Exclusive Updated with more names, refresh for latest: Details are starting to emerge about the major round of layoffs Tuesday at Paramount Global impacting about 800 employees in the U.S.
Headed into today’s reductions, there had been chatter about Paramount TV Studios possibly downsizing. The studio, led by Nicole Clemens, has remained independent from the larger CBS Studios as the two combined support operations in November 2022 by centralizing finance, law, production and casting.
Paramount TV Studios, which absorbed Paramount+’s scripted originals team in 2022, is now streamlining its programming operations by consolidating development and current under Head of Development Jana Helman, who will continue to report to studio president Clemens.
Leaving are Cheryl Bosnak, Ptvs’s EVP and Head of Current; Kate Gill, SVP Development; Julie Katchen, VP of Current; and Devin Crossfield, Manager, Development.
Also departing is Ptvs’ SVP and Head of Communications Dominic Pagone, who moved into...
Headed into today’s reductions, there had been chatter about Paramount TV Studios possibly downsizing. The studio, led by Nicole Clemens, has remained independent from the larger CBS Studios as the two combined support operations in November 2022 by centralizing finance, law, production and casting.
Paramount TV Studios, which absorbed Paramount+’s scripted originals team in 2022, is now streamlining its programming operations by consolidating development and current under Head of Development Jana Helman, who will continue to report to studio president Clemens.
Leaving are Cheryl Bosnak, Ptvs’s EVP and Head of Current; Kate Gill, SVP Development; Julie Katchen, VP of Current; and Devin Crossfield, Manager, Development.
Also departing is Ptvs’ SVP and Head of Communications Dominic Pagone, who moved into...
- 2/13/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
For four decades, Los Angeles has been home to Outfest, by any standard the premier Lgbtqia+ film festival in the US. And though June technically ends this week, Outfest’s July 13-23, 2023 festival dates provide a sort of cinema-shaped pot of gold at the end of Pride Month’s long rainbow–featuring a well-curated selection of queer cinema from new, emerging and established artists with a variety of viewpoints and experiences.
Last week, Film Independent’s Festival Visions series—our ongoing spotlight of the best programming picks from regional and specialty festivals nationwide—continued, with an online showing of the doc Finding Her Beat, directed by Dawn Mikkelson and Keri Pickett, about the emerging female presence in the historically male-dominated world of Asian drumming.
Visit our events page for more details and to register for more upcoming Festival Visions screenings—which are always online and for free—and check out...
Last week, Film Independent’s Festival Visions series—our ongoing spotlight of the best programming picks from regional and specialty festivals nationwide—continued, with an online showing of the doc Finding Her Beat, directed by Dawn Mikkelson and Keri Pickett, about the emerging female presence in the historically male-dominated world of Asian drumming.
Visit our events page for more details and to register for more upcoming Festival Visions screenings—which are always online and for free—and check out...
- 6/26/2023
- by Film Independent
- Film Independent News & More
Cannes — Pablo and Juan de Díos Larraín’s Fabula, producers of Oscar-winning “A Fantastic Woman” and Toronto hit “Gloria Bell,” starring Julianne Moore, have driven into animation, teaming with Lunes to produce “Homeless.”
A Fabula-Lunes co-production, and Fabula’s first animated feature, “Homeless,” which will world premiere at France’s Annecy Festival next month, marks the latest expansive move at Fabula which, in the last 20 months, has set up a U.S. office, run by former Paramount exec Geoff Stier, moved into production on its first high-end international drama series, “La Jauria,” directed by Lucía Puenzo (“The German Doctor”) and starring “A Fantastic Woman’s” Daniela Vega; clinched a first-look production distribution deal with television powerhouse Fremantle; and appointed Rocío Jadue as its first head of Latin American film just before the Cannes Film Festival.
For Lunes, which is making a splash internationally with short “Waldo’s Dream,”Homeless,” a...
A Fabula-Lunes co-production, and Fabula’s first animated feature, “Homeless,” which will world premiere at France’s Annecy Festival next month, marks the latest expansive move at Fabula which, in the last 20 months, has set up a U.S. office, run by former Paramount exec Geoff Stier, moved into production on its first high-end international drama series, “La Jauria,” directed by Lucía Puenzo (“The German Doctor”) and starring “A Fantastic Woman’s” Daniela Vega; clinched a first-look production distribution deal with television powerhouse Fremantle; and appointed Rocío Jadue as its first head of Latin American film just before the Cannes Film Festival.
