CBS has renewed Blue Bloods for the 2023-24 season, which will be the cop drama stalwart’s 14th on the network. The cast of the series, including core original stars Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan and Will Estes, are set to return, along with its top producing team led by showrunner Kevin Wade.
Related Story We’ll Be Back: Photo Gallery Of TV Series Renewed In 2023 Related Story CBS Renewal Status Report: 'Blue Bloods', 'S.W.A.T.', 'East New York' & 'True Lies' Related Story Detective Drama Series 'The Mysterious Mortons' In The Works At CBS From Amy Rardin, George Northy & Laurie Zaks
As Deadline reported after Blue Bloods was conspicuously missing from CBS’ list of drama series renewals last month, a pickup for the long-running hit was tied up in difficult negotiations, with CBS pushing for significant budget cuts, including 25% for above-the-line talent, including actors.
Related: CBS...
Related Story We’ll Be Back: Photo Gallery Of TV Series Renewed In 2023 Related Story CBS Renewal Status Report: 'Blue Bloods', 'S.W.A.T.', 'East New York' & 'True Lies' Related Story Detective Drama Series 'The Mysterious Mortons' In The Works At CBS From Amy Rardin, George Northy & Laurie Zaks
As Deadline reported after Blue Bloods was conspicuously missing from CBS’ list of drama series renewals last month, a pickup for the long-running hit was tied up in difficult negotiations, with CBS pushing for significant budget cuts, including 25% for above-the-line talent, including actors.
Related: CBS...
- 3/29/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: CBS Studios is developing The Mysterious Mortons, a detective drama series for CBS from Amy Rardin (Charmed), George Northy (Charmed), and Laurie Zaks (Castle), Deadline has learned.
The show follows a homicide detective who enlists his quirky family of mystery writers to assist him in cracking the cases that perplex the authorities.
Rardin and Northy will serve as writers and executive producers; Zaks executive produces under her banner Rosewood TV.
Rardin is currently an executive producer/writer on Amazon/Temple Hill’s Teton. She previously served as head writer and co-executive producer on Marvel/Disney+’s Echo, and co-creator/executive producer on the reboot of Charmed for the CW. She also served as co-executive producer and writer for four seasons of Jane The Virgin for the CW and began her staffing career on ABC Family’s Greek. Rardin is repped by Verve and Sugar23.
Northy sold Ozma to Netflix,...
The show follows a homicide detective who enlists his quirky family of mystery writers to assist him in cracking the cases that perplex the authorities.
Rardin and Northy will serve as writers and executive producers; Zaks executive produces under her banner Rosewood TV.
Rardin is currently an executive producer/writer on Amazon/Temple Hill’s Teton. She previously served as head writer and co-executive producer on Marvel/Disney+’s Echo, and co-creator/executive producer on the reboot of Charmed for the CW. She also served as co-executive producer and writer for four seasons of Jane The Virgin for the CW and began her staffing career on ABC Family’s Greek. Rardin is repped by Verve and Sugar23.
Northy sold Ozma to Netflix,...
- 3/24/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
A+E Studios has entered into a first-look deal with Foster Driver and Zoë Kent through their production company Driver+Kent Media. Under the pact, Driver+Kent Media will develop and produce projects for A+E Studios for sale on all global and domestic television platforms and services.
Driver and Kent launched their production company after a decade of working together in the studio system at majors such as Warner Bros. and Disney. Driver+Kent Media, whose focus is on elevated commercial fare, already have set up multiple projects at A+E Studios, including Dead Eleven, based on the book by Jimmy Juliano, and Summerset, created by George Northy.
“Foster and Zoë come to the table with an eye for stories that are relevant, speak to a global audience and showcase the complexities of the world we live in,” said Tana Nugent Jamieson, EVP Creative Affairs at A+E Studios. “Their...
Driver and Kent launched their production company after a decade of working together in the studio system at majors such as Warner Bros. and Disney. Driver+Kent Media, whose focus is on elevated commercial fare, already have set up multiple projects at A+E Studios, including Dead Eleven, based on the book by Jimmy Juliano, and Summerset, created by George Northy.
“Foster and Zoë come to the table with an eye for stories that are relevant, speak to a global audience and showcase the complexities of the world we live in,” said Tana Nugent Jamieson, EVP Creative Affairs at A+E Studios. “Their...
- 9/19/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Foster Driver and Zoë Kent, through their production company Driver+Kent Media, have entered into a first look deal at A+E Studios.
Under the pact, which was announced by Tana Jamieson, executive vice president, Creative Affairs at A+E Studios, Driver+Kent Media will develop and produce projects for sale on all global and domestic television platforms and services.
Driver+Kent already have “Dead Eleven,” based on the book by Jimmy Juliano, and “Summerset,” created by George Northy, set up at the studio.
“Foster and Zoë come to the table with an eye for stories that are relevant, speak to a global audience and showcase the complexities of the world we live in,” Jamieson said in a statement. “Their eclectic film and television backgrounds combined with their passion for vibrant and inclusive storytelling make them ideal partners for us at A+E Studios. We’re excited to be in business...
Under the pact, which was announced by Tana Jamieson, executive vice president, Creative Affairs at A+E Studios, Driver+Kent Media will develop and produce projects for sale on all global and domestic television platforms and services.
Driver+Kent already have “Dead Eleven,” based on the book by Jimmy Juliano, and “Summerset,” created by George Northy, set up at the studio.
