"You ready to ride?" "I thought you'd never ask..." Paramount+ has finally launched the main official trailer for Lawmen: Bass Reeves, the next new Taylor Sheridan gritty western series. This follows up two other teaser trailers released before - with a debut date set for November. Bass Reeves is a former slave turned American law enforcement official; historically the first Black deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi River. David Oyelowo stars as Bass Reeves – known as the greatest frontier hero in American history, who worked in the Post-Reconstruction era as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory, capturing some of the most dangerous criminals without ever being wounded. Despite arresting over 3,000 outlaws during the course of his career, the weight of the badge was heavy, and he wrestled with its moral and spiritual cost to his beloved family. The cast includes Dennis Quaid, Forrest Goodluck, Lauren E. Banks as Jennie Reeves,...
- 10/10/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: Freestyle Digital Media has picked up North American rights to the music documentary Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan: Brothers in Blues, on the blues rock guitar legends of the same name, with plans to release it across VOD platforms on March 21st.
Brothers Jimmie and Stevie went from a small, post-war house in Oak Cliff, Texas to selling millions of records and playing alongside the likes of David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jackson Browne, Carlos Santana and more. A portion of the Vaughan brothers film written, directed and produced by Kirby Warnock is devoted to Jimmie and Eric Clapton’s first ever on-camera interviews about the night that Stevie died.
Featuring newly revealed photos, home movies, and previously untold stories, Brothers in Blues takes a deep dive into the tragedies and the glory of the Vaughan brothers as told by musicians, bandmates, and friends from the early days.
Brothers Jimmie and Stevie went from a small, post-war house in Oak Cliff, Texas to selling millions of records and playing alongside the likes of David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jackson Browne, Carlos Santana and more. A portion of the Vaughan brothers film written, directed and produced by Kirby Warnock is devoted to Jimmie and Eric Clapton’s first ever on-camera interviews about the night that Stevie died.
Featuring newly revealed photos, home movies, and previously untold stories, Brothers in Blues takes a deep dive into the tragedies and the glory of the Vaughan brothers as told by musicians, bandmates, and friends from the early days.
- 2/24/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Award winning Exec Maxine Watson joins to bolster creative development Industry veteran Pat Younge invests to support IP push Company’s first formats initiative - Pilot Season - launches on 13 March
Award-winning audio powerhouse Unedited has announced the appointment of two UK industry heavyweights to help fuel its growth into audio formats and the creation of its own IP. The announcement comes as the Unedited prepares to launch Pilot Season, the inaugural showcase of its new formats.
Maxine Watson, MD of Black Ruby Pictures will be Unedited’s **Creative Executive, supporting their push into original documentaries and formats. Multi-award-winning Watson, who led BBC Documentaries Commissioning, has been responsible for a host of high-profile programmes across documentary, drama and factual entertainment. A former Head of Production for Warner Brothers’ indie, Twenty Twenty, and currently Executive Producer for Nutopia’s upcomingNetflix series African Queens, her credits include: formats such as BAFTA-winning Who Do You Think You Are?,...
Award-winning audio powerhouse Unedited has announced the appointment of two UK industry heavyweights to help fuel its growth into audio formats and the creation of its own IP. The announcement comes as the Unedited prepares to launch Pilot Season, the inaugural showcase of its new formats.
Maxine Watson, MD of Black Ruby Pictures will be Unedited’s **Creative Executive, supporting their push into original documentaries and formats. Multi-award-winning Watson, who led BBC Documentaries Commissioning, has been responsible for a host of high-profile programmes across documentary, drama and factual entertainment. A former Head of Production for Warner Brothers’ indie, Twenty Twenty, and currently Executive Producer for Nutopia’s upcomingNetflix series African Queens, her credits include: formats such as BAFTA-winning Who Do You Think You Are?,...
