Donna Langley, Chairman, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, has joined the USC School of Cinematic Arts (Sca) Board of Councilors which helps guide the college’s overall planning, development, and fundraising efforts.
“Donna’s understanding of global industry trends and insight about what makes media entertaining and impactful will be very valuable to our School,” said Elizabeth M. Daley, Dean of the USC School of Cinematic Arts who made the announcement today.
“I look forward to her contributions to the Board, and to the future growth of all our divisions. She will also be a great inspiration to our students,” added Daley.
Board of Councilors Chair Frank Price states, “Donna is a proven business leader at the helm of one of the industry’s most successful film studios, and her experience and knowledge will contribute immensely to our overall vision for the School and its talented students. We are honored to have her join the Board.
“Donna’s understanding of global industry trends and insight about what makes media entertaining and impactful will be very valuable to our School,” said Elizabeth M. Daley, Dean of the USC School of Cinematic Arts who made the announcement today.
“I look forward to her contributions to the Board, and to the future growth of all our divisions. She will also be a great inspiration to our students,” added Daley.
Board of Councilors Chair Frank Price states, “Donna is a proven business leader at the helm of one of the industry’s most successful film studios, and her experience and knowledge will contribute immensely to our overall vision for the School and its talented students. We are honored to have her join the Board.
- 2/21/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
El Rey Network founder Robert Rodriguez is still in charge of the English-language network that targets young Latinos, which he jointly owns with FactoryMade Ventures — along with Univision, which has a 5% stake. But he has created a new role there for a Gm and given it to Daniel Tibbets, a familiar name in traditional and new media circles. Tibbets is not directly replacing Scott Sassa, who had been El Rey’s vice chairman since 2013 and left at the end of last year. <a href="https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/el-rey.jpg" target="_blank"…...
- 5/3/2016
- Deadline TV
wwe.com
Aaa continues to be the talk of the wrestling world following Alberto Del Rio and Rey Mysterio’s participation with the Mexican promotion. The company held their largest event of the year, Triplemania, opposite WWE’s SummerSlam and drew a sellout crowd to the Arena Ciudad in Mexico City. Now, Aaa has officially announced a new television show to air in the United States on the El Rey Network.
The show — which is titled “Lucha Underground” — will premiere on October 8th of this year. Aaa will make their American debut on El Rey — a network started by famed filmmaker, Robert Rodriguez. Together, the two companies are hyping a revolutionary wrestling product, which is to be produced by One Three Media — owned by Emmy-winning reality television producer Mark Burnett.
Burnett, the show’s Executive Producer, stated that, “Not since ‘The Contender’ premiere has a new series combined this level of drama and athletic competition.
Aaa continues to be the talk of the wrestling world following Alberto Del Rio and Rey Mysterio’s participation with the Mexican promotion. The company held their largest event of the year, Triplemania, opposite WWE’s SummerSlam and drew a sellout crowd to the Arena Ciudad in Mexico City. Now, Aaa has officially announced a new television show to air in the United States on the El Rey Network.
The show — which is titled “Lucha Underground” — will premiere on October 8th of this year. Aaa will make their American debut on El Rey — a network started by famed filmmaker, Robert Rodriguez. Together, the two companies are hyping a revolutionary wrestling product, which is to be produced by One Three Media — owned by Emmy-winning reality television producer Mark Burnett.
Burnett, the show’s Executive Producer, stated that, “Not since ‘The Contender’ premiere has a new series combined this level of drama and athletic competition.
- 8/29/2014
- by Douglas Scarpa
- Obsessed with Film
El Rey Network has promoted Chad Blankenship to senior vice president, Marketing & Communications, and hired Katie Lanegran as Public Relations vice president. Both will work in New York, though Robert Rodriguez‘s 24-hour English-language network is based in Austin, Texas. Blankenship previously served as vice president of Marketing for El Rey, while Lanegran was a 15-year veteran at SundanceTV. Lanegran will report to Blankenship, who will continue to work under network Vice Chair Scott Sassa. Also read: Robert Rodriguez, Bob Orci and Gabriel Luna on Gauging ‘Matador's’ Success Without Ratings Blankenship currently oversees all consumer and trade marketing, promotions,...
