Exclusive: Film Independent has set Lexi Tannenholtz (Booger), Robert Colom (Mountains), Aya Hamdan (Out of Water), Shao Min Chew Chia (The Plutonians), Sabrina Stoll (Tiny Birds with Broken Brains) and Pin-Chun Liu (Wonderland) as the participants and projects for its annual Producing Lab, now in its 22nd year.
Film Independent’s Producing Lab is an intensive that looks to help creative, independent producers develop their skills and further their careers by introducing them to professionals who can advise them on both the craft and business of independent producing. This year’s roster of creative advisors and guest speakers includes Carly Hugo, Sarah Kim, Amy Lo, Amanda Marshall, Lena Vurma, Mollye Asher, Liz Cardenas, Dr. Nicole Friedman, Christine Hsu, Lauren Mann, Diego Najera, Ross Putman, Lizzie Shapiro, Anita Surendran, Sheila Hanahan Taylor and Elliott Whitton.
Related Story Stowe Story Labs Sets 2022 Launch Fellows; Filmmakers Receive Creative Development Funds And Mentorship Related...
Film Independent’s Producing Lab is an intensive that looks to help creative, independent producers develop their skills and further their careers by introducing them to professionals who can advise them on both the craft and business of independent producing. This year’s roster of creative advisors and guest speakers includes Carly Hugo, Sarah Kim, Amy Lo, Amanda Marshall, Lena Vurma, Mollye Asher, Liz Cardenas, Dr. Nicole Friedman, Christine Hsu, Lauren Mann, Diego Najera, Ross Putman, Lizzie Shapiro, Anita Surendran, Sheila Hanahan Taylor and Elliott Whitton.
Related Story Stowe Story Labs Sets 2022 Launch Fellows; Filmmakers Receive Creative Development Funds And Mentorship Related...
- 10/28/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Olivia Mascheroni has joined Verve Ventures. She will be part of a growing independent sales and financing team that is led by Amy Beecroft and Ross Putman.
Mascheroni most recently served as director of Ddvelopment at Madre Venturers, a venture capital firm, and served as executive of new media at The Blacklist prior to that. She has also held positions at both Blumhouse and CAA, where she worked in both the Television and Motion Picture Literary Departments.
“Coming over feels like coming home,” says Mascheroni. “I know so many of the people who work here and admire what they do. And there’s such a great creative approach to things that offers a lot to filmmakers and allows us to make great independent projects.”
Verve’s talent team has quadrupled in size since last year and the film team says it expects to continue expanding.
“Olivia is joining us because...
Mascheroni most recently served as director of Ddvelopment at Madre Venturers, a venture capital firm, and served as executive of new media at The Blacklist prior to that. She has also held positions at both Blumhouse and CAA, where she worked in both the Television and Motion Picture Literary Departments.
“Coming over feels like coming home,” says Mascheroni. “I know so many of the people who work here and admire what they do. And there’s such a great creative approach to things that offers a lot to filmmakers and allows us to make great independent projects.”
Verve’s talent team has quadrupled in size since last year and the film team says it expects to continue expanding.
“Olivia is joining us because...
- 2/11/2022
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Michael Sugar’s Sugar23 has added Sukee Chew, Anna Weinstein and Alex Creasia to its growing roster.
Chew joins Sugar23 as a manager and producer. Her banner Hopscotch Pictures’ recent credits include The Silencing, starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Annabelle Wallis, and the thriller Burn, starring Josh Hutcherson, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Suki Waterhouse and Harry Shum Jr.
Joining Chew at Sugar23 will be filmmaking clients including Colin Bannon (First Ascent), Ross Putman (Plus One), Theresa Bennett (Social Animals) and Siyou Tan (“Hello Ahma”), among others.
Weinstein joins the company from WME, where she worked in the comedy space and plans to continue to do ...
Chew joins Sugar23 as a manager and producer. Her banner Hopscotch Pictures’ recent credits include The Silencing, starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Annabelle Wallis, and the thriller Burn, starring Josh Hutcherson, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Suki Waterhouse and Harry Shum Jr.
Joining Chew at Sugar23 will be filmmaking clients including Colin Bannon (First Ascent), Ross Putman (Plus One), Theresa Bennett (Social Animals) and Siyou Tan (“Hello Ahma”), among others.
Weinstein joins the company from WME, where she worked in the comedy space and plans to continue to do ...
- 6/15/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Michael Sugar’s Sugar23 has added Sukee Chew, Anna Weinstein and Alex Creasia to its growing roster.
Chew joins Sugar23 as a manager and producer. Her banner Hopscotch Pictures’ recent credits include The Silencing, starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Annabelle Wallis, and the thriller Burn, starring Josh Hutcherson, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Suki Waterhouse and Harry Shum Jr.
Joining Chew at Sugar23 will be filmmaking clients including Colin Bannon (First Ascent), Ross Putman (Plus One), Theresa Bennett (Social Animals) and Siyou Tan (“Hello Ahma”), among others.
Weinstein joins the company from WME, where she worked in the comedy space and plans to continue to do ...
Chew joins Sugar23 as a manager and producer. Her banner Hopscotch Pictures’ recent credits include The Silencing, starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Annabelle Wallis, and the thriller Burn, starring Josh Hutcherson, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Suki Waterhouse and Harry Shum Jr.
Joining Chew at Sugar23 will be filmmaking clients including Colin Bannon (First Ascent), Ross Putman (Plus One), Theresa Bennett (Social Animals) and Siyou Tan (“Hello Ahma”), among others.
Weinstein joins the company from WME, where she worked in the comedy space and plans to continue to do ...
- 6/15/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Michael Sugar’s Sugar23 continues to grow as the management firm has hired Sukee Chew, Anna Weinstein and Alex Creasia.
Chew comes to Sugar23 a seasoned industry veteran with 20 years of experience as a producer and an arsenal of talented screenwriters and filmmakers on her roster. She had previously set up three projects with Sugar23, and due to their camaraderie, and her admiration for the team, she jumped at the opportunity to join the company, which is growing in all forms of media.
