SSN Awards Spotlights: Asghar Farhadi, Haifaa Al-Mansour, Sebastian Lelio, Thomas Vinterberg, Oscar Analysis Part 2: Warner Bros.
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TV Castings For 12/19/13: Prince To Guest Star On ‘New Girl’ For Fox
Pilots
Rob Corddry joins HBO’s Ballers, about the lives of retired athletes living in Miami. Shaun Toub has been cast as a series regular on NBC’s Tin Man, about a fugitive robot accused of first-degree murder who may hold the key to the future of human evolution - and the young female public defender forced to fight for his cause. Rosie Perez will co-star opposite Jack Whitehall in ABC’s An American Education, about a British transplant and an unorthodox young teacher in the San Diego public school system named Alfie who loves his students. But his youthful, often naive enthusiasm and unconventional methods put him at odds with the test-obsessed administrators. Telma Hopkins has been cast as Martin Lawrence’s mother in FX’s Braddock & Jackson, about two lawyers from vastly different backgrounds who develop a partnership after they unexpectedly meet in court on the worst day of their lives. Adrianne Palicki, Jake Busey and Lane Garrison have joined El Rey’s From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, centering on career criminal Seth Gecko and his older, seriously unstable brother Richie, as well as a Texas Ranger who sets out in pursuit of them. Kevin Zegers will play the young reporter on Fox’s Gracepoint, which follows the tragic and mysterious death of a young boy found dead on an idyllic beach surrounded by rocks and a jutting cliff-face, from where he may have fallen. Although the cause of his death remains unsolved, the picturesque seaside town where the tragedy occurred is at the heart of a major police investigation and a nationwide media frenzy. Ashley Williams is set to play Jim Gaffigan’s wife in CBS’ Untitled Jim Gaffigan Project, that centers on a big Catholic family with five kids. Jim is usually dependent on his cheerful, totally unscattered wife to know what's best for him, but decides it's time get a vasectomy and stop the insanity. Joshua Sasse, Karen David, Mallory Jansen and Luke Youngblood have been cast in ABC’s Galavant, that centers on a handsome Prince and his quest for revenge over the King who stole his one true love.Current Series
Skylar Astin will guest star on Fox’s Glee, as the leader of a competing group at Nationals. Tom Berenger is scheduled to guest star on CBS’ Hawaii Five-0, as Scott Caan’s father. Jamie-Lynn Sigler joins Fox’s Dads, as a love interest for Seth Green’s character. Brett Cullen is set to recur on ABC’s Revenge. Gail O’Grady will guest star. Kelly Clarkson will guest star on ABC’s Nashville. Eddie Matos has landed a recurring role on CW’s Hart of Dixie. Portia de Rossi will recur as Sean Hayes’ ex-wife on NBC’s Sean Saves the World. AJ Michalka is set to guest star on ABC’s The Goldbergs. Adam Sandler will appear as himself on Fox’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Prince will play himself on Fox’s New Girl. Linda Cardellini will recur as Zooey Deschanel’s sister. Cheryl Hines has been cast on NBC’s The Crazy Ones. Danny Trejo is set to guest star on CBS’ NCIS: Los Angeles. Dominic Adams has joined Lifetime’s Devious Maids as a new series regular. Jane Seymour, Ed Asner and Alanna Masterson will guest star on TBS’ Men at Work. Steven Yeun will lend his voice to Fox’s American Dad. Serinda Swan is set to guest star on CW’s The Tomorrow People. Marlee Matlin will play a judge on Fox’s Glee. Josh Peck has been cast in a guest star role on CBS’ The Big Bang Theory.New Series
Nia Long has joined WEtv’s The Divide, about a district attorney who reopens a high-profile murder case after new evidence comes to light. Amy Gumenick is set to recur on AMC’s Turn, about the story of George Washington's spy agency. Annie Mumolo will have a major recurring role on NBC’s About A Boy, that follows a bachelor and his friendship with his new neighbor's young son. Diane Neal has landed a recurring role on Starz’s Power, the story of a New York night club owner who walks the line between legal and illegal activity.↧
SSN Awards Originals: Tim Webber, Joe Letteri, ‘The Lone Ranger’s Train Sequence, Oscar Analysis Part Three: Warner Bros.
AWARDS ORIGINALS
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Awards Spotlight: ‘Gravity’ VFX Supervisor Tim Webber on Inventing the “Light Box” & Suspending Sandra Bullock with the 12-Wire Rig
A previous Oscar nominee for his work on The Dark Knight, Webber is an absolute lock to earn a second nod for his groundbreaking, mind-blowing work, and is most certainly the frontrunner to win it all. (SSN)Awards Spotlight: ‘The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug’ VFX Supervisor Joe Letteri on Fashioning a Dragon off of Benedict Cumberbatch
Joe Letteri helped design the dinosaurs for Jurassic Park, James Cameron relied on him to create the Na’vi in Avatar, he created Gollum for The Lord of the Rings, the title character in King Kong, and Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Now, the four-time Oscar winner has overseen the making of the dragon Smaug for the second installment of the The Hobbit trilogy. (SSN)Oscar Shortlist: The Inside Story of The Lone Ranger’s Train Sequence
The Lone Ranger, directed by Gore Verbinski, was critically derided and financially ruinous. Yet come March 2, it could also be an Oscar winner. And for good reason: It featured the most jaw-dropping visual effects sequence of the year. (SSN)Oscar Analysis Part Three: The Future of Warner Bros. Overflows with Legos, Hobbits & One Very Giant Lizard
No fewer than 18 films are already set for release on Warner’s 2014 slate, with plenty of others in various stages of production. The projects in question run the gamut from animated, to tentpole, to prestigious—fare that should keep Warner Bros. not only atop the total gross list, but also in the conversation once awards season rolls around again. (SSN)OTHER ORIGINALS
Ron Burgundy’s Top 6 Marketing Moments of the ‘Anchorman 2′ Campaign
SSN lists our favorite Anchorman 2 marketing moments, from a full newscast in-character to The Newseum. (SSN)Before The Final Barbara Walters ‘Most Fascinating People’ Special Airs – SSN Takes a Look Back
The 2013 edition of the Most Fascinating People is the last one to air before Walters’ scheduled retirement in May 2014. Here are some of our favorite memories from past editions. (SSN)TV Castings For 12/19/13: Prince To Guest Star On ‘New Girl’ For Fox
SSN’s weekly report on the latest TV castings for pilots, new and current series across cable and broadcast. This week’s talent includes: Prince, Rob Corddry, Rosie Perez, Adrianne Palicki, Tom Berenger, Kelly Clarkson, Cheryl Hines, Danny Trejo, and more. (SSN)↧
Film Development For 12/19/13: Emilia Clark Cast As Sarah Connor In ‘Terminator: Genesis’
NEW ATTACHMENTS
