Former Epix exec Benjamin Tappan has joined Walden Media as president of production, overseeing the shingle’s TV and film development, as well as production. Tappan’s hire comes as Walden Media also looks to broaden its programming mix. Tappan will report to Walden Media president and CEO Frank Smith, who announced the hire on Tuesday.
“Ben’s vast experience as both a production executive and talent representative along with his great track record of making popular and critically praised content make him uniquely suited for leading our creative team,” Smith said in a statement. “We greatly look forward to his leadership and contributions as we build the Walden Media of the future.”
Tappan most recently served as a consultant focused on scripted development and production at his Tap/In Entertainment. He spent four years at Epix (now known as MGM+), joining in 2015 and helping launch the pay network’s first three straight-to-series productions.
“Ben’s vast experience as both a production executive and talent representative along with his great track record of making popular and critically praised content make him uniquely suited for leading our creative team,” Smith said in a statement. “We greatly look forward to his leadership and contributions as we build the Walden Media of the future.”
Tappan most recently served as a consultant focused on scripted development and production at his Tap/In Entertainment. He spent four years at Epix (now known as MGM+), joining in 2015 and helping launch the pay network’s first three straight-to-series productions.
- 4/18/2023
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Keith Farrell won best director for the film at last month’s festival.
Munro Film has acquired UK-Ireland distribution rights to Wait For Me, the debut feature of UK-based filmmaker Keith Farrell.
Munro will release the film in cinemas on June 2 this summer, with filmmaker and cast events for local audiences in Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Lincolnshire where Wait For Me was filmed.
The film had its world premiere at Manchester Film Festival last month, where Farrell won best director.
It is produced by Thea Burrows and Margot Douglas for Manchester-based production company Old Hall Films, who struck the deal...
Munro Film has acquired UK-Ireland distribution rights to Wait For Me, the debut feature of UK-based filmmaker Keith Farrell.
Munro will release the film in cinemas on June 2 this summer, with filmmaker and cast events for local audiences in Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Lincolnshire where Wait For Me was filmed.
The film had its world premiere at Manchester Film Festival last month, where Farrell won best director.
It is produced by Thea Burrows and Margot Douglas for Manchester-based production company Old Hall Films, who struck the deal...
- 4/4/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Walden Media has preemptively acquired N.K. Jemisin’s bestselling “The Great Cities” duology, “The City We Became” and “The World We Make,” with the intention to develop both books into an ongoing series.
“The City We Became” is set in an alternate version of the world, where major cities like New York City become sentient through human avatars. After the avatar of New York falls into a supernatural coma and vanishes, a group of five new avatars representing New York’s boroughs come together to fight their common enemy and save New York — and, potentially, the world.
The collection marks Jemisin’s first books after her “Broken Earth” Trilogy, which comprised 2015’s “The Fifth Season,” 2016’s “The Obelisk Gate” and 2017’s “The Stone Sky.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to take on N.K. Jemisin’s immersive, diverse and utterly enthralling tale about found family and the aching desire...
“The City We Became” is set in an alternate version of the world, where major cities like New York City become sentient through human avatars. After the avatar of New York falls into a supernatural coma and vanishes, a group of five new avatars representing New York’s boroughs come together to fight their common enemy and save New York — and, potentially, the world.
The collection marks Jemisin’s first books after her “Broken Earth” Trilogy, which comprised 2015’s “The Fifth Season,” 2016’s “The Obelisk Gate” and 2017’s “The Stone Sky.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to take on N.K. Jemisin’s immersive, diverse and utterly enthralling tale about found family and the aching desire...
- 2/14/2023
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
Range Media Partners is continuing to build out its sports division, Range Sports, partnering with Richmond Flowers’ Collective Sports Advisors and tapping Flowers to become the President of Football and Coaching at Range Sports. Flowers will lead the newly formed football division Range Collective, which will serve as the umbrella company for all football verticals.
The partnership between Range Media Partners and Flowers will expand Range’s representation business and provide additional opportunities for Flower’s existing football clients including direct access to Range Media’s suite of services. Range Media Services include TV and Film production and distribution, brand marketing and endorsements, Web 3.0, live-event production, advanced data/analytics, business development and venture capital.