- 8/4/2014
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
During a recent presentation to TV critics, El Rey announced premiere dates for new installments of “The Director’s Chair” as well as when production kicks off on Season Two of “From Dusk Till Dawn.”
From the Press Release:
El Rey Network plans to debut two new and exciting installments of “El Rey Network Presents: The Director’s Chair,” a series of hour-long specials featuring the industry's most notable directors engaging in a revealing and unexpected exchange about the world of filmmaking.
Premiering Wednesday, July 30th, at 9 Pm Et/Pt, El Rey Network Founder and Chairman Robert Rodriguez sits down with longtime friend and Oscar nominated director Guillermo del Toro to discuss his journey from artist to director/producer. From groundbreaking Pan’s Labyrinth to Hellboy to Pacific Rim to his upcoming series "The Strain," Del Toro reveals the madness behind his monsters.
In August, Rodriguez explores the world of...
From the Press Release:
El Rey Network plans to debut two new and exciting installments of “El Rey Network Presents: The Director’s Chair,” a series of hour-long specials featuring the industry's most notable directors engaging in a revealing and unexpected exchange about the world of filmmaking.
Premiering Wednesday, July 30th, at 9 Pm Et/Pt, El Rey Network Founder and Chairman Robert Rodriguez sits down with longtime friend and Oscar nominated director Guillermo del Toro to discuss his journey from artist to director/producer. From groundbreaking Pan’s Labyrinth to Hellboy to Pacific Rim to his upcoming series "The Strain," Del Toro reveals the madness behind his monsters.
In August, Rodriguez explores the world of...
- 7/12/2014
- by Debi Moore
- DreadCentral.com
Variety
The El Rey Network has announced that Robert Rodriguez's From Dusk Till Dawn series has received a second season order of 13-episodes. The series premiered earlier this month, and it must be doing good. I haven't seen any of the episodes myself yet, so I'm not sure if a second season is something that people are going to get excited about. Rodriguez is excited though! Here's what he had to say in a statement,
“This is a truly unique property and one that has really resonated for viewers. It has been a joy to bring these characters back to life and have the opportunity to take our storytelling to a whole new place. We look forward to going back into production later this year and are excited about raising the bar even higher in season two.”
Scott Sassa, El Rey Network’s Vice Chair had this to say:...
The El Rey Network has announced that Robert Rodriguez's From Dusk Till Dawn series has received a second season order of 13-episodes. The series premiered earlier this month, and it must be doing good. I haven't seen any of the episodes myself yet, so I'm not sure if a second season is something that people are going to get excited about. Rodriguez is excited though! Here's what he had to say in a statement,
“This is a truly unique property and one that has really resonated for viewers. It has been a joy to bring these characters back to life and have the opportunity to take our storytelling to a whole new place. We look forward to going back into production later this year and are excited about raising the bar even higher in season two.”
Scott Sassa, El Rey Network’s Vice Chair had this to say:...
- 3/27/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Honestly, we're a little confused by this latest news as we were under the impression "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series" was going to be a one-season, self-contained story. But obviously we were mistaken as Season 2 has just been announced! Read on for the details.
From the Press Release:
El Rey Network, the general entertainment cable channel founded by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, announced plans today to greenlight a sophomore season of the network's first scripted original, "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series."
Based on the cult classic film of the same name, Season Two will be comprised of 13 hour-long episodes and will be shot in Austin, Texas, home to the filmmaker's Troublemaker Studios. Marking Rodriguez's first foray into television, the highly-anticipated program premiered in the U.S. on El Rey Network on Tuesday, March 11th, and premiered exclusively on Netflix through their run-of-series license in Canada, Ireland, Nordics, Netherlands, the UK,...
