Exclusive: Madison Pettis (He’s All That), Vanessa Morgan (Riverdale) and Richard Harmon (The 100) are set to star in horror-thriller Margaux for Brad Krevoy’s (Dumb And Dumber) Motion Picture Corporation of America (Mpca).
Production is due to begin this summer in Vancouver, Canada, on the feature about a group of college friends who rent a smart house for a weekend of partying. However, they slowly start to realize that Margaux, the house’s super advanced AI system, has sinister designs for them.
Pic will be directed by Steven C. Miller who is returning to the horror genre after helming the 2012 reboot Silent Night. Since then, Miller has made action movies including Escape Plan 2, First Kill and Line Of Duty. Nick Waters and Chris Beyrooty wrote the script and are also executive producers.
Mpca’s Brad Krevoy is producing, with Eric Jarboe, Amanda Phillips, Amy Krell, Lorenzo Nardini and...
Production is due to begin this summer in Vancouver, Canada, on the feature about a group of college friends who rent a smart house for a weekend of partying. However, they slowly start to realize that Margaux, the house’s super advanced AI system, has sinister designs for them.
Pic will be directed by Steven C. Miller who is returning to the horror genre after helming the 2012 reboot Silent Night. Since then, Miller has made action movies including Escape Plan 2, First Kill and Line Of Duty. Nick Waters and Chris Beyrooty wrote the script and are also executive producers.
Mpca’s Brad Krevoy is producing, with Eric Jarboe, Amanda Phillips, Amy Krell, Lorenzo Nardini and...
- 7/1/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Emmy-winning father-daughter duo Ron and Jasmine Cephas Jones will team up to announce the Emmy nominations on July 13. The virtual event will live stream on Emmys.com at 8:30 a.m. Pt.
“It has been an extraordinary year in which television brought multigenerational families together in a shared love of their favorite programs,” said Television Academy Chairman and CEO Frank Scherma, who will join them at the nomination announcements for the 73rd Emmy Awards. “So it seems fitting that these two accomplished performers announce this year’s Emmy nominees as we acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional programs and talent that are elevating and redefining television.”
Last year, the Cephas Jones made history as the first father-daughter duo to win performance Emmy Awards in the same year. Ron won for outstanding guest actor in a drama series for his role as William Hill on NBC’s “This Is Us.” Jasmine, whose series “Blindspotting” recently premiered on Starz,...
“It has been an extraordinary year in which television brought multigenerational families together in a shared love of their favorite programs,” said Television Academy Chairman and CEO Frank Scherma, who will join them at the nomination announcements for the 73rd Emmy Awards. “So it seems fitting that these two accomplished performers announce this year’s Emmy nominees as we acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional programs and talent that are elevating and redefining television.”
Last year, the Cephas Jones made history as the first father-daughter duo to win performance Emmy Awards in the same year. Ron won for outstanding guest actor in a drama series for his role as William Hill on NBC’s “This Is Us.” Jasmine, whose series “Blindspotting” recently premiered on Starz,...
- 6/30/2021
- by Haley Bosselman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Former ABC Studios SVP Creative Development Amy Hartwick has been named President of Television at Brad Krevoy’s Motion Picture Corporation of America, a leading supplier of holiday movies and producer of the popular Hallmark series When Calls the Heart and When Hope Calls. She will be spearheading the effort to build a scripted television division focused on the development and production of scripted series.
Among the first projects she’s taking on is a reboot of Damian Kindler’s 2007 sci-fi series Sanctuary, about people and creatures with extraordinary powers, which ran for four seasons on Syfy.
Hartwick also is developing a limited series based on UK novelist Adele Parks’ book Just My Luck, which explores how one couple’s contested lottery win has a dangerous knock-on effect both on them and their friends. BAFTA Breakthrough Brit Aj Riach’s UK-based Engage Productions is a partner on the project,...
Among the first projects she’s taking on is a reboot of Damian Kindler’s 2007 sci-fi series Sanctuary, about people and creatures with extraordinary powers, which ran for four seasons on Syfy.
Hartwick also is developing a limited series based on UK novelist Adele Parks’ book Just My Luck, which explores how one couple’s contested lottery win has a dangerous knock-on effect both on them and their friends. BAFTA Breakthrough Brit Aj Riach’s UK-based Engage Productions is a partner on the project,...
- 6/30/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Melanie Frankel has been upped to the head comedy role at ABC Studios.
