First Lady Jill Biden will make a fundraising swing through Southern California later this week, as she headlines events in Los Angeles and the Palm Springs area. She also will speak at the Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles dinner on Saturday.
The first lady will speak at a campaign fundraising reception on Friday early evening, with a list of co-hosts that include attorney Daniel McLoon and Dr. Patricia Gordon, marketing executive Jonathan Mildenhall and Hr executive Mirco Gros, Xenco Medical CEO Jason Haider, the Capital Group’s Wesley Phoa and Margaret Morgan, and John and Gill Wagner, according to the invite. Tickets are priced at $10,000, including a photo, rising to $100,000, including a dinner reception and photo.
On Saturday, Biden will headline a reception in Palm Springs, with James Costos, the former U.S. ambassador to Spain, and designer Michael Smith as co-hosts, according to an invite. In December, Costos and...
The first lady will speak at a campaign fundraising reception on Friday early evening, with a list of co-hosts that include attorney Daniel McLoon and Dr. Patricia Gordon, marketing executive Jonathan Mildenhall and Hr executive Mirco Gros, Xenco Medical CEO Jason Haider, the Capital Group’s Wesley Phoa and Margaret Morgan, and John and Gill Wagner, according to the invite. Tickets are priced at $10,000, including a photo, rising to $100,000, including a dinner reception and photo.
On Saturday, Biden will headline a reception in Palm Springs, with James Costos, the former U.S. ambassador to Spain, and designer Michael Smith as co-hosts, according to an invite. In December, Costos and...
- 3/21/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Hillary Clinton and Lin-Manuel Miranda will host a Broadway fundraiser for Joe Biden’s presidential campaign next month that will feature a performance of Suffs: The Musical.
The musical, which Clinton is co-producing, focuses on the women’s suffrage movement. The musical originated at the New York Public Theater and is set to start Broadway previews on March 26.
The Biden fundraiser will be held on April 3, with tickets priced at $500 to $5,000, according to the invite. Proceeds will go to the Biden Victory Fund and the Women’s Leadership Forum.
The event will be held just days after Biden and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are due to appear at Radio City Music Hall for a campaign fundraiser, with Stephen Colbert as moderator.
The synopsis of Suffs: “Reaching across and against generational, racial, and class divides, these brilliant, flawed women entertain and inspire us with the story of their...
The musical, which Clinton is co-producing, focuses on the women’s suffrage movement. The musical originated at the New York Public Theater and is set to start Broadway previews on March 26.
The Biden fundraiser will be held on April 3, with tickets priced at $500 to $5,000, according to the invite. Proceeds will go to the Biden Victory Fund and the Women’s Leadership Forum.
The event will be held just days after Biden and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are due to appear at Radio City Music Hall for a campaign fundraiser, with Stephen Colbert as moderator.
The synopsis of Suffs: “Reaching across and against generational, racial, and class divides, these brilliant, flawed women entertain and inspire us with the story of their...
- 3/14/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Joe Biden’s return trip to Los Angeles today for another round of fundraising is likely to add a huge haul to his campaign war chest, but there’s also the prospect of more protests over the administration’s support for Israel in its war against Hamas.
The president will arrive in the afternoon for an evening fundraiser hosted by Haim Saban, as well as Casey Wasserman. Tickets start at $3,300 per person and rise to $250,000 for the co-chair level.
Among those also signed on to the event are John Emerson, former U.S. ambassador to Germany, and his wife Kimberly Marteau Emerson; attorney Cliff Gilbert-Lurie and Leslie Gilbert Lurie; developer Thomas Safran; Bob Daley and Carol Bayer Sager; Eric Baker, co-founder of StubHub and co-founder of Viagogo, and Dr. Nicole Baker; Martha Leon De La Barra, global vice president of construction NeueHouse at CultureWorks Group, and Matt Crowley; attorney Carol Hamilton...
The president will arrive in the afternoon for an evening fundraiser hosted by Haim Saban, as well as Casey Wasserman. Tickets start at $3,300 per person and rise to $250,000 for the co-chair level.
Among those also signed on to the event are John Emerson, former U.S. ambassador to Germany, and his wife Kimberly Marteau Emerson; attorney Cliff Gilbert-Lurie and Leslie Gilbert Lurie; developer Thomas Safran; Bob Daley and Carol Bayer Sager; Eric Baker, co-founder of StubHub and co-founder of Viagogo, and Dr. Nicole Baker; Martha Leon De La Barra, global vice president of construction NeueHouse at CultureWorks Group, and Matt Crowley; attorney Carol Hamilton...
- 2/20/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Joe Biden will return to Los Angeles later this month for a fundraising swing including a fundraiser hosted by Haim and Cheryl Saban and Casey Wasserman.
The event will take place February 20, part of a West Coast visit that also includes events in the Bay Area.
According to the invite, tickets for the event start at $3,300 per person, rising to $250,000 for those who want to be listed as a co-chair. Those who contribute $25,000 and above will be able to get a photo with the president.
The event will raise money for the Biden Victory Fund, a joint committee that collects contributions for the Biden campaign, the Democratic National Committee and state committees.
Biden was in Los Angeles last weekend for a brief visit that included an event at the home of George Lucas. Sources earlier said that he was meeting with Black leaders from the entertainment industry to talk about the campaign.
The event will take place February 20, part of a West Coast visit that also includes events in the Bay Area.
According to the invite, tickets for the event start at $3,300 per person, rising to $250,000 for those who want to be listed as a co-chair. Those who contribute $25,000 and above will be able to get a photo with the president.
The event will raise money for the Biden Victory Fund, a joint committee that collects contributions for the Biden campaign, the Democratic National Committee and state committees.
Biden was in Los Angeles last weekend for a brief visit that included an event at the home of George Lucas. Sources earlier said that he was meeting with Black leaders from the entertainment industry to talk about the campaign.
- 2/8/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here bringing you all the news and analysis from another busy week, during which we have been to Spain through Argentina via Berlin. Oh, and there was the small matter of the Oscar noms. Read on, and sign up here.
Spain In The Spotlight
Secuoya’s scale and pace: Diana Lodderhose kicking things off here and I had the pleasure of going to Madrid before the holidays to take a look at the impressive Secuoya Content Group’s headquarters, which hosts Netflix’s European Production Hub, located just 17 miles north of Madrid. After a lengthy chat with its owners and founders Raul Berdonés and Pablo Jimeno as well as James Costos, president of its TV and film fiction arm Secuoya Studios, what became quickly apparent is the scale and pace at which this company is moving. “We’re not your traditional production company,” Berdonés said.
Spain In The Spotlight
Secuoya’s scale and pace: Diana Lodderhose kicking things off here and I had the pleasure of going to Madrid before the holidays to take a look at the impressive Secuoya Content Group’s headquarters, which hosts Netflix’s European Production Hub, located just 17 miles north of Madrid. After a lengthy chat with its owners and founders Raul Berdonés and Pablo Jimeno as well as James Costos, president of its TV and film fiction arm Secuoya Studios, what became quickly apparent is the scale and pace at which this company is moving. “We’re not your traditional production company,” Berdonés said.
- 1/26/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: There’s a famous line from the Spanish poet Antonio Machado that is familiar to most Spaniards: “Caminante, no hay camino. Se hace camino al andar,” which translates as “Traveler, there is no path. The path is made by walking.”
If there’s one Spanish company that is determinedly paving the way for Spanish-language content in the global sphere, it’s Secuoya Content Group, a fully-fledged independent studio bidding to become a global destination for content, all while putting Spain on the map in an unprecedented way.
The company counts Hollywood stalwarts Chris Albrecht and Ted Sarandos among its array of international friends and the Netflix content chief tells Deadline the streamer is committed to deepening its roots there. Former HBO, Starz and Legendary Television exec Albrecht, meanwhile has partnered with Secuoya’s film and TV content production arm, Secuoya Studios, through his new banner Rubicon Global Media and...
If there’s one Spanish company that is determinedly paving the way for Spanish-language content in the global sphere, it’s Secuoya Content Group, a fully-fledged independent studio bidding to become a global destination for content, all while putting Spain on the map in an unprecedented way.
The company counts Hollywood stalwarts Chris Albrecht and Ted Sarandos among its array of international friends and the Netflix content chief tells Deadline the streamer is committed to deepening its roots there. Former HBO, Starz and Legendary Television exec Albrecht, meanwhile has partnered with Secuoya’s film and TV content production arm, Secuoya Studios, through his new banner Rubicon Global Media and...
- 1/23/2024
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Spain’s fast-growing Secuoya Studios has tapped seasoned Sony Pictures Television International exec Brendan Fitzgerald for the newly-created position of CEO. His most recent position as Spti’s senior VP of international English-language co-productions makes him the perfect fit for the company’s lofty ambitions.
