Editors note: Michael Seitzman is a veteran film and TV writer and showrunner. He created the series Code Black and Intelligence and penned the Charlize Theron-starring movie North Country. In a guest column titled “Because Jews,” he shares his impassioned take on the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and its reverberations around Hollywood.
I’ve worked in Hollywood for the better part of three decades. Everyone here has rules about the stories they tell. A big one for me is, don’t ask what you need to tell the audience, ask what you can get away with not telling the audience. This is part of a process we like to call information management. Allow me to illustrate.
Last week, a letter was making the rounds in Hollywood, demanding that organizations like the Writers Guild of America not bend to “pressure campaigns to force them to align with Israel as it lays siege on Gaza.
I’ve worked in Hollywood for the better part of three decades. Everyone here has rules about the stories they tell. A big one for me is, don’t ask what you need to tell the audience, ask what you can get away with not telling the audience. This is part of a process we like to call information management. Allow me to illustrate.
Last week, a letter was making the rounds in Hollywood, demanding that organizations like the Writers Guild of America not bend to “pressure campaigns to force them to align with Israel as it lays siege on Gaza.
- 10/27/2023
- by Michael Seitzman
- Deadline Film + TV
A group of screenwriters including Eli Roth, Graham Yost and Amy Chozick have issued an open letter decrying the Writers Guild of America’s silence on last week’s Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel.
In the letter, posted to the blog site Medium, the screenwriters mention the statements already issued by other Hollywood guilds, including SAG-AFTRA and the directors’ guild.
“When it comes to taking a stand, the Writers Guild of America has always led by example,” the statement said. “When employers sought to exploit our work, the Guild bravely spoke up. When the BLM movement took flight, the Guild rightfully spoke up. When the #MeToo reckoning came and Hollywood needed to change, again the Guild spoke up. But when terrorists invaded Israel to murder, rape, and kidnap Jews… the Guild stayed silent. It remains the only major Hollywood union to do so.”
SAG-AFTRA and the DGA were among the Hollywood studios,...
In the letter, posted to the blog site Medium, the screenwriters mention the statements already issued by other Hollywood guilds, including SAG-AFTRA and the directors’ guild.
“When it comes to taking a stand, the Writers Guild of America has always led by example,” the statement said. “When employers sought to exploit our work, the Guild bravely spoke up. When the BLM movement took flight, the Guild rightfully spoke up. When the #MeToo reckoning came and Hollywood needed to change, again the Guild spoke up. But when terrorists invaded Israel to murder, rape, and kidnap Jews… the Guild stayed silent. It remains the only major Hollywood union to do so.”
SAG-AFTRA and the DGA were among the Hollywood studios,...
- 10/15/2023
- by Jeremy Bailey
- The Wrap
Tribeca Festival 2023 TV Lineup: Steven Soderbergh’s Max Series ‘Full Circle’ Set for World Premiere
The 2023 Tribeca Festival, which announced its film lineup on Tuesday, has now also revealed this year’s TV offerings — including eight series premieres and two first looks at fan favorites. Leading the world premieres is “Full Circle,” from Max (the soon-to-be renamed streamer formerly known as HBO Max) and director Steven Soderbergh. The show, about a botched kidnapping in New York, stars starring Dennis Quaid, Claire Danes, Timothy Olyphant, Zazie Beetz and Jharrel Jerome.
Networks and streamers represented at this year’s Tribeca Festival include Disney+, Max, Apple TV+, Starz, AMC, A&e and BET+. Other premieres include Amazon Prime Video’s “The Horror Of Dolores Roach,” starring Justina Machado; and BET+’s “Diarra From Detroit,” a dark comedy about a divorcing school teacher, from writer and star Diarra Kilpatrick, as well as executive producer Kenya Barris.
Also on tap is the HBO Sports doc “The Golden Boy,” about Oscar De La Hoya,...
Networks and streamers represented at this year’s Tribeca Festival include Disney+, Max, Apple TV+, Starz, AMC, A&e and BET+. Other premieres include Amazon Prime Video’s “The Horror Of Dolores Roach,” starring Justina Machado; and BET+’s “Diarra From Detroit,” a dark comedy about a divorcing school teacher, from writer and star Diarra Kilpatrick, as well as executive producer Kenya Barris.
Also on tap is the HBO Sports doc “The Golden Boy,” about Oscar De La Hoya,...
- 4/20/2023
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
The 2023 Tribeca Festival has announced its lineup of world premieres of new and returning television, including the world premieres of Steven Soderbergh’s Max series Full Circle about a botched kidnapping that reveals long-held secrets in present-day New York City, Prime Video’s Sweeney Todd-inspired The Horror of Dolores Roach and BET+’s Diarra From Detroit, a dark comedy executive produced by Kenya Barris that centers on a divorcing school teacher.
The fest, which runs June 7-18, announced its film slate earlier this week.
The eight series premieres and two first looks also include The Golden Boy, a documentary about Oscar De La Hoya, Disney+’s Choir, the story behind America’s Got Talent finalists the Detroit Youth Choir, A&e’s Exposing Parchman, an investigative documentary about the efforts to reform the Mississippi correctional system and Paramount+’s De La Calle, a docu-series that delves into the Latino diaspora.
Also...
The fest, which runs June 7-18, announced its film slate earlier this week.
The eight series premieres and two first looks also include The Golden Boy, a documentary about Oscar De La Hoya, Disney+’s Choir, the story behind America’s Got Talent finalists the Detroit Youth Choir, A&e’s Exposing Parchman, an investigative documentary about the efforts to reform the Mississippi correctional system and Paramount+’s De La Calle, a docu-series that delves into the Latino diaspora.
Also...
- 4/20/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Gersh on Tuesday announced their signing of Raúl Martínez, the Mexican director known for Spanish-language titles including The Waiter, which came in as the highest-grossing film native to the country in its July 2021 debut.
Related Story WME Signs ‘Yellowjackets’ EP Karyn Kusama Related Story 'Blindspot' & 'Thor: Love And Thunder' Star Jaimie Alexander Signs With Gersh Related Story Emmy-Nominated 'House Of Cards' Alum Molly Parker Inks With Gersh
In the comedy penned by Alberto Bremer and Martínez, a waiter pretends to be an important businessman in order to reach the upper class through his entrepreneurial dreams.
Other notable big-screen titles from Martínez include Cuando sea joven for Eugenio Derbez’s 3Pas Studios and Lionsgate’s Pantelion; The Patriarch for Panorama Global and Distant Horizon; and Grumpy Christmas for Panorama and Netflix.
Martínez is currently attached to direct the comedy Cholitas, based on a script by Jason Richman and Kira Kalush,...
Related Story WME Signs ‘Yellowjackets’ EP Karyn Kusama Related Story 'Blindspot' & 'Thor: Love And Thunder' Star Jaimie Alexander Signs With Gersh Related Story Emmy-Nominated 'House Of Cards' Alum Molly Parker Inks With Gersh
In the comedy penned by Alberto Bremer and Martínez, a waiter pretends to be an important businessman in order to reach the upper class through his entrepreneurial dreams.
Other notable big-screen titles from Martínez include Cuando sea joven for Eugenio Derbez’s 3Pas Studios and Lionsgate’s Pantelion; The Patriarch for Panorama Global and Distant Horizon; and Grumpy Christmas for Panorama and Netflix.
Martínez is currently attached to direct the comedy Cholitas, based on a script by Jason Richman and Kira Kalush,...
- 3/21/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Blumhouse Television has promoted Chris Dickie to executive vice president of scripted development and programming, Variety has learned exclusively.
A five-year veteran of the Jason Blum-founded company, Dickie oversees a team of eight working on current and development across ongoing and limited series, domestic and international, television movies and streaming features, animation and podcasts.
“Chris Dickie has consistently proven to be a creative and strategic executive possessing great instincts for material and the Eq essential for being a leader at Blumhouse,” Chris McCumber, president of Blumhouse Television, said. “I have full confidence in his ability to lead the team as we steer towards an exciting television slate in 2023 and beyond.”
“Chris is a best-in-class executive, with terrific taste, an unparalleled work ethic, and vast and deep relationships. It’s a true pleasure to watch him continue to grow” Jeremy Gold, president of production at Blumhouse Television, said.
Dickie added:...
A five-year veteran of the Jason Blum-founded company, Dickie oversees a team of eight working on current and development across ongoing and limited series, domestic and international, television movies and streaming features, animation and podcasts.
“Chris Dickie has consistently proven to be a creative and strategic executive possessing great instincts for material and the Eq essential for being a leader at Blumhouse,” Chris McCumber, president of Blumhouse Television, said. “I have full confidence in his ability to lead the team as we steer towards an exciting television slate in 2023 and beyond.”