From the Press Release:
El Rey Network, the general entertainment cable channel founded by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, announced plans today to greenlight a sophomore season of the network's first scripted original, "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series."
Based on the cult classic film of the same name, Season Two will be comprised of 13 hour-long episodes and will be shot in Austin, Texas, home to the filmmaker's Troublemaker Studios. Marking Rodriguez's first foray into television, the highly-anticipated program premiered in the U.S. on El Rey Network on Tuesday, March 11th, and premiered exclusively on Netflix through their run-of-series license in Canada, Ireland, Nordics, Netherlands, the UK,...
- 3/26/2014
- by Debi Moore
- DreadCentral.com
In a recent interview we conducted with Robert Rodriguez, he spoke about plans for multiple seasons of From Dusk Till Dawn and it’s now official. El Rey Network has announced that From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series will be back for a second season:
“New York, March 26, 2014 – El Rey Network, the general entertainment cable channel founded by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, announced plans today to greenlight a sophomore season of the network’s first scripted original, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series.
Based on the cult classic film of the same name, season two will be comprised of 13 hour-long episodes and will be shot in Austin, Texas, home to the filmmaker’s Troublemaker Studios. Marking Rodriguez’s first foray into television, the highly-anticipated program premiered in the U.S. on El Rey Network on Tuesday, March 11th and premiered exclusively on Netflix through their run-of-series license in Canada, Ireland, Nordics,...
“New York, March 26, 2014 – El Rey Network, the general entertainment cable channel founded by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, announced plans today to greenlight a sophomore season of the network’s first scripted original, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series.
Based on the cult classic film of the same name, season two will be comprised of 13 hour-long episodes and will be shot in Austin, Texas, home to the filmmaker’s Troublemaker Studios. Marking Rodriguez’s first foray into television, the highly-anticipated program premiered in the U.S. on El Rey Network on Tuesday, March 11th and premiered exclusively on Netflix through their run-of-series license in Canada, Ireland, Nordics,...
- 3/26/2014
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
In what will likely be the least surprising piece of news today, El Rey Network has announced that "From Dusk Till Dawn" has been renewed for a second season. What? You thought that the flagship series for El Rey Network, a series created by the network's founder, wasn't going to be picked up? Duh. Per El Rey Network, the second "From Dusk Till Dawn" season will be 13 hour-long episodes and will, again, be shot in Austin, Texas. “This is a truly unique property and one that has really resonated for viewers," blurbs Robert Rodriguez, who directed four episodes for the first season, which was based on his own vampire cult favorite. "It has been a joy to bring these characters back to life and have the opportunity to take our storytelling to a whole new place. We look forward to going back into production later this year and are excited...
- 3/26/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
Two weeks into its run, El Rey Network‘s first original scripted series, From Dusk Till Dawn, has been picked up for a 13-episode second season. Because El Rey — available on Comcast, DirecTV and Time Warner Cable — is an ustart, it is not yet measured by Nielsen, so no ratings data for the show is available. But From Dusk Till Dawn has been bringing in coin from distribution pacts, including a deal with Netflix, which carries the series in key international territories and is on board for Season 2, and a DVD/Est agreement with eOne for the U.S. and Canada, which makes From Dusk Till Dawn episodes available on Amazon, iTunes, Sony Playstation, Xbox, Vudu, Google Play, Cinemanow, Blackberry and Target Ticket after their El Rey premiere. “As the television landscape becomes even more crowded, it’s important for El Rey Network to have a recurring and memorable franchise...
- 3/26/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Under the pact, Entertainment One will handle El Rey Network‘s slate of original scripted programming worldwide. The deal was announced today by John Morayniss, CEO, eOne Television, and Scott Sassa, Vice Chair, El Rey Network. The first project under the pact is El Rey’s upcoming series Matador, a scripted thriller from K/O Paper Products’ Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. EOne will also handle DVD and Est rights in the U.S. and Canada for El Rey’s new supernatural crime saga From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, set to premiere March 11. This deal comes on the heels of eOne’s partnership with AMC Networks to exclusively distribute AMC and Sundance Channel’s original scripted series internationally announced in September.
