SSN HBO Studio Analysis Part 3, SSN 2014 Summer TV Preview: 10 Shows To Watch, A Look at 10 Projects on HBO’s Development Slate
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Film Development For 5/8/14: Lena Headey Set For Clive Barker Adaptation ‘Jacqueline Ess’
NEW ATTACHMENTS
A Higher Call Logline: This film dramatizes the true story of a German fighter pilot who opted to spare the crew of a wounded American bomber five days before Christmas and escorted them to safety. Production Company: Solipsist Films Producers: Tom Stoppard, Will Stoppard, Stephen L’Heureux Writer: John Markesano Details: Based on the book A Higher Call, written by Adam Makos with Larry Alexander and published by Berkley Books in 2013. SSN Insight: Project marks the first writing gig for recent USC graduate and full-time commercial pilot John Markesano. Jacqueline Ess Logline: A beautiful, seductive woman has the ability to change the shape of people’s bodies with her mind. Production Companies: Seraphim Films, Raven Banner Entertainment Producers: Clive Barker, Mark Alan Miller (Executive Producer), Ben Meares (Executive Producer), Jovanka Vuckovic (Co-Producer) Cast: Lena Headey Writers: Jovanka Vuckovic, Christian Francis Director: Jovanka Vuckovic Details: Based on the short story Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament, from the anthology Books of Blood, Volumes 1-3, written by Clive Barker and published by Berkley Books in 1998. SSN Insight: Project marks the feature directorial debut of Jovanka Vuckovic. Ink & Bone Logline: When a female book editor visits the home of a horror writer so he can complete his novel, she finds that all of his creations are holding him hostage. Studio/Distributor: Dimension Films Production Companies: prolific, First Point Entertainment Producers: Bob Weinstein, Lee Clay Writers: Evan Daugherty (rewrite), Zak Olkewicz (spec) Director: Evan Daugherty SSN Insight: Project marks writer Evan Daugherty’s feature directorial debut.NEW PROJECTS
Mine Logline: A soldier is stranded in the desert after a failed assassination mission and must battle the elements to survive while dealing with the psychological stress of the situation. Production Company: The Safran Company Producers: Peter Safran, Armie Hammer (Executive Producer), Joan Mao (Co-Producer) Cast: Armie Hammer Writers: Fabio Guaglione, Fabio Resinaro Directors: Fabio Guaglione, Fabio Resinaro SSN Insight: Project is the second collaboration for the writing/directing team of Fabio Guaglione, Fabio Resinaro with producer Peter Safran; their first project was Afterville. Untitled LeBron James Project Logline: The high school years of basketball star LeBron James are the focus of the film. Production Companies: Cold Front Productions, LeBron Inc. Producers: Terence Winter, Rachel Winter, LeBron James, Maverick Carter Writer: Frank E. Flowers SSN Insight: Four studios have been competing for the rights to Frank E. Flowers’ pitch. Untitled (Sony/Iron Horse Crime Thriller Project) Logline: In the late 1970s, a family man risks everything to go undercover to capture the biggest mob boss in the country. Studio/Distributor: Columbia Pictures Production Companies: Iron Horse Entertainment, Zadan/Meron Productions Producers: Channing Tatum, Reid Carolin, Craig Zadan, Neil Meron Cast: Channing Tatum Writer: Kristen Gore SSN Insight: This is the third project that Channing Tatum’s company, Iron Horse Entertainment, has in development with Sony currently. Also, this is the second collaboration of Iron Horse and writer Kristen Gore sine 2012’s 10 Years.↧
Exec Shuffle For 5/9/14: ABC Studios, Saban Films, Universal Television, Zodiak Media, A+E Studios
Company Launches
IO Entertainment: Brad Blackbourn, Jorge Del Valle, and Soren Pederson have launched this new visual development company at Pinewood Studios in the UK. The venture will join the collection of companies under the New Sparta group. Mercury Filmworks Europe: One of Canada’s leading animation studios, Mercury Filmworks, has expanded into Europe, launching an animation studio in Dublin, Ireland. The new division will act as a stand-alone operation with development and production activities encompassing service, co-production and proprietary business structures. Saban Films: Haim Saban has launched this North American distribution company, which plans to acquire eight to 10 feature films per year and distribute them in North America via a major studio. Unnamed David Reckziegel Media Finance Venture: David Reckziegel is exiting Entertainment One North America to launch a new venture that plans to provide financing and advisory services to media and entertainment companies.Studios, Networks, and Media Conglomerates
Cablevision Systems Corporation: Gemma Toner has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Business Insights & Strategy, in New York. CBS News: Steve Capus will join as Executive Producer of CBS Evening News, effective July 7, 2014. E! Networks: Melanie Bromley has been promoted to Chief News Correspondent at E! News. E! Networks: Jennifer Lavin has been promoted to Executive Producer of E! News. E! Networks: Dina Sansing has joined as Executive Entertainment Director, E! News. Fox International Channels: Stuart Tenzer has joined as Senior Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs. Paramount Home Media Distribution: Amy Reinhard has been promoted to President, Worldwide Television & Home Media Acquisitions. RLJ Entertainment: Nina Henderson Moore has been promoted to President, Urban Brands. RLJ Entertainment: Mark Ward has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Acquisitions. Universal Pictures: Alexa Bagnell has joined as Coordinator, Communications. Universal Pictures: Evan Langweiler has been promoted to Director, Communications. Universal Pictures: Nicole Westmore has been promoted to Manager, Communications. Viacom International Media Networks: Juan “JC” Acosta has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer, Executive in Charge of Production and Executive Vice President, Viacom International Networks, The Americas.Film
Alfama Films: Elisabeth Perlie has joined as Head, International Sales & Distribution. Atlas Entertainment: Patrick Blood has been promoted to Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs. Atlas Entertainment: Curt Kanemoto has been promoted to Vice President, Production. Atlas Entertainment: Topher Rhys-Lawrence has been promoted to Creative Executive. Mercury Filmworks Europe: Alan Gregg has been appointed President of European Production and has been named to the company’s Board of Directors. Page 1: Jonathan Leven has joined as Development & Production Executive, in New York. Page 1: Hugo Lindgren has joined as President, in New York. Participant Media: Laura Kim has joined as Senior Vice President, Film Marketing. Saban Films: Shanan Baker has joined as Chief Financial Officer. Saban Films: Bill Bromiley has joined as President.Television
20th Television: Jodi Chisarick has been promoted to Senior Vice President, General Sales Manager, Media Sales. ABC Studios: Caitlin Foito has joined as Vice President, Drama Development. Departure Films: Jessica Morgan Richter has joined as Vice President, Development. Fuse Network: Felix Salmon has joined as Senior Editor. ITV Studios America: Tom Lane has joined as Senior Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs. Television Academy: Heather Cochran has joined as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Business Operations. Universal Television: Stacey Silverman has joined as Vice President, Drama Development. Valhalla Entertainment: Jeff Nemon has been promoted to Manager, Development. Zodiak Media: Grant Ross has joined as Executive Vice President, Global Creative Development & Format Acquisition.Agencies, Management Companies, Public Relations, and Law Firms
APA: Michael Kirschner has joined as Agent, Physical Production Department. APA: Arielle Mesirow has joined as Agent, Comedy. Edelman: Russell Dubner has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer of Edelman U.S. Edelman: Jennifer Cohan will join as President of Edelman New York, effective July 1, 2014. Razorfish: Vik Kathuria has joined as Global Chief Media Officer. TBWA\Chiat\Day Los Angeles: Stephen Butler has been promoted to Chief Creative Officer. TBWA\Chiat\Day Los Angeles: Brent Anderson and Fabio Costa have both been promoted to Executive Creative Director. UTA: Fred Hashagen has joined as Agent, Talent. UTA: Matt Rice has been promoted to member of the agency’s Board of Directors.Cable
A+E Studios: Sarah Perlman Brenner has joined as Director, Creative Affairs. ASPiRE and UP TV: Mark O’Connell has joined as Vice President, Content Distribution. Bounce TV: Ri-Karlo Handy has joined as Vice President, Original Programming. mun2: Ruben Mendiola has joined as President. National Geographic Channel: Naimeh Holmes has been promoted to Director, Development. National Geographic Channel: Nicole Reed has joined as Vice President, Development. National Geographic Channel: Igal Svet has joined as Director, Development.Digital
Hearst Magazines Digital Media: Cheryl O’Donnell has joined as Director of Digital Sales. Pandora: Mike Spinella has joined as Senior Director, Original Content.Publishing
