If you were to learn that Disney+, from the company that owns the work created by the late Jim Henson, was broadcasting a documentary about the visionary puppeteer and filmmaker and that doc was being directed by Ron Howard with substantial input from Henson’s family, you could probably guess what the movie would be like.
And you’d be right.
In this case, though, there’s nothing wrong with a little predictability. Henson and Howard are a fine match, and the sort of film you’d expect Ron Howard to make – straightforward, skillful, honest and sympathetic – is pretty much the kind of movie you’d want about Jim Henson.
There are surprises in “Jim Henson Idea Man,” which had its world premiere on Saturday night in the Cannes Classics section of the Cannes Film Festival. But there’s nothing shocking, nothing earthshaking about this portrait of the man who gave us Big Bird,...
And you’d be right.
In this case, though, there’s nothing wrong with a little predictability. Henson and Howard are a fine match, and the sort of film you’d expect Ron Howard to make – straightforward, skillful, honest and sympathetic – is pretty much the kind of movie you’d want about Jim Henson.
There are surprises in “Jim Henson Idea Man,” which had its world premiere on Saturday night in the Cannes Classics section of the Cannes Film Festival. But there’s nothing shocking, nothing earthshaking about this portrait of the man who gave us Big Bird,...
- 5/18/2024
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
It’s fitting that Ron Howard’s documentary “Jim Henson Idea Man” gets its name from the man himself. During an early bit of voiceover, we hear the “Sesame Street” and “Muppets” creator describe his take on just what it is he does: Idea man. Nothing more, nothing less.
As the film winds on, others are more lofty in their estimations. Henson was a “man with a purpose,” a superhuman, someone for whom terms like “incredibly productive” can’t do justice. He “wanted to do more than was humanly possible,” one of Henson’s adult children tells us. Howard’s film reminds us how true that was during Henson’s lifetime and into his continuing legacy.
Henson was a puppeteer and creator of everything from The Muppets to “Fraggle Rock,” an animator and actor, a TV genius (Henson’s fingerprints are still on every element of “Sesame Street”), and a filmmaker.
As the film winds on, others are more lofty in their estimations. Henson was a “man with a purpose,” a superhuman, someone for whom terms like “incredibly productive” can’t do justice. He “wanted to do more than was humanly possible,” one of Henson’s adult children tells us. Howard’s film reminds us how true that was during Henson’s lifetime and into his continuing legacy.
Henson was a puppeteer and creator of everything from The Muppets to “Fraggle Rock,” an animator and actor, a TV genius (Henson’s fingerprints are still on every element of “Sesame Street”), and a filmmaker.
- 5/18/2024
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Imagine Entertainment co-chairmen Brian Grazer and Ron Howard have entered into a multi-year co-financing and production partnership with Fifth Season and their co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice.
Both companies have been busy in the docu space, and the move will give more autonomy. Imagine Documentaries president Sara Bernstein runs the division, and Justin Wilkes, who is Imagine president. Imagine will handle creative and production, while Fifth Season will handle sales and distribution. Fifth Season’s Non-Scripted division is run by EVP Mary Lisio.
The arrangement will start with feature docus on two iconic figures: Howard will direct a docu on the life of celebrated photographer Richard Avedon, and Big Chill helmer will make a docu on the life and comedy of Only Murders in the Building star Martin Short. Imagine and Fifth Season will co-finance the projects together, and they have put together a slate to follow these films.
Both companies have been busy in the docu space, and the move will give more autonomy. Imagine Documentaries president Sara Bernstein runs the division, and Justin Wilkes, who is Imagine president. Imagine will handle creative and production, while Fifth Season will handle sales and distribution. Fifth Season’s Non-Scripted division is run by EVP Mary Lisio.
The arrangement will start with feature docus on two iconic figures: Howard will direct a docu on the life of celebrated photographer Richard Avedon, and Big Chill helmer will make a docu on the life and comedy of Only Murders in the Building star Martin Short. Imagine and Fifth Season will co-finance the projects together, and they have put together a slate to follow these films.
- 1/22/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Rising Tide
Production begins next month on “Black Tide Island,” a historical drama series that presents a Taiwanese insight into the Korean War. Production is headed by Hakka TV and Go Inside. Hakka TV is the local Hakka-language linear satellite television channel operated by Taiwan Broadcasting System.
The nine-episode scripted series is inspired by true stories of how a group of top medical doctors managed to set up a leading medical facility, survive hardships and conduct surgery with extremely limited resources while in jail on Taiwan’s outlying Green Island during the 1950s. The main cast is headed by Wang Shih-hsien, Tsao Yu-ning, Wu Nien-hsuan, River Huang and Hsia Teng-hung.
Direction is by Jim Wang, a Golden Horse Award-nominated & Golden Bell Award-winning filmmaker.
“In 1950, Korean War broke out. It was the democracy against the communism. The international situation was getting worse. Under such circumstances, the 1% elite gathered in Bonfire Island,...
Production begins next month on “Black Tide Island,” a historical drama series that presents a Taiwanese insight into the Korean War. Production is headed by Hakka TV and Go Inside. Hakka TV is the local Hakka-language linear satellite television channel operated by Taiwan Broadcasting System.
The nine-episode scripted series is inspired by true stories of how a group of top medical doctors managed to set up a leading medical facility, survive hardships and conduct surgery with extremely limited resources while in jail on Taiwan’s outlying Green Island during the 1950s. The main cast is headed by Wang Shih-hsien, Tsao Yu-ning, Wu Nien-hsuan, River Huang and Hsia Teng-hung.
Direction is by Jim Wang, a Golden Horse Award-nominated & Golden Bell Award-winning filmmaker.
“In 1950, Korean War broke out. It was the democracy against the communism. The international situation was getting worse. Under such circumstances, the 1% elite gathered in Bonfire Island,...
- 8/18/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Five top TV documentary filmmakers will reveal secrets behind their projects when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2022 Emmy Awards nominees. They will participate in two video discussions to premiere on Tuesday, August 9, at 6:00 p.m. Pt; 9:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our contributing editor Charles Bright and a roundtable chat with all of the group together.
RSVP today to our entire ongoing Emmy contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2022 nominees:
Controlling Britney Spears (FX)
Synopsis: Britney Spears has said that her conservatorship had become “an oppressive and controlling tool against her.” This investigation reveals much of how it worked, including an intense surveillance apparatus that monitored her every move.
RSVP today to our entire ongoing Emmy contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2022 nominees:
Controlling Britney Spears (FX)
Synopsis: Britney Spears has said that her conservatorship had become “an oppressive and controlling tool against her.” This investigation reveals much of how it worked, including an intense surveillance apparatus that monitored her every move.
- 8/2/2022
- by Chris Beachum and Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
What led to your first opportunity in show business? When did you discover editing and realize you could make a career out of it? What film or TV show has had a lasting impact on your life?
These were some of the questions answered by four of today’s top TV editors when they joined Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” group roundtable panel with 2022 Emmy contenders. Watch our full group chat with Robert Martinez (“Lucy and Desi”), Jamie Martin (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”), Melissa McCoy (“Ted Lasso”) and Felix Black (“Welcome to Earth”) above. Click on each name above to view that person’s individual interview.
See over 300 interviews with 2022 Emmy contenders
“I was a senior portrait photographer,” Martinez says with a laugh when thinking back on his start in show business. “I had a creative itch and no direction. I helped on [my wife’s] sets for student films. I quickly...
These were some of the questions answered by four of today’s top TV editors when they joined Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” group roundtable panel with 2022 Emmy contenders. Watch our full group chat with Robert Martinez (“Lucy and Desi”), Jamie Martin (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”), Melissa McCoy (“Ted Lasso”) and Felix Black (“Welcome to Earth”) above. Click on each name above to view that person’s individual interview.
See over 300 interviews with 2022 Emmy contenders
“I was a senior portrait photographer,” Martinez says with a laugh when thinking back on his start in show business. “I had a creative itch and no direction. I helped on [my wife’s] sets for student films. I quickly...
- 5/31/2022
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
“My confidence for this being the right time and the right crew to do this came when Amy Poehler was brought on as director,” admits TV editor Robert Martinez about his work on the Amazon Prime documentary “Lucy and Desi.” “I knew that me as a male editor profiling one of the most, if not the most, famous comedic actors of all time was a little unnerving. Knowing that Amy was there to confirm any stuff that I thought or call out any possible blind spots that I might have was reassuring.” We talked to Martinez as part of our “Meet the Experts” TV editors panel. Watch our exclusive video interview above.