“Chris is a best-in-class executive, with terrific taste, an unparalleled work ethic, and vast and deep relationships. It’s a true pleasure to watch him continue to grow” Jeremy Gold, president of production at Blumhouse Television, said.
Dickie added:...
- 9/15/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
The scripted and unscripted series based on “The Battersea Poltergeist” from Blumhouse Television and Maniac Productions have been set up at Peacock for development, Variety has learned exclusively.
Both projects are based on the BBC Radio 4 docu-drama podcast “The Battersea Poltergeist.” It was first announced as being in the works in May 2021, though no network or streaming service was attached at that time.
The shows are meant to be the first installment of a new anthology series called “Blumhouse’s Ghost Story.” “The Battersea Poltergeist” tells the story of strange events that occurred in 1956 in Battersea, South London, when 15-year old Shirley Hitchings first began being terrorized by a powerful force. The events were investigated over a 12-year period, becoming the longest documented poltergeist haunting in history. The unscripted companion series will delve deeper into the story through the use of archival footage and new interviews.
Blumhouse TV and...
Both projects are based on the BBC Radio 4 docu-drama podcast “The Battersea Poltergeist.” It was first announced as being in the works in May 2021, though no network or streaming service was attached at that time.
The shows are meant to be the first installment of a new anthology series called “Blumhouse’s Ghost Story.” “The Battersea Poltergeist” tells the story of strange events that occurred in 1956 in Battersea, South London, when 15-year old Shirley Hitchings first began being terrorized by a powerful force. The events were investigated over a 12-year period, becoming the longest documented poltergeist haunting in history. The unscripted companion series will delve deeper into the story through the use of archival footage and new interviews.
Blumhouse TV and...
- 7/7/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
New Amsterdam‘s Ryan Eggold and Good Sam‘s Sophia Bush contributed their time and talents for a new “Stop the Bleed” PSA to help war victims in Ukraine.
Many Ukrainians don’t have access to the internet, so the goal of the Stop the Bleed campaign is to make sure the PSA spreads virally worldwide to reach as many civilians as possible with the lifesaving information. Co-stars of Eggold and Bush like Alejandro Hernandez, Conner Marx, Freema Agyeman, Janet Montgomery, Jocko Sims and Sandra Mae Frank also helped with the PSA, which shares simple life-saving skills to stop deadly bleeding.
Both New Amsterdam and Good Sam are well known in the Ukraine. Good Sam showrunner Katie Wech and New Amsterdam showrunner David Schulner played a pivotal role in making the PSA a reality.
Maniac Productions founder Michael Seitzman wrote the PSA script with input from physicians...
Many Ukrainians don’t have access to the internet, so the goal of the Stop the Bleed campaign is to make sure the PSA spreads virally worldwide to reach as many civilians as possible with the lifesaving information. Co-stars of Eggold and Bush like Alejandro Hernandez, Conner Marx, Freema Agyeman, Janet Montgomery, Jocko Sims and Sandra Mae Frank also helped with the PSA, which shares simple life-saving skills to stop deadly bleeding.
Both New Amsterdam and Good Sam are well known in the Ukraine. Good Sam showrunner Katie Wech and New Amsterdam showrunner David Schulner played a pivotal role in making the PSA a reality.
Maniac Productions founder Michael Seitzman wrote the PSA script with input from physicians...
- 4/14/2022
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Marc Barson has been upped at Blumouse Television.
Barson, who was SVP, Business and Legal Affairs and Co-Head of Business and Legal Affairs at The Thing About Pam producer, has been promoted to EVP and Head of Business and Legal Affairs. He was previously co-head with Anne Pedersen, who departed the company last year.
Reporting to Blumhouse Television President Chris McCumber, he will oversee all business and legal affairs for the television arm for the company, leading a team that is expected to double in size over the next year.
He has been involved in deals for series including Renee Zellweger’s The Thing About Pam, which just launched on NBC, The Horror of Dolores Roach starring Justina Machado for Amazon and development projects such as Later, based on the Stephen King novel, created by Raelle Tucker with Lucy Liu attached to star, WWE’s first scripted series The United States vs.
Barson, who was SVP, Business and Legal Affairs and Co-Head of Business and Legal Affairs at The Thing About Pam producer, has been promoted to EVP and Head of Business and Legal Affairs. He was previously co-head with Anne Pedersen, who departed the company last year.
Reporting to Blumhouse Television President Chris McCumber, he will oversee all business and legal affairs for the television arm for the company, leading a team that is expected to double in size over the next year.
He has been involved in deals for series including Renee Zellweger’s The Thing About Pam, which just launched on NBC, The Horror of Dolores Roach starring Justina Machado for Amazon and development projects such as Later, based on the Stephen King novel, created by Raelle Tucker with Lucy Liu attached to star, WWE’s first scripted series The United States vs.
- 3/10/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Prolific television director David Von Ancken, who also helmed the feature Seraphim Falls, passed away July 26 at his home in Agoura Hills, CA after a two-year battle with aggressive stomach cancer. He was 56.
David Von Ancken, known lovingly as “Dva,” was born in New York on December 5, 1964. His career got off to a hot start with the 2001 short Bullet In the Brain, starring Tom Noonan and Dean Winters, which Von Ancken wrote and directed. It won Universal/Hypnotic Films’ Million Dollar Film Festival as well as numerous other festival awards and opened the doors for Von Ancken to embark on a directing career.
He became a sought-after — and beloved — episodic director who worked on some three dozen series over the past two decades, including Oz, Without a Trace, The Shield, Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries, The Mentalist, Person of Interest, The Following, Intelligence, House of Lies, MacGyver, The Crossing and The Purge.
David Von Ancken, known lovingly as “Dva,” was born in New York on December 5, 1964. His career got off to a hot start with the 2001 short Bullet In the Brain, starring Tom Noonan and Dean Winters, which Von Ancken wrote and directed. It won Universal/Hypnotic Films’ Million Dollar Film Festival as well as numerous other festival awards and opened the doors for Von Ancken to embark on a directing career.
He became a sought-after — and beloved — episodic director who worked on some three dozen series over the past two decades, including Oz, Without a Trace, The Shield, Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries, The Mentalist, Person of Interest, The Following, Intelligence, House of Lies, MacGyver, The Crossing and The Purge.
- 7/28/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Christina Davis is leaving her position as Starz’s president of original programming after just a little more than a year.
“Christina Davis has decided to resign her position to pursue other opportunities,” a Starz spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. “We wish her the best and thank her for her contributions during the past year.”
Karen Bailey, executive vice president of original programming, will lead the programming team while Starz searches for a permanent successor.
Davis came aboard last year following the departure of Carmi Zlotnik, who left the pay-cable network for a producing deal with Apple. Zlotnick had been with Starz for 10 years.
During her brief tenure, Starz launched “Blindspotting,” and has the upcoming “Gaslit,” “The Serpent Queen” and “Black Mafia Family.”
This year, Starz launched its #TakeTheLead diversity and inclusion initiative. Nearly two-thirds of Starz original series feature nonwhite actors or actresses in the lead roles,...
“Christina Davis has decided to resign her position to pursue other opportunities,” a Starz spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. “We wish her the best and thank her for her contributions during the past year.”
Karen Bailey, executive vice president of original programming, will lead the programming team while Starz searches for a permanent successor.
Davis came aboard last year following the departure of Carmi Zlotnik, who left the pay-cable network for a producing deal with Apple. Zlotnick had been with Starz for 10 years.
During her brief tenure, Starz launched “Blindspotting,” and has the upcoming “Gaslit,” “The Serpent Queen” and “Black Mafia Family.”
This year, Starz launched its #TakeTheLead diversity and inclusion initiative. Nearly two-thirds of Starz original series feature nonwhite actors or actresses in the lead roles,...
- 6/17/2021
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Christina Davis is stepping down as president of original programming at Starz, Variety has confirmed.
“Christina Davis has decided to resign her position to pursue other opportunities,” a Starz spokesperson said in a statement to Variety. “We wish her the best and thank her for her contributions during the past year.”
The news comes a little over a year after Davis first joined the premium cabler, taking over the role previously held by Carmi Zlotnik. Zlotnik had left Starz in January 2020 to pursue a production deal at Apple TV Plus.
Davis’ hiring was first reported in March 2020, meaning that despite being the head of original programming for the network for a year, she never got to meet her team in person due to the workplace shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The search is now on for her replacement. In the meantime, executive vice president of original programming Karen Bailey will lead Davis’ team,...
“Christina Davis has decided to resign her position to pursue other opportunities,” a Starz spokesperson said in a statement to Variety. “We wish her the best and thank her for her contributions during the past year.”