Fitzgerald’s appointment coincides with the third anniversary of Secuoya Studios and the world premiere of their most ambitious show to date, “Zorro,” which, after its Jan. 19 Prime Video premiere in the Americas, starts streaming Jan. 25 in Spain, Portugal and Andorra through Prime Video Spain.
Mediawan Rights, which handles the international distribution of “Zorro,” has sold broadcast rights to M6 Groupe of France, Mediaset Italy, Tvm Belgium and Rtl Hungary with more sales news to be announced in subsequent weeks.
“For Secuoya Content Group, it is a privilege to have Brendan Fitzgerald’s background and experience at the helm of Secuoya Studios, a leading player...
Fitzgerald’s appointment coincides with the third anniversary of Secuoya Studios and the world premiere of their most ambitious show to date, “Zorro,” which, after its Jan. 19 Prime Video premiere in the Americas, starts streaming Jan. 25 in Spain, Portugal and Andorra through Prime Video Spain.
Mediawan Rights, which handles the international distribution of “Zorro,” has sold broadcast rights to M6 Groupe of France, Mediaset Italy, Tvm Belgium and Rtl Hungary with more sales news to be announced in subsequent weeks.
“For Secuoya Content Group, it is a privilege to have Brendan Fitzgerald’s background and experience at the helm of Secuoya Studios, a leading player...
- 1/22/2024
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
As the Israel-Hamas crisis enters its third month, Hollywood, with its sizable Jewish population and increasing divides among liberals as well as progressives over justice issues, has emerged as a proxy informational battle-space in the conflict. There is a nervousness among industry insiders connected to the Golden Globes that activists may take advantage of the global reach of the kick-off major awards season event — the first to be televised since Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre — for their own ends.
The Beverly Hills Police Department tells The Hollywood Reporter that it’s working in tandem with neighboring law enforcement agencies as well as the FBI to prepare for protests. “At this time, we are not aware of any threats to the events or its attendees; however, we are aware of world events,” says lieutenant Renato Moreno. “As a result, we have staffed extra police personnel.”
The FBI, in conjunction with the LAPD, fire...
The Beverly Hills Police Department tells The Hollywood Reporter that it’s working in tandem with neighboring law enforcement agencies as well as the FBI to prepare for protests. “At this time, we are not aware of any threats to the events or its attendees; however, we are aware of world events,” says lieutenant Renato Moreno. “As a result, we have staffed extra police personnel.”
The FBI, in conjunction with the LAPD, fire...
- 1/6/2024
- by Gary Baum
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After a weekend of schmoozing with the Hollywood elite, Joe Biden departed Los Angeles on Sunday with his re-election campaign more than $15 million flusher.
The boffo fundraising figure for the weekend was confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter by a source close to Jeffrey Katzenberg, the DreamWorks and Quibi co-founder and Biden campaign co-chair. The haul would be a record for a president or presidential candidate on a single fundraising trip to Los Angeles, and tops the $15 million Barack Obama raised in 2012 at a reception held at George and Amal Clooney’s house.
The president and First Lady Jill Biden began their whirlwind 36-hour tour of Los Angeles after landing on the West Coast on Friday, eventually hitting six private fundraising events and also finding time to attend the shiva of TV icon Norman Lear, who died Tuesday at age 101.
The couple kicked off a weekend of fundraising activity by speaking at a Holmby Hills event.
The boffo fundraising figure for the weekend was confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter by a source close to Jeffrey Katzenberg, the DreamWorks and Quibi co-founder and Biden campaign co-chair. The haul would be a record for a president or presidential candidate on a single fundraising trip to Los Angeles, and tops the $15 million Barack Obama raised in 2012 at a reception held at George and Amal Clooney’s house.
The president and First Lady Jill Biden began their whirlwind 36-hour tour of Los Angeles after landing on the West Coast on Friday, eventually hitting six private fundraising events and also finding time to attend the shiva of TV icon Norman Lear, who died Tuesday at age 101.
The couple kicked off a weekend of fundraising activity by speaking at a Holmby Hills event.
- 12/11/2023
- by Abid Rahman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden wrapped up a weekend of fundraising in Los Angeles on Sunday, with a record amount raised.
More than $15 million was raised through the weekend, including for the Biden Victory Fund, said campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg, founding partner of WndrCo. That is the most raised for a single visit to Los Angeles of any president or presidential candidate, he said.
It also surpassed the amount raised by Barack Obama in May, 2012, when Obama headlined a fundraiser at the home of George Clooney and co-hosted by Katzenberg. That fundraising trip brought in almost $15 million.
Through the weekend, Biden and the first lady headlined seven events, including private gatherings with high-dollar donors and a Hollywood-centric fundraiser on Friday evening at the Holmby Hills home of James Costos, the former U.S. ambassador to Spain, and designer Michael Smith. That event included co-chairs such as Steven Spielberg,...
More than $15 million was raised through the weekend, including for the Biden Victory Fund, said campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg, founding partner of WndrCo. That is the most raised for a single visit to Los Angeles of any president or presidential candidate, he said.
It also surpassed the amount raised by Barack Obama in May, 2012, when Obama headlined a fundraiser at the home of George Clooney and co-hosted by Katzenberg. That fundraising trip brought in almost $15 million.
Through the weekend, Biden and the first lady headlined seven events, including private gatherings with high-dollar donors and a Hollywood-centric fundraiser on Friday evening at the Holmby Hills home of James Costos, the former U.S. ambassador to Spain, and designer Michael Smith. That event included co-chairs such as Steven Spielberg,...
- 12/11/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
President Joe Biden kicked off a weekend of fundraising activity in Los Angeles Friday night, speaking at an event, which also featured Steven Spielberg and Shonda Rhimes.
As the first Hollywood-centric fundraiser of his reelection campaign, Biden used his time on the stage to call out Donald Trump and explain why he poses the “greatest threat” to democracy.
“This is an incredibly successful night,” the president said at the beginning of his speech, according to the Associated Press, before joking that he didn’t want to talk long because he was “the only thing standing between you and Lenny Kravitz.”
The Grammy-winning singer performed at the event hosted by celebrity interior designer Michael Smith and his partner, James Costos. The latter of whom said earlier that supporters from across the country came to attend the fundraiser: “This is not just a Hollywood gathering, it’s more like a national event.
As the first Hollywood-centric fundraiser of his reelection campaign, Biden used his time on the stage to call out Donald Trump and explain why he poses the “greatest threat” to democracy.
“This is an incredibly successful night,” the president said at the beginning of his speech, according to the Associated Press, before joking that he didn’t want to talk long because he was “the only thing standing between you and Lenny Kravitz.”
The Grammy-winning singer performed at the event hosted by celebrity interior designer Michael Smith and his partner, James Costos. The latter of whom said earlier that supporters from across the country came to attend the fundraiser: “This is not just a Hollywood gathering, it’s more like a national event.
- 12/9/2023
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Updated, with complete remarks: President Joe Biden told the crowd at a fundraiser this evening, “You’re the reason that Donald Trump is a former president, or he hates when I say it, a defeated president.”
At the Holmby Hills home of designer Michael Smith and former ambassador James Costos, Biden rallied his donors, many of whom backed him in the last campaign, while turning his focus on his likely 2024 rival. He spent a substantial part of his remarks warning of Trump as a threat to democracy, a contrast that many of the president’s steadfast backers believe will boost support as the 2024 campaign gets in full swing.
“Literally, I believe, the future of democracy is at stake,” Biden said, according to a pool report. “The greatest threat Trump poses is to our democracy, because if we lost that, we lose everything.” Read his complete remarks at the end of the story.
At the Holmby Hills home of designer Michael Smith and former ambassador James Costos, Biden rallied his donors, many of whom backed him in the last campaign, while turning his focus on his likely 2024 rival. He spent a substantial part of his remarks warning of Trump as a threat to democracy, a contrast that many of the president’s steadfast backers believe will boost support as the 2024 campaign gets in full swing.
“Literally, I believe, the future of democracy is at stake,” Biden said, according to a pool report. “The greatest threat Trump poses is to our democracy, because if we lost that, we lose everything.” Read his complete remarks at the end of the story.
- 12/9/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
President Joe Biden arrives in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon for his first Hollywood-centric fundraiser of his reelection campaign, amid pent up demand, some trepidation about 2024 and the potential for a return of Donald Trump to the White House.
The president will speak to a room of supporters with a number of other issues at the forefront, including the Israel-Hamas war and the fate of aid to Ukraine, as well as LGBTQ+ rights.
After arriving in Los Angeles at about 4:40 p.m., the president is set to headline a reception hosted by designer Michael Smith and James Costos, the former U.S. ambassador to Spain, with about 300 guests expected and a long list of co-hosts who include Steven Spielberg, Rob Reiner and Shonda Rhimes, as well as Rick Caruso, the real estate developer and former mayoral candidate. Joining Biden will be First Lady Jill Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,...