“Foster and Zoë come to the table with an eye for stories that are relevant, speak to a global audience and showcase the complexities of the world we live in,” Jamieson said in a statement. “Their eclectic film and television backgrounds combined with their passion for vibrant and inclusive storytelling make them ideal partners for us at A+E Studios. We’re excited to be in business...
- 9/19/2022
- by Jolie Lash
- The Wrap
A+E Studios has signed a first-look deal with Foster Driver and Zoë Kent’s Driver+Kent Media.
Under the deal, Driver+Kent will develop and produce projects for A+E Studios across all platforms for sale globally and domestically.
“Foster and Zoë come to the table with an eye for stories that are relevant, speak to a global audience and showcase the complexities of the world we live in,” said Tana Nugent Jamieson, executive vice president of creative affairs for A+E Studios. “Their eclectic film and television backgrounds combined with their passion for vibrant and inclusive storytelling make them ideal partners for us at A+E Studios. We’re excited to be in business with Driver+Kent Media and look forward to what’s ahead.”
Driver+Kent has already begun setting up projects with A+E Studios, including an adaptation of the book “Dead Eleven” by Jimmy Juliano as...
Under the deal, Driver+Kent will develop and produce projects for A+E Studios across all platforms for sale globally and domestically.
“Foster and Zoë come to the table with an eye for stories that are relevant, speak to a global audience and showcase the complexities of the world we live in,” said Tana Nugent Jamieson, executive vice president of creative affairs for A+E Studios. “Their eclectic film and television backgrounds combined with their passion for vibrant and inclusive storytelling make them ideal partners for us at A+E Studios. We’re excited to be in business with Driver+Kent Media and look forward to what’s ahead.”
Driver+Kent has already begun setting up projects with A+E Studios, including an adaptation of the book “Dead Eleven” by Jimmy Juliano as...
- 9/19/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Outfest has launched its annual Outfest Screenwriting Lab and selected eight scripts that advance the visibility of Lgbtqia+ storytelling. This year’s fellows include Johnny Alvarez, Courtney & Hillary Andujar, Carlton Daniel Jr., Gary Jaffe, Raul Martin, Damon Royster, Cody Stickels & Kea Trevett, and Leandro Tadashi.
The Outfest Screenwriting Lab was established as a screenwriting contest in 1997 and has since become the cornerstone of Outfest’s education and mentoring program, Outfest Forward. Because this year’s Lab will take place virtually, it provided Outfest the ability to accept their largest cohort to date and extended the time frame of the Lab to five days. Fellows will meet with top industry showrunners, executives, and writers who will offer professional development and discuss trends within the industry.
The Lab roster of Lgbtqia+ industry leaders include showrunners Latoya Morgan, Derek Simonds (The Sinner), and M Dickson, alongside...
The Outfest Screenwriting Lab was established as a screenwriting contest in 1997 and has since become the cornerstone of Outfest’s education and mentoring program, Outfest Forward. Because this year’s Lab will take place virtually, it provided Outfest the ability to accept their largest cohort to date and extended the time frame of the Lab to five days. Fellows will meet with top industry showrunners, executives, and writers who will offer professional development and discuss trends within the industry.
The Lab roster of Lgbtqia+ industry leaders include showrunners Latoya Morgan, Derek Simonds (The Sinner), and M Dickson, alongside...
- 12/2/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The CW has put in development Infamous, an action-drama from writers George Northy (Charmed) and Darren Stein (Jawbreaker), and Mike Tollin and his Tollin Productions.
Written by Northy and Stein, Infamous is a take on the thrilling spy drama with a modern, satirical celebrity twist. It is inspired by the true stories of world-famous actors, models and musicians who also happened to moonlight as spies for the Allied Forces in WWII, such as Greta Garbo, Hedy Lamarr and Josephine Baker just to name a few. In Infamous, celebrities who’ve experienced a devastating fall from grace are recruited by a top-secret arm of the CIA, with the promise to rehab their careers in exchange for using their global access (and eccentric reputations) to perform high-risk missions across the globe.
Tollin Productions’ VP Scripted Programming Maia Glikman is executive producing the project along with Mike Tollin.
Northy and Stein first...
Written by Northy and Stein, Infamous is a take on the thrilling spy drama with a modern, satirical celebrity twist. It is inspired by the true stories of world-famous actors, models and musicians who also happened to moonlight as spies for the Allied Forces in WWII, such as Greta Garbo, Hedy Lamarr and Josephine Baker just to name a few. In Infamous, celebrities who’ve experienced a devastating fall from grace are recruited by a top-secret arm of the CIA, with the promise to rehab their careers in exchange for using their global access (and eccentric reputations) to perform high-risk missions across the globe.
Tollin Productions’ VP Scripted Programming Maia Glikman is executive producing the project along with Mike Tollin.
Northy and Stein first...
- 12/18/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Kirsten Howard Nov 2, 2019
The new project, about some mysterious goings on at a secluded island, is called Wellsville.
Exploring a noted author's entire back catalogue within the frame of a single TV series worked for Hulu's Castle Rock, so maybe it'll work for new NBC series, Wellsville?
H.G. Wells' books are on the serving block for the new show, which will follow Ellie, "a young scientist lured to a secluded island under the pretense of curing her terminally sick mother. While there she discovers there is more to this island and its inhabitants than it seems" (via Deadline).