The news comes a little over a year after Davis first joined the premium cabler, taking over the role previously held by Carmi Zlotnik. Zlotnik had left Starz in January 2020 to pursue a production deal at Apple TV Plus.
Davis’ hiring was first reported in March 2020, meaning that despite being the head of original programming for the network for a year, she never got to meet her team in person due to the workplace shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The search is now on for her replacement. In the meantime, executive vice president of original programming Karen Bailey will lead Davis’ team,...
- 6/17/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Christina Davis has stepped down from her post as President of Original Programming at Starz after a little over a year. I hear Davis just informed her team of her decision.
“Christina Davis has decided to resign her position to pursue other opportunities,” a Starz spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. “We wish her the best and thank her for her contributions during the past year.”
Former CBS head of drama Davis, who started at Starz during the pandemic and never got to meet her team — or bosses — in person, led Starz’s programming and development team. She is expected to take some time off before deciding on her next career move.
A search has been launched for Davis’ successor. In the meantime, EVP Original Programming Karen Bailey will lead the programming and development team with the oversight of Starz President and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch.
While at Starz,...
“Christina Davis has decided to resign her position to pursue other opportunities,” a Starz spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. “We wish her the best and thank her for her contributions during the past year.”
Former CBS head of drama Davis, who started at Starz during the pandemic and never got to meet her team — or bosses — in person, led Starz’s programming and development team. She is expected to take some time off before deciding on her next career move.
A search has been launched for Davis’ successor. In the meantime, EVP Original Programming Karen Bailey will lead the programming and development team with the oversight of Starz President and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch.
While at Starz,...
- 6/17/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Blumhouse Secures Rights To Longest Documented Poltergeist Haunting In History: "May 25, 2021, Los Angeles, CA -- In an ultra competitive bidding situation, Blumhouse Television and Michael Seitzman’s Maniac Productions have secured the rights to BBC Radio 4’s “The Battersea Poltergeist” podcast, presented by Danny Robins, which the company is developing as the first season of a scripted ongoing series and a companion unscripted series, titled Blumhouse’s Ghost Story. Additionally, the companies have also secured Hitchings’ life rights, as well as the rights to her and James Clark’s book, The Poltergeist Prince of London: The Remarkable True Story of the Battersea Poltergeist.
The wildly popular docu-drama podcast, written and presented by Danny Robins, was the #1 drama podcast worldwide on Apple Podcasts and features the voices of Dafne Keen (Logan) and Toby Jones (The Dark Crystal). The podcast documents the strange events focused around Shirley Hitchings in 1956 that were investigated over a 12-year period,...
The wildly popular docu-drama podcast, written and presented by Danny Robins, was the #1 drama podcast worldwide on Apple Podcasts and features the voices of Dafne Keen (Logan) and Toby Jones (The Dark Crystal). The podcast documents the strange events focused around Shirley Hitchings in 1956 that were investigated over a 12-year period,...
- 5/26/2021
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
The haunting of Shirley Hitchings is getting made into not one, but two Blumhouse TV series. BBC Radio 4’s The Battersea Poltergeist, which tells the story of the “strange events focused around Shirley Hitchings in 1956,” will be adapted into both a scripted series and a documentary series by Blumhouse, which is teaming up with Michael Seitzman’s […]
The post ‘The Battersea Poltergeist’ Podcast is Becoming a Blumhouse Scripted Series and Docuseries appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘The Battersea Poltergeist’ Podcast is Becoming a Blumhouse Scripted Series and Docuseries appeared first on /Film.
- 5/26/2021
- by Hoai-Tran Bui
- Slash Film
In a competitive situation, Blumhouse Television and Maniac Productions have secured the rights to the BBC Radio 4 podcast “The Battersea Poltergeist.”
The two companies will now work to develop a scripted series titled “Blumhouse’s Ghost Story,” with the podcast serving as the basis for the first season. In addition, they will develop an unscripted companion series. Blumhouse TV and Maniac have also secured the life rights of Shirley Hitchings, who was the subject of the longest documented poltergeist haunting in history. They will also have the rights to Hitchings’ and James Clark’s book “The Poltergeist Prince of London: The Remarkable True Story of the Battersea Poltergeist.”
The docu-drama podcast, written and presented by Danny Robins, features the voices of Dafne Keen and Toby Jones. It has amassed nearly 3 million streams and downloads since its launch. It was co-produced by Robins with Simon Barnard for Bafflegab Productions and...
The two companies will now work to develop a scripted series titled “Blumhouse’s Ghost Story,” with the podcast serving as the basis for the first season. In addition, they will develop an unscripted companion series. Blumhouse TV and Maniac have also secured the life rights of Shirley Hitchings, who was the subject of the longest documented poltergeist haunting in history. They will also have the rights to Hitchings’ and James Clark’s book “The Poltergeist Prince of London: The Remarkable True Story of the Battersea Poltergeist.”
The docu-drama podcast, written and presented by Danny Robins, features the voices of Dafne Keen and Toby Jones. It has amassed nearly 3 million streams and downloads since its launch. It was co-produced by Robins with Simon Barnard for Bafflegab Productions and...
- 5/25/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
In a competitive bidding situation, Blumhouse Television and Michael Seitzman’s Maniac Productions have won the rights to BBC Radio 4’s The Battersea Poltergeist podcast, presented by Danny Robins. Blumhouse TV and studio-based Maniac are developing as a scripted series and a companion unscripted series, titled Blumhouse’s Ghost Story. Additionally, the companies have also secured Hitchings’ life rights, as well as the rights to her and James Clark’s book, The Poltergeist Prince of London: The Remarkable True Story of the Battersea Poltergeist.
This is the same approach Blumhouse TV and Maniac took with a scripted and unscripted Detroit Youth Choir series, which subsequently landed at Disney+.
The popular docu-drama The Battersea Poltergeist podcast, written and presented by Robins, was the #1 drama podcast worldwide on Apple Podcasts and features the voices of Dafne Keen (Logan) and Toby Jones (The Dark Crystal). The podcast documents the strange events focused...
This is the same approach Blumhouse TV and Maniac took with a scripted and unscripted Detroit Youth Choir series, which subsequently landed at Disney+.
The popular docu-drama The Battersea Poltergeist podcast, written and presented by Robins, was the #1 drama podcast worldwide on Apple Podcasts and features the voices of Dafne Keen (Logan) and Toby Jones (The Dark Crystal). The podcast documents the strange events focused...
- 5/25/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Blumhouse Television and Michael Seitzman’s Maniac Productions have secured right to “The Battersea Poltergeist” podcast, a chronicle of real-life hauntings of Shirley Hitchings that were investigated from 1956 for 12 years and noted for being the longest documented poltergeist haunting in history, the companies announced in a joint statement Tuesday.
The companies will be developing the first season of a scripted ongoing series and a companion unscripted series titled “Blumhouse’s Ghost Story.” They have also secured the rights to Hitchings’ life story, as well as the rights to her and James Clark’s book, “The Poltergeist Prince of London: The Remarkable True Story of the Battersea Poltergeist.”
“The Battersea Poltergeist” podcast, written and presented by Danny Robins, was the No. 1 drama podcast worldwide on Apple Podcasts and immediately caught the attention of Blumhouse Television president, Chris McCumber. “From our first listen to Danny’s captivating podcast, we were hooked and...
The companies will be developing the first season of a scripted ongoing series and a companion unscripted series titled “Blumhouse’s Ghost Story.” They have also secured the rights to Hitchings’ life story, as well as the rights to her and James Clark’s book, “The Poltergeist Prince of London: The Remarkable True Story of the Battersea Poltergeist.”
“The Battersea Poltergeist” podcast, written and presented by Danny Robins, was the No. 1 drama podcast worldwide on Apple Podcasts and immediately caught the attention of Blumhouse Television president, Chris McCumber. “From our first listen to Danny’s captivating podcast, we were hooked and...
- 5/25/2021
- by Rosemary Rossi
- The Wrap
In a competitive situation, Disney+ has landed a two-project package based on the inspirational story behind America’s Got Talent finalists the Detroit Youth Choir, from Blumhouse Television, Maniac Productions and Campfire. The streamer has picked up Choir, a six-episode unscripted docuseries about Dyc, marking the first original series order for Blumhouse at Disney+.
A companion scripted series also is in development by the same production team at Disney Branded Television for the streaming service. Writer/producer and showrunner Anthony Sparks is attached to create the scripted drama series and will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Both projects had been in the works at Blumhouse for several months.
The unscripted series, which has been filming in Detroit since last fall, chronicling the 2020/2021 season of the Dyc, is inspired by Artistic Director Anthony White’s story. As a teacher, mentor and father figure in the heart of Detroit,...