The president will speak to a room of supporters with a number of other issues at the forefront, including the Israel-Hamas war and the fate of aid to Ukraine, as well as LGBTQ+ rights.
After arriving in Los Angeles at about 4:40 p.m., the president is set to headline a reception hosted by designer Michael Smith and James Costos, the former U.S. ambassador to Spain, with about 300 guests expected and a long list of co-hosts who include Steven Spielberg, Rob Reiner and Shonda Rhimes, as well as Rick Caruso, the real estate developer and former mayoral candidate. Joining Biden will be First Lady Jill Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,...
- 12/8/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Lenny Kravitz is scheduled to perform on Friday when President Joe Biden headlines his first reelection fundraiser in Los Angeles, according to the invite.
The event is hosted by designer Michael Smith and James Costos, the former U.S. ambassador to Spain, with a list of co-hosts that include Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, Martha Karsh and Wendy Schmidt. First Lady Jill Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also are scheduled to appear.
This will be the president’s first trek to Los Angeles for a fundraising swing since announcing reelection in April. He skipped Los Angeles during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike, out of concern over raising money at the time of the work stoppage.
Others chairing or hosting the event include Ted Boutrous and Helen Boutrous, Rick Caruso and Tina Caruso, Peter Chernin and Megan Chernin, Morgan Cox and Derrall Hill Jr., John Emerson and Kimberly Marteau Emerson,...
The event is hosted by designer Michael Smith and James Costos, the former U.S. ambassador to Spain, with a list of co-hosts that include Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, Martha Karsh and Wendy Schmidt. First Lady Jill Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also are scheduled to appear.
This will be the president’s first trek to Los Angeles for a fundraising swing since announcing reelection in April. He skipped Los Angeles during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike, out of concern over raising money at the time of the work stoppage.
Others chairing or hosting the event include Ted Boutrous and Helen Boutrous, Rick Caruso and Tina Caruso, Peter Chernin and Megan Chernin, Morgan Cox and Derrall Hill Jr., John Emerson and Kimberly Marteau Emerson,...
- 12/5/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: President Joe Biden will make his first Los Angeles fundraising swing next month, with a Dec. 8 event hosted by former ambassador James Costos and designer Michael Smith. The event has a lineup of co-hosts including Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, Shonda Rhimes, Rick Caruso and Peter Chernin and Megan Chernin.
First Lady Jill Biden also is scheduled to attend the event.
Invites have gone out for the event, with tickets starting at $1,000 per person. The ticket level rises to $500,000 for those who write or raise, a group that will be listed as co-chairs. Those who contribute $25,000 and above will get access to a photo line. Proceeds will go to the Biden Victory Fund, the joint fundraising committee of the Biden campaign, the Democratic National Committee and state parties.
Other co-chairs and co-hosts include Martha Karsh, Wendy Schmidt, Morgan Cox and Derrall Hill, Russell and Karen Goldsmith, Jim and Ann Gianopoulos,...
First Lady Jill Biden also is scheduled to attend the event.
Invites have gone out for the event, with tickets starting at $1,000 per person. The ticket level rises to $500,000 for those who write or raise, a group that will be listed as co-chairs. Those who contribute $25,000 and above will get access to a photo line. Proceeds will go to the Biden Victory Fund, the joint fundraising committee of the Biden campaign, the Democratic National Committee and state parties.
Other co-chairs and co-hosts include Martha Karsh, Wendy Schmidt, Morgan Cox and Derrall Hill, Russell and Karen Goldsmith, Jim and Ann Gianopoulos,...
- 11/22/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
In a glittering event at Madrid’s Florida Park, Spain’s Secuoya Studios brought out its big guns, led by its president James Costos and Secuoya Content Group CEO Raúl Berdonés, to tout the fast-growing company’s slate, led by its 10-episode series “Zorro,” its most ambitious production.
The series pilot will be unveiled at Mipcom in a special screening on Oct. 15, noted Berdonés, who added that the two-year-old company has made a strong commitment to sustainable production.
“Zorro,” starring Miguel Bernardeau and Renata Notni, will be exclusively available on Prime Video in Latin America, the U.S., Spain, Andorra, and Portugal in the first half of 2024, followed by its broadcast on Spain’s Tve. Mediawan handles international distribution.
Attendees of the 3rd Iberseries & Platino Industria were treated to a sneak peek two days before.
Speaking of the company’s slate, Berdonés remarked: “This ambitious, innovative, distinctive, and diverse content...
The series pilot will be unveiled at Mipcom in a special screening on Oct. 15, noted Berdonés, who added that the two-year-old company has made a strong commitment to sustainable production.
“Zorro,” starring Miguel Bernardeau and Renata Notni, will be exclusively available on Prime Video in Latin America, the U.S., Spain, Andorra, and Portugal in the first half of 2024, followed by its broadcast on Spain’s Tve. Mediawan handles international distribution.
Attendees of the 3rd Iberseries & Platino Industria were treated to a sneak peek two days before.
Speaking of the company’s slate, Berdonés remarked: “This ambitious, innovative, distinctive, and diverse content...
- 10/6/2023
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Former HBO topper Chris Albrecht and Jane the Virgin executive producer Jorge Granier have partnered to launch Rubicon Global Media with an eye to producing Spanish-language content for the world market.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Rubicon Global Media has struck a strategic partnership with Spain’s Secuoya Content Group, led by former HBO exec James Costos, that will see Albrecht and Granier produce story-driven content for Latin American audiences by aggregating intellectual property from the U.S. and Spain.
Albrecht most recently served as managing director of Legendary Television (the executive left the company after being placed on a leave of absence last October). He previously was president and CEO of Starz following a run as chairman and CEO of HBO, and president of HBO original programming. While at HBO, Albrecht oversaw popular series like Sex and the City, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Deadwood, Band of Brothers,...
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Rubicon Global Media has struck a strategic partnership with Spain’s Secuoya Content Group, led by former HBO exec James Costos, that will see Albrecht and Granier produce story-driven content for Latin American audiences by aggregating intellectual property from the U.S. and Spain.
Albrecht most recently served as managing director of Legendary Television (the executive left the company after being placed on a leave of absence last October). He previously was president and CEO of Starz following a run as chairman and CEO of HBO, and president of HBO original programming. While at HBO, Albrecht oversaw popular series like Sex and the City, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Deadwood, Band of Brothers,...
- 8/1/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Former Legendary Television President and Starz CEO Chris Albrecht and Jane the Virgin executive producer Jorge Granier have formed Rubicon Global Media, a firm designed to aggregate leading intellectual property from Latin America and Spain, transforming it into content with worldwide appeal. The company also will produce story-driven content for Latin American audiences.
In addition, Rubicon Global Media has entered a strategic partnership with Spanish-language production and distribution outfit Secuoya Studios, a division of Madrid-based Secuoya Content Group, which will provide development funding and deficit financing for select Rubicon Global Media projects. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Secuoya Studios, led by former HBO executive James Costos (who also was U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra from 2013-17), creates fiction series, docuseries, unscripted television and feature films focused on the Latin American, Spanish and Spanish-speaking U.S. markets. The studio, with offices in Latin America, Miami, Los Angeles and Spain,...
In addition, Rubicon Global Media has entered a strategic partnership with Spanish-language production and distribution outfit Secuoya Studios, a division of Madrid-based Secuoya Content Group, which will provide development funding and deficit financing for select Rubicon Global Media projects. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Secuoya Studios, led by former HBO executive James Costos (who also was U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra from 2013-17), creates fiction series, docuseries, unscripted television and feature films focused on the Latin American, Spanish and Spanish-speaking U.S. markets. The studio, with offices in Latin America, Miami, Los Angeles and Spain,...
- 8/1/2023
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
When Joe Biden made a fundraising swing through Democratic donor strongholds in San Francisco, Chicago and New York last month, one city was noticeably absent from the list: Los Angeles.
The buzz in donor and political circles is that an L.A. visit is on hold. What was then a Writers Guild of America strike and, with SAG-AFTRA joining them, is now even more of a hotspot of labor strife.
Biden has called for writers to get a “fair deal they deserved” and, after the SAG-AFTRA strike was called, the White House made a similar statement, but sources say there are concerns of the president trekking to an event where he would be mired in the politics surrounding the labor impasse, or that he would be seen taking money from studio sources given his pro-union stance.
It’s unclear when Biden ultimately will schedule a Los Angeles visit, and some...
The buzz in donor and political circles is that an L.A. visit is on hold. What was then a Writers Guild of America strike and, with SAG-AFTRA joining them, is now even more of a hotspot of labor strife.
Biden has called for writers to get a “fair deal they deserved” and, after the SAG-AFTRA strike was called, the White House made a similar statement, but sources say there are concerns of the president trekking to an event where he would be mired in the politics surrounding the labor impasse, or that he would be seen taking money from studio sources given his pro-union stance.
It’s unclear when Biden ultimately will schedule a Los Angeles visit, and some...