Charmed's George Northy is penning Wellsville for NBC, through Gail Berman's Fox-owned SideCar company. There are no further details on Wellsville at present, but there are a host of premium stories by the British author to choose from if Northy and co. are looking to create a series rich in sci-fi mythology.
The new project, about some mysterious goings on at a secluded island, is called Wellsville.
Exploring a noted author's entire back catalogue within the frame of a single TV series worked for Hulu's Castle Rock, so maybe it'll work for new NBC series, Wellsville?
H.G. Wells' books are on the serving block for the new show, which will follow Ellie, "a young scientist lured to a secluded island under the pretense of curing her terminally sick mother. While there she discovers there is more to this island and its inhabitants than it seems" (via Deadline).
Charmed's George Northy is penning Wellsville for NBC, through Gail Berman's Fox-owned SideCar company. There are no further details on Wellsville at present, but there are a host of premium stories by the British author to choose from if Northy and co. are looking to create a series rich in sci-fi mythology.
- 11/1/2019
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: NBC has put in development Wellsville, a drama inspired by the works of author H.G. Wells, from writer George Northy (Charmed), Fox Entertainment’s SideCar Content Accelerator and Universal TV.
This marks one of the first major sales to another broadcast network for the Gail Berman-run SideCar, which is fully owned by Fox Entertainment. The company, launched earlier this year, is developing and producing/co-producing scripted and unscripted shows. Its primary goal is to supply Fox but the company also does shows for other networks and has a Darren Criss musical comedy at Quibi and an animated comedy in the works at Adult Swim.
Written by Northy, Wellsville is centered on Ellie, a young scientist lured to a secluded island under the pretense of curing her terminally sick mother. While there she discovers there is more to this island and its inhabitants than it seems.
Northy executive produces...
This marks one of the first major sales to another broadcast network for the Gail Berman-run SideCar, which is fully owned by Fox Entertainment. The company, launched earlier this year, is developing and producing/co-producing scripted and unscripted shows. Its primary goal is to supply Fox but the company also does shows for other networks and has a Darren Criss musical comedy at Quibi and an animated comedy in the works at Adult Swim.
Written by Northy, Wellsville is centered on Ellie, a young scientist lured to a secluded island under the pretense of curing her terminally sick mother. While there she discovers there is more to this island and its inhabitants than it seems.
Northy executive produces...
- 10/31/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
E! is going back to (’90s high) school: The network is developing a series reboot of the 1999 teen film Jawbreaker.
The new project is an hour-long scripted series, our sister site Deadline reports, based on the pitch-black cult hit that starred Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart and Julie Benz as status-obsessed teens whose prank turns deadly. The E! reboot will feature a clique of Beverly Hills friends who are forced to keep a terrible secret after a bachelorette party gone wrong.
RelatedCharmed, The Lost Boys Reboots Delayed Until 2018 at The CW
Darren Stein, who wrote and directed the original film,...
The new project is an hour-long scripted series, our sister site Deadline reports, based on the pitch-black cult hit that starred Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart and Julie Benz as status-obsessed teens whose prank turns deadly. The E! reboot will feature a clique of Beverly Hills friends who are forced to keep a terrible secret after a bachelorette party gone wrong.
RelatedCharmed, The Lost Boys Reboots Delayed Until 2018 at The CW
Darren Stein, who wrote and directed the original film,...
- 2/16/2017
- TVLine.com
E! has put in development Jawbreaker, a reimagining of the teen cult classic film, as an hourlong scripted series, from Sony TV. The film’s writer-director Darren Stein and George Northy (G.B.F.) are set to co-write the TV adaptation and executive produce. The Jawbreaker series is a wild reimagining of the 1999 film set in the fame-obsessed world of Beverly Hills. The adaptation follows a new clique whose world is rocked by an accidental killing at a bachelorette party…...
- 2/16/2017
- Deadline TV
Sharp satire cutting through the sweet silliness makes this a refreshing change of pace for teen comedies. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
In a school where the three reigning popular girls — each hoping to become prom queen — are like “warlords” operating under an uneasy truce, the latest, hippest weapon for dominance is the G.B.F.: the gay best friend. Problem is, in North Gate High doesn’t have any “’mo’s”… or does it? When geeky Tanner (Michael J. Willett), who’s not very fabulous (he’s into comic books) is accidentally outed, he becomes a pawn in the games of Fawcett (Sasha Pieterse), ’Shley (Andrea Bowen), and Caprice (Xosha Roquemore: Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire). (Harry Potter’s Evanna Lynch, aka Luna Lovegood, appears here too.) Will he...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
In a school where the three reigning popular girls — each hoping to become prom queen — are like “warlords” operating under an uneasy truce, the latest, hippest weapon for dominance is the G.B.F.: the gay best friend. Problem is, in North Gate High doesn’t have any “’mo’s”… or does it? When geeky Tanner (Michael J. Willett), who’s not very fabulous (he’s into comic books) is accidentally outed, he becomes a pawn in the games of Fawcett (Sasha Pieterse), ’Shley (Andrea Bowen), and Caprice (Xosha Roquemore: Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire). (Harry Potter’s Evanna Lynch, aka Luna Lovegood, appears here too.) Will he...