“Having already been in business with Sukee on a number of projects, bringing her in-house felt like the right and natural next step for both of us,” Sugar said. “Her impeccable eye for talent, taste in material and overall humanity makes her the perfect fit and we are absolutely thrilled to welcome Sukee to our team.”
Chew, Weinstein and Creasia join recent manager hires Katrina Escudero, Jake Fleischman and David Jimenez-Katsman,...
Chew comes to Sugar23 a seasoned industry veteran with 20 years of experience as a producer and an arsenal of talented screenwriters and filmmakers on her roster. She had previously set up three projects with Sugar23, and due to their camaraderie, and her admiration for the team, she jumped at the opportunity to join the company, which is growing in all forms of media.
“Having already been in business with Sukee on a number of projects, bringing her in-house felt like the right and natural next step for both of us,” Sugar said. “Her impeccable eye for talent, taste in material and overall humanity makes her the perfect fit and we are absolutely thrilled to welcome Sukee to our team.”
Chew, Weinstein and Creasia join recent manager hires Katrina Escudero, Jake Fleischman and David Jimenez-Katsman,...
- 6/15/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
One of the more entertaining films I saw back at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival was the punk rock rom-com Dinner in America. Directed by Adam Rehmeier and produced by Ben Stiller and Ross Putman, the film surprisingly still hasn’t been picked up for a U.S. release, but it’s now arriving in the U.K. and the first trailer has landed for the occasion.
In a dreary Midwestern suburb, aggro punk rocker Simon (Kyle Gallner) finds himself on the run again after a bout of arson and a close call with the police. A chance encounter with the spirited and socially awkward Patty (Emily Skeggs) provides him a place to lay low. As the two embark on a series of misadventures, they begin to realize they have a lot more in common than they first expected.
Watch below.
Dinner in America is now available digitally in the UK.
In a dreary Midwestern suburb, aggro punk rocker Simon (Kyle Gallner) finds himself on the run again after a bout of arson and a close call with the police. A chance encounter with the spirited and socially awkward Patty (Emily Skeggs) provides him a place to lay low. As the two embark on a series of misadventures, they begin to realize they have a lot more in common than they first expected.
Watch below.
Dinner in America is now available digitally in the UK.
- 6/1/2021
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Arrow Video’s August films include a brilliantly original American indie comedy, a pair of out-there arthouse masterworks, a rediscovered 70s horror creepfest, a terrifying Korean ghost story, and definitive, collectable editions of an awe-inspiring science fiction blockbuster.
The releases will come in limited edition packaging, with beautiful new artwork, pristine restorations giving the films a new lease of life, brand new expert commentaries and feature-length documentaries,reversible sleeves, as well as goodies including fold-out posters, art cards, books and illustrated booklets.
First in August, Arrow Video presents the mind-blowing ‘acid-western’ El Topo, which shocked and bedazzled audiences upon its controversial original release, single-handedly inventing the American midnight movie phenomenon. A countercultural masterpiece which ingeniously combines iconic Americana symbolism with director Alejandro Jodorowsky’s own idiosyncratic surrealist aesthetic, El Topo is an incredible journey through nightmarish violence, mind-bending mysticism and awe-inspiring imagery. This era-defining film is now presented in a...
The releases will come in limited edition packaging, with beautiful new artwork, pristine restorations giving the films a new lease of life, brand new expert commentaries and feature-length documentaries,reversible sleeves, as well as goodies including fold-out posters, art cards, books and illustrated booklets.
First in August, Arrow Video presents the mind-blowing ‘acid-western’ El Topo, which shocked and bedazzled audiences upon its controversial original release, single-handedly inventing the American midnight movie phenomenon. A countercultural masterpiece which ingeniously combines iconic Americana symbolism with director Alejandro Jodorowsky’s own idiosyncratic surrealist aesthetic, El Topo is an incredible journey through nightmarish violence, mind-bending mysticism and awe-inspiring imagery. This era-defining film is now presented in a...
- 5/28/2021
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
“Golden Arm,” a buddy comedy set in the world of ladies arm wrestling, has sold global rights to Utopia, Variety has learned. The film will be released theatrically in the first half of 2021. HBO has licensed rights to broadcast and stream “Golden Arm.”
“Golden Arm” was originally intended to premiere at this year’s SXSW, but those plans were upended when the festival was cancelled due to coronavirus. The movie centers on a tough lady trucker who trains her timid best friend to compete in the National Ladies Arm Wrestling Championship.
“Golden Arm” was directed by Maureen Bharoocha and boasts a cast that includes Mary Holland, Betsy Sodaro, Dot-Marie Jones, Eugene Cordero, Ron Funches, Dawn Luebbe, Ahmed Bharoocha, Aparna Nancherla, Olivia Stambouliah and Kate Flannery.
“‘Golden Arm’ is a true gem of a film that will delight and surprise audiences; a hilarious story of badass women and female friendship, set...
“Golden Arm” was originally intended to premiere at this year’s SXSW, but those plans were upended when the festival was cancelled due to coronavirus. The movie centers on a tough lady trucker who trains her timid best friend to compete in the National Ladies Arm Wrestling Championship.
“Golden Arm” was directed by Maureen Bharoocha and boasts a cast that includes Mary Holland, Betsy Sodaro, Dot-Marie Jones, Eugene Cordero, Ron Funches, Dawn Luebbe, Ahmed Bharoocha, Aparna Nancherla, Olivia Stambouliah and Kate Flannery.
“‘Golden Arm’ is a true gem of a film that will delight and surprise audiences; a hilarious story of badass women and female friendship, set...
- 8/21/2020
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
The world has changed a lot since the SXSW Film Festival was canceled as the coronavirus pandemic spread, but that tragic outcome didn’t stop us from exploring the program. Despite all the disruptions of the past week and change, IndieWire has been spending some of that time proceeding as usual by covering highlights from the SXSW lineup.