- 2/22/2023
- Podnews.net
Exclusive: Freestyle Digital Media has picked up worldwide rights to the music documentary The Mojo Manifesto: The Life and Times of Mojo Nixon, slating it for release March 17 across VOD platforms.
The film written and directed by Matt Eskey, in his feature debut, tells the true story of Neill Kirby McMillan, Jr., who comes of age in Danville, Va, listening to records from his father’s soul radio station and plotting his escape from the confines of conservative small-town life.
Related Story Emily Hampshire Rom-Com ‘The End Of Sex’ Acquired By Blue Fox Entertainment Related Story Animated Film 'Lamya's Poem' Gets Digital Release Date For North America Related Story Freestyle Digital Media Acquires Emmy-Winning Documentary 'When Claude Got Shot'; Snoop Dogg Executive Producer
During an early 1980s cross-country bicycle trip, Kirby experiences The Mojo Revelation and becomes “Mojo Nixon” — a primitive, blues-inspired musician. Mojo then teams up with...
The film written and directed by Matt Eskey, in his feature debut, tells the true story of Neill Kirby McMillan, Jr., who comes of age in Danville, Va, listening to records from his father’s soul radio station and plotting his escape from the confines of conservative small-town life.
Related Story Emily Hampshire Rom-Com ‘The End Of Sex’ Acquired By Blue Fox Entertainment Related Story Animated Film 'Lamya's Poem' Gets Digital Release Date For North America Related Story Freestyle Digital Media Acquires Emmy-Winning Documentary 'When Claude Got Shot'; Snoop Dogg Executive Producer
During an early 1980s cross-country bicycle trip, Kirby experiences The Mojo Revelation and becomes “Mojo Nixon” — a primitive, blues-inspired musician. Mojo then teams up with...
- 2/21/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Bob Odenkirk and Mireille Enos-led series Lucky Hank is rounding out its cast with Shannon DeVido (Best Summer Ever, Difficult People) and Jackson Kelly (Witch Mountain, Lessons in Chemistry). Lucky Hank premieres on March 19 on AMC and AMC+.
DeVido portrays Emma Wheemer, a take-charge and no-nonsense English teacher at Railton College under the supervision of department chair Hank Devereaux, Jr. (Odenkirk) in recurring roles.
Kelly portrays Barto Williams-Stevens, a student who believes deeply in his own talent and potential, despite the lack of evidence. He founds a student watchdog Excellence Committee and becomes a thorn in Hank’s side.
In the dramedy, from TriStar TV, William Henry Devereaux Jr. (Odenkirk) is the unlikely and reluctant chairman of the English department in an underfunded college in the Pennsylvania rust belt. His discontent is rooted in unresolved issues with his father, a mediocre and entitled student body, and the fact...
DeVido portrays Emma Wheemer, a take-charge and no-nonsense English teacher at Railton College under the supervision of department chair Hank Devereaux, Jr. (Odenkirk) in recurring roles.
Kelly portrays Barto Williams-Stevens, a student who believes deeply in his own talent and potential, despite the lack of evidence. He founds a student watchdog Excellence Committee and becomes a thorn in Hank’s side.
In the dramedy, from TriStar TV, William Henry Devereaux Jr. (Odenkirk) is the unlikely and reluctant chairman of the English department in an underfunded college in the Pennsylvania rust belt. His discontent is rooted in unresolved issues with his father, a mediocre and entitled student body, and the fact...
- 2/1/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North American rights to the narrative documentary Acting: The First Six Lessons, written by and starring Beau Bridges and his daughter Emily Bridges. The digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group/Entertainment Studios plans to release the drama across VOD platforms March 8.
Based on Richard Boleslavsky’s 1933 novel of the same name, Acting: The First Six Lessons offers an intimate glimpse into the life and acting craft of the multi-generational Bridges family. The unique hybrid of narrative and documentary storytelling follows a teacher (Beau Bridges) and his student (Emily Bridges), who together explore the craft of acting, and evolve in their understanding and appreciation of life itself. The story unfolds in six lessons over the course of their relationship, nested within a larger conversation with three generations of the Bridges family. These lessons include Concentration, Memory of Emotion, Dramatic Action,...
