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Tag: Star Trek

  • Pamela Kaufman replaces Raffaele Annecchino to lead Paramount Global’s international business

    Pamela Kaufman replaces Raffaele Annecchino to lead Paramount Global’s international business

    Mumbai: Pamela Kaufman has been appointed as Paramount Global’s new president and CEO of international markets, global consumer products, and experiences. Prior to joining this position, Kaufman was the president of global consumer products and experiences.

    This newly created position reports to Paramount president and CEO Bob Bakish. The company said that this move reflects its ongoing strategy of globalising its operations. has decided to leave the company in his role as

    Former Paramount International Networks, Studios, and Streaming president and CEO Raffaele Annecchino, who, according to the studio, has “decided to leave the company,” was suddenly put on leave last month. At the time, no more information concerning his departure was made public.

    In her expanded role, Kaufman will be responsible for driving the continued growth of Paramount’s international business and ensuring the strength of the company’s international operations across six continents, including broadcast and cable networks, streaming and studios, and the company’s commercial capabilities. She will work closely with Paramount’s international leadership team, as well as the global content and streaming organisation, to do so, including helping to guide the continued international rollout of Paramount+ and Pluto TV. Kaufman will maintain her current responsibilities overseeing the global multi-billion-dollar consumer products and experiences organisation.

    “Pam has been the strategic force behind growing and expanding some of the most iconic global franchises and properties in entertainment,” Bakish said in a statement. “She is a proven and trusted visionary leader who has transformed our consumer products organisation by driving innovation and operating as a global business. Pam is uniquely qualified to lead our international business as we expand and diversify our worldwide footprint and accelerate Paramount’s transformation to operate with a truly global approach.”

    Bakish added, “I want to extend my thanks to Raffaele Annecchino for the critical role he has played in building Paramount’s international business and expanding our global footprint. I am grateful for the dedication he has shown throughout his 25 years at Paramount and wish him well in the future.”

    Speaking on joining her new role, Kaufman said, “I am honoured to take on this role at such a pivotal time for Paramount’s international business. I know firsthand the global strength of our brand portfolio, and I look forward to working with Bob and the incredible international team as we continue pursuing our global growth strategy, investing in key partnerships, furthering our push into mobile and digital platforms in new markets, and operating as one team globally.”

    In November 2021, Kaufman assumed the role of Paramount president, global consumer products and experiences, overseeing worldwide product and business development, marketing, franchise planning, creative strategy, retail sales, and consumer insights for all brands in the portfolio. In less than a year, Kaufman has led the transformation of the consumer products business, unifying the organisation by placing the full power of the Paramount ecosystem behind its most valuable IP. Her commitment to transformation, innovation, and brand building has led to some of the most groundbreaking partnerships in the company’s history, including cutting-edge co-branded collaborations with the biggest names in social media.

    Kaufman was also responsible for Viacom’s first direct-to-consumer e-commerce site in 2019 – The SpongeBob Shop – and has since led the expansion of additional online direct-to-consumer businesses for merchandise tied to various top CBS and Showtime programming, including similar standalone initiatives for brands such as Star Trek, South Park, and MTV.

    Prior to that role, she served as Nickelodeon’s president of consumer products and CMO. She was responsible for building Nickelodeon’s franchises, ranging from PAW Patrol to SpongeBob SquarePants, shepherding them through important tentpole campaigns and milestone celebrations.

    Before joining Nickelodeon back in 1997, Kaufman held positions at Turner International, Equity Marketing, and Grey Advertising.

  • Youku Tudou licenses Paramount’s movie titles for TVOD

    Youku Tudou licenses Paramount’s movie titles for TVOD

    MUMBAI: China’s Youku Tudou, Inc has entered into a content licensing agreement with Paramount Pictures that will bring more than a hundred film titles from Paramount Picture’s library to Youku Tudou.

     

    Popular franchises and titles such as Transformers, Shrek, Star Trek, Mission: Impossible and Forrest Gump will be viewable through Youku Tudou’s subscription service and select future Paramount releases will be available through TVOD.