While the handful of anticipated studio movies were not made available for review, many of the smaller films looking for distribution were left in an unusual position, seeking attention as they sought to find support from the media and buyers alike.
More from IndieWireHow the Cannes Market Will Survive Online, Even If the Festival Is CanceledMemo to Distributors: Seek Out These 2020 SXSW TV Pilots
As it turns out, many of these films are worthwhile — and as distributors sort out their strategies, some have considered fast-tracking digital releases. Many of these SXSW films could benefit from that approach,...
While the handful of anticipated studio movies were not made available for review, many of the smaller films looking for distribution were left in an unusual position, seeking attention as they sought to find support from the media and buyers alike.
More from IndieWireHow the Cannes Market Will Survive Online, Even If the Festival Is CanceledMemo to Distributors: Seek Out These 2020 SXSW TV Pilots
As it turns out, many of these films are worthwhile — and as distributors sort out their strategies, some have considered fast-tracking digital releases. Many of these SXSW films could benefit from that approach,...
- 3/19/2020
- by Eric Kohn, Kate Erbland and David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Sales firm Visit Films has boarded well-received Sundance movie Dinner In America.
Visit has taken world rights excluding U.S. and Canada for the grungy rom-com, which had its world premiere in Sundance’s U.S. Competition section. Visit will be screening the film in the market at the Berlinale.
Set in a dreary Midwestern suburb, the film follows punk rocker Simon (a lauded performance from Kyle Gallner) who is on the run again after a heated confrontation ends with him setting fire to a family’s front lawn. Meanwhile, eccentric loner Patty (Emily Skeggs) lives at home with no friends and no future, spending most of her nights writing erotic love letters to the masked singer of her favorite band Psyops. A chance encounter brings Patty and Simon together, though Patty doesn’t realize that Simon is the anonymous singer she’s been professing her love to. Feeling...
Visit has taken world rights excluding U.S. and Canada for the grungy rom-com, which had its world premiere in Sundance’s U.S. Competition section. Visit will be screening the film in the market at the Berlinale.
Set in a dreary Midwestern suburb, the film follows punk rocker Simon (a lauded performance from Kyle Gallner) who is on the run again after a heated confrontation ends with him setting fire to a family’s front lawn. Meanwhile, eccentric loner Patty (Emily Skeggs) lives at home with no friends and no future, spending most of her nights writing erotic love letters to the masked singer of her favorite band Psyops. A chance encounter brings Patty and Simon together, though Patty doesn’t realize that Simon is the anonymous singer she’s been professing her love to. Feeling...
- 2/11/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The feature film lineup at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival has been unveiled, featuring 118 films. Among the highly-anticipated premieres we have Josephine Decker’s Shirley, Miranda July’s Kajillionaire, Eliza Hittman’s Never Rarely Sometimes Always, Janicza Bravo’s Zola, Kirsten Johnson’s Dick Johnson Is Dead, Brandon Cronenberg’s Possessor, Julie Taymor’s The Glorias, Dee Rees’ The Last Thing He Wanted, Sean Durkin’s The Nest, Michael Almereyda’s Tesla, Benh Zeitlin’s Wendy, and more.
Check out the list below and return for our coverage from January 23-February 2, 2020.
U.S. Dramatic Competition
Presenting the world premieres of 16 narrative feature films, the Dramatic Competition offers Festivalgoers a first look at groundbreaking new voices in American independent film. Films that have premiered in this category in recent years include The Farewell, Honey Boy, Clemency, Eighth Grade, Sorry to Bother You and The Miseducation of Cameron Post. 47% of the directors in this year’s U.
Check out the list below and return for our coverage from January 23-February 2, 2020.
U.S. Dramatic Competition
Presenting the world premieres of 16 narrative feature films, the Dramatic Competition offers Festivalgoers a first look at groundbreaking new voices in American independent film. Films that have premiered in this category in recent years include The Farewell, Honey Boy, Clemency, Eighth Grade, Sorry to Bother You and The Miseducation of Cameron Post. 47% of the directors in this year’s U.
- 12/4/2019
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Exclusive: Strand Releasing has acquired the American Rights to James Sweeney’s feature film debut Straight Up which made its premiere earlier this year at Frameline in San Francisco and screened at Outfest in Los Angeles. Strand Releasing is slating a U.S. theatrical release in the spring.
Written, directed and starring Sweeney, the comedy follows Todd (Sweeney), a persnickety half-virgin diagnosed with Ocd who thinks maybe he was socially conditioned to be gay. Rory (How To Get Away With Murder‘s Katie Findlay) is a whip-smart aspiring actress with her own set of insecurities, sexual and otherwise. Over time, Rory’s stagnant career and Todd’s self-doubt begins to dismantle their odd couple routine, despite their unwillingness to let each other go.
“We’re thrilled to have James’ singular and humorous vision, his knack for snappy dialogue and smart visuals are inspired by period screwball comedies and create such...
Written, directed and starring Sweeney, the comedy follows Todd (Sweeney), a persnickety half-virgin diagnosed with Ocd who thinks maybe he was socially conditioned to be gay. Rory (How To Get Away With Murder‘s Katie Findlay) is a whip-smart aspiring actress with her own set of insecurities, sexual and otherwise. Over time, Rory’s stagnant career and Todd’s self-doubt begins to dismantle their odd couple routine, despite their unwillingness to let each other go.
“We’re thrilled to have James’ singular and humorous vision, his knack for snappy dialogue and smart visuals are inspired by period screwball comedies and create such...
- 8/6/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Cim Group sells Hollywood & Highland but retains the Dolby Theatre, “The Matrix” gets re-released and the comedy “Straight Up” gets bought.
Property Sale
Cim Group has sold the Hollywood & Highland retail-entertainment center to Gaw Capital and Djm while retaining ownership of the Dolby Theatre, site of the Academy Awards.
