Film Development For 7/11/14: Noah Oppenheim Adapting ‘The Divergent Series: Allegiant, Part 1′
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Exec Shuffle For 7/11/14: Netflix, Relativity Media, Lionsgate, Imagine Television, Starz
Company Launches
The Jackal Group: Gail Berman has set a wide-ranging partnership with Fox Networks Group to launch this production entity. The new company will focus on developing digital and television projects for outlets across the 21st Century Fox TV and digital spectrum. Nonfiction Producers Association: A group of New York-based unscripted production companies have formed this trade group, which is designed to promote the growth of the reality and documentary television business. Rick Feldman has been appointed Executive Director.Studios, Networks, and Media Conglomerates
ABC Entertainment Group: Peachy Pascual has been named Director, Casting. Patricia Yuen has been named Manager, Casting. CBS Television Studios: Brianna Bennett has joined as Vice President, Drama Development. Global Eagle: Dave Davis has been named Chief Executive Officer. Iskandar Malaysia Studios: Rezal A. Rahman has joined as Chief Executive Officer. Netflix: Brian Wright has joined as Head, Original Kids & Family Programming. Relativity Media: Angela Courtin joined as Chief Marketing Officer. Turner Sports: Lenny Daniels has been named President. Universal Pictures International: Jo Yan has joined as Managing Director and Executive Vice President, China.Film
Dakota Films: Tally Barr has been named Executive Vice President, Development and Production. Free Association: Peter Kiernan has joined as a Partner. Lionsgate: Ross Pollack has joined as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. MarVista Digital Entertainment: Scott Kirpatrick has been named Director, Distribution. Vanessa Shapiro has been named Head and Executive Vice President, MarVista Entertainment. Rebecca Shipley has joined as Manager. New Regency: Jeff Elefterion has joined as Chief of Marketing. Heta Paarte has joined as the Chief of International Marketing. Paramount Animation: Lino DiSalvo has joined as Creative Director. Saban Films: Kendall Doty has joined as Vice President, Digital.Television
3AD: Keo Lee has joined Development Executive. Lindsay Goffman has joined as Head of Development. Big Beach Films: Dan Pasternack has joined as Head, Television Division. Imagine Television: Peter Eskelsen has been named Vice President. ITV Studios Germany: Christiane Ruff has joined as Managing Director. K/O Paper Products: Aaron Baiers has been named Vice President, Television Development. The Foundation: Michael Carrington has joined as Chief Executive Officer. TwoFour: Mark Hawkins has been named Chief Executive Officer TwoFour Digital. Melanie Leach has been named Chief Executive Officer. Zodiak Media: Ron Henwood has been named Chief Executive Officer, UK, Belgium and the Netherlands.Agencies, Management Companies, Public Relations, Law Firms and Guilds
Abrams Artist Agency: Jay Schachter and Evan Miller have joined as Theatrical Agents. Art Directors Guild (ADG): Scott Roth has been reappointed as Executive Director. Authentic Talent and Literary Management: Alissa Feldman and Jason Egenberg have joined as Talent Managers in the Los Angeles office. BRS/Gage: Amy Abell-Rosenfield has joined as Agent, Talent. CAA: Olivia Blaustein has been promoted to Coordinator, Scripted Television. JB Monu has been promoted to Coordinator, Scripted Television. ICM Partners: Matthew Baldovsky has been named Coordinator, Television Literary. Magnolia Entertainment: Jared Ceizler has been named Manager, Talent & Literary. Kauveh Khozein has been named Coordinator, Talent & Literary. Ari Zudkewich has been named Manager, Talent & Literary. Paradigm: Ellie Schiff has been promoted to Coordinator, Television Literary. Slate PR: Elyse Weissman has joined as Account Executive. Storied Media Group: Dennis Kim has joined as Manager, Television Literary. UTA: Aaron Hart has joined as Agent, Literary. Ziffren Brittenham, LLP: Dean Bahat has joined as Attorney.Cable
Animal Planet: Rick Holzman has been named General Manager and Executive Vice President. E!/Esquire Network: Donald Storm III has joined as Chief Financial Officer. Food Network and Cooking Channel: Darren Campo has joined as Senior Vice President, Program Strategy. FOX News Channel: Sam Moser has been promoted to Vice President, National Sales & Marketing, New York. MiTú: Jeff Mayo has joined as senior Vice President of Business and Revenue Operations. Revolt Television: Andre Harrell has joined as Vice Chairman. Starz: Ken Zegna has been promoted to Vice President, Original Programming.Digital
Fusion: Jane Spencer has joined as Editor-in-Chief, Digital Platforms. Golden Eagle Entertainment: Dave Davis has joined as Chief Executive Officer. Method Studios: Marc Weigert has joined as President. Powerhouse Animation: Brad Winters has joined as Director, Development and Associate Producer. Twitter: Mike Gupta has been named Senior Vice President, Strategic Investments. Anthony Noto has joined as Chief Financial Officer.Music
Republic Records: Joseph Carozza has been named Senior Vice President, Media Relations.Advertising
2C: Omar Acosta has joined as Creative Director, Design.↧
Rep Moves For 7/11/14: CAA, Resolution, WME, Abrams Artists Agency
Agencies
Abrams Artists Agency: Abrams recently expanded their theatrical department, hiring agents Jay Schachter and Evan Miller. The agency has since signed a number of new acting clients. They include Sideways actress Alysia Reiner, who currently stars on Netflix’s breakout hit Orange is the New Black; Thom Barry, who’s probably best known for his role as Detective Will Jeffries on Cold Case; The Wire’s Marylne Barrett, who will star in the upcoming series American Crime; Brandon Bell, who will appear in the new SyFy series Ascension; Gary Dourdan, who’s probably best known for his work as Warrick Brown on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Dennis Haskins, who played Principal Richard Belding on Saved by the Bell; Susie Abromeit, who recently recurred on Devious Maids and Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots; and James Earl, who currently stars on the TBS series Ground Floor. All clients will be repped in both the Los Angeles and New York offices. CAA: Actor, comedian and singer Wayne Brady is now repped by Andy Elkin. Brady currently hosts Let’s Make A Deal and he also appears on the CW revival of Whose Line Is It Anyway? Brady also recently served as a guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance. Getting his start on the original British version of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Brady continued onto the American version and he has landed numerous hosting gigs and television appearances since that point. Most notably, Brady starred on The Wayne Brady Show, which won four Daytime Emmy Awards, and he was also the original host of Fox’s Don’t Forget the Lyrics. His other television appearances have included roles on How I Met Your Mother, 30 Rock, Chappelle’s Show and voicing Clover the Rabbit on the animated series Sofia the First. In 2003, Brady won a Primetime Emmy for his performance on Whose Line Is It Anyway? and as a singer, he was Grammy nominated for his cover of Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come.” ICM Partners: Producer and screenwriter Jeff Eastin is now repped by Mark Gordon. He was previously with CAA. Eastin is probably best known as the creator and executive producer of the highly successful USA series White Collar. He also created and currently executive produces the police drama Graceland, which recently entered its second season. Eastin began his career as a screenwriter, penning the Jamie Foxx feature Held Up and soon after James Cameron chose him to write the sequel to True Lies, which was never produced. Eastin also created the UPN series Shasta McNasty, which starred Jake Busey, and the 2004 NBC series Hawaii, which starred Michael Biehn. White Collar is set to wrap up its sixth and final season with a six-episode run. Resolution: Resolution recently expanded its employee roster and hired agents Rachel Sheedy and Jennifer Good. The new hires are part of an ongoing strategy to steadily build the agency’s film and television talent business. Sheedy is an industry veteran, having spent sixteen years at Don Buchwald & Associates in New York where she worked with actors in film, television and theater. She’ll be working in Resolution’s Los Angeles office. Good began her career at Susan Smith & Associates and subsequently moved to the boutique literary agency, The Bruce Brown Agency, where she has worked in both the film and television markets. During her six years at The Bruce Brown Agency, Good represented television writers who were both on staff and selling original pilots. Good most recently worked at the The Alpern Group where she represented writers and directors with a growing emphasis on the international marketplace. She joined the agency’s TV literary department last month. UTA: Actress Fiona Shaw is now repped by Danie Streisand and Brian Swardstrom. Shaw most recently appeared on the London stage in The Testament of Mary, playing the mother of Christ, a role she originated during the show’s Tony-nominated Broadway run last year. Shaw may be best known to audiences, however, for playing Aunt Petunia in the Harry Potter film franchise and guest starring as witch leader Marnie on the fourth season of True Blood. Starting her career in the eighties, Shaw has led an extensive career in film, television and theatre with credits that include the features My Left Foot, Persuasion, Franco Zeffirelli’s Jane Eyre, The Butcher Boy, The Black Dahlia, Catch and Release, Dorian Gray and The Tree of Life. Shaw was nominated for a Best Actress Tony for Medea in 2003 and she has won multiple Olivier Awards for her performances in such shows as Machinal, Electra and As You Like It. Next up, Shaw will appear in the Brad Anderson-helmed Eliza Graves. UTA: Actor Manish Dayal is now repped by Brian Nossokoff, Theresa Peters, Jonathan Weinstein, Keya Khayatian and Jacob Fenton. He was previously with Innovative. Dayal recently got a major career break, landing the lead role in the upcoming Lasse Hallström feature The Hundred-Foot Journey, opposite Helen Mirren. Prior to his starring role, Dayal was probably best known for his recurring parts on 90210 and Rubicon. Originally starting off in national commercials, Dayal got his first taste of success with a role in the off-Broadway show Rafta, Rafta. He has also appeared in the feature films The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Walkaway and White Frog. Dayal’s television credits have included CSI, Switched at Birth, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Outsourced and The Good Wife. The Hundred-Foot Journey will be released this coming August. WME Entertainment: The co-creators and stars of the Comedy Central series Workaholics, Blake Anderson, Anders Holm and Kyle Newacheck have signed for representation in all areas. The three join series creator and star Adam Devine, who was already repped by WME. Originally premiering in 2011, Workaholics is currently the highest-rated series in its time slot across all of cable among males 18-34. In addition to their television series, the group also recently made a cameo appearance in the summer feature hit Neighbors. On their own, Anderson is currently developing an animated half hour at Comedy Central. Holm is set to appear in the features The Interview, Inherent Vice and Finally Famous. Newacheck is attached to the upcoming feature Shore Leave and also serves an executive producer on Adam Devine’s House Party. The group will start production on the fifth season of Workaholics in the fall. WME Entertainment: Writer and executive producer Dana Stevens is now a client. Stevens is currently the writer and sole executive producer of the CBS series Reckless. She also recently wrote the adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks novel, Safe Haven, which was released last year. Stevens’ other screenwriting credits have included Life or Something Like It, Blink, For Love of the Game and City of Angels, which starred Nicholas Cage and Meg Ryan. Previously, Stevens created and served as an executive producer on the ABC series What about Brian, which was produced by JJ Abrams. Next up, Stevens is set to write the James Cameron-produced feature The Dive for director Martin Campbell.↧
ICYMI: SSN’s Top Stories For 7/7 – 7/11/14
The Community Example— What Other Cancelled Shows Should be Revived Online?
