Screenwriters’ Sony Suit Tossed

EIC — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:19:44 +0000

A federal judge rejected claims that Sony’s “God of War” videogame infringes on a series of works from two Northern California screenwriters. U.S. District Court Judge Marilyn Hall Patel, in a ruling issued on Tuesday, wrote that the similarities between screenplays written by Jonathan Bissoon-Dath and Jennifer B. Dath were merely “cliched and unprotected elements.” Among other things, the plaintiffs argued that certain scenes and dialogue were similar or identical, such as scenes depicting a gathering of the gods. But Patel said such instances are “stock elements that have been used in literary and artistic works for years, if not millennia.” Moreover, she wrote, they “pointed to no persuasive similarity in dialogue or narration that would suggest actual copying.” “God of War” was released in 2005 for PlayStation2.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118016380.html?categoryId=22&cs=1

Exec Shuffle Continues at OWN

EIC — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:39:41 +0000

The Oprah Winfrey Network is undergoing yet another executive shuffle. In the latest round of musical chairs at the not-yet-launched cabler, Jamila Hunter is stepping down as head of programming and moving into a separate development job. Programming at the cabler is now expected to be overseen by former MTV execs Rod Aissa, Michele Dix and Drew Tappon, who will report to recently-installed chief creative officer Lisa Erspamer.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118016377.html?categoryId=14&cs=1

Showtime Also Firming Up Licensing Plans

EIC — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:15:19 +0000

Showtime has lined up another feature film supplier. The pay cable network has inked an output deal for up to 35 films from DreamWorks Studios that will be released between 2010 and 2015. Showtime made the pact with Disney-ABC Domestic TV which handles TV distribution for the now-indie DreamWorks under DreamWorks’ distribution agreement with the Walt Disney Co.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3if3d775aa9c43698ec344b5248a016c68

Starz, Disney Extending Their Deal

EIC — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:07:30 +0000

Starz is extending its licensing agreement with Walt Disney Studios through 2015, giving the network access to titles from Marvel, Touchstone, Disney-Pixar and other divisions of the company. The previous output agreement was set to run through 2012.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3if3d775aa9c43698ef9acba9dd20b0418

Yes, There Will Be a Sketch Comedy Movie

EIC — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:38:38 +0000

As further proof that nothing’s ever dead in Hollywood, Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media has signed on to co-finance an untitled sketch comedy film so old that it was once killed by Tipper Gore. Kavanaugh stepped in after Overture recently lost the project, and will be producing with comic buddy Charles Wessler, Pete Farrelly and GreeneStreet Films’ John Penotti. Wessler’s project was ditched by Paramount ages ago after old Tipper said it wasn’t family friendly — 17 directors and 15 actors later here we are. So far Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Gerard Butler, Elizabeth Banks, Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber, Johnny Knoxville, Seann William Scott, Emma Stone, Matt Walsh, Tony Shalhoub, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kieran Culkin, Chloe Moretz, and Patrick Warburton have signed on to the project which is being shot on the fly with a variety of directors. Shooting is expected to wrap up in May.

http://www.cinematical.com/2010/03/11/what-does-17-directors-15-actors-equal-1-sketch-comedy/

Entertainment Vet Adelson to Advise WB

EIC — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:39:59 +0000

Showbiz veteran Merv Adelson has been retained to serve as an executive advisor and consultant to Warner Bros. Entertainment and its businesses in new media start-ups and other early development companies Barry Meyer, chairman and CEO of the studio made the announcement Thursday. Adelson’s career dates back to the 1950s, when he and business partner Irwin Molasky began working on real estate development in Las Vegas, including the city’s first major shopping mall, high-rise office building, major hospital and ABC television affiliate. Adelson was one of the founders and later chairman and CEO of Lorimar Television.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118016348.html?categoryId=13&cs=1

