Verve has hired longtime agent Valarie Phillips. The agency also recently hired Non-Fiction Agent Jacy Schleier.
Phillips, who brings more than two decades of agency experience to Verve, was most recently Co-Head of the Motion Picture Literary department at A3 Artists Agency, and prior to that, spent two decades at Paradigm Talent Agency where she started as an assistant, and worked her way up to Department Head.
Following Phillips to Verve are several of the busiest and highly sought after writers in town, including Guy Busick, Greg Erb and Jason Oremland, and Tory Kamen. Also following Phillips to Verve, Charles Leavitt, Anthony Jaswinski, Shiwani Srivastava and directors Andy Tennant, Tom Dey, Sasie Sealy, Todd Robinson and Patrick Lussier.
Throughout her career, Phillips has consistently demonstrated her commitment to excellence and a keen eye for discovering and nurturing talent, previously working with Nzingha Stewart, Eric Tuchman, Ehren Kruger and Kenny Ortega.
Phillips, who brings more than two decades of agency experience to Verve, was most recently Co-Head of the Motion Picture Literary department at A3 Artists Agency, and prior to that, spent two decades at Paradigm Talent Agency where she started as an assistant, and worked her way up to Department Head.
Following Phillips to Verve are several of the busiest and highly sought after writers in town, including Guy Busick, Greg Erb and Jason Oremland, and Tory Kamen. Also following Phillips to Verve, Charles Leavitt, Anthony Jaswinski, Shiwani Srivastava and directors Andy Tennant, Tom Dey, Sasie Sealy, Todd Robinson and Patrick Lussier.
Throughout her career, Phillips has consistently demonstrated her commitment to excellence and a keen eye for discovering and nurturing talent, previously working with Nzingha Stewart, Eric Tuchman, Ehren Kruger and Kenny Ortega.
- 3/12/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Scarlett Johansson is assembling the cast of her directorial debut, “Eleanor the Great.”
June Squibb, the Oscar-nominated actor of “Nebraska” will be joined by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Broadway veteran Jessica Hecht and Erin Kellyman.
The movie, formerly titled “Eleanor, Invisible,” follows Eleanor Morgenstein (Squibb), a 90-year-old woman trying to rebuild her life after the death of her best friend. As a result, she moves back to New York City after living in Florida for decades. Tory Kamen wrote the screenplay.
TriStar Pictures and Sony Pictures Classics, partnering for the first time, will release “Eleanor the Great” in theaters on a yet-to-be-determined date.
Johansson is producing the film with Jonathan Lia, and Keenan Flynn for These Pictures, Kara Durrett and Jessamine Burgum for Pinky Promise, and Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler of Maven Screen Media.
Wayfarer Studios co-financed “Eleanor the Great” with Content Engineers, Pinky Promise and MacPac. Steve Sarowitz, Justin Baldoni,...
June Squibb, the Oscar-nominated actor of “Nebraska” will be joined by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Broadway veteran Jessica Hecht and Erin Kellyman.
The movie, formerly titled “Eleanor, Invisible,” follows Eleanor Morgenstein (Squibb), a 90-year-old woman trying to rebuild her life after the death of her best friend. As a result, she moves back to New York City after living in Florida for decades. Tory Kamen wrote the screenplay.
TriStar Pictures and Sony Pictures Classics, partnering for the first time, will release “Eleanor the Great” in theaters on a yet-to-be-determined date.
Johansson is producing the film with Jonathan Lia, and Keenan Flynn for These Pictures, Kara Durrett and Jessamine Burgum for Pinky Promise, and Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler of Maven Screen Media.
Wayfarer Studios co-financed “Eleanor the Great” with Content Engineers, Pinky Promise and MacPac. Steve Sarowitz, Justin Baldoni,...
- 2/23/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The story of pool phenom Danny Basavich (aka Kid Delicious) is in the works for the small screen. Emmy-winning writer Todd Robinson (White Squall) and producer Rocky Lang have acquired Basavich’s life rights to develop an eight-episode limited series.
Basavich grew up in Manalapan Township, New Jersey. An innocuous kid turned international pool hustler, Basavich eventually had to turn his sights to professional pool when his impressive talent was exposed via the internet. No one would play him for money. He acquired the nickname Kid Delicious after defeating a player monickered Kid Vicious.
