Century City was abuzz Wednesday with the presence of former First Lady Michelle Obama, who was on hand in Los Angeles for meetings at CAA.
The power agency, which closed a deal for new majority ownership in September, represents Michelle and Barack Obama’s production company Higher Ground. Michelle Obama and her team sat for generals across film, TV and other departments, eyewitnesses told Variety.
It’s not a bad time for Higher Ground to take a victory lap. The unit was a producer on Netflix’s “Leave the World Behind,” the dystopian Julia Roberts movie that dominated on the steamer after dropping on Friday — and inspired plenty of social media chatter, including some questionable feedback from X/Twitter owner Elon Musk.
Attendees with Michelle Obama included Higher Ground president Vinnie Malhotra, as well as Joe Paulson and Tonia Davis, another source added. Former President Barack Obama visited CAA himself in late September.
The power agency, which closed a deal for new majority ownership in September, represents Michelle and Barack Obama’s production company Higher Ground. Michelle Obama and her team sat for generals across film, TV and other departments, eyewitnesses told Variety.
It’s not a bad time for Higher Ground to take a victory lap. The unit was a producer on Netflix’s “Leave the World Behind,” the dystopian Julia Roberts movie that dominated on the steamer after dropping on Friday — and inspired plenty of social media chatter, including some questionable feedback from X/Twitter owner Elon Musk.
Attendees with Michelle Obama included Higher Ground president Vinnie Malhotra, as well as Joe Paulson and Tonia Davis, another source added. Former President Barack Obama visited CAA himself in late September.
- 12/13/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Carolyn Reidy, the powerhouse publisher who ran Simon & Schuster as president and CEO and edited seven Pulitzer Prize winners, died today of a heart attack. She was 71.
Simon & Schuster CFO Dennis Eulau confirmed the news in this memo to staff.
As a publisher and a leader,” he wrote, “Carolyn pushed us to stretch to do just that little bit more; to do our best and then some for our authors, in whose service she came to work each day with an unbridled and infectious enthusiasm and great humor.”
Read the full memo below.
Reidy joined Simon & Schuster in 1992 from Avon Books as President of the Trade Division and was named president of its Adult Publishing Group in 2001. Reidy was upped to president and CEO in 2007 to replace the retiring Jack Romanos.
She was named Publishers Weekly‘s Person of the Year in 2017.
During her tenure, Simon & Schuster published books...
Simon & Schuster CFO Dennis Eulau confirmed the news in this memo to staff.
As a publisher and a leader,” he wrote, “Carolyn pushed us to stretch to do just that little bit more; to do our best and then some for our authors, in whose service she came to work each day with an unbridled and infectious enthusiasm and great humor.”
Read the full memo below.
Reidy joined Simon & Schuster in 1992 from Avon Books as President of the Trade Division and was named president of its Adult Publishing Group in 2001. Reidy was upped to president and CEO in 2007 to replace the retiring Jack Romanos.
She was named Publishers Weekly‘s Person of the Year in 2017.
During her tenure, Simon & Schuster published books...
- 5/12/2020
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s fair to say that Viola Davis’ potential next TV role will come with a lot of pressure.
The actress has signed on to play former First Lady Michelle Obama in a series titled “First Ladies” which is in the works at Showtime. The network has given the prospective one-hour drama a three-script commitment, with novelist Aaron Cooley on board to write and executive produce.
The series will peel back the curtain on the personal and political lives of First Ladies from throughout history, with season one focusing on Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford and Michelle Obama. “First Ladies” will turn it lens on the East Wing of the White House, as opposed to the West, where many of history’s most impactful and world changing decisions have been hidden from view, made by America’s charismatic, complex and dynamic First Ladies. The series hails from Showtime and Lionsgate Television.
The actress has signed on to play former First Lady Michelle Obama in a series titled “First Ladies” which is in the works at Showtime. The network has given the prospective one-hour drama a three-script commitment, with novelist Aaron Cooley on board to write and executive produce.
The series will peel back the curtain on the personal and political lives of First Ladies from throughout history, with season one focusing on Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford and Michelle Obama. “First Ladies” will turn it lens on the East Wing of the White House, as opposed to the West, where many of history’s most impactful and world changing decisions have been hidden from view, made by America’s charismatic, complex and dynamic First Ladies. The series hails from Showtime and Lionsgate Television.
- 8/26/2019
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
If you thought the Obamas would be taking a break anytime soon, you haven't been paying attention! The former first lady has been booked and busy since her White House exit, and her husband is joining in on the fun. In March 2018, it was announced that the former Us president and Michelle were in talks to produce a collection of series exclusively for Netflix, and in May of that same year, the two finalized a multiyear agreement to produce a diverse mix of content under their Higher Ground Productions banner. Now, almost a year later, we're finally learning about the seven projects, currently in various stages of development.