- 1/27/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
The Bible producer Mark Burnett has partnered with director Robert Rodriguez‘s El Rey Network to being Lucha Libre wrestling, and a new league, to the U.S. The business begins with a weekly one-hour series featuring a new Lucha Libre Aaa league, premiering on El Rey Network the second half of 2014, El Rey vice chairman Scott Sassa announced this morning at Winter TV Press Tour 2014. Burnett’s One Three Media is partnering with the leading lucha libre league in Mexico, Lucha Libre Aaa, and FactoryMade Ventures. Also joining, through their interests in Lucha Libre Aaa, are Antonio Cue Sanchez-Navarro and Latinoamerica’s largest production group, Alex Garcia’s Ag Studios. “I’m at the point in my career where I could probably try anything. I’ve earned that right,” Burnett told TV critics at Summer TV Press Tour 2014. “This is building a bona fide sport within America. Clearly...
- 1/12/2014
- by LISA DE MORAES, TV Columnist
- Deadline TV
The former top Hearst Corp entertainment exec left that gig in March after his involvement in a sexting scandal and now has been hired as Vice Chairman at El Rey Network, the English-language cable network geared toward young adult audiences from Robert Rodriguez and John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa’s FactoryMade Ventures. The Comcast channel will launch in December. Before his job as President of Hearst Entertainment & Syndication, Scott Sassa was President, NBC West Coast, from 1999-2002, President of the Turner Entertainment Group, launching TNT, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies during his tenure, and was was on the team that launched Fox Broadcasting Co. At Hearst, Sassa oversaw the company’s interests in Espn, Lifetime and other networks including the History Channel. He brought Mark Burnett to the fold (Hearst owns 50% of Mark Burnett Prods) and was a producer on Burnett’s blockbuster History miniseries The Bible. El Rey’s first hire,...
- 5/13/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
The racy texts that cost Scott Sassa his job as Hearst Entertainment & Syndication president hit the Internet late Monday. Sassa -- who also executive produced History's hit miniseries The Bible -- left the company in mid-March after executives became aware of an extortion plot involving an escort with whom he was sexting. The Los Angeles-based escort, who worked for the Friends of Kari Ann website, reportedly tried to blackmail Sassa for money, and when he didn't give in, she and her boyfriend allegedly sent the the texts to Hearst Corp. brass. On Monday, Business Insider published copies of the
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- 4/9/2013
- by THR Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Top Hearst Corp. entertainment executive Scott Sassa has exited the company, Deadline has confirmed. The news is not entirely surprising as Sassa has been known for his living-on-the-edge lifestyle that clashed with the rather conservative top Hearst brass. Still, the circumstances of his departure are bizarre. There have been unconfirmed reports of inappropriate behavior. At Hearst, Sassa oversaw the company’s interests in Espn, Lifetime and other networks including the History Channel. He brought Mark Burnett to the fold (Hearst owns 50% of Mark Burnett Prods.), and serves as a producer on Burnett’s blockbuster History miniseries The Bible. Prior to Hearst, Sassa was the top West Coast executive at NBC and also worked at Turner Entertainment and Fox Broadcasting Co. His Facebook page lists him as former president of Hearst Entertainment & Syndication.