The online streaming model has opened the eyes of industry executives to a new way of resuscitating series and distributing content; SSN picks seven other shows ripe for online revival here. (SSN)Filmmaker Richard Linklater Talks Boyhood- ‘Everything about this Film has been Unusual’
Linklater’s latest is the 12-years-in-the-making Boyhood, which, like many of his movies, is an incredible feat of cinema that manages to still feel intimate and grounded. SSN spoke to Linklater about creative risks, casting lead Ellar Coltrane, and how he can’t quite believe his 12-year project is finished shooting. (SSN)Spotlight: Director Matt Reeves on the ‘Classic Western, Godfather-esque & Shakespearean’ Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Reeves, 48, spoke to SSN about his new film, working with motion capture, and how the technology might hold up for future generations. (SSN)If At First you Don’t Succeed? Reboot a Reboot a la Planet of the Apes & These 14 Films
A chance to make money with a familiar title is always going to be attractive to studio execs, and if you doubt it, there are plenty of properties currently in development for the third, fourth, or umpteenth time. SSN takes a look, from King Kong to The Omen and Ben-Hur. (SSN)Why the Little Movie Land Ho! Might be this Summer’s Breakout Hit
This January, a crowd-pleasing, buddy road trip bromance premiered at Sundance to rave reviews and high hopes, while wowing crowds with old-fashioned goods like great writing and genuine emotion. Sony Pictures Classics acquired the film, Land Ho!, and it’s finally hitting theaters this weekend. (SSN)↧
On The Set For 7/14/14: Dermot Mulroney Starrer ‘Insidious: Chapter 3′ Starts, Levan Akin’s ‘The Circle’ Wraps
Starts
Broken Vows 07/14/2014 Logline: A bride-to-be partying at her bachelorette weekend has a one-night stand with a charming bartender, and the man turns out to be dangerous. Production Company: Stonecreek Films Director: Bram Coppens Executive Producer: Larry Ladove Producer: Wendy Benge Cast: Wes Bentley, Jaimie Alexander, Cam Gigandet, Alexandra Breckenridge Screenwriters: Jim Agnew, Sean Keller SSN Insight: Project marks the feature directorial debut of Bram Coppens. Remember 07/14/2014 Logline: A revenge thriller about a Holocaust survivor's pledge, and journey, to exact revenge upon the Nazi officer who killed his family and the family of his lifelong friend. Production Company: Serendipity Point Films Director: Atom Egoyan Executive Producers: Mark Musselman, Anant Singh, Moises Cosio, Jeff Sagansky, Lawrence Guterman, D. Matt Geller Producers: Robert Lantos, Ari Lantos Cast: Christopher Plummer, Martin Landau, Dean Norris, Bruno Ganz Screenwriter: Benjamin August SSN Insight: Project marks the eighth feature film collaboration between producer Robert Lantos and Oscar-nominated director Atom Egoyan. Master Cleanse 07/11/2014 Logline: When a man goes to a spiritual retreat to cleanse toxins from his body, something far greater than negativity and past traumas is released. Production Companies: Bron Studios, Gilbert Films, Alcide Bava Pictures Director: Bobby Miller Executive Producers: Gary Gilbert, Todd Masters, Margot Hand, John Raymonds Producers: Jordan Horowitz, Aaron Gilbert, Johnny Galecki Cast: Johnny Galecki, Anjelica Huston, Anna Friel, Oliver Platt Screenwriter: Bobby Miller SSN Insight: Chloe Sevigny was previously attached as a cast member in the role played by Anna Friel. Insidious: Chapter 3 07/09/2014 Logline: Storyline is under wraps. Production Company: Blumhouse Productions Director: Leigh Whannell Executive Producers: Steven Schneider, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Peter Schlessel, Lia Buman, Xavier Marchand Producers: Jason Blum, Oren Peli Cast: Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, Lin Shaye Screenwriter: Leigh Whannell Details: Sequel to Insidious (USA/2010) and Insidious: Chapter 2 (USA/2013), directed by James Wan and starring Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne. SSN Insight: The first film in the franchise, Insidious, made for $1.5 million and released in 2010, went on to gross $97 million worldwide. Insidious: Chapter 2 grossed $160 million worldwide and was made for $5 million, which is also the estimated budget for "Insidious: Chapter 3."Wraps
The DUFF 07/09/2014 Logline: Seventeen-year-old Bianca despises slimy hottie Wesley, but finds herself in an "enemies-with-benefits" relationship with him, then realizes to her horror that she’s falling for him. Studio: CBS Films Production Companies: Wonderland Sound and Vision, Vast Entertainment Director: Ari Sandel Producers: Mary Viola, McG, Lane Shefter Bishop, Susan Cartsonis Cast: Mae Whitman, Robbie Amell, Bella Thorne, Ken Jeong Screenwriter: Josh A. Cagan Details: Based on the novel The DUFF, written by Kody Keplinger and published by Poppy on September 7, 2010. SSN Insight: Screenplay was on the 2011 Black List. Gods of Egypt 07/11/2014 Logline: A mortal joins forces with the gods to fight an evil, powerful force in ancient Egypt. Studio: Summit Entertainment, LLC Production Companies: Thunder Road Pictures, Mystery Clock Cinema Director: Alex Proyas Executive Producers: Kent Kubena, Stephen Jones, Topher Dow Producers: Basil Iwanyk, Alex Proyas Cast: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau,Gerard Butler, Geoffrey Rush, Brenton Thwaites, Courtney Eaton, Chadwick A Boseman Screenwriters: Alex Proyas, Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless SSN Insight: Of the film's estimated $150 million budget, Gerard Butler said, "It’s the largest budget movie I have ever worked on. It’s huge in every dimension. It’s huge in its scope and in its story and visually." Butler did, however, voice the Viking character Stoick in the How to Train Your Dragon animated films, the first of which (USA/2010) had a budget of $165 million. The Circle 07/10/2014 Logline: Six teenage girls who live in a small industrial town in Sweden discover that they're witches who must join forces to defeat an ancient evil. Production Company: RMV Film Director: Levan Akin Producers: Benny Andersson, Ludvig Andersson, Cecilia Norman Mardell Cast: Josefin Asplund, Irma von Platen, Miranda Frydman, Hanna Asp Screenwriters: Sara B. Elfgren, Levan Akin Details: Based on the Swedish young adult fantasy novel Cirkeln (English title The Circle) written by Mats Strandberg and Sara Bergmark Elfgren and published by Rabén & Sjögren in April, 2011. SSN Insight: Benny Andersson, formerly of the band ABBA, produced with his son Ludvig and served as Music Supervisor.↧
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TV Development For 7/15/14: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar’s ‘Badlands’ Set For Six-Episode Order At AMC
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TV Castings For 7/16/14: Ben Kingsley Set To Star In Spike’s Event Series ‘Tut’
Pilots
Luke Mitchell and Jaime Lee Kirchner have joined ABC’s Members Only, an upstairs/downstairs soap set at a private country club. Thomas Jane has been cast as the lead in Syfy’s The Expanse, that follows the case of a missing young woman who brings a hardened detective and a rogue ship’s captain together in a race across the solar system to expose the greatest conspiracy in human history. Michaela McManus, David Meunier, Gaius Charles and Chris Sheffield will recur on NBC’s Aquarius, about an L.A. police sergeant with a complicated personal life who starts tracking a small-time criminal and budding cult leader seeking out vulnerable women to join his "cause." Peter Shinkoda will recur on Netflix’s Daredevil.Current Series
Ryan Kennedy will guest star on TNT’s Major Crimes. Gina Gershon has landed a guest starring role on CBS’ Elementary. Colin Farrell and Taylor Kitsch are in talks for Season 2 of HBO’s True Detective. Craig Parker has landed a recurring role on Season 2 of CW’s Reign. Dwyane Wade will guest star on Disney’s Austin & Ally. Raza Jaffrey (Smash) is set to recur on CBS’ Elementary. Kerr Smith will guest star on CBS’ Criminal Minds. Gabrielle Walsh and Colin Ferguson have been cast in Season 6 of CW’s The Vampire Diaries. Cara Buono (Mad Men)will recur in the next season of CBS’ Person of Interest. Leslie Hope is set to recur on FX’s Tyrant. Elizabeth Rodriguez (Orange is the New Black) has booked a recurring role on NBC’s Grimm. Raymond J. Barry will recur on CW’s The 100.New Series
