out to an attorney.
On Thursday,...
- 5/16/2024
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Range Media has raised fresh cash in what it is calling a “growth capital” round meant to expand its business both domestically and abroad.
The management and production firm, founded in 2020 by former CAA agent Peter Micelli and other former agents, says that it has completed an investment round with media mogul John Malone’s Liberty Global, Tpg founder David Bonderman’s Wildcat Capital, and the family entertainment company Playground Productions.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though a source said that it was a “substantial” minority investment. Liberty, Wildcat and Playground join Steve Cohen’s Point72 Ventures and A+E Networks as investors in Range.
A+E Networks invested in Range in 2022, in connection with a production deal.
Since its founding Range has expanded into other areas, including music, sports, and gaming. The company also merged with the production company Automatik.
The company says it will use the cash...
The management and production firm, founded in 2020 by former CAA agent Peter Micelli and other former agents, says that it has completed an investment round with media mogul John Malone’s Liberty Global, Tpg founder David Bonderman’s Wildcat Capital, and the family entertainment company Playground Productions.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though a source said that it was a “substantial” minority investment. Liberty, Wildcat and Playground join Steve Cohen’s Point72 Ventures and A+E Networks as investors in Range.
A+E Networks invested in Range in 2022, in connection with a production deal.
Since its founding Range has expanded into other areas, including music, sports, and gaming. The company also merged with the production company Automatik.
The company says it will use the cash...
- 4/23/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Range Media Partners has secured a minority investment from a group including Liberty Global and Tpg founding partner David Bonderman’s family office Wildcat Capital Management.
Family entertainment company Playground Productions is also a participant in the new round, terms of which were not disclosed. The new investors join an existing roster of backers, among them A+E Networks and hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen’s Point72 Ventures.
In announcing the deal, Range said it would help “spur growth initiatives and strategic acquisitions.”
Since Deadline broke news of the formation of Range in 2020 with a bunch of best and brightest who left CAA, WME and other posts, the management/production concern has slowly expanded its operations into entertainment sports, music, digital, advertising and other sectors.
Over the past year, Range solidified its film capabilities by merging with La La Land production company Automatik. The firm also set out a sports strategy...
Family entertainment company Playground Productions is also a participant in the new round, terms of which were not disclosed. The new investors join an existing roster of backers, among them A+E Networks and hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen’s Point72 Ventures.
In announcing the deal, Range said it would help “spur growth initiatives and strategic acquisitions.”
Since Deadline broke news of the formation of Range in 2020 with a bunch of best and brightest who left CAA, WME and other posts, the management/production concern has slowly expanded its operations into entertainment sports, music, digital, advertising and other sectors.
Over the past year, Range solidified its film capabilities by merging with La La Land production company Automatik. The firm also set out a sports strategy...
- 4/23/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Chris Smith’s “Devo” will open the ninth edition of Chicago’s Doc10 documentary film festival on May 2.
The film, which premiered at Sundance 2024, charts the life of the art-movement-turned-band Devo from Akron, Ohio, through archival footage of the band and candid sit-down interviews with band members. Smith follows the band on their journey from Dadaist, Kent State radicals to unlikely icons of 1980s MTV. Currently celebrating their 50 years of De-Evolution Tour, Devo band members will join Doc10 in a live, virtual Q&a moderated by Wxrt’s Marty Lennartz.
Doc10, a four-day fest running May 2-5, features a selection of 10 documentaries making their Chicago premieres along with a package of 10 prestigious documentary shorts. The fest is hosted by Chicago Media Project, a company that has generated more than $8.5 million in funding for documentary projects. Cmp has directly supported over 150 films including “Icarus,” “Crip Camp” and most recently “Gaucho, Gaucho,...
The film, which premiered at Sundance 2024, charts the life of the art-movement-turned-band Devo from Akron, Ohio, through archival footage of the band and candid sit-down interviews with band members. Smith follows the band on their journey from Dadaist, Kent State radicals to unlikely icons of 1980s MTV. Currently celebrating their 50 years of De-Evolution Tour, Devo band members will join Doc10 in a live, virtual Q&a moderated by Wxrt’s Marty Lennartz.
Doc10, a four-day fest running May 2-5, features a selection of 10 documentaries making their Chicago premieres along with a package of 10 prestigious documentary shorts. The fest is hosted by Chicago Media Project, a company that has generated more than $8.5 million in funding for documentary projects. Cmp has directly supported over 150 films including “Icarus,” “Crip Camp” and most recently “Gaucho, Gaucho,...
- 4/3/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
A special titled 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden -The Greatest Arena Run of All Time will air Sunday, April 14 (9:00-11:00 Pm, Et/ Pt) on the CBS Network and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.
The March 28 show is Billy Joel’s first concert to air on a broadcast network.
Joel has sold out Madison Square Garden more than any other artist. Since his first show at the venue on Dec. 14, 1978, through his final residency show this July, every one of Joel’s concerts at Madison Square Garden have been sold out.
The TV special is a co-production of Sony Music Entertainment and Enliven Entertainment. Steve Cohen, Barry Ehrmann and Paul Dugdale are executive producers. Director is Emmy Award recipient Paul Dugdale. Sony Music Vision is the distributor.
The March 28 show is Billy Joel’s first concert to air on a broadcast network.
Joel has sold out Madison Square Garden more than any other artist. Since his first show at the venue on Dec. 14, 1978, through his final residency show this July, every one of Joel’s concerts at Madison Square Garden have been sold out.
The TV special is a co-production of Sony Music Entertainment and Enliven Entertainment. Steve Cohen, Barry Ehrmann and Paul Dugdale are executive producers. Director is Emmy Award recipient Paul Dugdale. Sony Music Vision is the distributor.
- 2/11/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
CBS is embracing the Piano Man.
Ahead the Super Bowl, the network announced it would stream Billy Joel’s 100th concert at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, April 14 at 9 pm Et/Pt. The two hour special, titled The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden — The Greatest Run Of All Time, marks the first time a Billy Joel concert will air on a broadcast network. It will be filmed at his March 28 show, and will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
The news comes as Joel is set to end his Msg residency this July with his 150th career performance at the New York arena. His first came in late 1978, when Joel, who was touring on behalf of his 52nd Street album, headlined the venue for his first time. In early 2014, he began a monthly residency as Msg’s first “music franchise,” and has sold out every show since.
Ahead the Super Bowl, the network announced it would stream Billy Joel’s 100th concert at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, April 14 at 9 pm Et/Pt. The two hour special, titled The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden — The Greatest Run Of All Time, marks the first time a Billy Joel concert will air on a broadcast network. It will be filmed at his March 28 show, and will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
The news comes as Joel is set to end his Msg residency this July with his 150th career performance at the New York arena. His first came in late 1978, when Joel, who was touring on behalf of his 52nd Street album, headlined the venue for his first time. In early 2014, he began a monthly residency as Msg’s first “music franchise,” and has sold out every show since.
- 2/11/2024
- by Lacey Rose
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bloomberg Media CEO M. Scott Havens is leaving for the big leagues.
The media executive will depart Bloomberg to become president of business operations for The New York Mets. The team announced the move Monday morning, announcing that Havens will start in January, overseeing all leadership functions except for baseball operations.
He will report to Mets owner and CEO Steve Cohen.
“Bringing someone on board of Scott’s caliber is an exciting development for the Mets organization,” said Mets Owners Steve and Alex Cohen in a statement. “Scott has vast experience leading world-class media and digital technology-led companies such as Bloomberg Media and Time Inc. and he’ll provide a modern vision and strategic direction for our organization.”
Havens, a veteran media executive, was elevated to the CEO role at Bloomberg Media in January 2022 following the exit of Justin Smith. Since then he has rolled out a slate of new TV and digital video programming,...
The media executive will depart Bloomberg to become president of business operations for The New York Mets. The team announced the move Monday morning, announcing that Havens will start in January, overseeing all leadership functions except for baseball operations.
He will report to Mets owner and CEO Steve Cohen.
“Bringing someone on board of Scott’s caliber is an exciting development for the Mets organization,” said Mets Owners Steve and Alex Cohen in a statement. “Scott has vast experience leading world-class media and digital technology-led companies such as Bloomberg Media and Time Inc. and he’ll provide a modern vision and strategic direction for our organization.”
Havens, a veteran media executive, was elevated to the CEO role at Bloomberg Media in January 2022 following the exit of Justin Smith. Since then he has rolled out a slate of new TV and digital video programming,...
- 11/27/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Steve Cohen’s Mets baseball team didn’t have the greatest season. So his thoughts are turning to other potential attractions at his Citi Field stadium
During a talk with Sportscorp Limited president Marc Ganis at Sportico’s “Invest in Sports” conference at the Times Center in Manhattan, Cohen raised the possibility of other uses for his stadium.
“I gotta get the Mets right,” Cohen said. “Once I get the Mets right and get the model down, then I can think about doing something else. … Maybe down the road, but I gotta get this right. And I haven’t gotten it right yet.”
At the end of the season, Mets players Jeff McNeil and Kodai Senga played video games using the enormous video board that Cohen installed at Citi Field. That sparked the idea.
“[It] actually gave me an idea about how to use the facility to have people actually use...
During a talk with Sportscorp Limited president Marc Ganis at Sportico’s “Invest in Sports” conference at the Times Center in Manhattan, Cohen raised the possibility of other uses for his stadium.
“I gotta get the Mets right,” Cohen said. “Once I get the Mets right and get the model down, then I can think about doing something else. … Maybe down the road, but I gotta get this right. And I haven’t gotten it right yet.”
At the end of the season, Mets players Jeff McNeil and Kodai Senga played video games using the enormous video board that Cohen installed at Citi Field. That sparked the idea.
“[It] actually gave me an idea about how to use the facility to have people actually use...
- 10/12/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
“As goes the South, goes the rest of the country,” Sen. Raphael Warnock, paraphrasing W.E.B. DuBois, said in The South Got Something to Say, the upcoming hip-hop documentary from the film division of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Directed by Ryon and Tyson Horne, the first project from Ajc Films examines the music genre’s role and power in Atlanta, the cultural capital of the South. Launching off the night in 1995 that Outkast won the best new artist at the Source Awards, the documentary includes conversations with Killer Mike, the legendary Goodie Mob, Silk Tymes Leather’s Jordan Victoria, rapper and Love & Hip Hop Atlanta star Rasheeda, Jermaine Dupri, journalist Sonia Murray, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, former Mayor Andrew Young, Warnock and others.
“This is more than just a music documentary,” Ajc president and publisher Andrew Morse said of the film and the greater initiative the paper is undertaking. The former CNN+ chief said that that doc,...
