Exclusive: A black comedy crime script has won this year’s Nfts Popcorn Award, which is arranged by the UK’s National Film and Television School and London-based production company, Popcorn Group (She Will).
Bethan Moore’s script The Widow Making Syndicate follows the story of Zsofia Kovacs who was tried for the murder of 49 men in her Hungarian village, Nagyrev, in the early 20th century. Though fictional, the story is based on the true-life events of the Angel Makers of Nagyrev, who poisoned between 50 and 300 men over a period of 15 years from 1914 – 1929.
The award was established to “champion stories with strong identities looking to shape social discourse in a thought-provoking and, importantly, entertaining way”.
The award is only open to Nfts writing students and includes a cash prize of £2,500 and the option of a development deal with Popcorn Group.
Moore’s project was one of a dozen scripts that...
Bethan Moore’s script The Widow Making Syndicate follows the story of Zsofia Kovacs who was tried for the murder of 49 men in her Hungarian village, Nagyrev, in the early 20th century. Though fictional, the story is based on the true-life events of the Angel Makers of Nagyrev, who poisoned between 50 and 300 men over a period of 15 years from 1914 – 1929.
The award was established to “champion stories with strong identities looking to shape social discourse in a thought-provoking and, importantly, entertaining way”.
The award is only open to Nfts writing students and includes a cash prize of £2,500 and the option of a development deal with Popcorn Group.
Moore’s project was one of a dozen scripts that...
- 1/18/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The UK’s National Film and Television School and local production company Popcorn Group have teamed up to launch a new writers prize for “stories with strong identities which look to shape the conversation around social and political issues in a thought-provoking way”.
The inaugural Nfts Popcorn Award has been won by Nfts Screenwriting Ma student Lily Seriki for her “Bridgerton-esque” TV pilot black-comedy Silly Girl, about gender, race and societal expectations in Regency England.
The pilot follows two teenage girls who are meant to be mastering the performance of simpering femininity. But Cecily is an autistic gynecologist with no tolerance for pretense, and Olive is a mixed-race woman with explosive Adhd. Up against a world that seeks to ‘cure’ their minds by controlling their bodies, the best friends learn to love their pathologized identities and fight for a life that’s free, independent, and defiantly insane.
The Nfts...
The inaugural Nfts Popcorn Award has been won by Nfts Screenwriting Ma student Lily Seriki for her “Bridgerton-esque” TV pilot black-comedy Silly Girl, about gender, race and societal expectations in Regency England.
The pilot follows two teenage girls who are meant to be mastering the performance of simpering femininity. But Cecily is an autistic gynecologist with no tolerance for pretense, and Olive is a mixed-race woman with explosive Adhd. Up against a world that seeks to ‘cure’ their minds by controlling their bodies, the best friends learn to love their pathologized identities and fight for a life that’s free, independent, and defiantly insane.
The Nfts...
- 11/22/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
A version of this story was originally published in November 2017 and has since been updated.
One night in the late 1950s, the Flamingos’ bus pulled up to a concert hall in Birmingham, Alabama, and a row of 30 to 50 police officers holding rifles and billy clubs was waiting for them. The cops escorted the six-member doo-wop group, famous for “I Only Have Eyes for You” and “The Ladder of Love,” to its dressing room and gave strict instructions: As black performers, they were to make eye contact with only the black fans,...
One night in the late 1950s, the Flamingos’ bus pulled up to a concert hall in Birmingham, Alabama, and a row of 30 to 50 police officers holding rifles and billy clubs was waiting for them. The cops escorted the six-member doo-wop group, famous for “I Only Have Eyes for You” and “The Ladder of Love,” to its dressing room and gave strict instructions: As black performers, they were to make eye contact with only the black fans,...
- 2/22/2021
- by Steve Knopper
- Rollingstone.com
Madrid-based international TV powerhouse The Mediapro Studio has sold banner series “The Head” to HBO Max for the U.S. as it powers into English-language production, partnering with John Turturro, “Casualty” writers Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin, U.K. producer Big Talk and London-based director Guillem Morales.