Since its inception in 2017, Flowers has developed Collective Sports Advisors and Qb Collective into one of football’s top representation outfits and coaching incubators. His clients include NFL head coaches Mike McDaniel, Brandon Staley, Nathaniel Hackett...
The partnership between Range Media Partners and Flowers will expand Range’s representation business and provide additional opportunities for Flower’s existing football clients including direct access to Range Media’s suite of services. Range Media Services include TV and Film production and distribution, brand marketing and endorsements, Web 3.0, live-event production, advanced data/analytics, business development and venture capital.
Since its inception in 2017, Flowers has developed Collective Sports Advisors and Qb Collective into one of football’s top representation outfits and coaching incubators. His clients include NFL head coaches Mike McDaniel, Brandon Staley, Nathaniel Hackett...
- 11/10/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
This year’s Zurich Summit kicked off with a bang as a host of top industry execs gathered on stage to discuss one of the most challenging topics facing the independent film world today – how to finance an independent film in the streaming age?
The panel inevitably was drawn to the pros and cons of going down the streaming route.
Former Lionsgate film chief Patrick Wachsberger, who recently was a producer on Oscar-winning hit Coda, spoke at length about the challenges he faced when financing the project. The Pathé title was a project he helped develop at Lionsgate and took with him when he left the US studio. The film had pre-sold to a number of international territories but famously caused a stir when Apple came in and acquired the film at Sundance for 25M in a worldwide deal, causing the streamer to make buyback deals with those rights holders.
The panel inevitably was drawn to the pros and cons of going down the streaming route.
Former Lionsgate film chief Patrick Wachsberger, who recently was a producer on Oscar-winning hit Coda, spoke at length about the challenges he faced when financing the project. The Pathé title was a project he helped develop at Lionsgate and took with him when he left the US studio. The film had pre-sold to a number of international territories but famously caused a stir when Apple came in and acquired the film at Sundance for 25M in a worldwide deal, causing the streamer to make buyback deals with those rights holders.
- 9/24/2022
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Lionsgate film chief Patrick Wachsberger, Carol producer Christine Vachon, Neon CEO Tom Quinn and SPC bosses Michael Barker and Tom Bernard will be among industry executives taking part in the Zurich Summit on Saturday in Switzerland.
The Zurich Film Festival’s flagship industry event, an all-day confab about the state of the independent film business, will gather around 100 top film professionals. Scroll down for the lineup and schedule in full.
For a full rundown of the day’s schedule click here.
As the Zurich Summit’s official media partner, Deadline will be on the ground covering and moderating panels, as well as providing exclusive interviews with key executives via the Deadline Studio. We’ll also have video from key panels.
The conference kicks off with the discussion “How to Finance Independent Films in the Age of Streamers” and a panel comprising UTA agent Alex Brunner, Memento International/Paradise City CEO Emilie Georges,...
The Zurich Film Festival’s flagship industry event, an all-day confab about the state of the independent film business, will gather around 100 top film professionals. Scroll down for the lineup and schedule in full.
For a full rundown of the day’s schedule click here.
As the Zurich Summit’s official media partner, Deadline will be on the ground covering and moderating panels, as well as providing exclusive interviews with key executives via the Deadline Studio. We’ll also have video from key panels.
The conference kicks off with the discussion “How to Finance Independent Films in the Age of Streamers” and a panel comprising UTA agent Alex Brunner, Memento International/Paradise City CEO Emilie Georges,...
- 9/23/2022
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline Film + TV
The upcoming Apple limited series “Manhunt,” which details the hunt for presidential assassin John Wilkes Booth, has added seven new cast members.
Brandon Flynn, Betty Gabriel, Will Harrison, Hamish Linklater, Damian O’Hare, Patton Oswalt and Lili Taylor have all joined the cast of the show. They join previously announced cast members Tobias Menzies, Anthony Boyle, Lovie Simone, and Matt Walsh.
“Manhunt” is a true crime series based on the events of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and the book “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer” by James Swanson. Menzies stars as Edwin Stanton, Lincoln’s War Secretary and friend, who was driven nearly to madness by the need to catch Booth (Boyle) and to carry out Lincoln’s legacy.