“Over two years ago, Robinson traveled to New Jersey to spend time with Danny and his family and has been staying in close contact with them since then in the hope of acquiring the much sought-after rights to this inspiring tale about the ultimate hustle,” said a representative for Robinson.
Robinson will write and direct...
Basavich grew up in Manalapan Township, New Jersey. An innocuous kid turned international pool hustler, Basavich eventually had to turn his sights to professional pool when his impressive talent was exposed via the internet. No one would play him for money. He acquired the nickname Kid Delicious after defeating a player monickered Kid Vicious.
“Over two years ago, Robinson traveled to New Jersey to spend time with Danny and his family and has been staying in close contact with them since then in the hope of acquiring the much sought-after rights to this inspiring tale about the ultimate hustle,” said a representative for Robinson.
Robinson will write and direct...
- 4/9/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
A3 Artists Agency has hired Doug Fronk as Partner and Head of Television Literary.
“We underscored our commitment to writers when we signed the WGA code of conduct and continue to do so as we expand our literary divisions,” said A3 President Brian Cho. “Doug brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and experience representing top-tier clients and packaging numerous television shows. He is a key addition as he reunites with former colleagues, including Adam Kanter, Andy Patman, and Valarie Phillips, who are leading A3’s literary efforts.”
Fronk moves to A3 from Paradigm where he spent the last 19 years. He started at Paradigm in 2002 as an assistant in the television literary department and worked his way up to co-head of the department in 2017. Throughout his tenure there, Fronk packaged numerous television shows including black-ish, Cobra Kai and Punky Brewster, and sold series such as the upcoming Disney+ series...
“We underscored our commitment to writers when we signed the WGA code of conduct and continue to do so as we expand our literary divisions,” said A3 President Brian Cho. “Doug brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and experience representing top-tier clients and packaging numerous television shows. He is a key addition as he reunites with former colleagues, including Adam Kanter, Andy Patman, and Valarie Phillips, who are leading A3’s literary efforts.”
Fronk moves to A3 from Paradigm where he spent the last 19 years. He started at Paradigm in 2002 as an assistant in the television literary department and worked his way up to co-head of the department in 2017. Throughout his tenure there, Fronk packaged numerous television shows including black-ish, Cobra Kai and Punky Brewster, and sold series such as the upcoming Disney+ series...
- 1/6/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The H Collective (Brightburn) is teaming with Breaking Bad exec producer and Rain Man producer Mark Johnson on coming-of-age film The Vineyard, which will be directed by Mark Steven Johnson (Love Guaranteed) from Tory Kamen’s script.
“Foodie drama” The Vineyard will follow an American teenager whose life is uprooted when she unexpectedly moves to Italy to live with a grandfather she never knew existed. Pic is due to get underway in Italy in mid-2021.
Oscar-winner Johnson will produce with Tom Williams under their Gran Via Productions banner alongside The H Collective, who will also finance. Kent Jianhui Huang will produce for The H Collective with Tessie Groff overseeing the project for the company.
The Vineyard will be The H Collective’s second collaboration with Gran Via, following their partnership on Christopher Cantwell’s thriller The Parts You Lose starring Aaron Paul, Scoot McNairy and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
Mark Steven...
“Foodie drama” The Vineyard will follow an American teenager whose life is uprooted when she unexpectedly moves to Italy to live with a grandfather she never knew existed. Pic is due to get underway in Italy in mid-2021.
Oscar-winner Johnson will produce with Tom Williams under their Gran Via Productions banner alongside The H Collective, who will also finance. Kent Jianhui Huang will produce for The H Collective with Tessie Groff overseeing the project for the company.
The Vineyard will be The H Collective’s second collaboration with Gran Via, following their partnership on Christopher Cantwell’s thriller The Parts You Lose starring Aaron Paul, Scoot McNairy and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
Mark Steven...
- 11/23/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
A3 Artists Agency has hired veteran agent Valarie Phillips as partner and co-head of the firm’s Motion Pictures Literary Division.
Phillips will co-run the Motion Pictures Literary Division alongside Adam Kanter who was named Partner and Co-Head of Motion Pictures earlier this summer when he was hired together with A3’s new Partner and Co-Head of the Television Literary Division, Andy Patman.
In addition, A3 Artists has tapped Martin Spencer as Agent in the Motion Pictures Literary Division, and Antoni Kaczmarek and Kasey Muraszko as Agents in the Television Literary Division.
