BRANDED ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Toronto: Cheryl Boone Isaacs, David Glasser, Jonathan Demme Among Speakers at Industry Conference
Fest organizers also announced master classes by Invisible director Doug Liman, Queen of Katwe helmer Mira Nair and Feng Xiagang, often hailed as the Steven Spielberg of China as that country’s top-grossing director. (THR)
Pivot’s Demise: Death By Skinny Bundle, Millennials Fleeing TV Or No Must-See Programming?
It’s not easy being an indie standalone channel in the era of cord-cutting and “too much TV.” Participant Media learned that the hard way, moving in to pull the plug on its three-year old network Pivot TV, writing off a $200 million initial investment and further tens of millions in costs. (DH)
Jennette McCurdy Pacts with Canvas Media Studios for Series Development Deal
The actress, best known for her roles on the Nickelodeon series “iCarly” and “Sam & Cat,” has signed a development deal with digital production company Canvas Media Studios to develop scripted series that can live across multiple platforms. (TVI)
TOP DEALS
BMW Motorrad featured in ‘Resident Evil: The Final Chapter’
When Milla Jovovich takes up to the final battle against evil in the film, she will rely on the support of BMW Motorrad. The first official trailer for the sixth part of the popular horror series shows a motorcycle designed by BMW, which plays an important role and allows the main hero to reach the depopulated streets of a destroyed world. (BB)
FOX and Rooftop Cinema Club Host Advance Screenings of New Series “Lethal Weapon” and “Pitch”
The Fox network is teaming up with outdoor cinema specialists Rooftop Cinema Club to screen the two pilots during special free advance screening nights in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Los Angeles. (FC)
Dave Matthews Band Coming to TNT in September for the Latest ‘Neighborhood Sessions’ Special in Series Created by State Farm
Filmed earlier this year in the band’s hometown of Charlottesville, Va., portions of the 25th anniversary performance will be presented as part of the ongoing series of music specials. The special will feature powerful stories from the local community profiling some of the people who continue to impact the band members’ lives and music. (FC)
MTV to Simulcast ‘Unlocking the Truth’ True-Crime Series Premiere Free on YouTube, Facebook Live
Cable network is trying a new promotional stunt in a bid to hook audiences on its new docu-series: For the first time, the cabler will live-stream a show on Facebook Live and YouTube at the same time it airs on cable TV. (VAR)
HOT PROJECTS
Ballers
Universal project with LeBron James and Kevin Hart (The Wedding Ringer) attached to star. Malcolm D. Lee (The Best Man Holiday) will direct. To be produced by Brian Grazer (Empire). Screenplay by Kevin Hart, Harry Ratchford, Joey Wells (Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain) and Chris Spencer (Upload with Shaquille O’Neal). (SE)
Strange New Things
Amazon has ordered a pilot for this sci-fi drama series from writer Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies), based on the novel by Michael Faber. Charman executive produces alongside Kevin MacDonald (The Last King of Scotland) and Andy Harries (The Queen) for Left Bank Pictures (Wallander). MacDonald will direct the pilot. (SE)