Josh Stamberg will recur on Showtime’s The Affair. Zuleikha Robinson, Jai Rodriguez and Bryan Callen will appear in multiple episodes of DirecTV’s Kingdom. Cynthia Stevenson and M.C. Gainey will guest star. Angelica Celaya joins NBC’s Constantine as a series regular. Wallis Currie-Wood has been cast as the eldest daughter in CBS’ Madam Secretary. Kristen Connolly has booked ABC’s The Whispers as a series regular. Robert Forster will guest star on Fox’s Backstrom.Event Series
Ben Kingsley has been cast as the lead in Spike’s Tut. Cote de Pablo will star in CBS’ miniseries The Dovekeepers, which centers on four extraordinary women whose lives intersect in a fight for survival at the siege of Masada.↧
Film Development For 7/17/14: Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe Set For Shane Black-Directed ‘The Nice Guys’ For Warner Bros.
NEW ATTACHMENTS
The Nice Guys Logline: A private detective and a team of beefcakes search for a missing woman and find a underground of corruption. Studio/Distributor: Warner Bros. Production Company: Silver Pictures Producer: Joel Silver Cast: Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe Writers: Shane Black, Anthony Bagarozzi Director: Shane Black SSN Insight: Project re-teams Shane Black with Silver Pictures since the Lethal Weapon franchise. Locke & Key Logline: Three children find themselves the custodians of Keyhouse, a New England mansion. Within the house are fantastic doors that transform all who walk through them. The mansion is also home to a hate-filled creature that will not rest until it forces the kids to open the most terrible door of all. Studio/Distributor: Universal Pictures Production Companies: K/O Paper Products, IDW Publishing Producers: Ted Adams, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Bobby Cohen Writer: Albert Torres Details: Based on the graphic novel Locke & Key, written by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez and published by IDW Publishing on February 20, 2008. SSN Insight: Project reunites Albert Torres with Universal since 2004’s Serenity. Coronado High Logline: The true story of how a group of teenagers and their teacher begin to smuggle drugs and create an empire. Studio/Distributor: Columbia Pictures Production Companies: Smokehouse Pictures, David Klawans Productions Producers: George Clooney, Grant Heslov, David Klawans Writer: Debora Cahn Details: Based on the article written by Joshua Bearman and published in Wired magazine. SSN Insight: Project is based on an article by Joshua Bearman, the same journalist whose article for Wired became the basis for the 2012 Oscar-winning movie Argo, which George Clooney and Heslov produced. Power Rangers Logline: A group of teenagers who have been chosen to protect the world from aliens do it by morphing into superheroes and piloting giant robots. Studio/Distributor: Lionsgate Production Companies: Allison Shearmur Productions, Saban Brands LLC Producers: Haim Saban, Brian Casentini, Allison Shearmur, Roberto Orci (Executive Producer) Writers: Ashley Miller, Zach Stentz Details: Based on the live-action TV series "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" which originally aired on Fox Kids from August 28, 1993 through November 27, 1995. The franchise has been in production ever since with the series re-named each year. SSN Insight: Project reunites writing team of Miller and Stentz with Orci since Fringe, the cult TV show Orci created with Alex Kurtzman.NEW PROJECTS
Forever, Interrupted Logline: After a young woman’s brief marriage ends when her husband dies, she copes by forming a relationship with her mother…who doesn’t know of her existence. Production Companies: Gidden Media, Good Universe Producers: Amy Baer, Dakota Johnson (Executive Producer), Nathan Kahane (Executive Producer), Joe Drake (Executive Producer), John Middleton (Executive Producer), Roy Lee (Executive Producer) Cast: Dakota Johnson Details: Based on the novel Forever, Interrupted, written by Taylor Jenkins Reid and published by Washington Square Press in 2013. SSN Insight: Project is based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s debut novel and reunites producer Amy Baer with Good Universe since Last Vegas. Stronger Logline: The true story of Jeff Bauman, who after losing his legs in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, was an integral part of helping police to locate the suspects Studio/Distributor: Lionsgate Production Company: Mandeville Films/TV Producers: Todd Lieberman, David Hoberman, Scott Silver, Peter McGuigan (Executive Producer) Writer: John Pollono Details: Based on the book Stronger, written by Jeff Bauman and Bret Whitter and published by Grand Central Publishing in April, 2014. SSN Insight: Project reunites producers Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman with Scott Silver, who wrote The Fighter. Project also marks the screenplay writing debut of John Pollono.↧
Exec Shuffle For 7/18/14: Amazon Studios, Universal Television, Skydance, Imagine Television, Maker Studios
Company Launches
The Ideas Room: Jeremy Dear has launched a new London based production company. The Ideas Room will concentrate on U.S. and U.K. marketplaces, focusing on factual entertainment, popular science and lifestyle-based content.Studios, Networks, and Media Conglomerates
ABC: Mike Dean has joined as the Vice President, Programmatic & Data Driven Sales. ABC Family: Salaam Coleman Smith has joined as Executive Vice President, Strategy & Programming. Catalogue Amazon Studios: Dan Seligmann has joined as Development Executive, Comedy Series. Discovery Networks: Dominic Coles has joined as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Western Europe division. Fox Television Group: Gary Newman and Dana Walden have been named co-Chairmen and co-Chief Executive Officers of Fox Television Group, the newly formed business unit within Fox Networks Group which will oversee both Fox Broadcasting Company and 20th Century Fox Television. NBC Universal: Lauren Skowronski has joined as the Vice President, Corporate Communications, as of August 11, 2014. Paramount Television: Adam Fasullo has been named a Creative Executive. PBS: Scott Nourse has joined as Vice President, Digital Product Development. Scripps Networks: Sameer Deen has joined as the Senior Vice President, Multi-Platform Distribution & Strategy. Sony Pictures Entertainment: Doug Belgrad has been named President of the Motion Pictures Group. Universal Television: Daniel Shear has joined as Vice President, Comedy Development. Warner Bros: Niki Sherrod has been named Senior Vice President, Music.Film
Compact Media Group: David Johnson has been named Chief Executive Officer. Myriad Pictures: Stacy Glassgold has joined as Manager, Sales & Distribution. Skydance: Jesse Sisgold has been named Chief Operating Officer.Television
9 Story Entertainment: Neil Court has joined as Executive Chairman. CORE Media Group: Simon Shaps has been named Consultant. Dick Clark Productions: Amy Thurlow has joined as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. FanFare Productions: Kate Gill has been named Manager, Creative Affairs. HSN: Bill Brand has been named President and Chief Marketing Officer. Imagine Television: Jon Radler has joined as Vice President. IWC Media: Paul Murray has joined as Head, Formats. Keshet International: Karina Dolgiej has joined as the Manager of Sales, Latin America. Kinetic Content: Katie Griffin and Karrie Wolfe have been named co-Heads of Development. Revolt: Dave Duff has joined as the Vice President, Content Distribution. Studio Lambert: Tania Alexander has been named Director, Factual Entertainment. Jack Burgess has joined as the Head of Development. Tim Harcourt has been named Creative Director. TwoFour Arabia: Yara Awad has been named General Manager. Warner Horizon Television: Kyle Schmitz has been named Manager, Comedy Development & Current Series.Agencies, Management Companies, Public Relations, and Law Firms
Authentic Talent and & Literary Management: Jason Egenberg has joined as a Manager. Alissa Feldman has joined as a Manager. Brand Arc: Kevin McAuliffe has joined as the Managing Director, New York. Resolution: Rachel Sheedy has joined as an Agent. Slate PR: Elyse Weissman has joined as an Account Executive.Cable
A+E: Lee Boykoff has been named Vice President, Digital Analytics and CRM. Julya Fridman has been named Vice President, Multiplatform & Distribution Analytics. Tom Pellegrino has been named Senior Vice President, Brand Research. Marcela Tabares has been named Senior Vice President, Revenue Research. Bravo & Oxygen Media: David Kaplan has been named Senior Vice President, Research & Insights. Cartoon Network: Christina Miller has joined as President and General Manager of Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang. Food Network: Megan Lawrence has joined as Vice President, Programming and Development.Digital