See over 300 interviews with 2022 Emmy contenders
“Lucy and Desi” explores the unlikely partnership and enduring legacy of one of the most prolific power couples in entertainment history. The documentary shows the rise of comedian icon Lucille Ball, her relationship with Desi Arnaz,...
See over 300 interviews with 2022 Emmy contenders
“Lucy and Desi” explores the unlikely partnership and enduring legacy of one of the most prolific power couples in entertainment history. The documentary shows the rise of comedian icon Lucille Ball, her relationship with Desi Arnaz,...
- 5/31/2022
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
Five top TV editors will reveal secrets behind their projects when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2022 Emmy Awards contenders. They will participate in two video discussions to premiere on Thursday, May 26, at 4:00 p.m. Pt; 6:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our senior editor Denton Davidson and a roundtable chat with all of the group together.
RSVP today to our entire ongoing Emmy contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2022 contenders:
Lucy and Desi (Amazon Prime)
Synopsis: Explores the rise of comedian icon Lucille Ball, her relationship with Desi Arnaz, and how their groundbreaking sitcom “I Love Lucy” forever changed Hollywood.
Bio: Robert Martinez was an Emmy and American Cinema...
RSVP today to our entire ongoing Emmy contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2022 contenders:
Lucy and Desi (Amazon Prime)
Synopsis: Explores the rise of comedian icon Lucille Ball, her relationship with Desi Arnaz, and how their groundbreaking sitcom “I Love Lucy” forever changed Hollywood.
Bio: Robert Martinez was an Emmy and American Cinema...
- 5/20/2022
- by Chris Beachum and Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
White Horse Pictures, the production company behind recent documentaries about the Beatles, Lucille Ball and the Bee Gees, is producing another look at a legendary entertainer: Gene Wilder.
Library Films’ Chris Smith, the filmmaker behind projects such as “Bad Vegan” and “100 Foot Wave,” is directing the documentary about the star of “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” and “Young Frankenstein,” which will be told through the perspective of Jordan Walker-Pearlman, the late actor’s nephew and a filmmaker in his own right.
The documentary is produced in association with Sobey Road Entertainment, Harlem Hollywood and Mojo Global Arts. White Horse president and partner Nicholas Ferrall and partner Cassidy Hartmann will produce alongside Smith and Sobey Road’s Andrew Trapani. White Horse partners Nigel Sinclair and Jeanne Elfant Festa serve as executive producers alongside Mojo Global Arts’ Morris Ruskin and Joseph Mellicker. Joey Scoma will serve as editor and John Keller as co-executive producer.
Library Films’ Chris Smith, the filmmaker behind projects such as “Bad Vegan” and “100 Foot Wave,” is directing the documentary about the star of “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” and “Young Frankenstein,” which will be told through the perspective of Jordan Walker-Pearlman, the late actor’s nephew and a filmmaker in his own right.
The documentary is produced in association with Sobey Road Entertainment, Harlem Hollywood and Mojo Global Arts. White Horse president and partner Nicholas Ferrall and partner Cassidy Hartmann will produce alongside Smith and Sobey Road’s Andrew Trapani. White Horse partners Nigel Sinclair and Jeanne Elfant Festa serve as executive producers alongside Mojo Global Arts’ Morris Ruskin and Joseph Mellicker. Joey Scoma will serve as editor and John Keller as co-executive producer.
- 4/28/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Ron Howard is teaming with Disney Original Documentary to direct a feature film about Jim Henson and his career developing “The Muppets.”
The untitled film is being produced with the full participation and cooperation of the Henson family and will feature never-before-seen personal archives, performances with his early puppets from when Henson was a teenager and explore the worldwide success of “The Muppets,” “Sesame Street” and more.
Howard is directing and producing the film, which will also be produced by Brian Grazer, Margaret Bodde (“George Harrison: Living in the Material World”) and Imagine Documentaries’ Sara Bernstein and Justin Wilkes are producing the film for Disney Branded Television under the Disney Original Documentary banner.
The film will be executive produced by Imagine Entertainment’s Michael Rosenberg and Disney Original Documentary’s Marjon Javadi. Mark Monroe will serve as writer/producer and Paul Crowder will edit and executive produce, both of whom...
The untitled film is being produced with the full participation and cooperation of the Henson family and will feature never-before-seen personal archives, performances with his early puppets from when Henson was a teenager and explore the worldwide success of “The Muppets,” “Sesame Street” and more.
Howard is directing and producing the film, which will also be produced by Brian Grazer, Margaret Bodde (“George Harrison: Living in the Material World”) and Imagine Documentaries’ Sara Bernstein and Justin Wilkes are producing the film for Disney Branded Television under the Disney Original Documentary banner.
The film will be executive produced by Imagine Entertainment’s Michael Rosenberg and Disney Original Documentary’s Marjon Javadi. Mark Monroe will serve as writer/producer and Paul Crowder will edit and executive produce, both of whom...
- 3/30/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Oscar winners Ron Howard and Brian Grazer are teaming up with Disney Original Documentary for what is promised as the “definitive portrait” of Jim Henson, the legendary creator of the Muppets.
The nonfiction project from Howard and Grazer’s Imagine Documentaries is being produced “with the full participation and cooperation of the Henson family,” according to a release, “and will present a fascinating and intimate look at Jim’s illustrious career creating treasured characters and revolutionizing television and film. With never-before-seen personal archives, the film will give audiences an exciting first-person view into the life of one of the world’s most inspiring and iconoclastic creators through exclusive home movies, photographs, sketches and Henson’s personal diaries.”
Howard will direct and produce the untitled film. Grazer and Imagine Documentaries’ Sara Bernstein and Justin Wilkes will produce, along with Emmy winner Margaret Bodde (George Harrison: Living in the Material World...
The nonfiction project from Howard and Grazer’s Imagine Documentaries is being produced “with the full participation and cooperation of the Henson family,” according to a release, “and will present a fascinating and intimate look at Jim’s illustrious career creating treasured characters and revolutionizing television and film. With never-before-seen personal archives, the film will give audiences an exciting first-person view into the life of one of the world’s most inspiring and iconoclastic creators through exclusive home movies, photographs, sketches and Henson’s personal diaries.”
Howard will direct and produce the untitled film. Grazer and Imagine Documentaries’ Sara Bernstein and Justin Wilkes will produce, along with Emmy winner Margaret Bodde (George Harrison: Living in the Material World...
- 3/30/2022
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Elizabeth Kormanova has been appointed head of distribution, Diana Podra is the new business affairs coordinator and Isabella Endacott joins as sales and marketing coordinator.
UK sales, finance and production outfit Rocket Science has boosted its business affairs and marketing departments with three new hires.
Elizabeth Kormanova, previously of HanWay Films, has been appointed head of distribution, while Diana Podra is the new business affairs coordinator and Isabella Endacott has joined as sales and marketing coordinator.
A statement from Rocket Science said that the hires aim to “expand and increase the company’s international reach and diversity”.
Based in the Bulgarian capital Sofia,...
UK sales, finance and production outfit Rocket Science has boosted its business affairs and marketing departments with three new hires.
Elizabeth Kormanova, previously of HanWay Films, has been appointed head of distribution, while Diana Podra is the new business affairs coordinator and Isabella Endacott has joined as sales and marketing coordinator.
A statement from Rocket Science said that the hires aim to “expand and increase the company’s international reach and diversity”.
Based in the Bulgarian capital Sofia,...
- 10/11/2021
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Beloved American ventriloquist Shari Lewis and her popular sock puppet Lamb Chop will be the subject of a new documentary feature from White Horse Pictures and MoJo Global Arts.
“Shari & Lamb Chop” will be directed by Emmy-nominated Lisa D’Apolito, director of “Love, Gilda,” the documentary about the late Saturday Night Live comedian Gilda Radner.
As a young female ventriloquist with big aspirations, Shari Lewis was searching for a voice who could say things that a young woman in the 1950s could not, and found it in a sock puppet named Lamb Chop. The duo debuted on CBS children’s television series “Captain Kangaroo” in 1956 and went on to attain cultural icon status in the U.S. by the end of the 20th century.
Lewis died in 1998. The documentary will examine her journey, which included winning 13 Emmys and a Peabody and authoring 60 children’s books, and her impact on children’s...