The drive into U.S. and now most especially U.K. production marks the latest strategic growth in one of the fastest ramp-ups in drama series production in Europe, spearheaded by Laura Fernández Espeso, appointed The Mediapro corporate director in October 2019 and chief executive last month.
“We are making a large bet on fortifying our position in the U.S., U.K. and Latin America, and feature film production, and are proud to be working with a huge range of high-caliber partners,” Fernández-Espeso told Variety.
Underscoring her point, she noted four U.S. projects now in development; a production alliance with Erik Barmack,...
The drive into U.S. and now most especially U.K. production marks the latest strategic growth in one of the fastest ramp-ups in drama series production in Europe, spearheaded by Laura Fernández Espeso, appointed The Mediapro corporate director in October 2019 and chief executive last month.
“We are making a large bet on fortifying our position in the U.S., U.K. and Latin America, and feature film production, and are proud to be working with a huge range of high-caliber partners,” Fernández-Espeso told Variety.
Underscoring her point, she noted four U.S. projects now in development; a production alliance with Erik Barmack,...
- 1/25/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
One of the most anticipated Comic-Con highlights for horror fans every year is the annual Shout! Factory panel that includes the announcements of upcoming horror Blu-ray releases from Scream Factory, and this year is no exception, as the "Inside an Indie Studio: Shout! Factory" panel will be taking place on Saturday evening in Room 23ABC, and we have the full details on Shout! Factory's entire panel lineup and convention exclusives.
Check out the press release below for full details on Shout! Factory's Comic-Con panels, and you can also view the image gallery for a look at some of their convention goodies, including an Sdcc exclusive The Howling Bloody Variant statue (limited to 500) from Psc Collectibles (which is also available online as a standard edition).
Keep an eye on Shout! Factory's website for more information, and visit our Comic-Con online hub to keep up to date on our coverage of the convention!
Check out the press release below for full details on Shout! Factory's Comic-Con panels, and you can also view the image gallery for a look at some of their convention goodies, including an Sdcc exclusive The Howling Bloody Variant statue (limited to 500) from Psc Collectibles (which is also available online as a standard edition).
Keep an eye on Shout! Factory's website for more information, and visit our Comic-Con online hub to keep up to date on our coverage of the convention!
- 7/17/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Barack Obama is here to remind you that for all its faults, 2017 wasn’t all bad.
The former president took to Twitter on Friday to share some positive news stories from the year that may have been overlooked amid all the negative coverage of his successor’s presidency.
“As we count down to the new year, we get to reflect and prepare for what’s ahead. For all the bad news that seemed to dominate our collective consciousness, there are countless stories from this year that remind us what’s best about America,” Obama tweeted.
Among the stories he shared were those of Kat Creech,...
The former president took to Twitter on Friday to share some positive news stories from the year that may have been overlooked amid all the negative coverage of his successor’s presidency.
“As we count down to the new year, we get to reflect and prepare for what’s ahead. For all the bad news that seemed to dominate our collective consciousness, there are countless stories from this year that remind us what’s best about America,” Obama tweeted.
Among the stories he shared were those of Kat Creech,...
- 12/29/2017
- by Tierney McAfee
- PEOPLE.com
The Movie Pool rolls out for the Transformers Prime: Season Two Blu-ray set!
This review is based on the 4-disc Blu-ray set
The Set-up
Season two of the epic Hub TV show focuses on the battle between rival factions of an alien race of robots known as Transformers. Optimus Prime and the heroic Autobots take on Megatron and the evil Decepticons. Includes all 26 episodes of the second season.
The Delivery
There have been so many incarnations of Transformers over the years, but Generation One, the original series, still holds a special place in the hearts of hard core fans. Transformers Prime, however, may eventually become the definitive version of the brand. Combining the best aspects of the original 1980s animated series (including the voices of Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime and Frank Welker as Megatron) with the look and music cues of the modern films, Transformers Prime is a...