Six Years Logline: Six years after a man loses the perfect woman to another man, he seeks her out upon hearing of her husband's death. However, he finds out she wasn't the wife and everything he believed in is turned upside down. Studio/Distributor: Paramount Production Company: Mark Gordon Company Producers: Tom Rothman, Mark Gordon Cast: Hugh Jackman Writer: Jonathan Stokes Details: Based on the novel Six Years, written by Harlan Corben and published by Dutton on March 19, 2013. SSN Insight: Jonathan Stokes has written 3 scripts that have made the Black List and he also just closed a three- book deal with Philomel Books, a division of Penguin Publishers. Terminator: Genesis Logline: Storyline is under wraps. Studio/Distributor: Paramount Production Company: Annapurna Pictures, Skydance Productions Producers: Megan Ellison, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg (Executive Producer), Paul Schwake (Executive Producer) Cast: Emilia Clarke, Jason Clarke Writer: Laeta Kalogridis, Patrick Lussier Director: Alan Taylor Details: Reboot of Terminator (USA/1984) directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton. SSN Insight: After weeks of testing different actresses, Emilia Clarke was finally offered the role of Sarah Connor, played in the original by Linda Hamilton. Gilligan’s Island Logline: When their ship, the S.S. Minnow, is lost in a storm and shipwrecked, seven castaways attempt to survive on an uninhabited island. Studio/Distributor: Warner Bros. Production Company: Atlas Entertainment Producers: Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, Sherwood Schwartz (Executive Producer), Lloyd Schwartz (Executive Producer), Ross Schwartz (Executive Producer), Tracey Silvers (Executive Producer), Cathy Silvers (Executive Producer) Cast: Josh Gad Writer: Josh Gad (current draft), Benji Samit (current draft), Dan Hernandez (current draft), Brad Copeland (previous draft) Details: Based on the television show Gilligan's Island, created by executive producer Sherwood Schwartz and airing on CBS from September 26, 1964 to September 4, 1967. SSN Insight: Project was previously in development at Brillstein/Grey with Bernie Brillstein and Brad Grey attached to executive produce.NEW PROJECTS
League Of Denial: The NFL, Concussions And The Battle For Truth Logline: Storyline is under wraps. Production Company: Parkes+MacDonald Imagenation Producers: Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald Details: Based on the book League of Denial: The NFL, Concussions and the Battle for Truth, written by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru and published by Crown Archetype on October 8, 2013. SSN Insight: This one of three projects being currently developed about football concussion injuries. Ridley Scott is developing one which does not yet have a title and former NFL wide receiver Matt Cherry is set to write and direct another titled Game Time Decision. Let’s Get Married Logline: A couple finds themselves in an arranged marriage. Studio/Distributor: MGM Cast: Jillian Bell Writer: Jillian Bell, Charlotte Newhouse SSN Insight: Jillian Bell pitched this idea to MGM and the studio is fast-tracking the project, aiming to start in the spring. The Childhood of a Leader Logline: The childhood of a post-WWI leader. Studio/Distributor: Protagonist Pictures Production Company: Scope Pictures Cast: Juliette Binoche, Robert Pattinson, Tim Roth Producers: Antoine de Clermont- Tonnere, Martin Clermont- Tonnere, Chris Coen, Amour Fou Writer: Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold Director: Brady Corbet SSN Insight: This will be actor Brady Corbet’s feature directing debut.↧
SSN Awards Spotlights: John Ridley, Richard Linklater & Julie Delpy, Terence Winter, Billy Ray
AWARDS ORIGINALS
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Awards Spotlight: ‘12 Years a Slave’ Screenwriter John Ridley Reflects on the Biggest Year of his Career
SSN spoke to Ridley about working with Steve McQueen, the research that went into the project, and how he’s processing all the awards season attention. (SSN)Awards Spotlight: Richard Linklater & Julie Delpy Talk 'Before Midnight', Long-Term Love & the Secret to Creative Collaboration
SSN sat down with Delpy and Linklater to talk about creative collaboration, the evolution of Jesse and Celine, and what it’s like when they shut themselves into a room to write. (SSN)Awards Spotlight: Screenwriter Terence Winter Goes on the Hunt for the ‘Wolf of Wall Street’
SSN spoke with Winter about adapting the memoir, his time spent with the author and why Wolf belongs in Scorsese’s pantheon of great gangster movies—by way of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. (SSN)Awards Spotlight: 'Captain Phillips' Screenwriter Billy Ray on "The Best Way to Adapt a Book"
Ray spoke to SSN about adapting the book, working with Phillips, and why the film means more to him than any other project he’s done. (SSN)OTHER ORIGINALS
Film Development For 12/19/13: Emilia Clark Cast As Sarah Connor In 'Terminator: Genesis'
SSN’s weekly report on the latest attachments and projects in film development. (SSN)↧
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Rep Moves For 12/20/13: CAA, ICM, WME, Equitable Stewardship For Artists
Agencies
CAA: Canadian actor Stephen Amell is now repped by Kevin Huvane, Tracy Brennan, John Garvey and Jason Heyman. Amell currently stars as Oliver Queen, a.k.a. the Green Arrow, on The CW’s hit series Arrow. He also recently appeared in the television movie When Calls the Heart. Making his first appearance as a spinning instructor on Showtime’s Queer as Folk, Amel built his career steadily over the years first taking on bit parts on series such as Degrassi: The Next Generation and 1-800-Missing. Soon, his efforts began to pay off, and he landed recurring roles on the series Beautiful People, Dante’s Cove, Flashpoint and ReGenesis. Amell achieved Canadian stardom after he was cast as a series regular on the sports sitcom Rent-A-Goalie and soon after appeared in roles on Heartland, CSI: Miami, NCIS: Los Angeles and The Vampire Diaries. In 2011, he landed his most high profile role yet, a recurring role playing Thomas Jane’s rival on the HBO series Hung. Following that ten-episode arc, Amell appeared on Private Practice, New Girl, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and 90210. Finally in 2012, Amell landed his breakout role on Arrow, which has now entered its second season. In 2007, Amell won a Gemini Award for guest-starring role on the Canadian series ReGenesis. CAA: Emmy-winningactor Peter Dinklage is now repped by Bryan O’Guin, Franklin Latt, Jon Cassir, Michael A. Katcher and Jim Toth. Dinklage was recently nominated for a SAG Award for his performance as Tyrion Lannister on HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones. He will also soon appear in the features X-Men: Days of Future Past, as well as Low Down, opposite John Hawkes, and The Angriest Man in Brooklyn, opposite Mila Kunis. Born with achondroplasia, a common cause of dwarfism, Dinklage has spent his career seeking out atypical roles, making his first screen big appearance with 1995’s Living in Oblivion. Working in indie film during the early portion of his career, Dinklage also took on roles in Safe Men and the Charlie Kaufmann-penned Human Nature before giving a breakout performance in Tom McCarthy’s 2004 feature The Station Agent. Winning serious critical acclaim for his work, Dinklage has since gone on to appear in features such as Elf, Death at a Funeral (both the original and remake), Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and Ice Age: Continental Drift. In 2011, he landed his signature role on Game of Thrones. Dinklage’s other television credits have included a recurring role on Nip/Tuck and I’m With Her, as well as made appearances on Entourage, 30 Rock and Family Guy. Dinklage has won both an Emmy and Golden Globe for his performance on Game of Thrones. CAA: Actor and producer William Petersen is now repped by Chris Andrews, Joe Cohen, Michael A Katcher and Sonya Rosenfeld. Since exiting CBS’ hit series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation five years ago, Peterson has appeared mainly on the stage. Among his more recent theatrical performances are the plays Slowgirl, which ran earlier this year at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, as well as 2010’s Endgame and 2008’s Dublin Carol. His most recent film credits include a small part in the 2012 feature Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. Petersen began his career in the Chicago theater scene and co-founded the Remains Theater Ensemble with a group of fellow actors in 1979. His first film appearance came in 1981 when he was cast in a small role in Michael Mann’s feature Thief. A few years later, William Friedkin spotted Petersen in a performance of A Streetcar Named Desire and immediately cast Petersen in his breakout