Based on Richard Boleslavsky’s 1933 novel of the same name, Acting: The First Six Lessons offers an intimate glimpse into the life and acting craft of the multi-generational Bridges family. The unique hybrid of narrative and documentary storytelling follows a teacher (Beau Bridges) and his student (Emily Bridges), who together explore the craft of acting, and evolve in their understanding and appreciation of life itself. The story unfolds in six lessons over the course of their relationship, nested within a larger conversation with three generations of the Bridges family. These lessons include Concentration, Memory of Emotion, Dramatic Action,...
- 2/14/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
At the Media Access Awards on Wednesday, honoree Marlee Matlin summed up the mood by saying that when she came to Los Angeles in 1985, “words like equality and access were so far outside the mainstream of Hollywood, I had to make noise.” Receiving the Maa’s lifetime achievement award “pushes me to be even louder.”
The annual awards have long honored film and TV shows that offer positive portrayals of disabled people. Other honorees, which were announced in advance, included Selma Blair, Troy Kotsur, John Krasinski, Jamie Nieto, Ryan O’Connell, “Luca” producer Andrea Warren and Zeno Mountain Farm.
The Apple film “Coda” was the only winner of multiple awards, with Matlin, her co-star Troy Kotsur and the film’s casting directors Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood and Lisa Zagoria honored. The trio received the casting society of America award, with the film’s writer-director Sian Heder praising them as partners.
The...
The annual awards have long honored film and TV shows that offer positive portrayals of disabled people. Other honorees, which were announced in advance, included Selma Blair, Troy Kotsur, John Krasinski, Jamie Nieto, Ryan O’Connell, “Luca” producer Andrea Warren and Zeno Mountain Farm.
The Apple film “Coda” was the only winner of multiple awards, with Matlin, her co-star Troy Kotsur and the film’s casting directors Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood and Lisa Zagoria honored. The trio received the casting society of America award, with the film’s writer-director Sian Heder praising them as partners.
The...
- 11/18/2021
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North American VOD rights to Slater Brothers Entertainment’s horror-thriller, The Darker The Lake, with plans to release it across internet, cable, and satellite platforms on March 1, 2022.
The Australian AFM entry directed by Lok Kwan Woo tells the story of what happens when strange, supernatural murders suddenly become the talk of a peaceful, small town. As two local detectives struggle to solve a deadly game, the myth of this game begin to reveal secrets too close to home.
Lok, Z Zoccolante and Yang Yang penned the film, which stars stars Elyse Levesque, Veronica Ferres (The Unforgivable), Gina Stiebitz (Dark), Vladimir Burlakov (Kleo) and Wei-Ning Hsu (The Victim’s Game).
Lok also produced, with Udum Media’s Anni Hsu exec producing alongside Todd and Grant Slater of Slater Brothers Entertainment.
“I am thrilled to have partnered up with Entertainment Studios,...
The Australian AFM entry directed by Lok Kwan Woo tells the story of what happens when strange, supernatural murders suddenly become the talk of a peaceful, small town. As two local detectives struggle to solve a deadly game, the myth of this game begin to reveal secrets too close to home.
Lok, Z Zoccolante and Yang Yang penned the film, which stars stars Elyse Levesque, Veronica Ferres (The Unforgivable), Gina Stiebitz (Dark), Vladimir Burlakov (Kleo) and Wei-Ning Hsu (The Victim’s Game).
Lok also produced, with Udum Media’s Anni Hsu exec producing alongside Todd and Grant Slater of Slater Brothers Entertainment.
“I am thrilled to have partnered up with Entertainment Studios,...
- 11/2/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Sundance Institute on Thursday announced 10 participants for its upcoming weeklong Producers Lab — emerging producers behind five nonfiction and five fiction feature projects who will get a year of mentorship, creative support, and networking opportunities.