This review is based on the 4-disc Blu-ray set
The Set-up
Season two of the epic Hub TV show focuses on the battle between rival factions of an alien race of robots known as Transformers. Optimus Prime and the heroic Autobots take on Megatron and the evil Decepticons. Includes all 26 episodes of the second season.
The Delivery
There have been so many incarnations of Transformers over the years, but Generation One, the original series, still holds a special place in the hearts of hard core fans. Transformers Prime, however, may eventually become the definitive version of the brand. Combining the best aspects of the original 1980s animated series (including the voices of Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime and Frank Welker as Megatron) with the look and music cues of the modern films, Transformers Prime is a...
- 12/13/2012
- by bogus@nospam.com (Victor Medina)
- Cinelinx
The Movie Pool rolls out for the Transformers Prime: Season Two Blu-ray set!
This review is based on the 4-disc Blu-ray set
The Set-up
Season two of the epic Hub TV show focuses on the battle between rival factions of an alien race of robots known as Transformers. Optimus Prime and the heroic Autobots take on Megatron and the evil Decepticons. Includes all 26 episodes of the second season.
The Delivery
There have been so many incarnations of Transformers over the years, but Generation One, the original series, still holds a special place in the hearts of hard core fans. Transformers Prime, however, may eventually become the definitive version of the brand. Combining the best aspects of the original 1980s animated series (including the voices of Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime and Frank Welker as Megatron) with the look and music cues of the modern films, Transformers Prime is a...
This review is based on the 4-disc Blu-ray set
The Set-up
Season two of the epic Hub TV show focuses on the battle between rival factions of an alien race of robots known as Transformers. Optimus Prime and the heroic Autobots take on Megatron and the evil Decepticons. Includes all 26 episodes of the second season.
The Delivery
There have been so many incarnations of Transformers over the years, but Generation One, the original series, still holds a special place in the hearts of hard core fans. Transformers Prime, however, may eventually become the definitive version of the brand. Combining the best aspects of the original 1980s animated series (including the voices of Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime and Frank Welker as Megatron) with the look and music cues of the modern films, Transformers Prime is a...
- 12/13/2012
- by feeds@themoviepool.com (Victor Medina)
- Cinelinx
Go, go, Power Rangers! It.s been nearly 20 years since The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers made its debut on Fox Kids, translated for an American audience from an already popular Japanese program. In celebration of its pending anniversary, some of the creative team members from behind and in front of the camera took the stage at Comic Con 2012 to talk about all things Power Rangers from the past, present and future. Brian Ward, producer of seven full seasons of Power Rangers television programs, presided over the panel which, in his words, was assembled to honor .the most successful action series in children.s television history.. The Sdcc panel was reflective, taking time to talk in detail about the history of the Power Rangers franchise and its unpredictable journey from Japanese to U.S. television airwaves. While the producers were informative, the cast members were passionate, entertaining and quick to play...
- 7/13/2012
- cinemablend.com
With Comic Con 2012 kicking off in sunny San Diego this week, theTVaddict.com thought now might be as good a time as any to share our definitive list of Must See TV Panels.
Wednesday July 11
6:00-9:45Pm: Special Sneak Peek Pilot Screenings— Comic-Con and Warner Bros. Television proudly continue their annual Preview Night tradition, with exclusive world premiere screenings of the pilot episodes of five of the most highly anticipated TV series pilots of the 2012-13 television season: 666 Park Avenue, Arrow, The Following, Revolution and Cult. (Ballroom 20)
Thursday July 12
10:30-11:30Pm: Battlestar Galactica: So Say We All: Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek, Capt Apollo) hosts a 35th anniversary preview panel and fan discussion of the Battlestar universe, politics, philosophy, and 35 year history. Joining Hatch are Jane Espenson (producer/writer, Battlestar and Caprica), Lili Bordan (actress, Blood and Chrome), Michael Taylor (Battlestar, Caprica, Blood and Chrome), Toni Graphia...