- 1/17/2014
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Easy Peasy: Stein Returns to High School Hallways for Sweet Hearted Message Movie
Five years before Mean Girls brought the monstrous high heeled bitch posse back to the forefront of PG-13 blockbuster entertainment, director Darren Stein’s 1999 film Jawbreaker explored the morbid universe of a trio of black hearted murderous maidens in the delightful R tradition of Heathers. In his first feature since then, Stein goes back to the hallways of high school with G.B.F., once again revisiting the formula of the popular female triumvirate, only this time aligning himself with the spirit of John Hughes. Many aspects of high school life may seemingly never change, but Stein’s latest rendering, while extolling a message that seems deliriously obvious to the adult world, cheerfully proposes that even this rigid, socially conditioned environment has had opportunity to grapple with progressive notions of equality.
The three most popular girls in high-school, ‘Shley...
Five years before Mean Girls brought the monstrous high heeled bitch posse back to the forefront of PG-13 blockbuster entertainment, director Darren Stein’s 1999 film Jawbreaker explored the morbid universe of a trio of black hearted murderous maidens in the delightful R tradition of Heathers. In his first feature since then, Stein goes back to the hallways of high school with G.B.F., once again revisiting the formula of the popular female triumvirate, only this time aligning himself with the spirit of John Hughes. Many aspects of high school life may seemingly never change, but Stein’s latest rendering, while extolling a message that seems deliriously obvious to the adult world, cheerfully proposes that even this rigid, socially conditioned environment has had opportunity to grapple with progressive notions of equality.
The three most popular girls in high-school, ‘Shley...
- 1/14/2014
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
With its impending release just around the corner, director Darren Stein and writer George Northy's "G.B.F." (Gay Best Friend) has given Indiewire an exclusive new clip, one that features none other than the hilarious Megan Mullally as the awkward mother of a gay teen (Paul Iacono). "G.B.F." follows the comedic escapades of a group of high school girls determined to make Tanner, the recently-outed boy in school, their new gay best friend. In an attempt to climb the lengthy social ladder, Tanner's new makeover at the hands of the clique queens leads him to his popularity, but forces him to re-evaluate his priorities, his friendships and ultimately his identity. Currently on DirecTV, "G.B.F." gets its theatrical release on January 17, 2014. Check out the clip below:...
- 1/10/2014
- by Ziyad Saadi
- Indiewire
G.B.F., a cunning new comedy from Jawbreaker director Darren Stein, is a minor high-school flick, but also an inherently modern one. It is bolstered by a refreshing premise and a sharp cast who overcome some of the absurdity and clutter in George Northy’s debut script. The acronym of the title stands for “gay best friend,” which leads the viewer to expect a depiction of contemporary high-school drama that could be too hip or condescending. As it turns out though, G.B.F. is neither, instead, it’s merely happy to embrace its gay-positive values and is just smart enough to make us laugh at some of the stereotypes it skewers.
The film’s plot, if anything, depends on the trendsetters. As gay protagonist Tanner (Michael J. Willett) tells the audience, there is something about being first in high school. It turns out that Tanner’s first is, to him, an embarrassing...
The film’s plot, if anything, depends on the trendsetters. As gay protagonist Tanner (Michael J. Willett) tells the audience, there is something about being first in high school. It turns out that Tanner’s first is, to him, an embarrassing...
- 1/10/2014
- by Jordan Adler
- We Got This Covered
It’s an old accusation, but one that shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon: the Motion Picture Association of America is disproportionately stricter about profanity and sex than it is about violence. Relatively gruesome studio films like The Hunger Games or The Dark Knight Rises frequently win PG-13 ratings; relatively gentle films like Philomena, by contrast, are slammed with a much more restrictive R rating — initially, at least — simply for dropping one too many F-bombs.
And then there’s the MPAA’s historically fraught relationship with gay and lesbian content, which often seems to be treated more harshly than heterosexual relations.
And then there’s the MPAA’s historically fraught relationship with gay and lesbian content, which often seems to be treated more harshly than heterosexual relations.
- 12/20/2013
- by Hillary Busis
- EW - Inside Movies
Gay high school fantasia G.B.F. starts the way every teen movie should: with the image of a panda puking up a rainbow.
Sure, it’s a snappy, meme-y graphic that speaks directly to the film’s target audience (hip, animal-video-obsessed, neon-emblazed Top Shop addicts) but it also stands as a great metaphor for the film’s message: sometimes being a mascot – for a cause, a school, or a line of breakfast cereals – can be enough to make you vomit Roy G. Biv. Darren Stein‘s G.B.F. is a comedy for everyone who has ever felt that the Pride flag they’ve been waving happily in the wind has just wrapped itself around their throat and is starting to cut off the air supply.
Tanner (Michael J. Willett) and Brent (Paul Iacono) are two gay best friends living comfortably under the Radar at a high school we’re familiar seeing in...
Sure, it’s a snappy, meme-y graphic that speaks directly to the film’s target audience (hip, animal-video-obsessed, neon-emblazed Top Shop addicts) but it also stands as a great metaphor for the film’s message: sometimes being a mascot – for a cause, a school, or a line of breakfast cereals – can be enough to make you vomit Roy G. Biv. Darren Stein‘s G.B.F. is a comedy for everyone who has ever felt that the Pride flag they’ve been waving happily in the wind has just wrapped itself around their throat and is starting to cut off the air supply.
Tanner (Michael J. Willett) and Brent (Paul Iacono) are two gay best friends living comfortably under the Radar at a high school we’re familiar seeing in...