Maker Studios: Charles Gabriel has joined as Chief Advertising Officer.Music
DMI Music & Media: Kevin Gore has joined as President and Chief Operating Officer. Island Records: Eric Wong has been named Executive Vice President and General Manager.↧
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Rep Moves For 7/18/14: More/Medavoy Management, WME, Paradigm, ICM Partners
Agencies
Artistry: The Sheldon Prosnit Agency, one of the first companies to represent below-the-line talent, haschanged its name to Artistry. The rebranding marks an effort to create a fresh new chapter for the company, which was originally formed in the 1980s. The agency, comprised of six agents, handles a deep pool of talent that includes Directors of Photography, Editors, Production Designers and Costume Designers. Some of their most notable clients include DPs Luca Bigazzi and Chris Blauvelt, Editors Jay Cassidy and Luis Carballar, Production Designers Chad Keith and Anne Siebel, as well as Costume Designers Pierre-Yves Gayraud and Alonzo Wilson. Equitable Stewardship for Artists (ESA): Camera operator and director Reza Tabrizi is now represented by Paul Alan Smith.Reza originally began his career as a camera operator, working on such television series as Detroit 1-8-7, Necessary Roughness and Shameless. In 2012, Tabrizi started work as a camera operator on the NBC series Chicago Fire and he has since racked up an impressive credits list of over fifty episodes. Recently, Tabrizi landed his first television directing gig on the series, helming the episode “A Heavy Weight,” which aired earlier this year. Tabrizi is currently scheduled to direct another episode of Chicago Fire later this year, as well as an episode of Chicago PD. ICM Partners: Actor, comedian and talk show host Arsenio Hall is now repped by Steve Levine, Tyler Kroos, Greg Lipstone and Michael Kagan. He was previously with APA. Hall most recently hosted the revival of The Arsenio Hall Show, which aired last season in syndication. Starting off his career as a stand-up comedian, Hall got his big break when he took over as an interim replacement host on The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers. His successful hosting stint soon led to the groundbreaking first iteration of The Arsenio Hall Show, which ran for five seasons and earned both Primetime Emmy nominations in 1989 and 1990, as well as a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Host. Hall’s subsequent television credits have included a series regular role on the CBS series Martial Law, as well as guest hosting stints on Access Hollywood Live, Piers Morgan Tonight and The View. Hall’s feature credits have included the Eddie Murphy comedies Coming to America and Harlem Nights. In 2012, Hall was the winning contestant on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice. Paradigm: Writer and director Carl Franklin is now repped by Adam Kanter, Bill Douglass, David Boxerbaum, Rich Rogers and Nick LoPiccolo. Franklin was recently nominated for a Primetime Emmy award for directing the second season premiere of the Netflix series House of Cards. Beginning his career as an actor, Franklin went on to helm a few minor features before he directed his breakthrough film One False Move in 1992. Written by Billy Bob Thornton, that film went on to win immense critical acclaim and win Franklin the Best Director trophy at that year’s Independent Spirit Awards. Franklin’s subsequent features have included such notable features as Devil in a Blue Dress, One True Thing, High Crimes and Out of Time. Franklin’s television credits have included Rome, The Riches, The Pacific, Newsroom, Magic City, Homeland, The Leftovers and multiple episodes of House of Cards. Franklin’s wife and producing partner Jesse B. Franklin will also be joining Paradigm as a client, along with their Monarch Pictures banner. WME Entertainment: Actress Marissa Neitling is now a client. Neitling is currently shooting a supporting role in the upcoming feature San Andreas, opposite Dwayne Johnson. A relative newcomer, Neitling graduated from the Yale School of Drama in 2013, and soon afterwards landed her breakout role as series regular Lt. Kara Foster on the new TNT drama The Last Ship, executive produced by Michael Bay. Prior to getting her big break, Neitling appeared in numerous theatre productions at Yale, including playing Ophelia in Hamlet and appearing in Angels in America: Perestroika. She also appeared in an episode on Leverage in 2011. Neitling continues to be managed by Troy Nankin of Wishlab.Management Companies
More/Medavoy Management: Actress and musician Jill Hennessy is now repped by Erwin More and Brian Medavoy. Hennessy recently played a recurring role on The Good Wife and was a series regular on the French police procedural series Jo, opposite Jean Reno. Making her big screen debut in 1988’s Dead Ringers, Hennessy is probably best known for her starring role on the NBC series Crossing Jordan, as well as her series regular roles on Law & Order and the David Milch HBO series Luck, opposite Dustin Hoffman. Hennessy’s feature credits have included Robocop 3, I Shot Andy Warhol, Most Wanted, Wild Hogs, Lymelife and Small Town Murder Songs. In addition to her acting career, Hennessy has worked as a musician, recording the album Ghost in My Head in 2009, as well as performing as part of the 2010 Lilith Fair. More/Medavoy Management: Actor and producer Chris Vance is now repped by Erwin More and Brian Medavoy. Vance currently stars in and executive produces the TNT/Atlantique series Transporter, which is spun-off from the hit Jason Statham features. He also plays a recurring role as Lt. Col. Charles “Casey” Jones on the TNT series Rizzoli & Isles. Vance began his career working on British and Australian television series, achieving his first big success playing Sean Everleigh on the Australian series All Saints. Soon afterwards, Vance made his first impression on U.S. audiences with his role as James Whistler on the third and fourth seasons of Prison Break. He then went on to star as the lead Dr. Jack Gallagher on the Fox series Mental. Vance’s other credits have included recurring roles on Burn Notice and Dexter, as well as guest spots on Fairly Legal and Crossing Lines.↧
ICYMI: SSN’s Top Original Stories From 7/14 – 7/18/14
Celebrating the Kickstarter Short Film Festival with SSN’s Top Crowdfunds for Crossover
In celebration of successfully-funded Kickstarter projects at the Film Fest and in theaters, SSN has compiled its third Kickstarter list of the best and brightest talent and projects currently raising money. (SSN)It’s Never Too Soon To Talk About Oscar – SSN’s Top Picks for Award Hopefuls
Pardon us if we scoff at the notion that a film must come out as the leaves start falling to be taken seriously as an Oscar contender. SSN decided it’s not too early to start handicapping how films that have already seen the inside of a theater this year, so far, will fare. (SSN)Will There be a Marvel Mini-Park? Behind the Past, Present & Future of Disneyland with Imagineer Lisa Girolami
Lisa Girolami feels blessed to be a part of the Disneyland dream: “I’m so fortunate to be here six decades after Walt first walked down Main Street, believing that this place would never be finished…To be able to ‘hide’ the tech stuff so that a child can experience one of their favorite characters as real is the best accomplishment.” (SSN)How to Fix the Emmy Categories & Even the Playing Field
Yes, the Emmys are more than a little broken. Any competition that won’t nominate the magnificent Tatiana Maslany from BBC America’s Orphan Black can’t be taken terribly seriously. But steps can be made to fix this, and here are a few suggestions…(SSN)Emmy Noms Finally Show a Solid Uptick in Diversity
Woeful is the Academy’s record in honoring performers of color when you consider that of the approximately 700 Emmys handed out in its 65-year history, a mere 36 have gone to black actors. This year, minority performers are in relative abundance for once – with 10 black acting nominees spread across six categories – and that’s something to genuinely celebrate. (SSN)Is John Lasseter Right to Theatrically Release DisneyToon Studios’ Planes: Fire and Rescue?