     

    Youku Tudou’s subscription service currently offers a wide selection of content from both foreign and domestic studios. More licensed content as well as Youku Tudou web-native content will be added on an ongoing basis.

     

    “The consumer-driven demand for premium online services in China is growing rapidly. With top branded content such as Paramount Picture’s array of films, our commitment to enhancing our subscription services to create a premium experience and drive consumer-based revenue continues in earnest,” said Youku Tudou chairman and CEO Victor Koo.

     

    With this agreement, Youku Tudou now has a library of over 4,000 movie titles that encompass domestic, foreign and original productions.

  • RIP Mr Spock: Star Trek’s Leonard Limoy returns to the stars

    RIP Mr Spock: Star Trek’s Leonard Limoy returns to the stars

    MUMBAI: One of Hollywood’s most well known faces of the sci-fi property Star Trek, Leonard Limoy passed away aged 83. He played the role of a human alien philosopher and first officer Mr Spock in the popular series.

     

    The actor sent his last tweet on Monday, which suggested that he knew the end was coming soon. It said, “A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP.”

     

    His wife Susan Bay Nimoy told the New York Times that Limoy passed away on Friday morning due to an end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Bel-Air. Some days before he had been hospitalised at the UCLA medical center with breathing difficulties.

     

    His famous salutation “Live long and prosper” will be remembered the most.

     

    US President Barack Obama took a few minutes to remember Nimoy’s most famous character. “Long before being nerdy was cool, there was Leonard Nimoy, I loved Spock,” he said.

  • Third ‘Star Trek’ movie to be directed by Justin Lin

    Third ‘Star Trek’ movie to be directed by Justin Lin

    MUMBAI: Justin Lin, the fame behind directing many of the Fast and Furious films, has signed on to direct the third Star Trek movie. He has replaced Roberto Orci, who exited the project in early December.

     

    The first two instalments in the Paramount, SkyDance Productions and Bad Robot Star Trek franchise were helmed by J.J. Abrams, who did not return for the third so he could direct the new Star Wars film.

     

    Lin helmed Fast and Furious 6, Fast Five, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and 2009’s Fast and Furious. He was most recently attached to The Bourne Betrayal, which was to star Jeremy Renner, but plans have been put on hold as another Bourne film, starring Matt Damon and directed by Paul Greengrass, moves forward.

     

    Lin is repped by CAA, Cinetic Management and Sloss Eckhouse.

  • Third ‘Star Trek’ movie to be directed by Justin Lin

    Third ‘Star Trek’ movie to be directed by Justin Lin

    MUMBAI: Justin Lin, the fame behind directing many of the Fast and Furious films, has signed on to direct the third Star Trek movie. He has replaced Roberto Orci, who exited the project in early December.

     

    The first two instalments in the Paramount, SkyDance Productions and Bad Robot Star Trek franchise were helmed by J.J. Abrams, who did not return for the third so he could direct the new Star Wars film.

     

    Lin helmed Fast and Furious 6, Fast Five, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and 2009’s Fast and Furious. He was most recently attached to The Bourne Betrayal, which was to star Jeremy Renner, but plans have been put on hold as another Bourne film, starring Matt Damon and directed by Paul Greengrass, moves forward.

     

    Lin is repped by CAA, Cinetic Management and Sloss Eckhouse.

  • 2nd BAFTA Film Talent Showcase in NY, LA

    2nd BAFTA Film Talent Showcase in NY, LA

    MUMBAI: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has today announced that it will profile BAFTA-winning director Amma Asante (A Way of Life, Belle) in April at the first of this year’s ‘Brits to Watch: The Screenings’, a series of showcase events hosted by BAFTA in New York and Los Angeles, in partnership with British Council, that introduce outstanding British film talent to the US film industry.

