EXCLUSIVE: A ban on drag performances in public places has been enacted in Tennessee, and more than a dozen other states may follow suit, a movement predicated on the fear that children who might glimpse such a show would be scarred by it. But an upcoming documentary defies that demonization by portraying drag performers as a force for good in their community. Emmy-winning media company World of Wonder ( RuPaul’s Drag Race , The Eyes of Tammy Faye ) and Gatekeeper Productions today announced they have wrapped production on The Little Pageant That Could , a feature documentary that chronicles the journey of L.A.’s Best in Drag Show to support the Alliance for Housing and Healing. “The event, which started as a spur-of-the-moment spoof of Miss America thrown by a few twenty-something friends in a tiny West Hollywood apartment in 1990, grew to become L.A.’s longest-running drag benefit including appearances by A-list actors, playing before thousands of people … [Read more...] about Drag Is A Force For Good, Shows Upcoming Documentary ‘The Little Pageant That Could’ From World Of Wonder & Gatekeeper Productions
Per capita productions
Matthew Antonucci, Who Helped Restart Production After Covid Lockdown, Promoted To SVP Safety At Contract Services
Matthew Antonucci , who played an instrumental role in restarting film and TV production after the early days of Hollywood’s Covid lockdown, has been promoted from VP to SVP Production Affairs & Safety at Contract Services . Contract Services is the entertainment industry trust fund that administers the safety, training and roster provisions of the collective bargaining agreements between the AMPTP and IATSE’s West Coast studio locals, Teamsters Local 399 and the Basic Crafts. Antonucci, who also serves as management’s co-chair of the Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee, oversaw its special Task Force in the drafting the White Paper that got the industry back to work in early June of 2020. Presented to government and public health agencies across the country, the White Paper enabled the industry to secure approval to return to work and paved the way for the companies and the industries’ guilds and unions to negotiate their Return-to-Work Agreement. … [Read more...] about Matthew Antonucci, Who Helped Restart Production After Covid Lockdown, Promoted To SVP Safety At Contract Services
Ben Browning Returns As FilmNation President Of Production; Oversaw ‘Harry and Meghan’ Docuseries In Archewell Stint
EXCLUSIVE : Ben Browning is returning to FilmNation Entertainment as President of Production. He comes aboard at month’s end. Browning will be responsible for developing the studio’s film slate. He last served as head of content for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’ Archewell Productions and Archewell Audio, working on Harry and Meghan , which became Netflix’s biggest ever docuseries debut. He was EP on that and Spotify’s hit podcast Archetypes with Meghan . Browning will report to CEO Glen Basner and will be based in Los Angeles. Prior to Archewell, Browning won the BAFTA Award and was Academy Award and PGA nominated, overseeing and producing dozens of successes for FilmNation Entertainment when he previously led the production team. Films included the Academy Award winning Promising Young Woman , directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Carey Mulligan; Michael Showalter’s The Big Sick starring Kumail Nanjiani, Sean Baker’s Red Rocket starring Simon Rex, and … [Read more...] about Ben Browning Returns As FilmNation President Of Production; Oversaw ‘Harry and Meghan’ Docuseries In Archewell Stint
‘The Last Of Us’ Producer Word Games Ups Jacqueline Lesko To President Of Production
Jacqueline Lesko has been promoted to President of Production at Word Games — the production company founded by multiple Emmy-winning writer, producer and director Craig Mazin , which is best known for its work on HBO’s smash hit series Chernobyl and The Last of Us . Lesko co-exec produced The Last of Us Season 1 and will exec produce the second season of the post-apocalyptic zombie show, co-created by Mazin and Neil Druckmann. She was also a co-producer on Mazin’s 2019 limited series Chernobyl , examining the fallout of the Soviet nuclear disaster, prior to Word Games producing the award-winning short George Lucas in Love , as well as the award-winning feature doc Spinning Plates . “Jacqueline has been an integral part of our company’s growth and success for a decade now, and the proof of her value is right there on the screen for everyone to see,” said Mazin in a statement. “I couldn’t ask for a better partner as we continue our journey with my own … [Read more...] about ‘The Last Of Us’ Producer Word Games Ups Jacqueline Lesko To President Of Production
Ukrainian War Anthology ‘Those Who Stayed’ Enters Production
The first international show to be greenlit in Ukraine since the start of the war has entered production. Red Arrow Studios International -backed anthology series Those Who Stayed, which Deadline first revealed in August , started the first filming block of three of its six episodes last week. The second block will begin next month and delivery is planned for the autumn. A number of Nordic networks have already boarded Those Who Stayed and Deadline understands more network deals are close. From Film.UA and Red Arrow Studios International, the comedy-drama anthology tells stories from the early days of Russia’s attack on its neighbor more than one year ago. Three production teams are working side by side in Kyiv, adhering to strict safety protocols and dealing with the daily challenges of filming amidst the war. The three episodes currently being filmed are titled Kyiv-Berlin, Homeless and In the Zoo . The first episode tells a story of a homeless … [Read more...] about Ukrainian War Anthology ‘Those Who Stayed’ Enters Production