A companion scripted series also is in development by the same production team at Disney Branded Television for the streaming service. Writer/producer and showrunner Anthony Sparks is attached to create the scripted drama series and will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Both projects had been in the works at Blumhouse for several months.
The unscripted series, which has been filming in Detroit since last fall, chronicling the 2020/2021 season of the Dyc, is inspired by Artistic Director Anthony White’s story. As a teacher, mentor and father figure in the heart of Detroit,...
- 2/18/2021
- by Denise Petski and Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s TV news roundup, Netflix released the trailer for “Behind Her Eyes” and Peacock announced it is adding the third season of “Mr. Mercedes” next month.
Dates
Pluto TV will stream a special two-week sampling of the premiere episodes of the Queen Latifah-starring “The Equalizer” and “The Silence of the Lambs” sequel series “Clarice” following their broadcast debuts on CBS. “The Equalizer” premieres on CBS immediately after Super Bowl Lv on Feb. 7 and “Clarice” kicks off on Feb. 11 at 10 p.m. In addition, Amazon Prime Video will offer the pilot of both series in front of its paywall and YouTube will run the episodes for free on its CBS channel.
Peacock will add the third season of “Mr. Mercedes” to its content library on March 4, with all 10 episodes dropping at once. The show originally ran the Audience Network from 2017 to 2019. (Season 3 episodes first premiered in September 2019.) Peacock...
Dates
Pluto TV will stream a special two-week sampling of the premiere episodes of the Queen Latifah-starring “The Equalizer” and “The Silence of the Lambs” sequel series “Clarice” following their broadcast debuts on CBS. “The Equalizer” premieres on CBS immediately after Super Bowl Lv on Feb. 7 and “Clarice” kicks off on Feb. 11 at 10 p.m. In addition, Amazon Prime Video will offer the pilot of both series in front of its paywall and YouTube will run the episodes for free on its CBS channel.
Peacock will add the third season of “Mr. Mercedes” to its content library on March 4, with all 10 episodes dropping at once. The show originally ran the Audience Network from 2017 to 2019. (Season 3 episodes first premiered in September 2019.) Peacock...
- 2/4/2021
- by Haley Bosselman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Michael Seitzman, who recently signed a first-look TV deal with Blumhouse, has brought in Jeff Nemon as SVP development at his Maniac Productions.
Nemon most recently was SVP of drama development at Gail Berman and Fox Entertainment’s SideCar Content Accelerator, which was dissolved last year. While there, Nemon helped develop Sarah Watson’s The Untitled Goonies Reenactment pilot which is now in production, and Melissa Hilfer’s Untitled Country Music Drama, which opened a writers room for straight-to-series consideration. Prior to that, he was VP of TV development at Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment, where he worked closely with The Walking Dead franchise and other shows. Prior to Valhalla, he worked at CBS Studios and in the TV literary department of The Collective management company.
“Jeff has incredible taste, a great eye for talent, and a stellar reputation among writers, agents, and executives. I’m thrilled to...
Nemon most recently was SVP of drama development at Gail Berman and Fox Entertainment’s SideCar Content Accelerator, which was dissolved last year. While there, Nemon helped develop Sarah Watson’s The Untitled Goonies Reenactment pilot which is now in production, and Melissa Hilfer’s Untitled Country Music Drama, which opened a writers room for straight-to-series consideration. Prior to that, he was VP of TV development at Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment, where he worked closely with The Walking Dead franchise and other shows. Prior to Valhalla, he worked at CBS Studios and in the TV literary department of The Collective management company.
“Jeff has incredible taste, a great eye for talent, and a stellar reputation among writers, agents, and executives. I’m thrilled to...
- 2/4/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Blumhouse has made a first-look deal for television with writer/producer Michael Seitzman and his Maniac Productions company.
The pact formalizes Seitzman’s existing collaboration with Blumhouse, the company of his longtime friend, producer Jason Blum. Under the deal, Seitzman will write and produce projects for Blumhouse’s TV division, led by Chris McCumber.
“Michael is a tremendous partner and has an unrivaled ability to steer projects to success. He has a discerning eye and that rare gift for discovering the most compelling material and talent,” said Blumhouse Television McCumber, Blumhouse Television president. “We are very fortunate and proud to be in business with Michael.”
As announced in October, Seitzman is currently working on both a scripted and unscripted series based on the Detroit Youth Choir, one of the breakout acts from Season 14 of America’s Got Talent, which they finished as runners-up.
Queen Sugar‘s Anthony Sparks...
The pact formalizes Seitzman’s existing collaboration with Blumhouse, the company of his longtime friend, producer Jason Blum. Under the deal, Seitzman will write and produce projects for Blumhouse’s TV division, led by Chris McCumber.
“Michael is a tremendous partner and has an unrivaled ability to steer projects to success. He has a discerning eye and that rare gift for discovering the most compelling material and talent,” said Blumhouse Television McCumber, Blumhouse Television president. “We are very fortunate and proud to be in business with Michael.”
As announced in October, Seitzman is currently working on both a scripted and unscripted series based on the Detroit Youth Choir, one of the breakout acts from Season 14 of America’s Got Talent, which they finished as runners-up.
Queen Sugar‘s Anthony Sparks...
- 1/26/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
“Queen’s Gambit” co-creator, director and showrunner Scott Frank is writing every episode of FX’s adaptation of the visionary modern classic, “The Sparrow.” Emmy Award-winning director Johan Renck has been tapped to direct the sci-fi project.
Frank and Renck, along with “Better Call Saul” producer Mark Johnson, will executive produce the limited series based on Mary Doria Russell’s acclaimed magnum opus. “The Sparrow” is being produced by FX Productions.
“The Sparrow,” published in 1996 by Random House’s imprint Villard, won numerous prestigious literary awards, including the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the Kurd-Laßwitz-Preis and the British Science Fiction Association Award, among others. The book, categorized as a work of speculative fiction, grapples with the potential ethical, philosophical and spiritual issues of humans intermingling with extraterrestrial life, raising questions about humanity itself.
The series mostly follows the novel’s events faithfully, following a crew of Jesuit priests and scientists, led...
Frank and Renck, along with “Better Call Saul” producer Mark Johnson, will executive produce the limited series based on Mary Doria Russell’s acclaimed magnum opus. “The Sparrow” is being produced by FX Productions.
“The Sparrow,” published in 1996 by Random House’s imprint Villard, won numerous prestigious literary awards, including the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the Kurd-Laßwitz-Preis and the British Science Fiction Association Award, among others. The book, categorized as a work of speculative fiction, grapples with the potential ethical, philosophical and spiritual issues of humans intermingling with extraterrestrial life, raising questions about humanity itself.
The series mostly follows the novel’s events faithfully, following a crew of Jesuit priests and scientists, led...
- 1/14/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Anthony Sparks, showrunner of Ava DuVernay’s OWN drama Queen Sugar, has struck a first-look deal with Blumhouse Television.
Sparks, who has written and produced series including The Blacklist and Undercovers, is working with The Loudest Voice producer to develop and produce scripted series.
It comes after he signed up to write and develop a scripted series based on the Detroit Youth Choir with the company. Sparks will serve as showrunner and exec producer on Choir, a scripted series based on the America’s Got Talent runners up and their artistic director Anthony White. The series is being produced by Blumhouse along with Code Black creator Michael Seitzman’s Maniac Productions and Campfire.
It is the latest first-look deal with The Good Lord Bird producer following deals with the likes of Jamie Lee Curtis, Gigi Saul Guerrero, Sophia Takal, Aaron Mark, Leigh Whannell and Striker Entertainment.
Sparks has been...
Sparks, who has written and produced series including The Blacklist and Undercovers, is working with The Loudest Voice producer to develop and produce scripted series.
It comes after he signed up to write and develop a scripted series based on the Detroit Youth Choir with the company. Sparks will serve as showrunner and exec producer on Choir, a scripted series based on the America’s Got Talent runners up and their artistic director Anthony White. The series is being produced by Blumhouse along with Code Black creator Michael Seitzman’s Maniac Productions and Campfire.
It is the latest first-look deal with The Good Lord Bird producer following deals with the likes of Jamie Lee Curtis, Gigi Saul Guerrero, Sophia Takal, Aaron Mark, Leigh Whannell and Striker Entertainment.
Sparks has been...
- 11/16/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The Detroit Youth Choir captivated audiences on season 14 of America’s Got Talent – eventually coming runners-up on the 2019 show.
The group are now to be the subject of both scripted and non-scripted television series in development with Blumhouse Television, Code Black creator Michael Seitzman and The Innocent Man producer Campfire.