“Shari & Lamb Chop” will be directed by Emmy-nominated Lisa D’Apolito, director of “Love, Gilda,” the documentary about the late Saturday Night Live comedian Gilda Radner.
As a young female ventriloquist with big aspirations, Shari Lewis was searching for a voice who could say things that a young woman in the 1950s could not, and found it in a sock puppet named Lamb Chop. The duo debuted on CBS children’s television series “Captain Kangaroo” in 1956 and went on to attain cultural icon status in the U.S. by the end of the 20th century.
Lewis died in 1998. The documentary will examine her journey, which included winning 13 Emmys and a Peabody and authoring 60 children’s books, and her impact on children’s...
- 8/11/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Director Ron Howard has made four documentaries in the last seven years, but he’s a relative newcomer to the nonfiction format. By the time he made his first doc, he had directed 21 narrative features and had been acting, increasingly intermittently, for more than 50 years.
His first three docs were all focused on music: 2013’s “Made in America,” about Jay-Z’s music festival of the same name; 2016’s “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week,” about the Beatles’ days as a touring band; and 2019’s “Pavarotti,” about the operatic tenor. But his latest one, “Rebuilding Paradise,” isn’t showbizzy at all. Instead, it chronicles the Northern California town of Paradise as it tries to rebuild after the devastating 2018 California wildfires that destroyed most of the town.
The film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and had its TV debut on the National Geographic Channel in November, follows a...
His first three docs were all focused on music: 2013’s “Made in America,” about Jay-Z’s music festival of the same name; 2016’s “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week,” about the Beatles’ days as a touring band; and 2019’s “Pavarotti,” about the operatic tenor. But his latest one, “Rebuilding Paradise,” isn’t showbizzy at all. Instead, it chronicles the Northern California town of Paradise as it tries to rebuild after the devastating 2018 California wildfires that destroyed most of the town.
The film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and had its TV debut on the National Geographic Channel in November, follows a...
- 12/15/2020
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Oscar-winning director Ron Howard (“A Beautiful Mind”) is a strong contender at this year’s Academy Awards over in Best Documentary Feature for his well-received film “Rebuilding Paradise.” After premiering in January at Sundance, it was released theatrically in July, and will debut ad-free on National Geographic on November 8.
That is the second anniversary of the devastating Camp Fire that destroyed almost all of the picturesque town of Paradise, California and surrounding areas killing 85 people, destroying some 95% of the town’s structures including hospitals and schools, with losses of upwards of $16 billion.
Paradise, which is located in Northern California in Butte County, had a population of 26,500 before the Camp Fire, but only 2,900 lived there a year after firestorm. For Howard, “the year we spent watching what happened in Paradise was sort of a reminder that community adds up to something. We live in an increasingly complicated global society that challenges...
That is the second anniversary of the devastating Camp Fire that destroyed almost all of the picturesque town of Paradise, California and surrounding areas killing 85 people, destroying some 95% of the town’s structures including hospitals and schools, with losses of upwards of $16 billion.
Paradise, which is located in Northern California in Butte County, had a population of 26,500 before the Camp Fire, but only 2,900 lived there a year after firestorm. For Howard, “the year we spent watching what happened in Paradise was sort of a reminder that community adds up to something. We live in an increasingly complicated global society that challenges...
- 11/8/2020
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
Tom Chesover promoted to international sales manager.
UK-based Protagonist Pictures has hired Janina Vilsmaier as director of international sales.
Vilsmaier, who most recently served as director of sales at HanWay Films, will oversee major European territories including France, German-speaking Europe, Benelux, Spain, and Italy, as well as Latin America.
“She possesses the perfect combination of talents that international film executives require in the ever-evolving indie film landscape,” said Protagonist’s head of sales George Hamilton of Vilsmaier.
At HanWay, Vilsmaier worked on the likes of Colette, Pavarotti, and The Card Counter. Prior to HanWay she worked in production on German films.
UK-based Protagonist Pictures has hired Janina Vilsmaier as director of international sales.
Vilsmaier, who most recently served as director of sales at HanWay Films, will oversee major European territories including France, German-speaking Europe, Benelux, Spain, and Italy, as well as Latin America.
“She possesses the perfect combination of talents that international film executives require in the ever-evolving indie film landscape,” said Protagonist’s head of sales George Hamilton of Vilsmaier.
At HanWay, Vilsmaier worked on the likes of Colette, Pavarotti, and The Card Counter. Prior to HanWay she worked in production on German films.
- 10/19/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
AGC Studios will fully finance an untitled biopic about Lang Lang from Oscar-winning director Ron Howard.
The film about the world-renowned pianist will be produced by Howard’s longtime partner Brian Grazer, as well as Imagine Entertainment President of Features Karen Lunder and AGC Studios Stuart Ford.
The screenplay by Michelle Mulroney and Kieran Mulroney, the team behind “Paper Man” and “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” is based on “Journey of a Thousand Miles,” a memoir that Lang Lang wrote with David Ritz.
Lang Lang ranks as one of the greatest classical pianists, beloved for his dramatic playing style. But his rise to the top of the music world came at great personal cost. His childhood was marred by the collapse of his parents’ marriage and his family’s precarious financial situation. After moving to America, Lang Lang attended the Curtis Institute of Music where he was mentored by Gary Graffman,...
The film about the world-renowned pianist will be produced by Howard’s longtime partner Brian Grazer, as well as Imagine Entertainment President of Features Karen Lunder and AGC Studios Stuart Ford.
The screenplay by Michelle Mulroney and Kieran Mulroney, the team behind “Paper Man” and “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” is based on “Journey of a Thousand Miles,” a memoir that Lang Lang wrote with David Ritz.
Lang Lang ranks as one of the greatest classical pianists, beloved for his dramatic playing style. But his rise to the top of the music world came at great personal cost. His childhood was marred by the collapse of his parents’ marriage and his family’s precarious financial situation. After moving to America, Lang Lang attended the Curtis Institute of Music where he was mentored by Gary Graffman,...
- 9/22/2020
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Amy Poehler will make her documentary feature directing debut for Imagine Documentaries and White Horse Pictures on Lucy & Desi, the working title for a definitive film about the remarkable personal and professional partnership between comedian Lucille Ball and husband Desi Arnaz.
This will be the biggest documentary to be fully financed by Imagine Documentaries and the film will have the benefit of full cooperation from the estate of Ball & Arnaz and their family. Through her Paper Kite banner, Poehler will produce with Imagine’s Justin Wilkes and Michael Rosenberg, White Horse’s Nigel Sinclair and Jeanne Elfant Festa, and Diamond Docs’ Mark Monroe. Imagine’s Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Sara Bernstein will be executive producers with White Horse’s Nicholas Ferrall and Cassidy Hartmann, and Diamond Docs’ Morgan Sackett. Monroe also serves as writer.
The film will tell the story of the groundbreaking comedian who changed the landscape,...
This will be the biggest documentary to be fully financed by Imagine Documentaries and the film will have the benefit of full cooperation from the estate of Ball & Arnaz and their family. Through her Paper Kite banner, Poehler will produce with Imagine’s Justin Wilkes and Michael Rosenberg, White Horse’s Nigel Sinclair and Jeanne Elfant Festa, and Diamond Docs’ Mark Monroe. Imagine’s Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Sara Bernstein will be executive producers with White Horse’s Nicholas Ferrall and Cassidy Hartmann, and Diamond Docs’ Morgan Sackett. Monroe also serves as writer.
The film will tell the story of the groundbreaking comedian who changed the landscape,...
- 8/24/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
“Rebuilding Paradise,” the new documentary from Ron Howard, promises something in its title that for most of its running time seems very hard to deliver. The prospect of rebuilding after the devastating wildfire that destroyed most of the Northern California town of Paradise feels almost impossible for that city’s residents – and, in fact, the sequences that give the movie its power often as not deal with the losses that can never really be rebuilt or fixed.
And while the film reaches for and finds moments of healing and rejuvenation, it’s easier to walk away from it feeling anger at the causes of the devastation than hopefulness for a community that is still sifting through the ashes.
Still, Howard is a skilled enough filmmaker to highlight that hope just enough to keep “Rebuilding Paradise” from being overwhelmed by loss. His first nonfiction film to deal with current events and...