- 7/27/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Making its U.S. market debut, Spain’s Secouya Studios has unveiled a weighty 2023 slate underscoring its ambitions to consolidate as one of the biggest film-tv producers in the Spanish-speaking world.
Ranging from fiction series, docuseries, feature documentaries and entertainment formats, 2023 projects take in, among unannounced drama series, “Crudo,” the first skein out of the gate from a framework deal between Secuoya Studios and Colombia’s Caracol Television unveiled just before September’s Iberseries.
Also new is “Hola, Mundo,” an eight-episode co-production with Weekend Studio, part owned by Mediwan; and “Efímero,” billed as a romantic drama.
Among fresh docuseries, Carlos Sainz, Spain’s two-time World Rally Champion, narrates “Race In,” an exclusive story about motorsport’s challenges in a contemporary world, such as sustainability, gender equality and social responsibility. “Proximity: Flying Centimeters from Death· turns on a near-death experience suffered by Base jumper Alex Villar;‘Vuelo JK5022: Spanair’s...
Ranging from fiction series, docuseries, feature documentaries and entertainment formats, 2023 projects take in, among unannounced drama series, “Crudo,” the first skein out of the gate from a framework deal between Secuoya Studios and Colombia’s Caracol Television unveiled just before September’s Iberseries.
Also new is “Hola, Mundo,” an eight-episode co-production with Weekend Studio, part owned by Mediwan; and “Efímero,” billed as a romantic drama.
Among fresh docuseries, Carlos Sainz, Spain’s two-time World Rally Champion, narrates “Race In,” an exclusive story about motorsport’s challenges in a contemporary world, such as sustainability, gender equality and social responsibility. “Proximity: Flying Centimeters from Death· turns on a near-death experience suffered by Base jumper Alex Villar;‘Vuelo JK5022: Spanair’s...
- 1/25/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
A wandering love note to Madrid directed by local filmmaker Curro Sánchez Varela, “Voices of a City” ( “Voces de una ciudad”) merges prominent aesthetics with a charismatic populace, who so often blend into the background of photos taken of the bustling metropoli.
The film is a curated 24-hour journey through each urban corner, delving into the most integral part of any locale, the humans living within its confines, serving as an immersive peek into the city’s history, culture and enduring allure.
Breezily narrated by Goya Award-winning Spanish actress Blanca Portillo (“Maixabel”), the sprawling shots of familiar architecture run alongside sharply focused studies of residents from the mayor to a famed chef, taxi drivers to artists and musicians, as well as a most charming retired couple.
Sánchez Varela has “captured and lifted the personal stories of local Madrileños going about their daily lives over the course of a 24 hour period...
The film is a curated 24-hour journey through each urban corner, delving into the most integral part of any locale, the humans living within its confines, serving as an immersive peek into the city’s history, culture and enduring allure.
Breezily narrated by Goya Award-winning Spanish actress Blanca Portillo (“Maixabel”), the sprawling shots of familiar architecture run alongside sharply focused studies of residents from the mayor to a famed chef, taxi drivers to artists and musicians, as well as a most charming retired couple.
Sánchez Varela has “captured and lifted the personal stories of local Madrileños going about their daily lives over the course of a 24 hour period...
- 10/5/2022
- by Holly Jones
- Variety Film + TV
“There’s an old Chinese curse: ‘May you live through interesting times.’ The sector is now going through very interesting times indeed,” Fremantle’s Manuel Marti reflected to Variety as Madrid’s 2nd Iberseries & Platino Industria, a TV-film forum, wound down on Friday, running Sept. 27-30.
Three large table talk topics were the fall out from the planned merger of HBO Max and Discover+ by Warner Bros. Discovery – with the removal of more than three dozen titles on HBO Max in August alone – Netflix’s reconfiguration of its business model and galloping inflation in Europe, threatening streamer subs, They also played out, if sometimes indirectly, at the Iberseries & Platino Industria panels.
Overall, the bigger picture was of a still vibrant but now challenged TV industry in Spain, Latin America and Portugal.
Iberseries’ mood was still upbeat, however. “Creators are enjoying freedoms, Americans are reading subtitles, the only stories which work...
Three large table talk topics were the fall out from the planned merger of HBO Max and Discover+ by Warner Bros. Discovery – with the removal of more than three dozen titles on HBO Max in August alone – Netflix’s reconfiguration of its business model and galloping inflation in Europe, threatening streamer subs, They also played out, if sometimes indirectly, at the Iberseries & Platino Industria panels.
Overall, the bigger picture was of a still vibrant but now challenged TV industry in Spain, Latin America and Portugal.
Iberseries’ mood was still upbeat, however. “Creators are enjoying freedoms, Americans are reading subtitles, the only stories which work...
- 10/3/2022
- by John Hopewell and Pablo Sandoval
- Variety Film + TV
Headed by ex-hbo exec James Costos, Los Angeles and Madrid-based Secuoya Studios and Colombia’s Caracol Television have closed a framework deal to jointly develop, produce and finance scripted series over the next year.
The agreement seals an alliance between two of Latin America’s powerhouses, with large international ambitions. Amazon’s Prime Video and now Mediawan have boarded Secuoya Studios’ flagship series “Zorro,” starring “Elite’s” Miguel Bernardeau and Renata Notni, directed by “Money Heist’s” Javier Quintas. Producer of iconic longer-format series, Caracol TV’s “La Reina del Flow” Season 1 sold to over 100 countries; “El Rey; Vicente Fernandez” Season 1 bowed on Netflix Sept. 12 , shooting to No. 3 in global non-English charts.
Announced on the eve of the 2nd Iberseries & Platino Industria, the Madrid-based market, co-production forum and conference which runs Sept. 27-30 in Madrid, the partnership aims to conceptualize, create and develop original Spanish and Latin American premium series,...
The agreement seals an alliance between two of Latin America’s powerhouses, with large international ambitions. Amazon’s Prime Video and now Mediawan have boarded Secuoya Studios’ flagship series “Zorro,” starring “Elite’s” Miguel Bernardeau and Renata Notni, directed by “Money Heist’s” Javier Quintas. Producer of iconic longer-format series, Caracol TV’s “La Reina del Flow” Season 1 sold to over 100 countries; “El Rey; Vicente Fernandez” Season 1 bowed on Netflix Sept. 12 , shooting to No. 3 in global non-English charts.
Announced on the eve of the 2nd Iberseries & Platino Industria, the Madrid-based market, co-production forum and conference which runs Sept. 27-30 in Madrid, the partnership aims to conceptualize, create and develop original Spanish and Latin American premium series,...
- 9/26/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: First Lady Jill Biden will visit Los Angeles on Friday with an itinerary that includes a fundraiser hosted by writer-producer and Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman.
Per an invite, the Hancock Park lunch reception is for the Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund, which is raising money for the Democratic National Committee and state parties.
“With less than 65 days until Election Day, all support is critical to ensure Democrats across the country have the resources they need to make that final push to November,” the invite reads.
Tickets start at 5,000 per person, with those who write or raise 25,000 also designated as hosts.
After the event, the first lady will then visit Homeboy Bakery and Homegirl Cafe in Los Angeles. Founded by by Father Gregory Boyle, Homeboy Industries provides on-the-job training and rehabilitation services to former gang members and those previously incarcerated.
The first lady visited Los Angeles in June with her husband,...
Per an invite, the Hancock Park lunch reception is for the Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund, which is raising money for the Democratic National Committee and state parties.
“With less than 65 days until Election Day, all support is critical to ensure Democrats across the country have the resources they need to make that final push to November,” the invite reads.
Tickets start at 5,000 per person, with those who write or raise 25,000 also designated as hosts.
After the event, the first lady will then visit Homeboy Bakery and Homegirl Cafe in Los Angeles. Founded by by Father Gregory Boyle, Homeboy Industries provides on-the-job training and rehabilitation services to former gang members and those previously incarcerated.
The first lady visited Los Angeles in June with her husband,...
- 9/14/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
In a bid to further extend its Shooting in Spain brand around the world, the Spain Film Commission (Sfc) began in 2018 to name prominent figures in the international entertainment biz as honorary ambassadors. Among them are former HBO executive and U.S. ambassador to Spain James Costos; director Terry Gilliam; actors Emily Blunt and Aitana Sánchez- Gijón; NBCUniversal executive Veronica Sullivan; Dp Javier Aguirresarobe and Indian location manager Ramji Natarajan.
Variety approached three of them to give their take on helping to promote Spain as a key destination for film-tv shoots and assess the challenges that remain.
As the U.S. ambassador to Spain from 2013-17, Costos was laser focused on supporting U.S. studios’ efforts to find growth opportunities. However, despite the country’s many advantages, other European destinations offered better incentives and it was often outbid. Notwithstanding, some major productions landed, led by “Game of Thrones” and “The Bourne Identity,...
Variety approached three of them to give their take on helping to promote Spain as a key destination for film-tv shoots and assess the challenges that remain.