The choir includes kids from Detroit aged between 8 and 18 and is led by Artistic Director Anthony White and Music Director Donnell Mosley. After AGT, the group was gifted $1M from the City of Detroit and their performance of Glory, co-written by John Legend, Common and Rhymefest, became one of the anthems of a summer dominated by a call for social change.
The projects are understood to have originated with Seitzman, creator, showrunner and exec producer of Code Black and showrunner and exec producer of Quantico. He was watching the show with his son and wondered whether the choir could feature in...
The group are now to be the subject of both scripted and non-scripted television series in development with Blumhouse Television, Code Black creator Michael Seitzman and The Innocent Man producer Campfire.
The choir includes kids from Detroit aged between 8 and 18 and is led by Artistic Director Anthony White and Music Director Donnell Mosley. After AGT, the group was gifted $1M from the City of Detroit and their performance of Glory, co-written by John Legend, Common and Rhymefest, became one of the anthems of a summer dominated by a call for social change.
The projects are understood to have originated with Seitzman, creator, showrunner and exec producer of Code Black and showrunner and exec producer of Quantico. He was watching the show with his son and wondered whether the choir could feature in...
- 10/15/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Blumhouse Television is developing two series inspired by the Detroit Youth Choir, the company announced Thursday.
The choir, led by artistic director Anthony White and music director Donnell Mosley, comprises young singers aged eight to 18. The group rose to national fame on the 14th season of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” finishing in second place. The group has since used a $1 million gift from the City of Detroit to become an “influential voice for advocacy and change,” according to Blumhouse.
The company is developing two series based on the group, a scripted series from “Queen Sugar” showrunner and executive producer Anthony Sparks and an unscripted docuseries produced by Ross Dinerstein. Michael Seitzman’s Maniac Productions will produce both projects alongside Jason Blum and Jeremy Gold of Blumhouse.
The scripted series, which Sparks will develop and executive produce, is inspired by White’s story “as teacher, mentor and often father figure...
The choir, led by artistic director Anthony White and music director Donnell Mosley, comprises young singers aged eight to 18. The group rose to national fame on the 14th season of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” finishing in second place. The group has since used a $1 million gift from the City of Detroit to become an “influential voice for advocacy and change,” according to Blumhouse.
The company is developing two series based on the group, a scripted series from “Queen Sugar” showrunner and executive producer Anthony Sparks and an unscripted docuseries produced by Ross Dinerstein. Michael Seitzman’s Maniac Productions will produce both projects alongside Jason Blum and Jeremy Gold of Blumhouse.
The scripted series, which Sparks will develop and executive produce, is inspired by White’s story “as teacher, mentor and often father figure...
- 10/15/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
The Detroit Youth Choir, which was the runner-up on season 14 of “America’s Got Talent,” is getting both the scripted and unscripted treatment.
Blumhouse TV has announced it is developing two projects based on the choir, which is comprised of singers aged between the ages of eight and 18 and is led by artistic director Anthony White and music director Donnell Mosley. The scripted series hails from “Queen Sugar” producer Anthony Sparks and is inspired by White’s story.
Sparks is attached to showrun and executive produce the drama which will explore White’s impact on the hundreds of kids he has taught, mentored and been a father figure to. Both projects are a collaboration between Blumhouse TV, Michael Seitzman’s Maniac Productions, and Ross Dinerstein’s Campfire.
After their incredible “AGT” run, the choir was gifted $1 million by the City of Detroit, which helped transform the group of young singers and...
Blumhouse TV has announced it is developing two projects based on the choir, which is comprised of singers aged between the ages of eight and 18 and is led by artistic director Anthony White and music director Donnell Mosley. The scripted series hails from “Queen Sugar” producer Anthony Sparks and is inspired by White’s story.
Sparks is attached to showrun and executive produce the drama which will explore White’s impact on the hundreds of kids he has taught, mentored and been a father figure to. Both projects are a collaboration between Blumhouse TV, Michael Seitzman’s Maniac Productions, and Ross Dinerstein’s Campfire.
After their incredible “AGT” run, the choir was gifted $1 million by the City of Detroit, which helped transform the group of young singers and...
- 10/15/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
Elisabeth Moss is attached to play former Congresswoman Katie Hill in an adaptation of her memoir from Blumhouse Television.
The Handmaid’s Tale star will play Hill in the project, which is being developed as a movie for a streaming service. She will also produce via her production company Love & Squalor Pictures.
Code Black creator Michael Seitzman, who wrote the feature film North Country, will write the screenplay.
It comes after The Loudest Voice producer Blumhouse Television optioned the rights to She Will Rise: Becoming a Warrior in the Battle for True Equality, which was published earlier this summer.
The book tells of Hill’s experience as a young woman with no prior political experience whose charm, and common sense won over the people in her district and thrust her into the halls of power in Washington. While her brash confidence won her powerful allies and infuriated her enemies,...
The Handmaid’s Tale star will play Hill in the project, which is being developed as a movie for a streaming service. She will also produce via her production company Love & Squalor Pictures.
Code Black creator Michael Seitzman, who wrote the feature film North Country, will write the screenplay.
It comes after The Loudest Voice producer Blumhouse Television optioned the rights to She Will Rise: Becoming a Warrior in the Battle for True Equality, which was published earlier this summer.
The book tells of Hill’s experience as a young woman with no prior political experience whose charm, and common sense won over the people in her district and thrust her into the halls of power in Washington. While her brash confidence won her powerful allies and infuriated her enemies,...
- 10/6/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Elisabeth Moss is attached to play former congresswoman Katie Hill in an adaptation of Hill’s memoir “She Will Rise” from Blumhouse Television, the company announced on Tuesday.
The “Handmaid’s Tale” star will also produce the feature adaptation via her Love & Squalor Pictures banner, with Michael Seitzman attached to write.
Hill, a former U.S. representative for California, resigned from Congress last October after facing accusations of inappropriate relationships with members of her staff. She was also the victim of a revenge porn incident she said was instigated by her estranged husband. Her memoir, “She Will Rise: Becoming a Warrior in the Battle for True Equality,” was published in August.
Per Blumhouse, the film will recount her experience as a young woman with no prior political experience who rockets to political success while “privately concealing a cycle of domestic abuse she was trapped in at home, infamously culminating...
The “Handmaid’s Tale” star will also produce the feature adaptation via her Love & Squalor Pictures banner, with Michael Seitzman attached to write.
Hill, a former U.S. representative for California, resigned from Congress last October after facing accusations of inappropriate relationships with members of her staff. She was also the victim of a revenge porn incident she said was instigated by her estranged husband. Her memoir, “She Will Rise: Becoming a Warrior in the Battle for True Equality,” was published in August.
Per Blumhouse, the film will recount her experience as a young woman with no prior political experience who rockets to political success while “privately concealing a cycle of domestic abuse she was trapped in at home, infamously culminating...
- 10/6/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Elisabeth Moss has found her next role, and it’s one which is sure to cause a stir.
The “Handmaid’s Tale” star has signed on to play former Congresswoman Katie Hill in a streaming film adaptation of her forthcoming book “She Will Rise: Becoming a Warrior in the Battle for True Equality.”
Blumhouse TV has preemptively optioned the book, which was released in August, and will produce alongside Michael Seitzman and his banner Maniac Productions, and Moss and her production company Love & Squalor Pictures.
In the book, Hill recounts her experience as a young woman with no prior political experience whose charm, and common sense won over the people in her district and thrust her into the halls of power in Washington. While her brash confidence won her powerful allies and infuriated her enemies, it was privately concealing a cycle of domestic abuse she was trapped in at home,...
The “Handmaid’s Tale” star has signed on to play former Congresswoman Katie Hill in a streaming film adaptation of her forthcoming book “She Will Rise: Becoming a Warrior in the Battle for True Equality.”
Blumhouse TV has preemptively optioned the book, which was released in August, and will produce alongside Michael Seitzman and his banner Maniac Productions, and Moss and her production company Love & Squalor Pictures.
In the book, Hill recounts her experience as a young woman with no prior political experience whose charm, and common sense won over the people in her district and thrust her into the halls of power in Washington. While her brash confidence won her powerful allies and infuriated her enemies, it was privately concealing a cycle of domestic abuse she was trapped in at home,...
- 10/6/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
Elisabeth Moss, Michael Seitzman and Jason Blum have teamed up to adapt She Will Rise: Becoming a Warrior in the Battle for True Equality, a memoir by former Congresswoman Katie Hill.
Moss is attached to portray the politician while Seitzman will write the screenplay for the adaptation, which hails from Blumhouse Television and is intended to be a streaming movie.
Moss is producing via her banner, Love & Squalor Pictures, Seitzman is producing via his banner, Maniac Productions, along with Blumhouse’s Blum. Hill will act as an executive producer.