"We created Higher Ground to harness the power of storytelling. That's why we couldn't be more excited about these projects," Barack said in a statement released by the streaming giant. "Touching on issues of race and class, democracy and civil rights, and much more,...
"We created Higher Ground to harness the power of storytelling. That's why we couldn't be more excited about these projects," Barack said in a statement released by the streaming giant. "Touching on issues of race and class, democracy and civil rights, and much more,...
- 5/1/2019
- by Mekishana Pierre
- Popsugar.com
Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground Productions, along with Netflix have unveiled their initial slate of upcoming projects. The former President and First Lady signed a multi-year deal with the streaming service last spring.
Seven projects are in the initial slate that span scripted and unscripted docuseries as well as feature-length films and documentaries. The offerings will reflect Higher Ground’s core values of resilience, determination, hope and unity while lifting new voices and stories that inspire change.
“We created Higher Ground to harness the power of storytelling.
Seven projects are in the initial slate that span scripted and unscripted docuseries as well as feature-length films and documentaries. The offerings will reflect Higher Ground’s core values of resilience, determination, hope and unity while lifting new voices and stories that inspire change.
“We created Higher Ground to harness the power of storytelling.
- 5/1/2019
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
Almost exactly a year after entering into a multi-year agreement to produce films and series with Netflix, former president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions has unveiled its initial slate of upcoming projects. Promising a diverse mix of content, including scripted and unscripted series, documentaries and features, the announcement was made by Priya Swaminathan and Tonia Davis, co-heads of the company.
“We created Higher Ground to harness the power of storytelling,” Obama said of the inspirational projects which touch on a variety of issues including race, class, democracy, civil rights and much more. “That’s why we couldn’t be more excited about these projects.”
Speaking on behalf of Netflix, Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said, “President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and the Higher Ground team are building a company focused on storytelling that exemplifies their core values. The breadth of their initial slate across series, film,...
“We created Higher Ground to harness the power of storytelling,” Obama said of the inspirational projects which touch on a variety of issues including race, class, democracy, civil rights and much more. “That’s why we couldn’t be more excited about these projects.”
Speaking on behalf of Netflix, Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said, “President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and the Higher Ground team are building a company focused on storytelling that exemplifies their core values. The breadth of their initial slate across series, film,...
- 4/30/2019
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
Roster includes postwar fashion world drama, non-fiction series Fifth Risk adapted from Michael Lewis book.
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company Higher Ground Productions has announced (30) an initial slate with Netflix, including Sundance entry American Factory, and scripted anthology series Overlooked.
The roster encompasses projects in various stages of development and production, covering fiction and documentary features and scripted, unscripted and documentary series, to be released over the next several years.
Participant Media’s Sundance documentary U.S. Documentary directing award winner American Factory from Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, about culture clashes when a Chinese billionaire...
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company Higher Ground Productions has announced (30) an initial slate with Netflix, including Sundance entry American Factory, and scripted anthology series Overlooked.
The roster encompasses projects in various stages of development and production, covering fiction and documentary features and scripted, unscripted and documentary series, to be released over the next several years.
Participant Media’s Sundance documentary U.S. Documentary directing award winner American Factory from Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, about culture clashes when a Chinese billionaire...
- 4/30/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Higher Ground Productions, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company in partnership with Netflix, has unveiled an initial slate of projects that include adaptations of Michael Lewis’ “The Fifth Risk,” a Frederick Douglass biopic and a period drama set in the fashion world penned by Callie Khouri.
The content comprises a range of scripted and unscripted projects for a range of audiences, as well as full-length features and documentaries. Priya Swaminathan and Tonia Davis, the co-heads of the organization, revealed the slate on Tuesday.
The announcement includes seven projects that are in various different stages of development, to be released over the next several years.
The former President and first lady launched Higher Ground last spring.
“We created Higher Ground to harness the power of storytelling. That’s why we couldn’t be more excited about these projects,” Barack Obama said. “Touching on issues of race and class, democracy and civil rights,...
The content comprises a range of scripted and unscripted projects for a range of audiences, as well as full-length features and documentaries. Priya Swaminathan and Tonia Davis, the co-heads of the organization, revealed the slate on Tuesday.
The announcement includes seven projects that are in various different stages of development, to be released over the next several years.
The former President and first lady launched Higher Ground last spring.
“We created Higher Ground to harness the power of storytelling. That’s why we couldn’t be more excited about these projects,” Barack Obama said. “Touching on issues of race and class, democracy and civil rights,...