- 11/22/2013
- by Brian Juergens
- The Backlot
In light of the upcoming November 22 DirecTV release of Vertical Entertainment's "G.B.F." (Gay Best Friend), Indiewire has been given an exclusive first look at the latest stills and movie poster for director Darren Stein and writer George Northy's comedy. "G.B.F." tells the social warfare story of what happens when "three high school clique queens battle for supremacy: drama diva Caprice (Xosha Roquemore), Mormon princess ‘Shley (Andrea Bowen) and blonde fashionista Fawcett (Sasha Pieterse). When unassuming Tanner (Michael J. Willet) is outted, he finds himself cast as the hottest new teen-girl accessory: The Gay Best Friend. The clique queens immediately pounce and makeover Tanner into their ideal arm candy, forcing him to choose between popularity and the true friends — including his own B.F.F. Brent (Paul Iacono) — that he's leaving behind." In addition to its November 22 DirecTV release, "G.B.F" is set for a January 17 2014 theatrical release. Checkout the movie poster and.
- 11/12/2013
- by Ramzi De Coster
- Indiewire
Vertical Entertainment has acquired North American rights to G.B.F, or Gay Best Friend, which closed Outfest 2013 in Los Angeles on Sunday night [21].
Darren Stein directed the high school comedy from a debut screenplay by George Northy.
Sasha Pieterse, Evanna Lynch, Natasha Lyone, Joanna Levesque, Michael J Willett, Paul Iacono, Megan Mullally and Rebecca Gayheart star.
Richard Bever, Stephen Israel, Stein and Northy produced G.B.F. and Jennifer Levine, David Skinner and Tom Gorai served as executive producers.
Peter Jarowey of Vertical Entertainment and Zac Bright of Preferred Content negotiated the deal.
“We look forward to working with [Vertical Horizon] and sharing this film with audiences everywhere,” said Stein.
G.B.F. is expected to open in early 2014.
Darren Stein directed the high school comedy from a debut screenplay by George Northy.
Sasha Pieterse, Evanna Lynch, Natasha Lyone, Joanna Levesque, Michael J Willett, Paul Iacono, Megan Mullally and Rebecca Gayheart star.
Richard Bever, Stephen Israel, Stein and Northy produced G.B.F. and Jennifer Levine, David Skinner and Tom Gorai served as executive producers.
Peter Jarowey of Vertical Entertainment and Zac Bright of Preferred Content negotiated the deal.
“We look forward to working with [Vertical Horizon] and sharing this film with audiences everywhere,” said Stein.
G.B.F. is expected to open in early 2014.
- 7/22/2013
- ScreenDaily
Vertical Entertainment Acquires 'G.B.F,' a Tale of Gay Best Friends and Their Role in Clique Warfare
Vertical Entertainment has acquired all North American rights to the high school comedy film "G.B.F." (Gay Best Friend). Directed by Darren Stein ("Jawbreaker") with screenplay by George Northy, the film has a cast of young up-and-comers including Sasha Pieterse ("Pretty Little Liars"), Evanna Lynch (The Harry Potter Franchise), Natasha Lyonne ("Orange is the New Black"), Joanna "JoJo" Levesque ("Rv," "Aquamarine"), Paul Iacono ("The Hard Times of Rj Berger"), Michael J. Willett ("United States of Tara"), Molly Tarlov ("Awkward"), and Rebecca Gayheart ("Jawbreaker") and features Megan Mullally ("Parks and Recreation," "The Kings of Summer"). "G.B.F" plays with the concept of a G.B.F. (a Gay Best Friend) and how they have become a trendy and invaluable accessory for straight girls to have in their cliques. The film is being touted as a modern twist on the high school movie genre. The film premiered at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival and was recently shown at Outfest.
- 7/22/2013
- by Madeline Raynor
- Indiewire
Tanner (Michael J. Willett) is the Gbf everyone wants (including Sasha Pieterse)
In the fine tradition of teen comedies like Clueless, Pretty In Pink, Mean Girls and even darker films like the original Carrie, comes the new film, G.B.F., which fabulously dives into the world of the Gay Best Friend. Directed by Darren Stein (Jawbreaker) from a script by George Northy, the film follows high schooler Tanner (Michael J. Willett) as he navigates the treacherous waters of high school after coming out.
In the world of G.B.F., there’s less opposition to Tanner being gay than the comedy found in how people want to be close to the cute gay guy. The popular girls compete for Tanner’s friendship, even helping him with a makeover; at least one closeted guy (the Bf of one of the girls) makes a pass at him and, at the end of the day, he...
In the fine tradition of teen comedies like Clueless, Pretty In Pink, Mean Girls and even darker films like the original Carrie, comes the new film, G.B.F., which fabulously dives into the world of the Gay Best Friend. Directed by Darren Stein (Jawbreaker) from a script by George Northy, the film follows high schooler Tanner (Michael J. Willett) as he navigates the treacherous waters of high school after coming out.
In the world of G.B.F., there’s less opposition to Tanner being gay than the comedy found in how people want to be close to the cute gay guy. The popular girls compete for Tanner’s friendship, even helping him with a makeover; at least one closeted guy (the Bf of one of the girls) makes a pass at him and, at the end of the day, he...
- 7/18/2013
- by Jim Halterman
- The Backlot
Yesterday we posted our red carpet chats from last night’s Outfest Lgbt Film Festival Opening Night event in Los Angeles with Jonathan Groff and Director Kimberly Peirce but we have more from the star-studded event.