Phillips, Spencer, Kaczmarek and Muraszko will be based out of Los Angeles.
“Since signing the WGA code of conduct nearly a year ago, A3 has remained committed to building a world-class literary team that reflects the philosophy of the agency: putting the client first,” said A3 CEO Robert Attermann in a statement today. “From the rebranding and to launching and revamping of divisions,...
Phillips will co-run the Motion Pictures Literary Division alongside Adam Kanter who was named Partner and Co-Head of Motion Pictures earlier this summer when he was hired together with A3’s new Partner and Co-Head of the Television Literary Division, Andy Patman.
In addition, A3 Artists has tapped Martin Spencer as Agent in the Motion Pictures Literary Division, and Antoni Kaczmarek and Kasey Muraszko as Agents in the Television Literary Division.
Phillips, Spencer, Kaczmarek and Muraszko will be based out of Los Angeles.
“Since signing the WGA code of conduct nearly a year ago, A3 has remained committed to building a world-class literary team that reflects the philosophy of the agency: putting the client first,” said A3 CEO Robert Attermann in a statement today. “From the rebranding and to launching and revamping of divisions,...
- 9/16/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
A3 Artists Agency has added another four former Paradigm Talent Agency execs to its ranks, including Valarie Phillips as partner and co-head of its motion pictures literary division.
The Hollywood talent and literary agency has also hired Martin Spencer as an agent in the film literary division, and boarded Antoni Kaczmarek and Kasey Muraszko as agents in its TV literary department. Phillips comes to A3 after nearly two decades at Paradigm as part of its motion picture and TV literary divisions.
“While many agencies are unfortunately suffering through these horrible days of the pandemic, A3 is continuing to grow and ...
The Hollywood talent and literary agency has also hired Martin Spencer as an agent in the film literary division, and boarded Antoni Kaczmarek and Kasey Muraszko as agents in its TV literary department. Phillips comes to A3 after nearly two decades at Paradigm as part of its motion picture and TV literary divisions.
“While many agencies are unfortunately suffering through these horrible days of the pandemic, A3 is continuing to grow and ...
- 9/16/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A3 Artists Agency has added another four former Paradigm Talent Agency execs to its ranks, including Valarie Phillips as partner and co-head of its motion pictures literary division.
The Hollywood talent and literary agency has also hired Martin Spencer as an agent in the film literary division, and boarded Antoni Kaczmarek and Kasey Muraszko as agents in its TV literary department. Phillips comes to A3 after nearly two decades at Paradigm as part of its motion picture and TV literary divisions.
“While many agencies are unfortunately suffering through these horrible days of the pandemic, A3 is continuing to grow and ...
The Hollywood talent and literary agency has also hired Martin Spencer as an agent in the film literary division, and boarded Antoni Kaczmarek and Kasey Muraszko as agents in its TV literary department. Phillips comes to A3 after nearly two decades at Paradigm as part of its motion picture and TV literary divisions.
“While many agencies are unfortunately suffering through these horrible days of the pandemic, A3 is continuing to grow and ...
- 9/16/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Hollywood has a well documented problem representing female voices in writing, directing, producing and often acting — but there’s something to be said for how far women have come. A powerful set of talent reps from the Paradigm Agency, which predominantly handles filmmakers and musicians, appeared at the Be Conference in Austin, Texas, Monday to discuss their starts and what they’re doing to empower each other in modern show business. Paradigm agents Meghan Oliver (Content & Distribution Agent), Taylor Schultz (College Department Head) and Valarie Phillips (Motion Picture & TV Literary head) appeared in conversation with TheWrap founder Sharon Waxman at.
- 3/14/2017
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
Updated With Full List Of Scripts, Writers, And Reps: Catherine The Great, about the rise and life of the famous (sometimes notorious) 18th-Century Russian monarch, was the top vote-getter among 70 scripts chosen for the 2014 Black List of the year’s best un-produced scripts. The screenplay, by Los Angeles writer and producer Kristina Lauren Anderson, was announced as part of an hour-plus process on Twitter and YouTube this morning.
Each of the 70 screenplays on this 10th annual list was chosen by a group of 250 development executives, agents and other Hollywood insiders as among the year’s best un-produced scripts in a process overseen by Franklin Leonard of http://www.blcklst.com. Anderson’s screenplay received 51 votes.