role in 1985’s To Live and Die in L.A. The next year, Petersen re-teamed with Michael Mann and played Will Graham in the classic film Manhunter, which marked the first big screen appearance of Hannibal Lecter. Over the next portion of his career, Petersen appeared in such films as Young Guns II and Fear and eventually became known as a television actor, appearing in such fare as Return to Lonesome Dove, The Kennedys of Massachusett and The Rat Pack. In 2000, Petersen landed his Golden Globe-nominated role as Gil Grissom on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, a role he played for nine seasons until returning to his stage roots. Petersen remains an executive producer on CSI. Equitable Stewardship for Artists (ESA): Writing team Jennifer Heath and Michele J. Wolff are now repped by Paul Alan Smith. The duo is probably best known for writing feature film Ella Enchanted and currently they have several projects in development. The two began their careers in the sitcom world, working on multiple series before teaming up as collaborators. Wolff wrote multiple episodes of Who’s the Boss? and The Upper Hand while Heath penned episodes of Roseanne and Dave’s World. They first worked together on the series Mr. Rhodes before writing Ella Enchanted in 2004.The film was loosely based on the Gail Carson Levine novel of the same name and starred Anne Hathaway. They also co-wrote the humor book Dear Neighbor, alongside Linda Marr. More recently, Heath wrote the 2010 television movie Sundays at Tiffany’s, starring Alyssa Milano. They continue to be repped by Neda Niroumand Management. ICM Partners: Director Iram Haq is now repped by Cullen Conly and Bart Walker. Haq recently made her feature film debut directing I Am Yours, which Norway has selected for its Best Foreign Language Oscar submission. The film played in the Discovery program at this year’s Toronto Film Festival and won Best Feature at the Lübeck Film Festival in Germany. It will next play at the 25th Palm Springs International Film Festival in January. After studying art direction at Westerdals School of Communication in Oslo, Haq began her career as an actor, working both in stage and film before switching her focus to directing in 2009. Her acting credits include the features Import-Export, Fallen Angels and Tomme tonner. In 2004, she wrote and starred in the short film Old Faithful, which was selected for the short film competition at the Venice Film Festival and in 2009 she made her directorial debut with the short film Little Miss Eyeflap, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Haq’s second feature The Way Back is set to shoot at end of 2015. ICM Partners: English actress Olivia Colman is now repped by Hildy Gottlieb, Andy Coleman and Lauren Peñuela. Colman currently stars as Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller in the crime drama Broadchurch, which premiered earlier this year on BBC America. First appearing onscreen in the early 2000s, Colman has since led an extensive career in British television and has become best known for her supporting turns in comedy series. Her prolific resume includes such series as Bruiser, People Like Us, Peep Show, Green Wing, Look Around You, The Office, The Time of Your Life, Beautiful People and Rev. Feature-wise, Colman has appeared in such films as Hot Fuzz, Tyrannosaur, The Iron Lady and Hyde Park on Hudson. In 2011, Colman won a special jury prize award for breakout performance for her work in Tyrannosaur. She also received awards at this year’s BAFTAs for Best Supporting Actress for her turn in The Accused and Best Female Comedy Performance for Twenty Twelve. WME Entertainment: Gossip Girl star Blake Lively is now a client. She was previously with CAA. Lively most recently appeared in Oliver Stone’s 2012 feature Savages. She is also set to star in the upcoming feature Age of Adaline, opposite Ellen Burstyn and Harrison Ford. Born into a showbiz family, Lively took on her first film role when she was only 11 years old, appearing in 1998’s The Sandman, directed by her father Ernie Lively. Stepping away from acting for the next few years, Lively found her first true success when she landed a co-starring role as Bridget in 2005’s The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. That performance earned her a Teen Choice Award nomination. After co-starring with Justin Long in the 2006 comedy Accepted and a bit part in the horror film Simon Says, Lively achieved genuine stardom when she landed the lead role of Serena van der Woodsen on The CW series Gossip Girl. Appearing on that series for five seasons, Lively has since built up a steady career as a film actress appearing in such features as The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, The Private Lies of Pippa Lee, The Town and Green Lantern amongst others. In October of this year, Lively was named the new face of L’Oreal and is currently the brand ambassador for Gucci’s Premiere fragrance. WME Entertainment: Twilight actor Kellan Lutz is now a client. Lutz will next star in the feature The Legend of Hercules, which is due out early next year. He is also set to appear in The Expendables 3, which is currently in post-production. After taking on a few modeling jobs as a teenager, Lutz got his first real acting break appearing in small role in the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful. He went on to land a recurring role on the series The Comeback, opposite Lisa Kudrow, and appeared in small parts on such series as CSI: NY, Six Feet Under, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Heroes. After taking on a regular role on the HBO miniseries Generation Kill, Lutz finally got his big break when he won the role of Emmett Cullin in the monster hit Twilight, a part he reprised in its three sequels. That same year Lutz appeared in a recurring role as George Evans in The CW reboot of 90210. Lutz’s subsequent feature roles have included 2010’s A Nightmare on Elm Street and Immortals. He also recently played Tarzan in the animated motion capture film Tarzan, which was released in Russia last October and is set be released in other countries next year.↧
Executive Shuffle For 12/20/2013: IM Global, Roth Films, Roth Films, Medavoy Management
Company Launches
Lightbox: Producer cousins Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn have formed this multi-platform media company to focus on making non-fiction programming for the small screen. It will be based in London and Los Angeles. The company is currently developing projects for outlets including television, on-demand subscription services, and online platforms in the U.S. and U.K. One Three Media U.K.: Mark Burnett’s One Three Media and Red Arrow Entertainment have partnered to launch One Three Media U.K. The company will be based in the London offices of fellow Red Arrow Entertainment partner CPL Productions.Studios, Networks, and Media Conglomerates
Disney Channels Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA): David Levine has been promoted to the role of Vice President, Programming, Production, and Strategic Development. Disney XD: Marc Buhaj has joined as Senior Vice President, Programming, and General Manager. Disney Channels U.S.: Katharine Linke has been promoted to Vice President, Multi-Platform Programming. FremantleMedia International: Jens Richter has been named Chief Executive Officer. He will relocate to London from Munich when his current contract expires at Red Hour Entertainment. FremantleMedia: Adrián Santucho has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer, Mexico, U.S. Hispanic & Pan-Regional Productions, based in Miami. FremantleMedia Brazil: Daniela Busoli has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer, in Sao Paulo. Sony Electronics: Michael Fassulo has been promoted to Head, U.S. Division, as of January 1, 2014. Sony Electronics: Toshifumi Okuda has been promoted to Vice President, U.S. Division, as of January 1, 2014. Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand: Catherine Powell has been promoted to Managing Director.Film