Associated Press: Isaac Lee, Bill Hoffman, and Rob King have been elected to the Board of Directors.Music
Atlantic Records Group: Kevin Weaver has been promoted to President, Film and Television. He will retain his current title as Executive Vice President, Atlantic Records Group. ole: Leo V. Williams IV has joined as General Manager, Creative, in Los Angeles. Universal Music Publishing Group: Ethiopia Habtemariam has been promoted to President, Urban Music, and Co-Head of Creative in the U.S. Warner Music Group: Mathias Döpfner, Noreena Hertz, and Oliver Slipper have joined the Board of Directors.Advertising
MEC: Shenan Reed has joined as President of Digital, North America. MEC: Christophe Brossard has joined as Chief Executive Officer of MEC France, effective June 2014.↧
Rep Moves For 5/9/14: APA, WME, UTA, Paradigm
Agencies
APA: Comedian, writer and actor Chevy Chase is now repped by Bradie Steinlauf, Barry McPherson and Paul Santana. Chase most recently appeared as a series regular on NBC’s cult comedy Community. He also had a memorable role in the 2010 hit comedy Hot Tub Time Machine and will reprise his role in the upcoming sequel, set for release this Christmas. First catapulting to fame as one of the original series regulars on Saturday Night Live, Chase’s four decade career has seen such highlights as the features Caddyshack, Foul Play, Seems like Old Times, Spies Like Us, The Three Amigos, the Fletch series and starring as Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise. Currently, Chase is developing an ABC comedy for the 2015-2016 television season alongside his former Vacation co-star Beverly D’Angelo. CAA: Actor Tom Ellis is now repped by Ben Dey, Jason Heyman, John Sachs, Josh Lieberman and Richard Kurtzman. Ellis will next appear in the lead role on USA’s new medical drama series Rush, set to premiere this July. Prior to thenew series, Ellis worked extensively in film and television in the U.K. and is probably best known for his roles on such series as EastEnders, The Catherine Tate Show, Pulling and Miranda. Ellis’ other series credits have included Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Doctor Who, Monday Monday and portraying Robin Hood on ABC’s hit Once Upon a Time. Feature-wise, Ellis’ credits include Buffalo Soldiers, Miss Conception and Vera Drake, opposite Imelda Staunton. CAA: Writer and director Joseph Kosinski is now repped by Todd Feldman. He was previously with Verve. Kosinski recently helmed the Tom Cruise sci-fi feature Oblivion, released last summer. Three years earlier, Kosinski made his big screen directorial debut with the Disney Digital 3-D science fiction feature Tron: Legacy, which starred Jeff Bridges and Garrett Hedlund. Originally starting his career as an architect, Kosinski worked primarily in commercials prior to the Tron sequel, notably directing the “Starry Night” commercial for Halo 3 and the award-winning “Mad World” commercial for Gears of War. Kosinski currently has several projects in various stages of development, including a Tron: Legacy sequel, as well as a remake of The Black Hole, the big screen adaptation of The Twilight Zone and the racing feature Go Like Hell. Paradigm: Australian-born actor Julian McMahon is now repped by Jim Dempsey, Ken Stovitz, Brad Schenck and Nick LoPiccolo. McMahon will next be seen in the drama You’re Not You, opposite Hilary Swank and Emmy Rossum. He is probably best known, however, for his iconic role as Dr. Christian Troy on FX’s long running hit series Nip/Tuck. He also played Cole Turner on the hit WB series Charmed, as well as Victor von Doom in the Fantastic Four franchise. McMahon started his career in the Australian soaps before making his U.S debut playing Ian Rain on NBC’s Another World and starring in the primetime procedural Profiler. His other screen credits have included the features Faces in the Crowd, Paranoia, Fire with Fire, Premonition and Red. McMahon received a Golden Globe nomination for his work on Nip/Tuck. UTA: Actor, writer and director David Morrissey is now repped by Chris Hart, Theresa Peters, Dan Erlij, Jacob Fenton, Lauren Meltzner, and James Kearney. Morrissey most recently wrapped production on the BBC1 series The Driver, which is set to air later this year. Morrissey will produce and star in the title role. He also recently finished an arc in his best-known role stateside, playing The Governor on AMC’s mega-hit series The Walking Dead. Prior to landing his signature role, Morrissey worked extensively in theatre and British television. He was cast in his first major role on the series One Summer at 18 and his subsequent television credits have included State of Play, Blackpool, Meadowlands and the Sense & Sensibility miniseries. Feature credits have included Our Mutual Friend, Hilary and Jackie, Derailed, The Reaping, The Other Boleyn Girl and Welcome to the Punch. In 2009, Morrissey made his feature directorial debut with Don’t Worry About Me. UTA: William Fichtner is now repped by Chris Hart, Jordan Berkus, Sarah Clossey, Jacob Fenton, and Hailey Wierengo. Fichtner currently stars in the NBC series Crossing Lines, which premiered last summer. He also recently appeared in 2013’s Elysium, opposite Matt Damon, and Disney’s The Lone Ranger, opposite Johnny Depp. Starting off as a regular on As the World Turns in 1987, Fichtner has led a prolific career with notable roles in such features as The Underneath, Albino Alligator, Contact, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, Black Hawk Down, Crash, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, The Dark Knight and Drive Angry. His television credits have included Grace Under Fire, Invasion, Prison Break and Entourage. Next up, Fichtner will be seen in the Tommy Lee Jones-directed The Homesman, which will play in competition at Cannes. He also will appear as Shredder in Michael Bay’s reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, set to be released in August. UTA: Actress and improvisational comedienne Jessica St. Clair is now repped by Jacob Fenton, Jay Gassner, Blair Kohan, Brian Nossokoff, Larry Salz, and Jo Yao. St. Clair co-created and currently stars with collaborator Lennon Parham in the USA comedy series Playing House, inspired by the real life friendship between the two actresses. She also has a recurring role on Andy Daly’s Comedy Central series Review. A sketch performer and improviser with the Upright Citizens Brigade, St. Clair and Parham previously created and starred in the NBC comedy series Best Friends Forever. St. Clair was also a regular panelist on VH1’s Best Week Ever and has appeared in such features as For Your Consideration, It’s Complicated, She’s Out of My League, Bridesmaids and The Dictator. St. Clair also starred on the ABC series In the Motherhood and has played recurring parts on Worst Week and Veep. WME Entertainment: Actress and ballet dancer Sarah Hay is now a client. Hay was recently cast in the lead role in the upcoming Starz ballet drama Flesh and Bone. The drama, which comes from Breaking Bad writer and executive producer Moira Walley-Beckett, was just ordered to series earlier this year. Prior to landing her lead role, Hay worked primarily as a ballet dancer, starting the school of American Ballet at only eight years old and joining the Dresden Semperoper Ballett in Germany in 2010. Her professional credits have included the title role in Cinderella, as well as roles in Balanchine’s Coppelia, Aaron Watkin’s Nutcracker and Balanchine’s Emeralds. Hay’s previous film and television roles have included the short You’re Invited to Mary-Kate and Ashley’s Ballet Party and Black Swan.↧
ICYMI: SSN’S Top Original Stories For 5/5 – 5/9/14
SSN HBO Studio Analysis Part One: Behind HBO’s Rise from Infancy to Emmy Juggernaut
HBO demonstrated that if you hire the best writers, producers, directors, and performers—putting your money where your mouth is—you can carve out a distinctive niche and take sizable chunks of primetime viewership away from broadcasters. In part one of our HBO analysis, SSN takes a deeper look. (SSN)SSN HBO Studio Analysis Part Two: Nobody Brings it Home like HBO
A few years ago it looked as though there was a creative crisis brewing, yet the rumors of HBO’s death were not only greatly exaggerated, but utterly premature. While it’s continued to suffer its share of flops and semi-flops, its primetime cupboard has been restocked in such a dynamic way that it’s difficult to recall it was considered barren in the first place. (SSN)SSN HBO Studio Analysis Part 3
In SSN’s conclusion of our HBO analysis, we look at how HBO is back in tip-top shape and on a roll compared to where they were a mere six years ago. (SSN)A Look at 10 Projects on HBO’s Development Slate
As an accompaniment to our studio series, here’s a look at 10 projects in various stages of development at HBO that we hope to see on-screen. (SSN)SSN 2014 Summer TV Preview: Top 10 New Series
A look at upcoming offerings across genres, and across broadcast and cable networks, plus insight about what’s worth checking out this summer. (SSN)2014 SSN Summer TV Preview: Top 10 Returning Series