As the U.S. ambassador to Spain from 2013-17, Costos was laser focused on supporting U.S. studios’ efforts to find growth opportunities. However, despite the country’s many advantages, other European destinations offered better incentives and it was often outbid. Notwithstanding, some major productions landed, led by “Game of Thrones” and “The Bourne Identity,...
- 9/11/2022
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Secuoya Studios, the ambitious Los Ángeles and Madrid-based film-tv production outfit, is joining forces with Sergio Pizzolante, a former HBO and Sony Pictures executive, to launch international sales operation Secuoya Studios Commercial & Distribution.
Pizzolante will serve as the president and a minority shareholder of the new company, fruit of a partnership by Secuoya Studios with Pizzolante’s Miami-based indie content and talent agency Ctmobs.
The initiative will act as a commercial arm for all the audiovisual projects at Secuoya, “aimed to achieve the integration of the studios’ contents at all of stages, from creation, production and post-production, to national and international distribution, taking in production services and tax incentives’ structuring and management, to compete at the highest level with a true value offer in a market in constant evolution,” Secuoya announced in a statement Monday.
With headquarters in Miami and offices in México, Madrid and Los Ángeles, Secuoya Studios Commercial...
Pizzolante will serve as the president and a minority shareholder of the new company, fruit of a partnership by Secuoya Studios with Pizzolante’s Miami-based indie content and talent agency Ctmobs.
The initiative will act as a commercial arm for all the audiovisual projects at Secuoya, “aimed to achieve the integration of the studios’ contents at all of stages, from creation, production and post-production, to national and international distribution, taking in production services and tax incentives’ structuring and management, to compete at the highest level with a true value offer in a market in constant evolution,” Secuoya announced in a statement Monday.
With headquarters in Miami and offices in México, Madrid and Los Ángeles, Secuoya Studios Commercial...
- 4/4/2022
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Key figures on Spain’s shoot scene have urged Spain’s film-friendly government to raise caps on incentives for international productions shooting in Spain to a muscular €30 million ($33 million) per title.
Current ceilings are €18 million ($19.8 million) for the Canary Islands, €10 million ($11 million) for the rest of Spain.
The call for a muscular rise in incentives was made at Spain’s Málaga Film Festival, as industry figures including Fernando Victoria de Lecea, line producer on Wes Anderson’s 2021 Spanish shoot “Asteroid City,” sketched a possible roadmap to take full advantage of the country’s extraordinary $1.8 billion Spain Avs Hub state funding which has begun to flow into events such as Málaga’s Spanish Screenings and the bullush promotion of Spanish series at Series Mania.
Other panelists took in Carlos Rosado, president of the Spain Film Commission, Roberto Sacristán, head of Alianza Industria Audiovisual (Alia) and Rosa García, president of RedCau, a...
Current ceilings are €18 million ($19.8 million) for the Canary Islands, €10 million ($11 million) for the rest of Spain.
The call for a muscular rise in incentives was made at Spain’s Málaga Film Festival, as industry figures including Fernando Victoria de Lecea, line producer on Wes Anderson’s 2021 Spanish shoot “Asteroid City,” sketched a possible roadmap to take full advantage of the country’s extraordinary $1.8 billion Spain Avs Hub state funding which has begun to flow into events such as Málaga’s Spanish Screenings and the bullush promotion of Spanish series at Series Mania.
Other panelists took in Carlos Rosado, president of the Spain Film Commission, Roberto Sacristán, head of Alianza Industria Audiovisual (Alia) and Rosa García, president of RedCau, a...
- 3/23/2022
- by John Hopewell and Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
In the biggest news to come out of Iberseries Platino Industria, L.A., Miami and Madrid-based Secuoya Studios and Telemundo Streaming Studios are joining forces to co-develop, co-produce and co-finance multiple fiction projects through to 2023.
Sequoya Group’s content production arm, Sequoya Studios, leapt to prominence in April 2020 when appointing James Costos, a former HBO executive and U.S. ambassador to Spain, to oversee the company, based out of Los Angeles.
Telemundo Streaming Studios was launched in May 2021 by NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, designed as the first Hispanic media studio dedicated exclusively to serving growing Latino streaming audiences in the U.S. and around the world.
The two-year renewable partnership was announced on Wednesday by Juan Ponce, senior VP and general manager of Telemundo Streaming Studios, and Costos, during the first Iberseries Platino Industria.
The alliance’s core goal is to lend visibility to original Spanish and Latin American stories, the partners said.
Sequoya Group’s content production arm, Sequoya Studios, leapt to prominence in April 2020 when appointing James Costos, a former HBO executive and U.S. ambassador to Spain, to oversee the company, based out of Los Angeles.
Telemundo Streaming Studios was launched in May 2021 by NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, designed as the first Hispanic media studio dedicated exclusively to serving growing Latino streaming audiences in the U.S. and around the world.
The two-year renewable partnership was announced on Wednesday by Juan Ponce, senior VP and general manager of Telemundo Streaming Studios, and Costos, during the first Iberseries Platino Industria.
The alliance’s core goal is to lend visibility to original Spanish and Latin American stories, the partners said.
- 9/29/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
CAA Talent Agent Josh Lieberman Buys Paul R. Williams-Designed Brentwood Mansion, Lists 90210 Estate
Pioneering Black architect Paul R. Williams — a favorite of Golden Age Hollywood elite and other assorted jetsetters — designed this stately 1930s manor for opera singer-actress Grace Moore and her husband, Spanish actor Valentín Parera. But the couple ultimately became disenchanted with Hollywood, fled the city and never actually lived in the Brentwood house — legendary actor Tyrone Power and his French wife Annabella were its first occupants, having bought the place soon after it was built, according to the Paul R. Williams Project. This is one of two Williams-designed houses owned by Power; the actor apparently loved the Brentwood digs so much that he commissioned the architect to design him a custom Bel Air residence in the late 1940s.
This property was eventually sold to a non-famous family, who held onto the place for decades. In recent years, the Georgian Colonial Revival mansion was leased out to Michael S. Smith, Barack Obama’s White House decorator,...
This property was eventually sold to a non-famous family, who held onto the place for decades. In recent years, the Georgian Colonial Revival mansion was leased out to Michael S. Smith, Barack Obama’s White House decorator,...
- 8/12/2021
- by Wendy Bowman, Dirt.com
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki indicated this week that the White House hopes to name nominees for ambassadorships “soon,” a highly anticipated announcement in L.A. donor circles and among Democratic fundraisers across the country.
Only adding to the chatter of who is in line for what was an Axios report this week that Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was under consideration to be ambassador to India, but Garcetti’s staff labeled the story as speculative.
Comcast executive David L. Cohen is seen as a leading candidate for Canada, while The Washington Post reported last month that Cindy McCain was a potential nominee for the United Nations World Food Program and Rahm Emanuel, President Obama’s first chief of staff and the former mayor of Chicago, for Japan. Bob Iger, executive chairman of the Walt Disney Company, has been floated as a possible ambassador to Great Britain, but that...
Only adding to the chatter of who is in line for what was an Axios report this week that Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was under consideration to be ambassador to India, but Garcetti’s staff labeled the story as speculative.
Comcast executive David L. Cohen is seen as a leading candidate for Canada, while The Washington Post reported last month that Cindy McCain was a potential nominee for the United Nations World Food Program and Rahm Emanuel, President Obama’s first chief of staff and the former mayor of Chicago, for Japan. Bob Iger, executive chairman of the Walt Disney Company, has been floated as a possible ambassador to Great Britain, but that...
- 5/7/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Los Angeles-based Secuoya Studios is developing a new series version of “El Zorro” in collaboration with John Gertz – founder of Zorro Productions and a producer on “The Mask of Zorro” and “The Legend of Zorro” movies titles – along with former Sony execs Andy Kaplan and Jesús Torres and Miami-based Secuoya Studios exec Sergio Pizzolante. Secuoya Studios will serve as the series’ lead producer.
“This is one of the biggest IPs, not only in the Spanish-speaking territories, but the world,” said David Martínez, Secuoya director of fiction, adding that the new version will update the franchise’s characters with reference to modern times and include a “large female presence.” Scripts, by Spain’s Carlos Portela (“Velvet Collection”), are completed.
“El Zorro” marks the banner project at Secuoya Studios, which was introduced to investors at an online presentation Thursday hosted by James Costos, the company’s L.A-based president.
Other series projects...
“This is one of the biggest IPs, not only in the Spanish-speaking territories, but the world,” said David Martínez, Secuoya director of fiction, adding that the new version will update the franchise’s characters with reference to modern times and include a “large female presence.” Scripts, by Spain’s Carlos Portela (“Velvet Collection”), are completed.
“El Zorro” marks the banner project at Secuoya Studios, which was introduced to investors at an online presentation Thursday hosted by James Costos, the company’s L.A-based president.