Wednesday July 11
6:00-9:45Pm: Special Sneak Peek Pilot Screenings— Comic-Con and Warner Bros. Television proudly continue their annual Preview Night tradition, with exclusive world premiere screenings of the pilot episodes of five of the most highly anticipated TV series pilots of the 2012-13 television season: 666 Park Avenue, Arrow, The Following, Revolution and Cult. (Ballroom 20)
Thursday July 12
10:30-11:30Pm: Battlestar Galactica: So Say We All: Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek, Capt Apollo) hosts a 35th anniversary preview panel and fan discussion of the Battlestar universe, politics, philosophy, and 35 year history. Joining Hatch are Jane Espenson (producer/writer, Battlestar and Caprica), Lili Bordan (actress, Blood and Chrome), Michael Taylor (Battlestar, Caprica, Blood and Chrome), Toni Graphia...
- 7/8/2012
- by theTVaddict
- The TV Addict
Indian Summer
Kevin McKidd and Ashley Jensen have scored the lead roles in Brian Ward's $4 million feature directorial debut "Indian Summer" which will begin shooting next May.
The story follows an orphaned boy, his embittered uncle, and beautiful but lonely aunt, whose lives are changed forever by the arrival of an exotic stranger - a Native American Indian U.S. Marine. [Source: Movies.ie]
A Long Way From Home
James Fox, Natalie Dormer, Paul Nicholls and Brenda Fricker are set to star in Virginia Gilbert's $1 million drama "A Long Way From Home".
The story follows an older, retired married couple and a younger couple on vacation who meet in Nimes. The older man (Fox) and younger woman (Dormer) develop a profound relationship. [Source: THR]
Don Jon's Addiction
"21 Jump Street" star Brie Larson has been cast as Joseph Gordon-Levitt's sister in Gordon-Levitt's dark comedy directorial debut "Don Jon's Addiction."
He plays a porn-addicted,...
Kevin McKidd and Ashley Jensen have scored the lead roles in Brian Ward's $4 million feature directorial debut "Indian Summer" which will begin shooting next May.
The story follows an orphaned boy, his embittered uncle, and beautiful but lonely aunt, whose lives are changed forever by the arrival of an exotic stranger - a Native American Indian U.S. Marine. [Source: Movies.ie]
A Long Way From Home
James Fox, Natalie Dormer, Paul Nicholls and Brenda Fricker are set to star in Virginia Gilbert's $1 million drama "A Long Way From Home".
The story follows an older, retired married couple and a younger couple on vacation who meet in Nimes. The older man (Fox) and younger woman (Dormer) develop a profound relationship. [Source: THR]
Don Jon's Addiction
"21 Jump Street" star Brie Larson has been cast as Joseph Gordon-Levitt's sister in Gordon-Levitt's dark comedy directorial debut "Don Jon's Addiction."
He plays a porn-addicted,...
- 7/7/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Continuing our coverage of the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con comes the programming for Thursday. For the full run down, go to the con’s website. Thursday is the first full day of the Comic-Con and is filled with awesome panels about zombies, monsters, The Walking Dead, Dexter, The Hobbit and others. Including our very own panel at 7:30 Pm in 24Abc in Hall H. We hope to see you there.
For the events that cater more to the sensibilities of FM, check the highlights below:
10:00-11:00 The Witty Women of Steampunk— The Victorian era was one marked by constraints on behavior, morals and bosoms. When you add a bit of sci-fi to the mix, however, those corset laces begin to loosen. The steampunk genre has allowed a new wave of female creators and personalities to explore how liberating, sexy, and adventurous the age of steam can be. Robin Blackburn...
For the events that cater more to the sensibilities of FM, check the highlights below:
10:00-11:00 The Witty Women of Steampunk— The Victorian era was one marked by constraints on behavior, morals and bosoms. When you add a bit of sci-fi to the mix, however, those corset laces begin to loosen. The steampunk genre has allowed a new wave of female creators and personalities to explore how liberating, sexy, and adventurous the age of steam can be. Robin Blackburn...
