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Tag: Dreamworks

  • DreamWorks & Technicolor’s VoD platform to offer Bollywood fare

    DreamWorks & Technicolor’s VoD platform to offer Bollywood fare

    MUMBAI: DreamWorks Animation and Technicolor’s video on demand (VOD) JV company M-GO has launched its Bollywood collection comprising a slate of more than two dozen films.

     

    The library of titles, presented in association with Indian film distributor FilmKaravan, features the 2015 release Ek Paheli Leela, starring Sunny Leone.

     

    The reincarnation-themed Ek Paheli Leela, produced by T-Series and distributed by Saavn in North America, is part of an initial assortment of more than two dozen feature Bollywood titles now offered on M-GO, with some available in 4K.

     

    “I am so excited that my fans will now be able to watch Ek Paheli Leela on their favorite digital platforms. I believe in the power of the digital ecosystem and am thrilled that my film will now be available for my fans to watch when they want,” said Leone.

     

    T-Series president Neeraj Kalyan added, “We are proud to be a part of this digital release for our latest title, Ek Paheli Leela on M-GO. Sunny has done an exceptional job and we are glad that this film is the centerpiece of the Indian film category.”

     

    “This partnership with FilmKaravan represents our first concentrated effort to bring even greater variety to our selection of international, foreign language, and independent content. In the increasingly global film community, Bollywood content is incredibly popular with movie fans all over the world, including here in the US,” said M-GO senior vice president of content Cameron Douglas.

     

    “FilmKaravan’s goal is to bring the best of Indian content produced by big studios like Yash Raj Films, Dharma Productions, Excel Entertainment, T-Series and Rajshri, among others, to platforms committed to presenting eclectic programming to their audiences. It gives us great pleasure in partnering with M-GO, one of the fastest growing VOD services, to reach their audiences through aggressive positioning and passionate marketing plans,” said FilmKaravan managing partner Pooja Kohli.

  • Reliance Games & Dreamworks to launch ‘Real Steel’ mobile game in March

    Reliance Games & Dreamworks to launch ‘Real Steel’ mobile game in March

    MUMBAI: Reliance Games will be launching Real Steel Champions to mobile devices in March 2015. Based on the popular movie title franchise and the latest in a series of hit Real Steel games from Reliance and Dreamworks SKG, this is the first game that lets users build robots and then battle with them.

     

    Featuring 10 new arenas, Real Steel Champions lets users create a nearly unlimited combination of robots from both exclusive and legendary robot parts, including fan favorites Atom, Zeus, Noisy Boy, Midas and Metro.

     

    One can choose from iconic Heads, monstrous Torsos and power-packed Hands and Legs to customize and build their very own steel supremacy.

     

    Real Steel Champions comes packed with a new tournament mode, which includes 20 fights with four ruthless bosses, each prepped to go the distance. Players can perfect their jabs, crosses, feints and haymakers across 30 challenges, 90 Time Attack fights and practice their glove game in unlimited Free Sparing mode.

  • Sony Pictures Animation hires DreamWorks’ Kristine Belson as prez

    Sony Pictures Animation hires DreamWorks’ Kristine Belson as prez

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment has appointed Oscar nominee Kristine Belson as president of Sony Pictures Animation (SPA).

     

    In her new role, Belson will lead the development and production of original material as well as current and future franchises, focusing on creating an environment that nurtures animators and artists. She will report to Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chairman and Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group chairman Amy Pascal.

     

    Belson joins Sony Pictures Animation after spending nearly a decade at DreamWorks Animation, where, most recently, she executive produced How to Train Your Dragon and produced The Croods, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. She joined DreamWorks Animation in 2005 as head of development, where she oversaw the development and acquisition of all feature film projects for the company.

     

    “I’m thrilled to have Kristine join the studio – I know she has a first-rate sense of story and a great eye for material. But she’s more than that: Kristine is a visionary who will make our animation studio a home where the animation industry’s best talent can come and make the films they want to make. I am confident Kristine will help SPA become an even more vital component of the way we construct our overall slate,” said Pascal.

     

    Belson added, “Ten years ago I was lucky enough to join DreamWorks Animation, where I developed a deep understanding and love of the artistry of animation. I am now so charged up to be able to bring my experience and perspective to Sony Pictures Animation, to build on what they’ve begun and to reach new heights. I am deeply grateful to Amy, my first mentor, for giving me this incredible opportunity.”

  • DreamWorks Animation restructures film biz; cuts 500 jobs

    DreamWorks Animation restructures film biz; cuts 500 jobs

    MUMBAI: In a major restructuring exercise, DreamWorks Animation will be cutting down on the number of movies it will produce each year, which in turn will lead to a loss of approximately 500 jobs across all locations and all divisions of the studio.