Cim acquired the Hollywood & Highland complex in 2004, three years after it debuted. It also signed a 20-year contract in 2012 with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences to maintain the annual Academy Awards at the Dolby and recently made a programming deal with the Hollywood Pantages Theatre to bring Broadway shows to the Dolby.
Gaw Captial and Djm said Monday that they plan to renovate Hollywood & Highland over the next 24 to 30 months. The deal does not include the adjacent Tcl Chinese Theatre, owned by Elie Samaha and a consortium of investors.
“The retail landscape has shifted,...
Property Sale
Cim Group has sold the Hollywood & Highland retail-entertainment center to Gaw Capital and Djm while retaining ownership of the Dolby Theatre, site of the Academy Awards.
Cim acquired the Hollywood & Highland complex in 2004, three years after it debuted. It also signed a 20-year contract in 2012 with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences to maintain the annual Academy Awards at the Dolby and recently made a programming deal with the Hollywood Pantages Theatre to bring Broadway shows to the Dolby.
Gaw Captial and Djm said Monday that they plan to renovate Hollywood & Highland over the next 24 to 30 months. The deal does not include the adjacent Tcl Chinese Theatre, owned by Elie Samaha and a consortium of investors.
“The retail landscape has shifted,...
- 8/6/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Radiant Films International has come on board Tribeca Film Festival narrative audience award winner Plus One and will screen and launch sales in Cannes.
Radiant Films International has come on board Tribeca Film Festival narrative audience award winner Plus One and will screen and launch sales in Cannes.
Ben Stiller is among the executive producers on the comedy starring Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid as best friends who, faced with a summer of friends’ weddings, agree the only way they can get through the season is by accompanying each other to every nuptial.
The directing debut from Jeff Chan and...
Radiant Films International has come on board Tribeca Film Festival narrative audience award winner Plus One and will screen and launch sales in Cannes.
Ben Stiller is among the executive producers on the comedy starring Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid as best friends who, faced with a summer of friends’ weddings, agree the only way they can get through the season is by accompanying each other to every nuptial.
The directing debut from Jeff Chan and...
- 5/9/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The 18th annual Tribeca Film Festival announced this year’s Audience Award winners today, with Plus One and Gay Chorus Deep South picking up the coveted prizes.
Plus One received the Narrative Audience Award and Gay Chorus Deep South won the Documentary Audience Award. The winner of each gets a cash prize of $10,000.
The runners-up were See You Yesterday, directed by Stefon Bristol, for the Narrative Audience Award and Watson, directed by Lesley Chilcott, for the Documentary Audience Award.
The festival kicked off on April 24, with audience members rating the films they viewed with one to five stars. Films screened in the U.S. Narrative Competition, International Narrative Competition, Documentary Competition, Viewpoints, Narrative Spotlight, Narrative Documentary, Movies Plus, Midnight, This Used to Be New York, and Tribeca Critics’ Week sections were eligible.
Below are details on the two winning films.
Gay Chorus Deep South, directed by David Charles Rodrigues, written by David Charles Rodrigues,...
Plus One received the Narrative Audience Award and Gay Chorus Deep South won the Documentary Audience Award. The winner of each gets a cash prize of $10,000.
The runners-up were See You Yesterday, directed by Stefon Bristol, for the Narrative Audience Award and Watson, directed by Lesley Chilcott, for the Documentary Audience Award.
The festival kicked off on April 24, with audience members rating the films they viewed with one to five stars. Films screened in the U.S. Narrative Competition, International Narrative Competition, Documentary Competition, Viewpoints, Narrative Spotlight, Narrative Documentary, Movies Plus, Midnight, This Used to Be New York, and Tribeca Critics’ Week sections were eligible.
Below are details on the two winning films.
Gay Chorus Deep South, directed by David Charles Rodrigues, written by David Charles Rodrigues,...
- 5/5/2019
- by Anita Bennett
- Deadline Film + TV
“Plus One” and “Gay Chorus Deep South” have won the audience awards at the 18th annual Tribeca Film Festival with each receiving a $10,000 cash prize.
“Plus One” won the audience award for best narrative feature. It’s directed, written and produced by Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer. Other producers are Jeremy Reitz, Debbie Liebling, Ross Putman, and Greg Beauchamp.
Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid star as longtime single friends agreeing to be each other’s plus one at every wedding they’re invited to during a summer. Ed Begley Jr., Rosalind Chao, Beck Bennett, and Finn Wittrock also star.
“Gay Chorus Deep South,” directed by David Charles Rodrigues, was given the Documentary Audience Award. The film was produced by Bud Johnston and Jesse Moss and follows the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus embarking on an unprecedented bus tour through the Deep South, celebrating music, challenging intolerance, and confronting their own dark coming out stories.
“Plus One” won the audience award for best narrative feature. It’s directed, written and produced by Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer. Other producers are Jeremy Reitz, Debbie Liebling, Ross Putman, and Greg Beauchamp.
Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid star as longtime single friends agreeing to be each other’s plus one at every wedding they’re invited to during a summer. Ed Begley Jr., Rosalind Chao, Beck Bennett, and Finn Wittrock also star.
“Gay Chorus Deep South,” directed by David Charles Rodrigues, was given the Documentary Audience Award. The film was produced by Bud Johnston and Jesse Moss and follows the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus embarking on an unprecedented bus tour through the Deep South, celebrating music, challenging intolerance, and confronting their own dark coming out stories.
- 5/4/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Rlje Films has scooped up rights to Plus One, Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer’s romantic comedy that will have its world premiere next month at the Tribeca Film Festival. The distributor, which recently released the Sundance revenge pic Mandy starring Nicolas Cage, acquired Plus One preemptively in a low-seven-figure deal, and is eyeing a summer 2019 release.
Starring Maya Erskine (Hulu’s Pen15) and Jack Quaid (Rampage), the pic revolves around longtime friends Alice and Ben, who find themselves in that inevitable year that all late twentysomethings experience — when seemingly every person they know gets married. They agree to be one another’s plus ones as they power through an endless parade of weddings. Ed Begley Jr, SNL‘s Beck Bennett, Rosalind Chao, Brianne Howey, Jon Bass and Finn Wittrock co-star.