Other series projects...
- 1/28/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
With a newly elected Democratic president, this is the season of speculation, where names are being floated as potential ambassador picks. And this time around, Disney’s executive chairman Bob Iger is getting attention as a prospect for one of the highest profile foreign posts, China.
But while there is a lot of talk of Iger and others (including Comcast’s David L. Cohen and former MPA chairman Chris Dodd), it’s still just that: talk.
Not only is it premature, but the polarization in the Senate could make things dicey for any nominee, much less one who comes from the ranks of Hollywood, a favorite punching bag of the right.
Joe Biden’s team is said to be concentrating right now on its top-level cabinet picks. Team Biden has been sending out word that the speculation is premature and that nominations won’t be considered until after January 20. Last week,...
But while there is a lot of talk of Iger and others (including Comcast’s David L. Cohen and former MPA chairman Chris Dodd), it’s still just that: talk.
Not only is it premature, but the polarization in the Senate could make things dicey for any nominee, much less one who comes from the ranks of Hollywood, a favorite punching bag of the right.
Joe Biden’s team is said to be concentrating right now on its top-level cabinet picks. Team Biden has been sending out word that the speculation is premature and that nominations won’t be considered until after January 20. Last week,...
- 12/18/2020
- by Ted Johnson and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s Global Bulletin, the European Film Awards detail this year’s special five-day virtual ceremony, the Spain Film Commission extends an invitation to international productions, ITV Studios sells more than 300 hours of content in India and the National Lottery announces a special Pantoland performance for key workers.
Awards
The 2020 European Film Awards have announced measures to host a Covid-19 era edition, “The EFAs at Eight,” including a series of live-streamed virtual events taking place Dec. 8-12.
This year’s entire program will be made available on the Efa website, www.europeanfilmawards.eu, and to several international streaming and broadcasting partners. Nominees and winners be invited to participate through live video conferencing.
Things kick off on Tuesday, Dec. 8, with “From Survival to Revival: Building the Post-Covid Future,” a roundtable discussing the re-structuring, re-engineering and re-alignment of the European film industry during and post-pandemic.
On Wednesday, Wim Wenders and Marion...
Awards
The 2020 European Film Awards have announced measures to host a Covid-19 era edition, “The EFAs at Eight,” including a series of live-streamed virtual events taking place Dec. 8-12.
This year’s entire program will be made available on the Efa website, www.europeanfilmawards.eu, and to several international streaming and broadcasting partners. Nominees and winners be invited to participate through live video conferencing.
Things kick off on Tuesday, Dec. 8, with “From Survival to Revival: Building the Post-Covid Future,” a roundtable discussing the re-structuring, re-engineering and re-alignment of the European film industry during and post-pandemic.
On Wednesday, Wim Wenders and Marion...
- 12/4/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Joe Biden’s presidential campaign got a big boost in the latest quarter that brought it into closer parity with Donald Trump’s fundraising juggernaut, as the former vice president saw major contributions from a number of industry moguls and media titans.
Jeffrey Katzenberg, who hosted an event for Biden last month, gave $617,800 to the Biden Victory Fund, the joint fund-raising committee set up for the campaign, the Democratic National Committee and state parties. Also giving was Steven Spielberg, who chipped in $250,000, along with his wife, Kate Capshaw, who gave the same amount.
James Murdoch, the son of Rupert Murdoch, and his wife Kathryn each donated $615,000 to the victory fund.
Other contributors included Bob Iger, the executive chairman of The Walt Disney Co., who gave $250,000. Abigail Disney, the granddaughter of Roy E. Disney who is a documentary filmmaker and social activist, gave $50,000 to the Biden fund.
Biden’s fundraising accelerated...
Jeffrey Katzenberg, who hosted an event for Biden last month, gave $617,800 to the Biden Victory Fund, the joint fund-raising committee set up for the campaign, the Democratic National Committee and state parties. Also giving was Steven Spielberg, who chipped in $250,000, along with his wife, Kate Capshaw, who gave the same amount.
James Murdoch, the son of Rupert Murdoch, and his wife Kathryn each donated $615,000 to the victory fund.
Other contributors included Bob Iger, the executive chairman of The Walt Disney Co., who gave $250,000. Abigail Disney, the granddaughter of Roy E. Disney who is a documentary filmmaker and social activist, gave $50,000 to the Biden fund.
Biden’s fundraising accelerated...
- 7/16/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
As coronavirus ravaged Spain in April, the country’s central government took one significant step toward building for a post-covid future. The Covid-19 pandemic has sparked — paradoxically — a new bullishness in Spain’s international production industry.
On May 5, Spain’s government greenlit a critical hike to tax breaks for Spanish and international productions, suddenly and significantly increasing the country’s competitiveness as a film and TV location destination.
Tax rebates for international shoots — and also tax credits for Spanish nationality productions — were increased from 25% to 30% for the first €1 million ($1.1 million) spend in the country and from 20% to 25% thereafter, capping a shoot’s total tax deduction at €10 million ($10.8 million).
In the Canary Islands, the rebate has been set at an extraordinary 50% for the first $1.1 million, and 45% for the rest — the highest rate of deduction in the world.
The new measures, especially the muscular rise in the rebate ceiling, produced a large...
On May 5, Spain’s government greenlit a critical hike to tax breaks for Spanish and international productions, suddenly and significantly increasing the country’s competitiveness as a film and TV location destination.
Tax rebates for international shoots — and also tax credits for Spanish nationality productions — were increased from 25% to 30% for the first €1 million ($1.1 million) spend in the country and from 20% to 25% thereafter, capping a shoot’s total tax deduction at €10 million ($10.8 million).
In the Canary Islands, the rebate has been set at an extraordinary 50% for the first $1.1 million, and 45% for the rest — the highest rate of deduction in the world.
The new measures, especially the muscular rise in the rebate ceiling, produced a large...
- 6/23/2020
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Spain’s Secuoya Group has tapped David Martínez, one of country’s most reputed TV executives, as head of fiction of the Secuoya Studios, its film and TV content production arm.
Considered as one of the architects behind the quality leap in Spanish TV drama production sector, Martínez’s appointment marks a new strengthening of Secuoya Studios’ content production structure, after the naming in April as president of Secuoya Studios of James Costos, former HBO VP of global licensing and retail, who also served as a U.S. ambassador to Spain over 2013-17.
As part of its international expansion plans, Secuoya Studios is also opening a H.Q. In Los Angeles.
Martínez’s appointment allow Sequoia to ring multiple options, bringing U.S shoots to Spain where Secuoya can offer services and its studios; co-production of international series; creation of Spanish series brought onto the market for international co-production or sales,...
Considered as one of the architects behind the quality leap in Spanish TV drama production sector, Martínez’s appointment marks a new strengthening of Secuoya Studios’ content production structure, after the naming in April as president of Secuoya Studios of James Costos, former HBO VP of global licensing and retail, who also served as a U.S. ambassador to Spain over 2013-17.
As part of its international expansion plans, Secuoya Studios is also opening a H.Q. In Los Angeles.
Martínez’s appointment allow Sequoia to ring multiple options, bringing U.S shoots to Spain where Secuoya can offer services and its studios; co-production of international series; creation of Spanish series brought onto the market for international co-production or sales,...
- 5/18/2020
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Spain’s big shoots industry is putting the pedal to the metal, propelled by an encouraging improvement in tax breaks for international productions.
The moves aim to make Spain more attractive for big-budget projects, helping the sector look beyond Covid-19 crisis.
Approved May 5, the new measures increase tax rebates for international shoots from 25% to 30% for the first €1 million ($1.1 million) spend in Spain and cap a shoot’s total tax deduction at $10.8 million, up from $3.28 million.
It remains to be seen if the Canary Islands will continue to offer tax rebates 20 percentage points above rates for Spain’s mainland.
Navarre currently offers a 35% corporate tax deduction for Navarre-based companies, and the Basque Country offers 30% tax shelters for Spanish film/TV production.
The boost in incentives was received with a large sigh of relief by Spain’s production services industry.
“Improving tax rebate conditions will keep Spain’s competitive as an international location destination,...
The moves aim to make Spain more attractive for big-budget projects, helping the sector look beyond Covid-19 crisis.
Approved May 5, the new measures increase tax rebates for international shoots from 25% to 30% for the first €1 million ($1.1 million) spend in Spain and cap a shoot’s total tax deduction at $10.8 million, up from $3.28 million.
It remains to be seen if the Canary Islands will continue to offer tax rebates 20 percentage points above rates for Spain’s mainland.
Navarre currently offers a 35% corporate tax deduction for Navarre-based companies, and the Basque Country offers 30% tax shelters for Spanish film/TV production.
The boost in incentives was received with a large sigh of relief by Spain’s production services industry.
“Improving tax rebate conditions will keep Spain’s competitive as an international location destination,...