Directed by Ryon and Tyson Horne, the first project from Ajc Films examines the music genre’s role and power in Atlanta, the cultural capital of the South. Launching off the night in 1995 that Outkast won the best new artist at the Source Awards, the documentary includes conversations with Killer Mike, the legendary Goodie Mob, Silk Tymes Leather’s Jordan Victoria, rapper and Love & Hip Hop Atlanta star Rasheeda, Jermaine Dupri, journalist Sonia Murray, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, former Mayor Andrew Young, Warnock and others.
“This is more than just a music documentary,” Ajc president and publisher Andrew Morse said of the film and the greater initiative the paper is undertaking. The former CNN+ chief said that that doc,...
- 10/11/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
ESPN has secured the media rights to Tgl presented by Sofi, a tech-forward, match-format TV golf competition founded by Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and former NBC Sports executive Mike McCarley. The series will debut on Jan. 9.
All of the golf matches will air on ESPN or ESPN2 and will be simulcast to ESPN+. There will be 15 regular season matches, plus semifinals and finals. Additionally, ABC will air a Tgl presented by Sofi preview show on Dec. 30, ahead of the league debut.
The first Tgl match will air in primetime on ESPN and ESPN+, the night following the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Rosalyn Durant, ESPN executive vice president of programming and acquisitions, and McCarley announced the multi-year deal on Thursday.
“Innovation and creativity are core to our ESPN mission and Tgl will bring those tenets to life for golf fans,” Durant said in a statement. “Tgl is going to be...
All of the golf matches will air on ESPN or ESPN2 and will be simulcast to ESPN+. There will be 15 regular season matches, plus semifinals and finals. Additionally, ABC will air a Tgl presented by Sofi preview show on Dec. 30, ahead of the league debut.
The first Tgl match will air in primetime on ESPN and ESPN+, the night following the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Rosalyn Durant, ESPN executive vice president of programming and acquisitions, and McCarley announced the multi-year deal on Thursday.
“Innovation and creativity are core to our ESPN mission and Tgl will bring those tenets to life for golf fans,” Durant said in a statement. “Tgl is going to be...
- 10/5/2023
- by Natalie Korach
- The Wrap
Tgl presented by SoFi, the made-for-primetime TV golf competition founded by PGA Tour legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy and former NBC Sports executive Mike McCarley, officially has a U.S. TV home.
ESPN has secured the media rights for Tgl, and will debut the league Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, the day after the College Football Playoff National Championship. The second match will run Tuesday Jan. 16, the night after ESPN’s Monday Night Football NFL Wild Card game, giving both matches a football-driven promotional boost.
There will be 15 regular season matches, plus semifinals and finals matches.
All the matches will run on ESPN or ESPN2, and will also be simulcast on ESPN+. ABC will also air a Tgl preview show Saturday, Dec. 30. Tmrw Sports and ESPN say that it is a “multi-year partnership.”
“We think Tgl is a well-aligned partner…from the time I was first connected with Mike I was impressed by their vision,...
ESPN has secured the media rights for Tgl, and will debut the league Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, the day after the College Football Playoff National Championship. The second match will run Tuesday Jan. 16, the night after ESPN’s Monday Night Football NFL Wild Card game, giving both matches a football-driven promotional boost.
There will be 15 regular season matches, plus semifinals and finals matches.
All the matches will run on ESPN or ESPN2, and will also be simulcast on ESPN+. ABC will also air a Tgl preview show Saturday, Dec. 30. Tmrw Sports and ESPN say that it is a “multi-year partnership.”
“We think Tgl is a well-aligned partner…from the time I was first connected with Mike I was impressed by their vision,...
- 10/5/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A new creator summit is coming to Atlanta.
United Talent Agency (which opened an office in Atlanta earlier this year) and marketing agency Crown + Conquer are teaming up to host UNLOQ404, a one-day event they say is “designed to empower established and up-and-coming content creators.”
UNLOQ404 will take place Oct. 14 at Overtime Elite Arena and is expected to draw more than 1,000 creator attendees, UTA said in a press release. It’s also got some big sponsors on board: Chase, Instagram, and Pinterest, with Lyft as an official rideshare partner.
Programming will include keynote speakers like YouTuber Samir Chaudry (of Colin & Samir), CEO of Klutch Sports Group Rich Paul, music executive DJ Drama, and restauranteur Pinky Cole. There will also be workshops, creator showcases, and other events across various top content verticals like sports, fashion, beauty, financial literacy, art, and entrepreneurship.
“Unloq404 will serve as a rallying point for the next generation of creators,...
United Talent Agency (which opened an office in Atlanta earlier this year) and marketing agency Crown + Conquer are teaming up to host UNLOQ404, a one-day event they say is “designed to empower established and up-and-coming content creators.”
UNLOQ404 will take place Oct. 14 at Overtime Elite Arena and is expected to draw more than 1,000 creator attendees, UTA said in a press release. It’s also got some big sponsors on board: Chase, Instagram, and Pinterest, with Lyft as an official rideshare partner.
Programming will include keynote speakers like YouTuber Samir Chaudry (of Colin & Samir), CEO of Klutch Sports Group Rich Paul, music executive DJ Drama, and restauranteur Pinky Cole. There will also be workshops, creator showcases, and other events across various top content verticals like sports, fashion, beauty, financial literacy, art, and entrepreneurship.
“Unloq404 will serve as a rallying point for the next generation of creators,...
- 9/25/2023
- by James Hale
- Tubefilter.com
Nick Offerman and Seth Rogan star in Dumb Money.
‘Dumb money” is what hedge fund managers call ordinary people investing in the stock market, as in “the smart money is on…” Dumb Money is highly entertaining movie based on a real thing, when those little guys turned the tables on the big investors and kept a little company called GameStop afloat – which burned some hedge fund guys who had “shorted” the stock, essentially betting it would fail.
You probably heard this story, since it was all over the news because it was so crazy, about stock in GameStop, the mall stores that sell video games, suddenly becoming hot and soaring high, to the moon, even.
Wealthy hedge fund managers calling individual “retail” investors the “dumb money” is mean but it is also kind of true. Due to their vast resources, hedge fund mangers have an enormous advantage over any small investors,...
‘Dumb money” is what hedge fund managers call ordinary people investing in the stock market, as in “the smart money is on…” Dumb Money is highly entertaining movie based on a real thing, when those little guys turned the tables on the big investors and kept a little company called GameStop afloat – which burned some hedge fund guys who had “shorted” the stock, essentially betting it would fail.
You probably heard this story, since it was all over the news because it was so crazy, about stock in GameStop, the mall stores that sell video games, suddenly becoming hot and soaring high, to the moon, even.
Wealthy hedge fund managers calling individual “retail” investors the “dumb money” is mean but it is also kind of true. Due to their vast resources, hedge fund mangers have an enormous advantage over any small investors,...
- 9/22/2023
- by Cate Marquis
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
UNLOQ404 is coming to Atlanta.
The inaugural creator summit, presented by UTA and produced by L.A.-based brand, marketing and events agency Crown + Conquer, will debut at Overtime Elite Arena on Oct. 14. The program, which is still being finalized, features confirmed speakers like the CEO of Klutch Sports Group Rich Paul; music executive DJ Drama; restaurateur Pinky Cole of Slutty Vegan; music producer Tay Keith; stylist Jason Rembert and creators Mark Phillips, Golloria, Cait the Great and Baylen Levine; and YouTube star and podcaster Samir Chaudry of Colin and Samir. Fly Guy DC is set to host. Additional participants as well as musical acts are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Once finalized, the full day of programming is expected to include keynote speakers, workshops, creator showcases and other events across verticals like fine arts, sports, entrepreneurship, music, fashion, financial literacy, beauty and content creation.
“The mission...
The inaugural creator summit, presented by UTA and produced by L.A.-based brand, marketing and events agency Crown + Conquer, will debut at Overtime Elite Arena on Oct. 14. The program, which is still being finalized, features confirmed speakers like the CEO of Klutch Sports Group Rich Paul; music executive DJ Drama; restaurateur Pinky Cole of Slutty Vegan; music producer Tay Keith; stylist Jason Rembert and creators Mark Phillips, Golloria, Cait the Great and Baylen Levine; and YouTube star and podcaster Samir Chaudry of Colin and Samir. Fly Guy DC is set to host. Additional participants as well as musical acts are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Once finalized, the full day of programming is expected to include keynote speakers, workshops, creator showcases and other events across verticals like fine arts, sports, entrepreneurship, music, fashion, financial literacy, beauty and content creation.
“The mission...
- 9/19/2023
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Pete Davidson, Paul Dano in Dumb MoneyImage: Sony
If there’s one thing HBO’s Industry and the Oscar-winning The Big Short have taught me, it’s that no matter how many times characters explain the ins and outs of the stock market, I will forever remain immune to its intricacies.
If there’s one thing HBO’s Industry and the Oscar-winning The Big Short have taught me, it’s that no matter how many times characters explain the ins and outs of the stock market, I will forever remain immune to its intricacies.
- 9/15/2023
- by Manuel Betancourt
- avclub.com
The second season of the FX soccer docuseries Welcome to Wrexham poses an implicit question: Can a formerly floundering team recently purchased by two showbiz stars, a team that has made legions of new fans through a breakout TV hit, still be considered a group of scrappy, lovable underdogs? The series doesn’t shy away from the prefab nature of its inspirational story; that would be hard to do with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney popping in and out to comment on the state of their team and even occasionally...
- 9/11/2023
- by Chris Vognar
- Rollingstone.com
“I like the stock!”
In terms of revolutionary rallying cries, it’s no “Liberté, égalité, fraternité!” or “We will fight them on the beaches …” or “They will never take our freedom!” But by the time that Keith Gill, a.k.a. Roaring Kitty — Reddit and YouTube poster, red headband model, reluctant messiah — told a congressional committee that he’d inspired dozens of online traders to buy stock in GameStop partially because he felt it was undervalued, yet mostly because he liked it, something close to a movement had already taken place.
In terms of revolutionary rallying cries, it’s no “Liberté, égalité, fraternité!” or “We will fight them on the beaches …” or “They will never take our freedom!” But by the time that Keith Gill, a.k.a. Roaring Kitty — Reddit and YouTube poster, red headband model, reluctant messiah — told a congressional committee that he’d inspired dozens of online traders to buy stock in GameStop partially because he felt it was undervalued, yet mostly because he liked it, something close to a movement had already taken place.