Film London: David Shepheard has joined as Senior Manager, Inward Investment and Business Development Team. IM Global: Matt Jackson has joined as President, Production. Open Road Films: Elliott Kleinberg has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Random Media: Tom Skouras has joined as Chairman. Roth Films: Dennis Stratton has been promoted to Vice President, Production. Weed Road Pictures: Bonnie Balmos has been promoted to Creative Executive.Television
International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences: Abbe Rave has joined the Executive Committee. RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network: Jennifer Batty has joined as Executive Vice President, Programming. Daniel Fung has joined as Executive Vice President, Distribution. Sinking Ship Entertainment: Lynn Chadwick has been named Vice President, Sales & Distribution, in Toronto. Shine America: Mike Aho has joined as Senior Vice President, Factual Entertainment. Agencies, Management Companies, Public Relations, and Law Firms Medavoy Management: Matt Sherman has joined as Manager. WME Entertainment: Allysa Bauer, Abe Cohen Hoffing and Andrew Mathes have been promoted to Agents in the TV Literary Department. WME Entertainment: Jonny Gutman and Nicholas Harsh have been promoted to Coordinators in the TV Literary Department.Cable
A+E Networks: Denis Cantin was named Vice President, Head, Content Sales, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, beginning in 2014. He will be based in London. A+E Networks Italy: Sherin Salvetti was joined as Managing Director, in Rome. AMC: Marco Bresaz joined as Vice President, Unscripted. HLN: Keith Brown has joined as Senior Vice President, Programming. HLN: Kari Kim has joined as Vice President, Program Development. HLN: Adrienne Lopez has joined as Director of Special Projects. TV Land: Wendy Coto has been promoted to Senior Publicist.Digital
Netflix: Jane Wiseman has joined as Senior Executive, Programming. Take-Two Interactive Software: Bill Jemas has joined to launch a graphic fiction imprint.↧
SSN Awards Originals: Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Lucy Walker, Teller, Joshua Oppenheimer, Exec Shuffle, Rep Moves
AWARDS ORIGINALS
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Awards Spotlight: ‘Blackfish’ Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite Talks Sundance, CNN Premiere & SeaWorld’s PR Machine
SSN spoke to Cowperthwaite about the Oscar buzz surrounding Blackfish, and the experience of having it premiere theatrically and on CNN. (SSN)Awards Spotlight: 2 Time Oscar Nominated Director Lucy Walker on ‘The Crash Reel’ & Meeting “Life’s Biggest Challenge”
The Crash Reel is a documentary that centers around Olympic snowboarding hopeful Kevin Pearce who was critically injured during a half-pipe training run on December 31, 2009 at the age of 22. The film is directed by two-time Oscar-nominated documentarian Lucy Walker, who spoke to SSN about her time spent with Kevin and the new campaign she created as a result of working on the documentary. (SSN)Awards Spotlight: ‘Tim’s Vermeer’ Director, Teller, Goes Behind the Scenes of Creative Obsession
Tim’s Vermeer gives the audience a peek behind the curtain of artistic creation—at turns fascinating, excruciating, and dazzling to watch. SSN spoke to Teller, one half of Penn & Teller, about capturing Tim Jenison’s journey, the overwhelming audience response, and where Tim’s Vermeer is hanging now. (SSN)Awards Spotlight: Writer/Director Joshua Oppenheimer on His 5 Years and 1,200 Hours of Footage Shot for ‘The Act of Killing’
Oppenheimer spoke to SSN about the film, the death threats he’s received since its release and why there are so many anonymous credits on his movie. (SSN)Oscar Insight: Underdogs Hold the Edge in the Best Documentary Feature Competition
Since 1970, about two-thirds of Best Documentary Feature winners told the story of an underdog, more than half were political exposés and more than a third chronicled the horrors of war. (SSN)OTHER ORIGINALS
Executive Shuffle For 12/20/2013: IM Global, Roth Films, Roth Films, Medavoy Management
SSN’s weekly summary of the latest major corporate moves in entertainment and media. (SSN)Rep Moves For 12/20/13: CAA, ICM, WME, Equitable Stewardship For Artists
SSN’s weekly summary of the entertainment industry’s major rep changes. (SSN)↧
ICYMI: SSN’s Top Original Stories For The Week of 12/16 – 12/20
SSN Awards Mid-Season Overview: Oscar Potential Contenders
We’re deep into awards season here at SSN and this year is proving to be a tough one. Not because there’s a dearth of great films and performances to debate about, but precisely because there are so many awards-worthy films out there. It has been a banner year for features – check out our midseason report here. (SSN)SSN’s Exclusive Academy Member Oscar Poll
SSN is bringing you an insider look at the candid thoughts and uncensored perspectives of a handful of anonymous Academy members. Our esteemed group comes from all walks of industry life, representing a wide range of guilds, professions, and perspectives. Here’s a current take from our anonymous panel, as they let us in on what they’ve seen so far. (SSN)Marketing Your Movie to Oscar Gold
Marketing strategies can begin as early as a film’s script stage or as late as its pickup at a fall festival. Here are some of the strategies that producers and distribs use in parlaying a film’s critical acclaim into boffo box office. (SSN)Breaking In and Out of the Oscar Foreign Language Film Category
If you can run the gauntlet of your home country’s film commission, earning the right to be your nation’s official submission, and be among the lucky five to get a nomination—the studios are paying attention—you too could find yourself at the threshold of Hollywood success. (SSN)Oscar Shortlist: The Inside Story of The Lone Ranger’s Train Sequence
The Lone Ranger, directed by Gore Verbinski, was critically derided and financially ruinous. Yet come March 2, it could also be an Oscar winner. And for good reason: It featured the most jaw-dropping visual effects sequence of the year. (SSN)Oscar Insight: Underdogs Hold the Edge in the Best Documentary Feature Competition
Since 1970, about two-thirds of Best Documentary Feature winners told the story of an underdog, more than half were political exposés and more than a third chronicled the horrors of war. (SSN)Oscar Analysis Part Three: The Future of Warner Bros. Overflows with Legos, Hobbits & One Very Giant Lizard
No fewer than 18 films are already set for release on Warner’s 2014 slate, with plenty of others in various stages of production. The projects in question run the gamut from animated, to tentpole, to prestigious—fare that should keep Warner Bros. not only atop the total gross list, but also in the conversation once awards season rolls around again. (SSN)↧
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SSN Awards Spotlights: Lauren MacMullan, Mark Gill & Baldwin Li, Josh Izenberg
AWARDS ORIGINALS
BEST SHORT FILM: ANIMATED, LIVE ACTION, DOCUMENTARY
Awards Spotlight: ‘Get a Horse!’ Animator Lauren MacMullan Reveals How Mickey Mouse Got the 3D Update in Classic Style
SSN spoke with MacMullan about the short, her animation background, what Woody Allen film proved inspirational to the creative team, and what she’s got planned next. (SSN)Awards Spotlight: ‘The Voorman Problem’ Director Mark Gill & Producer Baldwin Li on Playfully Poking Fun at Religion
As one of the films that could earn an Oscar nomination for Best Live Action Short, their very funny The Voorman Problem features a psychiatrist who interviews a prison inmate who thinks he’s God, and gets a bit more than he bargained for in the process. The film has had a long, charmed life with connections to Cloud Atlas, The Hobbit, and a man whose current job involves holding up a House of Cards. (SSN)Awards Spotlight: ‘SLOMO’ Doc Director Josh Izenberg on Finding The Story