     

    On Tuesday 1 April in New York, and on Thursday 3 April in Los Angeles, director Amma Asante will be introduced at a screening of her second feature film Belle, which premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival to strong reviews, and opened this year’s Palm Springs International Film Festival. Belle is inspired by the true story of a mixed race girl raised as an aristocratic Lady in England around the time of the abolition of slavery. The film will be released by Fox Searchlight in the US on Friday 2 May, and in the UK on Friday 13 June.

     

    In 2005, BAFTA awarded Asante the Carl Foreman Award for the Most Promising Newcomer for her debut film A Way of Life. She was also named Best Director – Drama at the BAFTA Cymru Awards in Wales in the same year.

     

    At each ‘Brits to Watch: The Screenings’ event, a British actor, director, writer or producer who shows great promise presents a sample of recent work to an exclusive audience of film industry professionals. BAFTA also arranges a number of follow-up meetings for the individuals to meet with key industry figures in both cities.

     

    Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA exclaimed his delight on continuing our ‘Brits to Watch’ activity in 2014. Three years ago, with the support of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, he launched their very first ‘Brits to Watch’ event in Los Angeles. Since then, BAFTA introduced a range of activity to support up-and-coming British talent and, now in its second year, ‘Brits to Watch: The Screenings’ – a strand that BAFTA is uniquely placed to deliver – introduces British rising stars to the US film industry. “I am thrilled that Amma Asante, a very talented film maker, and a BAFTA winner – is our next ‘Brit to Watch’.”

     

    Nigel Daly, Chairman of BAFTA Los Angeles, added: “The Brits to Watch: The Screenings series is central to BAFTA’s mission, and here in Los Angeles we are in a privileged position to offer a platform for the best British talents as they break through to the US marketplace. There is a long tradition of talent exchange between the US and UK, and we are honored to showcase the new generation of talents and support Amma as she furthers her career in the US.”

     

    Charles Tremayne, Chairman of BAFTA New York, added: “This is the second year of our Brits to Watch: The Screenings program in New York and we are delighted that we have been able to bring such talented up and coming individuals to showcase their considerable work in America. It’s a vital role for BAFTA as New York is clearly where Britain meets America so it’s even more important that we continue to encourage directors, producers, writers and actors from both sides of the pond to work together to create excellence in a truly globalized entertainment world.”

     

    Briony Hanson, Director of Film at British Council, said: “British Council is delighted to be continuing the series by showcasing the talents of Amma Asante. She’s a perfect fit for the programme having made a hugely confident second feature in Belle which marries a traditional view of British Cinema – period drama and a top notch cast – with a very unusual and surprising story. We really look forward to helping her connect with the US industry during her visit.”

     

    The first ‘Brits to Watch: The Screenings’ events took place in 2013 with BAFTA-nominated directors Clio Barnard (The Selfish Giant) and Richard Laxton (Burton and Taylor). As a result of their trips, Barnard has secured US representation with The Gersh Agency and is in contact with a number of US producers about future projects, while Laxton is in talks on a number of US projects, one of which is expected to be announced imminently.

     

    The series builds on the legacy of BAFTA’s 2011 ‘Brits to Watch’ initiative supported by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at which BAFTA introduced 42 promising British newcomers to leading figures in the US film, television and games industries at a black-tie gala event in Los Angeles. It is endorsed by ‘Friends of Brits to Watch: The Screenings’, a high-profile group of film professionals including: actors Damian Lewis (Homeland) Tom Hiddleston (Avengers Assemble, Midnight in Paris), Andrea Riseborough (Shadow Dancer, Brighton Rock), Simon Pegg(Star Trek, The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn), Alice Eve (Star Trek Into Darkness, Men in Black 3) and Sienna Miller (The Girl, Interview), Rebecca Hall (Parade’s End, Vicky Christina Barcelona) and David Harewood (Homeland, Blood Diamond); director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World); screenwriter John Logan (Skyfall, Hugo, The Aviator); and writer, director and producer Armando Iannucci (Veep, In The Loop).