- 5/15/2020
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Madrid — Six days before producers will be allowed to restart production shoots in Spain, Pedro Sánchez’s Psoe socialist government has powered up the tax breaks cap for Hollywood and other foreign shoots as part of a relief package for Spain’s cultural industries.
Plowed through a Spanish-tax-paying service company working on a foreign nationality shoot, the cap for the total tax rebate on one shoot, previously set at €3 million ($3.3 million), has now been raised, crucially, to €10 million ($10.9 million).
The rebate rate has also edged up five percentage points from 25% to 30% for the first €1 million of local spend by a foreign shoot, and 25% (from a prior 20%) thereafter.
Spain is already building as an international production hub in terms of both the reach of Spanish shoots and titles, especially drama series, shot there. “Money Heist” (“La Casa de Papel”) rates as the most-watched non-English language series on Netflix, for example, which,...
Plowed through a Spanish-tax-paying service company working on a foreign nationality shoot, the cap for the total tax rebate on one shoot, previously set at €3 million ($3.3 million), has now been raised, crucially, to €10 million ($10.9 million).
The rebate rate has also edged up five percentage points from 25% to 30% for the first €1 million of local spend by a foreign shoot, and 25% (from a prior 20%) thereafter.
Spain is already building as an international production hub in terms of both the reach of Spanish shoots and titles, especially drama series, shot there. “Money Heist” (“La Casa de Papel”) rates as the most-watched non-English language series on Netflix, for example, which,...
- 5/5/2020
- by John Hopewell and Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Madrid — Driving to build operations between Spain and North America, Spain’s Secuoya Group, owner of the Madrid studios used by Netflix for its first European Production Hub, has named James Costos, former HBO VP of global licensing and retail, as president of Secuoya Studios, its TV fiction-film content production arm.
Secuoya will also open an H.Q. in Los Angeles which will be headed up by Costos – the latest step in international growth for Secuoya, one of the drivers of the Spanish-language fiction revolution, which has already struck deals and alliances from 2014 onwards with companies in Perú, México, Colombia, Chile and the U.S.
The appointment of Costos, who served as a U.S. ambassador to Spain over 2013-17, named by then U.S. President Barack Obama, comes as the Secuoya Group is constructing new soundstages around its Madrid studios to create Madrid Content City, an ambitious business park...
Secuoya will also open an H.Q. in Los Angeles which will be headed up by Costos – the latest step in international growth for Secuoya, one of the drivers of the Spanish-language fiction revolution, which has already struck deals and alliances from 2014 onwards with companies in Perú, México, Colombia, Chile and the U.S.
The appointment of Costos, who served as a U.S. ambassador to Spain over 2013-17, named by then U.S. President Barack Obama, comes as the Secuoya Group is constructing new soundstages around its Madrid studios to create Madrid Content City, an ambitious business park...
- 4/27/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Less than 24 hours after Joe Biden declared his Presidential campaign very much alive with a trove of Super Tuesday comeback victories, the former Vice President is celebrating tonight with Hollywood A-listers.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Sony Pictures’ Tom Rothman, Bad Robot’s Brian Weinstein, Sony-Screen Gems’ Eric Paquette and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti were some of the guests at a fundraiser at the Beverly Hills home of philanthropist and former Paramount boss Sherry Lansing, according to a source who was there. Co-hosts included John Emerson and Kimberly Emerson, Sim Farar and Debra Farar and Cynthia Telles and Joe Waz.
As Biden’s campaign sees a big boost in new bundlers and donors with momentum swinging his way as the more moderate alternative to Bernie Sanders, the event sold out and had to be moved outside at Lansing’s pad to accommodate all the 350 or so guests. Tickets started at $1,000 per person.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Sony Pictures’ Tom Rothman, Bad Robot’s Brian Weinstein, Sony-Screen Gems’ Eric Paquette and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti were some of the guests at a fundraiser at the Beverly Hills home of philanthropist and former Paramount boss Sherry Lansing, according to a source who was there. Co-hosts included John Emerson and Kimberly Emerson, Sim Farar and Debra Farar and Cynthia Telles and Joe Waz.
As Biden’s campaign sees a big boost in new bundlers and donors with momentum swinging his way as the more moderate alternative to Bernie Sanders, the event sold out and had to be moved outside at Lansing’s pad to accommodate all the 350 or so guests. Tickets started at $1,000 per person.
- 3/5/2020
- by Ted Johnson and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Hours after Joe Biden said that he had to be more aggressive in debates, he made a swipe at Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump’s lawyer and a primary trafficker in claims and conspiracy theories about Biden and his son, Hunter.
“The guy’s a thug, Giuliani. No, he’s a thug. I know him,” Biden told about 100 people gathered at the Brentwood home of Paramount’s Jim Gianopulos and his wife, Ann.
According to a pool report, Biden continued, “And the president is the most dishonorable president in American history. And folks, he picked the wrong guy to pick a fight with, because I’ll tell you what. I’m going to beat him like a drum.”
The event at the Gianopulos home on Thursday evening was Biden’s second fundraiser of the day. Earlier, he spoke at the home of producer Michael Lombardo and his husband, Sonny Ward,...
“The guy’s a thug, Giuliani. No, he’s a thug. I know him,” Biden told about 100 people gathered at the Brentwood home of Paramount’s Jim Gianopulos and his wife, Ann.
According to a pool report, Biden continued, “And the president is the most dishonorable president in American history. And folks, he picked the wrong guy to pick a fight with, because I’ll tell you what. I’m going to beat him like a drum.”
The event at the Gianopulos home on Thursday evening was Biden’s second fundraiser of the day. Earlier, he spoke at the home of producer Michael Lombardo and his husband, Sonny Ward,...
- 10/11/2019
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
As nine Democratic presidential candidates will be in Los Angeles on Thursday for Equality in America, a CNN town hall focused on Lgbtq issues, some are taking advantage of the trek to raise campaign cash.
Former Vice President Joe Biden will attend two Hollywood fundraisers, including one in the afternoon hosted by producer Michael Lombardo and another in the evening at the home of Paramount’s Jim Gianopulos.
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg will be headlining an event at the Belasco Theater, with tickets starting at $25 per person.
On Wednesday night, Sen. Kamala Harris stopped by West Hollywood nightspot The Abbey, the site of a pre-event reception.
The Equality in America event, which is sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign, will start at 4:30 p.m. Pt with CNN’s Dana Bash interviewing Sen. Cory Booker. Anderson Cooper will interview Biden at 5 p.m.; followed by Cooper with Buttigieg at 5:30; Chris Cuomo with Sen.
Former Vice President Joe Biden will attend two Hollywood fundraisers, including one in the afternoon hosted by producer Michael Lombardo and another in the evening at the home of Paramount’s Jim Gianopulos.
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg will be headlining an event at the Belasco Theater, with tickets starting at $25 per person.
On Wednesday night, Sen. Kamala Harris stopped by West Hollywood nightspot The Abbey, the site of a pre-event reception.
The Equality in America event, which is sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign, will start at 4:30 p.m. Pt with CNN’s Dana Bash interviewing Sen. Cory Booker. Anderson Cooper will interview Biden at 5 p.m.; followed by Cooper with Buttigieg at 5:30; Chris Cuomo with Sen.
- 10/10/2019
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Joe Biden continues a fundraising swing in Los Angeles this morning, but he’s also lined up another event for his next trip to to Southern California: An October 10 fundraiser at the home of Paramount CEO Jim Gianopulos and his wife Ann, a marketing consultant.
The co-hosts for the event include Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg, Tom Rothman and Jessica Harper, James Costos and Michael Smith, Matt Rutler, and Josh and Lisa Grode. CNBC first reported on the event.
October 10 will be a busy day on L.A.’s political scene: Biden and at least eight other Democratic candidates are participating in an Lgbtq town hall in downtown Los Angeles that will be shown on CNN. The event is being sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign.
Biden also has scheduled an event earlier in the day at the home of producer Michael Lombardo and his husband, architect Sonny Ward.
Biden’s...
The co-hosts for the event include Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg, Tom Rothman and Jessica Harper, James Costos and Michael Smith, Matt Rutler, and Josh and Lisa Grode. CNBC first reported on the event.
October 10 will be a busy day on L.A.’s political scene: Biden and at least eight other Democratic candidates are participating in an Lgbtq town hall in downtown Los Angeles that will be shown on CNN. The event is being sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign.
Biden also has scheduled an event earlier in the day at the home of producer Michael Lombardo and his husband, architect Sonny Ward.
Biden’s...
- 9/26/2019
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Joe Biden is planning another visit to Los Angeles for fundraising next month, when he will headline an event hosted by Michael Lombardo, producer and former president of programming at HBO, and his husband, architect Sonny Ward.
The lunchtime event is scheduled for October 10, according to an invite.