     

    Following a full review of the business, the company will focus its feature production from three films per year down to two, maximize its creative talent and resources, reduce costs, and drive profitability. DreamWorks Animation is implementing this plan to restructure its core feature animation business to ensure the consistent and profitable delivery of films. 

     

    Under the leadership of newly appointed co-presidents of feature animation Bonnie Arnold and Mireille Soria, the studio’s core feature animation production will now focus on six specific movies for the next three years – one original film and one sequel each year – including Kung Fu Panda 3 (18 March, 2016), Trolls (4 November, 2016), Boss Baby (13 January, 2017), The Croods 2 (22 December, 2017), Larrikins (16 February, 2018) and How to Train Your Dragon 3 (29 June, 2018). Captain Underpants, which will be produced outside of the studio’s pipeline at a significantly lower cost, is scheduled for release in 2017. The company’s 2015 release, Home, will premiere domestically on 27 March.

     

    “The number one priority for DreamWorks Animation’s core film business is to deliver consistent creative and financial success. I am confident that this strategic plan will deliver great films, better box office results, and growing profitability across our complementary businesses,” said DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg.

     

    DreamWorks expects to incur a pre-tax charge of approximately $290 million in connection with the restructuring and related items. These costs are expected to be incurred primarily in the quarter ended 31 December, 2014, with the remainder in 2015 and 2016. The plan will result in total cash payments of approximately $110 million incurred primarily in 2015. The restructuring plan is expected to be substantially complete by the end of 2015 and expected to result in annualized pre-tax cost savings of approximately $30 million in 2015, growing to roughly $60 million by 2017.

     

  • Scarlett Johansson to star in DreamWorks’ ‘Ghost in the Shell’

    Scarlett Johansson to star in DreamWorks’ ‘Ghost in the Shell’

    MUMBAI: Scarlett Johansson has been signed on to star in DreamWorks’ upcoming venture, Ghost in the Shell.

     

    The actress, who received accolades for her action lead in Lucy, will feature in the anime-based, live-action thriller directed by Rupert Sanders and written by Bill Wheeler.

     

    Produced by Ari Arad and Steven Paul, Ghost in the Shell is based on the Japanese comic book of the same name. The plot is about the exploits of a member of a covert ops unit of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission that specializes in fighting technology-related crime.

     

    Former DreamWorks executive Mark Sourian, will executive produce the movie, for which Johansson had reportedly, received an offer of US $10 million.

     

    Johansson’s upcoming film includes Avengers: Age of Ultron where she plays the Black Widow.

  • Reliance Entertainment and Dharma Productions sign international distribution deal

    Reliance Entertainment and Dharma Productions sign international distribution deal

    MUMBAI: Dharma productions has got into an agreement with Reliance Entertainment for distributing four movies under the Dharma name overseas. Reliance entertainment’s parent company Anil Dhirubai Ambani Group (ADAG) is equal partners with DreamWorks, allowing it to market and distribute four upcoming movies namely Gori Tere Pyaar Mein, Hassi Toh Phassi, Ungli and Humpty Sharma ki Dulhaniya.

    The first in line is Gori Tere Pyaar Mein starring Kareena Kapoor and Imran Khan. Recently Reliance Entertainment had a deal with Viacom 18 India to distribute its movie Bhaag Milka Bhaag. Movies under the group include big names such as 3 Idiots, Bodyguard, Talaash and Ghajini.

    In the last four years, Reliance entertainment has expanded to around 85 countries.

  • Content explosion an opportunity for TV

    Content explosion an opportunity for TV

    CANNES: “It is all about opportunities and it isn’t simple. Opportunity involves risk and in many instances, feels threatening,” said DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg.

    Named ‘Personality of the Year’, Katzenberg was delivering the key note speech at Mipcom. “If one person seizes a new opportunity, then someone else has to lose ground,” he added.

    Speaking about the evolving television, film and online video markets, he said: “Over the next two years, there will be an explosion of content on the web. In the 40 years I’ve been in the entertainment industry, I don’t think there’s ever been a time filled with so much new and unique opportunity for the world of television.”

    After a successful stint in the film industry, DreamWorks has expanded its footprint to television production and distribution. The production house recently struck a deal with Netflix for providing more than 300 hours of original content, acquired the YouTube multi-channel network AwesomenessTV and partnered with RTL Disney Fernsehen. 

    Dispelling fears that the era of TV was coming to an end, Katzenberg said, “Linear TV will do just fine, even with the internet explosion.”

    Taking the audience through historical advancements since the invention of the printing press in 1445, he said, “Throughout history, it has never been seen that one form of media was replaced by the other newly launched technology.”

    A firm believer in the concept that each technology imparts a new role to that which has come before it, he said: “Because there are so many emerging distribution options, there will inevitably be more demand for content.” 

    Regarding the AwesomenessTV acquisition, Katzenberg said: “The deal gets us directly in touch with our teen audience in a way that we simply can’t with movies or TV shows. Just like an additional layer in a parfait, the entire media experience simply becomes richer and more satisfying.”