Former WMA Agent Heading to Sports Management

EIC — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:35:38 +0000

John Ferriter, a former top TV tenpercenter at WMA, has been tapped for an exec role at sports and entertainment marketing shingle Octagon. Ferriter will serve as managing director of Octagon’s Athletes and Personalities wing with the goal of expanding the company’s actitivities in the entertainment biz. Ferriter will focus on packaging TV programs for Octagon as well as working with its athlete reps, sports and branded content teams. Ferriter spent nearly 20 years as a TV packaging agent and board member at WMA. He exited the agency following its merger last year with Endeavor.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118016347.html?categoryId=14&cs=1

Radical Media Develops TV Slate

SCENEPR — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:52:24 +0000

Branded content production shingle Radical Media (”Iconoclasts”) is ramping up its TV development, starting with a series version of the bestselling book “Freakonomics.” Bob Friedman, Radical’s president of media and entertainment, said the company is working with author/journo Stephen Dubner (who partnered with economist Steven Levitt to produce the book and its sequels) to develop several variations on the title. Levitt will appear on the show, which is being shopped to nets. Company is also behind the Planet Green series “The Kamen Code,” centering on inventor Dean Kamen. Kamen came up with the Segway and the first insulin pump, among other creations. Project reunites Radical with Planet Green topper Laura Michalchyshyn, who formerly ran Sundance Channel (where “Iconoclasts” runs). For new cabler Centric, Radicalis working on a new docu-style, celeb-driven series from Lauren Lazin (”Tupac: Resurrection”). Other projects being developed at Radical include a docusoap set inside the Miami City Ballet. Production shingle is also developing a show based on Randy Jones’ business tome “The Richest Man in Town,” documenting the rags-to-riches stories of the self-made wealthy. As previously announced, Radical is producing one of the new Oprah Winfrey Network’s signature shows, “Masterclass” — hosted by Winfrey herself. And Radical is still developing “Pigs and Panthers,” based on the life of undercover LAPD detective Ronald Farwell, at Showtime. At MTV, Radical is behind the longform doc “Summit on the Summit,” which runs next week. Project follows stars, such as Jessica Biel and Emile Hirsch, who climb Mt. Kilimanjaro for charity. Radical produced “Summit” with Procter and Gamble, which is integrating messages for its new Pure water purification system.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118016329.html?categoryId=2431&cs=1

Iger Talks ABC & Dumbo at Disney’s Annual Shareholder Meeting

SCENEPR — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:15:12 +0000

At Disney’s annual shareholder meeting Wednesday, CEO Bob Iger faced off with disappointed “cast members” over health benefits, didn’t dismiss the idea of selling ABC, announced a new ride and rebuked one of the company’s classic animated films. As for ABC, Iger was responding to a questioner who suggested that the network, or at least ABC News, might be more valuable to someone else than it is to Disney. But the early part of the Q&A portion of the meeting was dominated by Disneyland Resort hotel workers from California, who are among some of the 2,100 union employees upset about declining health benefits. Explaining why Fastpass isn’t available on rides for young children, Iger let it slip that Disney is building another Dumbo ride at Florida’s Fantasyland, alongside the existing one. He also announced a new $700 annual pass for unlimited access to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. Shareholders voted down a “say on pay” initiative, though a supporter asked that execs make sure the outcome coincided with SEC guidelines stipulating how votes should be counted. Disney also elected a 13th director, Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i755f10fb8f89b626b2e61e1efdc71b28

French Film Industry Feels Recession

SCENEPR — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:50:31 +0000

The French film industry may be more resilient than its European neighbors, but it isn’t recession proof. While the volume of production has remained stable at 230 films, investment last year fell to Euros 1.1 billion ($1.4 billion), a 26.3% drop on 2008, according to a CNC report. Foreign sales revenues dropped to $201.48 million, while producers’ own financing decreased to $94.46 million. Foreign co-production investments, which represented 18.8% of all French films’ investment, dropped by 22.5% to $282.72 million. A good reason to remain optimistic, said Cayla, is that Orange Cinema Series is stepping up its investments significantly. In its first full year, OCS invested $9.9 million in 13 films. Some 80% of that investment was accounted for by payments for Gallic first-run, premium pay TV rights.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118016287.html?categoryId=3599&cs=1