Why were both Planes and Planes: Fire and Rescue full-blown theatrical releases when they were originally developed as direct-to-video spin-offs? It has to do with the tumultuous journey of Tinker Bell. (SSN)↧
On The Set For 7/21/14: Meg Ryan Directs & Stars In ‘Ithaca’ Adaptation Starting For Playtone, TWC’s ‘Tulip Fever’ Wraps
Starts
The Hollars 07/15/2014 Logline: John Hollar, an aspiring New York City artist, brings his girlfriend to his Middle America hometown on the eve of his mother's brain surgery. Production Companies: Sunday Night Productions, Sycamore Pictures Director: John Krasinski Executive Producers: Janice Williams, James C Strouse, Allyson Seeger Producers: Michael London, Tom Rice, Ben Nearn Cast: John Krasinski, Anna Kendrick, Richard Jenkins, Margo Martindale, Sharlto Copley, Charlie Day Screenwriter: James C Strouse SSN Insight: The Hollars marks the second feature film directed by John Krasinski, after 2009′s Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. The Family Fang 07/21/2014 Logline: Performance artist parents decide to execute one last monumental performance, much to the chagrin of their now-grown children who are still dealing with childhood resentments. Production Companies: Blossom Films, Olympus Pictures, Aggregate Films, QED International, Red Crown Productions Director: Jason Bateman Executive Producers: Bill Block, Daniel Crown Producers: Nicole Kidman, Per Saari, Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech, Jason Bateman, Jim Garavente, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Riva Marker Cast: Nicole Kidman, Jason Bateman, Christopher Walken Screenwriter: David Lindsay-Abaire Details: Based on the novel The Family Fang, written by Kevin Wilson and published by Ecco on August 9, 2011. SSN Insight: The Family Fang marks the second feature film directed by Jason Bateman, after 2013′s Bad Words. Ithaca 07/21/2014 Logline: When his older brother goes to fight in WWII, 14-year-old Homer looks after their family and works as a telegraph messenger, delivering messages of love, hope and pain in their small town. Production Company: Playtone Director: Meg Ryan Executive Producers: Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman Producers: Janet Brenner, Laura Ivey, Meg Ryan, Erik Jendresen Cast: Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Jack Quaid, Hamish Linklater Screenwriter: Erik Jendresen Details: Based on the novel The Human Comedy, written by William Saroyan and published by Harcourt, Brace and Company in 1943. SSN Insight: Ithaca is the fourth feature film in which Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks have acted together. The first was Joe Versus the Volcano (USA/1990), followed by Sleepless in Seattle (USA/1993) and You've Got Mail (USA/1998). Burning Bodhi 07/15/2014 Logline: When a man in his 20s learns that one of his best friends from high school has died of an aneurysm, he goes back to his hometown where he faces issues with friends and family. Production Companies: Enchantment Films, Savage Bunny, Untitled Entertainment Director: Matthew McDuffie Producers: Marshall Bear, Mary Vernieu, Michael Lazo Cast: Landon Liboiron, Kaley Cuoco, Cody Horn, Virginia Madsen Screenwriter: Matthew McDuffie SSN Insight: Burning Bodhi is the feature directorial debut of Matthew McDuffie.Wraps
Untitled (Reese Witherspoon/Sofia Vergara Comedy) 07/15/2014 Logline: A police officer and her prisoner, a drug boss’s widow, must venture through Texas and stay one step ahead of the crooked cops and dangerous criminals pursuing them. Studio: MGM, New Line Production Companies: Pacific Standard, Latin World Entertainment Director: Anne Fletcher Executive Producers: Sofia Vergara, Luis Balaguer Producers: Reese Witherspoon, Bruna Papandrea, Dana Fox, Jeff Waxman Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sophia Vergara, John Carroll Lynch Screenwriters: John Quaintance, David Feeney SSN Insight: The story is set in Texas but the project was filmed in and around New Orleans, Louisiana, birth city of producer and star Reese Witherspoon, who was born at Southern Baptist Hospital while her father was a medical school student at Tulane University. Tulip Fever 07/15/2014 Logline: During the 17th-century Tulip Wars, a married noblewoman has an affair with an artist and switches identities with her maid to escape the wealthy merchant she married. Studio: The Weinstein Company Production Companies: Ruby Films, Mark Gordon Company, Filmwave, Adam Schroeder Entertainment Director: Justin Chadwick Producers: Alison Owen, Paul Trijbits, Mark Gordon, Faye Ward Cast: Christoph Waltz, Dane DeHaan, Jack O'Connell, Holliday Grainger, David Harewood, Matthew Morrison Screenwriters: Tom Stoppard, Peter Chelsom Details: Based on the novel Tulip Fever, written by Deborah Moggach and published by Delacorte Press on April 11, 2000. SSN Insight: Jim Broadbent, Keira Knightley, and Jude Law previously attached to star. Goosebumps 07/16/2014 Logline: When demons are unleashed in a small town, a newly arrived teenage boy must make things peaceful once again. Studio: Columbia Pictures Production Companies: Scholastic Productions, Original Film Director: Rob Letterman Executive Producer: Tania Landau Producers: Deborah Forte, Jess Siegler, Neal H. Moritz Cast: Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Halston Sage, Timothy C. Simons. Odeya Rush Screenwriters: Darren Lemke Details: Based on the series Goosebumps, written by R.L. Stine and published by Scholastic from 1992 to 1997. Sixty-two books were published under the Goosebumps title. SSN Insight: Tim Burton was previously attached to produce. Wild Oats 07/15/2014 Logline: When a woman accidentally receives a check for millions, her friend convinces her to keep the money and they both end up on a mad dash towards paradise. Studio: Dimension Films Production Companies: Wild Pictures, Trivision Pictures, Konwiser Brothers Director: Andy Tennant Executive Producers: Michael Mailer, Mike Dolan Producers: Blythe Frank, Agathe David-Weill, Alexander Tabrizi, Kip Konwiser, Hilary Shor Cast: Shirley MacLaine, Jessica Lange, Demi Moore, Billy Connolly, Judd Hirsch Screenwriters: Claudia Myers, Gary Kanew, Kenneth Lonergan (revisions) SSN Insight: Howard Deutch was previously attached to direct.↧
TV Castings For 7/23/14: Elisabeth Rohm Set As Series Regualar For CBS’s ‘Stalker’
Pilots
Anthony Hopkins and Evan Rachel Wood are the first to join HBO’s Westworld, about a robot malfunction that creates havoc and terror for unsuspecting vacationers at a futuristic, adult-themed amusement park. Susan Heyward, Max Fowler and Adam Godley have been cast in Playstation’s Powers, set in a world full of people with superhuman abilities and where all of those powers are just another catalyst for mayhem and murder. June Diane Raphael and Baron Vaughn join Netflix’s Grace & Frankie, that follow two long-time nemeses who are faced with the last chapter of their lives - though not in the way they expected. Deborah Ann Woll is set for Netflix’s Daredevil . Jason Lee joins Amazon’s Cocked, about an estranged son who must return to work with his father and brother at his family’s gun manufacturing company after a corporate rival, run by their uncle, moves to take them over. Aaron Ashmore, Luke Macfarlane and Hanna John Kamen have been cast in Syfy’s Killjoy, about a fun-loving, hard -living trio of interplanetary bounty hunters who are sworn to remain impartial as they chase deadly warrants throughout the Quad, a distant system on the brink of a bloody, multiplanetary class war. Ambyr Childers, Beau Mirchoff and Chance Kelly will both recur on NBC’s Aquarius, about an L.A. police sergeant with a complicated personal life who starts tracking a small-time criminal and budding cult leader seeking out vulnerable women to join his "cause." Charley Koontz has been cast as a series regular in CBS’ CSI: Cyber, that centers on the Cyber Crime Division of the FBI in Quantico, VA, who are tasked to solve major crimes that start in the mind, live online, and play out into the real world.Current Series
John Boyd is set to recur on Fox’s Bones. Dermot Mulroney will recur in season 5 of Showtime’s Shameless. Amanda Settonand William Mapother (Lost) are joining the cast of CBS’ Hawaii Five-0. Marco James has landed a recurring role on CW’s The Vampire Diaries. Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Emily C. Chang and Jayson Warner Smith will guest star. Ryan Sands (The Wire) will guest star on ABC’s Castle. Josie Loren is scheduled to recur in season 7 of CBS’ The Mentalist. Steven Pasquale has joined the cast of the upcoming sixth season of CBS’ The Good Wife. Jaime Pressly will recur on CBS’ Mom. Malcolm-Jamal Warner has landed a recurring role on the seventh season of FX’s Sons of Anarchy. Brian Hallisay joins ABC’s Revenge. Lucy Lawless will guest star on ABC’s Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Lynn Collins lands a recurring role in season 5 of USA’s Covert Affairs. Rhea Perlman will join the cast of Fox’s The Mindy Project. Maude Apatow to guest star on season 4 of HBO’s Girls. Chris Colfer has landed a guest starring role on TV Land’s Hot in Cleveland. Sarah Lancaster joins Lifetime’s Witches of East End. Portia de Rossi has booked a recurring role on ABC’s Scandal. Michelle Fairley will guest star on ABC’s Resurrection.New Series