- 7/2/2012
- by Andy Greene
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Welcome back to our weekly look at the new podcasts available at our “partners in podcast crime” the GeekCast Radio Network. Each week we bring you the highlights from Gcrn, with descriptions and links to each and every episode.
Interviews: Stan Bush – Botcon 2011
The man the myth the legend! Stan Bush! It has been 25 years since Transformers The Movie was released. PecanCtMichael sits in for the first time with TFG1Mike as they get Stan’s thoughts on 25 Years since Tftm, Stan’s plans for attending Botcon, and so much more. Listen Now.
Interviews: Brian Ward – Shout Factory
This time we bring you a new type of interview. This one being one of Shout! Factory’s DVD Producers, Brian Ward. Brian has worked on the Beast Wars DVD Collection, Rocko’s Modern Life, Jem, and More! Check Shout! Factory’s website here. Listen Now,
DVD Release Beast Wars Press Release
Die-hard fans further rejoice!
Interviews: Stan Bush – Botcon 2011
The man the myth the legend! Stan Bush! It has been 25 years since Transformers The Movie was released. PecanCtMichael sits in for the first time with TFG1Mike as they get Stan’s thoughts on 25 Years since Tftm, Stan’s plans for attending Botcon, and so much more. Listen Now.
Interviews: Brian Ward – Shout Factory
This time we bring you a new type of interview. This one being one of Shout! Factory’s DVD Producers, Brian Ward. Brian has worked on the Beast Wars DVD Collection, Rocko’s Modern Life, Jem, and More! Check Shout! Factory’s website here. Listen Now,
DVD Release Beast Wars Press Release
Die-hard fans further rejoice!
- 6/7/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Hollywoodnews.com: Academy Award-winning screenwriter Steven Zaillian will receive the Writers Guild of America, West’s 2011 Laurel Award for Screen, honoring lifetime achievement in outstanding writing for motion pictures, to be presented at the 2011 Writers Guild Awards West Coast ceremony on Saturday, February 5, 2011, in Hollywood.
“Steven Zaillian’s best scripts not only function as intelligent, thought-provoking works that uplift and inspire audiences, but often, as in the case of his screenplays such as Schindler’s List, they act as witness to crucial chapters in our collective history. His impressive body of work provides a benchmark that all screenwriters aspire to,” said Wgaw President John Wells.
Zaillian is perhaps best known for his screenplay for the acclaimed Holocaust drama Schindler’s List, based on the novel by Thomas Keneally. In 1994, Zaillian received an Academy Award for his screen adaptation of Schindler’s List, as the film went on to garner multiple awards that year,...
“Steven Zaillian’s best scripts not only function as intelligent, thought-provoking works that uplift and inspire audiences, but often, as in the case of his screenplays such as Schindler’s List, they act as witness to crucial chapters in our collective history. His impressive body of work provides a benchmark that all screenwriters aspire to,” said Wgaw President John Wells.
Zaillian is perhaps best known for his screenplay for the acclaimed Holocaust drama Schindler’s List, based on the novel by Thomas Keneally. In 1994, Zaillian received an Academy Award for his screen adaptation of Schindler’s List, as the film went on to garner multiple awards that year,...
- 1/19/2011
- by HollywoodNews.com
- Hollywoodnews.com
Hey Gang! The full schedule for Comic-Con 2010 has been unleashed on the world today and boy, oh boy does it have a lot of great stuff! We have the full list for you below to check out. I've highlighted all of the events that we are excited about seeing. Check out the list below and start planning out your Comic-Con adventure now!
We will be doing a meet-up at the Con this year, we will fill you in on all the details once we have it all planned out. See ya there!
Special Preview Night Programming
Wednesday, July 21
Attendees at Comic-Con's Preview Night can also experience special programming, games, and Anime and Film screenings in addition to the giant Exhibit Hall! Here's a rundown of the Wednesday night fun, including the chance to get a first look at the new homes for Anime and Films in the Marriott Hotel and Marina.