For Lunes, which is making a splash internationally with short “Waldo’s Dream,”Homeless,” a...
- 5/17/2019
- by John Hopewell and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s TV News Roundup, Keith Carradine returns to guest on “Big Bang Theory” and “I Am Richard Pryor” will be the first of three new “I Am” chapters of Paramount Network’s documentary franchise.
First Looks
Paramount Network has just announced this year’s film slate for three new installments of its award-winning “I Am” documentary franchise: Richard Pryor, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Patrick Swayze. “I Am Richard Pryor” will be the first release of 2019, premiering March 15 at 10 p.m. Et/Pt on Paramount Network.
Casting
Keith Carradine will return to “The Big Bang Theory” for tomorrow night’s episode, “The Donation Oscillation,” in his role as Penny’s father Wyatt. The episode airs Thursday, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt on CBS.
Executive News
Showtime Networks Inc. has hired Geoff Stier as Senior Vice President of Original Programming. In his role he will help develop original comedies,...
First Looks
Paramount Network has just announced this year’s film slate for three new installments of its award-winning “I Am” documentary franchise: Richard Pryor, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Patrick Swayze. “I Am Richard Pryor” will be the first release of 2019, premiering March 15 at 10 p.m. Et/Pt on Paramount Network.
Casting
Keith Carradine will return to “The Big Bang Theory” for tomorrow night’s episode, “The Donation Oscillation,” in his role as Penny’s father Wyatt. The episode airs Thursday, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt on CBS.
Executive News
Showtime Networks Inc. has hired Geoff Stier as Senior Vice President of Original Programming. In his role he will help develop original comedies,...
- 2/7/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- Variety Film + TV
Longtime Paramount Pictures production executive Geoff Stier has joined Showtime Networks as Svp, Original Programming. In his new role, Stier will help develop and shepherd original comedies, dramas and limited series for the network. Based in the Showtime West Coast offices, Stier will report to Amy Israel, Evp, Scripted Programming, Showtime Networks.
The appointment follows the promotion of Israel from Svp, Original Programming to Evp, Scripted Programming after Evp Gary Levine was elevated to Co-President Of Entertainment. Like Levine, who brought in a film production executive, Israel, as his Svp in 2011, Israel has reached out to the feature world for a new Svp.
“Geoff Stier is one of the film world’s finest executives, universally respected for his extensive production experience, deep filmmaker relationships and great eye for distinctive, high quality material,” said Israel. “In an era when premium television in general – and Showtime specifically – is at the forefront of groundbreaking,...
The appointment follows the promotion of Israel from Svp, Original Programming to Evp, Scripted Programming after Evp Gary Levine was elevated to Co-President Of Entertainment. Like Levine, who brought in a film production executive, Israel, as his Svp in 2011, Israel has reached out to the feature world for a new Svp.
“Geoff Stier is one of the film world’s finest executives, universally respected for his extensive production experience, deep filmmaker relationships and great eye for distinctive, high quality material,” said Israel. “In an era when premium television in general – and Showtime specifically – is at the forefront of groundbreaking,...
- 2/6/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Showtime's newest executive hire comes from the movie business.
Former Paramount executive Geoff Stier is joining the cable network as senior vp original programming. He will help develop and nurture original comedies, dramas and limited series at Showtime, reporting to Amy Israel, executive vp original programming.
"Geoff Stier is one of the film world’s finest executives, universally respected for his extensive production experience, deep filmmaker relationships and great eye for distinctive, high-quality material," Israel said Wednesday in a statement. "In an era when premium television in general — and Showtime specifically — is at the ...
Former Paramount executive Geoff Stier is joining the cable network as senior vp original programming. He will help develop and nurture original comedies, dramas and limited series at Showtime, reporting to Amy Israel, executive vp original programming.
"Geoff Stier is one of the film world’s finest executives, universally respected for his extensive production experience, deep filmmaker relationships and great eye for distinctive, high-quality material," Israel said Wednesday in a statement. "In an era when premium television in general — and Showtime specifically — is at the ...