Rob Kerkovich joins NCIS: New Orleans as a forensic scientist. Ernie Hudson will guest star in Lifetime’s The Lottery. Wentworth Miller is set to guest star on CW’s The Flash. Alicia Witt and Jamie Kennedy will both guest star on DirecTV’s Kingdom. Bernadette Peters will guest star on Bravo’s Girlfriends Guide to Divorce. Craig Bierko will star in Lifetime’s Un-Real. Elisabeth Rohm joins CBS’ Stalker as a series regular. Regina King will recur on ABC’s American Crime. David Andrews is set to recur in at least 6 episodes of ABC’s The Whispers. Meaghan Rath will recur on ABC’s Secrets & Lies.↧
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FIlm Development For 7/24/14: Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt To Co-Produce & Star In ‘By The Sea’ For Universal
NEW ATTACHMENTS
What Alice Forgot Logline: A young woman, Alice, suffers a head injury and wakes to find that she actually might be 10 years older and forgotten a decade of her life. Studio/Distributor: TriStar Productions Production Company: Anonymous Content Producers: Steve Golin, Rosalie Swedlin, Kerry Kohansky Roberts, Vincent Sheehan (Executive Producer) Writer: Shauna Cross Director: David Frankel Details: Based on the novel What Alice Forgot, written by Liane Moriarty and published by Macmillan Australia on May 1, 2009. SSN Insight: Head of TriStar, Tom Rothman was previously at Fox where he collaborated with director David Frankel on Marley & Me and The Devil Wears Prada. The Ring 3 Logline: A group of high school students have to find someone to watch an evil videotape or else they'll all die. Studio/Distributor: Paramount Pictures Production Companies: Parkes/MacDonald Productions, Benderspink, Macari/Edelstein Entertainment, Vertigo Entertainment Producers: Walter Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, Roy Lee (Executive Producer), Doug Davison (Executive Producer), Mike Macari (Executive Producer), Neil Machlis (Executive Producer), Chris Bender (Executive Producer), JC Spink (Executive Producer), Neal Edelstein (Executive Producer) Writer: David Loucka Director: F. Javier Gutierrez Details: Second sequel to The Ring (USA/2002) directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Naomi Watts, and remake of short film Rings (USA/2005) directed by Jonathan Liebesman. SSN Insight: Project marks director F. Javier Gutierrez’s second studio genre franchise (Relativity/The Crow Sequel). Tupperware Unsealed Logline: Earl Silas Tupper may have invented Tupperware, but it was sales executive Brownie Wise who, in the 1950s, made it a household name. Studio/Distributor: Columbia Pictures Production Companies: Wyolah Films, Steele Mill Productions, Mandeville Films/TV Producers: Tate Taylor, Todd Lieberman, David Hoberman, Tom Shelly, John Norris (Executive Producer), Alex Young (Executive Producer) Cast: Sandra Bullock Writer: Tate Taylor Director: Tate Taylor Details: Based on the book Tupperware, Unsealed : Brownie Wise, Earl Tupper, and the Home Party Pioneers, written by Bob Kealing and published by University Press of Florida, Gainesville in 2008. SSN Insight: Project marks the 2nd Biopic project for Tate Taylor (Get on Up) and the first official role that Sandra Bullock has accepted since her Oscar-nomination for Gravity. Mercy Road Logline: Inspired by real events, a small town sheriff who loses his daughter to cancer discovers she had been given counterfeit medication prior to her death. Production Companies: Tripod Entertainment, DragonSlate Media, Cheyenne Enterprises, Coin Toss Creative Producers: Leon Tan, Roy Freirich, Arnold Rifkin, Jay Judah Writer: Roy Freirich Director: Aaron Wilson SSN Insight: Project marks director Aaron Wilson’s sophomore feature (Canopy).NEW PROJECTS
Untitled Shel Silverstein Biopic Logline: The life of children’s book author, poet, cartoonist and lyricist Shel Silverstein is chronicled. Production Companies: Wonderland Sound and Vision, Motion Theory, Royal Viking Entertainment Producers: McG, Mary Viola, Sean Sorensen, Matthew Cullen Writers: Paul Vicknair (adaptation), Chris Shafer (adaptation) Details: Based on the book A Boy Named Shel: The Life and Times of Shel Silverstein, written by Lisa Rogak and published by Thomas Dunne Books in 2007. SSN Insight: Project marks writing team of Paul Vicnair and Chris Shafer 3rd collaboration with Wonderland Sound and Vision (A Many Splintered Thing and The Girl Who Conned the Ivy League). A Man Called Death Logline: Storyline is under wraps. Production Companies: Addictive Pictures, Energy Entertainment Producers: Brooklyn Weaver, John Schoenfelder, Russell Ackerman, David Binns (Executive Producer), Matthew Kennedy (Executive Producer) Writer: Matthew Kennedy SSN Insight: Project marks first spec sale for writer Matthew Kennedy. By the Sea Logline: Storyline is under wraps. Studio/Distributor: Universal Pictures Production Companies: Plan B Entertainment, Jolie Pas Producers: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt Cast: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt Writer: Angelina Jolie Director: Angelina Jolie SSN Insight: Project marks the 2nd time that Angelina Jolie with co-star with Brad Pitt (Mr. & Mrs. Smith) and will be the 1st time that she directs her husband on film.↧
Exec Shuffle For 7/25/14: AMC, A+E Networks, TLC, Universal Cable Productions, FremantleMedia
Company Launches
3BlackDot: Digital content executives and producers Angelo Pullen, Luke Stepelton, and Hank Stepelton have joined with YouTube personalities Tom Cassell and Adam Montoya to launch 3BlackDot, a digital video and game production shingle with a focus on social media marketing. The group has also launched a video production wing, Pickaxe, which will produce content for traditional distribution platforms as well as digital distribution platforms. iQiyi Pictures: Chinese online video platform, iQiyi has launched a new movie production studio iQiyi Pictures. The studio hopes to work with established production companies to raise funds, provide audience data and participate in marketing. Origin Digital Studios: Mark Miller has launched new VFX house Origin Digital Studios in Burbank. Origin hopes to focus on television, films, commercials as well as various special projects. Water’s End Productions: Writer/Director Tom Dolby has launched his own production shingle, Water’s End Productions. The company is going to develop and produce projects and Dolby is seeking partners to help him finance.Studios, Networks, and Media Conglomerates
20th Century Fox Television: Mike Raab has been named Analyst, Brand Management & Digital Media. A+E Networks: Lee Boykoff has been named Vice President, Digital Analytics & CRM. Julya Fridman has been named Vice President, Multiplatform & Distribution Analytics. Tom Pellegrino has been named Senior Vice President, Brand Research. Marcela Tabares has been named Senior Vice President, Revenue Research. Alibaba: Zhang Qiang has joined as Head of the Film Group. AMC: Drew Brown has joined as Senior Vice President, Production. CBS Corporation: Wolfgang Hammer has been named Digital Content Consultant. HGTV & DIY Network: John Feld has been named Vice President, Programming & Production. Scripps Networks Interactive: Crystal B. Washington has been named Senior Vice President, External Relations & Vendor Management. TVGN: Debra Wichser has joined as Chief Financial Officer.Film
Alpine Labs: Jamie Denenberg has been named Partner and Chief Strategy Officer. Illumination Entertainment: Jessica Hall has joined as Vice President, Development. MPAA: Joanna McIntosh has joined as Executive Vice President Global Policy and External Affairs.Television
Echo Lake Entertainment: Chris Davis has joined as Vice President, Television. FremantleMedia: Chris O’Dell has been named Head, Global Entertainment Production. Hud:sun Media: Nick Borenstein has joined as Manager, TV Development. Talpa Media US: Jay Bienstock has joined as the Chief Executive Officer. TLC: Tom King has joined as Vice President, Creative Marketing. Zodiak New York: French Horwitz has joined as Vice President, Development & Current.Agencies, Management Companies, Public Relations, and Law Firms
Converge Media Group: Steven Watterman has been named Manager. The Schiff Company: Michael Diamond has joined as Literary Manager.Cable
National Geographic Channel: Tim Pastore has joined as President, Original Programming. Nickelodeon: Angela Silak has been named Coordinator, Original Movies. Universal Cable Productions: Kate Fenske has joined as Vice President, Development. Elise Henderson has joined as Vice President, Development.Digital