Hill was a rising political star who unseated her Republican incumbent. But ...
Moss is attached to portray the politician while Seitzman will write the screenplay for the adaptation, which hails from Blumhouse Television and is intended to be a streaming movie.
Moss is producing via her banner, Love & Squalor Pictures, Seitzman is producing via his banner, Maniac Productions, along with Blumhouse’s Blum. Hill will act as an executive producer.
Hill was a rising political star who unseated her Republican incumbent. But ...
- 10/6/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Elisabeth Moss, Michael Seitzman and Jason Blum have teamed up to adapt She Will Rise: Becoming a Warrior in the Battle for True Equality, a memoir by former Congresswoman Katie Hill.
Moss is attached to portray the politician while Seitzman will write the screenplay for the adaptation, which hails from Blumhouse Television and is intended to be a streaming movie.
Moss is producing via her banner, Love & Squalor Pictures, Seitzman is producing via his banner, Maniac Productions, along with Blumhouse’s Blum. Hill will act as an executive producer.
Hill was a rising political star who unseated her Republican incumbent. But ...
Moss is attached to portray the politician while Seitzman will write the screenplay for the adaptation, which hails from Blumhouse Television and is intended to be a streaming movie.
Moss is producing via her banner, Love & Squalor Pictures, Seitzman is producing via his banner, Maniac Productions, along with Blumhouse’s Blum. Hill will act as an executive producer.
Hill was a rising political star who unseated her Republican incumbent. But ...
- 10/6/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Exclusive: HBO Max has put in development Rip Crew, a crime drama from Code Black creator/executive producer Michael Seitzman, executive producer Mike Weiss and ABC Signature Studios.
Written by Weiss, in Rip Crew, when a disgraced ex-fbi agent turned criminology professor discovers that his most gifted students are planning a massive heist, he decides to scoop their score and become the criminal he used to chase.
Weiss and Seitzman executive produce with Ross Dinerstein of Campfire. American Dream/American Knightmare producers Eva Gunz and Edward McGurn are co-executive producers. The story is inspired by a portion of Jerry Clark’s life rights, with Clark serving as consulting producer. The project stems from the overall deal Seitzman had at ABC Studios/ABC Signature Studios.
Weiss was an executive producer on the third season of Seitzman’s Code Black. He most recently was a consulting producer on ABC/ABC Studios’ Stumptown.
Written by Weiss, in Rip Crew, when a disgraced ex-fbi agent turned criminology professor discovers that his most gifted students are planning a massive heist, he decides to scoop their score and become the criminal he used to chase.
Weiss and Seitzman executive produce with Ross Dinerstein of Campfire. American Dream/American Knightmare producers Eva Gunz and Edward McGurn are co-executive producers. The story is inspired by a portion of Jerry Clark’s life rights, with Clark serving as consulting producer. The project stems from the overall deal Seitzman had at ABC Studios/ABC Signature Studios.
Weiss was an executive producer on the third season of Seitzman’s Code Black. He most recently was a consulting producer on ABC/ABC Studios’ Stumptown.
- 7/7/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Starz has named Christina Davis as head of original programming.
She replaces Carmi Zlotnik, who left the pay-cable network in January for a producing deal with Apple.
“Christina has established an impressive track record in developing successful, quality drama series and building lasting, fruitful relationships within the creative community which I believe will allow us to fully execute on the creative vision we have set for Starz,” Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch said. “She is a welcome addition to the leadership team and we look forward to bringing her talent and experience to bear in producing best in class, premium content that will resonate with audiences and continue to elevate the platform around the world.”
Also Read: Former Starz Programming Chief Carmi Zlotnik Signs Production Deal With Apple
Davis previously served as executive vice president, Drama Series Development, CBS Entertainment, a role she held from 2009 – 2017. She co-founded the television production company Maniac Productions,...
She replaces Carmi Zlotnik, who left the pay-cable network in January for a producing deal with Apple.
“Christina has established an impressive track record in developing successful, quality drama series and building lasting, fruitful relationships within the creative community which I believe will allow us to fully execute on the creative vision we have set for Starz,” Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch said. “She is a welcome addition to the leadership team and we look forward to bringing her talent and experience to bear in producing best in class, premium content that will resonate with audiences and continue to elevate the platform around the world.”
Also Read: Former Starz Programming Chief Carmi Zlotnik Signs Production Deal With Apple
Davis previously served as executive vice president, Drama Series Development, CBS Entertainment, a role she held from 2009 – 2017. She co-founded the television production company Maniac Productions,...
- 5/4/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Programming executive Christina Davis has been named Starz’s president of original programming and will lead programming and development for the service. The move follows Carmi Zlotnik’s departure as president of programming in late January.
“Christina has established an impressive track record in developing successful, quality drama series and building lasting, fruitful relationships within the creative community which I believe will allow us to fully execute on the creative vision we have set for Starz,” said Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch. “She is a welcome addition to the leadership team and we look forward to bringing her talent and experience to bear in producing best in class, premium content that will resonate with audiences and continue to elevate the platform around the world.”
Previously the executive vice president of drama series development at CBS Entertainment between 2009 to 2017, Davis developed the “CSI” and “NCIS” franchises, as well as “The Good Wife,...
“Christina has established an impressive track record in developing successful, quality drama series and building lasting, fruitful relationships within the creative community which I believe will allow us to fully execute on the creative vision we have set for Starz,” said Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch. “She is a welcome addition to the leadership team and we look forward to bringing her talent and experience to bear in producing best in class, premium content that will resonate with audiences and continue to elevate the platform around the world.”
Previously the executive vice president of drama series development at CBS Entertainment between 2009 to 2017, Davis developed the “CSI” and “NCIS” franchises, as well as “The Good Wife,...
- 5/4/2020
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Former CBS head of drama Christina Davis has joined Starz as President Of Original Programming. She succeeds Carmi Zlotnik, who stepped down as President of Programming of the premium cable network in January.
Overseeing Starz’s original programming slate, Davis will report to the company’s President and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch, who led the extensive executive search and considered a number of candidates before appointing Davis.
The CBS alumna, who is very well liked in the creative community, will be tasked with leading Starz’s programming and development team.This marks a return to the executive ranks for Davis who had been partnered with writer-producer Michael Seitzman in Maniac Productions for the past two and a half years under an overall deal at ABC Studios. With her background as an accomplished network development executive and a prominent Latina in the TV business, Davis is a fitting choice to lead...
Overseeing Starz’s original programming slate, Davis will report to the company’s President and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch, who led the extensive executive search and considered a number of candidates before appointing Davis.
The CBS alumna, who is very well liked in the creative community, will be tasked with leading Starz’s programming and development team.This marks a return to the executive ranks for Davis who had been partnered with writer-producer Michael Seitzman in Maniac Productions for the past two and a half years under an overall deal at ABC Studios. With her background as an accomplished network development executive and a prominent Latina in the TV business, Davis is a fitting choice to lead...
- 5/4/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: ABC has given a put pilot commitment to Mourning Songs, a musical family comedy from former New Girl executive producers/co-showrunners Dave Finkel and Brett Baer; Michael Seitzman and Christina Davis’ Maniac Prods; and ABC Studios, where the company is based.
Mourning Songs is based on the life and Instagram feed of songwriter Ryan Langer. Co-written by Finkel & Baer with Langer, the single-camera comedy centers on a 35-year-old composer who, after the tragic death of his father, is forced to move back home to live with his mom, help his family heal and grow up, possibly for the very first time.
Langer was an aspiring songwriter working in New York when his father, a Los Angeles trial lawyer, was killed in an office shooting in December 2017.
He quit his job, packed his bags and moved back home to help take care of the family business. Three months on,...
Mourning Songs is based on the life and Instagram feed of songwriter Ryan Langer. Co-written by Finkel & Baer with Langer, the single-camera comedy centers on a 35-year-old composer who, after the tragic death of his father, is forced to move back home to live with his mom, help his family heal and grow up, possibly for the very first time.
Langer was an aspiring songwriter working in New York when his father, a Los Angeles trial lawyer, was killed in an office shooting in December 2017.
He quit his job, packed his bags and moved back home to help take care of the family business. Three months on,...
- 9/23/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Hulu has opted not to proceed with an ambitious two-series drama project based on two John Grisham’s novels, the 1995 The Rainmaker and 2015 Rogue Lawyer.
I hear there is interest from other potential buyers in the project, which had been envisioned as the first chapter in a larger franchise, tentatively titled The Grisham Universe. It hails from writers Michael Seitzman, Jason Richman, Grisham, ABC Signature and Seitzman and Christina Davis’ ABC Studios-based Maniac Productions.