Fabula’s Pablo and Juan de Dios Larraín, producers of Academy Award winner “A Fantastic Woman,” have named “Moonlight” co-producer Andrew Hevia as VP of their North American office, reporting to former Paramount exec Geoff Stier, who was appointed CEO in March. Hevia has been helping Fabula with logistical planning over recent months.
Fabula’s first U.S. production, Sebastian Lelio’s “Gloria Bell,” starring Julianne Moore and John Turturro, was acquired by A24 for U.S. distribution. It screens as a special presentation at Toronto.
“I’m a great fan of the Larrain brothers’ work and the chance to work alongside Geoff in L.A. was a major selling point, given his fantastic wealth of experience, first at Mirage and then at Paramount,” said Hevia.
Hevia, who co-founded Miami’s Borscht Film Festival, recently produced recent Ecuadorian picture “Cenizas.”
“Andrew’s eclectic taste and keen eye for talent, plus...
Fabula’s first U.S. production, Sebastian Lelio’s “Gloria Bell,” starring Julianne Moore and John Turturro, was acquired by A24 for U.S. distribution. It screens as a special presentation at Toronto.
“I’m a great fan of the Larrain brothers’ work and the chance to work alongside Geoff in L.A. was a major selling point, given his fantastic wealth of experience, first at Mirage and then at Paramount,” said Hevia.
Hevia, who co-founded Miami’s Borscht Film Festival, recently produced recent Ecuadorian picture “Cenizas.”
“Andrew’s eclectic taste and keen eye for talent, plus...
- 9/6/2018
- by Martin Dale
- Variety Film + TV
Fabula’s Pablo and Juan de Dios Larraín, producers of Academy Award winner “A Fantastic Woman,” have appointed seasoned former Paramount exec Geoff Stier as CEO of Fabula in North America.
Paramount Pictures Evp of production from 2009, where he developed and managed feature projects such as “True Grit” and “World War Z,” Stier will begin to head up Fabula in North America from the second week of April, still based out of Los Angeles where Chile’s Larraín brothers established a production company last year.
Fabula’s first full-on U.S. production, a remake of “A Fantastic Woman’s” director Sebastian Lelio’s “Gloria” starring Julianne Moore and directed by Lelio himself, went into production late last year. Stier will report to the Larraín brothers.
“We have found a wonderful partner who is brilliant, great fun and an extraordinary professional, has a great background and sensibility and understands what we want to do,...
Paramount Pictures Evp of production from 2009, where he developed and managed feature projects such as “True Grit” and “World War Z,” Stier will begin to head up Fabula in North America from the second week of April, still based out of Los Angeles where Chile’s Larraín brothers established a production company last year.
Fabula’s first full-on U.S. production, a remake of “A Fantastic Woman’s” director Sebastian Lelio’s “Gloria” starring Julianne Moore and directed by Lelio himself, went into production late last year. Stier will report to the Larraín brothers.
“We have found a wonderful partner who is brilliant, great fun and an extraordinary professional, has a great background and sensibility and understands what we want to do,...
- 3/29/2018
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Paramount Pictures has set Drew Pearce to adapt The Wedding Sting, a fact-based story about an elaborately staged fake wedding in which two undercover Michigan cops posed as newlyweds and brought together every drug dealer in their orbit so they could all be arrested en masse. The film will be produced by Mary Parent’s Disruption banner, and it is based on a May article in The Atlantic by Jeff Maysh. Geoff Stier is overseeing for Paramount. Pearce, who is…...
- 12/8/2015
- Deadline
Paramount has promoted Elizabeth Raposo to Executive Vice President, an individual with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. The former Senior Vice President now shares the same title as Geoff Stier and they are both on par with Peter Kang, who is also Evp, Production. It is the latest executive move at the studio after Marc Evans was named head of Paramount’s Motion Picture Group last month. Also Read: Paramount Names Bob Buchi President of Worldwide Home Media Distribution Evans replaced Adam Goodman and his ascent had been speculated as soon as Goodman was let go a few weeks earlier.
- 4/16/2015
- by Debbie Emery
- The Wrap
Exclusive: With all the exec suite changes occurring at studios, a rumor raced tonight that Paramount might be upping Elizabeth Raposo and Geoff Stier to be co-presidents of production. A source familiar with the studio’s thinking said that’s not what is happening, but it’s a good night for Raposo. Paramount is elevating Raposo from senior vice president to executive vice president. Stier already holds that title, and this puts the two of them on par with Peter Kang…...