Frankel takes over for Amy Hartwick, who stepped down in July following a significant reorganization at the Disney-owned studio that saw Patrick Moran exit the company. Frankel was previously the vice president of current series for ABC Studios, a role she has held since 2015.
“ABC Studios is 100% talent-focused,” said Jonnie Davis, president of ABC Studios. “Melanie’s long-standing relationships in the creative community and her incredible ability to support and nurture talent at all levels make her the ideal person to run our comedy team.”
Frankel most recently oversaw the launch of the new ABC Studios series “Stumptown,” the Cobie Smulders-led drama that debuted on ABC last week. She also served as the current executive on shows like “American Housewife” and “A Million Little Things.” Prior to her current role at ABC, Frankel worked in...
Frankel takes over for Amy Hartwick, who stepped down in July following a significant reorganization at the Disney-owned studio that saw Patrick Moran exit the company. Frankel was previously the vice president of current series for ABC Studios, a role she has held since 2015.
“ABC Studios is 100% talent-focused,” said Jonnie Davis, president of ABC Studios. “Melanie’s long-standing relationships in the creative community and her incredible ability to support and nurture talent at all levels make her the ideal person to run our comedy team.”
Frankel most recently oversaw the launch of the new ABC Studios series “Stumptown,” the Cobie Smulders-led drama that debuted on ABC last week. She also served as the current executive on shows like “American Housewife” and “A Million Little Things.” Prior to her current role at ABC, Frankel worked in...
- 10/2/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
ABC Studios’ current executive Melanie Frankel has been named head of comedy. It marks the first major executive appointment for Jonnie Davis since he became ABC Studios President in July.
Frankel, who emerged as the leading candidate for the job last month, succeeds Amy Hartwick who stepped down as ABC Studios head of comedy shortly after Davis was named studio president.
While she most recently worked in current programming, Frankel has an extensive background in comedy development, including at ABC Studios, now a devision of Disney TV Studios.
“ABC Studios is 100% talent-focused,” Davis said. “Melanie’s long-standing relationships in the creative community and her incredible ability to support and nurture talent at all levels make her the ideal person to run our comedy team.”
Frankel has served as VP Current at ABC Studios since 2015, overseeing both drama and comedy series. She most recently shepherded the launch of the new ABC/ABC Studios drama Stumptown,...
Frankel, who emerged as the leading candidate for the job last month, succeeds Amy Hartwick who stepped down as ABC Studios head of comedy shortly after Davis was named studio president.
While she most recently worked in current programming, Frankel has an extensive background in comedy development, including at ABC Studios, now a devision of Disney TV Studios.
“ABC Studios is 100% talent-focused,” Davis said. “Melanie’s long-standing relationships in the creative community and her incredible ability to support and nurture talent at all levels make her the ideal person to run our comedy team.”
Frankel has served as VP Current at ABC Studios since 2015, overseeing both drama and comedy series. She most recently shepherded the launch of the new ABC/ABC Studios drama Stumptown,...
- 10/2/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC Studios has named a new head of comedy in the wake of longtime executive Amy Hartwick's exit.
Melanie Frankel will take over the position at the Disney-owned studio. She has been with the studio's current department for the past four years, where she oversaw the launch of the ABC drama Stumptown this season. Frankel was also the current executive on the studio's American Housewife and A Million Little Things, both of which also air on ABC.
"ABC Studios is 100 percent talent-focused. Melanie’s long-standing relationships in the creative community and her incredible ability to support and nurture ...
Melanie Frankel will take over the position at the Disney-owned studio. She has been with the studio's current department for the past four years, where she oversaw the launch of the ABC drama Stumptown this season. Frankel was also the current executive on the studio's American Housewife and A Million Little Things, both of which also air on ABC.
"ABC Studios is 100 percent talent-focused. Melanie’s long-standing relationships in the creative community and her incredible ability to support and nurture ...
- 10/2/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
ABC Studios’ head of alternative Fernando Hernandez has departed from his post at the Disney-owned television studio, a source familiar with the situation told Variety.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.
Hernandez’s exit follows an executive shuffling at the top in recent months that has included the departure of Amy Hartwick, ABC Studio’s head of comedy, as well as the departure of studio head Patrick Moran and business operations executive vice president Howard Davine. Disney Television Studios in July named Jonnie Davis as president of ABC Studios, with Disney TV Studios president Craig Hunegs wanting to infuse ABC Studios with fresh blood.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.