In addition to SSN’s must-watch list of new summer shows, we’re bringing you our hot list of returning series across all genres, including broadcast and cable networks – as well as our insight on which ones are worth checking out, from Louie and True Blood to Masters of Sex. (SSN)↧
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On The Set For 5/12/14: Eliza Dushku Starrer ‘Eloise’ Starts, Adam Carolla’s ‘Road Hard’ Wraps
Starts
Autobahn 05/05/2014 Logline: An American backpacker becomes entangled with drug dealers as he tries to race his way across Germany with his girlfriend. Production Companies: Silver Pictures, 42 Director: Eran Creevy Executive Producers: Steve Richards, Aaron Auch , Stuart Ford, Matt Jackson, Dan Mintz, Wu Bing, Peter Xiao, Chris Fenton, Chris Cowles, Tom Rice, Ben Nearn Producers: Joel Silver, Ben Pugh, Rory Aitken, Brian Kavanaugh Jones Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Ben Kingsley, Anthony Hopkins, Felicity Jones Screenwriter: F. Scott Frazier, Eran Creevy SSN Insight: For director Eran Creevy, who worked as a production assistant on 2005’s Layer Cake, Autobahn marks his third gritty crime feature, following 2009’s Shifty and 2013’s Welcome to the Punch. Max 05/12/2014 Logline: Military working dog Max returns from service in Afghanistan, traumatized by his handler’s death. He’s adopted by the man’s family and helps the grieving family heal. Studio: MGM Production Company: Sunswept Entertainment Director: Boaz Yakin Executive Producer: Boaz Yakin Producers: Karen Rosenfelt, Ken Blancato Cast: Josh Wiggins, Dejon LaQuake, Lauren Graham, Thomas Haden Church, Jay Hernandez Screenwriters: Boaz Yakin, Sheldon Lettich SSN Insight: Boaz Yakin, who recently directed thrillers Now You See Me and Safe, last directed a family film with 2000’s Remember the Titans. Eloise 05/05/2014 Logline: When four friends break into an abandoned insane asylum to find a death certificate, they learn about the place’s horrible history and their own tragic pasts. Production Companies: Vinson Films, Slam Productions Director: Robert Legato Executive Producers: Linden Nelson, Don Foss, Lisa Zambri, Sean Gowrie Producers: Tripp Vinson, Sanford Nelson Cast: Chase Crawford, Eliza Dushku, Brandon T. Jackson, P.J. Byrne Screenwriter: Chris Borrelli SSN Insight: Project marks the directorial debut of Robert Legato.Wraps
Road Hard 05/10/2014 Logline: A standup comedian must contend with family, love, career, relationships, and life on the road. Production Companies: Jackhole Productions, Picturelab Entertainment Directors: Adam Carolla, Kevin Hench Producers: Nate Adams, Adam Carolla, Kevin Hench Co-Producer: Kelly Carter Cast: Adam Carolla, David Koechner, Illeana Douglas, Howie Mandel Screenwriter: Adam Carolla, Kevin Hench SSN Insight: Production was partially financed with $1.4 million raised through Donald Trump's crowdfunding site FundAnything, on which Carolla appeared in a fundraising video with Bryan Cranston. The Inherited 05/04/2014 Logline: A young bride starts questioning her sanity when she moves into a house her husband inherited from his first wife who died under tragic circumstances. Production Company: Cranium Entertainment Director: Devon Gummersall Executive Producer: Anne Clements Producers: Ash Christian, Milan Cronovich Cast: Annabella Sciorra, Nathan Darrow, Tammy Blanchard Screenwriter: Jenn Liu SSN Insight: This psychological thriller marks the first feature film starring role for House of Cards actor Nathan Darrow.↧
TV Castings For 5/16/14: Jane Krakowski To Recur On NBC’s ‘Unsinkable Kimmy Schmidt’
Pilots
Patrick Fabian, Rhea Seehorn and Michael Mando have joined AMC’s Better Call Saul that centers on Odenkirk‘s unflappable criminal lawyer Saul Goodman before he became Walter White’s lawyer. Kyla Pratt and Justin Prentice have been cast in ABC Family’s Recovery Road, that follows a high school girl who falls in love with someone in rehab; they strive to continue their relationship when they get out. Tom Hollander and Daniel Mays are set as leads in AMC’s Knifeman, about an unorthodox self-educated surgeon who will go to any length to learn the secrets of the human body.Current Series
Christian Cooke has joined Lifetime’s Witches of East End as a Series Regular for Season 2. Marin Ireland, Desiree Akhavan and Peter Mark Kendall are set to recur on Season 4 of HBO’s Girls. Joshua Malina will guest star on NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.New Series
Jane Krakowski will recur on NBC’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.↧
Film Development For 5/15/14: Nat Wolff Attached To ‘The Stand’ Feature Adaptation
NEW ATTACHMENTS
The Stand Logline: After a super virus wipes out most of the world's population, a group of survivors, led by Mother Abagail, face off against another group, led by the tyrannical Randall Flagg. Studios/Distributors: CBS Films, Warner Bros. Production Companies: Mosaic, Vertigo Entertainment Producers: Roy Lee, Jimmy Miller, Lawrence Inglee Cast: Nat Wolff Writers: Josh Boone (current draft), Scott Cooper (previous draft), Dave Kajganich (previous draft), Steve Kloves (previous draft) Director: Josh Boone Details: Based on the novel The Stand, written by Stephen King and published by Doubleday in November 1978. SSN Insight: Project re-teams Nat Wolff with his The Fault in Our Stars director for their 3rd collaboration. Kickboxer (Remake) Logline: A man swears revenge after his older brother, who was world kickboxing champion, is crippled by a dirty fighter. Studio/Distributor: The Exchange Production Company: Radar Pictures Producers: Dimitri Logothetis, Ted Field, Nick Celozzi, Mike Weber (Executive Producer), Peter Meyer, Brian O’Shea (Executive Producer), Nat McCormick (Executive Producer), Jeff Bowler (Executive Producer) Cast: Georges St. Pierre, Dave Bautista, Alain Moussi Writers: Jim McGrath, Dimitri Logothetis Director: Stephen Fung Details: Based on the film Kickboxer (1988) directed by David Worth, Mark DiSalle and Jean-Claude van Damme, and starring Jean-Claude van Damme. SSN Insight: Project marks stuntman Alain Moussi’s debut as a lead role. Sweetheart Logline: A young hitwoman gets into trouble after a high school reunion and a one-night stand. Production Companies: COTA Films, Silent R Management Producers: Michael Costigan, Jewerl Keats Ross Writer: Jack Stanley Director: Patty Jenkins SSN Insight: Project was on the 2013 Blacklist and put writer Jack Stanley on the map.NEW PROJECTS
Facing the Wind Logline: The true story of a husband and father whose mental instability led him to kill his family and how he later sought redemption for his actions. Production Company: Clear Pictures Entertainment Producers: Joe Berlinger, Elizabeth Fowler Cast: Alessandro Nivola, Vera Farmiga, Evan Rachel Wood, Rita Wilson, Jennifer Beals Writer: Richard Stratton Director: Joe Berlinger Details: Based on the book Facing the Wind: A True Story of Tragedy and Reconciliation, written by Julie Salamon and published by Random House in 2001. SSN Insight: Project marks the feature scripted directorial debut for documentarian Joe Berlinger. Krampus Logline: During the Christmas season, a pagan demon is busy punishing the wicked. Production Company: Legendary Entertainment Producers: Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni Writers: Michael Dougherty, Todd Casey, Zach Shields Director: Michael Dougherty SSN Insight: Project marks the 3rd collaboration between writer Michael Dougherty and Legendary Entertainment. The previous projects were 2006’s Superman Returns and 2009’s Trick r’ Treat. Steven Logline: This unauthorized biopic of former Smiths leader Morrissey focuses on his his troubled childhood in Manchester and how he overcame it to become a star. Producers: Orian Williams Writer: Mark Gil, William Thacker Director: Mark Gil SSN Insight: Project marks first feature-length writing and directing gig for Mark Gil.↧
Exec Shuffle For 5/16/14: Legendary Entertainment, ReelzChannel, OWN, Hulu
Company Launches
Alibaba Pictures Group: Chinese shopping giant Alibaba has registered this film company in Hong Kong. The new unit’s directors will include Dong Ping, chairman of ChinaVision, and Zhao Chao, an executive director of ChinaVision. Alibaba bought a controlling stake in ChinaVision for $804 million in March. Bloom: Former Exclusive Media executive Alex Walton and Waypoint Entertainment’s Kenneth Kao have teamed up to form this new film sales and financing company. The company will represent some of Exclusive Media’s existing projects, while also building its own slate of films. Bulldog Film Distribution: This independent film distributor has launched in the UK, and will focus on acquiring and distributing content both within the UK and internationally. It is aiming for three to four theatrical releases per year. SAM Productions: StudioCanal and its parent Canal Group have partnered with Scandinavian talent Søren Sveistrup, Adam Price, and Meta Louise Foldager to launch this new venture, which plans to produce television series for the international market. Stun Originals: Stun Creative has launched this new production start-up, which aims to develop original programming and content for TV and the web. Former Mandeville TV president Maria Crenna will head the Los Angeles-based venture. Wing and A Prayer Pictures: Ron Perlman has launched this indie film fund and production company. Gersh’s Jay Cohen, and Link Entertainment’s Erik Kritzer and Brian Wilkins will all hold managerial positions. The company is aiming to fund and produce three films yearly, within the range of $3-10 million.Studios, Networks, and Media Conglomerates