- 4/16/2015
- Deadline
Jordan Vogt-Roberts, the helmer who broke through with the coming-of-age drama The Kings of Summer and is now prepping the King Kong movie Skull Island, is continuing his big-budget trajectory. The filmmaker is in talks to direct The Stars My Destination, the adaptation of the classic sci-fi tale by Alfred Bester that just landed at Paramount. Mary Parent is producing via her studio-based Disruption Entertainment. Parent brought the project to Paramount's Geoff Stier. See more Hollywood's 100 Favorite Films The story, published as a serialized tale and then a novel in
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- 3/13/2015
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paramount Acquires Sci-Fi Novel ‘Nexus’ For Mary Parent’s Disruption And Darren Aronofsky’s Protozoa
Exclusive: Paramount Pictures has acquired screen rights to Nexus, the science fiction novel by Ramez Naam. The project will be produced by Mary Parent and Cale Boyter through their Disruption label and Darren Aronofsky and Scott Franklin through their Protozoa banner. Negotiations are underway for the book to be adapted by Ari Handel and Mark Heyman. Handel is a longtime Aronofsky associate who co-wrote Aronofsky’s upcoming Biblical epic Noah, which Parent produced. Heyman wrote Aronofsky’s Black Swan and recently signed on to adapt the Franck Thilliez novel Syndrome E for Paramount and Indian Paintbrush. The author is former CEO of Apex Nanotechnology, and he previously wrote the nonfiction book More Than Human: Embracing The Promise Of Biological Enhancement. Nexus is his first novel, and it takes place in the near future in a battle for mind control. A young technologist becomes the first person to invent controllable nanotechnology software for the brain.
- 3/13/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
ScriWriter Justin Malen is sewing up a double bill of gigs.
Paramount has hired Malen to pen its comedy "Time Out," and he's negotiating to write the Media Rights Capital comedy "Trophy Husbands."
Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey of Temple Hill Prods. and Tom Lassally and Michael Rotenberg of 3 Arts Entertainment are producing "Time Out," based on a 2006 New York Times article written by Warren St. John about recent college graduates who get in over their heads when they volunteer to coach a youth-league football team.
Matt Eddy and Billy Eddy previously worked on the screenplay, which originally was set up at Paramount Vantage. Paramount's Geoff Stier is overseeing for the studio.
Ternion Pictures and 3 Arts are producing "Trophy," based on a concept by Ternion's John Altschuler, Dave Krinsky and Mike Judge and writer-director Adam Resnick.
Lassally and Rotenberg are producing for 3 Arts along with Altschuler, Krinsky and Judge for Ternion.
Paramount has hired Malen to pen its comedy "Time Out," and he's negotiating to write the Media Rights Capital comedy "Trophy Husbands."
Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey of Temple Hill Prods. and Tom Lassally and Michael Rotenberg of 3 Arts Entertainment are producing "Time Out," based on a 2006 New York Times article written by Warren St. John about recent college graduates who get in over their heads when they volunteer to coach a youth-league football team.
Matt Eddy and Billy Eddy previously worked on the screenplay, which originally was set up at Paramount Vantage. Paramount's Geoff Stier is overseeing for the studio.
Ternion Pictures and 3 Arts are producing "Trophy," based on a concept by Ternion's John Altschuler, Dave Krinsky and Mike Judge and writer-director Adam Resnick.
Lassally and Rotenberg are producing for 3 Arts along with Altschuler, Krinsky and Judge for Ternion.
- 11/3/2009
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Breathing life into a quiet spec market, Paramount has picked up "Hellified," a supernatural action script by Andy Burg, with Dan Bradley attached to direct. Lorenzo di Bonaventura, whose "Transformers" sequel is blowing up the boxoffice, is on board to produce.
"Hellified" is known to be a supernatural action movie involving a journey to hell.
Di Bonaventura Pictures president Mark Vahradian brought the Icm-packaged script to Paramount's Geoff Stier and Adam Goodman, who promptly made a pre-emptive purchase. The deal was made before Goodman's ascension to film group president.