  • Paramount bundling World War Z and Star Trek Into Darkness as double feature

    Paramount bundling World War Z and Star Trek Into Darkness as double feature

    MUMBAI: The studio plans to squeeze more life out of its undead hit and space sequel. Paramount and a clutch of exhibitors are going back to the future for a week with an old-fashioned double feature of summer tentpoles World War Z and Star Trek Into Darkness starting Friday.

     

    The twin bill screens in 3D or 2D through 5 September in select AMC, Regal, Carmike, Marcus and other theaters for the price of a single ticket. It’s the second stunt playdates for Brad Pitt’s zombie flick – third if you count a late-add IMAX run – following its $50 “Mega Ticket” deal that included an advance screening, a home video copy of the film, 3D glasses, a poster and popcorn. With more than $526 million worldwide, WWZ is Pitt’s highest-grossing film ever. J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek Into Darkness has banked $458.7 million worldwide and spawned another sequel.

  • Star Trek director J.J. Abrams to move into Star Wars mode

    Star Trek director J.J. Abrams to move into Star Wars mode

    MUMBAI: After successfully re-launching and establishing the Star Trek franchise, the Star Trek Into Darkness director, J.J. Abrams is all geared up to scale the astronomical franchise Star Wars. He recently shared his thoughts at the Produced By conference about his latest directorial venture Star Wars: Episode 7.
     
    Speaking about the challenges of directing the new movie he said, "I think that the thing is so big and so massive to so many people that the key to moving forward is honoring but not revering what went before."
     
    While the production on Star Wars Episode VII is set to start right at the beginning of 2014, the sci-fi movie is slated for a summer 2015 release. He also let out that he would be moving over to London with his family by the end of the year, to commence the shoot. However given the choice he would preferred to shoot the Star Wars movie in L.A. but as sources report the plan to shoot Star Wars Episode 7 for Disney in the UK was set much before Abrams was brought on board.
     
    Abrams however remained put when asked by Hudlin about the storyline or whether the movie would be based partially on the dozens of novels that have come out over the years bridging various unexplored aspects of the films‘ characters in the franchise.
     
    Abrams also discussed his feelings about the future of George Lucas, the legendary creator of the Star Wars saga, after he sold Lucas films to Disney last year. "George Lucas has spoken for years about wanting to make those smaller, more experimental films and I hope he does because I‘d really like to see them," he said.
     
    Disney and Lucas film had announced last month that the Abrams-directed and Michael Arndt-scripted movie will be shot in the UK and that the latest incarnation of the Star Wars series is expected for summer 2015 release with two more films adding to franchise to follow over the next few years.
     
    J.J. Abrams who made his feature directorial debut in the Tom Cruise starrer Mission Impossible 3, also has clips from Lost, Alias, Fringe, Person of Interest, Super 8 and the Star Trek films to his credit.

  • Star Trek into Darkness appreciated at the Hollywood premier

    Star Trek into Darkness appreciated at the Hollywood premier

    MUMBAI: Paramount Pictures‘ Star Trek into Darkness, an American science fiction action film creates a lot of excitement at the Hollywood Premier. Stars like Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Alice Eve, Karl Urban, Peter Weller and John Cho hit the silver carpet at the Dolby Theatre on Tuesday, reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
     
    Directed by J.J. Abrams and co-written and produced by Damon Lindelof, walked the carpet and shared their excitement about returning to the U.S.S. Enterprise. Zoe Saldana stole the audience‘s attention with her supernova-like appearance in her sheer, brown dress. She praised Abrams, who is signed on to direct the next Star Wars film.
     
    The movie‘s suspense challenges the viewers as it‘s not one of those movies where the person get‘s an idea what is going to happen next.
     
    One of the reasons that motivated director Abrams to make the sequel was the star cast. Their work was very well appreciated by the audiences in the past and he wanted to work with them again.
     
    Zachary Quinto, who plays Spock in the summer blockbuster, was the last to hit the carpet and said he loved this cast and called them a great group of people with a strong commitment to their work.
     
    Star Trek into Darkness opens nationwide in IMAX 3D on 16 May.