Ross Putman produced with Jeremy Reitz, Deborah Liebling, Greg Beauchamp), and Chan and Rhymer. Ben Stiller executive produces through...
Starring Maya Erskine (Hulu’s Pen15) and Jack Quaid (Rampage), the pic revolves around longtime friends Alice and Ben, who find themselves in that inevitable year that all late twentysomethings experience — when seemingly every person they know gets married. They agree to be one another’s plus ones as they power through an endless parade of weddings. Ed Begley Jr, SNL‘s Beck Bennett, Rosalind Chao, Brianne Howey, Jon Bass and Finn Wittrock co-star.
Ross Putman produced with Jeremy Reitz, Deborah Liebling, Greg Beauchamp), and Chan and Rhymer. Ben Stiller executive produces through...
- 3/21/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Rlje Films has picked up the U.S. rights to Andrew Rhymer and Jeff Chan's romantic comedy Plus One, which features PEN15 star Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid, ahead of its world premiere at Tribeca.
Rlje is understood to have paid low seven figures for the movie produced by Ross Putman alongside Ben Stiller's Red Hour Films and Studio71. A summer 2019 release is in the works.
Written and directed by Chan and Rhymer, Plus One stars Erskine and Quaid (the son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid) as longtime friends Alice and Ben, late 20-somethings who, after seeing everyone they know ...
Rlje is understood to have paid low seven figures for the movie produced by Ross Putman alongside Ben Stiller's Red Hour Films and Studio71. A summer 2019 release is in the works.
Written and directed by Chan and Rhymer, Plus One stars Erskine and Quaid (the son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid) as longtime friends Alice and Ben, late 20-somethings who, after seeing everyone they know ...
- 3/21/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Rlje Films has picked up the U.S. rights to Andrew Rhymer and Jeff Chan's romantic comedy Plus One, which features PEN15 star Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid, ahead of its world premiere at Tribeca.
Rlje is understood to have paid low seven figures for the movie produced by Ross Putman alongside Ben Stiller's Red Hour Films and Studio71. A summer 2019 release is in the works.
Written and directed by Chan and Rhymer, Plus One stars Erskine and Quaid (the son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid) as longtime friends Alice and Ben, late 20-somethings who, after seeing everyone they know ...
Rlje is understood to have paid low seven figures for the movie produced by Ross Putman alongside Ben Stiller's Red Hour Films and Studio71. A summer 2019 release is in the works.
Written and directed by Chan and Rhymer, Plus One stars Erskine and Quaid (the son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid) as longtime friends Alice and Ben, late 20-somethings who, after seeing everyone they know ...
- 3/21/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Exclusive: Veteran indie film producer Ross Putman has been hired as an agent at Verve, where he will work alongside Amy Beecroft in the agency’s independent film sales and finance division Verve Ventures.
The move comes as Putman’s latest film as producer, the romantic comedy Plus One, is set to premiere next month at the Tribeca Film Festival. Andrew Rhymer and Jeff Chan directed the pic, which Putman produced alongside Ben Stiller’s Red Hour Films and Studio71. Jack Quaid and Maya Erskine star.
He also just wrapped production on Kerem Sanga’s The Violent Heart, which Putman produced with 21 Laps and 3311. Grace Van Patten, Jovan Adepo, and Mary J Blige star in Sanga’s follow-up to the 2016 Sundance prizewinner First Girl I Loved. Upcoming projects include the punk rock indie comedy Dinner in America, also produced with Red Hour.
Putman, who began his career in development before...
The move comes as Putman’s latest film as producer, the romantic comedy Plus One, is set to premiere next month at the Tribeca Film Festival. Andrew Rhymer and Jeff Chan directed the pic, which Putman produced alongside Ben Stiller’s Red Hour Films and Studio71. Jack Quaid and Maya Erskine star.
He also just wrapped production on Kerem Sanga’s The Violent Heart, which Putman produced with 21 Laps and 3311. Grace Van Patten, Jovan Adepo, and Mary J Blige star in Sanga’s follow-up to the 2016 Sundance prizewinner First Girl I Loved. Upcoming projects include the punk rock indie comedy Dinner in America, also produced with Red Hour.
Putman, who began his career in development before...
- 3/19/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Danny Leiner, the director of the stoner comedies Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and Dude, Where’s My Car?, died Thursday, October 18th at the age of 57. Leiner’s death was first announced by his former co-producer Ross Putman, with Deadline later confirming that the director died following a battle with lung cancer.
“If there’s one thing I can say about Danny the professional, it’s that he refused to let us settle for anything less than our best,” Putman wrote on Facebook. “He pushed us to...
“If there’s one thing I can say about Danny the professional, it’s that he refused to let us settle for anything less than our best,” Putman wrote on Facebook. “He pushed us to...
- 10/21/2018
- by Ilana Kaplan
- Rollingstone.com
Danny Leiner, a film and television director whose feature films included “Dude, Where’s My Car” and “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle,” died Thursday. He was 57.
Leiner’s collaborator Ross Putman confirmed his death in a Facebook post, and described its cause as a long illness.
“If there’s one thing I can say about Danny the professional, it’s that he refused to let us settle for anything less than our best. He pushed us to do what he knew we were capable of,” Putman wrote.
“Harold & Kumar” stars John Cho and Kal Penn also remembered Leiner on Twitter.
“Danny was so sharp, so funny, and a great dinner companion. To his friends and family, my deepest condolences,” wrote Cho.
“He was such a funny, thoughtful, encouraging person,” Penn tweeted.
I am so saddened to hear about the passing of Danny Leiner, who became my friend when...
Leiner’s collaborator Ross Putman confirmed his death in a Facebook post, and described its cause as a long illness.
“If there’s one thing I can say about Danny the professional, it’s that he refused to let us settle for anything less than our best. He pushed us to do what he knew we were capable of,” Putman wrote.