Besides Groff and Peirce, we chatted with newly married/Prop 8 Plaintiffs Paul Katami and Jeff Zarillo, Happy Endings star Casey Wilson (Ass Backwards), Groff’s co-star in C.O.G., Corey Stoll, as well as cast and crew from Outfest films Southern Baptist Sissies, Gbf and the documentary on the life of a film legend, I Am Divine.
Newlyweds Jeff Zarillo & Paul Katami
Ass Backwards stars Casey Wilson, June Diane Raphael & Director Chris Nelson
I Am Divine director Jeffrey Schwartz
Gbf’s stars Molly Tarlov & Michael J Willett with
writer George Northy & producer Steven Israel
Southern Baptist Sissies’ Leslie Jordan
Southern Baptist Sissies’ Emerson Collins
Southern Baptist Sissies creator Del Shores
C.O.G. co-star Corey Stoll
I Do...
Besides Groff and Peirce, we chatted with newly married/Prop 8 Plaintiffs Paul Katami and Jeff Zarillo, Happy Endings star Casey Wilson (Ass Backwards), Groff’s co-star in C.O.G., Corey Stoll, as well as cast and crew from Outfest films Southern Baptist Sissies, Gbf and the documentary on the life of a film legend, I Am Divine.
Newlyweds Jeff Zarillo & Paul Katami
Ass Backwards stars Casey Wilson, June Diane Raphael & Director Chris Nelson
I Am Divine director Jeffrey Schwartz
Gbf’s stars Molly Tarlov & Michael J Willett with
writer George Northy & producer Steven Israel
Southern Baptist Sissies’ Leslie Jordan
Southern Baptist Sissies’ Emerson Collins
Southern Baptist Sissies creator Del Shores
C.O.G. co-star Corey Stoll
I Do...
- 7/13/2013
- by Jim Halterman
- The Backlot
Adam Baran, Rosie Haber, J Michael Feldman, Pete Mercurio and Julia Dwyer Sullivan have been selected for this year’s 2013 Screenwriting Lab, now in its 11th year and set to take place in June.
The workshop is backed by a grant from the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences and will include sessions with other industry professionals, structured career development opportunities and participation in ongoing festival events.
Outfest executives said 2013 had already been an “extremely successful” year for scripts mentored through previous Screenwriting Labs.
Former fellows and their works that have premiered at festivals in the year-to-date include Yen Tan whose Pit Stop [pictured] screened in Sundance, George Northy’s G.B.F. in Tribeca and Doug Spearman’s Hot Guys With Guns, the closing night film at the Miami Gay And Lesbian Film Festival.
“The fellows selected for the 2013 Outfest Screenwriting Lab have written fresh, exciting Lgbt stories that depict the complexity and beauty of Lgbt lives,” said...
The workshop is backed by a grant from the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences and will include sessions with other industry professionals, structured career development opportunities and participation in ongoing festival events.
Outfest executives said 2013 had already been an “extremely successful” year for scripts mentored through previous Screenwriting Labs.
Former fellows and their works that have premiered at festivals in the year-to-date include Yen Tan whose Pit Stop [pictured] screened in Sundance, George Northy’s G.B.F. in Tribeca and Doug Spearman’s Hot Guys With Guns, the closing night film at the Miami Gay And Lesbian Film Festival.
“The fellows selected for the 2013 Outfest Screenwriting Lab have written fresh, exciting Lgbt stories that depict the complexity and beauty of Lgbt lives,” said...
- 6/3/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Outfest has announced the 2013 Screenwriting Lab Fellows, with 5 individuals selected for the 11th year of the program: Adam Baran, Rosie Haber, J. Michael Feldman, Pete Mercurio and Julia Dwyer Sullivan. “The fellows selected for the 2013 Outfest Screenwriting Lab have written fresh, exciting Lgbt stories that depict the complexity and beauty of Lgbt lives,” said Executive Director Kirsten Schaffer, in a statement. “The lab mentoring process has helped dozens of writers hone their craft and I am very proud of the three films that premiered at film festivals this year originally developed through the Outfest Screenwriting Lab.” To be held in June, the workshop will include "sessions with other industry professionals, structured career development opportunities and participation in ongoing festival events." Recent scripts mentored through previous Screenwriting Labs include Yen Tan’s "Pit Stop" (Sundance 2013) and George Northy’s "G.B.F." (Tribeca 2013). Since...
- 6/3/2013
- by Peter Knegt
- Indiewire
Reflecting on the theme of struggling to fit in from his last feature film, the dark high school comedy Jawbreakers, director Darren Stein once again explored the heightened adolescent need to be accepted in his new movie, G.B.F. The contemporary teen comedy had its world premiere during the Tribeca Film Festival on April 19 at New York City’s Clearview Cinemas Chelsea. The filmmaker and several of G.B.F.‘s stars attended the red carpet before the screening to discuss the process of filming the comedy.
G.B.F. tells the story of two closeted best friends, Tanner (Michael J. Willett) and Brent (Paul Iacono), as they try to navigate high school. Brent longs to be the G.B.F, or gay best friend, of the popular girls in school, so that he can finally have the spotlight. Tanner, meanwhile, would rather make it to graduation without ever being noticed.
But the lead popular girls in school-the glamorous,...