- 3/14/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Hearst Entertainment & Syndication president Scott Sassa has left the company after executives became aware of an extortion plot involving a stripper with whom he was sexting, a source confirms to The Hollywood Reporter. The New York Post was first to report on his exit. At Hearst, Sassa was on the board that oversees A&E and also oversaw Hearst's investment in Mark Burnett Productions. He shepherded History's hit miniseries The Bible as their first production together and served as executive producer. Story: TV Ratings: 'The Bible' Brings 13.1 Million to History, 'Vikings' Opens to 6.2 Million The executive
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- 3/14/2013
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hearst Corp. has acquired 50% of NorthSouth Prods., an independent producer of cable non-scripted programming, to form a joint venture. It will be part of Hearst Entertainment & Syndication, run by Scott Sassa, which includes ownership in cable networks A&E, History and Espn; and a similar joint venture with Mark Burnett’s One Three Media, which has hits The Voice and Shark Tank on the air. Founded by Charlie DeBevoise and Mark Hickman in 2000, NorthSouth has corporate offices in New York City and Knoxville, Tenn., and production facilities in Atlanta and Los Angeles. It has produced reality series for most major cable networks with a current series portfolio that includes Say Yes To The Dress: Atlanta and Say Yes To The Dress: Bridesmaids on TLC and upcoming hidden camera comedy series Impractical Jokers on truTV. The first season of Lovetown, a co-production with the BBC, just wrapped for Own. “This partnership...
- 12/6/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Sony Pictures Animation has set screenwriters Jay Scherick & David Ronn to write the screenplay for an all-new Popeye animated feature, based on the iconic characters of comic strip and cartoon fame. Popeye is the second project for Scherick and Ronn with Sony Pictures Animation following their success with this summer’s blockbuster The Smurfs, which has grossed more than $550 million worldwide since its July 29 opening. Sony Pictures Animation and Arad Productions are producing the stereoscopic 3D animated feature. “Scherick & Ronn have a remarkable talent in re-energizing beloved characters,” says Bob Osher, president of Sony Pictures Digital Productions. “As they demonstrated with The Smurfs, they embrace the iconic characteristics of these timeless characters and craft a story that really engages moviegoers today.” “We're thrilled that Jay and Dave are helping us reintroduce Popeye to a new generation,” comments Michelle Raimo Kouyate, president of production for Sony Pictures Animation. "Their take on...
- 11/3/2011
- LRMonline.com
Mark Burnett and Hearst Corporation will create a new production company, with Hearst acquiring an interest in Burnett's existing production business. Variety reports that the financial terms of the deal are under wraps but Hearst entertainment & syndication chief Scott Sassa said the deal was "a 50/50 partnership." Sassa said that Hearst's deal includes "everything that Mark has done except for 'Survivor' and 'The Apprentice.' " Sassa is part of the new board of directors. Burnett's upcoming shows include "The Voice" on NBC and "Expedition Impossible" on ABC. NBC currently airs Burnett's watercooler buzz reality show "Celebrity Apprentice." Variety reports that this new venture's focus is "on multiplatform programming." "We will sell to the place that is the best...
- 4/11/2011
- by April MacIntyre
- Monsters and Critics
After trying for find a buyer for his Mark Burnett Prods. for the past several years, Mark Burnett has formed a "long-term media, production and events-based joint venture" with Hearst Corp., the two sides announced this morning. Under the deal, Hearst has acquired a 50% interest in Burnett’s company. Burnett will lead the new venture's board of directors along with Scott Sassa, president of Hearst Entertainment & Syndication and former president of NBC West Coast. Burnett has been looking to sell his company for the past five years, at one point even bringing in the now-defunct Bear Stearns to help facilitate a deal. After exploratory talks with the likes of Endemol and FremantleMedia, the closest Burnett came to a sale was in the summer of 2008, when Img, under Chris Albrecht, was ready to shell out $250 million-$500 million for the company. The deal fell through as Img changed directions, Albrecht left and...
- 4/11/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Sony Pictures Animation and the producer of the Spider-Man trilogy are working together on a CG Popeye feature film.
It was a business connection that producer Avi Arad had that got him involved with this new Popeye movie. Years before he worked for Marvel Studios, Arad worked with Scott Sassa at the comic book entertainment company. When Sassa moved on to Hearst Entertainment, he kept in contact with Arad. After Arad left Marvel and became an independent producer Sassa arranged a meeting with Arad and pitched him the concept of a new Popeye, one that washed away the residue of the live-action 1980 film that starred Robin Williams as the sea-faring sailor.