- 9/9/2023
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
The GameStop short is one of the most fascinating events in recent history, a real-life David vs. Goliath battle that cost billions upon billions of dollars. It's a true testament to the power and effect of social media, and how one man can lead an army of willing participants all the way to the freaking moon. Naturally, such a unique and exciting story is ripe for the Hollywood treatment, so to the surprise of quite literally nobody, that movie is here. "Dumb Money," directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo, takes us into the world of GameStop stock through Keith Gill (Paul Dano) aka Reddit user Roaring Kitty.
Gill noticed something that nobody else did through intense research -- that GameStop as a stock was undervalued. That went against the belief of all-powerful hedge fund managers, who bet on GameStop to fail by shorting the stock.
Gill noticed something that nobody else did through intense research -- that GameStop as a stock was undervalued. That went against the belief of all-powerful hedge fund managers, who bet on GameStop to fail by shorting the stock.
- 9/9/2023
- by Barry Levitt
- Slash Film
The GameStop short squeeze of 2021, in which a new generation of online-savvy retail traders found a way to massively disrupt and break into an American stock market dominated by large hedge funds, has been recognized as a revolutionary moment for the financial industry. It’s hard to square that, though, with the cinematic treatment it gets in Craig Gillespie’s blithely conventional Dumb Money. For a story about the ability of new technology to upend traditional modes of power, the film itself is a dispiritingly outmoded affair.
The title of the film refers to the derisive moniker that retail traders are given by hedge funds—that is, that they have no real knowledge of or impact on the financial world. Chief among the retail traders involved in the GameStop saga is Brockton, Massachusetts, native Keith Gill (Paul Dano). In the real world, he’s a middle-class financial analyst and devoted family man,...
The title of the film refers to the derisive moniker that retail traders are given by hedge funds—that is, that they have no real knowledge of or impact on the financial world. Chief among the retail traders involved in the GameStop saga is Brockton, Massachusetts, native Keith Gill (Paul Dano). In the real world, he’s a middle-class financial analyst and devoted family man,...
- 9/9/2023
- by Mark Hanson
- Slant Magazine
A lot of the young men who became stock traders in the 1980s saw themselves as rebels: the new swingers of greed. Of course, they weren’t really rebels. But it felt good to them to think of themselves that way. Keith Gill (Paul Dano), the central figure in Craig Gillespie’s smart, light-fingered, brashly entertaining finance-world docudrama “Dumb Money,” is an amateur stock trader who also sees himself as a rebel. Keith, unlike the Wall Street players, actually is trying to fight the system. But he may be nearly as caught up in illusions as they are.
The Wall Street badasses of the ’80s wanted to be cool. Keith, by contrast, is a long-haired Middle American nerd who lives in Brockton, Ma, with his wife (Shailene Woodley) and infant daughter and works for the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. In his spare time, he posts freewheeling video rambles on wallstreetbets,...
The Wall Street badasses of the ’80s wanted to be cool. Keith, by contrast, is a long-haired Middle American nerd who lives in Brockton, Ma, with his wife (Shailene Woodley) and infant daughter and works for the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. In his spare time, he posts freewheeling video rambles on wallstreetbets,...
- 9/9/2023
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Movies about the financial markets inevitably have the same problem. It simply isn’t that visually compelling watching people stare at their computers or phones and muttering expletives. Adam McKay’s The Big Short managed to avoid the pitfall thanks to its truly memorable characters and such stylistic flourishes as having Margot Robbie explain complicated financial concepts directly to the camera while lounging in a bathtub.
Craig Gillespie’s Dumb Money, about the 2021 GameStop stock phenomenon fueled by individual investors driven by social media, doesn’t prove quite as successful. Nonetheless, the film receiving its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival proves entertaining enough, thanks to its canny screenplay relating the story as a Frank Capra-style battle between the little people and the rich bigwigs hoisted by their own petards, and the fun performances by a terrific ensemble.
Based on Ben Mezrich’s book The Antisocial Network...
Craig Gillespie’s Dumb Money, about the 2021 GameStop stock phenomenon fueled by individual investors driven by social media, doesn’t prove quite as successful. Nonetheless, the film receiving its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival proves entertaining enough, thanks to its canny screenplay relating the story as a Frank Capra-style battle between the little people and the rich bigwigs hoisted by their own petards, and the fun performances by a terrific ensemble.
Based on Ben Mezrich’s book The Antisocial Network...
- 9/9/2023
- by Frank Scheck
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It is only appropriate that Sony’s terrific new comedy Dumb Money starts with the Columbia Pictures logo. That was the studio that Frank Capra famously helped build with his movies where the little guy triumphs over the corporate bad guys. Dumb Money is positively Capra-esque in the way it tells its improbable David vs. Goliath story about how an internet geek started a movement that blew up the heretofore loser stock of shopping mall game store GameStop and became the toast of Wall Street, while bankrupting a couple of billionaire hedge funds in the process. It movie had its world premiere tonight at the Toronto Film Festival before its theatrical release later this month.
On its most basic level, Dumb Money hits on the financial frustrations of everyday Americans fed up with the billionaire class, and dreaming of a fantasy to get rich quick themselves. This phenomenon that took...
On its most basic level, Dumb Money hits on the financial frustrations of everyday Americans fed up with the billionaire class, and dreaming of a fantasy to get rich quick themselves. This phenomenon that took...
- 9/9/2023
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Every July 1, former New York Mets slugger Bobby Bonilla changes his tune. Instead of “I’ll show you the Bronx,” Bonilla says, “Show me the money.”
Bonilla hasn’t played in the major leagues for 22 years, but each July 1 he picks up a check for nearly $1.2 million from the club. That’s more than some all-star players make per year.
The sweet deal was negotiated by Bonilla’s agent Dennis Gilbert at a time when the Mets (then owned by the Wilpon family) were scrapping for cash.
Bonilla had a checkered career for the Mets. He was on the team from 1992 to 1995, then came back for a year in 1999. He is best remembered for his confrontation with reporter Bob Klapisch, the co-author of the book, “The Worst Team Money Can Buy,’ a review of a season in which the Mets, with baseball’s highest payroll, lost 90 games Bonilla got in a heated exchange in the Mets clubhouse with Klapisch, threatening to “show him the Bronx.” It was not an invitation for a tour.
The Mets wanted to terminate Bonilla in 1999, but he still had $6 million left on his contract. Gilbert proposed that owner Fred Wilpon defer payments until 2011 with an 8% annual interest rate.
That meant that Bonilla would get $1,193,248.20 every year until 2035. Bonilla will be 72 when his contract with the team expires. He is currently 59.
In total, Bonilla will get $29.8 million because of Wilpon’s blunder.
Bonilla’s deal is sizable, but it’s not the only deferred payment owed to former and current players. It sticks out more because the Wilpons never received the huge payments they believed they would get from swindler Bernie Madoff, making the contract a financial albatross that kept the team mired in mediocrity for years.
Mets fans began celebrating the day as a tribute to the team’s folly. New owner Steve Cohen even joined in the joke, saying he’d like to celebrate the day at Citi Field.
Bonilla hasn’t played in the major leagues for 22 years, but each July 1 he picks up a check for nearly $1.2 million from the club. That’s more than some all-star players make per year.
The sweet deal was negotiated by Bonilla’s agent Dennis Gilbert at a time when the Mets (then owned by the Wilpon family) were scrapping for cash.
Bonilla had a checkered career for the Mets. He was on the team from 1992 to 1995, then came back for a year in 1999. He is best remembered for his confrontation with reporter Bob Klapisch, the co-author of the book, “The Worst Team Money Can Buy,’ a review of a season in which the Mets, with baseball’s highest payroll, lost 90 games Bonilla got in a heated exchange in the Mets clubhouse with Klapisch, threatening to “show him the Bronx.” It was not an invitation for a tour.
The Mets wanted to terminate Bonilla in 1999, but he still had $6 million left on his contract. Gilbert proposed that owner Fred Wilpon defer payments until 2011 with an 8% annual interest rate.
That meant that Bonilla would get $1,193,248.20 every year until 2035. Bonilla will be 72 when his contract with the team expires. He is currently 59.
In total, Bonilla will get $29.8 million because of Wilpon’s blunder.
Bonilla’s deal is sizable, but it’s not the only deferred payment owed to former and current players. It sticks out more because the Wilpons never received the huge payments they believed they would get from swindler Bernie Madoff, making the contract a financial albatross that kept the team mired in mediocrity for years.
Mets fans began celebrating the day as a tribute to the team’s folly. New owner Steve Cohen even joined in the joke, saying he’d like to celebrate the day at Citi Field.
- 7/1/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Two years ago, the bizarre story dominating the news cycle wasn’t about a group of billionaires lost at sea, but a different group of billionaires panicking as amateur investors on Reddit and YouTube inflated a doomed GameStop stock to get rich quick. In the first trailer for Dumb Money, the upcoming film based on Ben Mezrich’s book The Antisocial Network, financial analyst Keith Gil (portrayed by Paul Dano) takes that GameStop short squeeze a very long way.
When Gil’s wife, portrayed by Shailene Woodley, asks how much he made in a day,...
When Gil’s wife, portrayed by Shailene Woodley, asks how much he made in a day,...
- 6/22/2023
- by Larisha Paul
- Rollingstone.com
Jay-Z’s entertainment company Roc Nation has published an open letter to New York City as part of its bid to operate a proposed casino in Times Square. In addition to tweeting it out, the company took out ads in the New York Post, New York Daily News, and Amsterdam News to run the letter, according to Billboard.
“The winning licensee must always put the well-being of New Yorkers at the top of their agenda and do right by its residents,” the letter states. “This is too important of a...
“The winning licensee must always put the well-being of New Yorkers at the top of their agenda and do right by its residents,” the letter states. “This is too important of a...
- 5/11/2023
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
If you liked “The Social Network” but would have liked it more if every character was an idiot, then “Dumb Money” is here to scratch that itch. Director Craig Gillespie and star Paul Dano showed up at CinemaCon to provide a look at the first few minutes of the film.
Based on the book “The Antisocial Network: The GameStop Short Squeeze and the Ragtag Group of Amateur Traders That Brought Wall Street to Its Knees” by Ben Mezrich, the movie is based on the GameStop stock manipulation that turned a bunch of Redditors into internet folk heroes (for five minutes).
Also Read:
Sony Pictures Acquires Action Horror Comedy ‘Hell Naw’ From Kid Cudi and Sam Levinson
The movie opens with Gabe Plotkin, the head of Melvin Capital (played by Seth Rogen) standing in an empty Miami mansion talking with New York Mets billionaire owner Steve Cohen (Vincent D’Onofrio), who is...