Additionally, Sundance also announced some of the lineup for its Producers Summit, which runs from August 2-5 on the online Sundance Collab platform. The event brings together financiers, agents, and distributors, alongside emerging and mid-career producers for discussions around issues in the field. Hasan Minhaj will deliver a keynote on the critical role of bold, personal storytelling.
The Producers Lab will take place July 25-29, and represent the beginning of a year of support participants will receive. On the fiction side, this year’s advisors include Mollye Asher (“Nomadland”), Amy Lo (“Nancy”), Paul Mezey (“After Yang”), and Laura Rister (“The Tale”). Nonfiction advisors include Violeta Bava (“Azor”) Jannat Gargi (Vice Studios), Andrea Meditch (“Fathom”), and...
Additionally, Sundance also announced some of the lineup for its Producers Summit, which runs from August 2-5 on the online Sundance Collab platform. The event brings together financiers, agents, and distributors, alongside emerging and mid-career producers for discussions around issues in the field. Hasan Minhaj will deliver a keynote on the critical role of bold, personal storytelling.
The Producers Lab will take place July 25-29, and represent the beginning of a year of support participants will receive. On the fiction side, this year’s advisors include Mollye Asher (“Nomadland”), Amy Lo (“Nancy”), Paul Mezey (“After Yang”), and Laura Rister (“The Tale”). Nonfiction advisors include Violeta Bava (“Azor”) Jannat Gargi (Vice Studios), Andrea Meditch (“Fathom”), and...
- 7/22/2021
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
I first came in contact with the juggernaut that is Shannon DeVido in her hilarious portrayal of Andrea Mumford on Difficult People. Another recurring role on the Netflix series Insatiable followed, and now the actor/singer/comedian gets to combine it all in the smile-inducing new movie musical Best Summer Ever. On this episode, she talks about the passionate, super-positive, love-filled environment that fueled that ambitious production and the ways she adjusted to a starring role after years of guest spots. She gives us a peek at what it’s like to navigate the acting world as a disabled person, and why the […]
The post Back to One, Episode 152: Shannon Devido first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Back to One, Episode 152: Shannon Devido first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 5/4/2021
- by Peter Rinaldi
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
I first came in contact with the juggernaut that is Shannon DeVido in her hilarious portrayal of Andrea Mumford on Difficult People. Another recurring role on the Netflix series Insatiable followed, and now the actor/singer/comedian gets to combine it all in the smile-inducing new movie musical Best Summer Ever. On this episode, she talks about the passionate, super-positive, love-filled environment that fueled that ambitious production and the ways she adjusted to a starring role after years of guest spots. She gives us a peek at what it’s like to navigate the acting world as a disabled person, and why the […]
The post Back to One, Episode 152: Shannon Devido first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Back to One, Episode 152: Shannon Devido first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 5/4/2021
- by Peter Rinaldi
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
A smart and sweet riff through “Grease,” “Footloose,” “High School Musical” and scads of other upbeat, teen-skewing entertainments, “Best Summer Ever” greatly impress with its deft balance of affectionate homage and exuberant inclusivity. Working from a peppy screenplay they co-wrote with Will Halby, Andrew Pilkington and Terra Mackintosh, directors Michael Parks Randa and Lauren Smitelli keep the mood so beguilingly light and bright, even during brief romantic setbacks, that it’s remarkably easy to suspend disbelief and gratefully delight in a world where racial divides and ableist prejudices are nonexistent, and just about the only negative stereotype on view is a mean-girl cheerleader.
The all-embracing attitude that propels “Best Summer Ever” is on full display right from the start. It’s the last day of the season at Lakeview Dance Camp, as young sweethearts Sage (Shannon DeVido), who uses a wheelchair, and her football-player boyfriend Tony (Ricky Wilson Jr.) lead...