NBCUniversal: Jackie Hernandez has been promoted to Chief Marketing Officer, Hispanic Enterprises & Content. NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment: Sunil Chadda has joined as Senior Vice President, Finance, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment: Eric Gray has joined as Chief Financial Officer, Studios & Content. Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN): Andrea Castellari has been appointed Senior Vice President and General Manager, VIMN Italy, the Middle East and Turkey. Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN): David Urgell Pérez has joined as Vice President, Business Planning and Development in South Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN): Joanna Wells has joined as Senior Editorial Director, Digital Media.Film
Bold Films: Alex Coffee has been promoted to Vice President, Legal Affairs. Bold Films: Zoe Engling has been promoted to Creative Coordinator. Bold Films: Matt Rhodes has joined as President, Motion Picture Division. Bold Films: Jeffrey Stott has joined as Vice President, Physical Production. Entertainment One Films Canada: Mark Slone has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Theatrical Distribution. KEO Films: Damon Pattison has joined as Creative Director, Factual Entertainment & Formats, in London. Legendary Entertainment: Alex Garcia has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Production Legendary Entertainment: Jillian Share has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Production Legendary Entertainment: Alex Hedlund has been promoted to Vice President of Production. Pantelion Films: Anne Marie Ross has been promoted to President of International. Sundance Selects/IFC Films: Steven Cardwell has joined as Head, Digital Marketing. Worldview Entertainment: Clifford Werber has joined as President, Motion Picture Group.Television
Endemol Beyond USA: David B. Williams has joined as Chief Content and Technology Strategist. Material Pictures: DJ Goldberg has joined as Director, Development, Television. ReelzChannel: Rob Swartz has joined as Senior Vice President, Development and Current Programming. Remedy Productions: Sophie Wurzer-Williams has joined as Head, Factual Entertainment, in London. Splash Entertainment: Mevelyn Noriega has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Sales and Administration. Telemundo Network: Luis Silberwasser will join as President, as of August 2014. Zodiak Americas: Joel Karsberg and Cem Yeter have both joined as joint Chief Creative Officers.Agencies, Management Companies, Public Relations, and Law Firms
APA: Barry McPherson has joined the Board of Directors. Clear Talent Group: Scot Reynolds has joined as Agent, Theatrical Department. Corbis Entertainment: Corey Silverman has joined as Head, Global Sales. WME Entertainment: Kevin Neal has joined as Partner in the Nashville office.Cable
Discovery Channel: Michael Sorensen has been promoted to Vice President, Development & Production. Disney Junior: Emily Hart has been promoted to Vice President, Original Programming. Disney XD: Jade-Addon Hall has joined as Coordinator, Original Series & International. OWN: Scott Garner has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Scheduling & Acquisitions. OWN: Tina Perry has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs. OWN: Debi Pomerantz has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Research.Digital
CNN Digital: Ed O’Keefe has joined as Vice President, CNNMoney and Politics. CNN Digital: Lex Haris has been promoted to Executive Editor, CNNMoney. Hulu: Jenny Wall has been named Senior Vice President and Head of Marketing.Publishing & Radio
NPR: Jarl Mohn has joined as President and Chief Executive Officer. New York Times: Dean Baquet has been promoted to Executive Editor.Music
Motown Records: Myisha Brooks has been named Vice President, Creative Relations and Marketing. RCA Records: Dennis Blair has joined as Senior Vice President, Promotion.Advertising & Marketing
Effie Worldwide: Neal Davies has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. Katz Media Group: Stacey Lynn Schulman has been named Executive Vice President of Strategy, Analytics and Research.↧
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Rep Moves For 5/16/14: CAA, WME, UTA, Paradigm
Agencies
CAA: Composer, lyricist and playwright Jason Robert Brown is now repped by Joe Machota, Christopher Till and George Lane. Brown was recently nominated for the 2014 Tony award for Best Score and Best Orchestration for his work on The Bridges of Madison County. He’s also been nominated for the Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critic Circles Awards. Brown’s other major works have included Songs for a New World, The Last Five Years, Urban Cowboy, Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes, Chanukah Suite and Parade, for which he won the 1999 Tony Award for Best Score. Next up, Brown will score the Broadway musical version of Honeymoon in Vegas, set to star Tony Danza. CAA: Emmy-winning actress and singer Toni Collette is now repped by Rick Kurtzman, Elan Ruspoli and Jon Teiber. Collette currently can be seen on Broadway in Will Eno’s The Realistic Joneses, alongside Michael C. Hall, Marisa Tomei and Tracy Letts. She also recently starred in the features The Way Way Back and Enough Said, as well as the CBS series Hostages. Starting her career with memorable performances in Spotswood and Muriel’s Wedding, Collette’s prolific resume has seen such highlights as The Sixth Sense, Dinner with Friends, Changing Lanes, About a Boy, The Hours, In Her Shoes, Little Miss Sunshine, Towelhead, Fright Night and Hitchcock to name a few. She also starred for three seasons on the Showtime series The United States of Tara, which earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Next up, Collette will appear in Lucky Them, which premiered at this year’s Toronto Film Festival, as well as the feature comedy Tammy, opposite Melissa McCarthy and Susan Sarandon. In addition to her acting career, Collette is also the lead singer of the band Toni Collette and The Finish. CAA: Actress Rosamund Pike is now repped by Kevin Huvane, Carin Sage and Franklin Latt. Pike will soon appear in the titular role in David Fincher’s adaptation of the Gillian Flynn best-selling novel Gone Girl, opposite Ben Affleck. She also recently starred as the female lead in Simon Pegg’s sci-fi comedy The World’s End. Landing her breakout role appearing opposite Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day, Pike has gone on to appear in such prestige fare as The Libertine, Pride and Prejudice, An Education and Barney’s Version. More recently, she has appeared in more commercial films, including the fantasy sequel Wrath of the Titans, as well as starring opposite Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher. Next up, Pike will appear in the features Hector and Search for Happiness and What We Did on Our Holiday. CAA: Theatre director Jack O’Brien is now repped by Joe Machota. The three-time Tony Award winner most recently directed a staging of Macbeth starring Ethan Hawke. O’Brien served as Artistic Director of the Old Globe Theater in San Diego from 1981 until 2007 and has led a prolific and varied career, directing such Broadway blockbusters as The Full Monty and Hairspray, in addition to contemporary dramas that include The Piano Lesson, The Invention of Love and Tom Stoppard’s trilogy of plays The Coast of Utopia. Over his career, O’Brien has been nominated for ten Tony Awards and won three for direction, for his work on Hairspray, Henry IV and The Coast of Utopia respectively. CAA: Songwriting team Marc Shaiman and Scott Whittman are now repped by Joe Machota. Their musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Venture, opened in London last year and is currently playing on The West End. However, the two are probably best known for writing the music and lyrics for the Tony-winning Broadway musical adaptation of John Waters’ Hairspray. They also penned the musical adaptation of Catch Me If You Can and executive produced the NBC series Smash. Separately, Shaiman has received an Emmy for co-writing Billy Crystal’s performances on The Academy Awards and he has racked up five Oscar nominations over his career for such films as Sleepless in Seattle, The American President and South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. Shaiman and Whittman received a Tony, a Grammy and an Olivier for their work on Hairspray. Paradigm: Actor and producer Hayden Christensen is now repped by Andrew Ruf, Nick LoPiccolo, Scott Melrose and Shawn Scallon. After a four-year break from acting, Christensen will soon appear in the action feature Outcast, opposite Nicolas Cage. He will also star in American Heist, opposite Adrien Brody and Jordana Brewster. Starting his acting career at only seven years old, Christensen’s early appearances