ITV

Category: Movies

  • Sony Electronics in deployment agreement with Sony Pictures

     MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Releasing International (SPRI) has entered into an agreement with Sony Electronics‘ Digital Cinema Solutions and Services (DCSS) group for 4K DCI-compliant digital cinema deployments in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan.SPRI is an international motion picture distribution arm of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE).

    SPE and DCSS had earlier announced plans to work together in the deployment of digital cinema projection systems in Europe and North America. This announcement will now provide exhibitors in major parts of Asia with operational and financial resources needed to implement Sony Electronics‘ DCI-compliant 4K SXRD (TM) projection technology. DCSS has already entered into agreements with four major studios — Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International – for deployments in the United States and Canada. DCSS now has agreements with two major studios for Asia – Sony Pictures Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox.


    Sony Electronics‘ 4K digital projection technology will provide exhibitors and distributors with technology that will make it possible to offer consumers a wider selection of programming choices including 3-D and alternative content. To support this digital deployment effort, SPRI will supply its upcoming releases, when booked, in digital form and provide financial contributions for a limited time to promote DCI-compliant technology.


    SPRI president Mark Zucker says, “As we move toward an all-digital future, exhibitors are going to need the product, resources and marketing support of companies like Sony Electronics and its Digital Cinema Solutions and Services group in order to offer their customers the most compelling state-of-the-art cinema experience available today”.


    The DCSS group was formed to provide turn-key solutions for exhibitors that will enable them to efficiently convert their operations to digital technology.


    Sony Electronics‘ Digital Cinema Solutions and Services Group senior VP Mike Fidler says, “The growth of digital cinema is a worldwide technological reality, so it makes sense that any agreement covers the broadest reach possible. We‘re extremely pleased to be working with SPRI on our expanded joint efforts.”


    In addition to digital projection system deployment, Sony Electronics‘ DCSS group offers installation, maintenance and support services. The group also works with exhibitors on the deployment of alternative content – including gaming, sporting events and music concerts – in order to develop more revenue-generating opportunities as the industry transitions to digital delivery.

  • Lionsgate, Relativity Media ink multi-picture, multi-year deal

     MUMBAI: Lionsgate and media and entertainment company Relativity Media have announced that they have finalised a new multi-picture, multi-year deal. Lionsgate will, thus, acquire the US distribution rights for up to five Relativity Media productions per year.

    The agreement builds upon the successful relationship established by the companies during the past two years, when they partnered on the films The Forbidden Kingdom, 3:10 To Yuma and The Bank Job.


    Lionsgate president, Motion Picture Group Joe Drake says, “Ryan Kavanaugh and his colleagues at Relativity Media have built an extraordinary company that is one of the industry‘s most prolific suppliers of broad-appeal, talent-driven motion pictures. This agreement solidifies the long-term relationship we built together through successful partnerships on 3:10 To Yuma, The Forbidden Kingdom and The Bank Job. We are thrilled to bring these new movies into the Lionsgate family, adding to the tally of first-rate productions that will define the Lionsgate release slate going forward.”


    Relativity Media CEO Ryan Kavanaugh says, “This deal represents a big step in the evolution of a partnership between two forward-thinking companies. Lionsgate is defined by its keen ability to take smart risks on compelling films. Lionsgate treats its distribution of films as an owner, thinking creatively about how to approach every film uniquely and maximize the value of each and every project. These films are in great hands thanks to this relationship.”


    The first title to be released under the new agreement is Brothers. The film is directed by Jim Sheridan My Left Foot and stars Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman. This is a drama about the rivalry and ultimate redemption of two brothers in love with the same woman.


    It will be followed by the supernatural thriller Season Of The Witch and the action/comedy The Spy Next Door, both of which are currently in post production.


    Directed by Brian Levant, The Spy Next Door stars Jackie Chan as a mild-mannered suburbanite who agrees to babysit his neighbor‘s unruly kids, only to have them accidentally blow his cover as a secret agent. Additional titles will be announced at a future date.

  • IIFA to land in China this year


    MUMBAI: After being held in countries like Britain, South Africa, Singapore, Dubai and Thailand, the 10th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) will be held in Macau, China.


    The three-day long weekend to be held at the Cotai Arena at the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel at Macau is scheduled between June 11-13. The IIFA weekend is expected to attract more than 500 luminaries from the Indian film industry.


    Said Sabbas Joseph, a director of IIFA, “We are proud of IIFA‘s progression over the last 10 years. It is heartening to see the Academy‘s achievements over the years and we are glad to see the event celebrating a decade of magic.”


    “IIFA is indeed going strong and is causing great benefits. Each of the previous host destinations have reported growth in tourism, film shootings in their region and growth in Indian investments,‘ he added.