The script and the accompanying six-figure deal mark a return to Hollywood for Burg, a comedy and family-film writer who has worked on such movies as 1989's "K-9" and 1996's "Alaska." During the early 2000s, he segued to the Internet, fashioning himself as a Web entrepreneur.
With "Hellified," the scribe hopes to begin a new act as an action writer. Burg...
"Hellified" is known to be a supernatural action movie involving a journey to hell.
Di Bonaventura Pictures president Mark Vahradian brought the Icm-packaged script to Paramount's Geoff Stier and Adam Goodman, who promptly made a pre-emptive purchase. The deal was made before Goodman's ascension to film group president.
The script and the accompanying six-figure deal mark a return to Hollywood for Burg, a comedy and family-film writer who has worked on such movies as 1989's "K-9" and 1996's "Alaska." During the early 2000s, he segued to the Internet, fashioning himself as a Web entrepreneur.
With "Hellified," the scribe hopes to begin a new act as an action writer. Burg...
- 6/25/2009
- by By Borys Kit and Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In the first major shake-up since Paramount brought marketing, distribution and physical production operations for its specialty division Paramount Vantage into the studio, New Line veteran Guy Stodel is replacing Amy Israel as executive vp production and acquisitions.
Vantage, which had been aiming for 10-12 films per year, is scaling back to four to six annual releases, a mix of auteur-driven fare, thriller and horror genre titles and low-budget comedies.
"Guy's expertise fits in perfectly with that vision," Paramount Film Group president John Lesher said. "We want this to continue to be both a prestige label and a profitable one, and we want to be in the Vantage business. Hiring Guy shows our commitment to this (specialty film) space."
In his previous post as New Line senior vp acquisitions and co-production, Stodel handled such genre fare as the two most recent "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" movies along with such films as Michel Gondry's "Be Kind Rewind," Mike Binder's "The Upside of Anger," and Alejandro Amenabar's "The Sea Inside."
"Guy's creative instincts and success at spotting unique and dynamic material makes him a fantastic addition to our team," said Vantage president Nick Meyer, to whom Stodel will report.
Senior vp development and production Geoff Stier is expected to remain on board. While Vantage will retain its development, business and sales operations, staff cuts are anticipated in most departments at both Paramount and Vantage in the coming months.
Vantage's marketing/distribution was taken over by Paramount in June.
Lesher, who had strong ties to talent as a former agent with Endeavor, nurtured low- to midrange-budget, star-driven projects during his time as head of Vantage. But it is unclear how many of those types of projects --which brought prestige to the studio at the expense of high marketing costs --will remain at the retooled Vantage. "Obviously I know a lot of talent," Lesher said. "Since both divisions report to me, why shouldn't the best talent work at both of them?"
Israel, a former Miramax exec, was hired by Lesher in January 2006 shortly after he launched Vantage.
"It's been a great honor to help build Paramount Vantage from the ground up over the past couple of years, overseeing our tremendous production slate from 'No Country for Old Men' and 'There Will Be Blood' to 'Defiance' and acquiring a range of movies from 'An Inconvenient Truth' (to) 'American Teen,' " Israel said.
"Amy has done a wonderful job jump-starting the department and positioning us for the future," Lesher added. "She is a talented executive and producer; her taste and expertise has contributed to many of the successes that Vantage has achieved in our short history. We look forward to working with her on projects in the future."
In a rough spring for specialty divisions, Vantage was absorbed into Paramount proper, after Time Warner folded New Line into Warner Bros. and closed shop at Warner Independent Pictures and Picturehouse.
Gregg Goldstein reported from New York; Jay A. Fernandez reported from Los Angeles.
Vantage, which had been aiming for 10-12 films per year, is scaling back to four to six annual releases, a mix of auteur-driven fare, thriller and horror genre titles and low-budget comedies.
"Guy's expertise fits in perfectly with that vision," Paramount Film Group president John Lesher said. "We want this to continue to be both a prestige label and a profitable one, and we want to be in the Vantage business. Hiring Guy shows our commitment to this (specialty film) space."
In his previous post as New Line senior vp acquisitions and co-production, Stodel handled such genre fare as the two most recent "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" movies along with such films as Michel Gondry's "Be Kind Rewind," Mike Binder's "The Upside of Anger," and Alejandro Amenabar's "The Sea Inside."