included the features The Virgin Suicides and Life as a House before he landed his breakthrough role as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and its follow-up Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Christensen’s subsequent features have included a revelatory performance in the Billy Ray feature film Shattered Glass, as well as the features Factory Girl, Awake, Jumper, Takers and The Vanishing on Seventh Street. In addition to acting Christensen is currently executive producing the features Cooties, American Heist and Lady of Csejte. UTA: Writer and director Lee Toland Krieger is now repped by Jason Burns. He was previously with ICM Partners. Krieger is currently shooting Age of Adaline, which will star Blake Lively, Harrison Ford and Michael Huisman. After making his directorial debut with the film December Ends, a feature shot with only a $75,000 budget, Krieger’s next film The Vicious Kind was a tremendous success, premiering at Sundance and earning Krieger an Independent Spirit nomination for his screenplay. Krieger has since gone on to direct Celeste and Jesse Forever, starring Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg. He also recently helmed the pilot of the MTV comedy Happyland, which was recently picked up to series. WME Entertainment: Composer, singer-songwriter and pianist Randy Newman is now repped in all areas except for touring. Newman most recently composed the score for 2013’s Monsters University. Widely considered one of the best pop songwriters of the last half century, Newman has worked mostly as a film composer since the 1980s, scoring such memorable films as Ragtime, The Natural, James and the Giant Peach, Meet the Parents, A Bug’s Life, Monsters Inc., Cars and the three Toy Story films. Newman has won a total of two Academy Awards, three Emmys and six Grammys, as well as the Governor’s Award from the Recording Academy. Paradigm continues to rep Newman for the touring portion of his business.↧
ICYMI: SSN’s Top Original Stories For 5/12 – 5/16/14
The SSN Insider’s Guide To Surviving Cannes
For most industry players, Cannes means sleepless nights, days jammed with meetings, and the adrenaline rush of trying to close a deal, land financing, or score a good review from critics. SSN offers a survival guide of key reminders to making the most of your Cannes trip. (SSN)Cannes 2014: SSN Picks the Top 8 Films to Check Out
SSN takes a look at eight films we think could stir up controversy, break out from the pack – and maybe even pick up an award. (SSN)The 5 Star Wars Films That Should be in Development
In honor of George Lucas’ 70th birthday today, SSN sat down and took a look at Lucasfilm’s upcoming schedule. Disney purchased the company for over $4B in 2012 and there’s a plethora of stuff in development, but what is it exactly? The Mouse House isn’t saying, but SSN has some thoughts on the matter – five ideas for movies we think could expand the universe. (SSN)TV’s Biggest Recent Flops & Five New Shows with Big Expectations
SSN takes a look at 10 recent series that were high-profile failures, while also picking a single pilot from each of the five major networks’ 2014 – 15 schedules that have a heck of a lot riding on them. (SSN)The SSN Upfronts Scorecard with Printable Updated Network Pilot Grid
What was hot for 2014-2015 were comic book dramas, technology-heavy crime dramas, supernatural phenomena, and modern family comedies. SSN has created a one-stop handy grid for all of these new offerings – so you can begin your seasonal planning accordingly. (SSN)Box Office Insight: Will Godzilla Decimate King Kong’s Box Office and Reign Once More?
There have only been a few big monster movies in the last decade, as zombies and vampires have sucked the box office dry. Godzilla’s most recent comparisons, in terms of budget and scale, are King Kong, Pacific Rim, and Transformers. SSN takes a look at Gozilla and other big monsters at the box office. (SSN)↧
Rep Moves For 5/23/14: UTA, WME, Gersh
Agencies
Gersh: Singer, dancer, actor, producer, host and author Lance Bass is now repped by Noah Jones and Max Nagler. Bass recently hosted the Billboard Music Awards red carpet pre-show, alongside Jordin Sparks and Ted Stryker. Originally catapulting to fame as the bass singer for ‘N Sync, Bass has led a diverse career in film, television and theatre, including starring in and producing the 2001 feature film On The Line, appearing on Broadway as Corny Collins in Hairspray and placing third in the seventh season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. He also recently executive produced the documentary Kidnapped for Christ, which won an audience award at Slamdance in January. In 2007, Bass released an autobiography Out of Sync, which debuted on The New York Times Best Seller list. Up next, Bass will produce a special about his upcoming wedding to Michael Turchin. He’s also developing a scripted half-hour project for the E! Network. UTA: Actress Tamsin Egerton is now repped by Scott Schachter, Chris Hart and Jacob Fenton. Egerton’s new feature Queen and Country just premiered at the Cannes Film Festival as part of the Directors’ Fortnight section. Beginning her acting career at only six years old, Egerton may be best known for her role as Guinevere in the Starz series Camelot. She has also played Chelsea Parker in the 2007 feature St. Trinian and appeared in the British black comedy Keeping Mum. Among Egerton’s other credits are the features Chalet Girl, Singularity, The Look of Love and 2013’s Grand Piano, opposite Elijah Wood and John Cusack. She also appeared in the television series Silent Witness, Money and Psychobitches. Egerton will next appear in the features Love, Rosie and The Lovers, both of which are currently in post. UTA: YouTube star Joey Graceffa is now repped in all areas by Steve Cohen, Julian Jacobs, Doug Edley, Natasha Bolouki, Natalie Novak and Greg Iserson. The vlogger, gamer and musician has built up a YouTube audience of over 4 million subscribers, receiving over 300 million views across his various channels. He also has racked up over 1.2 million Twitter fans. Graceffa originally started off with his friend Brittany Joel posting videos on the parody channel “WinterSpringPro” before they parted ways in 2012 to focus on their own channels. Last year Graceffa competed on CBS’ The Amazing Race alongside fellow internet personality Meghan Camarena, and the two of them took 5th place. He has since returned for The Amazing Race All-Star Edition and recently launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to launch the web series Storytellers. UTA: Vine celebrity and actor Marcus Johns is now repped by Jordan Berkus, Josh Katz, Kendall Ostrow and Greg Iserson. Johns’ comedy micro-sketches on the mobile app Vine have earned him more than 4.5 million followers and he’s become the fifth most followed person on that platform. In addition to his Vine following, Johns has also served as brand ambassador for the likes of Pepsi, G.E., and Klondike. On the television and film side, John’s credits have included 2004’s The Punisher, Canvas and Rock of Ages. In March, Johns served as Fandango’s social media correspondent on the Oscar red carpet. UTA: Actress Allison Tolman is now repped by Jo Yao, Tracey Jacobs, Sarah Clossey and Logan Eisenberg. Tolman is currently starring in her breakout role, playing Deputy Molly Solverson on FX’s new series Fargo, based on the Coen brothers’ landmark feature. Prior to landing her signature role, Tolman worked primarily in the theatre, where she helped found the Second Thought Theatre in Dallas and has performed sketch and satire with several groups in Chicago, including Second Day Party Hair, Unattended Packages and The City Life Supplement. Tolman’s other television credits have included episodes of Prison Break and Sordid Lives – The Series, as well as multiple commercials. Next up, Tolman will appear in HBO’s Hello Ladies special. UTA: Writer, editor and director Carlos Marques-Marcet is now repped by Jenny Maryasis, Keya Khayatian and Hailey Wierengo. Maques-Marcet recently made his feature film directing debut with 10.0000 Km (Long Distance), which screened at this year’s SXSW. The film, which stars Natalia Tena and David Verdaguer, previously screened at Spain’s Malaga Film Festival, where it swept the event, winning awards for Best Movie, Best Director, Best New Screenwriter, Best Actress and a critic’s award. Marques-Marcet originally graduated with an MFA from the UCLA School of Film and Television and he has since edited several film and television projects including the 2012 Sundance entry It Felt Like Love. He has also directed multiple short films, as well as the documentary De Pizarros y Atahualpa. WME Entertainment: Writer, director and producer Gavin O’Connor is now a client. O’Connor most recently took over the helming duties for the feature Jane Got A Gun after its original director Lynne Ramsey departed. That film, which stars Natalie Portman and Ewan McGregor, is currently in post-production. He also directed the pilot for FX’s The Americans and currently works as an executive producer on that series. O’Connor began his career with the Ted Demme-directed short film The Bet, which he wrote and produced. O’Connor has since gone on to direct the features Comfortably Numb, Tumbleweeds, Miracle, Pride and Glory and 2011’s Warrior, which starred Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton. His 1999 feature Tumbleweeds won the Filmmakers Trophy at the Sundance Film Festival and its star Janet McTeer won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. WME Entertainment: Director, dancer and choreographer Josh Prince is now a client. Prince most recently choreographed Broadway’s Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, which was nominated this year for a Tony Award for Best Musical. Previously, Prince choreographed Shrek, The Musical and also worked with Sam Mendes on the Bridge project. His extensive resume has included such shows as My Fair Lady, Prom 59: The Broadway Sound, The Jerry Springer Opera and Camelot. Prince's acting credits include The Producers, Saturday Night Fever and Little Me. Prince is also the founder and artistic director of the Broadway Dance Lab, a nonprofit workshop designed to promote dance in Musical Theater from the start of a show’s development.↧