All Def Digital: Sanjay Sharma has joined as President and Chief Operating Officer. Facebook: Dan Reed has joined as Head, Global Sports Partnerships. Machinima: Tricia White has joined as Chief People Officer.↧
Rep Moves For 7/25/14: CAA, WME, Abrams Artists Agency, More/Medavoy Management
Agencies
Abrams Artists Agency: Actor Lane Garrison is now a client in the theatrical department.Garrison is currently appearing in a role on the new El Rey network series From Dusk Til Dawn. He also will recur in a role on The CW’s upcoming series The Messengers. However, Garrison is probably best known to audiences for his breakthrough role, portraying David “Tweeney” Apolskis on the hit Fox series Prison Break. His other television roles have included playing Buck Barrow in 2013’s mini-series Bonnie and Clyde: Dead and Alive and recurring on NBC’s The Event. Garrison's feature credits have included Shooter, opposite Mark Wahlberg, and Camp X-Ray, opposite Kristen Stewart. The latter film premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival and will be released in late 2014.Garrison continues to be managed by Matt Floyd and Dannielle Thomas at Untitled. CAA: Actor, producer, writer and director Andy Garcia is now repped by Franklin Latt, Kevin Huvane, Chris Andrews, Michael Katcher, Tony Etz and Christy Haubegger. Garcia will soon appear in the feature films Kill the Messenger and Let’s Be Cops, opposite Damon Wayans, Jr. and Jake Johnson. Starting off his career in the early eighties, Garcia has led a prolific career with memorable roles in such features as The Untouchables, The Godfather Part III, Internal Affairs, Black Rain, When A Man Loves a Woman and the Ocean’s Eleven franchise. In 2005, Garcia moved into directing, helming his first feature The Lost City, in which he starred opposite Dustin Hoffman and Bill Murray. Up next, the busy actor is set to appear in What About Love, Max Steel and Headlock. He will also direct and star in Hemingway and Fuentes, a feature he co-wrote with Hilary Hemingway, the niece of Ernest Hemingway. Garcia was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Godfather, Part III. CAA: Writer and producer David E Kelley is now repped by Rob Kenneally and Joe Cohen. He was previously with WME. Kelley most recently created and produced the hit CBS series The Crazy Ones, starring Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Starting his career as a writer on the Steven Bochco series L.A. Law, Kelley went on to executive produce that series and then co-create Doogie Howser M.D. with Bochco in 1992. After launching David E Kelley Productions, Kelly subsequently created and produced a slew of iconic series including Picket Fences, Chicago Hope, The Practice, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Boston Legal and Harry’s Law. Kelley is one of the few producers to have their series run on all four of the top U.S. networks. In addition to his multiple Emmy wins, Kelley also pulled off the rare feat of winning both Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Comedy Series in 1999, for his series The Practice and Ally McBeal respectively. CAA: Reggaeton star Yandel is now repped by Bruno Del Granado. Yandel recently completed his first solo U.S. tour, in support of his second solo album De Lider a Leyenda. Emerging on the music scene in 1995, Yandel is probably best known as a member of the Reggaton duo Wisin & Yandel and overall the Grammy-winning singer-producer has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide. In 2003, Yandel released his first solo album Quien Contra Mí. His second album De Lider a Leyenda followed last year, which featured the singles "Hasta Abajo" and "Hable De Ti." Yandel also served as a coach on the third season Mexico’s version of The Voice, La Voz… Mexico. UTA: Actor Michael Landes is now repped by Nancy Gates and Darren Boghosian. Landes recently starred opposite Anne Heche in the NBC series Save Me. He’s also appeared in guest roles on The Crazy Ones and Reckless. Starting his career on ABC’s The Wonder Years, Landes is probably best known for his role as Jimmy Olsen in the first season of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. He also starred in the UPN series Special Unit 2 and he served as a series regular on the Series 1 of the BBC show Love Soap. His other television credits include recurring parts on Ghost Whisperer, Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 and the BBC series Material Girl. His feature credits include Final Destination 2, Last Chance Harvey, Possession, 11-11-11 and Burlesque. WME Entertainment: Screenwriter and producer Ed Ricourt is now repped in all areas. After years of struggle and penning several buzzed-about scripts that went unproduced, Ricourt finally got his big break with last year’s hit feature Now You See Me, which starred Jesse Eisenberg and Mark Ruffalo, and ended up grossing $351 million worldwide. Ricourt co-scripted that film with Boaz Yakin, sharing screen credit with Ed Solomon. Next up, Ricourt is set to be a consulting producer on the upcoming Netflix/Marvel series Jessica Jones, about an ex-superheroine who now runs her own detective agency. He’s also scripting the graphic novel adaptation Anomaly. Ricourt continues to be managed by Madhouse Entertainment.Management Companies
Maverick: Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys has signed with Ron Laffitte and Guy Oseary for management. Keys is currently at work on her sixth album after her previous album Girl on Fire debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Releasing her first studio album with 2001’s Songs in A Minor, Keys’ debut went on to sell over 12 million copies worldwide and earned Keys five Grammy awards, including Best New Artist and Song of the Year for “Fallin.” Her subsequent albums have included The Diary of Alicia Keys, Unplugged, As I Am, Element of Freedom and Girl on Fire. In addition to her music career, Keys has made numerous television appearances and she has acted in such features as Smokin’ Aces, The Nanny Diaries and The Secret Life of Bees. Altogether, Keys has collected a total of 15 Grammys and has sold over 35 million albums and 30 million singles worldwide. In 2010, VH1 included Keys in their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. More/Medavoy Management: Actress and screenwriter Sarah Wayne Callies is now repped by Erwin More and Brian Medavoy. Callies will soon appear in the New Line/Warner Bros. feature Into the Storm, which will be released on August 8th. She also recently wrapped production on The Other Side of the Door, helmed by Johanne Roberts. Callies is probably best known, however, for her role playing Lori Grimes on The Walking Dead, as well as portraying Dr. Sara Tancredi for five seasons on Prison Break. Starting her career in the early 2000s, Callies’ first starring role was on the 2003 WB series Tarzan. She also played a recurring character on the CBS show Queens Supreme. In addition to her acting career, Callies is a screenwriter, having previously optioned a screenplay to the Toronto-based company Film Farm. She is currently penning a project for Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Productions.↧
ICYMI: SSN’s Top Originals From 7/21 – 7/25/14
ICYMI: SSN’S TOP ORIGINALS FOR 7/21 – 7/25/14
Comic-Con: The 8 Hot Comics Ripe for Film & TV Development
It can be hard to weed through the massive array of booths and panels for available properties, so SSN has done the legwork for you, picking eight properties with both big and small screen potential here (SSN)Comic-Con: How Dark Horse Is Empowering Creators – Their 8 Most Innovative Comics
Dark Horse continues its mission to empower the best creators to do their best work, an M.O. that’s working out pretty well for companies like Netflix (who earned 31 Emmy nominations this year) who trust their talent and wind up with stronger properties because of it. SSN takes a look at a few Dark Horse titles that prove the notion that trusting creators yields innovative work, starting here (SSN)Spotlight: How Zachary Levi Made Nerd HQ the Place to Be During Comic-Con
Actor Zachary Levi is also known as the man who started Nerd Machine, a lifestyle brand for geek culture that sprung up in 2010; since 2011 they’ve held the annual Nerd HQ confab in San Diego during Comic-Con. Read on for a behind the scenes look at how the event was created and the months it takes to plan. (SSN)Outside Hall H: Your Go-To List of the Lounges, Development Troves, & Mini-Cons Happening In and Around Comic-Con
Luckily for industry execs, a few companies have struck out on their own and created events outside the main venue where new ideas and burgeoning talent can be found. Here’s SSN’s list of events, mini-conventions and some hidden hideaways, where you’ll get a breath of fresh air and maybe even some properties ripe for development. (SSN)Spotlight: Magic In the Moonlight’s Jacki Weaver on Woody Allen vs. David O. Russell