And while the film reaches for and finds moments of healing and rejuvenation, it’s easier to walk away from it feeling anger at the causes of the devastation than hopefulness for a community that is still sifting through the ashes.
Still, Howard is a skilled enough filmmaker to highlight that hope just enough to keep “Rebuilding Paradise” from being overwhelmed by loss. His first nonfiction film to deal with current events and...
- 7/30/2020
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Imagine Entertainment and Warner Music Group have cut a deal to co-produce and co-finance a slate of music-themed projects for a range of film, TV and digital outlets.
The deal is an outgrowth of the pair’s partnership on the upcoming Nat Geo limited series “Genius: Aretha,” revolving around the life of legendary musician Aretha Franklin, whose prime catalog of recordings is largely owned by Warner Music Group.
The deal envisions projects for feature films, scripted TV series, documentary projects and short-form digital platforms. Imagine has significantly diversified its production operations over the past few years to incorporate documentaries as well as children’s fare and made-for-digital content.
Imagine principal Ron Howard has directed two high-profile music documentaries over the past four years: 2016’s “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week — The Touring Years” and 2019’s “Pavarotti.” Imagine chairman Brian Grazer has led the diversification push that began with Raine Group...
The deal is an outgrowth of the pair’s partnership on the upcoming Nat Geo limited series “Genius: Aretha,” revolving around the life of legendary musician Aretha Franklin, whose prime catalog of recordings is largely owned by Warner Music Group.
The deal envisions projects for feature films, scripted TV series, documentary projects and short-form digital platforms. Imagine has significantly diversified its production operations over the past few years to incorporate documentaries as well as children’s fare and made-for-digital content.
Imagine principal Ron Howard has directed two high-profile music documentaries over the past four years: 2016’s “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week — The Touring Years” and 2019’s “Pavarotti.” Imagine chairman Brian Grazer has led the diversification push that began with Raine Group...
- 7/6/2020
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Imagine Entertainment Chairmen Brian Grazer and Ron Howard have made a substantial investment and take an ownership stake in Oscar-winning documentary director Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions. The intention is to help Jigsaw’s elevation into a flourishing mini-studio, and further the ambitions of the Imagine Documentaries banner led by Justin Wilkes and Sara Bernstein for a stepped up output of docus for multiple platforms.
Imagine steps up after one of Jigsaw’s co-owners, Kew Media Group, fell into receivership and had become, as Gibney explained it, “a ball and chain around our ankle. I had been talking to Ron and Brian over a number of years about the possibility of joining forces in some way, and the timing suddenly seemed perfect,” Gibney told Deadline. “They had always seemed enthusiastic about what we did, and wanting to invest in that and see if there were ways to enhance our reach,...
Imagine steps up after one of Jigsaw’s co-owners, Kew Media Group, fell into receivership and had become, as Gibney explained it, “a ball and chain around our ankle. I had been talking to Ron and Brian over a number of years about the possibility of joining forces in some way, and the timing suddenly seemed perfect,” Gibney told Deadline. “They had always seemed enthusiastic about what we did, and wanting to invest in that and see if there were ways to enhance our reach,...
- 6/16/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Ron Howard has signed up to helm ‘Thirteen Lives’, to tell the real-life story of the 2018 Thai cave rescue.
The story focuses on the real-life story of the boy’s football team from Thailand who became trapped in a cave for more than two weeks when heavy rains partially flooded the cave, blocking their way out.
All twelve of the boys were rescued along with their 25-year-old coach, though the effort claimed the life of a retired Thai Navy Seal, Saman Kunan, who ran out of air while saving the kids. Another rescue diver died a year and a half later as a result of a blood infection contracted during the rescue.
‘Gladiator’ scribe William Nicholson will pen the script. As with most of Howard’s drama’s the tone they will try and set is that of a ‘High Stakes’ filled with unbearable suspense, one that matches up with...
The story focuses on the real-life story of the boy’s football team from Thailand who became trapped in a cave for more than two weeks when heavy rains partially flooded the cave, blocking their way out.
All twelve of the boys were rescued along with their 25-year-old coach, though the effort claimed the life of a retired Thai Navy Seal, Saman Kunan, who ran out of air while saving the kids. Another rescue diver died a year and a half later as a result of a blood infection contracted during the rescue.
‘Gladiator’ scribe William Nicholson will pen the script. As with most of Howard’s drama’s the tone they will try and set is that of a ‘High Stakes’ filled with unbearable suspense, one that matches up with...
- 5/1/2020
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Italian state broadcaster Rai, the country’s long-time major film and TV industry driver, is seeking to placate concerns being voiced by the country’s producers as it navigates the coronavirus crisis amid mounting criticism and shrinking resources.
As the pandemic paralyzes the economy in Italy — which at present is suffering the world’s highest coronavirus death toll, at upwards of 16,500 — the mammoth pubcaster, which has more than 13,000 employees, has revealed that its long-gestating organizational overhaul and 2020 budget approval have been frozen.
Meanwhile, Rai’s ratings are oscillating as it scrambles to reprogram slots of its more than 20 channels amid appeals to provide the country’s captive audience in lockdown more “culture” and “quality” programming, as veteran film director Pupi Avati (“Il Signor Diavolo”) put it in a recent open letter to national daily Corriere della Sera.
In another appeal to Rai’s top management, last week Italy’s indie documentary producers org.
As the pandemic paralyzes the economy in Italy — which at present is suffering the world’s highest coronavirus death toll, at upwards of 16,500 — the mammoth pubcaster, which has more than 13,000 employees, has revealed that its long-gestating organizational overhaul and 2020 budget approval have been frozen.
Meanwhile, Rai’s ratings are oscillating as it scrambles to reprogram slots of its more than 20 channels amid appeals to provide the country’s captive audience in lockdown more “culture” and “quality” programming, as veteran film director Pupi Avati (“Il Signor Diavolo”) put it in a recent open letter to national daily Corriere della Sera.
In another appeal to Rai’s top management, last week Italy’s indie documentary producers org.
- 4/7/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
ViacomCBS’ Showtime network announced that it will offer a 30-day free trial to new customers effective today. Viewers who sign up before May 3 can access the network’s original series, documentaries, specials and movies online via the Showtime streaming service on Showtime.com or the Showtime app, available on all supported devices. A major draw – subscribers can catch up on Homeland, which will continue to air new episodes of its final season through its series finale on April 26.
Many of the network’s streaming partners and traditional TV providers will also offer a 30-day free Showtime trial. As people hunker down and shelter in place during this coronavirus pandemic with screens and devices, content providers are moving more and more to draw them in.
More from DeadlineViacomCBS' Noggin Launches On Apple TV In U.S. And InternationallyViacomCBS Could See $350M Ad Hit In Q1 On Cancelled Ncaa Basketball As TV...
Many of the network’s streaming partners and traditional TV providers will also offer a 30-day free Showtime trial. As people hunker down and shelter in place during this coronavirus pandemic with screens and devices, content providers are moving more and more to draw them in.
More from DeadlineViacomCBS' Noggin Launches On Apple TV In U.S. And InternationallyViacomCBS Could See $350M Ad Hit In Q1 On Cancelled Ncaa Basketball As TV...
- 3/20/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
It was November 2018 and Nanfu Wang had four weeks before picture-lock on her third feature documentary, “One Child Nation.” The film, which Wang co-directed and edited, had already been accepted to the 2019 Sundance Film Festival but wasn’t quite ready.
“I was debating and really struggling with what note to end the film on,” Wang says. “I needed a fresh set of eyes.”
Enter the documentary whisperer, Mark Monroe.
The University of Oklahoma journalism graduate has been the doc industry’s go-to guy for the past decade. His writing on the 2009 Academy Award-winning “The Cove” put him on the map.
“The Cove,” which received equity money from Impact Partners, was Louie Psihoyos’ first film.
“The Cove” producer “Fisher Stevens wanted to bring Mark on to help restructure the film,” says Geralyn White Dreyfous, co-founder and executive producer of Impact Partners. “At the time, Louie’s film was so linear and just straight storytelling.
“I was debating and really struggling with what note to end the film on,” Wang says. “I needed a fresh set of eyes.”
Enter the documentary whisperer, Mark Monroe.
The University of Oklahoma journalism graduate has been the doc industry’s go-to guy for the past decade. His writing on the 2009 Academy Award-winning “The Cove” put him on the map.
“The Cove,” which received equity money from Impact Partners, was Louie Psihoyos’ first film.