“Harold & Kumar” stars John Cho and Kal Penn also remembered Leiner on Twitter.
“Danny was so sharp, so funny, and a great dinner companion. To his friends and family, my deepest condolences,” wrote Cho.
“He was such a funny, thoughtful, encouraging person,” Penn tweeted.
I am so saddened to hear about the passing of Danny Leiner, who became my friend when...
- 10/20/2018
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Danny Leiner, the director behind comedies Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle and Dude, Where’s My Car?, died Thursday from lung cancer. His death at age 57 was confirmed via a Facebook post by Ross Putman, who produced several films with Leiner.
“If there’s one thing I can say about Danny the professional, it’s that he refused to let us settle for anything less than our best,” Putman wrote on Facebook. “He pushed us to do what he knew we were capable of. Danny the person was sardonic, sharp, and savvy, with a love for culture and comedy of all kinds. It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but the world has lost a good one.”
Actors John Cho and Kal Penn, the stars of the Harold & Kumar films, praised Leiner via Twitter as a “funny, thoughtful, encouraging person.”
Leiner graduated Suny Purchase in 1987. His first feature film was Layin’ Low,...
“If there’s one thing I can say about Danny the professional, it’s that he refused to let us settle for anything less than our best,” Putman wrote on Facebook. “He pushed us to do what he knew we were capable of. Danny the person was sardonic, sharp, and savvy, with a love for culture and comedy of all kinds. It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but the world has lost a good one.”
Actors John Cho and Kal Penn, the stars of the Harold & Kumar films, praised Leiner via Twitter as a “funny, thoughtful, encouraging person.”
Leiner graduated Suny Purchase in 1987. His first feature film was Layin’ Low,...
- 10/20/2018
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Danny Leiner, the director of stoner comedies including “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” and “Dude, Where’s My Car?,” has died.
Leiner passed away late Thursday night, an individual close to Leiner told TheWrap.
Producer Ross Putman, who produced the 2014 “The Young Kieslowski” with Leiner, announced Leiner’s passing on Facebook.
“Danny was one of the producers with me on the first real film I ever made; he was not only gracious in sharing the job with some newbies just getting their sea legs, but taught us a great deal in the process,” Putman wrote. “And we collaborated a few times after that, including on the film I just finished–which he helped champion for years.”
A graduate of Suny Purchase, Leiner’s first feature film was the 1996 comedy “Layin’ Low,” starring Jeremy Piven and Edie Falco. His next feature “Dude, Where’s My Car?” in 2000 with Ashton Kutcher...
Leiner passed away late Thursday night, an individual close to Leiner told TheWrap.
Producer Ross Putman, who produced the 2014 “The Young Kieslowski” with Leiner, announced Leiner’s passing on Facebook.
“Danny was one of the producers with me on the first real film I ever made; he was not only gracious in sharing the job with some newbies just getting their sea legs, but taught us a great deal in the process,” Putman wrote. “And we collaborated a few times after that, including on the film I just finished–which he helped champion for years.”
A graduate of Suny Purchase, Leiner’s first feature film was the 1996 comedy “Layin’ Low,” starring Jeremy Piven and Edie Falco. His next feature “Dude, Where’s My Car?” in 2000 with Ashton Kutcher...
- 10/20/2018
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Recently launched La-based production company Valparaiso Pictures will produce and finance James Sweeney’s (Bushwick Beats) feature directorial debut Straight Up.
Sweeney penned the script and will also star in the romantic comedy alongside Man Seeking Woman and How To Get Away With Murder actress Katie Findlay. Tracie Thoms (Rent), James Scully (Heathers) and Dana Drori co-star, with principal photography currently underway in Los Angeles.
The film is based on Sweeney’s short Normal Doors, which tells the story of an Ocd gay twenty-something who finds his intellectual soul mate in a struggling actress. David Carrico is producing through his Valparaiso banner alongside Ross Putman (Plus One).
“I’m so grateful to finally will this film into existence,” said Sweeney in a statement. “To think, it only took five years, a root canal and a crowdfunding campaign.”
Valparaiso is in development on movies including drama After Perfect, written by...
Sweeney penned the script and will also star in the romantic comedy alongside Man Seeking Woman and How To Get Away With Murder actress Katie Findlay. Tracie Thoms (Rent), James Scully (Heathers) and Dana Drori co-star, with principal photography currently underway in Los Angeles.
The film is based on Sweeney’s short Normal Doors, which tells the story of an Ocd gay twenty-something who finds his intellectual soul mate in a struggling actress. David Carrico is producing through his Valparaiso banner alongside Ross Putman (Plus One).
“I’m so grateful to finally will this film into existence,” said Sweeney in a statement. “To think, it only took five years, a root canal and a crowdfunding campaign.”
Valparaiso is in development on movies including drama After Perfect, written by...
- 10/2/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ben Stiller’s Red Hour Films has set Kyle Gallner, best known for starring in Wgn’s series Outsiders, and When We Rise actress Emily Skeggs as the leads in Dinner In America, a punk rock indie comedy. Written and directed by Adam Rehmeier, the film follows two misfits—an on-the-lam punk rocker and a young woman obsessed with his band—who unexpectedly fall in love and go on an epic journey together through America’s decaying Midwestern suburbs.
Mary Lynn Rajskub, Pat Healy, Nick Chinlund, Hannah Marks, Griffin Gluck, Lea Thompson, David Yow, Jennifer Prediger, Ryan Malgarini, and Nico Greetham round out the cast of the film, which is currently in production in Detroit.
Stiller and Nicholas Weinstock are producing for Red Hour, alongside Psh Collective’s David Hunter and Ross Putman, John Covert of Covert Creative Group, and Sam Slater of Burn Later Films.
Exec producers are Haroon Saleem of Red Hour,...
Mary Lynn Rajskub, Pat Healy, Nick Chinlund, Hannah Marks, Griffin Gluck, Lea Thompson, David Yow, Jennifer Prediger, Ryan Malgarini, and Nico Greetham round out the cast of the film, which is currently in production in Detroit.