The new roles are as follows:
Flynn as Eddie Stanton Jr., a war department clerk and son of Edwin Stanton.
Gabriel as Elizabeth “Lizzie” Keckley, a famous fashion designer and friend of Mary Lincoln.
Brandon Flynn, Betty Gabriel, Will Harrison, Hamish Linklater, Damian O’Hare, Patton Oswalt and Lili Taylor have all joined the cast of the show. They join previously announced cast members Tobias Menzies, Anthony Boyle, Lovie Simone, and Matt Walsh.
“Manhunt” is a true crime series based on the events of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and the book “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer” by James Swanson. Menzies stars as Edwin Stanton, Lincoln’s War Secretary and friend, who was driven nearly to madness by the need to catch Booth (Boyle) and to carry out Lincoln’s legacy.
The new roles are as follows:
Flynn as Eddie Stanton Jr., a war department clerk and son of Edwin Stanton.
Gabriel as Elizabeth “Lizzie” Keckley, a famous fashion designer and friend of Mary Lincoln.
- 5/10/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Apple is rounding out its ensemble cast for its upcoming true-crime limited series Manhunt, about the Lincoln assassination. Brandon Flynn (13 Reasons Why), Betty Gabriel (Get Out), Will Harrison (Daisy Jones & The Six), Hamish Linklater (Midnight Mass), Damian O’Hare (Perry Mason), Patton Oswalt (Gaslit) and Lili Taylor (Outer Range) join previously announced leads Tobias Menzies, Lovie Simone and Matt Walsh in the series from Friday Night Lights and Fargo writer-producer Monica Beletsky, Lionsgate and 3 Arts.
Manhunt is based on James Swanson’s bestselling book Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer. Described as part historical fiction and part conspiracy thriller, the series will center on the aftermath of America’s first presidential assassination and the fight to preserve and protect the ideals that were the foundation of Lincoln’s Reconstruction plans — issues that reverberate into the present day.
The series features Black historical figures whose lives intertwined with the escape,...
Manhunt is based on James Swanson’s bestselling book Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer. Described as part historical fiction and part conspiracy thriller, the series will center on the aftermath of America’s first presidential assassination and the fight to preserve and protect the ideals that were the foundation of Lincoln’s Reconstruction plans — issues that reverberate into the present day.
The series features Black historical figures whose lives intertwined with the escape,...
- 5/10/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Hamish Linklater (“Midnight Mass”) and Lili Taylor (“Outer Range”) have been cast as Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln in “Manhunt,” Apple’s limited series about the hunt for assassin John Wilkes Booth, the streamer announced on Tuesday.
The other new cast members are Patton Oswalt as war department detective Lafayette Baker; Brandon Flynn as Eddie Stanton Jr., a war department clerk and son of Edwin Stanton; Betty Gabriel as fashion designer and friend of Mary Lincoln, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Keckley; Will Harrison as David Herold, Booth’s accomplice; and Damian O’Hare as Thomas Eckert, Stanton’s right-hand man and a telegraph expert.
They join previously announced stars Tobias Menzies as Lincoln’s War Secretary Edwin Stanton, who leads the hunt; Anthony Boyle as John Wilkes Booth; Matt Walsh as Dr. Samuel Mudd, and Lovie Simone as Mary Simms a former slave of the doctor who helps treat the fugitive.
The...
The other new cast members are Patton Oswalt as war department detective Lafayette Baker; Brandon Flynn as Eddie Stanton Jr., a war department clerk and son of Edwin Stanton; Betty Gabriel as fashion designer and friend of Mary Lincoln, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Keckley; Will Harrison as David Herold, Booth’s accomplice; and Damian O’Hare as Thomas Eckert, Stanton’s right-hand man and a telegraph expert.
They join previously announced stars Tobias Menzies as Lincoln’s War Secretary Edwin Stanton, who leads the hunt; Anthony Boyle as John Wilkes Booth; Matt Walsh as Dr. Samuel Mudd, and Lovie Simone as Mary Simms a former slave of the doctor who helps treat the fugitive.
The...
- 5/10/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Netflix announced the second season of “The Baby-Sitters Club” will premiere on Oct. 11.