“The Cove” producer “Fisher Stevens wanted to bring Mark on to help restructure the film,” says Geralyn White Dreyfous, co-founder and executive producer of Impact Partners. “At the time, Louie’s film was so linear and just straight storytelling.
- 1/7/2020
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
The theatrical market for documentary films is in “robust shape,” with 2019 proving to be a strong year for the genre after an exceptional 2018, reports Oli Harbottle, head of distribution and acquisitions at leading U.K. documentary outfit Dogwoof.
Harbottle says 2019 was always going to struggle to match 2018’s “blockbuster” year, which saw the release of hits “Rbg,” “Free Solo,” “Three Identical Strangers” and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” All four surpassed $10 million in ticket sales at the U.S. box office, with “Free Solo” taking nearly $30 million worldwide.
“The big question was whether 2018 was a weird anomaly and a bubble with those four films,” says Harbottle. “I would say thankfully no. It looks like the market is in robust shape in terms of documentaries that have been able to deliver at the box office this year.”
Although this year hasn’t seen the same number of blockbuster successes, space doc...
Harbottle says 2019 was always going to struggle to match 2018’s “blockbuster” year, which saw the release of hits “Rbg,” “Free Solo,” “Three Identical Strangers” and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” All four surpassed $10 million in ticket sales at the U.S. box office, with “Free Solo” taking nearly $30 million worldwide.
“The big question was whether 2018 was a weird anomaly and a bubble with those four films,” says Harbottle. “I would say thankfully no. It looks like the market is in robust shape in terms of documentaries that have been able to deliver at the box office this year.”
Although this year hasn’t seen the same number of blockbuster successes, space doc...
- 11/25/2019
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has announced that it will keep the New York City’s Paris Theater open through a lease agreement.
The venue, one of the oldest art movie houses in the United States and the last single-screen theater in New York, was shuttered earlier this year. It was re-opened earlier this month for a run of “Marriage Story” by New York filmmaker Noah Baumbach.
Netflix announced Monday a lease agreement to keep the theater open. The streaming giant said it plans to use the theater for special events, screenings and theatrical releases of its films. Terms of the lease were not disclosed.
“After 71 years, the Paris Theatre has an enduring legacy, and remains the destination for a one-of-a kind movie-going experience,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer. “We are incredibly proud to preserve this historic New York institution so it can continue to be a cinematic home for film lovers.
The venue, one of the oldest art movie houses in the United States and the last single-screen theater in New York, was shuttered earlier this year. It was re-opened earlier this month for a run of “Marriage Story” by New York filmmaker Noah Baumbach.
Netflix announced Monday a lease agreement to keep the theater open. The streaming giant said it plans to use the theater for special events, screenings and theatrical releases of its films. Terms of the lease were not disclosed.
“After 71 years, the Paris Theatre has an enduring legacy, and remains the destination for a one-of-a kind movie-going experience,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer. “We are incredibly proud to preserve this historic New York institution so it can continue to be a cinematic home for film lovers.
- 11/25/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix announced on Monday that it has reached a lease agreement to reopen New York’s iconic Paris Theatre.
The Paris, New York’s last single-screen theater, was shuttered earlier this year and re-opened earlier this month by Netflix for the streaming platform’s Oscar hopeful “Marriage Story.” Now Netflix will keep the theater open and plans to use it for special events, screenings and theatrical releases of its films. Terms of the lease were not disclosed.
“After 71 years, the Paris Theatre has an enduring legacy, and remains the destination for a one-of-a kind movie-going experience,” Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement. “We are incredibly proud to preserve this historic New York institution so it can continue to be a cinematic home for film lovers.”
Also Read: Laemmle Theatres Shutters Historic Music Hall, Takes Movie Chain off the Market
The Paris Theatre has charmed film aficionados...
The Paris, New York’s last single-screen theater, was shuttered earlier this year and re-opened earlier this month by Netflix for the streaming platform’s Oscar hopeful “Marriage Story.” Now Netflix will keep the theater open and plans to use it for special events, screenings and theatrical releases of its films. Terms of the lease were not disclosed.
“After 71 years, the Paris Theatre has an enduring legacy, and remains the destination for a one-of-a kind movie-going experience,” Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement. “We are incredibly proud to preserve this historic New York institution so it can continue to be a cinematic home for film lovers.”
Also Read: Laemmle Theatres Shutters Historic Music Hall, Takes Movie Chain off the Market
The Paris Theatre has charmed film aficionados...
- 11/25/2019
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Exclusive: It’s official. New York’s iconic Paris Theatre will remain Manhattan’s last single-screen movie palace for a long time to come. Netflix has confirmed that it has closed an extended lease agreement to keep the theater open. Netflix would not disclose the length of the agreement; Deadline revealed on November 14 that the deal it was signing with the Solow Family that owns the prime real estate is for 10 years. The theater shuttered in August when the lease with City Cinemas expired, and Netflix surprisingly drew a temporary reprieve to show its awards season film Marriage Story by New York director Noah Baumbach.
Netflix disclosed it will use the theater for special events, screenings, and theatrical releases of its films. Translation: Netflix has secured a prime and prestigious beach head theater in New York, as it continues to persuade elite filmmakers to make their prestige films for the streaming service,...
Netflix disclosed it will use the theater for special events, screenings, and theatrical releases of its films. Translation: Netflix has secured a prime and prestigious beach head theater in New York, as it continues to persuade elite filmmakers to make their prestige films for the streaming service,...
- 11/25/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
In his latest documentary Pavarotti, two-time Academy Award®-winning director Ron Howard celebrates the life of the beloved opera star Luciano Pavarotti, who sold over 100 million records in his lifetime. Pavarotti is available now on Digital Download and comes to Blu-ray and DVD on 25th November 2019. To celebrate the release, we are offering two winners the chance to win a Blu-ray copy.
The 1990 World Cup in Italy was the moment opera left the elite and hit the masses. Opera star Pavarotti joined fellow tenors Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras onstage in Rome watched by millions around the world. Their powerful rendition of “Nessun Dorma” lives on as one of the most popular and famous pieces of music the world has ever heard, and Pavarotti realised his long-held dream of bringing opera into the mainstream.
Ron Howard takes an intimate approach in telling Pavarotti’s story, going beyond the iconic public...
The 1990 World Cup in Italy was the moment opera left the elite and hit the masses. Opera star Pavarotti joined fellow tenors Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras onstage in Rome watched by millions around the world. Their powerful rendition of “Nessun Dorma” lives on as one of the most popular and famous pieces of music the world has ever heard, and Pavarotti realised his long-held dream of bringing opera into the mainstream.
Ron Howard takes an intimate approach in telling Pavarotti’s story, going beyond the iconic public...
- 11/21/2019
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
A total of 159 documentary features have qualified in the Oscars’ Best Documentary Feature category, the Academy announced on Tuesday.
Last year, 166 documentaries qualified. In 2017, a record 170 made the cut.
All of the films are now available to members of the Documentary Branch to stream on the Academy’s secure members website. The films have been placed there over the last six months, with 23 added to the site in June, 24 in July, 26 in August, 19 in September and 62 in October and only five in November.
Also Read: 'Maiden' Star Tracy Edwards Kept Her Story 'Messy' to Serve the Next Generation of Women Athletes (Video)
Each member is randomly assigned 20% of the films as mandatory viewing but is free to see any additional films beyond those that are assigned. A preliminary round of voting will produce a 15-film shortlist, with a second-round narrowing those 15 to the five nominees.
This year is...
Last year, 166 documentaries qualified. In 2017, a record 170 made the cut.
All of the films are now available to members of the Documentary Branch to stream on the Academy’s secure members website. The films have been placed there over the last six months, with 23 added to the site in June, 24 in July, 26 in August, 19 in September and 62 in October and only five in November.
Also Read: 'Maiden' Star Tracy Edwards Kept Her Story 'Messy' to Serve the Next Generation of Women Athletes (Video)
Each member is randomly assigned 20% of the films as mandatory viewing but is free to see any additional films beyond those that are assigned. A preliminary round of voting will produce a 15-film shortlist, with a second-round narrowing those 15 to the five nominees.
This year is...
- 11/12/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
It feels unnatural to think of New York City without the Apollo Theater, yet more than once during the production of HBO’s “The Apollo,” Roger Ross Williams’ documentary about the Harlem landmark, the doors were in danger of closing for good.