The Grisham Universe had been in development at Hulu since last year and opened a writers room in December. I hear its scope of the multi-series drama and the big budget associated with the premise might have been a factor in Disney-owned Hulu’s decision.
The Rainmaker-Rogue Lawyer is described as “two books, two shows, one shared storyline” with Seitzman and Richman serving as co-showrunners. The plan was for the two series — both set...
I hear there is interest from other potential buyers in the project, which had been envisioned as the first chapter in a larger franchise, tentatively titled The Grisham Universe. It hails from writers Michael Seitzman, Jason Richman, Grisham, ABC Signature and Seitzman and Christina Davis’ ABC Studios-based Maniac Productions.
The Grisham Universe had been in development at Hulu since last year and opened a writers room in December. I hear its scope of the multi-series drama and the big budget associated with the premise might have been a factor in Disney-owned Hulu’s decision.
The Rainmaker-Rogue Lawyer is described as “two books, two shows, one shared storyline” with Seitzman and Richman serving as co-showrunners. The plan was for the two series — both set...
- 9/5/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Hulu is no longer moving forward with its plans of developing its own shared TV universe based on John Grisham’s novels, an individual with knowledge of the project tells TheWrap.
The first two series were going to be adaptations of “Rogue Lawyer” and “The Rainmaker.” Both were being overseen by Michael Seitzman and Jason Richman. Hulu was working with ABC Signature on the project, with Grisham set to executive produce.
Dubbed “The Grisham Universe,” the two series were designed so that they would stand on their own, but would share characters and have plotlines intersect with each other. Viewers could watch each season independently or bounce from the first episode of “Rainmaker” to the first episode of “Rogue Lawyer,” then back to “Rainmaker,” etc.
Also Read: Why RZA Says Hulu's Wu-Tang Clan Series Was Like 'Making Sweet Potato Pie'
Published in 2015, “Rogue Lawyer” follows the unconventional street lawyer Sebastian Rudd,...
The first two series were going to be adaptations of “Rogue Lawyer” and “The Rainmaker.” Both were being overseen by Michael Seitzman and Jason Richman. Hulu was working with ABC Signature on the project, with Grisham set to executive produce.
Dubbed “The Grisham Universe,” the two series were designed so that they would stand on their own, but would share characters and have plotlines intersect with each other. Viewers could watch each season independently or bounce from the first episode of “Rainmaker” to the first episode of “Rogue Lawyer,” then back to “Rainmaker,” etc.
Also Read: Why RZA Says Hulu's Wu-Tang Clan Series Was Like 'Making Sweet Potato Pie'
Published in 2015, “Rogue Lawyer” follows the unconventional street lawyer Sebastian Rudd,...
- 9/5/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Hulu is no longer developing John Grisham’s “The Rainmaker” and “Rogue Lawyer” for the streaming platform, Variety has learned.
Michael Seitzman, creator of CBS dramas “Code Black” and “Intelligence,” had been tapped to oversee the multi-series so-called “Grisham Universe” alongside “Detroit 1-8-7” creator Jason Richman.
The two Grisham series were envisioned as two separate shows based on separate books, with story lines that would cross over.
It remains to be seen whether the pair of shows, which were initially slated to be produced by ABC Signature, will find a new home elsewhere at one of Disney’s many distribution platforms. Disney took full operational control of Hulu in May after Comcast struck a deal with Disney, relinquishing its control and agreeing to sell its stake in the streaming platform for at least $5.8 billion within five years. Hulu, once jointly owned by several media conglomerates, is now solely under Disney’s purview.
Michael Seitzman, creator of CBS dramas “Code Black” and “Intelligence,” had been tapped to oversee the multi-series so-called “Grisham Universe” alongside “Detroit 1-8-7” creator Jason Richman.
The two Grisham series were envisioned as two separate shows based on separate books, with story lines that would cross over.
It remains to be seen whether the pair of shows, which were initially slated to be produced by ABC Signature, will find a new home elsewhere at one of Disney’s many distribution platforms. Disney took full operational control of Hulu in May after Comcast struck a deal with Disney, relinquishing its control and agreeing to sell its stake in the streaming platform for at least $5.8 billion within five years. Hulu, once jointly owned by several media conglomerates, is now solely under Disney’s purview.
- 9/5/2019
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Hulu's innovative plans to bring the so-called Grisham Universe to television are no longer happening.
Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the Disney-controlled streamer has scrapped efforts to bring author John Grisham's The Rainmaker and Rogue Lawyer to television as part of an interconnected universe.
Announced in December, Hulu was teaming with ABC Signature to develop The Grisham Universe, a format that was poised to start with two scripted series — The Rainmaker and Rogue Lawyer — that would share one storyline with the potential to grow the franchise with other shows.
Code Black's Michael Seitzman and Detroit ...
Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the Disney-controlled streamer has scrapped efforts to bring author John Grisham's The Rainmaker and Rogue Lawyer to television as part of an interconnected universe.
Announced in December, Hulu was teaming with ABC Signature to develop The Grisham Universe, a format that was poised to start with two scripted series — The Rainmaker and Rogue Lawyer — that would share one storyline with the potential to grow the franchise with other shows.
Code Black's Michael Seitzman and Detroit ...
Disney Plus has decided to not move forward with “Book of Enchantment,” a series based on some of Disney’s most iconic villains, Variety has learned from sources.
The news comes the day before Disney is set to unveil its streaming service at the biannual D23 convention in Anaheim.
The prospective project was based on the “Villains” book series penned by Serena Valentino. “Book of Enchantment” was slated to tell the origin stories of Disney characters like Ursula from “The Little Mermaid,” The Beast from “Beauty and the Beast,” Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty,” and the Wicked Queen from “Snow White.” Michael Seitzman was on board to write and produce the series under his Maniac Productions banner. ABC Signature Studios was a co-producer with Disney Plus.
Seitzman previously created the CBS medical drama “Code Black” and worked on the ABC series “Quantico.” He is also set to oversee the multi-series John Grisham...
The news comes the day before Disney is set to unveil its streaming service at the biannual D23 convention in Anaheim.
The prospective project was based on the “Villains” book series penned by Serena Valentino. “Book of Enchantment” was slated to tell the origin stories of Disney characters like Ursula from “The Little Mermaid,” The Beast from “Beauty and the Beast,” Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty,” and the Wicked Queen from “Snow White.” Michael Seitzman was on board to write and produce the series under his Maniac Productions banner. ABC Signature Studios was a co-producer with Disney Plus.
Seitzman previously created the CBS medical drama “Code Black” and worked on the ABC series “Quantico.” He is also set to oversee the multi-series John Grisham...
- 8/22/2019
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
The Disney villains-fronted series “Book of Enchantment” is no longer in development at Disney+, an individual with knowledge of the project tells TheWrap.
The project was based on Serena Valentino’s “Villains” series of books. It was set to tell the origin stories of Disney characters like Ursula from “The Little Mermaid,” The Beast from “Beauty and the Beast,” Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty” and the Wicked Queen from “Snow White.” Valentino’s book series also features “Mother Knows Best” about Mother Gothel, the villain from the 2010 film “Tangled.”
Michael Seitzman was on board to write and produce the series, from ABC Signature Studios. Seitzman previously created the CBS medical drama “Code Black” and worked on the ABC series “Quantico.”
Also Read: Streaming Giants Find an Unlikely Ally to Gain Subscribers: Traditional TV
Disney will tout its upcoming streaming service Friday at its bi-annual D23 Expo in Anaheim, California. Disney+, which launches Nov.
The project was based on Serena Valentino’s “Villains” series of books. It was set to tell the origin stories of Disney characters like Ursula from “The Little Mermaid,” The Beast from “Beauty and the Beast,” Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty” and the Wicked Queen from “Snow White.” Valentino’s book series also features “Mother Knows Best” about Mother Gothel, the villain from the 2010 film “Tangled.”
Michael Seitzman was on board to write and produce the series, from ABC Signature Studios. Seitzman previously created the CBS medical drama “Code Black” and worked on the ABC series “Quantico.”
Also Read: Streaming Giants Find an Unlikely Ally to Gain Subscribers: Traditional TV
Disney will tout its upcoming streaming service Friday at its bi-annual D23 Expo in Anaheim, California. Disney+, which launches Nov.
- 8/22/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Disney+ has abruptly pulled the plug on one of the high-profile original series in the works at the streaming service, Book of Enchantment, an adaptation of the Villains book series by Serena Valentino featuring some of Disney’s most popular villains.
I hear the decision was largely creative, related to show’s tone and direction. It came down yesterday when the project was shut down 13 weeks into a writers room where a team had been working on scripts.