Stiller and Nicholas Weinstock are producing for Red Hour, alongside Psh Collective’s David Hunter and Ross Putman, John Covert of Covert Creative Group, and Sam Slater of Burn Later Films.
Exec producers are Haroon Saleem of Red Hour,...
- 9/28/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Vertical Entertainment has obtained the North American distribution rights to Emma Roberts-starring film In a Relationship, written and directed by first-time filmmaker Sam Boyd. The comedy, which had its world premiere this year at the Tribeca, also stars Michael Angarano, Dree Hemingway, and Patrick Gibson. The plot centers on one summer in the lives of two couples: Long-term pair Owen and Hallie, who are are breaking up (or maybe not?), while Matt and Willa embark on a romance of their own just as their relationship reaches a turning point. Greta Lee, Gayle Rankin, Melora Walter and Jay Ellis co-star in the pic, which will get a theatrical bow later this year. Jorge Garcia Castro, David Hunter, Ross Putman and Boyd produced the film with executive producers Andres Icaza Ballesteros and Sergio Cortes Gomez of 2 Friends Media, Roberts, Karah Preiss, Will Russell-Shapiro, Jim Jacobsen and Stephen Braun. The deal...
- 5/30/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Young love is always a flurry of excitement and terror, dominated by a wide-eyed sense of wonder and joy. But it can be difficult if two people aren’t on the same page, and even more difficult if two people are in the closet. The new film “First Girl I Loved,” which won the Next Audience Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, follows Anne (Dylan Gelula), a high school senior and yearbook volunteer who falls in love with Sasha (Brianna Hildebrand), the most popular girl at her high school. But when Anne tells her best friend Clifton (Mateo Arias), who has always harbored a secret crush, he tries to sabotage their relationship out of jealousy. The film also stars Pamela Adlon (“Better Things”), Tim Heidecker (“Tim & Eric”), Cameron Esposito (“Take My Wife”), Erik Griffin (“Workaholics”), and Jennifer Prediger (“Apartment Troubles”). Watch the exclusive trailer below.
Read More: ‘First Girl I Loved...
Read More: ‘First Girl I Loved...
- 8/23/2016
- by Vikram Murthi
- Indiewire
Independent film producer Ross Putman has created a stir with a Twitter account that is challenging the status quo. The account, @femscriptintros, posts the descriptions of the female characters featured in the scripts that come across his desk. Putman has changed the names to Jane in an effort to maintain the anonymity of the screenwriters and highlight the consistent nature of each breakdown. In the video above, Miri Jedeikin, Roth Cornet, and Alicia Malone talk about the significance of this Twitter account and what it reveals. Take a look above and watch our full show below in which we tackle James Gunn’s take on Deadpool’s success and Meryl Streep’s recent comments at Berlinale. Follow the Girls on Film content here and chat with us here or on Twitter: Roth: @RothCornet Miri: @MiriTheJedi Alicia: @AliciaMalone...
- 2/22/2016
- by Roth Cornet
- Hitfix
Greetings! On today's episode Miri, Roth and Alicia chat about Meryl Streep and her "We're All Africans" comment at the Berlin International Film Festival. They dive into why Deadpool was so successful and take a look at Ross Putman's twitter account @femscriptintros. Subscribe to Alicia's channel Here! Subscribe to Miri's channel Here! As always, you can subscribe to the Girls on Film Podcast over at the iTunes Store, where you can also rate us and comment on us.
- 2/18/2016
- by Matt Perez-Mora
- Hitfix
In case you've missed it, La based producer Ross Putman has been tweeting out the funny-if-they-weren't-so-awful introductions for female characters in the scripts he's been receiving. It's a dismal glimpse into the reality of female representation in cinema, featuring a strong emphasis on how attractive the character is and plenty of 'cool girl' types who are attractive but don't know it.
Jane, 28, athletic but sexy. A natural beauty. Most days she wears jeans, and she makes them look good.
— Ross Putman (@femscriptintros) February 10, 2016
Jane (late 20s) sits hunched over a microscope. She’s attractive, but too much of a professional to care about her appearance.
— Ross Putman (@femscriptintros) February 10, 2016
A gorgeous woman, Jane, 23, is a little tipsy, dancing naked on her big bed, as adorable as she is sexy. *Bonus Pts For Being The 1St Line
— Ross Putman (@femscriptintros) February 10, 2016
Whilst these scripts are likely never seeing the light of...
Jane, 28, athletic but sexy. A natural beauty. Most days she wears jeans, and she makes them look good.
— Ross Putman (@femscriptintros) February 10, 2016
Jane (late 20s) sits hunched over a microscope. She’s attractive, but too much of a professional to care about her appearance.
— Ross Putman (@femscriptintros) February 10, 2016
A gorgeous woman, Jane, 23, is a little tipsy, dancing naked on her big bed, as adorable as she is sexy. *Bonus Pts For Being The 1St Line
— Ross Putman (@femscriptintros) February 10, 2016
Whilst these scripts are likely never seeing the light of...
- 2/13/2016
- by Josh Forward
- FilmExperience
Ross Putman had a crazy thought. An L.A.-based independent film producer, Putman, 30, wondered what might happen if he were to spill the contents of a folder on his laptop onto Twitter for all the world to see. Would his peers chuckle knowingly at his prized collection of cringe-inducing female character introductions, culled from stacks of screenplays he'd read over the years? In these imagined worlds — 80 percent of which, by Putman's estimates, are conceived by male screenwriters — we meet women who are "stunning" but "trying their best to hide it." We might find
read more...
read more...
- 2/12/2016
- by Seth Abramovitch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hollywood producer Ross Putman is frustrated with the way women are described in film scripts, and on Wednesday he decided to do something about it. Putman, who recently produced the indie film First Girl I Loved, vented his frustrations via Twitter, posting real-life excerpts from scripts that show female roles introduced more like objects than characters. "These are intros for female leads in actual scripts I read. Names changed to Jane, otherwise verbatim. Update as I go. Apologies if I quote your work," Putman wrote on a new Twitter account he calls @femscriptintros. Jane, 28, athletic but sexy. A natural beauty.