Based on the book “The Antisocial Network: The GameStop Short Squeeze and the Ragtag Group of Amateur Traders That Brought Wall Street to Its Knees” by Ben Mezrich, the movie is based on the GameStop stock manipulation that turned a bunch of Redditors into internet folk heroes (for five minutes).
Also Read:
Sony Pictures Acquires Action Horror Comedy ‘Hell Naw’ From Kid Cudi and Sam Levinson
The movie opens with Gabe Plotkin, the head of Melvin Capital (played by Seth Rogen) standing in an empty Miami mansion talking with New York Mets billionaire owner Steve Cohen (Vincent D’Onofrio), who is...
- 4/25/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Lauren Probyn Aouad has joined UTA as a marketing executive, marking the company’s first senior hire in its newly opened Atlanta division.
As an executive, Aouad will be responsible for growing the division’s presence within the community and developing new partnerships with brands at the intersection of entertainment and advertising. She will report to Julian Jacobs and David Anderson, UTA partners and co-heads of the entertainment and culture Marketing division. She will work closely with Steve Cohen, partner and co-head of UTA’s Atlanta office.
“We’re excited to welcome Lauren to our team,” said Anderson, “Our group has expanded substantially over the past few years, both domestically and globally, and we look forward to having her help us grow the business.”
Prior to UTA, Aouad served as VP of growth marketing at Fan Controlled Sports + Entertainment, where she spearheaded brand marketing, public relations and digital media strategy.
As an executive, Aouad will be responsible for growing the division’s presence within the community and developing new partnerships with brands at the intersection of entertainment and advertising. She will report to Julian Jacobs and David Anderson, UTA partners and co-heads of the entertainment and culture Marketing division. She will work closely with Steve Cohen, partner and co-head of UTA’s Atlanta office.
“We’re excited to welcome Lauren to our team,” said Anderson, “Our group has expanded substantially over the past few years, both domestically and globally, and we look forward to having her help us grow the business.”
Prior to UTA, Aouad served as VP of growth marketing at Fan Controlled Sports + Entertainment, where she spearheaded brand marketing, public relations and digital media strategy.
- 3/30/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Davis Guggenheim’s “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” will open the eighth edition of Chicago’s Doc10 documentary film festival on May 4.
About Fox’s life, career and work as a public advocate for Parkinson’s research, “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” debuted at Sundance in January. Guggenheim, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind “An Inconvenient Truth” will be at Doc10 to participate in a post-screening conversation.
Doc10, a four-day fest running May 4-7, features a selection of 10 of this year’s most acclaimed documentaries and a package of prestigious doc shorts. Dedicated to supporting social-impact documentary films, the fest is hosted by Chicago Media Project, a company that raises funds for and produces docus including “Crip Camp” and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
In addition to “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” Doc10 will screen: Penny Lane’s “Confessions of a Good Samaritan,” Nicole Newnham’s “The Disappearance of the Shere Hite,...
About Fox’s life, career and work as a public advocate for Parkinson’s research, “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” debuted at Sundance in January. Guggenheim, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind “An Inconvenient Truth” will be at Doc10 to participate in a post-screening conversation.
Doc10, a four-day fest running May 4-7, features a selection of 10 of this year’s most acclaimed documentaries and a package of prestigious doc shorts. Dedicated to supporting social-impact documentary films, the fest is hosted by Chicago Media Project, a company that raises funds for and produces docus including “Crip Camp” and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
In addition to “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” Doc10 will screen: Penny Lane’s “Confessions of a Good Samaritan,” Nicole Newnham’s “The Disappearance of the Shere Hite,...
- 3/27/2023
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
UTA and partner company Klutch Sports Group announced the opening of their Atlanta office today, setting up a full-service base of operations in the city for artists, athletes, musicians and brands with strong ties to the region. It’s located at 1401 Peachtree Street in the Midtown arts and business district, with a gallery on the lower floor.
“Atlanta is a vibrant city for music, sports and arts, and there is a ripe opportunity to create another center of gravity for film and television,” said UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer. “We are excited to bring our full range of services to the community of talented artists, athletes, musicians and creators who call the Southeast their home.”
UTA Atlanta co-heads Steve Cohen and Rob Gibbs called the city “an entertainment and cultural hub.”
“Planting our flag here gives us the ability to support clients with investments and opportunities across the city’s growing creative ecosystem,...
“Atlanta is a vibrant city for music, sports and arts, and there is a ripe opportunity to create another center of gravity for film and television,” said UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer. “We are excited to bring our full range of services to the community of talented artists, athletes, musicians and creators who call the Southeast their home.”
UTA Atlanta co-heads Steve Cohen and Rob Gibbs called the city “an entertainment and cultural hub.”
“Planting our flag here gives us the ability to support clients with investments and opportunities across the city’s growing creative ecosystem,...
- 3/22/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
UTA is setting up shop in the Peach State.
The talent agency and its partner company Klutch Sports Group officially opened their Atlanta offices on Wednesday. The companies say its the first among the industry’s biggest talent, sports, entertainment and marketing agencies to establish a full-service base of operations in Georgia’s biggest city, which has become an important hub of movie and television production and a locus of other artistic endeavors.
“Atlanta is a vibrant city for music, sports and arts, and there is a ripe opportunity to create another center of gravity for film and television,” said UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer. “We are excited to bring our full range of services to the community of talented artists, athletes, musicians and creators who call the Southeast their home.”
UTA Atlanta co-heads Steve Cohen and Rob Gibbs jointly added, “Atlanta is an entertainment and cultural hub, and planting our...
The talent agency and its partner company Klutch Sports Group officially opened their Atlanta offices on Wednesday. The companies say its the first among the industry’s biggest talent, sports, entertainment and marketing agencies to establish a full-service base of operations in Georgia’s biggest city, which has become an important hub of movie and television production and a locus of other artistic endeavors.
“Atlanta is a vibrant city for music, sports and arts, and there is a ripe opportunity to create another center of gravity for film and television,” said UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer. “We are excited to bring our full range of services to the community of talented artists, athletes, musicians and creators who call the Southeast their home.”
UTA Atlanta co-heads Steve Cohen and Rob Gibbs jointly added, “Atlanta is an entertainment and cultural hub, and planting our...
- 3/22/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
UTA and sister company Klutch Sports Group have officially opened a new office in Atlanta, marking the Hollywood talent agency’s expansion to launch a full-service shop in that key U.S. production center.
The new address, which includes the UTA Artist Space Gallery open to the public, follows UTA locations in Beverly Hills, Nashville, New York, Chicago and London. The new satellite office in mid-town Atlanta aims to identify for UTA new artists, athletes, musicians and brands with strong ties to Georgia and the U.S. southeast.
“Atlanta is a vibrant city for music, sports and arts, and there is a ripe opportunity to create another center of gravity for film and television,” UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer said in a statement on Wednesday. Hollywood film and TV production in Georgia, which includes series like Stranger Things, Ozark and Atlanta, continues in strength thanks to the U.S. state’s generous tax incentive program.
The new address, which includes the UTA Artist Space Gallery open to the public, follows UTA locations in Beverly Hills, Nashville, New York, Chicago and London. The new satellite office in mid-town Atlanta aims to identify for UTA new artists, athletes, musicians and brands with strong ties to Georgia and the U.S. southeast.
“Atlanta is a vibrant city for music, sports and arts, and there is a ripe opportunity to create another center of gravity for film and television,” UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer said in a statement on Wednesday. Hollywood film and TV production in Georgia, which includes series like Stranger Things, Ozark and Atlanta, continues in strength thanks to the U.S. state’s generous tax incentive program.
- 3/22/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
John Allen, the former Navy Seal and rising podcast star known as MrBallen, has struck a wide-reaching content deal with Amazon that will see his hit podcast become available exclusively on Amazon Music beginning on November 1.
With Allen, Amazon will have another true-crime star in its growing stable of podcasts, which includes Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes’ pandemic breakout SmartLess; Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark’s true-crime behemoth My Favorite Murder; and Guy Raz’s business savvy How I Built This. But unlike those shows, which have a one-week early distribution window on Amazon Music and Wondery+ before going wide on all platforms, Allen’s MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark and Mysterious Stories will be available to stream only on Amazon Music — and not even on Amazon’s podcast subsidiary Wondery.
In competing with Spotify, which set the standard for exclusive podcasts...
John Allen, the former Navy Seal and rising podcast star known as MrBallen, has struck a wide-reaching content deal with Amazon that will see his hit podcast become available exclusively on Amazon Music beginning on November 1.
With Allen, Amazon will have another true-crime star in its growing stable of podcasts, which includes Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes’ pandemic breakout SmartLess; Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark’s true-crime behemoth My Favorite Murder; and Guy Raz’s business savvy How I Built This. But unlike those shows, which have a one-week early distribution window on Amazon Music and Wondery+ before going wide on all platforms, Allen’s MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark and Mysterious Stories will be available to stream only on Amazon Music — and not even on Amazon’s podcast subsidiary Wondery.
In competing with Spotify, which set the standard for exclusive podcasts...
- 9/27/2022
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Anonymous Content and Impact Partners have teamed to produce a new doc on a China-based “mistress dispeller,” to be directed and produced by award-winning filmmaker Elizabeth Lo (Stray). Plans for a scripted adaptation of the documentary are also in the works.
The as-yet-untitled feature watches as the mistress dispeller is hired by couples in crisis to break up affairs and save their marriages by any means necessary. Shifting perspectives between husband, wife and mistress, the film is billed as a strikingly intimate story of love and betrayal, as well as a potent exploration of how class, capital and culture collide to shape romantic relationships in contemporary China.
The project produced in association with Cmp is being co-financed by Anonymous Content, Impact Partners and Cmp, having been developed in association with The Concordia Fellowship. Dawn Olmstead, Jessica Grimshaw and Nick Shumaker will exec produce on behalf of Anonymous Content, alongside Jenny Raskin,...
The as-yet-untitled feature watches as the mistress dispeller is hired by couples in crisis to break up affairs and save their marriages by any means necessary. Shifting perspectives between husband, wife and mistress, the film is billed as a strikingly intimate story of love and betrayal, as well as a potent exploration of how class, capital and culture collide to shape romantic relationships in contemporary China.
The project produced in association with Cmp is being co-financed by Anonymous Content, Impact Partners and Cmp, having been developed in association with The Concordia Fellowship. Dawn Olmstead, Jessica Grimshaw and Nick Shumaker will exec produce on behalf of Anonymous Content, alongside Jenny Raskin,...