Book of Enchantment had been in the works at Disney+ for almost a year. While it had not been formally greenlighted, budget conversations had been progressing, producers had scouted locations, expensive pay-or-play staffing deals had been made, and a May 2020 production start in the UK had been eyed.
The Book of Enchantment adaptation appeared tailor-made for Disney’s upcoming family-oriented direct-to-consumer platform, slated for a November 12 debut. Envisioned as an epic...
I hear the decision was largely creative, related to show’s tone and direction. It came down yesterday when the project was shut down 13 weeks into a writers room where a team had been working on scripts.
Book of Enchantment had been in the works at Disney+ for almost a year. While it had not been formally greenlighted, budget conversations had been progressing, producers had scouted locations, expensive pay-or-play staffing deals had been made, and a May 2020 production start in the UK had been eyed.
The Book of Enchantment adaptation appeared tailor-made for Disney’s upcoming family-oriented direct-to-consumer platform, slated for a November 12 debut. Envisioned as an epic...
- 8/22/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Lori McCreary, Franklin Leonard, Ted Gagliano, Leslye Headland, Dan Goor, Alexandra Rushfield, Hayden Schlossberg and Deadline’s Pete Hammond are among the names that have been added to the final roster of speakers and moderators for the 11th annual Produced By Conference, set for this weekend at Warner Bros Studios in Burbank.
The annual confab presented by the Producers Guild of America features two days of panels and workshops, including a Producers Mashup event that will include the likes of Erik Feig, Gary Goetzman, Mark Gordon, Matthew Weiner and Yolanda T. Cochran participating in sessions that give attendees the opportunity to learn from and network with producers and executives across film, TV and digital media.
Sessions this year feature conversations with the likes of Warner Bros’ Toby Emmerich and Peter Roth, Michael Douglas and Danny DeVito, Mindy Kaling and Nancy Meyers, and Quibi’s Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman. They...
The annual confab presented by the Producers Guild of America features two days of panels and workshops, including a Producers Mashup event that will include the likes of Erik Feig, Gary Goetzman, Mark Gordon, Matthew Weiner and Yolanda T. Cochran participating in sessions that give attendees the opportunity to learn from and network with producers and executives across film, TV and digital media.
Sessions this year feature conversations with the likes of Warner Bros’ Toby Emmerich and Peter Roth, Michael Douglas and Danny DeVito, Mindy Kaling and Nancy Meyers, and Quibi’s Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman. They...
- 5/31/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
#WGAStaffingBoost Yields First Success Stories With Pitch Season Looming As Key WGA-Ata Battleground
The first agentless TV staffing season is underway, a process that has showcased writer solidarity as well as ingenuity with the grassroots #WGAStaffingBoost campaign. As the first staffing success stories start to emerge, the industry also braces for what comes next, with pitch season looming and networks and studios potentially facing a choice that could tip the scales in the current impasse between the Writers Guild of America and the Association of Talent Agents.
While some showrunners still rely primarily on personal recommendations by colleagues and studio executives, there have been cases of unknown, unconnected, up-and-coming writers landing staff writing jobs through the WGA’s Staffing Submission System or #WGAStaffingBoost.
The WGA has not responded to requests for information regarding how many of the more than 1,000 writers who have submitted themselves for staffing through the system have landed jobs, though Julie Plec, executive producer/showrunner of the CW’s drama Legacies,...
While some showrunners still rely primarily on personal recommendations by colleagues and studio executives, there have been cases of unknown, unconnected, up-and-coming writers landing staff writing jobs through the WGA’s Staffing Submission System or #WGAStaffingBoost.
The WGA has not responded to requests for information regarding how many of the more than 1,000 writers who have submitted themselves for staffing through the system have landed jobs, though Julie Plec, executive producer/showrunner of the CW’s drama Legacies,...
- 5/9/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Writer-producer Jason Richman is extending his relationship with ABC Studios, signing a new, multi-year overall deal with the studio. Under the pact, Richman will continue to work on his current ABC Studios projects as well as develop new ones for broadcast, cable, and streaming services.
Richman is behind one of ABC’s hottest drama pilots this season, Stumptown. He created, wrote and is showrunninga the project, starring Cobie Smulders. Additionally, Richman is co-writing and co-showrunning with Michael Seitzman The Rainmaker and Rogue Lawyer, the first two series in Hulu’s proposed John Grisham Universe franchise. All three shows hail from ABC Studios.
Inspired by the graphic novels published by Oni Press, Stumptown follows Dex Parios (Smulders), a strong, assertive, and unapologetically sharp-witted Army veteran working as a P.I. in Portland, Or. With a complicated personal history and only herself to rely on, she solves other people’s messes with...
Richman is behind one of ABC’s hottest drama pilots this season, Stumptown. He created, wrote and is showrunninga the project, starring Cobie Smulders. Additionally, Richman is co-writing and co-showrunning with Michael Seitzman The Rainmaker and Rogue Lawyer, the first two series in Hulu’s proposed John Grisham Universe franchise. All three shows hail from ABC Studios.
Inspired by the graphic novels published by Oni Press, Stumptown follows Dex Parios (Smulders), a strong, assertive, and unapologetically sharp-witted Army veteran working as a P.I. in Portland, Or. With a complicated personal history and only herself to rely on, she solves other people’s messes with...
- 5/3/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Empire co-creator Lee Daniels is calling packaging agents “corrupt and irresponsible financial fiduciaries” in a message today to his fellow WGA members. He is the latest executive producer to join the growing list of nearly 800 writers urging fellow WGA members to vote yes to approve a new Agency Code of Conduct, which would ban packaging fees and force agencies to sever their ties with affiliated production companies.
“It’s imperative we use our voice to vote Yes and stand in solidarity to approve the Code of Conduct,” he wrote to the membership. “The guild has written numerous reports on how packaging actually affects clients – by holding down our pay, making it harder to advance in title, and profiting from our work behind our backs. In short, they’ve been corrupt and irresponsible financial fiduciaries.
“Now is the time to stop this once and for all,” he wrote. “We must approve the Code of Conduct.
“It’s imperative we use our voice to vote Yes and stand in solidarity to approve the Code of Conduct,” he wrote to the membership. “The guild has written numerous reports on how packaging actually affects clients – by holding down our pay, making it harder to advance in title, and profiting from our work behind our backs. In short, they’ve been corrupt and irresponsible financial fiduciaries.
“Now is the time to stop this once and for all,” he wrote. “We must approve the Code of Conduct.
- 3/29/2019
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Some 778 showrunners and screenwriters have signed a statement saying that they will fire their agents if the WGA fails to reach an agreement with the Association of Talent Agents for a new franchise agreement. Signers include a slew of A-listers, including Greg Berlanti, Alfonso Cuaron, James L. Brooks, Aaron Sorkin, Norman Lear, Shonda Rhimes, Seth MacFarlane, Mike Schur, Tina Fey, Joss Whedon, Kenya Barris, Peter Farrelly, Oliver Stone, John Wells, Matthew Weiner, Noah Hawley, Vince Gilligan, John Singleton, David Chase, Barry Jenkins, Amy Sherman-Palladino, Colin Trevorrow, Eric Roth, David Shore, David Simon, Shawn Ryan, Lena Waithe, Paul Haggis, Mindy Kaling, Drew Goddard, Jenji Kohan, Carlton Cuse, Howard Gordon, Kurt Sutter, Krista Vernoff, Mara Brock Akil, Danny Strong, Rob McElhenney, Jason Katims, Terence Winter, Peter Lenkov, Michelle and Robert King, Al Jean, Robert Towne, Gloria Calderon Kellett, Kevin Williamson, Darren Star, Rashida Jones, Pamela Adlon, WGA West president David A. Goodman...
- 3/23/2019
- by David Robb and Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Villains might be the ones we're supposed to root against, but they make for pretty interesting characters, no? That's why it's fun (and thrilling) to see what makes Hannibal Lecter tick in The Silence of the Lambs, or why Wicked has endured in popularity all these years later. When it comes to Disney villains, the fandom is even more impressive, which is why it should come as no surprise that the studio has a TV series all about the evil characters in the works, titled Book of Enchantment.
The series will be available on Disney's upcoming streaming service, Disney+, which also has a TV show about Marvel character Loki on the way, as well as one following the adventures of Rogue One's Cassian Andor (Diego Luna). Now a series that brings together some of Disney's most iconic villains will be added to the queue, according to a press release shared by Disney on Wednesday.
The series will be available on Disney's upcoming streaming service, Disney+, which also has a TV show about Marvel character Loki on the way, as well as one following the adventures of Rogue One's Cassian Andor (Diego Luna). Now a series that brings together some of Disney's most iconic villains will be added to the queue, according to a press release shared by Disney on Wednesday.
- 3/2/2019
- by Quinn Keaney
- Popsugar.com
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