Press Releases Archive for July, 2012

HAWK KOCH ELECTED ACADEMY PRESIDENT

July 31, 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Beverly Hills, CA – Producer Hawk Koch was elected president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences tonight (July 31) by the organization’s Board of Governors. This will be his first term in the office. Koch, who is beginning his ninth year as a governor representing the…

Read the full article »

Steve James’ HEAD GAMES Set for September 21 Theatrical Release Through Variance Films

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Award-winning filmmaker tackles hot-button issue of concussions in sport New York, July 31, 2012 – Variance Films announced today that it has acquired theatrical rights to HEAD GAMES, the new documentary feature from acclaimed director Steve James (“Hoop Dreams,” The Interrupters”) that takes a nuanced, intelligent look at the concussion crisis in American sports. …

Read the full article »

MASSIVE E-BOOK GIVEAWAY FOR THE INTOUCHABLES MOVIEGOERS

YOU CHANGED MY LIFE: A MEMOIR GIVES FIRST HAND ACCOUNT OF TRUE STORY THAT INSPIRED THE WORLDWIDE RECORD-BREAKING COMEDY New York, NY – July 26, 2012 – The Weinstein Company (TWC) and Weinstein Books announced today that they, along with partners Amazon, Apple, B&N.com, and Sony, plan to give away free eBook copies of You…

Read the full article » 4 Comments »

Academy Sets Campaign Rules For 85th Academy Awards

July 25, 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Beverly Hills, CA– The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has updated regulations for how companies and individuals may market movies and achievements eligible for the 85th Academy Awards® to Academy members. The changes pertain to screenings that feature live filmmaker participation, the…

Read the full article »

TRIBECA FILM ACQUIRES NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS TO SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Spring 2013 theatrical release set for Bob Byington’s offbeat SXSW comedy starring Keith Poulson, Nick Offerman and Jess Weixler New York, NY – July 25, 2012 – Tribeca Film today announced it has acquired all North American rights to indie director Bob Byington’s deadpan comedy Somebody Up There Likes Me, starring Keith…

Read the full article »

2012 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL UNVEILS GALAS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

July 24, 2012 NEWS RELEASE. Toronto – Piers Handling, CEO and Director of TIFF, and Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival, made the first announcement of films to premiere at the 37th Toronto International Film Festival. Films announced include titles in the Galas and Special Presentations programmes. The announced films include 17…

Read the full article »

NATO Letter on Fund for Aurora

July 24, 2012 Dear Exhibition Colleagues, The tragic events that occurred in Aurora, Colorado have been devastating to the victims, their families and loved ones, the community, the state and the nation. As we watch the aftermath unfold and try to make sense of this terrible crime, you should be encouraged by the leadership and…

Read the full article »

EVOLUTION INDEPENDENT, LAGNIAPPE AND PARADOX ENTERTAINMENT PARTNER TO FINANCE AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Principal Photography Began July 9 in Louisiana Los Angeles, CA (July 23, 2012) – Evolution Independent, Lagniappe and Paradox Entertainment announce today that principal photography has begun on the new dramatic thriller AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS, which was written and is being directed by David Lowery (“Pioneer”) and stars Academy Award-nominees Rooney Mara (“The…

Read the full article »

Oscar®-winning Screenwriter Frank Pierson: Statement from Pierson Family

July 23, 2012 Oscar-winning screenwriter Frank Pierson died today in Los Angeles of natural causes following a short illness.  He was 87. A three-time Academy Award® nominee, Pierson won an Oscar for his original screenplay of “Dog Day Afternoon.” He received nominations for “Cat Ballou” and “Cool Hand Luke.” Pierson’s writing credits also include “Presumed…

Read the full article »

Updated: AMC Theatres Statement Regarding the Tragedy in Aurora, Colorado

KANSAS CITY, Mo. The following is a statement by AMC Theatres: AMC Theatres is deeply saddened by the Aurora tragedy. Movie going is part of our social fabric and this senseless act shakes us to our core. We’re reinforcing our security procedures with our theatre teams, which we cannot discuss in detail for obvious, safety reasons….

Read the full article »

UPDATED: AMC Theatres Statement Regarding the Tragedy in Aurora, Colorado

Kansas City, Mo. (July 21, 2012, 2 p.m. CDT) – AMC Theatres is deeply saddened by the Aurora tragedy. Movie going is part of our social fabric and this senseless act shakes us to our core. We’re reinforcing our security procedures with our theatre teams, which we cannot discuss in detail for obvious, safety reasons….

Read the full article »

AMC Theatres Statement Regarding The Tragedy In Aurora, Colorado (8:51am)

Kansas City, Mo. (July 21, 2012) – We are terribly saddened by the random act of violence in Aurora and our thoughts are with the victims and their families. For the safety and security of our guests and associates, we are actively working with local law enforcement in communities throughout the nation and under the…

Read the full article »

Relativity Taps Breck Eisner to Helm Stretch Armstrong

Targeted for April 11, 2014 Release (Beverly Hills, Calif.) July 19, 2012 – Relativity Media has closed a deal with Breck Eisner (The Crazies, Sahara)to direct its upcoming live-action film based on Stretch Armstrong, it was announced today by Relativity’s President, Tucker Tooley. Relativity partnered with global branded play company Hasbro, Inc. [NASDAQ-HAS] to develop…

Read the full article »

WARNER BROS. TECHNICAL OPERATIONS LAUNCHES OUTMYWINDOW, A PRIVATE PHOTO SHARING SERVICE

ALL-IN-ONE CAMERA APP AND WEB SERVICE THAT GIVES CONSUMERS A MORE PERSONAL WAY TO SHARE AND SAVE THEIR PHOTOS  BURBANK, CALIF., July 19, 2012 – Warner Bros. Technical Operations today launched outmywindow(TM) (www.outmywindow.com), a new all-in-one private photo sharing and storage service that gives consumers complete control over their photos and who views them.  outmywindow allows consumers…