The film’s subject, 69-year-old John Kitchin, used to be a doctor but now skates on the San Diego boardwalk and goes by the name “Slomo.” Izenberg’s 16-minute doc about the eccentric senior citizen is a fun, engaging, and thought-provoking look at a man who seems to be just where he belongs. (SSN)Oscars 2014: Live Action & Animated Shorts Directors Convert Oscar Wins into Career Gold
They may steal but a few brief moments in the Oscar limelight but many live action, documentary and animated shorts directors have parlayed their gold statuettes into long and successful careers. Here’s a sampling of a few winners from each category and where they are now. (SSN)OTHER ORIGINALS
TV Gems You May Have Missed – Now Streaming
There are a lot of shows debuting and returning in January – we’ve included a handy list of premieres at the end of this post – and SSN will be telling you all about those after the New Year in our coverage of the TCA Winter Press Tour. In the meantime, here are some TV shows you may have missed that will keep you warm by the glow of the TV until then. (SSN)↧
SSN Awards Spotlights: Andy Nicholson, Dan Hennah, Jess Gonchor, ROI Insight: Martin Scorsese & Leonardo DiCaprio
AWARDS ORIGINALS
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Awards Spotlight: How Production Designer Andy Nicholson Took Audiences to Outer Space in ‘Gravity’
Nicholson is a two-decade veteran of movie art departments, but only recently did he make the jump to Production Designer. In just his second film in the role, Nicholson’s meticulously designed representations of actual places that few humans will ever see in real life puts him in a prime position for his first Oscar nomination. (SSN)Awards Spotlight: Production Designer Dan Hennah Brings Middle Earth to Life in ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’
As the lead production designer for Peter Jackson’s Hobbit films, he earned his fifth overall nomination for the first film in the series, An Unexpected Journey. Hennah now appears poised for another nomination for his dazzling work in the second of the trilogy, The Desolation of Smaug. (SSN)Awards Spotlight: ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’ Production Designer Jess Gonchor Talks Coen Brothers & Aging Sets Backwards
Gonchor earned his first Oscar nomination three years ago for his work on the Coen’s True Grit, and this year’s Inside Llewyn Davis marks his fifth collaboration with the writing-directing team. However, Llewyn Davis was nowhere near his biggest job of the year, as his other gig was one of the biggest of all time. (SSN)OTHER ORIGINALS
ROI Insight: Martin Scorsese & Leonardo DiCaprio — Are They the Wolves of Hollywood?
SSN takes a look at the director’s beginnings and the ROI of his films with DiCaprio, as well as Scorsese’s top 10 directorial efforts by box-office gross. (SSN)A Netflix Gift For The Whole Family: ‘Turbo F.A.S.T.’
The show is the first-ever Netflix original series for kids and is part of the company’s new partnership with Dreamworks. The reason this is a big deal: it’s been shown that kids don’t watch shows just once and move on, they watch episodes multiple times, especially as they’ve grown up with on demand services – which is good news for Netflix. (SSN)↧
SSN Awards Spotlights: Glenn Freemantle, Brent Burge, Richard Hymns, Sound Editing vs. Sound Mixing
AWARDS ORIGINALS
BEST SOUND EDITING, SOUND MIXING
Awards Spotlight: How ‘Gravity’ Sound Designer/Editor Glenn Freemantle Takes the Audience “Through Her Helmet into Her World” Using Sound
Gravity uses sound in a way no other film ever has. The man to thank for that is Glenn Freemantle, who has one Oscar nomination under his belt, for 2009’s Slumdog Millionaire, and will most assuredly get another one this year for his work in the Alfonso Cuarón film. (SSN)Awards Spotlight: ‘The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug’ Brent Burge on Editing the Sounds of Beorns, Necromancers, Bolgs & One Dragon
Burge has been in the film industry for close to three decades and worked in the sound department on dozens of projects. He hooked up with Peter Jackson in the mid-‘90s and has worked with him on the Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong, Lovely Bones, and now on a pair of Hobbit films. With his work as supervising sound editor on Desolation of Smaug, he hopes to garner his first Oscar nomination. (SSN)Awards Spotlight: Oscar Winning Sound Editor Richard Hymns on ‘All Is Lost’, Redford as a Wedding Guest & “The Real Danger”
Richard Hymns may not be a household name, but the likes of Steven Spielberg, David Fincher, James Cameron, and Robert Redford all regularly turn to him to oversee the sound work on their films. Hymns has won a trio of Oscars, but it was a special relationship with Redford that led Hymns to getting one of the most unique and exciting jobs he’s ever had, on J.C. Chandor’s All Is Lost. (SSN)Oscars 2014: Sound Editing Vs. Sound Mixing—Yes, There’s a Difference!
If you aren’t sure what the difference is between sound mixing and sound editing, you’re not alone. Even some directors “who’ve done incredible work without the structure of a studio release” don’t understand the process, says Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Sound Branch Governor Curt Behlmer. But despite the confusion, mixing and editing are two distinct skill sets. (SSN)↧
SSN Awards Spotlights: John Goldwyn, Alison Owen & Ian Collie, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Anna Gerb
AWARDS ORIGINALS
BEST PICTURE PREVIEW 2
Awards Spotlight: Producer John Goldwyn Walks Us Through the Long Journey of ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’
John Goldwyn spoke to SSN about the remake’s long road to the big screen, and how it bounced around different studios before landing at 20th Century Fox with Ben Stiller as both director and star. (SSN)Awards Spotlight: ‘Saving Mr. Banks’ Producers Alison Owen & Ian Collie Unafraid to Take Risks & Bluff
SSN spoke to Collie and Owen about the risk of developing the project without Disney, getting the studio on board, and what Oscar buzz means to them. (SSN)Awards Spotlight: ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ Producer Emma Tillinger Koskoff Acquires Chimp on Roller Skates in 24 Hours
Koskoff is a producer on Wall Street, along with Scorsese, star Leonardo DiCaprio, and Red Granite Pictures’ Riza Aziz and Joey McFarland. Koskoff spoke to SSN about the movie, the shoot’s various challenges, and how DiCaprio and Scorsese’s relationship has grown over the years. (SSN)Awards Spotlight: Producer Anna Gerb on Navigating ‘All Is Lost’ Toward Oscar Attention
SSN spoke to Gerb about landing Redford, handling the stress of production and the status of Chandor’s next feature, A Most Violent Year. (SSN)Supercalifragilistically Similar: The Parallels Between the Making of ‘Mary Poppins’ & ‘Saving Mr. Banks’
Mary Poppins went on to become a classic, inspiring another truly wonderful film in Saving Mr. Banks. Richard Sherman counts it as the high point of his career: “It’s still the Everest. But you know how you match it? The picture we’re talking about—Saving Mr. Banks.” (SSN)↧
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SSN’s Awards Acting Wrap-Up: The Race to The Oscar Ballot, Performances That Shouldn’t Get Overlooked, Oscar Analysis Part One: Paramount
AWARDS ORIGINALS
ACTING WRAP UP
Awards: Acting Wrap-up – The Race to the Oscar Ballot Heats Up
SSN has been bringing you awards season news and analysis throughout the fall, and since so many pre-Oscar awards have been handed out we’re taking a look at where the acting contenders stand now. Here’s our latest rundown of the acting categories with SSN’s insights. (SSN)Awards: What’s Next For These 5 Acting Contenders?