That’s just one of many stories you’ll discover watching this exhaustive compendium of archival riches and fond first-person memories by many of the audience regulars, the star-studded acts who graced its stage, and some of the hopefuls still looking to be a part of the Apollo’s history.
Throughout “The Apollo,” Williams vacillates between the theater’s past and present, thematically connecting how some things have changed while others have stayed the same. Through the testimonies of historians and academics, as well as first-hand accounts, the director traces the history of the Apollo as one of the few venues that allowed Black performers not only on...
That’s just one of many stories you’ll discover watching this exhaustive compendium of archival riches and fond first-person memories by many of the audience regulars, the star-studded acts who graced its stage, and some of the hopefuls still looking to be a part of the Apollo’s history.
Throughout “The Apollo,” Williams vacillates between the theater’s past and present, thematically connecting how some things have changed while others have stayed the same. Through the testimonies of historians and academics, as well as first-hand accounts, the director traces the history of the Apollo as one of the few venues that allowed Black performers not only on...
- 11/5/2019
- by Monica Castillo
- The Wrap
John Turturro’s “The Big Lebowski” spinoff, “The Jesus Rolls,” which follows his “Lebowski” character Jesus Quintana, will world premiere as a pre-opening event at the Rome Film Festival, which announced on Friday a lineup packed with potential awards contenders and plenty of big names booked for onstage conversations.
“The Jesus Rolls,” which Turturro directed from his own script and which also stars Bobby Cannavale, Audrey Tautou, Jon Hamm, Susan Sarandon and Pete Davidson, will screen in Rome on Oct. 16, prior to its release in Italian cinemas via distributor Europictures the following day, ahead of its U.S. release in early 2020.
As previously announced, the Eternal City extravaganza will open with Edward Norton’s new film, “Motherless Brooklyn,” on Oct. 17, followed by a slew of hot titles in the official selection that recently surfaced at other fests or launched directly in cinemas, such as Tom Harper’s “The Aeronauts,” “Downton Abbey,...
“The Jesus Rolls,” which Turturro directed from his own script and which also stars Bobby Cannavale, Audrey Tautou, Jon Hamm, Susan Sarandon and Pete Davidson, will screen in Rome on Oct. 16, prior to its release in Italian cinemas via distributor Europictures the following day, ahead of its U.S. release in early 2020.
As previously announced, the Eternal City extravaganza will open with Edward Norton’s new film, “Motherless Brooklyn,” on Oct. 17, followed by a slew of hot titles in the official selection that recently surfaced at other fests or launched directly in cinemas, such as Tom Harper’s “The Aeronauts,” “Downton Abbey,...
- 10/4/2019
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The Paris Theatre, the last remaining single-screen theater in Manhattan, closed permanently on Thursday after 71 years.
Rumors since early summer held that the theater would be closing its doors before the end of the year, and Deadline reported last month that the theater would likely shut down in August. However, the theater’s owners never made an announcement and according to New York’s Pix 11, the closure came as a surprise to moviegoers who went to buy tickets for the Ron Howard-directed documentary “Pavarotti” only to see a closure notice posted to the door.
“Notice of Closure. Unfortunately our lease has ended and the Paris Theatre is now closed,” read the note, photos of which were shared Thursday night on Twitter. “We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all our guests over the years. Thank you for your patronage and we regret that we cannot continue to serve you.
Rumors since early summer held that the theater would be closing its doors before the end of the year, and Deadline reported last month that the theater would likely shut down in August. However, the theater’s owners never made an announcement and according to New York’s Pix 11, the closure came as a surprise to moviegoers who went to buy tickets for the Ron Howard-directed documentary “Pavarotti” only to see a closure notice posted to the door.
“Notice of Closure. Unfortunately our lease has ended and the Paris Theatre is now closed,” read the note, photos of which were shared Thursday night on Twitter. “We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all our guests over the years. Thank you for your patronage and we regret that we cannot continue to serve you.
- 8/30/2019
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
The Paris Theatre, New York City’s last remaining single-screen cinema, has closed after 71 years.
Photos posted on social media show a goodbye note posted on the theater’s window that says the Paris’ lease has ended and is now closed.
End of an era: The Paris Theatre in Midtown has suddenly closed after months of speculation. Some people showed up today to buy a ticket for #Pavarotti and only learned the news when they arrived. #newyork #nyc @PIX11News pic.twitter.com/u1rlIGfz6f
— Summer Delaney (@Summer_Delaney) August 29, 2019
The move confirms rumors that the theater was set to be shuttered this summer, though its closure was unexpectedly delayed for two months, likely due to the run of its last film, “Pavarotti” — exactly the kind of high-end, older-audience pleasing fare that thrived there.
The theater’s significance for the art house scene is hard to overstate. The Paris...
Photos posted on social media show a goodbye note posted on the theater’s window that says the Paris’ lease has ended and is now closed.
End of an era: The Paris Theatre in Midtown has suddenly closed after months of speculation. Some people showed up today to buy a ticket for #Pavarotti and only learned the news when they arrived. #newyork #nyc @PIX11News pic.twitter.com/u1rlIGfz6f
— Summer Delaney (@Summer_Delaney) August 29, 2019
The move confirms rumors that the theater was set to be shuttered this summer, though its closure was unexpectedly delayed for two months, likely due to the run of its last film, “Pavarotti” — exactly the kind of high-end, older-audience pleasing fare that thrived there.
The theater’s significance for the art house scene is hard to overstate. The Paris...
- 8/29/2019
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
Covering specialized box office has largely come to mean covering documentaries. They’re no longer a subset; these films are the top performers for art-house theaters. But as distributors begin the fall-festival prowl for new titles, the nonfiction market isn’t as strong as it might appear.
Documentaries — the ones that play festivals, not the concert films, special events, Disney nature films, and right-wing polemics — dominate art houses. Using the most recent week as an example, there were 23 specialized titles. Of these, 12 were documentaries. A year ago, there were 24 titles and six were docs. The year prior, 18 titles and three documentaries.
While there may be many, more-complex reasons for the increased public interest in documentaries, their box-office presence is easily explained: Narrative films have died off, and nature abhors a vacuum.
Art houses once relied on a diverse range of distributors to supply films outside awards season that would gross between $25 million-$60 million,...
Documentaries — the ones that play festivals, not the concert films, special events, Disney nature films, and right-wing polemics — dominate art houses. Using the most recent week as an example, there were 23 specialized titles. Of these, 12 were documentaries. A year ago, there were 24 titles and six were docs. The year prior, 18 titles and three documentaries.
While there may be many, more-complex reasons for the increased public interest in documentaries, their box-office presence is easily explained: Narrative films have died off, and nature abhors a vacuum.
Art houses once relied on a diverse range of distributors to supply films outside awards season that would gross between $25 million-$60 million,...
- 8/29/2019
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Rich Battista has been tapped as the chief executive officer of Imagine Entertainment.
He takes the reins after a long career in media, most recently as president and chief executive officer of Time Inc., where he helped oversee the publisher’s $2.8 billion sale to Meredith Corp. Battista also ran Mandalay Sports Media, an the early-stage media and content company, and spent 18 years at Fox, rising to become president of its national cable networks.
Battista will replace Charlie Corwin, a former Endemol Shine North America chief who spent less than a year at Imagine. He resigned in April 2018.
In his new role, Battista has been tasked with working with co-founders Brian Grazer and Ron Howard to oversee its core production business and its expansion efforts.
“We are excited to have Rich join Imagine. He brings with him a unique perspective and years of expertise and experience growing and expanding businesses, and...
He takes the reins after a long career in media, most recently as president and chief executive officer of Time Inc., where he helped oversee the publisher’s $2.8 billion sale to Meredith Corp. Battista also ran Mandalay Sports Media, an the early-stage media and content company, and spent 18 years at Fox, rising to become president of its national cable networks.
Battista will replace Charlie Corwin, a former Endemol Shine North America chief who spent less than a year at Imagine. He resigned in April 2018.
In his new role, Battista has been tasked with working with co-founders Brian Grazer and Ron Howard to oversee its core production business and its expansion efforts.
“We are excited to have Rich join Imagine. He brings with him a unique perspective and years of expertise and experience growing and expanding businesses, and...
- 8/26/2019
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s Imagine is teaming with Scholastic Entertainment for a feature adaptation of Meika Hashimoto’s adventure novel “The Trail.”