"Guy's creative instincts and success at spotting unique and dynamic material makes him a fantastic addition to our team," said Vantage president Nick Meyer, to whom Stodel will report.
Senior vp development and production Geoff Stier is expected to remain on board. While Vantage will retain its development, business and sales operations, staff cuts are anticipated in most departments at both Paramount and Vantage in the coming months.
Vantage's marketing/distribution was taken over by Paramount in June.
Lesher, who had strong ties to talent as a former agent with Endeavor, nurtured low- to midrange-budget, star-driven projects during his time as head of Vantage. But it is unclear how many of those types of projects --which brought prestige to the studio at the expense of high marketing costs --will remain at the retooled Vantage. "Obviously I know a lot of talent," Lesher said. "Since both divisions report to me, why shouldn't the best talent work at both of them?"
Israel, a former Miramax exec, was hired by Lesher in January 2006 shortly after he launched Vantage.
"It's been a great honor to help build Paramount Vantage from the ground up over the past couple of years, overseeing our tremendous production slate from 'No Country for Old Men' and 'There Will Be Blood' to 'Defiance' and acquiring a range of movies from 'An Inconvenient Truth' (to) 'American Teen,' " Israel said.
"Amy has done a wonderful job jump-starting the department and positioning us for the future," Lesher added. "She is a talented executive and producer; her taste and expertise has contributed to many of the successes that Vantage has achieved in our short history. We look forward to working with her on projects in the future."
In a rough spring for specialty divisions, Vantage was absorbed into Paramount proper, after Time Warner folded New Line into Warner Bros. and closed shop at Warner Independent Pictures and Picturehouse.
Gregg Goldstein reported from New York; Jay A. Fernandez reported from Los Angeles.
- 7/16/2008
- by By Gregg Goldstein and Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- Sony Pictures Classics has picked up North American rights to Ira Sachs' Toronto International Film Festival entry Married Life.
The post-World War II drama from Sidney Kimme Entertainment and Firm Films follows a meek man (Chris Cooper) who falls for a beautiful, younger woman (Rachel McAdams). His main obstacles are his good friend (Pierce Brosnan) with an equally strong attraction to her and his controlling wife (Patricia Clarkson), whom he'd like to spare the agony of divorce by poisoning her.
Married is an official selection of this month's New York Film Festival. The film received mixed reaction from an initial buyers' screening this summer. But its final cut debuted to a warmer response in Toronto. The deal closed late Sunday, toward festival's end.
Sachs (The Delta) and Oren Moverman (I'm Not There) adapted their screenplay from John Bingham's novel Five Roundabouts to Heaven. Sidney Kimmel, Jawal Nga, Steve Golin and Sachs produced the project. William Horberg, David Nicksay, Geoff Stier, Adam Shulman, Matt Littin, Alix Madigan-Yorkin and Bruce Toll served as executive producers.
The post-World War II drama from Sidney Kimme Entertainment and Firm Films follows a meek man (Chris Cooper) who falls for a beautiful, younger woman (Rachel McAdams). His main obstacles are his good friend (Pierce Brosnan) with an equally strong attraction to her and his controlling wife (Patricia Clarkson), whom he'd like to spare the agony of divorce by poisoning her.
Married is an official selection of this month's New York Film Festival. The film received mixed reaction from an initial buyers' screening this summer. But its final cut debuted to a warmer response in Toronto. The deal closed late Sunday, toward festival's end.
Sachs (The Delta) and Oren Moverman (I'm Not There) adapted their screenplay from John Bingham's novel Five Roundabouts to Heaven. Sidney Kimmel, Jawal Nga, Steve Golin and Sachs produced the project. William Horberg, David Nicksay, Geoff Stier, Adam Shulman, Matt Littin, Alix Madigan-Yorkin and Bruce Toll served as executive producers.
- 9/18/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- Sony Pictures Classics has picked up domestic rights to Ira Sachs' Toronto International Film Festival entry "Married Life".
The post-World War II drama from Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Firm Films follows a meek man (Chris Cooper) who falls for a beautiful, younger woman (Rachel McAdams). His main obstacles are his good friend (Pierce Brosnan) with an equally strong attraction to her and his controlling wife (Patricia Clarkson), whom he'd like to spare the agony of divorce by poisoning her.