- 9/14/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Robert Gibbs has joined UTA has partner and co-head of the agency’s Atlanta office, making him the latest ICM Partners rep to find a new home in the wake of CAA’s acquisition. He’s not alone: Music agents Kevin Jergenson and Victoria Gutierrez, who worked closely with Gibbs at ICM on several clients, are confirmed to be making the move to UTA, too.
In the new post, Gibbs joins fellow Atlanta co-heads Rich Paul, Arthur Lewis and Steve Cohen. The hiring comes less than a year after UTA announced that it was partnering with sister company Klutch Sports Group to open an office in the entertainment hub as the first first among the industry’s biggest talent, sports and entertainment companies to establish a full-service base of operations in the city.
“Robert’s experience in the industry, combined with his enthusiasm...
Robert Gibbs has joined UTA has partner and co-head of the agency’s Atlanta office, making him the latest ICM Partners rep to find a new home in the wake of CAA’s acquisition. He’s not alone: Music agents Kevin Jergenson and Victoria Gutierrez, who worked closely with Gibbs at ICM on several clients, are confirmed to be making the move to UTA, too.
In the new post, Gibbs joins fellow Atlanta co-heads Rich Paul, Arthur Lewis and Steve Cohen. The hiring comes less than a year after UTA announced that it was partnering with sister company Klutch Sports Group to open an office in the entertainment hub as the first first among the industry’s biggest talent, sports and entertainment companies to establish a full-service base of operations in the city.
“Robert’s experience in the industry, combined with his enthusiasm...
- 8/8/2022
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Music industry veteran Robert Gibbs has joined UTA as a Partner and Co-Head of the agency’s Atlanta office.
In his new role, Gibbs will join UTA Atlanta Co-Heads Rich Paul, Arthur Lewis and Steve Cohen to help grow the agency’s footprint across music, sports, film, fine arts, television and podcasts, among other areas. UTA and its partner company Klutch Sports Group first announced their intention to solidify a significant on-the-ground presence in Atlanta last September, with the agency becoming the first leading entertainment company to establish a full-service base of operations in the city.
“Robert’s experience in the industry, combined with his enthusiasm to help us build in Atlanta, made him the perfect choice to join UTA and our leadership team there,” said UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer.
“Over the past several years the momentum at UTA has been undeniable. Jeremy and the team have built an incredible...
In his new role, Gibbs will join UTA Atlanta Co-Heads Rich Paul, Arthur Lewis and Steve Cohen to help grow the agency’s footprint across music, sports, film, fine arts, television and podcasts, among other areas. UTA and its partner company Klutch Sports Group first announced their intention to solidify a significant on-the-ground presence in Atlanta last September, with the agency becoming the first leading entertainment company to establish a full-service base of operations in the city.
“Robert’s experience in the industry, combined with his enthusiasm to help us build in Atlanta, made him the perfect choice to join UTA and our leadership team there,” said UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer.
“Over the past several years the momentum at UTA has been undeniable. Jeremy and the team have built an incredible...
- 8/8/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Range Media Partners announced the formation of a sports division Tuesday, led by Will Funk, a former executive vice president at WarnerMedia.
The new division will produce live and on-demand original sports programming, manage and advise sports talent, properties and IP, and invest in sports content and distribution. Range Sports plans to represent current and former athletes, on-air broadcast talent and coaches, in the realm of marketing, TV and film, broadcasting and endorsements.
The division will be able to work with Range Media Partners’ unscripted and scripted entertainment departments, and the company’s pre-existing partnership with A&e Studios, to create nonfiction projects, documentaries and real-time series.
As president, Funk will specifically oversee the original content and programming operations, as well as media rights advisory, property representation, brand consulting and talent representation.
Before coming to Range Media, Funk spent 21 years at WarnerMedia’s Turner Sports,...
Range Media Partners announced the formation of a sports division Tuesday, led by Will Funk, a former executive vice president at WarnerMedia.
The new division will produce live and on-demand original sports programming, manage and advise sports talent, properties and IP, and invest in sports content and distribution. Range Sports plans to represent current and former athletes, on-air broadcast talent and coaches, in the realm of marketing, TV and film, broadcasting and endorsements.
The division will be able to work with Range Media Partners’ unscripted and scripted entertainment departments, and the company’s pre-existing partnership with A&e Studios, to create nonfiction projects, documentaries and real-time series.
As president, Funk will specifically oversee the original content and programming operations, as well as media rights advisory, property representation, brand consulting and talent representation.
Before coming to Range Media, Funk spent 21 years at WarnerMedia’s Turner Sports,...
- 7/12/2022
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: NewFilmmakers Los Angeles today announced the winners of its 10th annual Best of Nfmla Awards.
The list included Huella‘s Gabriella Ortega (Best New Filmmaker), Tracey Deer’s Beans (Best Feature Film), Nelson G. Navarrete and Maxx Caicedo’s A La Calle (Best Documentary Feature Film), Ciara Lacy’s This Is the Way We Rise, JJ Shpall’s Date Nite, Isabella Issa’s Yellow Girl and Me, Sarah Clift’s The Birth of Valerie Venus, Gustavo Milan’s Under the Heavens (Seiva Bruta), Bastien Dubois’ Souvenir Souvenir, Devone X. King’s Last Black Man (Best New Media & Experimental), Arnold Mwanjila’s Taliya (Best Screenplay), I Make Good Sounds at Parties‘ Russell Goldman, Yellow Girl and Me‘s Dior Wilson, Sweet Potatoes‘ Luke Sargent (Best Cinematography), From Here‘s Christina Antonakos-Wallace and Aletta Von Vietinghoff (Best Film Editing), The Fire Next Time‘s Jose Pablo Ramirez (Best Sound Design) and Livin’ in the Light‘s Onry (Best Score).
The Best of Nfmla Awards look to recognize the best talent in independent cinema from around the globe. This year’s edition included 125 nominees across 16 Award categories. All nominated projects screened as part of the Nfmla Monthly Film Festival 2021 season which ran from January 1st, 2021 through December 31st, 2021. Best New Filmmaker winner Ortega claimed a 3,000 Anthony Rhulen grant, with numerous other winners nabbing grants of 2,000. Over 5,000 in Blackmagic Design equipment will also be awarded to select winners, with post host Picture Shop hosting a post-production workshop for all nominees and winners.
Nfmla is a Los Angeles-based arts and culture non-profit organization that works year-round to highlight the works of independent artists. Its full list of 2022 Best of Nfmla nominees can be found here.
***
Exclusive: Doc10 today announced its first-ever awards program, which this year will honor documentary filmmakers N. Bird Runningwater and Jessica Devaney.
The inaugural Luminary Award, celebrating filmmakers that shine a light on vital social issues, will be presented to Runningwater, who has supported such films as Billy Luther’s Miss Navajo and Heather Rae’s Trudell. The Vanguard Award, created to honor innovative and important documentary filmmakers, will be presented to Devaney, producer of some 17 shorts and features, including 2021 Doc10 selection Pray Away.
“The inaugural Luminary and Vanguard Awards were born to celebrate and promote the power of independent filmmaking,” said Doc10 co-founders Steve Cohen and Paula Froehle. “Jess and Bird represent the now and the future of great, cinematic documentary producing and how independent, fearless storytelling can promote real change in our world.” The 7th Doc10 documentary film festival will run from May 19-22 at the Davis Theatre and the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago. To find out more about it or to purchase tickets, click here.
***
Exclusive: Patricia Velasquez (The Mummy) will exec produce and star in the sci-fi thriller Space Racer, from writer-director Erik Bernard (Free Dead or Alive), with NFTs related to the film to be released by Karman Studios at the Cannes Marché du Film.
The pic from Bernard’s Rebel 6 Films and Gemini Films takes place in the year 2084. It finds Earth beginning to look to space for survival, at a point when it’s barely able to sustain human life. At this juncture, humans have contacted alien race, with pilot James Colt earning the opportunity to represent Earth in its first intergalactic race.
Bernard and Lyndon Tait wrote the script for the pic, which is intended to set up a trilogy. Kevin Grevioux (Underworld) is producing, with Velasquez, Bernard and Courtney LeMarco (Hoarders) exec producing, and Jasmin Espada (Free Dead or Alive) serving as co-producer. Velasquez is represented by Insurge-Ent and Innovative Artists; Bernard and LeMarco by Espada PR & Entertainment; and Grevioux by Brent Johnson of One Entertainment.
***
Exclusive: Toric Films‘ Ojan Missaghi and David Wachs will be seeking distribution for their films Day Labor, Out of Hand and Deadly Games at this year’s Cannes Film Festival—with actor Gilles Marini (The Rookie) also on hand to promote the company’s slate.
Day Labor watches as a Latin American veteran seeks work as a day laborer in order to keep his family afloat. A regular day turns into a deadly game of survival when he is mistakenly dropped off at a private ranch in El Paso, Texas to be hunted for sport. R. Ellis Frazier directed the pic, which stars Amy Johnston, Louis Mandylor and Danny Arrory.
Director Brian Skiba’s Out of Hand is a thriller centered on Valerie (Louise Linton), a charismatic and sophisticated college professor who is married to a younger personal trainer heartthrob, David (Pierson Fode). When the couple leaves town to a secluded cabin in Lake Tahoe, things start to unravel. William Baldwin, Joana Metrass , David Wachs and Christy St. John also star.
Then, there’s Deadly Games, in which four female influencers are invited to paradise island to partake in a million-dollar opportunity by a crypto mogul, fighting to gain the most subscribers during their weekend for the paysite contest. When one of the girls ends up dead, and the murder gets kept a secret, the influencers get more than they bargained for. Missaghi directed and produced the pic, which stars Marini, Metrass, Vanessa Angel, Roberto ‘Sanz’ Sanchez, Krista Kalmus and Emelina Adams.
***
Exclusive: Lost Souls collaborators John F. Uranday and Bobby Cloud will be bringing their new indie drama Depth of Field to Cannes’ Marché du Film.
The film directed by Uranday tells the story of Charles (Rafael Petardi), a widower who has given up on life, until he meets a foster child next door that changes his life forever. It also stars George Stroumboulopoulos (The Communist’s Daughter), Jay Acovone (Fox’s Lethal Weapon), Carrie Quinn Dolin (Bruce Almighty), Ella Thomas (NCIS: Los Angeles), Diana Diaz (Music) and Thea Saccoliti. Producer Cloud, who is also an attorney, co-wrote the script with Uranday, with Jeffrey Stevens serving as a story contributor. Uranday also produced, along with Orlin Dobreff, Mike G, Rafael Petardi, Tom Summers and Tristan Salas Henry, with Stroumboulopoulos serving as exec producer. Uranday and Cloud are repped by Espada PR & Entertainment.