Hollywood is a finicky business, and no one knows that more than the stars. With that in mind, here’s a peek at what’s next for five top acting contenders – from Judi Dench to Lupita Nyong’o. (SSN)Don’t Forget About Me: Performances That Shouldn’t Get Overlooked
The Oscar-bait rollout starts in earnest every September and, as a result, fine performances from movies released in the first three-quarters of the year often get overlooked. Here are some Oscar-worthy performances from earlier in 2013 worth remembering when nomination voting comes to an end January 8th. (SSN)Part 2 of SSN’s Exclusive Academy Member Oscar Poll
In part two of SSN’s awards season coverage, we hear once again from our esteemed group of Motion Picture Academy members as they ponder this year’s Oscar-worthy—and not so worthy—performances. (SSN)Oscar Analysis Part One: Paramount Proves it has True Grit
As SSN discussed recently in our Paramount studio analysis, the 2013 movie season might at first glance seem like an off year, but it really wasn’t. On the contrary, 2013 was quite good- and the same can be said for the studio’s fortunes during awards season. (SSN)↧
SSN Awards Originals: New York Film Critics, National Board of Review, Oscar Analysis Part Two: Paramount, Winter TV Preview
AWARDS ORIGINALS
NEW YORK FILM CRITICS & NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW
New York Post Film Critic Kyle Smith on his 2013 Favorites & the NYFCC Awards
One of the lead film critics at the New York Post, Kyle Smith has been reviewing movies for the daily for almost nine years. Ask Smith what he thinks about the year-end selections of the New York Film Critics Circle—an organization to which he belongs— and you may be surprised by what you hear…then again, maybe not. (SSN)Awards Insight: How Often Does the National Board of Review Pick the Oscars?
The NBR, overall, predicts Oscar nominations 64 percent of the time across 11 categories and wins 31 percent of the time. However, the correlation between the NBR awards to Oscar nominations has striking categorical differences. (SSN)Historical Insight: The National Board of Review’s Pre-emptive Strike Against Government Censorship
What is it that makes the Board such an influence in determining the year’s top films and talent? It’s all about the history. (SSN)Oscar Analysis Part Two: Paramount Bets on Directors Scorsese, Payne & Reitman for Oscar Gold
SSN looks at three directors with films from the studio this season: Martin Scorsese, Alexander Payne and Jason Reitman, who all have Oscar contenders under consideration, and all have auspicious Oscar track records. (SSN)OTHER ORIGINALS
SSN Winter TV Preview: Soaps, Lawmen, Cops, Soldiers and Gold!
As SSN preps for the Winter TV Critics Association press tour starting next week, we thought we’d give you a quick rundown of upcoming shows. (SSN)↧
People’s Choice Awards Winners, Ryan Kavanaugh Gives CES Keynote, Zoe Saldana Gets Lead in NBC Miniseries Rosemary’s Baby
People's Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List
Iron Man 3, The Big Bang Theory, Sandra Bullock and Robert Downey Jr. take home prizes during the CBS telecast. (THR)Ryan Kavanaugh Gives CES Keynote
Relativity Media CEO Ryan Kavanaugh gave an impassioned plea for Hollywood to make faster shifts with changing consumer habits and technology developments. (VAR)Zoe Saldana Gets Lead in NBC Miniseries Rosemary's Baby
Samdana has been tapped as the lead in NBC’s four-hour miniseries Rosemary’s Baby, an adaptation of the 1967 best-selling suspense novel by Ira Levin. (DH)Flooding Theaters Isn’t Good for Filmmakers or Filmgoers
Manhola Dargis has a little favor to ask of the people cutting the checks at Sundance: Stop buying so many movies. (NYT)SNL Hires Two Black Female Writers
After the recent hiring of performer Sasheer Zamata, SNL brings on writers LaKendra Tookes and Leslie Jones. (SAL)Gerard Butler Joins Point Break
The star of Chasing Mavericks has been set to play the Zen adrenaline-junkie bank robber role originated by Patrick Swayze. (DH)Arcade Fire and Outkast to Headline Coachella
Other notable reunions include the Replacements and Neutral Milk Hotel, with buzzed-about new acts Haim, Lorde and Disclosure. (VAR)Art Directors Guild Nominations Announced
American Hustle, Gravity and The Great Gatsby are among the film nominees for the 18th annual Art Directors Guild's Excellence in Production Design Awards. (THR)Amy Schumer’s Trainwreck Opening Summer 2015
Film will open in theaters on July 24, 2015, the perfect date to provide a comedy palate cleanser betweenBatman vs. Superman and Ant-Man. (VUL)↧
Jon Favreau’s ‘Chef’ Opening SXSW Film Fest, SSN Originals, Palm Springs International Film Festival
AWARDS ORIGINALS
PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
SSN's Picks For the Winter 2014 TCA Cable Press Tour
Here’s a quick preview of what we’re looking forward to at this week’s cable sessions. (SSN)Spotlight: Palm Springs International Film Fest's Darryl Macdonald on Future Plans and Old Hollywood Memories
SSN spoke with Macdonald about the challenges of running a rapidly growing festival and his best memories of the Old Hollywood set. (SSN)Meryl Streep, Idris Elba and More Attend the Palm Springs International Film Festival
To see a showcase of world cinema, many of which will be submitted for Academy consideration, get thee to Palm Springs. (SSN)TODAY’S HEADLINES
Jon Favreau's 'Chef' to Open South by Southwest Film Fest
The festival will also screen the world premiere of Rob Thomas' Veronica Mars movie. (THR)Hollywood Film Awards Scores TV Deal With CBS
Eye's pact with Dick Clark Prods. marks first TV showcase for early awards season event. (VAR)NAACP Image Awards Noms Announced
The Weinstein Company leads the film noms unveiled today with 17 thanks to three films on the Best Picture list. (DH)DGA Awards TV Nominations
The Directors Guild of America announced its TV and commercial nominees today. (DH)Does Prince Charming Need to Be Reinvented?