The all-embracing attitude that propels “Best Summer Ever” is on full display right from the start. It’s the last day of the season at Lakeview Dance Camp, as young sweethearts Sage (Shannon DeVido), who uses a wheelchair, and her football-player boyfriend Tony (Ricky Wilson Jr.) lead...
- 4/29/2021
- by Joe Leydon
- Variety Film + TV
Though “Crip Camp” didn’t end up going home with the Oscar on Sunday evening, it’s done plenty toward making people aware of the need for disabled narratives that are positive and happy. For us to see true inclusion, it’s not enough to simply tell disabled stories, but to make disability part of every story. A prime example of that is the new teen musical, “Best Summer Ever.”
The most ambitious feature undertaken by Zeno Mountain Farm, a camp aimed at immersing disabled and non-disabled kids in the arts and the subject of the 2014 documentary “Becoming Bulletproof,” “Best Summer Ever” seeks to break the record for most disabled performers in a film held by 1932’s horror feature “Freaks.” Outside of that,
Tony and Sage had the “best summer ever” after falling in love at dance camp. They part, unsure when they’ll see each other again. Unfortunately, when...
The most ambitious feature undertaken by Zeno Mountain Farm, a camp aimed at immersing disabled and non-disabled kids in the arts and the subject of the 2014 documentary “Becoming Bulletproof,” “Best Summer Ever” seeks to break the record for most disabled performers in a film held by 1932’s horror feature “Freaks.” Outside of that,
Tony and Sage had the “best summer ever” after falling in love at dance camp. They part, unsure when they’ll see each other again. Unfortunately, when...
- 4/27/2021
- by Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
ReelAbilities Film Festival Announces Special Guests and Live Events
The New York ReelAbilities Film Festival has announced a selection of exclusive events and speakers to accompany its 13th annual ReelAbilities Film Festival programming.
Highlights include the pilot reading of “Disgraced” with Julie Klausner (“Difficult People”), Shannon DeVido (“Best Summer Ever”) and Alex Scordelis (“Difficult People”)
The festival’s closing night will also feature the subject of the film “Not Going Quietly,” activist Ady Barkan, along with the filmmakers. Highlighted panels at the festival include: Black Future Month: Legacy, Present & Afro-Futurism on the realities that keep us from the American “dream.” The panel will include Black-disabled filmmakers: Keith Jones, Jd Michaels, Tameka Citchen-Spruce, Safiya Eshe Gyasi, Diana Elizabeth Jordan and Trelanda R. Lowe.
The 13th annual ReelAbilities Film Festival runs from April 29 through May 5. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at reelabilities.org/newyork/.
Cleopatra Entertainment Acquires Distribution...
The New York ReelAbilities Film Festival has announced a selection of exclusive events and speakers to accompany its 13th annual ReelAbilities Film Festival programming.
Highlights include the pilot reading of “Disgraced” with Julie Klausner (“Difficult People”), Shannon DeVido (“Best Summer Ever”) and Alex Scordelis (“Difficult People”)
The festival’s closing night will also feature the subject of the film “Not Going Quietly,” activist Ady Barkan, along with the filmmakers. Highlighted panels at the festival include: Black Future Month: Legacy, Present & Afro-Futurism on the realities that keep us from the American “dream.” The panel will include Black-disabled filmmakers: Keith Jones, Jd Michaels, Tameka Citchen-Spruce, Safiya Eshe Gyasi, Diana Elizabeth Jordan and Trelanda R. Lowe.
The 13th annual ReelAbilities Film Festival runs from April 29 through May 5. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at reelabilities.org/newyork/.
Cleopatra Entertainment Acquires Distribution...