***
Exclusive: Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North American rights to the romance Bristol Fashion, with plans to release it across internet and satellite platforms on June 7th.
The film tells the story of a young transgender woman, Christina (Lea Nayeli), who escapes her troubled home to find solace in a dilapidated boatyard. When she buys a broken-down boat for that purpose, she gets more than she bargained for in the boat’s owner, Esteban (Raul A. Perez)—warm, funny and dying to take her to dinner. He gives her a place to stay on an abandoned barge and helps her fix up the boat, and slowly but surely, they find themselves navigating the sometimes-messy waters of a straight man falling for a trans woman.
Pierre Guillet and Timothy John Foster wrote and produced Bristol Fashion, with Guillet directing. Richard Difrisco also stars. Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal to acquire the film directly with Glen Reynolds of Circus Road Films. Its trailer can be found below.
***
Exclusive: Deadline has a new trailer for Lisa Hepner and Guy Mossman’s feature doc The Human Trial, which Abramorama is releasing in North American theaters and on its Watch Now @ Home virtual cinema platform on June 24th.
More than a decade in the making, the film follows a groundbreaking clinical trial that peels back the headlines to show the sweat, passion and sacrifice behind every breakthrough cure. In 2011, Hepner and her husband Mossman heard about a radical stem cell treatment for diabetes, a disease that shockingly kills more than five million people each year. Driven by a desire to cure Lisa of her own type 1 diabetes, the filmmakers were given unprecedented access to a clinical trial—only the sixth ever stem cell trial in the world. What follows is an intimate journey with the patients and scientists who put themselves on the line to be first.
Hepner scripted the project and produced alongside Jonathan Formica (Lost & Found) and Kristin Lesko (O.J.: Made in America), with diabetes org Beyond Type 1 exec producing alongside Amy Rapp (The Woman Who Wasn’t There), Marla Oringer, Greer Wylder and Thom Scher. Check out the trailer for The Human Trial below.
***
Exclusive: Deadline has an exclusive clip from the feature doc Since I Been Down, which is set for release on VOD on May 24th.
The film from director Gilda Sheppard stakes us to Tacoma, Washington. Influenced by the national drug war frenzy and the fear-based culture of punishment in the 1980s and ’90s, Tacoma sacrificed its most vulnerable children to a life behind bars. These children, who are now adults, cannot be silenced. As we hear them tell their stories, bravely, unapologetically, we realize: This is the story of ‘Everytown USA’.
June Nho Ivers, Saman Maydani and Bonnie Benjamin-Phariss produced the doc, with Sheppard and David Menschel serving as executive producers. Our exclusive clip from the film can be found below.
***
Hallie and Audrey McPherson will be bringing their dramedy Earthquake Country to Dances With Films on Saturday, June 18th at 7:15 p.m. Pst.
The film written and directed by The McPherson Sisters centers on Rhyme Osbourne (Lydian Blossom), who is fed up with her mother’s alcoholism and delusions of grandeur and her father’s literal inability to get off the couch. On her eighteenth birthday, Rhyme puts into motion a plan that will cut ties with her family—for good. Set in 2007 in the seemingly idyllic Ojai, CA, the film is a coming-of-age story that explores the creation of family mythology, the malleability of memory, and the sometimes suffocating intimacy of the nuclear family.
Deborah Marks-Bertling, Alex Sorian Brown, Todd Caroll, Nigel Vonas, Melina Emilie, Madison Widener and Kyle Hester also star. Pic was produced by the McPhersons and Melina Hayum.
***
Filmmaker Alex Proyas‘ production outfit Heretic Foundation and development company Mystery Clock Cinema this week announced a co-production/financing partnership with the UK-based 108 Media, which has launched worldwide sales and packaging on his latest feature, the horror Sister Darkness.
The female-driven film marking the first of several forthcoming collaborations between the parties is set in the UK in the 1930s—at a time when women were marginalized and exploited. It follows the newly-wed but unhappy Alice as she stumbles across her doppelgänger Isla, whose existence is a mystery seeped in a tale of bloody retribution against her oppressors, the hellish supernatural nightscape, and a dread uprising against the deceitful aristocracy. Pic will go before camera in Australia later this year.
Proyas negotiated his multi-faceted deal with 108 Media’s CEO Abhi Rastogi and President (Production) Justin Deimen, with support from Rod Smith and Steven Rosser (Legal Counsel), General Manager & Executive Producer Andrew Robinson, Studio Producer Erasmo (Raz) Raimundo, and Craig Emmanuel of Paul Hastings in Los Angeles.
***
Gkids has acquired North American rights to writer-director Atsuko Ishizuka’s first original feature Goodbye, Don Glees!. The distributor will release both the original Japanese-language version of the film and an all-new English-language dub in theaters this year, on the heels of the film’s February 2022 release in Japan.
The film produced by the acclaimed studio Madhouse follows the story of three friends over the course of one summer, as their backyard adventures turn one small incident into a life-changing journey. It features the voices of Ayumu Murase, Natsuki Hanae, Kana Hanazawa and Yuuki Kaji, and is represented internationally by Kadokawa.
The list included Huella‘s Gabriella Ortega (Best New Filmmaker), Tracey Deer’s Beans (Best Feature Film), Nelson G. Navarrete and Maxx Caicedo’s A La Calle (Best Documentary Feature Film), Ciara Lacy’s This Is the Way We Rise, JJ Shpall’s Date Nite, Isabella Issa’s Yellow Girl and Me, Sarah Clift’s The Birth of Valerie Venus, Gustavo Milan’s Under the Heavens (Seiva Bruta), Bastien Dubois’ Souvenir Souvenir, Devone X. King’s Last Black Man (Best New Media & Experimental), Arnold Mwanjila’s Taliya (Best Screenplay), I Make Good Sounds at Parties‘ Russell Goldman, Yellow Girl and Me‘s Dior Wilson, Sweet Potatoes‘ Luke Sargent (Best Cinematography), From Here‘s Christina Antonakos-Wallace and Aletta Von Vietinghoff (Best Film Editing), The Fire Next Time‘s Jose Pablo Ramirez (Best Sound Design) and Livin’ in the Light‘s Onry (Best Score).
The Best of Nfmla Awards look to recognize the best talent in independent cinema from around the globe. This year’s edition included 125 nominees across 16 Award categories. All nominated projects screened as part of the Nfmla Monthly Film Festival 2021 season which ran from January 1st, 2021 through December 31st, 2021. Best New Filmmaker winner Ortega claimed a 3,000 Anthony Rhulen grant, with numerous other winners nabbing grants of 2,000. Over 5,000 in Blackmagic Design equipment will also be awarded to select winners, with post host Picture Shop hosting a post-production workshop for all nominees and winners.
Nfmla is a Los Angeles-based arts and culture non-profit organization that works year-round to highlight the works of independent artists. Its full list of 2022 Best of Nfmla nominees can be found here.
***
Exclusive: Doc10 today announced its first-ever awards program, which this year will honor documentary filmmakers N. Bird Runningwater and Jessica Devaney.
The inaugural Luminary Award, celebrating filmmakers that shine a light on vital social issues, will be presented to Runningwater, who has supported such films as Billy Luther’s Miss Navajo and Heather Rae’s Trudell. The Vanguard Award, created to honor innovative and important documentary filmmakers, will be presented to Devaney, producer of some 17 shorts and features, including 2021 Doc10 selection Pray Away.
“The inaugural Luminary and Vanguard Awards were born to celebrate and promote the power of independent filmmaking,” said Doc10 co-founders Steve Cohen and Paula Froehle. “Jess and Bird represent the now and the future of great, cinematic documentary producing and how independent, fearless storytelling can promote real change in our world.” The 7th Doc10 documentary film festival will run from May 19-22 at the Davis Theatre and the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago. To find out more about it or to purchase tickets, click here.
***
Exclusive: Patricia Velasquez (The Mummy) will exec produce and star in the sci-fi thriller Space Racer, from writer-director Erik Bernard (Free Dead or Alive), with NFTs related to the film to be released by Karman Studios at the Cannes Marché du Film.
The pic from Bernard’s Rebel 6 Films and Gemini Films takes place in the year 2084. It finds Earth beginning to look to space for survival, at a point when it’s barely able to sustain human life. At this juncture, humans have contacted alien race, with pilot James Colt earning the opportunity to represent Earth in its first intergalactic race.
Bernard and Lyndon Tait wrote the script for the pic, which is intended to set up a trilogy. Kevin Grevioux (Underworld) is producing, with Velasquez, Bernard and Courtney LeMarco (Hoarders) exec producing, and Jasmin Espada (Free Dead or Alive) serving as co-producer. Velasquez is represented by Insurge-Ent and Innovative Artists; Bernard and LeMarco by Espada PR & Entertainment; and Grevioux by Brent Johnson of One Entertainment.
***
Exclusive: Toric Films‘ Ojan Missaghi and David Wachs will be seeking distribution for their films Day Labor, Out of Hand and Deadly Games at this year’s Cannes Film Festival—with actor Gilles Marini (The Rookie) also on hand to promote the company’s slate.
Day Labor watches as a Latin American veteran seeks work as a day laborer in order to keep his family afloat. A regular day turns into a deadly game of survival when he is mistakenly dropped off at a private ranch in El Paso, Texas to be hunted for sport. R. Ellis Frazier directed the pic, which stars Amy Johnston, Louis Mandylor and Danny Arrory.
Director Brian Skiba’s Out of Hand is a thriller centered on Valerie (Louise Linton), a charismatic and sophisticated college professor who is married to a younger personal trainer heartthrob, David (Pierson Fode). When the couple leaves town to a secluded cabin in Lake Tahoe, things start to unravel. William Baldwin, Joana Metrass , David Wachs and Christy St. John also star.
Then, there’s Deadly Games, in which four female influencers are invited to paradise island to partake in a million-dollar opportunity by a crypto mogul, fighting to gain the most subscribers during their weekend for the paysite contest. When one of the girls ends up dead, and the murder gets kept a secret, the influencers get more than they bargained for. Missaghi directed and produced the pic, which stars Marini, Metrass, Vanessa Angel, Roberto ‘Sanz’ Sanchez, Krista Kalmus and Emelina Adams.
***
Exclusive: Lost Souls collaborators John F. Uranday and Bobby Cloud will be bringing their new indie drama Depth of Field to Cannes’ Marché du Film.