The movie project is being developed through the eight-month-old Imagine Kids+Family division. Quinn Emmett will write the script.
Imagine Kids+Family president Stephanie Sperber, Scholastic Entertainment president Iole Lucchese and Caitlin Friedman will serve as producers. Katie Donahoe and Will Davis will serve as creative executives on the project for Imagine.
“The Trail” follows a 12-year-old reeling from the loss of his best friend who decides to finish their bucket list without his family’s knowledge. That includes hiking the last 400 miles of the Appalachian Trail through Maine, one of its most challenging legs, where he learns how to survive, dodging bears and outrunning hunger, while finding a community of like-minded hikers.
“The Trail came up as a book that perfectly fit the kind of...
The movie project is being developed through the eight-month-old Imagine Kids+Family division. Quinn Emmett will write the script.
Imagine Kids+Family president Stephanie Sperber, Scholastic Entertainment president Iole Lucchese and Caitlin Friedman will serve as producers. Katie Donahoe and Will Davis will serve as creative executives on the project for Imagine.
“The Trail” follows a 12-year-old reeling from the loss of his best friend who decides to finish their bucket list without his family’s knowledge. That includes hiking the last 400 miles of the Appalachian Trail through Maine, one of its most challenging legs, where he learns how to survive, dodging bears and outrunning hunger, while finding a community of like-minded hikers.
“The Trail came up as a book that perfectly fit the kind of...
- 8/15/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Following the release of “Pavarotti,” the next music-centric, documentary film from Imagine Documentaries will focus on the life of jazz legend, singer and trumpeter Louis Armstrong, the company’s president Justin Wilkes announced Monday.
Imagine will partner with the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation to produce the “definitive” documentary on Louis Armstrong, also known as “Satchmo,” “Satch” and “Pops.” The foundation will provide access to hundreds of hours of audio recordings, film footage, photographs, personal diaries and ephemera for use in the film as part of the deal between the two companies.
Production is scheduled to commence on the currently untitled film this fall.
Also Read: What a Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong Is Getting a Bio Podcast From the 'Inside Jaws' Team
“I find it difficult to imagine a voice more globally recognized than that of Louis Armstrong,” Wilkes said in a statement. “And yet, the story behind the voice; of the music,...
Imagine will partner with the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation to produce the “definitive” documentary on Louis Armstrong, also known as “Satchmo,” “Satch” and “Pops.” The foundation will provide access to hundreds of hours of audio recordings, film footage, photographs, personal diaries and ephemera for use in the film as part of the deal between the two companies.
Production is scheduled to commence on the currently untitled film this fall.
Also Read: What a Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong Is Getting a Bio Podcast From the 'Inside Jaws' Team
“I find it difficult to imagine a voice more globally recognized than that of Louis Armstrong,” Wilkes said in a statement. “And yet, the story behind the voice; of the music,...
- 8/12/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
After a competitive bid negotiation, recently launched Imagine Kids & Family has won the film adaptation rights to Lindsay Leavitt’s romantic comedy novel “Going Vintage.”
Kara Holden, whose credits include “Carrie Pilby” and “Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life,” will pen the adaptation. The film will be produced by Imagine Kids+Family President Stephanie Sperber, alongside 2 Friends Entertainment’s Nancy Steingard and Wendy Moss-Klein.
The book, published in 2013, follows a 16-year old who discovers that her “perfect” boyfriend is cheating on her with an online girlfriend. When their ugly breakup goes viral, she not only swears off boys but modern technology altogether. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, she decides to “go vintage” and return to a simpler time to fulfill her grandmother’s teenage bucket list, but modern day problems have her questioning whether there has ever been a “simpler time.”
“I fell...
Kara Holden, whose credits include “Carrie Pilby” and “Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life,” will pen the adaptation. The film will be produced by Imagine Kids+Family President Stephanie Sperber, alongside 2 Friends Entertainment’s Nancy Steingard and Wendy Moss-Klein.
The book, published in 2013, follows a 16-year old who discovers that her “perfect” boyfriend is cheating on her with an online girlfriend. When their ugly breakup goes viral, she not only swears off boys but modern technology altogether. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, she decides to “go vintage” and return to a simpler time to fulfill her grandmother’s teenage bucket list, but modern day problems have her questioning whether there has ever been a “simpler time.”
“I fell...
- 8/7/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Other new openers include documentaries ’Armstrong’ and ’Pavarotti’, and Harry Wootliff’s debut feature ’Only You’.
It is a quiet week for new releases at the UK box office, with the top holdovers from last week likely to retain their places at the top of the chart.
Newcomers include Warner Bros’ horror sequel Annabelle Comes Home, the third entry in the successful franchise, which itself is a spin-off of The Conjuring series of films. Gary Dauberman directs the latest entry, which features Vera Farmiga in the cast. Farmiga appeared in the previous two Conjuring films and also stars in the upcoming sequel.
It is a quiet week for new releases at the UK box office, with the top holdovers from last week likely to retain their places at the top of the chart.
Newcomers include Warner Bros’ horror sequel Annabelle Comes Home, the third entry in the successful franchise, which itself is a spin-off of The Conjuring series of films. Gary Dauberman directs the latest entry, which features Vera Farmiga in the cast. Farmiga appeared in the previous two Conjuring films and also stars in the upcoming sequel.
- 7/12/2019
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Festival favorite “Maiden” is the latest in documentary to buttress a weak summer at the specialty box office. “Maiden” opened in New York and Los Angeles at a level below some of the year’s top entries, but should build word of mouth with Sony Pictures Classics’ careful rollout, as initial audiences were enthusiastic. It’s slim pickings at the moment.
Multiple other films with solid reviews –“The Chambermaid” (Kino Lorber), “Ophelia” (IFC), “The Other Story” (Strand), and “The Plagiarists” (Kimstim) — also made limited debuts but didn’t report lesser grosses. This happens occasionally, but not reporting this many estimates is a sign of an overall problematic market.
A bigger problem is top titles that skip the normal specialized slow expansion route like “Booksmart” (United Artists) and “Late Night” (Amazon). Both have yielded disappointing wider performances, particularly the latter. Both continue at some key arthouse situations.
But the big success...
Multiple other films with solid reviews –“The Chambermaid” (Kino Lorber), “Ophelia” (IFC), “The Other Story” (Strand), and “The Plagiarists” (Kimstim) — also made limited debuts but didn’t report lesser grosses. This happens occasionally, but not reporting this many estimates is a sign of an overall problematic market.
A bigger problem is top titles that skip the normal specialized slow expansion route like “Booksmart” (United Artists) and “Late Night” (Amazon). Both have yielded disappointing wider performances, particularly the latter. Both continue at some key arthouse situations.
But the big success...
- 6/30/2019
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Manhattan’s Paris Theatre currently shows Ron Howard’s documentary “Pavarotti,” in the film’s best engagement. However, sources confirm that the Paris will likely close next month — and with it, the nation will lose its last single-screen, first-run theater dedicated to platform releases.
Next month marks the end of the lease currently held by City Cinemas, which also operates the Angelika in New York among other locations. Located across from the Plaza Hotel and near Trump Tower, alternative uses are considered likely for the street-level space at W. 58th and Fifth Avenue. Its survival over seven decades creates nostalgia, but it’s also deeply significant for the current film scene.
The Paris Is the Last Single-Screen Platform First-Run Theater in the Country
For the first half century of exhibition, virtually all movie theater complexes were single screen. Often several-hundred, even seven-thousand, seated auditoriums (the Paris has 581), each had its...
Next month marks the end of the lease currently held by City Cinemas, which also operates the Angelika in New York among other locations. Located across from the Plaza Hotel and near Trump Tower, alternative uses are considered likely for the street-level space at W. 58th and Fifth Avenue. Its survival over seven decades creates nostalgia, but it’s also deeply significant for the current film scene.
The Paris Is the Last Single-Screen Platform First-Run Theater in the Country
For the first half century of exhibition, virtually all movie theater complexes were single screen. Often several-hundred, even seven-thousand, seated auditoriums (the Paris has 581), each had its...
- 6/28/2019
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Outgoing Israel Film Fund head Katriel Schory to receive honorary award at festival’s opening night.