Their home has special significance for Biden. On a trip to Los Angeles in 2012, he met with Lgbtq activists at the Lombardo-Ward home and signaled his support for same-sex marriage. Biden revealed that he favored same-sex marriage weeks later in an interview on Meet the Press, and he mentioned meeting the Lombardo-Ward family and telling the couple that he saw the “look of love those kids had in their eyes” for their parents.
Other co-hosts of the event include James Costos, a former HBO executive and U.S. Ambassador to Spain, and designer Michael Smith; surgeon Phil Mercado and entertainment executive Todd Quinn...
The lunchtime event is scheduled for October 10, according to an invite.
Their home has special significance for Biden. On a trip to Los Angeles in 2012, he met with Lgbtq activists at the Lombardo-Ward home and signaled his support for same-sex marriage. Biden revealed that he favored same-sex marriage weeks later in an interview on Meet the Press, and he mentioned meeting the Lombardo-Ward family and telling the couple that he saw the “look of love those kids had in their eyes” for their parents.
Other co-hosts of the event include James Costos, a former HBO executive and U.S. Ambassador to Spain, and designer Michael Smith; surgeon Phil Mercado and entertainment executive Todd Quinn...
- 9/17/2019
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Just over a month after Donald Trump was in town for a pricey Beverly Hills fundraiser, Joe Biden tonight told a deep-pocketed Hollywood crowd in the same neighborhood that the time for change is here.
“I promise you if we elect a Democrat this time — I predict to you whether it’s me or someone else – but I guarantee you if it’s me, what’s gonna happen is, we’re going to see this country come together like it hasn’t in a long time,” the ex-Vice-President said at the $2,500 to $10,000 a ticket event at the home of Barack Obama’s former Ambassador to Spain and HBO executive James Costos and his partner and ex-White House interior designer Michael Smith.
In his third bid for the Oval Office, tonight’s function was the first Tinseltown fundraiser for Biden, who was a frequent visitor to the Hollywood Atm when...
“I promise you if we elect a Democrat this time — I predict to you whether it’s me or someone else – but I guarantee you if it’s me, what’s gonna happen is, we’re going to see this country come together like it hasn’t in a long time,” the ex-Vice-President said at the $2,500 to $10,000 a ticket event at the home of Barack Obama’s former Ambassador to Spain and HBO executive James Costos and his partner and ex-White House interior designer Michael Smith.
In his third bid for the Oval Office, tonight’s function was the first Tinseltown fundraiser for Biden, who was a frequent visitor to the Hollywood Atm when...
- 5/9/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
More than a year ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg aren’t yet fighting for the soul of the party, but they are squabbling this week over top Hollywood donors.
The poll-topping former Vice President and the South Bend’s Mayor Pete are in town today and Thursday to press the flesh and collect checks in thopes of sealing the Atm deal with the well-heeled likes of Jeffrey Katzenberg, Gwyneth Paltrow, J.J. Abrams and Ryan Murphy.
“Now Biden’s officially in, we want see up close if he’s got what it really takes to take down Trump,” a longtime and deep-pocked Tinseltown Dems donor said. “At the same time, we know Joe, warts and all, whereas Mayor Pete is still and unknown quality for the most part.”
Buttigieg, the gay, religious Afghanistan war veteran and Rhodes scholar, will be swooping through SoCal...
The poll-topping former Vice President and the South Bend’s Mayor Pete are in town today and Thursday to press the flesh and collect checks in thopes of sealing the Atm deal with the well-heeled likes of Jeffrey Katzenberg, Gwyneth Paltrow, J.J. Abrams and Ryan Murphy.
“Now Biden’s officially in, we want see up close if he’s got what it really takes to take down Trump,” a longtime and deep-pocked Tinseltown Dems donor said. “At the same time, we know Joe, warts and all, whereas Mayor Pete is still and unknown quality for the most part.”
Buttigieg, the gay, religious Afghanistan war veteran and Rhodes scholar, will be swooping through SoCal...
- 5/8/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
In a now very crowded field of Democrats, Joe Biden’s third run for the White House has the deepest pocketed Hollywood donor to the ex-Vice President’s boss putting his money on the table.
Big time Barack Obama supporters Jeffrey Katzenberg and wife Marilyn are now officially co-chairing the May 8 at the Beverly Hills home of former Ambassador to Spain and HBO exec James Costos and his partner and ex-White House interior designer Michael Smith.
“Expect there will be a huge turnout for this L.A. event,” Andy Spahn, President of Gonring, Spahn and Associates and Katzenberg’s long time political advisor, told Deadline. The firm is assisting with next month’s event.
Coming off today’s long anticipated announcement by Biden that he truly is in the 2020 race to retire Donald Trump, the move by the ex-DreamWorks Animation chief is about as much of a surprise as...
Big time Barack Obama supporters Jeffrey Katzenberg and wife Marilyn are now officially co-chairing the May 8 at the Beverly Hills home of former Ambassador to Spain and HBO exec James Costos and his partner and ex-White House interior designer Michael Smith.
“Expect there will be a huge turnout for this L.A. event,” Andy Spahn, President of Gonring, Spahn and Associates and Katzenberg’s long time political advisor, told Deadline. The firm is assisting with next month’s event.
Coming off today’s long anticipated announcement by Biden that he truly is in the 2020 race to retire Donald Trump, the move by the ex-DreamWorks Animation chief is about as much of a surprise as...
- 4/25/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
A Beverly Hills fundraiser next month will be part of the early 2020 presidential campaign schedule for Joe Biden, Deadline has confirmed, as the former Vice President begins to map out his gameplan after he’s expected to declare his candidacy Thursday.
The May 8 event will be held at the private home of designer Michael Smith and his husband James Costos, the U.S. ambassador to Spain during the Obama administration. Jeffery Katzenberg will be among the hosts for the event, which will cost $2,000 per ticket.
News of the event was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Biden was last in town in October to raise money for Democratic candidates and causes ahead of the midterms. Biden has long been seen as 2020 frontrunner in Hollywood circles, with many big political names in the industry holding off on picking a candidate while Biden was deciding whether to run.
SoCal will be a...
The May 8 event will be held at the private home of designer Michael Smith and his husband James Costos, the U.S. ambassador to Spain during the Obama administration. Jeffery Katzenberg will be among the hosts for the event, which will cost $2,000 per ticket.
News of the event was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Biden was last in town in October to raise money for Democratic candidates and causes ahead of the midterms. Biden has long been seen as 2020 frontrunner in Hollywood circles, with many big political names in the industry holding off on picking a candidate while Biden was deciding whether to run.
SoCal will be a...
- 4/24/2019
- by Patrick Hipes and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Drew Barrymore and her boyfriend Will Kopelman dressed up for a fancy evening out in La last night. They attended a fundraiser for the Obama Victory Fund, which benefits the president's re-election campaign and the Democratic National Committee, at the home of interior designer Michael S. Smith and HBO exec James Costos. First Lady Michelle Obama was the guest of honor, and she was able to catch up with Michael after he helped to decorate the White House in 2008. The soirée raised over $1 million for the cause, thanks to other A-list guests like Ellen DeGeneres, Vanessa Williams, and Ryan Phillippe. Will and Drew have been hitting the town together regularly, including a special Chanel-sponsored Nrdc dinner two weeks ago. Drew has been dedicated to supporting her favorite causes lately, but will soon switch gears back to directing. She's gearing up to shoot How to Be Single, but first must round out the romantic comedy's cast.
- 6/14/2011
- by Allie Merriam
- Popsugar.com
Well, Godric knows that True Blood's blood-curdlingly sexy stories weren't going to be contained by season four alone.
For all the Trubies out there, Idw Publishing announces their continued fueling of your bloodlust with an all new six-issue comic series, set to debut in August 2011 as season four of the hit HBO series wraps up!
Titled True Blood: The French Quarter, the third of Idw Publishing's adaptations of the series follows Sookie Stackhouse and Eric Northman as they join forces to track down a New Orleans killer long thought dead. The comic series doesn't chronologically follow the events of True Blood's fourth season, but should offer up interesting insight into the relationship between Sookie and Eric nonetheless.
Check out the official press release and first cover, and sink your teeth into the comments section below!
----------
Sookie And Eric Discover A New Threat In The French Quarter
Idw Publishing and HBO,...
For all the Trubies out there, Idw Publishing announces their continued fueling of your bloodlust with an all new six-issue comic series, set to debut in August 2011 as season four of the hit HBO series wraps up!
Titled True Blood: The French Quarter, the third of Idw Publishing's adaptations of the series follows Sookie Stackhouse and Eric Northman as they join forces to track down a New Orleans killer long thought dead. The comic series doesn't chronologically follow the events of True Blood's fourth season, but should offer up interesting insight into the relationship between Sookie and Eric nonetheless.
Check out the official press release and first cover, and sink your teeth into the comments section below!
----------
Sookie And Eric Discover A New Threat In The French Quarter
Idw Publishing and HBO,...
- 6/1/2011
- UGO TV
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