Hernandez’s exit follows an executive shuffling at the top in recent months that has included the departure of Amy Hartwick, ABC Studio’s head of comedy, as well as the departure of studio head Patrick Moran and business operations executive vice president Howard Davine. Disney Television Studios in July named Jonnie Davis as president of ABC Studios, with Disney TV Studios president Craig Hunegs wanting to infuse ABC Studios with fresh blood.
- 9/21/2019
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
“500 Days of Summer” and “The Amazing Spider-Man” director Marc Webb has signed a multi-year overall deal at ABC Studios, the Disney-owned studio said Wednesday.
Under the pact, he will direct pilots and develop projects across all forms of television — including streaming and series programming — as an executive producer exclusively for Abcs through his Black Lamb production company. Webb’s longtime executive producing partner Mark Martin and creative executive Karen Feldesman will continue to collaborate with him on all projects for ABC Studios that hail from Black Lamb.
Webb previously had a two-year overall deal with CBS TV Studios, which he signed in 2015.
Also Read: Disney TV Shakeup: Patrick Moran Out as ABC Studios President, 20th Century Fox's Jonnie Davis to Take Over
“Marc’s an extraordinarily inspired visual storyteller with a remarkable ability to bring diverse worlds to life,” ABC Studios president Jonnie Davis said. “His creative...
Under the pact, he will direct pilots and develop projects across all forms of television — including streaming and series programming — as an executive producer exclusively for Abcs through his Black Lamb production company. Webb’s longtime executive producing partner Mark Martin and creative executive Karen Feldesman will continue to collaborate with him on all projects for ABC Studios that hail from Black Lamb.
Webb previously had a two-year overall deal with CBS TV Studios, which he signed in 2015.
Also Read: Disney TV Shakeup: Patrick Moran Out as ABC Studios President, 20th Century Fox's Jonnie Davis to Take Over
“Marc’s an extraordinarily inspired visual storyteller with a remarkable ability to bring diverse worlds to life,” ABC Studios president Jonnie Davis said. “His creative...
- 7/24/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Amy Hartwick has stepped down as ABC Studios’ head of comedy, Variety has confirmed.
The news of Hartwick’s departure comes on the same day as the studio revealed a significant re-shuffle at the top, which saw studio head Patrick Moran, who hired Hartwick, and business operations executive vice president Howard Davine leave the company, with Jonnie Davis and Josh Sussman moving in to replace them. Hartwick’s departure is believed to be related to the restructure, and there is no word yet on a potential successor.
The shake-up was addressed this morning in an internal memo sent out by Disney TV Studios president Craig Hunegs, in which he acknowledged that “change can be difficult in the short term,” and that “Dana (Walden) and I will do our best to communicate with you often, with transparency and clarity.”
Hartwick had been overseeing comedy development for the studio since June 2011, counting...
The news of Hartwick’s departure comes on the same day as the studio revealed a significant re-shuffle at the top, which saw studio head Patrick Moran, who hired Hartwick, and business operations executive vice president Howard Davine leave the company, with Jonnie Davis and Josh Sussman moving in to replace them. Hartwick’s departure is believed to be related to the restructure, and there is no word yet on a potential successor.
The shake-up was addressed this morning in an internal memo sent out by Disney TV Studios president Craig Hunegs, in which he acknowledged that “change can be difficult in the short term,” and that “Dana (Walden) and I will do our best to communicate with you often, with transparency and clarity.”
Hartwick had been overseeing comedy development for the studio since June 2011, counting...
- 7/10/2019
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
Hours after Disney announced that Patrick Moran would leave as ABC Studios president, the studio has lost its head of comedy, Amy Hartwick, who is leaving, an individual with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap.
Hartwick becomes the third key executive to leave ABC Studios on Wednesday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Disney announced that Moran and executive vice president of business operations Howard Davine would be leaving the studio as part of a broader restructuring. Jonnie Davis shifting over from 20th Century Fox TV as Moran’s replacement, now that the two studios are sister companies following Disney’s purchase of Fox’s film and TV assets.
Also Read: Disney TV Shakeup: Patrick Moran Out as ABC Studios President, 20th Century Fox's Jonnie Davis to Take Over
Davis had led 20th Century Fox TV’s creative operations alongside Howard Kurtzman, who headed up the studio’s business side. Carolyn Cassidy will fill Davis’ role,...