- 4/21/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
"How 'bout we just go off somewhere together?" Freestyle Digital Media has released the official trailer for an indie romance musical titled Best Summer Ever. This originally premiered last year at the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival, and also stopped by the Portland, Heartland, and Maui Film Festivals. A fresh and exhilarating take on the beloved teen musical genre featuring eight original songs and a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities. Sage (Shannon DeVido) and Anthony have the "Best Summer Ever" and fall in love at a dance camp. Not expecting to see each other again until the following summer, Sage, by a twist of fate, arrives unexpectedly at the exact same high school as Anthony. Now they must navigate volatile high school life and hope their love remains. Also starring Jacob Waltuck, MuMu, Holly Palmer, Ajani A.J. Murray, Emily Kranking, with Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard,...
- 4/15/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: HBO Max is heading to summer camp. The streaming service has put in development a half-hour comedy series set at a summer camp from Peabody Award-winning writer Lauren Herstik and Adam Goodman’s Invisible Narratives.
Written by Herstik, the untitled project revolves around four lifelong “Camp Friends” during their highly anticipated Cit (counselor-in-training) summer. When a mysterious new girl arrives late from another camp, the girls’ plan to have The Best Summer Ever gets thrown into disarray. Camp Friends live ten months for two. Now that things are different, the “Core Four” swear an oath to do whatever it takes for their friendship to survive.
Goodman will executive produce via his Invisible Narratives.
Herstik was most recently staffed on Pearson for USA Network, and previously wrote on Netflix’s American Vandal, earning her a WGA Award nomination as well as a Peabody Award. She directed a documentary short,...
Written by Herstik, the untitled project revolves around four lifelong “Camp Friends” during their highly anticipated Cit (counselor-in-training) summer. When a mysterious new girl arrives late from another camp, the girls’ plan to have The Best Summer Ever gets thrown into disarray. Camp Friends live ten months for two. Now that things are different, the “Core Four” swear an oath to do whatever it takes for their friendship to survive.
Goodman will executive produce via his Invisible Narratives.
Herstik was most recently staffed on Pearson for USA Network, and previously wrote on Netflix’s American Vandal, earning her a WGA Award nomination as well as a Peabody Award. She directed a documentary short,...
- 4/9/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The ReelAbilities Film Festival is set to open with Michael Parks Randa and Lauren Smitelli’s inclusive musical romancer Best Summer Ever, executive produced by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ted Danson, Amy Brenneman, and Mary Steenburgen.
Gyllenhaal, Sarsgaard and Benjamin Bratt have cameo roles in the feature shot with a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities and which bowed at SXSW. Best Summer Ever, which also stars Shannon DeVido, Ricky Wilson Jr., MuMu, Jacob Waltuck, Emily Kranking, Ajani “Aj” Murray, Eileen Grubba and Holly Palmer, will screen on April 29 at the Queens Drive-In.
And ...
Gyllenhaal, Sarsgaard and Benjamin Bratt have cameo roles in the feature shot with a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities and which bowed at SXSW. Best Summer Ever, which also stars Shannon DeVido, Ricky Wilson Jr., MuMu, Jacob Waltuck, Emily Kranking, Ajani “Aj” Murray, Eileen Grubba and Holly Palmer, will screen on April 29 at the Queens Drive-In.
And ...
- 3/31/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The ReelAbilities Film Festival is set to open with Michael Parks Randa and Lauren Smitelli’s inclusive musical romancer Best Summer Ever, executive produced by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ted Danson, Amy Brenneman, and Mary Steenburgen.
Gyllenhaal, Sarsgaard and Benjamin Bratt have cameo roles in the feature shot with a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities and which bowed at SXSW. Best Summer Ever, which also stars Shannon DeVido, Ricky Wilson Jr., MuMu, Jacob Waltuck, Emily Kranking, Ajani “Aj” Murray, Eileen Grubba and Holly Palmer, will screen on April 29 at the Queens Drive-In.
And ...
Gyllenhaal, Sarsgaard and Benjamin Bratt have cameo roles in the feature shot with a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities and which bowed at SXSW. Best Summer Ever, which also stars Shannon DeVido, Ricky Wilson Jr., MuMu, Jacob Waltuck, Emily Kranking, Ajani “Aj” Murray, Eileen Grubba and Holly Palmer, will screen on April 29 at the Queens Drive-In.