“The Baby-Sitters Club,” based on the best-selling book series of the same name by Ann M. Martin, follows a group of friends as they start a baby-sitting business in Stoneybrook, Conn. As they juggle their new responsibilities as local caregivers, they also face friendship challenges with each other, various pressures from their home lives and unique situations that include diabetes (for Stacey), an absentee father (for Kristy) and parents who are dating each other (for Mary Ann and Dawn).
“In Season 2, we really get to see a maturation of the club and of the girls,” said creator and showrunner Rachel Shukert in a statement. “There are two new members [and] they’re all a year older and have more experience running a business, deeper friendships and are growing into a deeper understanding of themselves as people.
“We also...
“The Baby-Sitters Club,” based on the best-selling book series of the same name by Ann M. Martin, follows a group of friends as they start a baby-sitting business in Stoneybrook, Conn. As they juggle their new responsibilities as local caregivers, they also face friendship challenges with each other, various pressures from their home lives and unique situations that include diabetes (for Stacey), an absentee father (for Kristy) and parents who are dating each other (for Mary Ann and Dawn).
“In Season 2, we really get to see a maturation of the club and of the girls,” said creator and showrunner Rachel Shukert in a statement. “There are two new members [and] they’re all a year older and have more experience running a business, deeper friendships and are growing into a deeper understanding of themselves as people.
“We also...
- 8/26/2021
- by Jennifer Yuma
- Variety Film + TV
This has a major spoiler so don’t read until you’ve seen Fargo season 4 episode 8 “The Nadir.”
Fargo’s season 4, episode 8, “The Nadir,” contains an allegorical reference to a true crime occurrence. It appears Loy Cannon (Chris Rock) dropped dime on the two lady criminals he felt responsible for, Zelmare Roulette (Karen Aldridge) and Swanee Capps (Kelsey Asbille). He thought he was turning two tickets to Philadelphia into a one-way ride to Palookaville. They turned it into a grand exit. The conclusion of this sequence points to a conspiracy. Put these together and you have the Union Station Massacre.
In the opening disclaimer of every Fargo, we read how the names have been changed on real events. In this case, that includes the genders, body count, and arc of the gunfight at Kansas City’s main transportation hub, the Union Railway Station. The real events of the Union Station...
Fargo’s season 4, episode 8, “The Nadir,” contains an allegorical reference to a true crime occurrence. It appears Loy Cannon (Chris Rock) dropped dime on the two lady criminals he felt responsible for, Zelmare Roulette (Karen Aldridge) and Swanee Capps (Kelsey Asbille). He thought he was turning two tickets to Philadelphia into a one-way ride to Palookaville. They turned it into a grand exit. The conclusion of this sequence points to a conspiracy. Put these together and you have the Union Station Massacre.
In the opening disclaimer of every Fargo, we read how the names have been changed on real events. In this case, that includes the genders, body count, and arc of the gunfight at Kansas City’s main transportation hub, the Union Railway Station. The real events of the Union Station...
- 11/9/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Join Joe Friday and Frank Smith as they make a case against the rotten gangland crooks that moiderized Dub Taylor with a shotgun, point blank! See detectives loiter about while smart remarks and Big music stings provide the excitement! The big-screen version of the hit TV show has a surfeit of guest crooks, unhappy women, and a script that wants to grant cops the right to harass and wiretap whoever they wish without restraint. Jack Webb’s ‘interesting’ ideas of script, performance and direction are really… interesting. The Joe Friday-fest comes with an informative commentary by Toby Roan, laying down plenty of Dragnet and Jack Webb history I didn’t know, not ‘just the facts.’
Dragnet
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1954 / Color / 1:75 widescreen + 1:37 unmatted / 88 min. / Street Date November 17, 2020 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Richard Boone, Ann Robinson, Stacy Harris, Virginia Gregg, Victor Perrin, Dub Taylor,...
Dragnet
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1954 / Color / 1:75 widescreen + 1:37 unmatted / 88 min. / Street Date November 17, 2020 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Richard Boone, Ann Robinson, Stacy Harris, Virginia Gregg, Victor Perrin, Dub Taylor,...
- 11/7/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
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