    He pitched for mobile entertainment as a solution to the problem of ‘waiting’ saying: “Up until very recently, we literally twiddled our thumbs while we waited. There was nothing else to do. Now our thumbs have a higher purpose than to twiddle. Through touch screens, we actually now can touch the world. Thanks to these devices, ‘waiting’ as we know it, is dead.”

    “Mobile has become an asset to traditional TV, rather than a threat. There is a crossover phenomenon happening in the relationship between mobile and linear TV. For instance, AwesomenessTV created a show by compiling the best clips from its YouTube channel and airing it on Nickelodeon. Mobile serves as an incubator of talent and concepts, driving additional traffic to traditional TV.”

    Katzenberg concluded his keynote by expressing a need for great storytellers. “Storytelling – in any medium – is very difficult, and great storytellers are difficult to find. Whether the media is old or new, content continues to reign as king. And this is because – like all royalty – it is rare. Once the touch of great storytellers is added, touch screens can take us anywhere and everywhere,” he rounded off.

  • The Fifth Estate announced as the Closing Film of the 15th Mumbai Film Festival

    The Fifth Estate announced as the Closing Film of the 15th Mumbai Film Festival

    MUMBAI : As the city’s most eagerly awaited cultural event, the 15th Mumbai Film Festival, organized by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image draws closer, it has been revealed that this edition of the festival will conclude with the screening of ‘The Fifth Estate”as its Closing Film, a dramatic thriller directed by Bill Condon.

     The Fifth Estate is a dramatic thriller based on real events that reveals the quest to expose the deceptions and corruptions of power that turned an Internet upstart into the 21st century’s most fiercely debated organization. The film is co-produced by DreamWorks and Participant Media and opened the  Toronto International Film Festival 2013.

    The story begins as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his colleague Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Daniel Brühl) team up to become underground watchdogs of the privileged and powerful. On a shoestring, they create a platform that allows whistle-blowers to anonymously leak covert data, shining a light on the dark recesses of government secrets and corporate crimes. Soon, they are breaking more hard news than the world’s most legendary media organizations combined. But when Assange and Berg gain access to the biggest trove of confidential intelligence documents in U.S. history, they battle each other and a defining question of our time: what are the costs of keeping secrets in a free society-and what are the costs of exposing them.

    The festival promises to feature a lineup of over 200 movies from 65 countries and  has announced new initiatives as part of the Mumbai Film Mart (Filmy Room and India Project Room) and a brand new Experimental film section to the festival.

    The 15th edition of the Mumbai Film Festival will be held from the 17th – 24th October, 2013 at Liberty  Cinemas and Metro Cinema as the main festival venues and Cinemax, Andheri as the satellite venue. 

  • Benedict Cumberbatch exits Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Crimson Peak’

    Benedict Cumberbatch exits Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Crimson Peak’

    MUMBAI: Benedict Cumberbatch has exited Crimson Peak, the Legendary screamer being directed by Guillermo del Toro.

     

    The reason for his departure is unknown, although sources claim his exit is not due to another project.

     

    Charlie Hunnam, Jessica Chastain and Mia Wasikowska remain on board to star in the four-hander gothic horror story that centers on a woman who discovers that her husband might not be who he appears to be.

     

    Peak is scheduled to shoot in January, and the exit at this early stage gives del Toro plenty of time to find a replacement. The filmmaker has already shown he can roll with the punches when he quickly cast Wasikowska after Emma Stone fell off the movie.

     

    Cumberbatch is entering a busy period where many of his completed films will hit screens. Dreamworks’ The Fifth Estate kicks off the Toronto International Film Festival in September, Fox Searchlight’s 12 Years a Slave opens on 18 October, while the all-star August: Osage County opens this Christmas.

     

    He is also voicing the dragon Smaug in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and is in preproduction on The Imitation Game, in which he will portray gay cryptographer Alan Turing.

  • Om Puri joins Helen Mirren in Lasse Hallstrom’s ‘The Hundred-Foot Journey’

    Om Puri joins Helen Mirren in Lasse Hallstrom’s ‘The Hundred-Foot Journey’

    MUMBAI: The Indian actor has been cast in DreamWorks’ adaptation of Richard C Morais’ best-seller. Om Puri has starred in dozens of films but is best known stateside for East Is East (1999).

     

    The Hundred-Foot Journey follows an Indian family that moves to France and opens an Indian restaurant a hundred feet across the street from a Michelin-starred French restaurant. The ensuing battle between the eateries tests the power of family, loyalty and love.

     

    Helen Mirren, Manish Dayal, Charlotte Le Bon also star in director Lasse Hallstrom’s film, which is produced by Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and Juliet Blake. Steve Knight wrote the script. Disney will release the pic in the US on 8 August 2014.