Exec Shuffle For 5/23/14: Fable House, Electus, Fusion, Sundance Selects/IFC Films, MTV
Company Launches
Fable House: Adrien Brody has launched this production company with Nigerian entrepreneur Kola Aloka and Sparkle Roll Culture Media, a Beijing-based production group partially owned by Jackie Chan. The new venture has $50 million in development and production funding and it plans to make films for the Chinese and international marketplace. Grandview: Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Matt Rosen and Jeff Silver have formed this new management company, which will open for business in June. The new venture will focus on writers, filmmakers and TV producers across multiple genres and mediums. Stage + Screen Digital Studio: Martian Entertainment and All the Way Around have launched this post-production and editing facility, which is geared toward the theater industry, as well as micro-budget film and TV projects. Tanweer – IMGC Ventures: Dubai-based Tanweer Group has joined forced with distribution powerhouse IMGC to form Tanweer – IMGC ventures, an acquisition and distribution company focused on reinvigorating an interest in cinema in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The Jokers: Manuel Chiche, co-founder of Wild Side, has launched this Paris-based production and distribution company. The new venture will be fully involved in developing and producing indie films, which an emphasis on up-and-coming genre directors. Unnamed Todd Phillips/Bradley Cooper Management Venture: Todd Phillips and Bradley Cooper have combined forces tocreate their own production company, signing a three-year first-look deal with Warner Bros. The first project to be produced under the new banner will be Arms & Dudes, which Phillips will direct. Untitled/Matador: Untitled Entertainment has teamed with the television production company Matador to create this joint venture, which plans to develop, package and produce material for TV and digital outlets.Studios, Networks, and Media Conglomerates
FreemantleMedia UK: Richard Holloway has joined as the Interim Chief Executive Officer. ITV Studios Global Entertainment: Dan Gopal has been appointed the Executive Vice President of Distribution & Global Digital Partners, EMEA. ITV Studios Global Entertainment: Greg Johnson has been appointed the Executive Vice President of Sales, Americas. Universal Cable Productions: Danielle De Jesus has joined as the Director of Current Programming. Universal Pictures: Fabian Castro as joined as Senior Vice President, Multicultural Marketing.Film
Electus: Joshua Sussman has been named Executive Vice President of Business Affairs and General Counsel. Hoff Productions: Alex Hoff has been named the Director of Development. Ian Bryce Productions: Aimee LeMaire has been named Story Editor. Sundance Selects/IFC Films: Steven Cardwell has joined as the Head of Digital Marketing. The Orchard: Paul Davidson has joined as Senior Vice President, Film & Television, and Head of the Los Angeles Office. Viewfinder Pictures: Kristina Sorenson has joined as Vice President, Production & Development.Television
DLT Entertainment: Margaret Enefer has joined as Head of Drama. EuropaCorp Television U.S.: Matthew Gross has joined as President. Gaumont International Television: Peter Barnett has joined as the Senior Vice President of Production. Investigation Discovery: Nellie Ryan has been named the Vice President of Marketing, Strategy. Investigation Discovery: Garnsey Sloan has been named the Vice President of Marketing, Creative. Paley Center for Media: Maureen Reidy hasbeen tapped as President and Chief Executive Officer. Paley Center for Media: Pat Mitchell has become Executive Vice Chairman. Scripps Networks Interactive: NJ Pesci has been named Executive Vice President. Scripps Networks Interactive: Dennis Shuler has been named Senior Advisor. Skydance Television: Jake Rose has joined as Executive Vice President, Production. Sonar Entertainment: Gene Stein has joined as Chief Executive Officer. Sonar Entertainment: Stewart Till has been appointed to the Board of Directors. Tricon Films & Television: Boyd McDonnell has joined as Senior Vice President, Programming.Agencies, Management Companies, Public Relations, and Law Firms
APA: Jack Leighton has been promoted to Vice President, Television Literary. CAA: David Larabell has joined as a Literary Agent. Grandview: Zac Frognowski has joined as a Literary Manager. Grandview: Chris Goble has joined as a Literary Manager. Greenberg Taurig LLP: Tom Ara has been named a Shareholder. Greenberg Taurig LLP: Rosalind H. Read has joined as an Associate. Greenberg Taurig LLP: Robert Sherman has joined as a Shareholder. Fox Rothschild: Alan R. Friedman has been named a Partner. Hawthorne Direct: Jessica Hawthorne-Castro has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Prodigy PR: Ashley Fontaine has joined as Executive Vice President and Head of Digital. PR Works International: Melody Monfreda has joined as Director of International Film Publicity. The Vltra Group: Scott Hirsch has joined as the Executive Vice President of Program Development.Cable
Fusion: Margarita Noriega has been named Director of Social Media. MTV: Colin Nash has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Series Development of West Coast Reality Programming. TV Guide Network: Rich Browd has been named the Vice President and Creative Director. TV Guide Network: Melissa Stone Mangham has been named the Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy.Digital
Tout: David Parsons has joined as Chief Revenue Officer. Yekra: Eric Doctorow has joined the Board of Directors.Publishing
The Hollywood Reporter: Alison Brower has joined as Deputy Editorial Director. The Hollywood Reporter: Jeanie Pyun has been promoted to Deputy Editor.Music
Republic Records: Tom Mackay has been appointed Executive Vice President and General Manager of the West Coast division. Revolt: Michael Roche was named as the Senior Vice President of Ad Sales and Julie Pinkwater has been named the Vice President of Client Development. Universal Music Group: Susan Mazo has joined as the Senior Vice President of Global Communications (New York).Advertising
Corbis Entertainment: Corey Silverman has joined as Head, Global Sales. Ogilvy & Mather: Jenny Gadd has joined as Executive Director, Content Production. PulsePoint: Darline Jean has joined as Chief Operating Officer.↧
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ICYMI: SSN’s Top Original Stories For 5/19 – 5/23/14
SSN Franchise Analysis Part One: The Evolution of Batman
In this series, SSN will take a look at one of entertainment’s most enduring characters, from his history to the financial empire of his mythology. (SSN)SSN Franchise Analysis Part Two: Empire of the Bat
The name “Batman” could be a byword for the very model of an entertainment franchise. Batman characters have appeared in every conceivable form of media, have been reinvented for every generation, and have prompted new goldmines of profits every time. SSN takes a look here. (SSN)SSN Franchise Analysis Part Three: The Many Faces of Batman
Born in Detective Comics No. 27 (May 1939), the comic book Batman was inspired by the masked avengers of literature and the dime store pulp dramas of the day. SSN takes a look at the icon’s evolving visage over the last 75 years. (SSN)Memo to Television: The Netflix Assault On Your Emmy Awards Is About To Get Serious
It was last year that Netflix earned 14 Emmy Award nominations and everyone could sense that Netflix’s big Emmy payday wasn’t far off. That time may now be at hand, because while Netflix may be an awards neophyte, it has savvy folks calling the behind the scenes shots. (SSN)Louis C.K. Gets More Emmy Nominations than Anyone Even Though He Couldn’t Care Less
He’s a comedy genius operating at the top of his game, wearing the mantle of fame with a certain rumpled savoir-faire. SSN looks at the C.K. phenomenon and the most remarkable fact being that he’s alone as an entertainer doing things entirely on his own terms. (SSN)International Box Office Insight: Why All the Buzz About China?