There’s another argument to be made against Frozen’s villain, and it has to do with the implicit notion that there was something wrong with the Prince Charming fantasy in the first place. (ATL)Movies With Violent Women Blast Away the Winter Blues
Three misfit January thrillers tackle semi-weighty issues of violence, victimization, sexuality and gender. (SAL)Rupert Friend in Talks to Replace Paul Walker in 'Agent 47'
Rupert Friend, currently starring on TV’s Homeland, has been tapped to replace Paul Walker in Agent 47 from Fox International. (THR)Sundance Announces 2014 Jurors
Director Bryan Singer, film criticLeonard Maltin and 20 Feet From Stardom helmer Morgan Neville are among the group that will select winners in various categories including the U.S. Dramatic top prize. (THR)↧
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Rep Moves For 1/10/14: WME, Gersh, CAA, Paradigm
Agencies
CAA: Up and coming screenwriter Aaron Berg is now repped by Dan Rabinow, Tiffany Ward, Jon Cassir, Micah Green and Laura Lewis. He was previously with Verve. Berg got huge buzz earlier this year when his spec screenplay Section 6 ignited a heated bidding war between four studios. Universal ended up winning the rights to the script, paying $1.2 million against $2 million. Section 6 follows the origin of the British intelligence agency MI6 and is Berg’s first screenplay. Lawrence Grey will produce the film, alongside Marc Platt and Adam Siegel. Berg is also repped by Adam S. Marshall at Caliber Media and attorney Rob Szymanski. CAA: Director and producer Doug Liman is now repped in all areas. He was previously repped by Resolution for film and CAA for television. His team will consist of Billy Hawkins, Todd Feldman, Brett Loncar, Rick Lefitz and Ted Miller. Liman most recently completed the summer tentpole Edge of Tomorrow, which will be released in June and stars Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. Graduating from USC’s School of Cinema-Television in 1992, Liman made his directorial debut soon afterwards with the 1994 feature Getting In, which started Stephen Mailer and Kristy Swanson. Two years later, he got his big break directing the feature comedy Swingers, which went on to become a cult hit and jump-started the careers of its actors. Liman also won an MTV Movie Award for Best New Filmmaker for that film. Liman followed Swingers with the feature Go and then achieved even larger success with 2002’s The Bourne Identity, which became a huge international hit. Liman went on to executive produce its sequels The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum. He continued his directing success with the features Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Jumper and Fair Game. Liman is also a television producer, executive producing such series as The OC, 2009’s Knight Rider, I Just Want Pants Back, Suits and Covert Affairs. Next up, Liman is slated to direct the Sony Pictures historical film The Summit, which begins production in March. CAA: Emmy-winning actress Kyra Sedgwick is now repped by Michael Katcher, Chris Andrews and Elan Ruspoli. Sedgwick currently has several projects in various stages of development, including Reach Me starring Sylvester Stallone and The Humbling starring Al Pacino. Sedgwick is probably best known, however, for her seven-year stint starring as Deputy Chief Leigh Johnson on TNT’s hit drama The Closer, a role that won her both an Emmy and Golden Globe for Best Actress. Sedgwick was only sixteen years old when she made her professional acting debut, appearing in the soap Another World. In 1988, she gained acclaim for her performance in the television adaptation of Langford Wilson’s play Lemon Sky (where she met future husband Kevin Bacon) and one year later she got her first brush with stardom appearing in Born on the Fourth of July. Sedgwick's subsequent film career has included such credits as Singles, Murder in the First, Something to Talk About, Phenomenon, Secondhand Lions, The Game Plan and The Woodsman amongst others. Sedgwick’s television credits include a starring role in the Emmy-winning television movie Miss Rose White and recurring roles on the series Talk to Me and Queens Supreme. Sedgwick took on her signature role in The Closer in 2005. Continuing her relationship with TNT, Sedgwick is executive producing the TNT series Proof, which was recently picked up to pilot. CESD: Young actress Erika Bierman is now repped by Melissa Berger, Mitchell Gossett, Sami Housman, Pedro Tapia and Tim Weissman. Bierman recently appeared in her first major role, playing President Snow’s granddaughter in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. She is also slated to appear in the feature film Santa’s Boot Camp, which is currently in post-production, as well as the Dumb and Dumber sequel, Dumb and Dumber To. Prior to her role in The Hunger Games, Bierman appeared as Jolie-Kay in an episode of the BET series Reed Between the Lines, as well as the CSA Film Academy movie Unnecessary Meanness. Bierman is additionally repped by manager Sandy Oroumieh at Rothman/Andrés Entertainment. Equitable Stewardship for Artists (ESA): Actor, director and producer Paul McCrane is now repped by Paul Alan Smith for directing and producing. McCrane most recently directed episodes of the television series Nashville and Glee. He also appeared in a role on the TNT series Major Crimes. McCrane initially began his career as an actor, making his screen debut in Rocky II at only seventeen years old. Since that point, McCrane has built up an impressive acting resume, taking on memorable roles in feature films such as Fame and Robocop, as well as parts on television series such as Wiseguy, Under Suspicion, Champs, 24, ER and Harry’s Law amongst others. McCrane first moved into directing in 2004, helming an episode of the series Third Watch. McCrane has since enjoyed a successful television directing career and his directing credits includes episodes of The West Wing, House M.D., ER, Without a Trace, Vegas, Major Crimes and Nashville to name a few. For acting work, McCrane is represented by manager Steve Himber of Himber Entertainment. UTA also represents McCrane for acting and co-represents McCrane for directing/producing. Gersh: Actor, director and producer David Schwimmer has re-signed with former agent Leslie Siebert. He was previously with CAA. Schwimmer most recently appeared in the 2013 feature film The Iceman, as well as Madagascar 3 and John Carter. Graduating from Northwestern University in 1988, Schwimmer co-founded the Lookingglass Theatre Company shortly afterwards and spent the early portion of his career working in smaller roles in film and television. He got his first starring role in the television movie A Deadly Silence and appeared in parts on such series as The Wonder Years, L.A. Law, NYPD Blue and Blossom. He got his first series regular role on the sitcom Monty before finally winning his breakout role in 1994 as Ross Geller on NBC’s classic sitcom Friends. Schwimmer’s subsequent roles have included playing Herbert Sobel in the HBO’s Band of Brothers, as well as roles in the feature films The Pallbearer, Breast Men, Six Days Seven Nights and Nothing But the Truth. He is also the voice of Melman in the Madagascar series. In addition to his acting work, Schwimmer has ventured into directing, helming episodes of Friends and Joey before making his feature directorial debut with 2007’s Run Fatboy Run. He also directed episodes of Little Britain USA and made his off-Broadway directorial debut with the play Fault Lines. Theatre-wise, Schwimmer took to the London stage in 2005, appearing in the Neil LaBute play Some Girl(s) and made his Broadway debut with The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial in 2006. Next up, Schwimmer will reprise his voice role as Melman in The Penguins of Madagascar. Paradigm: Actress Katherine Moennig is now repped by Christy Hall, David Lillard, Iris Grossman, Brad Schenck and Dana Spector. Moennig currently co-stars as Lena on the Showtime series Ray Donovan. She will also soon appear in the feature film Default, which is currently in post. Studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Moennig first appeared in the Our Lady of Peace video “Is Anybody Home?” in 1999, before landing a role as a series regular on the television series Young Americans. Moennig is probably best known, however, for her subsequent role as Shane McCutcheon on Showtime’s The L Word, a role she played for six seasons. Since that series ended, Moennig has starred in the CBS series Three Rivers, playing Dr. Miranda Foster, and appeared in an episode of Dexter. Last year, she took on her role as Lieb Schrieber’s fixer on Ray Donovan. Moennig’s feature credits have included The Shipping News, Art School