Thompson on Hollywood

CAA's TPG Capital Deal: Show Me the Money!

The contracting entertainment economy that compelled producer Graham King to fill the distribution void with FilmDistrict has not been kind to the talent agencies. Even dominant agency CAA is looking for cover, as studios make fewer movies and reduce talent fees. Thus CAA is announcing today that they have found a taker for a minority stake in the company. CAA is getting an infusion of cash from private investment firm TPG Capital (reportedly, hundreds of millions; they were seeking $250 million).

By Anne Thompson
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October 1, 2010 7:47 AM
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King, Schlessel, Berney Talk FilmDistrict, Plan to Release Depp's Rum Diary, London Boulevard

When a market contracts, it offers opportunities to fill the void. As expected, having imported Sony heavyweight Peter Schlessel as president, producer Graham King of GK Films, backed by his financing partner Tim Headington, is pushing forward to fill the current distribution gap with FilmDistrict.

By Anne Thompson
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September 27, 2010 12:19 PM
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3D Film Festival Opener is Streetdance 3D, Closer is Joe Dante's The Hole

The fourth annual 3D Film Festival announces its lineup for 2010. It opens September 30 with the U.S. premiere of Giwa and Dania Pasquini's Streetdance 3D, starring Charlotte Rampling, and closes on October 3 with Joe Dante's The Hole.

By Sophia Savage
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September 27, 2010 4:40 AM
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Steve Bass, Production Designer for 83rd Academy Awards Show

Oscar producers Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer announce that Steve Bass will serve as production designer for the 83rd Academy Awards show on February 27, 2011, at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre.

By Anne Thompson
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September 23, 2010 11:11 AM
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Warners Succession Plan: Meyer Stays, Horn Goes

It makes sense that respected Warner Bros. chairman and CEO Barry Meyer will stay on in his current role (through the end of 2013), while president and COO Alan Horn will leave his post in April.

By Anne Thompson
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September 22, 2010 8:54 AM
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John Steinbeck Award To Go to Michael Moore

The family of Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck (The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, Of Mice and Men) and the Center for Steinbeck Studies will give this year's John Steinbeck "In the Souls of the People" Award to documentary filmmaker and political gadfly Michael Moore (Fahrenheit 9/11, Bowling for Columbine).

By Anne Thompson
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September 22, 2010 4:08 AM
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Starbucks Digital Network Adds SnagFilms Programming

Scheduled to launch later this fall, the Starbucks Digital Network has so far announced content providers The New York Times, USA TODAY, The Wall Street Journal, Entertainment with iTunes, Nick Jr. Boost, Wellness with Rodale, Patch and Zagat. Now SnagFilms is the latest content contributor to the Starbucks Digital Network’s upcoming entertainment channel. SnagFilms, which offers over 1600 free non-fiction movies, will co-curate with Starbucks themed film festivals created specifically for the Network, launching with A MusicFest of a range of award-winning musical films.

By Anne Thompson
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September 21, 2010 12:15 PM
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European Film Academy Nominates Three Animated Features

The European Film Academy nominates three for 2010 Animated Feature Film; Spain/UK's Planet 51 directed by Jorge Blanco, Belgium's Sammy's Adventures: The Secret Passage from Ben Stassen, and UK/France's The Illusionist by Sylvain Chomet. On December 4th, the winner will be announced at the EFA Awards Ceremony in Tallinn/Estonia, as determined by their 2,300 voting members.

By Anne Thompson
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September 21, 2010 4:24 AM
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Will MGM Go Asian?

The Wall Street Journal reports that Indian conglomerate Sahara India Pariwar is in exploratory talks to buy MGM for more than $2 billion, according to one source:

By Anne Thompson
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September 19, 2010 11:23 AM
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IFC Gets Unauthorized: The Harvey Weinstein Project

IFC has acquired worldwide rights to Barry Avrich's documentary Unauthorized: The Harvey Weinstein Project, narrated by Peter Fonda. The film tracks Weinstein from his concert promoter days in Buffalo, NY through his Miramax years and such Oscar-winning heights as Pulp Fiction and beyond. It examines his relationship with his brother Bob, staff and the Hollywood machine, complete with insider interviews.