The 36th Jerusalem Film Festival will open with Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite, which won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
The film tells the story of a poor family whose members take turns infiltrating a wealthy family’s mansion, a plan that quickly goes awry. After its Cannes triumph, the film has been a box office smash in its native Korea, taking a remarkable $62m to date, plus $4.5m in France.
Neon picked up North America rights and has...
The 36th Jerusalem Film Festival will open with Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite, which won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
The film tells the story of a poor family whose members take turns infiltrating a wealthy family’s mansion, a plan that quickly goes awry. After its Cannes triumph, the film has been a box office smash in its native Korea, taking a remarkable $62m to date, plus $4.5m in France.
Neon picked up North America rights and has...
- 6/26/2019
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
The Front Row, Kncc release follows the lifting of Saudi Arabia’s 30-year cinema ban at the end of 2017.
Ron Howard’s Pavarotti, exploring the life and work of Italian opera legend Luciano Pavarotti, is set to become the first major documentary to be given a wide theatrical release in Saudi Arabia following the lifting of its 30-year-cinema ban at the end of 2017.
Dubai-based distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment and partner company Kuwait National Cinema Company, which own all Mena rights for the work, have announced the documentary will open on July 25 in Saudi Arabia in Vox Cinemas and AMC Cinemas.
Ron Howard’s Pavarotti, exploring the life and work of Italian opera legend Luciano Pavarotti, is set to become the first major documentary to be given a wide theatrical release in Saudi Arabia following the lifting of its 30-year-cinema ban at the end of 2017.
Dubai-based distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment and partner company Kuwait National Cinema Company, which own all Mena rights for the work, have announced the documentary will open on July 25 in Saudi Arabia in Vox Cinemas and AMC Cinemas.
- 6/26/2019
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
The Rome Film Festival has revealed a sneak peak of its 2019 edition, which will include a lifetime achievement award for Bill Murray, presented by director Wes Anderson.
Murray will take part in an “in conversation” session hosted by his regular collaborator Anderson. Also giving talks at the Italian festival will be Hirokazu Kore-eda, Olivier Assayas, Bertrand Tavernier, and writer Bret Easton Ellis.
The event, which runs October 17-27, also revealed Monday that its Official Selection will include Pavarotti by Ron Howard, who will be on hand to present the film. The lineup will feature around 40 films that will compete for the Bnl People’s Choice Award.
Also on the wider programm lineup will be a restored version of Fellini Satyricon on the 50th anniversary of its release, and a tribute to Italian director Gillo Pontecorvo, one century after his birth, with the restored version of Kapò. There will also be...
Murray will take part in an “in conversation” session hosted by his regular collaborator Anderson. Also giving talks at the Italian festival will be Hirokazu Kore-eda, Olivier Assayas, Bertrand Tavernier, and writer Bret Easton Ellis.
The event, which runs October 17-27, also revealed Monday that its Official Selection will include Pavarotti by Ron Howard, who will be on hand to present the film. The lineup will feature around 40 films that will compete for the Bnl People’s Choice Award.
Also on the wider programm lineup will be a restored version of Fellini Satyricon on the 50th anniversary of its release, and a tribute to Italian director Gillo Pontecorvo, one century after his birth, with the restored version of Kapò. There will also be...
- 6/24/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Neon’s “Wild Rose,” a music drama starring Jessie Buckley that opened in New York and Los Angeles on four screens, lead the way in this weekend’s relatively quiet indie box office.
The film opened decently at $56,183 for a per screen average of $14,046, but Neon had paid a hefty sum for the film at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, with reports putting the price at around $4 million. That’s roughly what the distributor paid for their first Oscar-winning release, “I, Tonya,” which had a $66,039 average in its limited release en route to a $53.9 million global run.
Directed by Tom Harper, “Wild Rose” follows an ex-convict and single mother played by Buckley who pursues her dreams of being a country singer despite still being under curfew house arrest. Sophie Okonedo and Julie Walters also star in the film, which has been a hit with critics with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score.
The film opened decently at $56,183 for a per screen average of $14,046, but Neon had paid a hefty sum for the film at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, with reports putting the price at around $4 million. That’s roughly what the distributor paid for their first Oscar-winning release, “I, Tonya,” which had a $66,039 average in its limited release en route to a $53.9 million global run.
Directed by Tom Harper, “Wild Rose” follows an ex-convict and single mother played by Buckley who pursues her dreams of being a country singer despite still being under curfew house arrest. Sophie Okonedo and Julie Walters also star in the film, which has been a hit with critics with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score.
- 6/23/2019
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
The specialty box office is following two paths. High-profile narrative festival premieres such as “The Dead Don’t Die” (Focus), “Late Night” (Amazon) and “Booksmart” (United Artists) play wide quickly. And documentaries like “Pavarotti” (CBS), “Echo in the Canyon” (Greenwich), and “The Biggest Little Farm” (Neon) catch a wave and ride success as they widen.
The old-fashioned arthouse platform release is a challenge but it can work: A24’s acclaimed Sundance debut “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” is showing rare strength among more limited specialized narrative titles. It remains a sign that careful handling of a critically praised film can still find an audience.
How to assess “Late Night” and “Booksmart”? Amazon’s second weekend expansion — similar to the “Booksmart” opening– yielded a disappointing result a little below the latter title. But it’s too early to predict how audiences are reacting as it propels ahead.
No question,...
The old-fashioned arthouse platform release is a challenge but it can work: A24’s acclaimed Sundance debut “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” is showing rare strength among more limited specialized narrative titles. It remains a sign that careful handling of a critically praised film can still find an audience.
How to assess “Late Night” and “Booksmart”? Amazon’s second weekend expansion — similar to the “Booksmart” opening– yielded a disappointing result a little below the latter title. But it’s too early to predict how audiences are reacting as it propels ahead.
No question,...
- 6/16/2019
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Ron Howard is fast becoming a noted music documentarian: His 2016 film, “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week — the Touring Years,” released by Abramorama in theaters and Hulu on television, was a Grammy winner. His follow-up is “Pavarotti,” a doc about the man who became one of the most successful and beloved opera singers in history. The movie, which opened on June 7, features seminal performances by the late tenor as well as intimate interviews, including never-before-seen footage and appearances by such fans as Princess Diana, Bono, Nelson Mandela, Spike Lee, Kofi Annan, Stevie Wonder and Sting.
To craft the film, Howard reteamed with “The Beatles” project editor Paul Crowder and co-producer Nigel Sinclair, who were involved from the start, says the director. “As with the Beatles film, it really helps to have an editor who’s very musical,” Howard says, “and Paul, who’s also a director, brings all that: his musicality,...
To craft the film, Howard reteamed with “The Beatles” project editor Paul Crowder and co-producer Nigel Sinclair, who were involved from the start, says the director. “As with the Beatles film, it really helps to have an editor who’s very musical,” Howard says, “and Paul, who’s also a director, brings all that: his musicality,...
- 6/14/2019
- by Iain Blair
- Variety Film + TV
Business picked up in a big way at the indie box office this weekend, as Amazon Studios’ “Late Night” led a slew of new films in limited release.
Opening on four screens in Los Angeles and New York ahead of its wide release next weekend, “Late Night” grossed just under $250,000 this weekend for a per screen average of $62,414. That passes “Echo in the Canyon” and its $58,826 average from two weeks ago for the highest limited release PSA of 2019, and the second highest for any 2019 film this year behind the $76,601 average for “Avengers: Endgame.”
Also Read: 'Secret Life of Pets 2,' 'Dark Phoenix' Disappoint at Sequel-Loaded Box Office
Directed by Nisha Ganatra, “Late Night” is written by and stars Mindy Kaling as Molly Patel, a chemical plant engineer who finds herself thrust into the world of late night comedy after she is hired by veteran host Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson...
Opening on four screens in Los Angeles and New York ahead of its wide release next weekend, “Late Night” grossed just under $250,000 this weekend for a per screen average of $62,414. That passes “Echo in the Canyon” and its $58,826 average from two weeks ago for the highest limited release PSA of 2019, and the second highest for any 2019 film this year behind the $76,601 average for “Avengers: Endgame.”
Also Read: 'Secret Life of Pets 2,' 'Dark Phoenix' Disappoint at Sequel-Loaded Box Office
Directed by Nisha Ganatra, “Late Night” is written by and stars Mindy Kaling as Molly Patel, a chemical plant engineer who finds herself thrust into the world of late night comedy after she is hired by veteran host Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson...
- 6/9/2019
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
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