And ...
- 3/31/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Irresistibly likable musical Best Summer Ever offers the wholesome tale of Sage and Tony, two teenagers in love, winningly played by Shannon DeVido and Ricky Wilson Jr. respectively. These two crazy kids are perfect for each other, but they still must face an assortment of adolescent tribulations, including mean cheerleaders, deciding who to take to the homecoming dance and worrying about whether one’s pot-growing moms might get busted by the cops.
What is definitely not a problem, however, is the fact that pretty Sage is a wheelchair user while Tony isn’t, or that at least half of the ...
What is definitely not a problem, however, is the fact that pretty Sage is a wheelchair user while Tony isn’t, or that at least half of the ...
- 3/24/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Irresistibly likable musical Best Summer Ever offers the wholesome tale of Sage and Tony, two teenagers in love, winningly played by Shannon DeVido and Ricky Wilson Jr. respectively. These two crazy kids are perfect for each other, but they still must face an assortment of adolescent tribulations, including mean cheerleaders, deciding who to take to the homecoming dance and worrying about whether one’s pot-growing moms might get busted by the cops.
What is definitely not a problem, however, is the fact that pretty Sage is a wheelchair user while Tony isn’t, or that at least half of the ...
What is definitely not a problem, however, is the fact that pretty Sage is a wheelchair user while Tony isn’t, or that at least half of the ...
- 3/24/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North American rights to Michael Parks Randa and Lauren Smitelli’s inclusive musical romancer Best Summer Ever after a SXSW festival premiere.
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard and Benjamin Bratt have cameo roles in the feature shot with a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities.
“Freestyle Digital Media is proud to be a part of the North American release of Best Summer Ever. This innovative, free-spirited take on the teen musical genre is great viewing for audiences of all ages,” Freestyle’s vp of operations and sales Bill Vergos said in a ...
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard and Benjamin Bratt have cameo roles in the feature shot with a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities.
“Freestyle Digital Media is proud to be a part of the North American release of Best Summer Ever. This innovative, free-spirited take on the teen musical genre is great viewing for audiences of all ages,” Freestyle’s vp of operations and sales Bill Vergos said in a ...
- 3/19/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North American rights to Michael Parks Randa and Lauren Smitelli’s inclusive musical romance Best Summer Ever after a SXSW festival premiere.
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard and Benjamin Bratt have cameo roles in the feature shot with a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities.
“Freestyle Digital Media is proud to be a part of the North American release of Best Summer Ever. This innovative, free-spirited take on the teen musical genre is great viewing for audiences of all ages,” Freestyle vp operations and sales Bill Vergos said in a statement.
The ...
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard and Benjamin Bratt have cameo roles in the feature shot with a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities.
“Freestyle Digital Media is proud to be a part of the North American release of Best Summer Ever. This innovative, free-spirited take on the teen musical genre is great viewing for audiences of all ages,” Freestyle vp operations and sales Bill Vergos said in a statement.
The ...
- 3/19/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Need a little content with your cruising? Grindr is getting into the scripted entertainment game with “Bridesman,” a new 10-minute episodic series starring beloved internet comedian Jimmy Fowlie. Created by John Onieal, “Bridesman” follows the exploits of the titular gay bridesman (Fowlie) as he attempts to undermine his best friend’s wedding. Fast-paced and irreverent, the series features queer talent both in front of and behind the camera, part of Grindr’s stated mission for the new exploit.
“‘Bridesman’ is tailor-made for the Grindr community — it’s smart, queer, campy, and features sharp commentary on gay dating, heteronormative standards, and Grindr itself,” said Grindr’s Alex Black. “We are so proud to be showcasing some of the finest talent in the queer community as we continue to find new and creative ways to connect our users.”