Other notables in the list include writer/actor/director Kenneth Lonergan with Manchester-By-The-Sea, which is being produced by Matt Damon and Chris Moore. Randall Green had two scripts make the list, The Swimsuit Issue and Cartoon Girl.
Each of the 70 screenplays on this 10th annual list was chosen by a group of 250 development executives, agents and other Hollywood insiders as among the year’s best un-produced scripts in a process overseen by Franklin Leonard of http://www.blcklst.com. Anderson’s screenplay received 51 votes.
Other notables in the list include writer/actor/director Kenneth Lonergan with Manchester-By-The-Sea, which is being produced by Matt Damon and Chris Moore. Randall Green had two scripts make the list, The Swimsuit Issue and Cartoon Girl.
- 12/15/2014
- by David Bloom and Jen Yamato
- Deadline
This year’s Blood List has named the 13 best genre scripts around town, and in its sixth year the annual screenplay contest is expanding its scope to include hot books, TV pilots, and young scribes ripe for signing. Taking top honors in 2014 is sci-fi thriller Bird Box from The Thing and Final Destination 5 scribe Eric Heisserer, an apocalyptic tale of a woman trying to lead her children to safety – all three blindfolded – after monsters descend on earth that turn people insane on sight. Universal set Heisserer to adapt the manuscript from Josh Malerman in 2013 for Mama helmer Andy Muschietti. Previous Blood List alumni include Black Swan, Stoker, Warm Bodies, and the upcoming Blumhouse thriller The Boy Next Door.
Like the Black List naming the top unproduced screenplays circulating around Hollywood, the genre-focused Blood List taps exec votes to determine each year’s best unmade horror, sci-fi, and thriller scripts.
Like the Black List naming the top unproduced screenplays circulating around Hollywood, the genre-focused Blood List taps exec votes to determine each year’s best unmade horror, sci-fi, and thriller scripts.
- 10/31/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Exclusive: Shortly after director Andy Tennant signed with Paradigm, the agency has set him to direct Wild Oats, a comedy that has Shirley MacLaine, Jacki Weaver and Alan Arkin in talks to star. The film, about a widow who receives an unexpected windfall check because of a computer glitch and goes on the run from the law, is a cross between The Bucket List and Thelma And Louise. The film will be distributed domestically by The Weinstein Company with Sony releasing overseas. Pic is written by Claudia Myers and Gary Kanew, and produced by Blythe Frank and Kip Konwiser, with Michael Mailer executive producing. Production begins in late November in Puerto Rico and Chicago. Tennant most recently had been repped by CAA, where Robert Bookman was part of his rep team. Bookman signed him at Paradigm with Valarie Phillips. Tennant is lawyered by Steve Warren.
- 10/17/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
There is either a couple of football fans or Jerry Maguire/Moneyball with this year’s most liked unproduced screenplay. Close to 300 hundred film executives provided with the Black List creators a top ten of their favorite screenplays of the year and the consensus first overall pick (with 65 votes) comes from the recently featured in Variety (10 Screenwriters to Watch 2012) tandem of Rajiv Joseph & Scott Rothman and their drama which has nothing to do with enlisting in the armed forces. Draft Day – about the day in the life of a fictitious Buffalo Bills Gm appears to currently be in turnaround — which only means I expect to see this greenlight perhaps a little later than sooner – worth noting: top spot almost guarantees that the film will indeed go into production (2006, 2010 and 2011 are the exceptions.) Among the more alluring logline subjects we find on the list, I’d be keen on reading the...
- 12/18/2012
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
The 2011 Black List, the Top Unproduced Screenplays of the year has been released. The best unproduced screenplays from The Black List 2011 is compiled by votes from over 300 “execs, agency guys, and high-level assistants. Titled The Black List, the compendium highlights both established screenwriters and up-and-comers, and has served as a launching pad in the past for projects like Juno, Lars and the Real Girl, and (500) Days of Summer. Last year’s list included Margin Call, Crazy, Stupid, Love, The Hunger Games, and Snow White and the Huntsman.”
Regarding the validity of The Black List, things to keep in mind:
some of these screenplays have already been acquired and are already in development, though…none will have entered principal photography by December 31, 2011. Also worth pointing out is that, as in previous years, there have been rumors that some of the participants have been accused of using the Black List to promote their own clients or friends.