Read the full article »

STANDOUT DOC BROOKLYN CASTLE TO RECEIVE FALL 2012 RELEASE FROM PRODUCERS DISTRIBUTION AGENCY

For Immediate Release // July 19, 2012 NEW YORK – Producers Distribution Agency, the distribution initiative created by Cinetic Media’s John Sloss and Bart Walker, announced today the upcoming theatrical release of BROOKLYN CASTLE.  The film will be the fourth PDA release, following the commercially successful and critically acclaimed national theatrical campaigns of SENNA, THE…

Read the full article »

Cassian Elwes Takes North American Rights to Syrian Director Sam Kadi’s ‘The Citizen’

For Immediate Release: Veteran Sales Agent Presents Syrian Filmmaker’s First Feature to Distributors in Toronto Los Angeles, CA (July 19, 2012) –  3K Pictures announces today that veteran sales agent Cassian Elwes is handling all North American rights to director Sam Kadi’s debut political drama THE CITIZEN. The film was produced by Kadi, Chris Wyatt (NAPOLEON…

Read the full article »

Filmmaker Magazine Announces 2012 “25 New Faces of Independent Film”

For immediate release Speaking to the collaborative spirit and self-sufficiencies of today’s filmmakers, a record 37 people comprise Filmmaker Magazine’s 2012 “25 New Faces of Independent Film.” Several filmmaking teams and one sprawling collective all occupy slots on the list, the 15th edition of Filmmaker‘s annual survey of up-and-coming directors, screenwriters, actors, producers and cinematographers….

Read the full article »

WARNER BROS. TECHNICAL OPERATIONS LAUNCHES OUTMYWINDOW(TM) A PRIVATE PHOTO SHARING SERVICE

ALL-IN-ONE CAMERA APP AND WEB SERVICE THAT GIVES CONSUMERS A MORE PERSONAL WAY TO SHARE AND SAVE THEIR PHOTOS BURBANK, CALIF., July 19, 2012 – Warner Bros. Technical Operations today launched outmywindow(TM) (www.outmywindow.com), a new all-in-one private photo sharing and storage service that gives consumers complete control over their photos and who views them. outmywindow…

Read the full article »

IFC FILMS TAKES U.S. RIGHTS TO ERAN CREEVY’S WELCOME TO THE PUNCH

FILM STARS JAMES MCAVOY, MARK STRONG AND ANDREA RISEBOROUGH New York, NY (July 18, 2012) – IFC Films announced today the company is acquiring all U.S. rights to director Eran Creevy’s action thriller WELCOME TO THE PUNCH from Worldview Entertainment. The film, which was also written by Creevy, stars James McAvoy, Mark Strong, and Andrea Riseborough. The project…

Read the full article »

ICARUS FILMS acquires distribution rights to the dGENERATE FILMS collection

July 17, 2012                                                                                 For Immediate Release Jonathan Miller, President of Icarus Films, and Karin Chien,…

Read the full article »

Press Releases

Quote Unquotesee all »

It shows how out of it I was in trying to be in it, acknowledging that I was out of it to myself, and then thinking, “Okay, how do I stop being out of it? Well, I get some legitimate illogical narrative ideas” — some novel, you know?

So I decided on three writers that I might be able to option their material and get some producer, or myself as producer, and then get some writer to do a screenplay on it, and maybe make a movie.

And so the three projects were “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep,” “Naked Lunch” and a collection of Bukowski. Which, in 1975, forget it — I mean, that was nuts. Hollywood would not touch any of that, but I was looking for something commercial, and I thought that all of these things were coming.

There would be no Blade Runner if there was no Ray Bradbury. I couldn’t find Philip K. Dick. His agent didn’t even know where he was. And so I gave up.

I was walking down the street and I ran into Bradbury — he directed a play that I was going to do as an actor, so we know each other, but he yelled “hi” — and I’d forgot who he was.

So at my girlfriend Barbara Hershey’s urging — I was with her at that moment — she said, “Talk to him! That guy really wants to talk to you,” and I said “No, fuck him,” and keep walking.

But then I did, and then I realized who it was, and I thought, “Wait, he’s in that realm, maybe he knows Philip K. Dick.” I said, “You know a guy named—” “Yeah, sure — you want his phone number?”

My friend paid my rent for a year while I wrote, because it turned out we couldn’t get a writer. My friends kept on me about, well, if you can’t get a writer, then you write.”
~ Hampton Fancher

“That was the most disappointing thing to me in how this thing was played. Is that I’m on the phone with you now, after all that’s been said, and the fundamental distinction between what James is dealing with in these other cases is not actually brought to the fore. The fundamental difference is that James Franco didn’t seek to use his position to have sex with anyone. There’s not a case of that. He wasn’t using his position or status to try to solicit a sexual favor from anyone. If he had — if that were what the accusation involved — the show would not have gone on. We would have folded up shop and we would have not completed the show. Because then it would have been the same as Harvey Weinstein, or Les Moonves, or any of these cases that are fundamental to this new paradigm. Did you not notice that? Why did you not notice that? Is that not something notable to say, journalistically? Because nobody could find the voice to say it. I’m not just being rhetorical. Why is it that you and the other critics, none of you could find the voice to say, “You know, it’s not this, it’s that”? Because — let me go on and speak further to this. If you go back to the L.A. Times piece, that’s what it lacked. That’s what they were not able to deliver. The one example in the five that involved an issue of a sexual act was between James and a woman he was dating, who he was not working with. There was no professional dynamic in any capacity.

~ David Simon