We will be doing a meet-up at the Con this year, we will fill you in on all the details once we have it all planned out. See ya there!
Special Preview Night Programming
Wednesday, July 21
Attendees at Comic-Con's Preview Night can also experience special programming, games, and Anime and Film screenings in addition to the giant Exhibit Hall! Here's a rundown of the Wednesday night fun, including the chance to get a first look at the new homes for Anime and Films in the Marriott Hotel and Marina.
- 7/8/2010
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
Another sliver of bad news for fans of "Werewolf". We won't be seeing it in stores as planned on October 6th from Shout! Factory. In fact, we won't be seeing it on DVD this year at all.
According to TVShowsOnDVD the five-disc DVD set has been pushed to 2010.
Brian Ward, one of the DVD producers at Shout! Factory, had this to say about the delay:
"It is with an absolutely heavy heart that I have to announce the official postponement of Werewolf: The Complete Series. There are a small handful of major music hurdles we still have to overcome. Sadly, unlike some situations, this is not a case where we could simply remove/replace the music, as those audio tracks are married to the dialogue tracks. In order to extract the music, we would literally need to extract the scenes completely. And these are some fairly important scenes that, in some cases,...
According to TVShowsOnDVD the five-disc DVD set has been pushed to 2010.
Brian Ward, one of the DVD producers at Shout! Factory, had this to say about the delay:
"It is with an absolutely heavy heart that I have to announce the official postponement of Werewolf: The Complete Series. There are a small handful of major music hurdles we still have to overcome. Sadly, unlike some situations, this is not a case where we could simply remove/replace the music, as those audio tracks are married to the dialogue tracks. In order to extract the music, we would literally need to extract the scenes completely. And these are some fairly important scenes that, in some cases,...
- 8/20/2009
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Tom Dair with Richard Whitehall from Smart Design at the White House.
I attended the 2009 National Design Awards event at the White House this past Friday. If you had seen my previous posting, you would know that I was hoping to get to meet the First Lady and say something profound about the importance of design, with the intent of elevating design awareness at the top level of government.
I want to thank all the folks that responded to the previous posting for all the thoughts and ideas. I decided to go with basically the comment posted by David-Henry Oliver: Ask her to describe something that effects her (a problem) and then work with the design community to deliver a solution that demonstrates the power of design. I felt the message might be a bit too wordy so in addition to delivering it verbally, at the last minute, I decided...
I attended the 2009 National Design Awards event at the White House this past Friday. If you had seen my previous posting, you would know that I was hoping to get to meet the First Lady and say something profound about the importance of design, with the intent of elevating design awareness at the top level of government.
I want to thank all the folks that responded to the previous posting for all the thoughts and ideas. I decided to go with basically the comment posted by David-Henry Oliver: Ask her to describe something that effects her (a problem) and then work with the design community to deliver a solution that demonstrates the power of design. I felt the message might be a bit too wordy so in addition to delivering it verbally, at the last minute, I decided...
- 7/28/2009
- by Tom Dair
- Fast Company
- Quick Links > The Weinstein Co. > Death Defying Acts > Gillian Armstrong > Guy Pearce > Catherine Zeta-Jones > My Brilliant Career > The Last Days of Chez Nous Known for his aggressive buying tactics – The Weinstein Co. co-head Harvey Weinstein locked up the rights to Gillian Armstrong's fictionalized Harry Houdini biopic during the final hours of the American Film Market. Variety reports that the film should preem at the Festival de Cannes in May and hit theatres in fall of 2007. Written by Tony Grisoni and Brian Ward, Death Defying Acts is based on true events during the escape artist Harry Houdini's 1926 tour of Britain, the film chronicles the tumultuous love affair between the famed magician (Guy Pearce ) and a psychic (Catherine Zeta-Jones) who tries to con him by holding a seance to contact his dead mother. Gillian Armstrong the director behind Charlotte Gray, My Brilliant Career and The Last Days of
- 11/8/2006
- IONCINEMA.com
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