"Scott called me and said, 'I have something for you,'" Arad explained to Variety. "I literally started singing the famous Popeye song (after securing the rights). What always blew me away is the level of the animation. It...
It was a business connection that producer Avi Arad had that got him involved with this new Popeye movie. Years before he worked for Marvel Studios, Arad worked with Scott Sassa at the comic book entertainment company. When Sassa moved on to Hearst Entertainment, he kept in contact with Arad. After Arad left Marvel and became an independent producer Sassa arranged a meeting with Arad and pitched him the concept of a new Popeye, one that washed away the residue of the live-action 1980 film that starred Robin Williams as the sea-faring sailor.
"Scott called me and said, 'I have something for you,'" Arad explained to Variety. "I literally started singing the famous Popeye song (after securing the rights). What always blew me away is the level of the animation. It...
- 3/23/2010
- by Patrick Sauriol
- Corona's Coming Attractions
The Disney/ABC Television Group, Hearst Corporation and NBC Universal announced on Thursday that A&E Television will be acquiring Lifetime Entertainment Services. A&E Television Networks LLC, the parent company, and its subsidiary, Lifetime Entertainment Services, LLC will both retain their names.
The closing of the contract will be subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to happen in 2009, with the financial terms not currently being disclosed. Abbe Raven, the president and chief executive officer of Aetn will act as the head of the new partnered company after the closing.
"We are very proud of the success of these important cable brands and the content created with our partners, Disney/ABC and Nbcu," said Scott Sassa, president, Hearst Entertainment & Syndication. "The new A&E Television Networks better positions each brand to continue to focus on the world-class storytelling and quality original programs they are known for."
The new...
The closing of the contract will be subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to happen in 2009, with the financial terms not currently being disclosed. Abbe Raven, the president and chief executive officer of Aetn will act as the head of the new partnered company after the closing.
"We are very proud of the success of these important cable brands and the content created with our partners, Disney/ABC and Nbcu," said Scott Sassa, president, Hearst Entertainment & Syndication. "The new A&E Television Networks better positions each brand to continue to focus on the world-class storytelling and quality original programs they are known for."
The new...
- 8/27/2009
- icelebz.com
New York -- Hearst Corp. has hired former NBC Universal chief digital officer George Kliavkoff to lead the digital expansion of its TV, newspaper syndication and licensing unit.
Kliavkoff, 41, has been named executive vp and deputy group head of the Hearst Entertainment & Syndication unit, the privately held media company said Monday.
He will report to another NBC Uni alum: Scott Sassa, president of Hearst Entertainment & Syndication. The unit houses Hearst's interests in cable TV networks, including Espn, TV production and distribution, as well as newspaper syndication and merchandise licensing.
At NBC Uni, Kliavkoff, among other things, was responsible for getting the successful Hulu online video joint venture with News Corp. off he ground.
"George is a digital media pioneer with a long track record as an innovator and a change agent in both new and traditional media companies, and we are looking forward to benefiting from his experience and vision here at Hearst,...
Kliavkoff, 41, has been named executive vp and deputy group head of the Hearst Entertainment & Syndication unit, the privately held media company said Monday.
He will report to another NBC Uni alum: Scott Sassa, president of Hearst Entertainment & Syndication. The unit houses Hearst's interests in cable TV networks, including Espn, TV production and distribution, as well as newspaper syndication and merchandise licensing.
At NBC Uni, Kliavkoff, among other things, was responsible for getting the successful Hulu online video joint venture with News Corp. off he ground.
"George is a digital media pioneer with a long track record as an innovator and a change agent in both new and traditional media companies, and we are looking forward to benefiting from his experience and vision here at Hearst,...
- 3/16/2009
- by By Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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