Is all the fuss justified or is this just another trend likely to burn out? The answer is it will only get hotter: Chinese box office is already at $3.6 billion, is predicted to hit a boiling point of $5B as soon as three years from now, and could hit $7B by 2021. SSN brings you the latest insights. (SSN)Marvel 101: Your Handy Guide to X-Men: Days of Future Past
Fox releases the film May 23, the seventh in the X-Men franchise that’s grossed $2.3B to date. There’s a lot to keep track of in this new film, which combines both old and new X-Men. SSN has whipped up a character cheat- sheet so that you can sit back and simply enjoy the show. (SSN)↧
On The Set For 5/27/14: Johnny Depp Starrer ‘Black Mass’ Starts For Warner Bros., ‘Jem and the Holograms’ Wraps
Starts
Pitch Perfect 2 05/22/2014 Logline: Under wraps. Studio: Universal Production Companies: Gold Circle Entertainment, Brownstone Productions Director: Elizabeth Banks Executive Producers: Scott Niemeyer, Jason Moore Producers: Elizabeth Banks, Paul Brooks, Max Handelman Co-Producers: Kay Cannon, Jeff Levine Cast: Anna Kendrick, Elizabeth Banks, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Adam DeVine Screenwriter: Kay Cannon SSN Insight: Elizabeth Banks is making her feature directorial debut. Blood Father 05/19/2014 Logline: An ex-con trying to live a clean and sober life must help his estranged teen daughter who has witnessed a murder and is now targeted by those who want to silence her. Production Companies: Why Not Productions, Next Films, Worldview Entertainment Director: Jean-Francois Richet Executive Producers: Maria Cestone, Sarah Johnson, Vincent Maraval Producers: Sebastien Lemercier, Chris Briggs, Pascal Caucheteux, Peter Craig, Christopher Woodrow, Molly Conners Cast: Mel Gibson, Erin Moriarty Screenwriter: Peter Craig Details: Based on the novel Blood Father, by Peter Craig, published by Hyperion March 2, 2003. SSN Insight: Previously in development with Warner Bros. and Anonymous Content, with Andrea Berloff writing an adaptation of Peter Craig's novel. Black Mass 05/19/2014 Logline: A true-crime saga about FBI corruption and the uniquely savage New England mob scene involving James "Whitey" Bulger. Studio: Warner Bros. Production Companies: Cross Creek Pictures, Infinitum Nihil, Le Grisbi Productions Director: Scott Cooper Executive Producers: Peter Mallouk, Lauren Selig, Brett Granstaff, Gary Granstaff Producers: Brian Oliver, Tyler Thompson, John Lesher, Patrick McCormick, Scott Cooper Cast: Johnny Depp, Benedict Cumberbatch, Joel Edgerton, Dakota Johnson, Jesse Plemons, Sienna Miller, Julianne Nicholson, Adam Scott Screenwriter: Mark Mallouk, Scott Cooper Details: Based on the book Black Mass: The Irish Mob, The FBI and A Devil's Deal, written by Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill published by Public Affairs Press May, 2000. SSN Insight: Project was previously set up at Cerenzie-Peters Productions. Prior to Warner Bros.’ involvement, the studio had been developing another Whitey Bulger project for Ben Affleck to direct and Matt Damon to star. Dominion 05/23/2014 Logline: The story revolves around the last days of Dylan Thomas’ life before his untimely death in New York in 1953. Production Company: FilmColony Director: Steven Bernstein Executive Producers: Sohrab Luctmedial, Chris Anjemi, Deanna Bartuccio Producers: Richard Gladstein, Nolan McDonald Co-Producers: Alain Gagnon, Brigitte Huff Cast: Rhys Ifans, John Malkovich, Romola Garai, Tony Hale Screenwriter: Steven Bernstein SSN Insight: Ifans, who stars in this film as Dylan Thomas, is also scheduled to star in Under Milkwood, an adaptation of Thomas’ radio play of the same name set to shoot in Wales later this summer.Wraps
Pound of Flesh 05/24/2014 Logline: The morning after saving a woman in distress, a man wakes up in a bloody hotel bathtub missing a kidney. Production Companies: Ace Studio, Odyssey Media Director: Ernie Barbarash Executive Producers: Jeffery Giles, Michael Lurie, Devi Singh, Keith Shaw Producers: Kirk Shaw, Henry Luk Cast: Jean-Claude van Damme, Darren Shahlavi, David Booth Screenwriter: Joshua James SSN Insight: The project’s fight choreography was provided by veteran actor and stunt fighter John Paul Salvitti, whose credits include Hero, Flash Point, and Blade II. Jem and the Holograms 05/24/2014 Logline: Orphaned teenager and recording sensation Jerrica Benton and her sisters go on a music-driven scavenger hunt across Los Angeles to find a final message left by their father. Production Companies: Blumhouse Productions, Scooter Braun Films, Hasbro, Inc. Director: Jon M. Chu Producers: Jason Blum, Jessica Hall, Bennett Schneir, Jon M. Chu Cast: Aubrey Peeples, Stefanie Scott, Aurora Perrineau, Hayley Kiyoko Screenwriter: Ryan Landels Details: Based on the animated television show Jem (USA/1986) (aka Jem and the Holograms) and the 1980s Hasbro toy line. SSN Insight: The first feature film starring role for Aubrey Peeples, best know for television’s Nashville.↧
TV Development For 5/27/14: Eli Roth To Direct ‘South of Hell’ for WE tv
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TV Castings For 5/28/14: Mark Pellegrino Set As The Lead In A&E’s ‘The Returned’
Pilots
Mark Pellegrino has been tapped as the lead in A&E’s The Returned, that focuses on a small town that is turned upside down when several local people, who have been long presumed dead suddenly reappear, bringing with them both positive and detrimental consequences. Caroline Sunshine joins ABC Family’s Recovery Road, that follows a high school girl who falls in love with someone in rehab, and they strive to continue their relationship when they get out. Catherine Dent has been set for AMC’s Galyntine, that centers on a time after a cataclysmic technology-induced disaster has resulted in a new society that has eschewed any form of technology. This catastrophic event leaves small numbers of survivors scattered around the planet and forced to adapt to isolation and unique challenges. Charlie Cox has been cast as the lead in Netflix’s Daredevil,from Marvel Entertainment.Current Series
Michael H. Cole will reprise his role as Greg Roberts in Season 2 of BET’s Being Mary Jane. Max Martini will guest star in the fifth season of USA's Covert Affairs. Kerr Smith (Dawson’s Creek) is set to recur on ABC Family’s The Fosters. Christian Borle will guest star on season 2 of Showtime’s Masters of Sex. Neal McDonough is set to recur in season 4 of USA’s Suits. Sakina Jaffrey (House of Cards) and Matt Barr (One Tree Hill) have joined season 2 of FOX’s Sleepy Hollow. Steve Kazee is scheduled to guest star on season 5 of Showtime’s Shameless.New Series
Uriah Shelton will play Cory Matthew’s younger brother on Disney’s Girl Meets World.↧
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FIlm Development For 5/29/14: Morgan Freeman To Star In ‘Beautiful Jim Key’ Feature Adaptation
NEW ATTACHMENTS
You Shall Know Our Velocity! Logline: A man feels guilty about collecting insurance money on a car accident that killed his best friend, so travels with another friend to scatter his dead friend's ashes and give the money to needy people. Production Companies: Process Media, Benaroya Pictures Producers: Tim Perell, Michael Benaroya, Bill Mulroy (Executive Producer), Howard Gertler (Co-Producer) Cast: Daniel Radcliffe Writer: Wells Tower Director: Peter Sollett Details: Based on the novel You Shall Know Our Velocity!, written by Dave Eggers and published by McSweeney's in September 2002. SSN Insight: Project reunites Daniel Radcliffe with producer Michael Benaroya for the first time since 2013’s Kill Your Darlings. The Happy Prince Logline: Oscar Wilde reflects on his tumultuous life in his final days. Production Companies: Cine Plus, Bavaria Pictures, Robert Fox Ltd., Cine-@, BBC Films, Lionsgate UK, Raindog Films Producers: Robert Fox, Matthias Esche, Colin Firth, Ged Doherty, Philipp Kreuzer, Frank Evers, Philippe Carcassonne, Jorg Schulze Cast: Hugh Dancy, Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson, Edward Fox Writer: Rupert Everett Director: Rupert Everett SSN Insight: Project marks the directorial debut of Rupert Everett. Hello, My Name is Doris Logline: After an isolated woman in her 60s goes to a self-help seminar, she’s motivated to pursue a romantic relationship with a younger man and ends up in the local hipster scene. Production Companies: Red Crown Productions, Haven Entertainment Producers: Jordana Mollick, Kevin Mann, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Riva Marker, Daniel Crown (Executive Producer) Cast: Sally Field, Beth Behrs, Jack Antonoff, Max Greenfield Writers: Michael Showalter, Laura Terruso Director: Michael Showalter SSN Insight: Project marks the second collaboration between Red Crown Productions and Haven Entertainment. The first was Life Partners.NEW PROJECTS
Beautiful Jim Key Logline: William Key used kindness to train his horse Beautiful Jim who learned to read, spell and do math, and energized the animal welfare movement around the world. Production Companies: Mark Gordon Company, Revelations Entertainment Producers: Mark Gordon, Morgan Freeman Cast: Morgan Freeman Writer: Robert Rodat Director: Robert Rodat Details: Based on the book Beautiful Jim Key, written by Mim Eichler Rivas and published by Morrow in 2005. SSN Insight: Project is the directorial debut for writer Robert Rodat. Gerald’s Game Logline: A woman who accidentally kills her husband while handcuffed to a bed as part of a bondage game must fight her inner demons. Production Company: Intrepid Pictures Producer: Trevor Macy Writers: Mike Flanagan (adaptation), Jeff Howard (adaptation) Director: Mike Flanagan Details: Based on the novel Gerald's Game, written by Stephen King and published by Viking on September 1, 1992 SSN Insight: Project is the 4th collaboration between Intrepid Pictures and Mike Flanagan. Love Letters to the Dead Logline: When her English teacher gives a grieving high school student the assignment of writing to a dead person, she expands the exercise and begins writing to several departed confidants. Studio/Distributor: Fox2000 Production Company: Temple Hill Entertainment Producers: Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen Writer: Ava Dellaira (adaptation) Details: Based on the novel Love Letters to the Dead, written by Ava Dellaira and published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers in April, 2014. SSN Insight: Project is based on screenwriter’s debut novel and she is also writing the adaptation.↧