The film directed by Uranday tells the story of Charles (Rafael Petardi), a widower who has given up on life, until he meets a foster child next door that changes his life forever. It also stars George Stroumboulopoulos (The Communist’s Daughter), Jay Acovone (Fox’s Lethal Weapon), Carrie Quinn Dolin (Bruce Almighty), Ella Thomas (NCIS: Los Angeles), Diana Diaz (Music) and Thea Saccoliti. Producer Cloud, who is also an attorney, co-wrote the script with Uranday, with Jeffrey Stevens serving as a story contributor. Uranday also produced, along with Orlin Dobreff, Mike G, Rafael Petardi, Tom Summers and Tristan Salas Henry, with Stroumboulopoulos serving as exec producer. Uranday and Cloud are repped by Espada PR & Entertainment.
***
Exclusive: Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North American rights to the romance Bristol Fashion, with plans to release it across internet and satellite platforms on June 7th.
The film tells the story of a young transgender woman, Christina (Lea Nayeli), who escapes her troubled home to find solace in a dilapidated boatyard. When she buys a broken-down boat for that purpose, she gets more than she bargained for in the boat’s owner, Esteban (Raul A. Perez)—warm, funny and dying to take her to dinner. He gives her a place to stay on an abandoned barge and helps her fix up the boat, and slowly but surely, they find themselves navigating the sometimes-messy waters of a straight man falling for a trans woman.
Pierre Guillet and Timothy John Foster wrote and produced Bristol Fashion, with Guillet directing. Richard Difrisco also stars. Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal to acquire the film directly with Glen Reynolds of Circus Road Films. Its trailer can be found below.
***
Exclusive: Deadline has a new trailer for Lisa Hepner and Guy Mossman’s feature doc The Human Trial, which Abramorama is releasing in North American theaters and on its Watch Now @ Home virtual cinema platform on June 24th.
More than a decade in the making, the film follows a groundbreaking clinical trial that peels back the headlines to show the sweat, passion and sacrifice behind every breakthrough cure. In 2011, Hepner and her husband Mossman heard about a radical stem cell treatment for diabetes, a disease that shockingly kills more than five million people each year. Driven by a desire to cure Lisa of her own type 1 diabetes, the filmmakers were given unprecedented access to a clinical trial—only the sixth ever stem cell trial in the world. What follows is an intimate journey with the patients and scientists who put themselves on the line to be first.
Hepner scripted the project and produced alongside Jonathan Formica (Lost & Found) and Kristin Lesko (O.J.: Made in America), with diabetes org Beyond Type 1 exec producing alongside Amy Rapp (The Woman Who Wasn’t There), Marla Oringer, Greer Wylder and Thom Scher. Check out the trailer for The Human Trial below.
***
Exclusive: Deadline has an exclusive clip from the feature doc Since I Been Down, which is set for release on VOD on May 24th.
The film from director Gilda Sheppard stakes us to Tacoma, Washington. Influenced by the national drug war frenzy and the fear-based culture of punishment in the 1980s and ’90s, Tacoma sacrificed its most vulnerable children to a life behind bars. These children, who are now adults, cannot be silenced. As we hear them tell their stories, bravely, unapologetically, we realize: This is the story of ‘Everytown USA’.
June Nho Ivers, Saman Maydani and Bonnie Benjamin-Phariss produced the doc, with Sheppard and David Menschel serving as executive producers. Our exclusive clip from the film can be found below.
***
Hallie and Audrey McPherson will be bringing their dramedy Earthquake Country to Dances With Films on Saturday, June 18th at 7:15 p.m. Pst.
The film written and directed by The McPherson Sisters centers on Rhyme Osbourne (Lydian Blossom), who is fed up with her mother’s alcoholism and delusions of grandeur and her father’s literal inability to get off the couch. On her eighteenth birthday, Rhyme puts into motion a plan that will cut ties with her family—for good. Set in 2007 in the seemingly idyllic Ojai, CA, the film is a coming-of-age story that explores the creation of family mythology, the malleability of memory, and the sometimes suffocating intimacy of the nuclear family.
Deborah Marks-Bertling, Alex Sorian Brown, Todd Caroll, Nigel Vonas, Melina Emilie, Madison Widener and Kyle Hester also star. Pic was produced by the McPhersons and Melina Hayum.
***
Filmmaker Alex Proyas‘ production outfit Heretic Foundation and development company Mystery Clock Cinema this week announced a co-production/financing partnership with the UK-based 108 Media, which has launched worldwide sales and packaging on his latest feature, the horror Sister Darkness.
The female-driven film marking the first of several forthcoming collaborations between the parties is set in the UK in the 1930s—at a time when women were marginalized and exploited. It follows the newly-wed but unhappy Alice as she stumbles across her doppelgänger Isla, whose existence is a mystery seeped in a tale of bloody retribution against her oppressors, the hellish supernatural nightscape, and a dread uprising against the deceitful aristocracy. Pic will go before camera in Australia later this year.
Proyas negotiated his multi-faceted deal with 108 Media’s CEO Abhi Rastogi and President (Production) Justin Deimen, with support from Rod Smith and Steven Rosser (Legal Counsel), General Manager & Executive Producer Andrew Robinson, Studio Producer Erasmo (Raz) Raimundo, and Craig Emmanuel of Paul Hastings in Los Angeles.
***
Gkids has acquired North American rights to writer-director Atsuko Ishizuka’s first original feature Goodbye, Don Glees!. The distributor will release both the original Japanese-language version of the film and an all-new English-language dub in theaters this year, on the heels of the film’s February 2022 release in Japan.
The film produced by the acclaimed studio Madhouse follows the story of three friends over the course of one summer, as their backyard adventures turn one small incident into a life-changing journey. It features the voices of Ayumu Murase, Natsuki Hanae, Kana Hanazawa and Yuuki Kaji, and is represented internationally by Kadokawa.
- 5/20/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The recently-launched Strong Studios has acquired rights to Alec Sokolow’s script The Tank Job, setting the Oscar nominee as the film’s director.
The Ballantyne Strong, Inc. subsidiary’s first original feature film adapts Norman Miller’s book, The Great Salad Oil Swindle. It’s a true-life crime drama that watches as ex-butcher turned salad oil exporter Anthony “Tino” DeAngelis and his Bayonne, New Jersey blue collar crew nearly destroy American Express and eventually crash Wall Street in their bid to corner the market on salad oil futures in the early 1960s.
Award-winning business journalist, CNBC contributor, author and former hedge fund manager Ron Insana, who heads up Insana Entertainment Group as CEO, brought the idea for The Tank Job to Ballantyne Chairman Kyle Cerminara in January of last year, and they have been collaborating on it ever since. Cerminara and Insana are former colleagues, having worked together in...
The Ballantyne Strong, Inc. subsidiary’s first original feature film adapts Norman Miller’s book, The Great Salad Oil Swindle. It’s a true-life crime drama that watches as ex-butcher turned salad oil exporter Anthony “Tino” DeAngelis and his Bayonne, New Jersey blue collar crew nearly destroy American Express and eventually crash Wall Street in their bid to corner the market on salad oil futures in the early 1960s.
Award-winning business journalist, CNBC contributor, author and former hedge fund manager Ron Insana, who heads up Insana Entertainment Group as CEO, brought the idea for The Tank Job to Ballantyne Chairman Kyle Cerminara in January of last year, and they have been collaborating on it ever since. Cerminara and Insana are former colleagues, having worked together in...
- 4/12/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Companies expect to greenlight multiple projects imminently.
FilmNation Entertainment and talent management and production start-up Range Media Partners have struck a deal to co-produce, co-finance, develop and sell a slate of features across genres and budgets.
The pact will generate four to six films a year, with the capacity for more as needed, and offers Range Media the runway to ramp up its production goals and take greater creative and financial ownership in projects.
For FilmNation, whose recent films include Spencer, Red Rocket, Promising Young Woman and The Outfit (pictured), it creates the opportunity to expand production, sales and financing operations.
FilmNation Entertainment and talent management and production start-up Range Media Partners have struck a deal to co-produce, co-finance, develop and sell a slate of features across genres and budgets.
The pact will generate four to six films a year, with the capacity for more as needed, and offers Range Media the runway to ramp up its production goals and take greater creative and financial ownership in projects.
For FilmNation, whose recent films include Spencer, Red Rocket, Promising Young Woman and The Outfit (pictured), it creates the opportunity to expand production, sales and financing operations.
- 3/31/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
A+E Networks has taken a minority stake in management and production firm Range Media Partners. No financial details are being disclosed but the stake is believed to be in the high teens percent and the deal in the $50 million ballpark, with Range’s valuation at around $300 million. That is a hefty valuation, especially for a company that is just a year and a half old. It is close to what one of Hollywood biggest, most established management-production companies, 3 Arts, sold for in 2018 after 27 years in the business.
The investment, spearheaded by Paul Buccieri, President & Chairman, A+E Networks, and Range CEO Peter Micelli, will see A+E Studios, A+E Networks’ production arm led by Barry Jossen, become a co-production partner for scripted TV projects emerging from Range. It also gives A+E Networks, which operates the likes of A&e, History and Lifetime, a first-look deal on factual television content...
The investment, spearheaded by Paul Buccieri, President & Chairman, A+E Networks, and Range CEO Peter Micelli, will see A+E Studios, A+E Networks’ production arm led by Barry Jossen, become a co-production partner for scripted TV projects emerging from Range. It also gives A+E Networks, which operates the likes of A&e, History and Lifetime, a first-look deal on factual television content...
- 3/4/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva and Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Eric Adams has been elected the 110th Mayor of New York City.
Facing Republican rival and Guardian Angel founder Curtis Sliwa in Tuesday’s vote, the former New York Police Department captain and longtime Brooklyn borough president was declared the winner by AP at 9:10 Pm Et — that’s literally mere minutes after the polls closed at 9 Pm Et.
Even before his very strong win was proclaimed and right as polls closed, odds on favorite Adams took to social media to de facto declare victory:
The polls are officially closed in NYC.
To our supporters, volunteers & endorsers of all backgrounds, faiths & from every corner of NYC: Thank you, from the very bottom of my heart, for being a part of our team.
Tonight, we celebrate — because tomorrow, the real work begins! pic.twitter.com/6EAZRN3paB
— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) November 3, 2021
Set to assume office on New Year’s Day 2022, Democrat...
Facing Republican rival and Guardian Angel founder Curtis Sliwa in Tuesday’s vote, the former New York Police Department captain and longtime Brooklyn borough president was declared the winner by AP at 9:10 Pm Et — that’s literally mere minutes after the polls closed at 9 Pm Et.
Even before his very strong win was proclaimed and right as polls closed, odds on favorite Adams took to social media to de facto declare victory:
The polls are officially closed in NYC.
To our supporters, volunteers & endorsers of all backgrounds, faiths & from every corner of NYC: Thank you, from the very bottom of my heart, for being a part of our team.