- 4/30/2019
- by Rachel Yang
- Variety Film + TV
Priya Swaminathan and Tonia Davis, co-heads of Higher Ground Productions, President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company in partnership with Netflix, have set the company’s initial slate of upcoming projects. The content encompasses a wide range of fiction and nonfiction signature productions for all audiences including scripted, unscripted and documentary series, as well as full-length features and documentaries.
The Obamas launched Higher Ground last spring to create content that embodies the core values of celebrating the human spirit through struggles and triumph; facing adversity through resilience, determination, and hope; lifting up new voices and stories to bring about change; and transcending divides to bring us together. The projects selected are a reflection of these values and a commitment to quality storytelling. Higher Ground expects to make additional project announcements in the coming months.
They’ve been active in courting projects. That includes King Richard, the Will Smith...
The Obamas launched Higher Ground last spring to create content that embodies the core values of celebrating the human spirit through struggles and triumph; facing adversity through resilience, determination, and hope; lifting up new voices and stories to bring about change; and transcending divides to bring us together. The projects selected are a reflection of these values and a commitment to quality storytelling. Higher Ground expects to make additional project announcements in the coming months.
They’ve been active in courting projects. That includes King Richard, the Will Smith...
- 4/30/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Barack and Michelle Obama’s Initial Netflix Slate Includes Nonfiction Series From ‘Big Short’ Author
Netflix unveiled the initial slate from Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions, which includes a mix of scripted and unscripted, docuseries, documentaries and features.
The slate includes seven originals in total, the first of which will be “American Factory,” directed by Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert. The film takes a deep dive into a post-industrial Ohio, where a Chinese billionaire opens a new factory in the husk of an abandoned General Motors plant and hires 2,000 blue-collar Americans.
Other projects include a scripted anthology series based on The New York Times’ popular “Overlooked” column, and “Bloom,” a drama series set in the world of fashion in post-wwii New York City. “Big Short” and “Moneyball” author Michael Lewis is adapting his book, “The Fifth Risk: Undoing Democracy,” into a nonfiction series.
“We created...
The slate includes seven originals in total, the first of which will be “American Factory,” directed by Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert. The film takes a deep dive into a post-industrial Ohio, where a Chinese billionaire opens a new factory in the husk of an abandoned General Motors plant and hires 2,000 blue-collar Americans.
Other projects include a scripted anthology series based on The New York Times’ popular “Overlooked” column, and “Bloom,” a drama series set in the world of fashion in post-wwii New York City. “Big Short” and “Moneyball” author Michael Lewis is adapting his book, “The Fifth Risk: Undoing Democracy,” into a nonfiction series.
“We created...
- 4/30/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Barack Obama continues to be America’s pop culture president. On Friday, Obama shared his list of his 15 favorite movies of 2018, which featured nine directors who are nonwhite.
Those directors include Barry Jenkins (“If Beale Street Could Talk”), Bing Liu (“Minding the Gap”) Hirokazu Kore-eda (“Shoplifters”), Lee Chang-dong (“Burning”), Chloé Zhao (“The Rider”), Alfonso Cuaron (“Roma”), Carlos Lopez Estrada (“Blindspotting”), Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther”) and Spike Lee (“BlacKkKlansman”).
Obama also listed his favorite books and songs of the year.
Also Read: Michelle Obama Ends Hillary Clinton's 17-Year Run as Most Admired Woman in Us
“As 2018 draws to a close, I’m continuing a favorite tradition of mine and sharing my year-end lists. It gives me a moment to pause and reflect on the year through the books, movies, and music that I found most thought-provoking, inspiring, or just plain loved,” Obama wrote on Instagram.
Obama also shouted out his wife Michelle’s new biography,...
Those directors include Barry Jenkins (“If Beale Street Could Talk”), Bing Liu (“Minding the Gap”) Hirokazu Kore-eda (“Shoplifters”), Lee Chang-dong (“Burning”), Chloé Zhao (“The Rider”), Alfonso Cuaron (“Roma”), Carlos Lopez Estrada (“Blindspotting”), Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther”) and Spike Lee (“BlacKkKlansman”).
Obama also listed his favorite books and songs of the year.
Also Read: Michelle Obama Ends Hillary Clinton's 17-Year Run as Most Admired Woman in Us
“As 2018 draws to a close, I’m continuing a favorite tradition of mine and sharing my year-end lists. It gives me a moment to pause and reflect on the year through the books, movies, and music that I found most thought-provoking, inspiring, or just plain loved,” Obama wrote on Instagram.
Obama also shouted out his wife Michelle’s new biography,...
- 12/28/2018
- by Omar Sanchez
- The Wrap
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