Hartwick becomes the third key executive to leave ABC Studios on Wednesday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Disney announced that Moran and executive vice president of business operations Howard Davine would be leaving the studio as part of a broader restructuring. Jonnie Davis shifting over from 20th Century Fox TV as Moran’s replacement, now that the two studios are sister companies following Disney’s purchase of Fox’s film and TV assets.
Also Read: Disney TV Shakeup: Patrick Moran Out as ABC Studios President, 20th Century Fox's Jonnie Davis to Take Over
Davis had led 20th Century Fox TV’s creative operations alongside Howard Kurtzman, who headed up the studio’s business side. Carolyn Cassidy will fill Davis’ role,...
- 7/10/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Amy Hartwick is stepping down as Svp, Creative Development, ABC Studios where she has overseen comedy development since June 2011.
Hartwick is the third top ABC Studios executive to depart the studio, now part of Disney TV Studios. Under a major reorganization announced this morning, ABC Studios president Patrick Moran and the studio’s Evp Business Operations Howard Davine stepped down and will be replaced by two senior 20th Century Fox TV executives, Jonnie Davis and Josh Sussman, respectively.
There is no immediate replacement for Hartwick, whose exit is not believed to be part of a major executive overhaul by new ABC Studios President Davis. There aren’t any other immediate changes in the ranks at the studio planned, I hear.
Hartwick, who has a long track record in comedy development, was one of Moran’s first hires and has been among his closest associates at the studio. She oversaw...
Hartwick is the third top ABC Studios executive to depart the studio, now part of Disney TV Studios. Under a major reorganization announced this morning, ABC Studios president Patrick Moran and the studio’s Evp Business Operations Howard Davine stepped down and will be replaced by two senior 20th Century Fox TV executives, Jonnie Davis and Josh Sussman, respectively.
There is no immediate replacement for Hartwick, whose exit is not believed to be part of a major executive overhaul by new ABC Studios President Davis. There aren’t any other immediate changes in the ranks at the studio planned, I hear.
Hartwick, who has a long track record in comedy development, was one of Moran’s first hires and has been among his closest associates at the studio. She oversaw...
- 7/10/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Hours after ABC Studios president Patrick Moran was pushed out, one of his top lieutenants has opted to exit the Disney-owned company.
Amy Hartwick, who had run the studio's comedy department since 2011, is stepping down. Hartwick, who reported directly to Moran, decided to leave on her own terms as she was not impacted by Disney TV Studios' reorganization on Wednesday.
Harwick was instrumental in developing the ABC hit Black-ish and turning the award-winning comedy into a franchise that now includes the Freeform spinoff Grown-ish and ABC's upcoming prequel Mixed-ish. She also developed series including The Kids Are Alright, Speechless ...
Amy Hartwick, who had run the studio's comedy department since 2011, is stepping down. Hartwick, who reported directly to Moran, decided to leave on her own terms as she was not impacted by Disney TV Studios' reorganization on Wednesday.
Harwick was instrumental in developing the ABC hit Black-ish and turning the award-winning comedy into a franchise that now includes the Freeform spinoff Grown-ish and ABC's upcoming prequel Mixed-ish. She also developed series including The Kids Are Alright, Speechless ...
- 7/10/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Writer and producer Emily Kapnek has signed a three-year overall deal at ABC Studios, Variety has learned exclusively.
Kapnek most recently developed the ABC single-cam comedy series “Splitting Up Together,” which is based on the Danish series “Bedre skilt end aldrig.” She was previously under an overall deal at Warner Bros. Television, which produces “Splitting Up Together.”
“For so many reasons, this move is the natural choice for me,” Kapnek said. “I’m thrilled to be joining Patrick Moran, Amy Hartwick and the rest of the ABC Studios team in this exciting new chapter. I look forward to branching out creatively– both in the one hour and cable/streaming space– as well as revisiting my early roots in animation.”
Under her new deal, Kapnek will create new projects as well as supervise and produce projects from other writers and creators under her Piece of The Pie banner with a new...
Kapnek most recently developed the ABC single-cam comedy series “Splitting Up Together,” which is based on the Danish series “Bedre skilt end aldrig.” She was previously under an overall deal at Warner Bros. Television, which produces “Splitting Up Together.”
“For so many reasons, this move is the natural choice for me,” Kapnek said. “I’m thrilled to be joining Patrick Moran, Amy Hartwick and the rest of the ABC Studios team in this exciting new chapter. I look forward to branching out creatively– both in the one hour and cable/streaming space– as well as revisiting my early roots in animation.”