G.B.F. tells the story of two closeted best friends, Tanner (Michael J. Willett) and Brent (Paul Iacono), as they try to navigate high school. Brent longs to be the G.B.F, or gay best friend, of the popular girls in school, so that he can finally have the spotlight. Tanner, meanwhile, would rather make it to graduation without ever being noticed.
But the lead popular girls in school-the glamorous,...
- 5/2/2013
- by Karen Benardello
- We Got This Covered
Those tired of trying to make fetch happen, fear not: "G.B.F.," a.k.a. the next high school movie with enough quotable dialogue to produce Tumblr memes from now until forever, debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival this year.
"You kind of come into it and you don't know what to expect. Then once you're in, it just gets better and better," star Michael J. Willett told HuffPost Entertainment about the teen comedy. "People came up to me and said, I was laughing so hard and then you made me cry. I thought that was perfect."
Directed by Darren Stein (whose last feature film was 1999's "Jawbreaker") and written by George Northy, "G.B.F." focuses on what happens after Tanner (Willett) is unwittingly outed by some nosy classmates and becomes the title "gay best friend," the acquaintance-cum-accessary who three high school queen bees (played by Sasha Pieterse, Andrea Bowen and Xosha Roquemore...
"You kind of come into it and you don't know what to expect. Then once you're in, it just gets better and better," star Michael J. Willett told HuffPost Entertainment about the teen comedy. "People came up to me and said, I was laughing so hard and then you made me cry. I thought that was perfect."
Directed by Darren Stein (whose last feature film was 1999's "Jawbreaker") and written by George Northy, "G.B.F." focuses on what happens after Tanner (Willett) is unwittingly outed by some nosy classmates and becomes the title "gay best friend," the acquaintance-cum-accessary who three high school queen bees (played by Sasha Pieterse, Andrea Bowen and Xosha Roquemore...
- 4/26/2013
- by Christopher Rosen
- Huffington Post
If director Darren Stein and actor Paul Iacono have their way, their new movie “G.B.F.” will usher in a more subversive film genre in the vein of “Clueless” and “Mean Girls,” but with a gay twist.
Premiering April 19 at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, “G.B.F.” tells the story of closeted teens Tanner (played by “United States of Tara” alum Michael J. Willett) and Brent (Iacono). In an effort to make himself a hip “social accessory” among a revered girls' clique at his high school, the sassy Brent hatches a plan to come out of the closet in a very big way. His efforts go hilariously awry, however, when the more introverted Tanner is accidentally outed first and ends up as the school’s most popular student in the weeks leading up to the senior prom.
Iacono deems the coming-of-age, teen-centric comedy a “mo-mance,” focused on a platonic, if no less hormonally charged,...
Premiering April 19 at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, “G.B.F.” tells the story of closeted teens Tanner (played by “United States of Tara” alum Michael J. Willett) and Brent (Iacono). In an effort to make himself a hip “social accessory” among a revered girls' clique at his high school, the sassy Brent hatches a plan to come out of the closet in a very big way. His efforts go hilariously awry, however, when the more introverted Tanner is accidentally outed first and ends up as the school’s most popular student in the weeks leading up to the senior prom.
Iacono deems the coming-of-age, teen-centric comedy a “mo-mance,” focused on a platonic, if no less hormonally charged,...
- 4/19/2013
- by Curtis M. Wong
- Huffington Post
Megan Mullally plays Paul Iacono‘s mother in the upcoming teen comedy, G.B.F. aka Gay Best Friend, which premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival this weekend. The movie tells the story of two closeted best friends Tanner, (Michael J. Willett, United States Of Tara) and Brent (Iacono, The Hard Times Of R.J. Berger). While Brent longs for popularity, it’s Tanner who catches the school’s attention when he is accidentally outed. Soon the three most popular girls in school fight to land Tanner as their G.B.F.
In the clip, Brent’s mother attempts to reconnect with her son after an awkward coming out. Leave it to Netflix err Webflix to save the day!
This film has the potential join the canon of teen comedies. It was directed by Darren Stein (who brought us Jawbreaker) and, thanks to screenwriter, George Northy, there’s plenty of references to all the films,...
In the clip, Brent’s mother attempts to reconnect with her son after an awkward coming out. Leave it to Netflix err Webflix to save the day!
This film has the potential join the canon of teen comedies. It was directed by Darren Stein (who brought us Jawbreaker) and, thanks to screenwriter, George Northy, there’s plenty of references to all the films,...
- 4/17/2013
- by Stacy Lambe
- TheFabLife - Movies
Tribeca’s 12th annual festival, running from April 17-28, recently announced its feature film selections in the Spotlight and Midnight sections. According to Tribeca’s website, “The Spotlight section features 33 films — 21 narratives and 12 documentaries — that blur the lines of independent and mainstream filmmaking. Twenty-three films in the selection will have their world premieres at the Festival, a record number for the section.” See below for the official press release of this year’s lineup in all four categories.
2013 Tribeca Film Festival Announces Selections
For Spotlight, Midnight And New Storyscapes Sections, And Special Screenings
First-ever Storyscapes Section Showcases Innovative New Media Projects with Cross-platform Approaches to Storytelling
The Tribeca Film Festival (Tff) announced its feature film selections in the Spotlight and Midnight sections, projects in the new Storyscapes section and Special Screenings. The 12th edition of the Festival will take place from April 17 to April 28 in New York City.
The Spotlight...