Tonight, we celebrate — because tomorrow, the real work begins! pic.twitter.com/6EAZRN3paB
— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) November 3, 2021
Set to assume office on New Year’s Day 2022, Democrat...
- 11/3/2021
- by Dominic Patten and Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
The New York Mets, which were acquired before this season by billionaire financier Steve Cohen, have brought in Range Media Partners to “evolve” the baseball team’s brand.
Range is a startup management firm founded a year ago with initial funding from Cohen’s Connecticut-based venture fund, Point72 Ventures. The company has two key partners in the Mets branding effort: sports marketing and analytics specialist 4Front and branding agency Base Design.
According to the official announcement, the objective is to “evolve the Mets brand and accelerate innovation and engagement across the organization.” Range’s role will be to “merge the realms of sport and entertainment in new and original ways,” by integrating the iconic Mets brand into film, television, fashion, social media and music.
“Range was built to empower exceptional storytellers, and the aspirations of this team go far beyond the field – to the intersection of sports, entertainment and culture,...
Range is a startup management firm founded a year ago with initial funding from Cohen’s Connecticut-based venture fund, Point72 Ventures. The company has two key partners in the Mets branding effort: sports marketing and analytics specialist 4Front and branding agency Base Design.
According to the official announcement, the objective is to “evolve the Mets brand and accelerate innovation and engagement across the organization.” Range’s role will be to “merge the realms of sport and entertainment in new and original ways,” by integrating the iconic Mets brand into film, television, fashion, social media and music.
“Range was built to empower exceptional storytellers, and the aspirations of this team go far beyond the field – to the intersection of sports, entertainment and culture,...
- 9/28/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
UTA is expanding to Atlanta, billing its full-service presence in the burgeoning entertainment and sports market as a first for any major Hollywood agency.
Klutch Sports Group, as part of the move, will continue to have its NFL representation business based in Atlanta, and enlarge its operations there. UTA bought a stake in Klutch in 2019, bringing LA Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis into the agency fold.
Both UTA and Klutch already have a number of clients in the Atlanta area. The roster ranges from Trae Young, Jalen Johnson and Cam Reddish (all players on the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks) to musical artists 21 Savage and Offset to activist, political figure and author Stacy Abrams.
Atlanta has been expanding as a home for film and TV production, with a number of new soundstages coming online and potentates like Tyler Perry establishing a major footprint. A number of advertising agencies...
Klutch Sports Group, as part of the move, will continue to have its NFL representation business based in Atlanta, and enlarge its operations there. UTA bought a stake in Klutch in 2019, bringing LA Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis into the agency fold.
Both UTA and Klutch already have a number of clients in the Atlanta area. The roster ranges from Trae Young, Jalen Johnson and Cam Reddish (all players on the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks) to musical artists 21 Savage and Offset to activist, political figure and author Stacy Abrams.
Atlanta has been expanding as a home for film and TV production, with a number of new soundstages coming online and potentates like Tyler Perry establishing a major footprint. A number of advertising agencies...
- 9/14/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
After zooming to the top of the pandemic-era box office in the global hit “F9,” actor Tyrese Gibson has booked his next gig alongside Ray Liotta and Scott Eastwood.
The trio will lead the Los Angeles riots thriller “April 29, 1992,” the forthcoming feature from the breakout director of “The Iceman,” Ariel Vromen. Pre-production from a script by Sascha Penn is underway, aiming for an August start. Producers hope to have the film ready for release in observation of next year’s 30th anniversary of the riots, sparked by police brutality against Rodney King.
Gibson, a South Central L.A. native, will play opposite on-screen father and son Liotta and Eastwood. The film takes place on the first night of the riots, centering on a custodian who brings his son to work. The two quickly find themselves in the middle of a heist gone wrong.
Maurice Fadida of Kodiak Pictures is producing alongside Vromen.
The trio will lead the Los Angeles riots thriller “April 29, 1992,” the forthcoming feature from the breakout director of “The Iceman,” Ariel Vromen. Pre-production from a script by Sascha Penn is underway, aiming for an August start. Producers hope to have the film ready for release in observation of next year’s 30th anniversary of the riots, sparked by police brutality against Rodney King.
Gibson, a South Central L.A. native, will play opposite on-screen father and son Liotta and Eastwood. The film takes place on the first night of the riots, centering on a custodian who brings his son to work. The two quickly find themselves in the middle of a heist gone wrong.
Maurice Fadida of Kodiak Pictures is producing alongside Vromen.
- 7/6/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: In a highly competitive acquisition situation ahead of the documentary’s Tribeca Festival premiere, MSNBC Films has picked up Paper & Glue from Imagine Documentaries, Impact Partners, Time Studios, and Shark Island.
The feature is a project by acclaimed French artist Jr, whose known for giving a global voice to everyday people through a genre-blending combination of public art, photography and large format spectacle. In the docu, Jr turns the camera on his own work as he builds some of his most monumental projects. From early illicit graffiti videos captured on Paris rooftops at night, to the US-Mexico border, to the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, to a current collaboration at a California supermax prison, the movie follows Jr as he turns these communities inside out, turning images of residents into eye-catching and immersive art installations. Paper & Glue follows the Oscar-nominated Faces Places, which was directed by Jr along with Agnès Varda.
The feature is a project by acclaimed French artist Jr, whose known for giving a global voice to everyday people through a genre-blending combination of public art, photography and large format spectacle. In the docu, Jr turns the camera on his own work as he builds some of his most monumental projects. From early illicit graffiti videos captured on Paris rooftops at night, to the US-Mexico border, to the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, to a current collaboration at a California supermax prison, the movie follows Jr as he turns these communities inside out, turning images of residents into eye-catching and immersive art installations. Paper & Glue follows the Oscar-nominated Faces Places, which was directed by Jr along with Agnès Varda.
- 6/15/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Major League Baseball Postpones Mets-Nationals Series Due To Covid-19 Outbreak, Upending TV Schedule
Major League Baseball has postponed a season-opening, three-game series between the New York Mets and Washington Nationals due to a Covid-19 outbreak.
The teams’ opening game on Thursday had already been scratched after three positive coronavirus test results were confirmed by the Nationals. Today, the team confirmed that a fourth player had tested positive, prompting MLB to shut down the entire series so that additional contact-tracing and testing could be done. The three-game set will be made up later in the season.
The Mets, starting a new chapter under majority owner and hedge-fund billionaire Steve Cohen, will now open their season Monday in Philadelphia. The Nationals’ outlook is far less certain. Five other players and a staff member are in quarantine from contact tracing, so even if the team kicks off its season next week it could be significantly short-handed.
Optimism has been running high around the return of baseball...
The teams’ opening game on Thursday had already been scratched after three positive coronavirus test results were confirmed by the Nationals. Today, the team confirmed that a fourth player had tested positive, prompting MLB to shut down the entire series so that additional contact-tracing and testing could be done. The three-game set will be made up later in the season.
The Mets, starting a new chapter under majority owner and hedge-fund billionaire Steve Cohen, will now open their season Monday in Philadelphia. The Nationals’ outlook is far less certain. Five other players and a staff member are in quarantine from contact tracing, so even if the team kicks off its season next week it could be significantly short-handed.
Optimism has been running high around the return of baseball...
- 4/2/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Six-time Emmy Award-winning actor Hank Azaria will reprise his role as Jim Brockmire on The Jim Brockmire Podcast, launching on April 7 on the Le Batard & Friends network. Azaria and Brockmire producer, Sheena Datt, are teaming up with Meadowlark Media to launch the pod which will feature Azaria reprising the critically acclaimed role of fabled sportscaster Jim Brockmire.
In each show, Brockmire will interview a guest with his inimitable, hard-ball style – debuting with Charles Barkley on Wednesday, April 7. The podcast will be available across all platforms on which Le Batard & Friends podcasts are currently published. The 10-episode run will feature guests across sports and entertainment including Joe Buck, Don Cheadle, Steve Cohen, Colin Cowherd, Rich Eisen, Jemele Hill, Dan Patrick, Ben Stiller and Joy Taylor. Datt will co-host and produce the podcast with Dave Thomason on board as writer for the show. Mike Ryan Ruiz (Le Batard & Friends producer) will serve as executive producer.
In each show, Brockmire will interview a guest with his inimitable, hard-ball style – debuting with Charles Barkley on Wednesday, April 7. The podcast will be available across all platforms on which Le Batard & Friends podcasts are currently published. The 10-episode run will feature guests across sports and entertainment including Joe Buck, Don Cheadle, Steve Cohen, Colin Cowherd, Rich Eisen, Jemele Hill, Dan Patrick, Ben Stiller and Joy Taylor. Datt will co-host and produce the podcast with Dave Thomason on board as writer for the show. Mike Ryan Ruiz (Le Batard & Friends producer) will serve as executive producer.
- 3/17/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Jim Brockmire is coming back in podcast form. Hank Azaria will revive his “Brockmire” sportscaster character for a new podcast in a deal with Dan Le Betard’s Meadlowlark Media.
The 10-episode show, “The Jim Brockmire Podcast,” will debut on April 7 and will feature Azaria as Brockmire interviewing celebrities beginning with Charles Barkley. Future guest include Joe Buck, Don Cheadle, Steve Cohen, Colin Cowherd, Rich Eisen, Jemele Hill, Dan Patrick, Ben Stiller and Joy Taylor.
“The Jim Brockmire Podcast” will be part of the ‘Le Batard & Friends’ network.
“Hank is one of the most versatile talents the entertainment industry has seen over the past several decades,” said John Skipper, Meadowlark CEO. “The character of Jim Brockmire is both hilariously funny and refreshingly layered. We’re lucky to have Hank and Sheena share in the vision of Meadowlark and look forward to working together on this project.”
“Brockmire” producer Sheena Datt...
The 10-episode show, “The Jim Brockmire Podcast,” will debut on April 7 and will feature Azaria as Brockmire interviewing celebrities beginning with Charles Barkley. Future guest include Joe Buck, Don Cheadle, Steve Cohen, Colin Cowherd, Rich Eisen, Jemele Hill, Dan Patrick, Ben Stiller and Joy Taylor.
“The Jim Brockmire Podcast” will be part of the ‘Le Batard & Friends’ network.
“Hank is one of the most versatile talents the entertainment industry has seen over the past several decades,” said John Skipper, Meadowlark CEO. “The character of Jim Brockmire is both hilariously funny and refreshingly layered. We’re lucky to have Hank and Sheena share in the vision of Meadowlark and look forward to working together on this project.”
“Brockmire” producer Sheena Datt...
- 3/17/2021
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
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