"Married" is an official selection of this month's New York Film Festival. The film received mixed reaction from an initial buyers' screening this summer. But its final cut debuted to a warmer response in Toronto. The deal closed late Sunday, toward festival's end.
Sachs ("The Delta") and Oren Moverman ("I'm Not There") adapted their screenplay from John Bingham's novel "Five Roundabouts to Heaven". Sidney Kimmel, Jawal Nga, Steve Golin and Sachs produced the project. William Horberg, David Nicksay, Geoff Stier, Adam Shulman, Matt Littin, Alix Madigan-Yorkin and Bruce Toll served as executive producers.
The post-World War II drama from Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Firm Films follows a meek man (Chris Cooper) who falls for a beautiful, younger woman (Rachel McAdams). His main obstacles are his good friend (Pierce Brosnan) with an equally strong attraction to her and his controlling wife (Patricia Clarkson), whom he'd like to spare the agony of divorce by poisoning her.
"Married" is an official selection of this month's New York Film Festival. The film received mixed reaction from an initial buyers' screening this summer. But its final cut debuted to a warmer response in Toronto. The deal closed late Sunday, toward festival's end.
Sachs ("The Delta") and Oren Moverman ("I'm Not There") adapted their screenplay from John Bingham's novel "Five Roundabouts to Heaven". Sidney Kimmel, Jawal Nga, Steve Golin and Sachs produced the project. William Horberg, David Nicksay, Geoff Stier, Adam Shulman, Matt Littin, Alix Madigan-Yorkin and Bruce Toll served as executive producers.
- 9/18/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paramount's new specialty division has named Matt Brodlie senior vp production and acquisitions and Geoff Stier senior vp production and development. In their new posts, Brodlie will be responsible for the label's production and acquisitions efforts, and Stier will be responsible for development and production. Both will report to Amy Israel, executive vp production and acquisitions. "I am thrilled that we were able to hire two of the finest executives in the business," Israel said. "They have incredible creative instincts, great filmmaker relationships and stellar reputations."...
- 3/13/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
SYDNEY -- American indie auteurs John Sayles and Gus Van Sant will join Mirage executive producer Geoff Stier and Australian writer-producer Alison Tilson in advising four teams of Australian filmmakers in the Aurora program, an annual script development hothouse run by the New South Wales Film and Television Office. Advisers will participate in weeklong workshops with the winning teams during March and April, and provide ongoing feedback throughout the year. Filmmaking teams will also be granted AUS$30,000 ($23,714) each over the course of the year.
- 3/11/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
PARK CITY -- Black soul from Mississippi and white hillbilly music from Tennessee met up and married around Memphis and, essentially, rock 'n' roll was born. Centering on one of the good-ol'-boy icons of this musical magic, Forty Shades of Blue is a drab, minor-key melodrama that seems millions of miles from the barbecue 'n' blues world of Beale Street and the musical greatness that sprang from that Sun Records region.
A weepy slide guitar would be the proper instrument to ring forth this film's sad commercial prospects.
In as saucy an environs as Memphis you'd expect some odd mixings: Screenwriters Michael Rohatyn and Ira Sachs ladle up a weathered music legend, Alan (Rip Torn) living in kitschy splendor with a young Russian beauty (Dina Korzun) whom he's snapped up on a tour. She's in the stereotypical Russian mold, icy cold and a problem drinker. Big legend Alan doesn't notice much outside his own orbit, including his California-based son (Darren Burrows) who slouches homeward for the old man's coronation at some music wingding. Depressed foreign beauty, wayward old coot and resentful son -- you know the dance patterns of this old song already.
Filmmaker Ira Sachs' smart but sore scenario is crammed with somber story chords and predictable character refrains. While the Memphis backdrop spices things up, Forty Shades of Blue is plodding and predictable. The only scenes with any fiber are set around too much drinking, indicative of the film's slim characterizations. The players deliver with those handicaps. Rip Torn is a fine dusty/crusty mix of hoot and holler but none of the other players are able to enliven their flat parts.
Under Sachs' strummy hand, technical contributions are also wrong notes, including composer Dickon Hinchliffe's baleful sounds and cinematographer Julian Whatley's pan-'n'-scan compositions.