    For the 10th year celebrations, Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd, the organisers of the event, are promising a whole set of surprises at the weekend to be sponsored by Videocon.


    “2009 celebrates a decade of IIFA magic and promises to be yet another enthralling experience to be held at the Venetian Macao. It is an excellent choice for IIFA‘s celebrations and we are excited to bring its magic to this fabulous city. I am happy that our films and culture would now be seen in Macau,” said IIFA brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan.


    The nominations for the IIFA awards were also announced by Amitabh Bachchan.

  • Compact Disc floats arm for brand licensing and merchandising biz

    MUMBAI: Chandigarh-based Compact Disc India Ltd has floated a wholly-owned subsidiary, Premier Brands Pvt. Ltd, to take care of the brand licensing and merchandising business.
    The company has already been allotted industrial land by the Government of Himachal Pradesh at Baddi, near Chandigarh.

    CDI had earlier announced it would produce an animated feature film, Soccer, with legendary Brazilian football player Pele. The movie would release just before the Fifa World Cup in 2010.


    CDI has worldwide rights for brand licensing and merchandising of Pele‘s character. The film will be build on a budget of $20.15 million, according to the company.

  • Lionsgate’s ‘Spirit’ sells one milion DVDs

    MUMBAI: Lionsgate has announced that its film The Spirit has sold more than one million DVD units in its first week. The release generated compelling numbers across all revenue formats, ranking as the number one Blu-ray release for the week and the number two movie download on the iTunes store.

    The title also achieved the highest box-office-to-DVD conversion rate for all major DVD releases this week and is likely to reach nearly $30 million in total home entertainment consumer spend or nearly 135 per cent of its box-office.


    Bangkok Dangerous, an action film starring Nicolas Cage, is projected to gross about $33 million in DVD consumer spend, Transporter 3 $53 million, and Punisher: War Zone about $25 million. All three titles have higher box- office-to-DVD conversion rates than any other first quarter 2009 releases with $5 million box-office or more. Lionsgate‘s current home entertainment year to date market share is more than eight per cent, according to Nielsen/Rentrak.


    Lionsgate GM, executive VP Ron Schwartz says, “The Spirit combined tremendous star power with the incredible popularity and visual storytelling of Frank Miller to make it a highly anticipated home entertainment release across all formats.


    “Lionsgate‘s successful box-office-to-DVD conversion rate is a direct result of our overall strategy to focus on releasing films in our sweet spot– R and edgier PG-13 rated films. We look at movies and franchises that have the potential to perform in all iterations and action movies like The Spirit, Transporter 3, Bangkok Dangerous and Punisher: War Zone embody this approach.”

  • Tagore, Anurradha Prasad among FLO awardees

    NEW DELHI: Actresss Sharmila Tagore led the band of women personalities from the entertainment world who received the annual awards in different categories of the Ficci Ladies Organisation (FLO) in its silver jubilee Annual Session today. As many as 25 women received awards for the year 2008-09.

    Tagore received the award for Excellence in Creativity, along with ghazal singer Penaz Masani, Singer and choreographer, Shobha Deepak Singh. In the Entrepreneurship category, the awardees were Anurradha Parsad of BAG Films and News 24, and Assamese filmmaker Manju Borah.


    The award for Professionalism was given away to TV news journalist Maya Mirchandani while the award for Excellence in Public Service was presented to eminent danseuse and bureaucrat Shovana Narayan.



    Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, filmmaker Yash Chopra, FICCI President Harsh Pati Singhania, and FLO President Anuradha Goel presented the awards.

  • WMA, Endeavor merger imminent

    MUMBAI: In a pact that is set to change the landscape of talent deal-making, leaders of William Morris Agency (WMA) and Endeavor took a giant leap into showbiz‘s future recently by approving a merger between the two companies.

    The board of WMA and partners of Endeavor held separate votes last Monday to give their assent to the merger. The deal will reportedly be put into force next month, uniting 14-year-old Endeavor with 111-year-old WMA. The resulting thrust would have a dramatic affect on the Hollywood landscape, with the joint endeavour becoming a major rival to the two decade old Creative Artiste Agency (CAA).

    The new entity will be called William Morris Endeavor (WME) Entertainment once the transaction is completed in the second quarter, subject to customary closing conditions.


    But while the merger appears to have been agreed in principle, details are still awaited.
    It is being rumoured that Endeavor‘s Ari Emanuel will assume day-to-day control of the merged entity as CEO, while WMA chief executive James Wiatt will take over as chairman. WME will be governed by a nine-member board of directors that will include five from the WMA camp and four from Endeavor.