Rep Moves For 5/30/14: Primary Wave Music, WME, CAA, ICM
Agencies
CAA: Broadway star Laura Benanti is now repped by Joe Machota, Ryan Abboushi, Michael Katcher, Sonya Rosenfeld, Tracy Brennan and Steven Lafferty. Benanti most recently won raves for her performance as Rosebella in New York City Center’s Encores! revival of The Most Happy Fella. She also starred as Baroness Elsa Schräder in NBC’s 2013 live broadcast of The Sound of Music, opposite Carrie Underwood. Making her Broadway debut at age 18 in a 1998 revival of The Sound of Music, Benanti’s extensive theatre resume has included such diverse shows as Gypsy, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Into the Woods, The Wedding Singer and Nine. Her television credits have included starring in the Matthew Perry series Go On and The Playboy Club, as well as appearing on the series Nurse Jackie, The Big C, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, The Good Wife and Elementary. In 2008, Benanti won Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for her role as Gypsy Rose Lee in Gypsy, opposite Patti LuPone. ICM Partners: Stage actress and singer Lena Hall is now repped by Sean Liebowitz. Hall was recently nominated for a Tony Award for her breakout role as Yitzhak in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, opposite Neil Patrick Harris. A lifelong dancer, Hall made her Broadway debut in Cats when she was still a teenager and soon made her name in off-Broadway rock-oriented musicals such as Rooms, Empire and The Toxic Avenger. Hall’s previous Broadway credits have included 42nd Street, Dracula the Musical and Tarzan. More recently, Hall appeared in a memorable role as an uptight yuppie in the Tony-winning Kinky Boots. Hall is also the lead singer for the rock band The Deafening. WME Entertainment: Writer and director Cédric Jimenez is now a client. Jimenez wrote and directed the upcoming period crime thriller La French, which premiered an eight-minute sizzle reel at Cannes and was subsequently picked up by Drafthouse Films for U.S. distribution. Picturehouse Entertainment and Altitude Film Distribution have jointly acquired the U.K. distribution rights. The feature, which stars Jean Dujardin, is based on the true story of a judge who tried to stop the French Connection in the seventies. Jimenez’s previous credits have included 2007’s Scorpion and 2012’s Aux yeux de tous. He also served as a producer on the features Eden Log and Renaissance Bangkok. In 2003, Jimenez co-directed the documentary Who's the Boss: Boss of Scandalz Strategyz. WME Entertainment: Up-and-coming Brazilian writer and director Gabriela Amaral is now a client. Amaral is riding buzz off her horror-drama screenplay The Father’s Shadow, which came out of the Sundance Writing Labs last January. She was also recently selected for the Directing Labs and she is currently slated to make her feature directing debut in 2015. Prior to The Father’s Shadow, Amaral worked primarily in short films with credits that include Náufragos, Uma primavera, The Comforting Hand and Terno. Up next, Amaral is writing a script for Walter Salles and she is also in post-production on the short film Freeze.Management Companies
Evolution Entertainment: Director L. Gustavo Cooper is now repped by Brad Kaplan. Cooper is currently in production on the indie feature June, which stars Casper Van Dien and Victoria Pratt. A successful skateboarder earlier in his life, Cooper’s film career took off when he started making skate videos. Shortly afterwards, he was recognized by 411 Magazine and produced Chronicles of Gnarnia, an episodic film series showcasing upcoming skaters. Since then Cooper has worked primarily on short films, commercials and music videos, with credits that include the shorts Waiting for Lola, ‘M’ is for Music and Velvet Road. June will be released later this year. Primary Wave Music: Iconic 80s rock band The Go-Go’s is now a client. The group is currently planning their fifth studio album and will headline the “Replay America” tour this summer. The all-female band rose to fame in the early eighties after their debut album Beauty and the Beat landed in #1 spot of the Billboard charts for six consecutive weeks in 1981, selling three million copies. Originally formed in 1978 as The Misfits, the group’s three-decade multi-platinum career has seen such hits as “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” “Vacation” and “Head Over Heels.” In June, the group will be inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame during the venue’s 15th anniversary.↧
Exec Shuffle For 5/30/14: Addictive Pictures, Killer Content, NBC, Branded Entertainment Network
Company Launches
Addictive Pictures: Former Development Executive for Guillermo Del Toro, Russell Ackerman and Literary Executive John Schoenfelder have joined forces to form this new film development company. The duo will focus their efforts on working with journalists, novelists and comic book artists. Branded Entertainment Network (BEN): Corbis Entertainment has launched this new interactive platform, which plans to provide global brands and media buyers with instant access to the latest Film, TV, Digital and celebrity placement opportunities. The platform launches with a strategic alliance with the Producers Guild of America and a partnership with Universal McCann. KatCo: Development Executive Tracy Katsky has launched her own production company KatCo. She has also entered into a one-year deal with Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment. Under the terms of the deal, all of KatCo’s projects will be produced in association with Kapital Entertainment. Additionally, Kapital will serve as a studio for all of KatCo’s projects. Katsky will operate her new venture out of Kapital’s offices in West Hollywood. Keywords Press: UTA and Atria Publishing Group have joined forces to create a platform for digital celebrities to publish books. The new venture hopes to publish six to ten titles annually in both digital and print formats. Killer Content: Indie banner Killer Films has merged with Glass Elevator Media to form this new company, which is designed to blend Killer Films’ filmmaking expertise with Glass Elevator’s digital acumen. Adrienne Becker will serve as Chief Executive Officer. Killer Films’ principals Christine Vachon and Pam Koffler will serve as Co-Presidents.Studios, Networks, and Media Conglomerates
20th Century Fox: Jon Anderson has joined as Senior VP of Worldwide Theatrical Marketing. AMC Studios: Elana Mandelup has been named Vice President of Corporate Communications. Banijay Studios North American: Caroline Baumguard has joined as the Chief Creative Officer. CBS: Ian Metrose has been named Senior Vice President of Talent Relations & Special Events. CNN: Mark Preston has been named Executive Editor, CNN Politics. IMAX: Andrew Stewart has joined IMAX as the Manager of Corporate Communications. ITV Studios: Paul Buccieri has been named Chairman of ITV Studios US Group and Global Entertainment. Modern Times Group: Anders Jensen has been named the Executive Vice President of the group’s Scandinavian Free TV and Radio group. NBC: Pearlena Igbokwe has been named Executive Vice President of Drama Programming. NBC: Vernon Sanders has been named Executive Vice President of Comedy Programming.Film
Annapurna Pictures: Jonathan Gordon has joined as the President of Production. Bavaria Film: Christian Franckenstein has been appointed Co-CEO. Elevation Pictures: Naveen Prasad has joined as the Executive Vice President and General Manager. European Film Market: Matthijs Wouter Knol has been named the Head of the Berlin Film Festival’s European Film Market. European Film Market: Beki Probst has been named President of the European Film Market. Relativity Media: Laura Carillo has joined as Executive Vice President of Creative Advertising.Television
Broadway Television Network: Mark Hulsey has been named the Senior Vice President of Production/Executive producer. EuropaCorp: Matthew Gross has joined as the President of US Television. Landscape Entertainment: Benjamin Tappan has joined as the Senior Vice President, Television. Nice Entertainment Group: Morten Aass has been named President and Chief Executive Officer. Television Academy: Maury McIntyre has been named President and Chief Operating Officer.Cable
Big Ten Network (BTN): Mark Hulsey has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Production and Executive Producer. HGTV & DIY Network: Sarah Kuban has been named Director of Original Programming & Development. Investigation Discovery: Nellie Ryan has been promoted to Vice President, Marketing-Strategy. Investigation Discovery: Garnsey Sloan has been promoted to Vice President, Marketing-Creative. Travel Channel: Kellie Goldstein has joined as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.Digital
Global Eagle Entertainment Inc: Aditya Chatterjee has joined as the Chief Technology Officer, Senior Vice President of Engineering. Shandy Media: Todd Dufour has joined as Senior Vice President, Marketing & Brand Strategy. Portfolio Entertainment: Amy Manchester has been named Director, Factual Development.Music
Interscope Geffen A&M: John Janick has been named Chairman and CEO.Advertising
Young & Rubicam: Jim Radosevic has been promoted to President, Y&R New York.↧
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