Forty Shades of Blue
Credits:
Producers: Margot Bridger, Ira Sachs, Mary Bing, Jawal Nga, Donald Rosenfeld
Director: Ira Sachs
Screenwriters: Michael Rohatyn, Ira Sachs
Executive producers: Geoff Stier, Diane Von Furstenberg
Director of photography: Julian Whatley
Editor: Alfonso Goncalves
Production designer: Teresa Mastropierro
Costume designer: Eric Daman
Music: Dickon Hinchliffe
Music supervisor: Susan Jacobs
Sound mixer: Dominick Tavella
Casting: Avy Kaufman, Jordan Beswick
Cast:
Alan: Rip Torn
Michael: Darren Burrows
Shel: Jerry Chipman
Tom Skolnick: Stuart Greer
Sam James: Andrew Henderson
Karin: Charly Kayle
Laura: Dina Korzun
Gina: Mary Jean McAdams
April James: Emily McKenna
Celia: Jenny O'Hara
Betty: Joanne Pankow
Gary: Forrest Pruett
Lonni: Paprika Steen
Barry: John Boyd West
Duigan: Red West
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 107 minutes...
A weepy slide guitar would be the proper instrument to ring forth this film's sad commercial prospects.
In as saucy an environs as Memphis you'd expect some odd mixings: Screenwriters Michael Rohatyn and Ira Sachs ladle up a weathered music legend, Alan (Rip Torn) living in kitschy splendor with a young Russian beauty (Dina Korzun) whom he's snapped up on a tour. She's in the stereotypical Russian mold, icy cold and a problem drinker. Big legend Alan doesn't notice much outside his own orbit, including his California-based son (Darren Burrows) who slouches homeward for the old man's coronation at some music wingding. Depressed foreign beauty, wayward old coot and resentful son -- you know the dance patterns of this old song already.
Filmmaker Ira Sachs' smart but sore scenario is crammed with somber story chords and predictable character refrains. While the Memphis backdrop spices things up, Forty Shades of Blue is plodding and predictable. The only scenes with any fiber are set around too much drinking, indicative of the film's slim characterizations. The players deliver with those handicaps. Rip Torn is a fine dusty/crusty mix of hoot and holler but none of the other players are able to enliven their flat parts.
Under Sachs' strummy hand, technical contributions are also wrong notes, including composer Dickon Hinchliffe's baleful sounds and cinematographer Julian Whatley's pan-'n'-scan compositions.
Forty Shades of Blue
Credits:
Producers: Margot Bridger, Ira Sachs, Mary Bing, Jawal Nga, Donald Rosenfeld
Director: Ira Sachs
Screenwriters: Michael Rohatyn, Ira Sachs
Executive producers: Geoff Stier, Diane Von Furstenberg
Director of photography: Julian Whatley
Editor: Alfonso Goncalves
Production designer: Teresa Mastropierro
Costume designer: Eric Daman
Music: Dickon Hinchliffe
Music supervisor: Susan Jacobs
Sound mixer: Dominick Tavella
Casting: Avy Kaufman, Jordan Beswick
Cast:
Alan: Rip Torn
Michael: Darren Burrows
Shel: Jerry Chipman
Tom Skolnick: Stuart Greer
Sam James: Andrew Henderson
Karin: Charly Kayle
Laura: Dina Korzun
Gina: Mary Jean McAdams
April James: Emily McKenna
Celia: Jenny O'Hara
Betty: Joanne Pankow
Gary: Forrest Pruett
Lonni: Paprika Steen
Barry: John Boyd West
Duigan: Red West
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 107 minutes...
- 1/25/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Geoff Stier has joined Valhalla Motion Pictures as a production chief and producer. Stier, who will report directly to company chairman Gale Anne Hurd, will oversee the development and production of the L.A.-based company's slate of film and television projects, including The Punisher, starring Thomas Jane and John Travolta, and Aeon Flux, a live-action superheroine project in preproduction at Paramount Pictures. Punisher is slated to begin principal photography next month. Stier previously was a production executive at Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella's Mirage Enterprises, where he was responsible for the development of such films as The Firm, Sabrina, The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Quiet American and the upcoming Cold Mountain. As a producer, his credits include Up at the Villa and Polish Wedding. He also served as associate producer on Sense and Sensibility.
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