    The combination of WMA and Endeavor will create a mega-agency, the assets of which will extend into virtually every aspect of the entertainment and media business with annual revenues estimated at $325 million.The tie-up, which is still subject to government approval, also creates the largest competitor to CAA.


    In addition to the challenges that all deal-making companies are confronting at a time of great change in the entertainment biz, WME‘s leaders will undoubtedly face a formidable task in achieving harmony between the wildly different cultures and backgrounds of the two agencies.


    The merger, for which William Morris and Endeavor had been in talks for nearly a year, was driven by the fact that each agency has assets the other coveted.

  • Shemaroo’s new DVD offer to fitness freaks

    MUMBAI: Moving ahead to give fitness freaks another bonanza, Shemaroo Entertainment brings Hip Hop Body, an exercise DVD mixed with hip hop dance and music, thus mixing fun and entertainment to an otherwise boring exercise regime. The DVD of Hip Hop Body is priced at Rs 199.

    Last year in June, Shemaroo released Shilpa Shetty‘s yoga DVDs and VCDs. The company has now brought ‘easy to do‘ exercise workout routines, for home viewing and practicing.

    Hip Hop Body includes a warm up session to get you stirring; 30 minutes of cardio exercises, which can be split into individual 10 minute sessions if you have less time; toning for the upper and lower body; toning for the abs and a session to cool down. The whole workout takes around 50 minutes and one can do this at least 3 times a week.


    No dancers featured in the DVD are professionals. In fact, all of them are ordinary people with busy lives, who would like to remain in shape, keep fit and have a toned body by taking to dancing.

    Sharing his thoughts, Shemaroo Entertainment Director Hiren Gada says, “As part of our alternative content, we are glad to introduce Hip Hop Body. Watching titles like these one can practice exercise workouts within the comfort of their homes and at their own convenient time. With these ingredients the DVD becomes more appealing.”

  • Producers, plexes begin pressure game ahead of meeting

    MUMBAI: Ahead of their joint meeting this week, film producers and multiplex owners have started resorting to pressure tactics to get on to the better side of negotiations. While some production houses have announced the re-release of their slate of films in single-screen theatres across the country from 1 May, multiplexes have won over Percept Picture Company to release Hanuman once again.

    Looks like with the release of the hit animated feature, multiplex owners like Fame, Inox, PVR, Fun and 24 Karat want to play one up on the producers. Film studios like Studio 18, YRF and UTV, on the other hand, are opening up their slate of old releases for display on select single-screen theatres.


    “The tussle is on to make the other blink. A lot of the future action will depend on how the mid-week meeting shapes up,” says a trade analyst who is closely tracking the developments.


    Last week it was Studio 18 which released Ghajini in Mumbai. Soon they plan to re-release Singh Is King, not just in Mumbai but also in all the major metros across India.


    UTV will release films like Jodhaa Akbar, Race, A Wednesday, Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, Fashion, Goal, Aamir, Kismat Konnection and Welcome to Sajjanpur in single screens across the country from 1 May.


    “We are going to release all the eight films across the country in single-screen theatres on 1 May,” confirms a UTV spokesperson.


    Meanwhile, Yash Raj Films‘ Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, which was released in two single-screen theatres, will now spread its wings to nine more screens in Mumbai next week.

  • UTV inks deal with 6 Sales for distribution of ExTerminators

    MUMBAI: UTV Motion Pictures has signed a foreign sales deal with Madrid-based film sales company 6 Sales, for ExTerminators, the first independent Hollywood venture of the Mumbai-based integrated media company. Through its foreign sales partner, UTV has inked distribution deals for Romania, Benulux and Middle Eastern territories.The film, a dark comedy, is directed by John Inwood and stars Heather Graham, Jennifer Coolidge and Amber Heard. It is about Alex (Graham), a lonely accountant whose sole act of rage results in her being sentenced to court mandated rage therapy. There she meets Stella (Coolidge), the owner of a small extermination business who uses her car as a weapon; and Nikki (Heard), a dental technician with the face of an angel and the mind of a sociopath. Together these unlikely friends form their own ‘silent revolution‘.

    Commenting on the deal, UTV Motion Pictures Vice-President USA Lokesh Dhar said, “With Exterminators, we look forward to strengthening our base in the international market. After our international co-productions such as The Namesake, I think I Love My Wife and The Happening, ExTerminators is UTV‘s first independent production in the US and is definitely a landmark for us as well as the Indian Film Industry.”


    “The public‘s response is exactly what we had hoped for: uncontrollable laughter and we believe that this type of a film is what the audiences are looking for,” said 6 Sales partner Marina Fuentes.