- 2/11/2016
- by Michael Miller, @write_miller
- PEOPLE.com
Hollywood producer Ross Putman is frustrated with the way women are described in film scripts, and on Wednesday he decided to do something about it. Putman, who recently produced the indie film First Girl I Loved, vented his frustrations via Twitter, posting real-life excerpts from scripts that show female roles introduced more like objects than characters. "These are intros for female leads in actual scripts I read. Names changed to Jane, otherwise verbatim. Update as I go. Apologies if I quote your work," Putman wrote on a new Twitter account he calls @femscriptintros. Jane, 28, athletic but sexy. A natural beauty.
- 2/11/2016
- by Michael Miller, @write_miller
- PEOPLE.com
Ross Putman tweets verbatim introductions to female characters in scripts he reads, from ‘as adorable as she is sexy’ to ‘honey-blonde farmland beauty queen’
An American movie producer is sharing excerpts of sexist scripts he gets sent, to highlight the grim state of roles for women in film – as well as some equally dire writing.
Related: Sex change: why male roles are being rewritten for women
Continue reading...
An American movie producer is sharing excerpts of sexist scripts he gets sent, to highlight the grim state of roles for women in film – as well as some equally dire writing.
Related: Sex change: why male roles are being rewritten for women
Continue reading...
- 2/11/2016
- by Elle Hunt
- The Guardian - Film News
Ross Putman tweets verbatim introductions to female characters in scripts he reads, from ‘as adorable as she is sexy’ to ‘honey-blonde farmland beauty queen’
An American movie producer is sharing excerpts of sexist scripts he gets sent, to highlight the grim state of roles for women in film – as well as some equally dire writing.
Related: Sex change: why male roles are being rewritten for women
Continue reading...
An American movie producer is sharing excerpts of sexist scripts he gets sent, to highlight the grim state of roles for women in film – as well as some equally dire writing.
Related: Sex change: why male roles are being rewritten for women
Continue reading...
- 2/11/2016
- by Elle Hunt
- The Guardian - Film News
This dude must be reading a stack of Transformers scripts. Film producer Ross Putman has been flipping through potential film scripts and he noticed a terrible trend with the way the female characters were being introduced on the pages. The theme and descriptions were so similar that he decided to share it with the world and tweet out how these ladies, whose names were all changed to "Jane," were first brought onto screen. Spoiler alert: most of these characters are sexy, leggy blondes or women who "used to be beautiful." Or both. If you're an aspiring screenwriter and definitely want to have a female character who has a more important role than just being eye-candy, do not do write...
- 2/10/2016
- E! Online
A Hollywood producer is sharing the introductions of female characters in the scripts that cross his desk, and the resulting portraits of women aren’t pretty. Ross Putman, a producer of indie films and streaming TV, is the author of the Twitter account @Femscriptintros — where he uploads the language used to describe women in screenplays he’s vetting. To protect the individual writers, he’s changed all character names to “Jane.” “Jane pours her gorgeous figure into a tight dress, slips into her stiletto-heeled fuck-me shoes, and checks herself in the dresser mirror,” one script said. Also Read: Women Screenwriters...
- 2/10/2016
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
Rising Stars From ‘Deadpool,’ ‘Kimmy Schmidt’ Set for Indie Romance ‘First Girl I Loved’ (Exclusive)
Rising stars Dylan Gelula (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”) and Brianna Hildebrand (“Deadpool”) are set to star in Kerem Sanga’s indie “First Girl I Loved,” a romantic dramedy about a burgeoning romance between two teenage girls, TheWrap has learned. Mateo Arias (Disney’s “Kickin’ It”) co-stars alongside Pamela Adlon (“Louie”), Tim Heidecker (“Entertainment”), Erik Griffin (“Workaholics”) and Cameron Esposito (“Maron”). Sanga, whose previous film “The Young Kieslowski” won the audience award at last year’s La Film Festival, wrote the script and is directing the movie. Also Read: 8 Biggest Winners of Comic-Con: 'Suicide Squad,' 'Deadpool,' 'Outlander' Top...
- 7/13/2015
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
This year’s Blood List has named the 13 best genre scripts around town, and in its sixth year the annual screenplay contest is expanding its scope to include hot books, TV pilots, and young scribes ripe for signing. Taking top honors in 2014 is sci-fi thriller Bird Box from The Thing and Final Destination 5 scribe Eric Heisserer, an apocalyptic tale of a woman trying to lead her children to safety – all three blindfolded – after monsters descend on earth that turn people insane on sight. Universal set Heisserer to adapt the manuscript from Josh Malerman in 2013 for Mama helmer Andy Muschietti. Previous Blood List alumni include Black Swan, Stoker, Warm Bodies, and the upcoming Blumhouse thriller The Boy Next Door.
Like the Black List naming the top unproduced screenplays circulating around Hollywood, the genre-focused Blood List taps exec votes to determine each year’s best unmade horror, sci-fi, and thriller scripts.
Like the Black List naming the top unproduced screenplays circulating around Hollywood, the genre-focused Blood List taps exec votes to determine each year’s best unmade horror, sci-fi, and thriller scripts.
- 10/31/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Ineffable Pictures has hired up-and-coming screenwriter Megan Woodward to adapt Andrea Lochen’s novel “The Repeat Year,” an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap. The book, published by Berkley in May, chronicles the adventures of a woman who wakes up on New Year’s Day and discovers that she’s reliving the previous year all over again. Also Read: Disney, Harvey Weinstein, Robert De Niro to Adapt Best-Selling Book ‘Artemis Fowl’ Raphael Kryszek and Jesse Israel are producing for Ineffable, whose Ross Putman will oversee the project. Ineffable Pictures has been scooping up quality material of late, including...
- 10/8/2013
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
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