Under her new deal, Kapnek will create new projects as well as supervise and produce projects from other writers and creators under her Piece of The Pie banner with a new...
- 1/23/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Fox is expanding its relationship with new American Idol judge Harry Connick Jr to the scripted side, handing a put pilot commitment to a multi-camera comedy starring the popular singer-actor. The untitled project, penned by veteran Late Show writers Eric Stangel & Justin Stangel, is a family comedy with a musical element starring Connick as a successful entertainer and single dad who takes time off to reconnect with his teenage daughter. David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants, where the Stangel bothers are under a development deal, is producing with ABC Studios. Connick Jr, the Stangels and Worldwide Pants’ Letterman, Rob Burnett and Ann Marie Wilkins executive produce. This is the latest major commitment from an outside network for an ABC Studios comedy in the studio’s first season actively selling on the open marketplace. Both ABC’s new boss Patrick Moran and head of comedy Amy Hartwick came from 20th TV,...
- 10/4/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: Happy Endings‘ Casey Wilson and June Diane Raphael, star of ABC’s comedy pilot Pulling, are staying in the ABC family. The duo, who had been heavily pursued by multiple studios and production companies, have signed a premium blind script deal with ABC Studios for a new comedy series project to star Raphael, who has entered a talent hold with the studio. There is no talent deal in place for Wilson but I hear there is a possibility for her also to have onscreen presence on the potential series. “We are so excited that Casey and June chose us as their home,” ABC Studios’ head of comedy Amy Hartwick said. “They are incredibly talented superstars and we think that they are a perfect addition to the comedy roster that we have been building over the past couple of years.” Saturday Night Live alumna Wilson and Raphael previously created and executive produced Walk Of Shame,...
- 8/12/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: In a very competitive situation, CBS has landed Gorgeous Morons, a multi-camera comedy project from prolific writer-producers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky and ABC Studios, with a big put pilot commitment. Co-created by Eisenberg, Stupnitsky and frequent collaborator/former Office head writer Danny Chun, all under overall deals at Abcs, Gorgeous Morons centers on two stunningly handsome but dumb brothers, a model and a personal trainer, who find their lives rocked by their new roommate, a female literature PhD. who is merely very attractive. This is the biggest commitment from an outside network to a comedy project from ABC Studios in many years as the studio is stepping up its efforts to sell everywhere under new boss Patrick Moran. Both Moran and ABC Studios’ head of comedy Amy Hartwick came from 20th Century Fox TV, which, while aligned with Fox, supplies all major broadcast networks, so the goal was...
- 8/12/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
MONTREAL -- Industry buzz and activity began building Thursday at the Just for Laughs comedy festival as a panel of network TV executives evaluated preselected comedy show pitches and U.S. festival attendees prepared for the annual New Faces showcases. At Just for Pitching, hopefuls presented seven show ideas to U.S. and Canadian TV executives, including ABC vp comedy development Amy Hartwick, Tagline's Ron West and BBC Worldwide Prods. manager of drama and comedy Jeremy Whitham. Executives expressed particular interest in comic Eddie Pence's pitch A Comic Life, a proposed half-hour sitcom revolving around the characters owning and visiting a comic book store. Hartwick lauded Pence's outline of "unique characters" like a washed-up actor, who in the 1970s played Mr. Invincible and now lives at the store. However, she and others suggested strong writing and good story lines would be necessary -- as in all comedy projects -- to ensure the longevity of the proposed show.
- 7/20/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
MONTREAL -- Industry buzz and activity began building Thursday at the Just for Laughs comedy festival as a panel of network TV executives evaluated preselected comedy show pitches and U.S. festival attendees prepared for the annual New Faces showcases. At Just for Pitching, hopefuls presented seven show ideas to U.S. and Canadian TV executives, including ABC vp comedy development Amy Hartwick, Tagline's Ron West and BBC Worldwide Prods. manager of drama and comedy Jeremy Whitham. Executives expressed particular interest in comic Eddie Pence's pitch "A Comic Life", a proposed half-hour sitcom revolving around the characters owning and visiting a comic book store. Hartwick lauded Pence's outline of "unique characters" like a washed-up actor, who in the 1970s played "Mr. Invincible" and now lives at the store. However, she and others suggested strong writing and good story lines would be necessary -- as in all comedy projects -- to ensure the longevity of the proposed show.
- 7/20/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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