‘The Great British Bake Off’ Confirms Alison Hammond As New Presenter
Alison Hammond has been confirmed as the new host of The Great British Bake Off . Hammond, who co-hosted the BAFTA Film Awards last month, will replace Matt Lucas on Channel 4 ’s baking competition. The show has a loyal following on Netflix in the U.S. The Daily Mirror first reported the news on Thursday and Hammond confirmed it on TikTok this morning. Hammond first graced British television screens as a contestant on Big Brother in 2002. She has gone on to become a much-loved presenter, hosting ITV’s This Morning , where she has become known for viral celebrity interviews. This included an encounter with Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling in 2017, in which she admitted to having never watched Blade Runner. Hammond has appeared on the celebrity version of The Great British Bake Off , in which she captured the show’s essence by telling viewers: “Good baking comes from the heart and I have got a lot of heart.” Hammond will co-host with Noel Fielding, … [Read more...] about ‘The Great British Bake Off’ Confirms Alison Hammond As New Presenter
‘Fall’ Sequel In The Works After Vertigo-Inducing Thriller Becomes Surprise Netflix Hit
EXCLUSIVE : Acrophobia sufferers look away now, the makers of vertigo thriller Fall are plotting a sequel after the film became an unexpected hit on Netflix internationally. British producer Tea Shop Productions and director Scott Mann are discussing ideas for a second movie, which will look to unsettle audiences with another terrifying tale set at a great height. Fall premiered last August and stars Grace Caroline Currey ( Shazam! Fury of the Gods ) and Virginia Gardner ( Gaslit ) as friends who scale and get stuck up a 2,000-foot radio tower in the desert. The indie thriller grossed close to $22M after being made on a $5M budget and has enjoyed word-of-mouth success on streaming services including Netflix, where it has scored top-10 rankings in four territories. It is available on Starz in the U.S. Fall has been Netflix’s second most-watched movie in the UK for two consecutive weeks, with only Idris Elba’s Luther: The Fallen Sun performing … [Read more...] about ‘Fall’ Sequel In The Works After Vertigo-Inducing Thriller Becomes Surprise Netflix Hit
‘Ed Sheeran: The Sum Of It All’ Docuseries Coming To Disney+; Premiere Date & Trailer Unveiled
A four-part docuseries, Ed Sheeran : The Sum of It All, will spotlight how an unlikely child with a stutter rose to fame and how his chart-topping hits were born. From Emmy-winning producers Fulwell 73 Productions ( Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium, Adele: One Night Only, the Grammy Awards) and Disney Branded Television , the series is set for a global debut May 3 on Disney+. In Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All , billed as a definitive view into Sheeran’s private life, he shares thoughts about how this difficult time has influenced him and his new music. Here’s the trailer: Sheeran’s upcoming sixth studio album, “ – ” (pronounced “Subtract”), is set to be released May 5 through Atlantic in the U.S., Atlantic/Asylum Records in the UK, and Atlantic/Warner Music in the rest of world, with the lead single “Eyes Closed” arriving March 24. “I’ve always been very guarded in my personal and private life; the only documentary I’ve ever made has been one … [Read more...] about ‘Ed Sheeran: The Sum Of It All’ Docuseries Coming To Disney+; Premiere Date & Trailer Unveiled
Eric Feig and Harry Finkel Form New Beverly Hills Law Firm, Feig Finkel LLP
Veteran entertainment attorneys Eric Feig and Harry Finkel are joining forces to form Feig Finkel LLP, a new firm focused in film (including film financing and production legal), television, new media, licensing, merchandising, podcasts, and publishing. They are joined in the venture by three partners: Panayiotis “Pano” Spanos, Andrew Barcello, and Riccardo Maddalosso. “Feig Finkel is dedicated to protecting its clients’ interests with two underlying principles: integrity and creativity,” said Feig. Feig – whose clients include William Zabka ( Cobra Kai ) and Martin Kove( Cobra Kai ), writer Max Borenstein ( Godzilla vs. Kong, Winning Time ), David Berenbaum ( Elf, Haunted Mansion ), Kamillion ( Rap Sh!t ), writer Ashleigh Powell ( Nutcracker and the Four Realms ), Noah Stollman ( Fauda ), Australian Director Elissa Down ( Black Baloon, Ivy & Bean) writer KC Perry ( Paper Girls, Severance) and director Chris Eyre ( Smoke Signals, Dark Winds) – will … [Read more...] about Eric Feig and Harry Finkel Form New Beverly Hills Law Firm, Feig Finkel LLP
Pornhub Acquired By Canadian Private Equity Firm Ethical Capital Partners As Netflix Doc Debuts
MindGeek , the parent of Pornhub , the world’s biggest porn site, and other adult entertainment platforms was acquired by a Canadian private equity firm called Ethical Capital Partners, or ECP, for an undisclosed amount. ECP launched in 2022 in Montreal. Its website says it’s good at dealing with problem companies, seeking out tech-focused investment and advisory opportunities “in industries that require principled ethical leadership…have legal and regulatory complexity and that put a value on transparency and accountability.” Pornhub, founded in 2007, changed the world of adult entertainment. It has over 76 million monthly active registered members and over 130 million adults visit the site daily for “the best selection of award-winning performers, the most extensive collection of high-quality videos, and a safe, user-friendly experience for viewers,” the deal announcement says. It’s been plagued by scandal and is the subject of the Netflix documentary Money Shot: The Pornhub … [Read more...] about Pornhub Acquired By Canadian Private Equity Firm Ethical Capital Partners As Netflix Doc Debuts