Confidential, Everybody’s Fine, The Lincoln Lawyer and Gone. Moennig is currently filming the feature My Dead Boyfriend, directed by Anthony Edwards. WME Entertainment: Emmy-winning television director and producer James Burrows is now a client. He was previously with ICM. A prolific television director since the seventies, Burrows has directed over 950 episodes of television, won 10 Emmy Awards and four DGA Awards. Burrows most recently directed all twelve episodes of the new series The Millers, as well as the pilots for Sean Saves the World and Friends with Better Lives. After studying playwriting at the Yale School of Drama in the sixties, Burrows served as assistant stage manager for Holly Golightly where he met that play’s star Mary Tyler Moore. Moore would become Burrows’ conduit into the television industry and he would go on to direct multiple episodes of the classic series Mary Tyler Moore as well as Phyllis, The Bob Newhart Show and Taxi. However, Burrows is probably best known, for co-creating the iconic series Cheers, for which he directed 237 episodes. Some of his other high profile credits include NewsRadio, Frasier, Men Behaving Badly, Caroline in the City, Friends, The Class, Back to You, Gary Unmarried, Romantically Challenged and Partners. Notably, Burrows helmed single every episode of NBC’s sitcom Will & Grace and he was the sole director of the first two seasons of Mike & Molly. Over his career, he has directed almost 100 pilots that have gone on to become television series and he has won multiple Emmys for his work on Taxi, Cheers, Frasier and Will & Grace.↧
Exec Shuffle For 1/10/14: Paramount, A24, Mortar Media, IM Global
Company Launches
Mortar Media: Cameron Kadison, Diane Perez and Antranig Balian, former managers at Principato-Young, have launched this management and production company, based in Beverly Hills, to focus on nonscripted television, branded content, on-camera talent, and business development. ReCode: Walter Mossberg and Kara Swisher, founders of the technology conference and website All Things Digital, have launched this new independent technology news, review and analysis site. Unnamed Ken Slotnick Management/Production Company: Ken Slotnick will head a new management and production company, with financial backing from Ron Burkle’s investment firm The Yucaipa Companies.Studios, Networks, and Media Conglomerates
20th Century Fox: Marc Weinstock has been named President, Domestic Theatrical Marketing. Fox Broadcasting Company: Lisa Levenson has been named Senior Vice President, Alternative Entertainment, Alex Piper has joined as Vice President, Alternative Entertainment, and Amy Cohen has been promoted to Executive Director, Alternative Entertainment. Fox Music: Rebecca Morellato has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Film Music Production. Paramount Pictures: Joel Chiodi has joined as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Marketing Partnerships. Sony Pictures: Jean Guerin has joined to head media relations for Sony’s film division. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment: Man Jit Singh has joined as President, beginning in March 2014. The Walt Disney Company: Twitter Chairman Jack Dorsey has joined Disney’s Board of Directors.Film
44 Blue Productions: Sarah Poage has been promoted to Senior Vice President. A24: Heath Shapiro was named Head, Distribution and Marketing, in New York. Bluegrass Films: Dylan Clark has joined as Partner. IM Global: Chris Bosco has been named Chief Operating Officer. Kaleidoscope Entertainment: Terry Dove was named Director, Theatrical Distribution, in London. Open Road Films: Peter Lawson has joined as Executive Vice President, Productions and Acquisitions. Participant Media: Ann Boyd has joined as Executive Vice President, Communications.Television
Blumhouse Productions: Jessica Rhoades has joined as Head, Television. Lighthearted Entertainment: Shelby Adams has been promoted to Coordinator, Development. Fishbowl Worldwide Media: Emily Mayer has joined as Senior Vice President, Development. Fishbowl Worldwide Media: Winston Cutshall has joined as Director of Development. TruTV: Lesley Goldman has joined as Vice President, Development & Original Programming.Agencies, Management Companies, Public Relations, and Law Firms
APA: Steve Martin has joined as Executive Vice President, Worldwide Music. Brillstein Entertainment Partners: Shawna Kornberg has joined as Manager. Zack Morgenroth has been promoted to Manager. Cartel Entertainment: James Crawford has been promoted to Creative Executive. UTA: Brian Swardstrom has joined as Partner, in New York. Danie Streisand has joined as Agent, in New York. Douglas Edley has joined as an Agent in the Touring division. WME Entertainment: Peter Klein has joined as Chief Financial Officer. When WME’s purchase of IMG has been formerly completed, Klein will serve as the combined company’s Chief Financial Officer as well. WME Entertainment: Joe Austin has been promoted to Agent, Global Finance & Distribution. Ryan Feldman has been promoted to Agent, Motion Picture Literary. Avi Gandhi has been promoted to Agent, Digital. Matt Malcolm has been promoted to Agent, Personal Appearance. Bradley Rainey has been promoted to Agent, Music for Visual Media. Jared Rampersaud has been promoted to Agent, Personal Appearance. Solco Schuit has been promoted to Agent, Motion Picture Literary. Danielle Shebby has been promoted to Agent, Talent. Jessie Thompson has been promoted to Agent, Speakers. Ben Totis has been promoted to Agent, Personal Appearance.Cable
Bravo Media: Joseph Ferraro was named Vice President, Development. Rachel Smith was named Vice President, Current Production. Starz: Bill Bergmann has been named Senior Vice President, Finance & Planning. Janet Dickinson has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Finance & Accounting, in Colorado. Starz: Joe Zamora has been named Vice President, Finance, in Colorado. truTV: Lesley Goldman has joined as Vice President, Development and Original Programming, in New York. Universal Cable Productions: Dawn Parouse Olmstead has joined as Executive Vice President, Development. USA Network: Tiffany Hawthorne has been promoted to Manager, Original Programming.Digital
Fandor: Ted Hope has been named Chief Executive Officer of the San Francisco-based company. His official start date is January 30th, 2014. GoDigital: Kent Sanderson has joined as Executive Vice President, Distribution and Merchandising. Gilt: Joey Skladany has joined as Manager, Public Relations, in New York.Publishing
Guggenheim Media: Janice Min has been promoted to Co-President and Chief Creative Officer, Entertainment Group. She will lead Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter, working in conjunction with John Amato, Co-President, Entertainment Group.↧
Awards Originals: Golden Globes, LA Film Critics Association, TCA: Cable –Day 1, ‘Enlisted’ Showrunners, Exec Shuffle, Rep Moves
AWARDS ORIGINALS
GOLDEN GLOBES
LA FILM CRITICS AWARDS
Awards: SSN’s Golden Globes Predictions with Printable Ballot
We’ve taken our best shot and predicted who and what we think will win in each category. (SSN)Awards: Miss Golden Globes – Where Are They Now?
SSN asked eight former Miss Golden Globes, spanning three decades, to recall their memorable night. (SSN)Awards: LAFCA President Stephen Farber Offers the Scoop on the Group’s Upcoming Awards Ceremony
SSN spoke with Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards president Stephen Farber about the upcoming ceremony, which will be live-streamed on the group’s website. (SSN)OTHER ORIGINALS
TCA Tidbits: Cable Day 1: Military, Fashion, Cars & Murder
The first day of cable TCA was crammed full of sessions that ranged from dark and disturbing to somewhat antagonistic. (SSN)Spotlight: ‘Enlisted’ Showrunners Kevin Biegel & Mike Royce Engage Hearts & Minds for a Big Comedy Win
New comedy Enlisted, created by Kevin Biegel (Cougar Town) and run by Biegel and Mike Royce (creator of Men Of A Certain Age), premieres tonight at 9:30 p.m. on Fox. SSN spoke with Enlisted’s executive producers Royce and Biegel to get the scoop about how the terrific comedy came together. (SSN)Spotlight: Enlisted’s Geoff Stults Leads New Fox Comedy
SSN talked to the show’s leading man Geoff Stults about his role as Sgt. Pete Hill, a soldier recently returned from Afghanistan and assigned to a rear detachment unit where his two younger brothers are also serving. (SSN)Exec Shuffle For 1/10/14: Paramount, A24, Mortar Media, IM Global
SSN’s weekly summary of the latest major corporate moves in entertainment and media. (SSN)Rep Moves For 1/10/14: WME, Gersh, CAA, Paradigm
SSN’s weekly summary of the entertainment industry’s major rep changes. (SSN)↧
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