Regarding the validity of The Black List, things to keep in mind:
some of these screenplays have already been acquired and are already in development, though…none will have entered principal photography by December 31, 2011. Also worth pointing out is that, as in previous years, there have been rumors that some of the participants have been accused of using the Black List to promote their own clients or friends.
- 12/13/2011
- by filmbook
- Film-Book
For the seventh annual year a list of the top unproduced screenplays written in the past 12 calendar months has been made. The Black List is the most recognized and celebritized compilation for screenwriters and unknown movie ideas to be heard. While some prior Black List scripts have gone on to be made (like Juno or 500 Days of Summer), most scripts do not. However, what being on The Black List can do is to give a big push of credibility to a screenwriter hoping to carve out a career in Hollywood.
The Black List recepients are chosen by a committee of 300 individuals working in Hollywood: agents, writers, producers, managers and the like. They read the screenplays that float around the showbiz ecosystem; some are bought and are already in development while others are still seeing the interest of talent of financial backers.
The makers of The Black List are good to...
The Black List recepients are chosen by a committee of 300 individuals working in Hollywood: agents, writers, producers, managers and the like. They read the screenplays that float around the showbiz ecosystem; some are bought and are already in development while others are still seeing the interest of talent of financial backers.
The makers of The Black List are good to...
- 12/13/2011
- by Patrick Sauriol
- Corona's Coming Attractions
The 2011 Black List has arrived online and there are a bunch of the hottest scripts in Hollywood. Some have already been picked up by studios, while most are still unproduced. Here is the press release: The Black List was compiled from the suggestions of over 300 film executives, each of whom contributed the names of up to ten of their favorite scripts that were written in, or are somehow uniquely associated with, 2011 and will not have begun principal photography during this calendar year.
This year, scripts had to receive at least six mentions to be included on the The Black List.
All reasonable effort has been made to confirm the information contained herein. The Black List apologizes for all misspellings, misattributions, incorrect representation identification, and questionable 2011 affiliations.
It has been said many times, but it's worth repeating:
The Black List is not a "best of" list. It is, at best, a "most liked" list.
This year, scripts had to receive at least six mentions to be included on the The Black List.
All reasonable effort has been made to confirm the information contained herein. The Black List apologizes for all misspellings, misattributions, incorrect representation identification, and questionable 2011 affiliations.
It has been said many times, but it's worth repeating:
The Black List is not a "best of" list. It is, at best, a "most liked" list.
- 12/13/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
[1] Each December since 2004, studio executive Franklin Leonard has compiled the best unproduced screenplays of the year, as voted by hundreds of execs, agency guys, and high-level assistants. Titled The Black List, the compendium highlights both established screenwriters and up-and-comers, and has served as a launching pad in the past for projects like Juno, Lars and the Real Girl, and (500) Days of Summer. Last year's list included Margin Call, Crazy, Stupid, Love, The Hunger Games, and Snow White and the Huntsman. It should be noted that the headline is somewhat misleading -- some of these screenplays have already been acquired and are already in development, though according to Leonard none will have entered principal photography by December 31, 2011. Also worth pointing out is that, as in previous years, there have been rumors that some of the participants have been accused of using the Black List to promote their own clients or friends.
- 12/12/2011
- by Angie Han
- Slash Film
Kailey Marsh is a co-founder and literary manager/producer at Faction M with her business partner Nima Maleki. Kailey graduated from the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles and interned for Ozla Pictures (the company behind The Grudge movies, among others) and then worked as an assistant for Steven Jay Schneider, producer of Paranormal Activity. She was an assistant at the management/production company Circle of Confusion before becoming a manager in her own right.
Faction M has most recently been involved in producing the feature film The Day, currently in post-production. Check out the Facebook page for all the details about the film and the teaser.
With the advent of The Black List, a collection of the top unproduced screenplays making the rounds in Hollywood, Kailey invented The Blood List, which compiles the best unproduced horror scripts. She was recently included in a Hollywood Reporter article examining this listing phenomena.
Faction M has most recently been involved in producing the feature film The Day, currently in post-production. Check out the Facebook page for all the details about the film and the teaser.
With the advent of The Black List, a collection of the top unproduced screenplays making the rounds in Hollywood, Kailey invented The Blood List, which compiles the best unproduced horror scripts. She was recently included in a Hollywood Reporter article examining this listing phenomena.
- 5/9/2011
- by Anthony Vieira
- The Film Stage
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