2013 Tribeca Film Festival Announces Selections
For Spotlight, Midnight And New Storyscapes Sections, And Special Screenings
First-ever Storyscapes Section Showcases Innovative New Media Projects with Cross-platform Approaches to Storytelling
The Tribeca Film Festival (Tff) announced its feature film selections in the Spotlight and Midnight sections, projects in the new Storyscapes section and Special Screenings. The 12th edition of the Festival will take place from April 17 to April 28 in New York City.
The Spotlight...
- 3/28/2013
- by Christopher Clemente
- SoundOnSight
Yesterday the Tribeca Film Festival announced their feature film selections for their Spotlight and Midnight sections which include 21 narrative and 12 documentary projects.
This year’s choices bring us films featuring a bevy of top Hollywood talent including Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti, John Cusack,, Gemma Arterton and Zoe Kazan.
In a press release that accompanied the roster, Genna Terranova, Director of Programming for the festival said: “The documentary films in the Spotlight section this year highlight several famous individuals (including one very cute cat) who use their wit and bold personas to make us think and laugh. A mix of established filmmakers and rising talent top off the rest of the section with features exploring some fresh takes on unconventional relationships.”
The festival will feature the world premieres of several highly-anticipated film projects from indie mainstays like Neil Labute and Richard Linklater, as well as new projects from veteran directors like...
This year’s choices bring us films featuring a bevy of top Hollywood talent including Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti, John Cusack,, Gemma Arterton and Zoe Kazan.
In a press release that accompanied the roster, Genna Terranova, Director of Programming for the festival said: “The documentary films in the Spotlight section this year highlight several famous individuals (including one very cute cat) who use their wit and bold personas to make us think and laugh. A mix of established filmmakers and rising talent top off the rest of the section with features exploring some fresh takes on unconventional relationships.”
The festival will feature the world premieres of several highly-anticipated film projects from indie mainstays like Neil Labute and Richard Linklater, as well as new projects from veteran directors like...
- 3/7/2013
- by Damen Norton
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Tribeca Film Festival organizers announced on Wednesday 33 films ticketed for the Spotlight section of the April fest, including new movies starring John Cusack, Ethan Hawke, Zoe Kazan and Melissa Leo.
“A mix of established filmmakers and rising talent top off the rest of the section with features exploring some fresh takes on unconventional relationships,” said Tribeca director of programming Genna Terranova in a press release. The Tribeca Film Festival had previously announced "Mistaken For Strangers," a documentary about The National, as the opening night film, plus a full slate of documentary and feature films in competition.
Some highlights from the Spotlight roster include the world premieres of "Adult World" (with Emma Roberts and John Cusack), "Almost Christmas" (with Paul Rudd and Paul Giamatti), "A Case of You" (with Justin Long), "Some Velvet Morning" (with Stanley Tucci and Evan Rachel Wood), "Trust Me" (with Sam Rockwell, William H. Macy and more...
“A mix of established filmmakers and rising talent top off the rest of the section with features exploring some fresh takes on unconventional relationships,” said Tribeca director of programming Genna Terranova in a press release. The Tribeca Film Festival had previously announced "Mistaken For Strangers," a documentary about The National, as the opening night film, plus a full slate of documentary and feature films in competition.
Some highlights from the Spotlight roster include the world premieres of "Adult World" (with Emma Roberts and John Cusack), "Almost Christmas" (with Paul Rudd and Paul Giamatti), "A Case of You" (with Justin Long), "Some Velvet Morning" (with Stanley Tucci and Evan Rachel Wood), "Trust Me" (with Sam Rockwell, William H. Macy and more...
- 3/6/2013
- by Christopher Rosen
- Huffington Post
The Tribeca Film Festival announced the second half of its movie slate today with a lineup that includes Emma Roberts in Adult World, Zac Efron in racing-cum-farming drama At Any Price, and Richard Linklater’s Before Midnight. The releases are in the following categories, which make up the second half of the festival’s feature list: Spotlight, Midnight, Special Screenings, and Storyscapes, a new category this year to recognize work in transmedia — films the incorporate web-based and cross-platform elements.
The Spotlight selection — 33 films: 21 narratives and 12 documentaries — stands out for its range of titles, including premieres from indie darlings (Junebug director Phil Morrison,...
The Spotlight selection — 33 films: 21 narratives and 12 documentaries — stands out for its range of titles, including premieres from indie darlings (Junebug director Phil Morrison,...
- 3/6/2013
- by Adam Carlson
- EW - Inside Movies
Last spring, George Northy was working at an ad agency and chipping away at a screenplay, "G.B.F.," about a school with a new trend: All the girls need to have this season's hottest accessory of a gay best friend. "G.B.F." focuses on two closeted gay high school students -- one shy but flamboyant, one more reserved. When shy guy Tanner is outed, he is picked up by the cool girls and he begins to surpass still-closeted Brent in popularity. Northy searched the Internet for Lgbt screenwriting competitions and turned up listings for Outfest's Screenwriting Lab and NewFest's NewDraft Screenplay Contest (full disclosure: I headed it at the time). By the time both festivals came around last summer, Northy was a finalist for both. Guinevere Turner, who has been involved with the Outfest Lab for some time, sent the script for "G.B.F." to Darren Stein ("Jawbreaker"). Stein told Indiewire, "I thought,...
- 10/12/2012
- by Bryce J. Renninger
- Indiewire
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