SSN spoke to two-time Oscar nominee Jacki Weaver about landing her first role in a Woody Allen film, what it was like to shoot in the south of France, and how Allen compares to David. O Russell. (SSN)↧
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On The Set For 7/28/14: ‘Ted 2′ Starts For Universal Pictures, ‘The Greens Are Gone’ Wraps
Starts
Race 07/25/2014 Logline: The film focuses on how African American athlete Jesse Owens destroyed Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy by winning four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Production Companies: Forecast Pictures, ID+, Solofilm Company, Trinity Race GmbH Director: Stephen Hopkins Executive Producers: Christophe Charlier, Ben Grass, Scott Kennedy, Bonnie Timmermann, George Acogny, Nicolas Manuel, Al Munteanu Producers: Luc Dayan, Jean-Charles Levy, Kate Garwood, Stephen Hopkins, Louis-Philippe Rochon, Dominique Séguin, Karsten Brunig, Thierry Potok Cast: Stephan James, Jeremy Irons, Geoffrey Rush, Jason Sudeikis Screenwriter: Anna Waterhouse, Joe Shrapnel SSN Insight: John Boyega was attached to star until he left the project for a major role in Star Wars: Episode VII. Ted 2 07/23/2014 Logline: John Bennett's new love interest poses problems for Ted, but the talking bear ultimately has bigger fish to fry. Studio: Universal Pictures Production Companies: Bluegrass Films, Media Rights Capital Director: Seth MacFarlane Producers: Scott Stuber, Seth MacFarlane Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane (voice), Jessica Barth, Amanda Seyfried Screenwriter: Seth MacFarlane Details: Sequel to Ted (USA/2012) directed by Seth MacFarlane and starring Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis. SSN Insight: Mark Wahlberg has said that Seth MacFarlane is even more secretive about the production of Ted 2 than Michael Bay is about the Transformers franchise. Into the Forest 07/28/2014 Logline: Two sisters, living in a remote area, struggle as the world seems to collapse around them and must reexamine their lives and relationship. Production Companies: DAS Films, Vie Entertainment Director: Patricia Rozema Executive Producers: Kelly Bush Novak, Haroon "Boon" Saleem, Sriram Das Producers: Ellen Page, Karine Martin Cast: Ellen Page, Evan Rachel Wood Screenwriter: Patricia Rozema Details: Based on the novel Into the Forest, written by Jean Hegland and published by Bantam on September 2, 1997. SSN Insight: Project marks Ellen Page's first feature film producer credit. The Christmas Pearl 07/28/2014 Logline: A miracle happens when the family of a 93-year-old matriarch gathers at her home for a tension-filled Christmas: the ghost of her former maid Pearl comes back for the occasion. Production Companies: One Ho Productions, Julius R Nasso Productions Director: Felix Enriquez Alcala Executive Producers: Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Leonardis, Jeff Sackman Producers: Jeff Kranzdorf, David Belafonte, Julius R Nasso Cast: Whoopi Goldberg Screenwriter: Anne Rapp Details: Based on the novel The Christmas Pearl, written by Dorothea Benton Frank and published by Avon Books in 2009. SSN Insight: Whoopi Goldberg provided the voice of Blizzard, the magical reindeer, in the Christmas film Blizzard (USA/2002), directed by Levar Burton.Wraps
The Bronze 07/26/2014 Logline: A has-been bronze-medal winning gymnast must coach a young Olympic hopeful, with the goal of gaining access to a former coach’s inheritance. Production Company: Duplass Brothers Productions Director: Bryan Buckley Executive Producers: Melissa Rauch, Winston Rauch, Bryan Buckley Producer: Stephanie Langhoff Cast: Melissa Rauch, Gary Cole, Thomas Middleditch, Sebastian Stan Screenwriters: Melissa Rauch, Winston Rauch SSN Insight: Project marks the feature directorial debut of noted commercials director Bryan Buckley. The Greens Are Gone 07/24/2014 Logline: A mother is pushed to her tipping point by the disappearance of her son. Production Company: Lockwood Pictures Director: Peer Pedersen Executive Producers: Megan Griffiths, Lacey Leavitt Producers: Adam Gibbs, Michael Kristoff, Roger J Pugliese, Annelise Dekker Cast: Kaitlyn Dever, Catherine Keener, Anton Yelchin, Annie Starke, Cary Elwes, Maya Rudolph Screenwriter: Peer Pedersen SSN Insight: Project marks the feature directorial debut of Peer Pedersen. The Runner 07/27/2014 Logline: A Louisiana politician is forced to confront his dysfunctional life after his career is destroyed in a sex scandal following the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Production Companies: Paper Street Films, Back Lot Pictures Director: Austin Stark Executive Producers: Ruth Mutch, Noah Millman, Sam Bisbee, Tom Conigliaro Producers: Glenn Williamson, Benji Kohn, Bingo Gubelmann, Chris Papavasiliou, Erika Hampson Cast: Nicolas Cage, Connie Nielsen, Sarah Paulson Screenwriter: Austin Stark SSN Insight: Madeline Stowe was previously attached as a member of the cast. San Andreas 3D 07/27/2014 Logline: After a devastating earthquake hits California, a man makes a perilous trip across the state to rescue his estranged daughter. Studio: New Line Cinema Production Companies: Flynn Picture Co., Contrafilm, Vinson Films, Village Roadshow Pictures Director: Brad Peyton Producers: Beau Flynn, Tripp Vinson Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Alexandra Daddario, Carla Gugino, Kylie Minogue, Paul Giamatti Screenwriters: Carey Hayes (current draft), Chad Hayes (current draft), Carlton Cuse (previous draft), Allan Loeb (previous draft) SSN Insight: While the story takes place throughout California after a fictional earthquake, the majority of the movie was shot in Australia, along with two days of filming in Los Angeles in May, 2014, and a week of filming in San Francisco in July, 2014.↧
TV Development For 7/29/14: Joseph Fiennes To Star In & Executive Produce ‘Nostradamus’
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TV Castings For 7/30/14: Mary-Louise Parker & Krysten Ritter Set For NBC’s ‘The Blacklist’
Pilots
Aimee Garcia and Mircea Monroe have joined TV Land’s Impastor, which follows a low-life on the run from his debts who hides away in a small town by conning them into thinking he’s their newly hired gay pastor. Michael Landes has been cast in ABC’s Members Only, an upstairs/downstairs soap set at a private country club. Ron Livingston is set to play the lead in AMC’s We Hate Paul Revere, that centers on two brothers living in Colonial Boston who are not fans of local industrialist and activist Paul Revere. Brooklyn Decker and Ethan Embry have joined Netflix’s Grace and Frankie, about two long-time nemeses who are faced with the last chapter of their lives - though not in the way they expected.Current Series
Jessica Biel and Reid Scott will guest star on Fox’s New Girl. Finn Wittrock and John Carroll Lynch have joined season 4 of FX’s American Horror Story. Lisa Rinna and Eileen Davidson are joining season 5 of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Jonathan Pryce, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rosabell Lauretti-Sellers, Jessica Henwick, Enzo Cilenti, DeObia Oparel, Nell Tiger Free, Toby Sebastian, Alexander Siddig join HBO’s fifth season of Game of Thrones. Nick Blood and Reed Diamond will guest starin ABC’s Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Simon Kassianides is set to recur. Lea Michele is set to guest star in season 7 of FX’s Sons of Anarchy. Mary-Louise Parker and Krysten Ritter join season 2 of NBC’s The Blacklist. Mozhan Marnò has been cast as a regular. Allison Tolman will be guest-voicing on season 6 of FX’s Archer. Blair Brown heads to Season 3 of Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black. Nicki Minaj will lend her voice to Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe. Tyler Jacob Moore (Shameless, GCB) and John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings) have been cast in ABC’s Once Upon a Time. J.R. Ramirez will guest star on CW’s Arrow. Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer) is scheduled to guest star on Fox’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Elena Satine has been cast in a recurring role on ABC’s Revenge. Mark Valley will recur on CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Shawn Doyle is set to recur in USA’s Covert Affairs. Donna Murphy has landed a recurring role on ABC’s Resurrection.New Series
Melissa Gilbert will recur on ABC’s Secrets & Lies. Tara Lynne Barr and Claire Holt will appear on NBC’s Aquarius. Kahyun Kim has joined NBC’s Mysteries Of Laura in a recurring role. Cuba Gooding Jr., Michael Madsen and Keith David will recur on Comedy Central’s Big Time In Hollywood, FL. Emily Hampshire and Tom Noonan will recur on Syfy’s 12 Monkeys. Kelly Frye will guest star in CW’s The Flash.↧
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