LGBTQ mediaphiles are already well acquainted with Fowlie’s particular charms, whether from his...
“‘Bridesman’ is tailor-made for the Grindr community — it’s smart, queer, campy, and features sharp commentary on gay dating, heteronormative standards, and Grindr itself,” said Grindr’s Alex Black. “We are so proud to be showcasing some of the finest talent in the queer community as we continue to find new and creative ways to connect our users.”
LGBTQ mediaphiles are already well acquainted with Fowlie’s particular charms, whether from his...
- 3/2/2021
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
The popular LGBTQ “dating” app Grindr is entering the original scripted content space with Bridesman which is set to begin production this month and air in Fall 2021.
Created by John Onieal, Bridesman is a comedy series follows a gay bridesman as he undermines his best friend’s wedding. Each episode will be 6 to 10 minutes and will be available on YouTube as the Grindr app.
Directed by Julian Buchan, the show will feature comedians Jimmy Fowlie, Sydnee Washington (Comedy Central’s Up Next Showcase) and Shannon Devido. The series will include guest appearances by Liva Pierce, Calvin Seabrooks, Benito Skinner, and Kim Petras.
The series is co-written by Frank Spiro, and produced by Katie White and Jeremy Truong of rubbertape.
Bridesman is the latest in a series of projects exploring...
Created by John Onieal, Bridesman is a comedy series follows a gay bridesman as he undermines his best friend’s wedding. Each episode will be 6 to 10 minutes and will be available on YouTube as the Grindr app.
Directed by Julian Buchan, the show will feature comedians Jimmy Fowlie, Sydnee Washington (Comedy Central’s Up Next Showcase) and Shannon Devido. The series will include guest appearances by Liva Pierce, Calvin Seabrooks, Benito Skinner, and Kim Petras.
The series is co-written by Frank Spiro, and produced by Katie White and Jeremy Truong of rubbertape.
Bridesman is the latest in a series of projects exploring...
- 3/2/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
A Guide to Avoiding #OscarsSoWhite: Instructions for Academy Voters Before Filling Out Their Ballots
⊗ Film is supposed to be inclusive. But if you can’t see yourself on-screen, do you feel as if you even exist? One-third of our lives is spent at work, and the artists who express their creativity through cinema deserve to have their work seen, and not just because of the color of their skin or their gender but because when you are exposed to an experience different from your own, your creativity grows. Take a moment to review this list of eligible films, putting a check mark on the ones you have seen from this year. Ideally, that will leave you with a clearer picture of how you are contributing to cinema’s evolution with your votes.
Your goal should be to watch all of these films, but let’s be realistic. Try seeing at least 60% of them. All meet the Academy’s diversity requirements — in front of or...
Your goal should be to watch all of these films, but let’s be realistic. Try seeing at least 60% of them. All meet the Academy’s diversity requirements — in front of or...
- 2/18/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
RespectAbility will have a heavy presence at Sundance this year, with a lineup of virtual panels and discussions, all on digital Main Street.
The disability advocacy group is presenting five conversations under the umbrella title the Accessibility & Inclusion Lab; two of the events are in collaboration with Film Independent.
A goal is to encourage authentic representation of disabled people on screen, and to help change how audiences view people with disabilities. Another goal is to give filmmakers the tools to make films more accessible, both for disabled crew members and for audiences.
According to Nielsen, the disability market influences more than a trillion dollars in disposable income. However, with one-in-five people in the U.S. having a disability, there is a startling lack of representation – just 2.3% of characters in the 100 top-grossing films of 2019 and 8% in family films.
“What we see and hear on screen influences how we act in real life,...
The disability advocacy group is presenting five conversations under the umbrella title the Accessibility & Inclusion Lab; two of the events are in collaboration with Film Independent.
A goal is to encourage authentic representation of disabled people on screen, and to help change how audiences view people with disabilities. Another goal is to give filmmakers the tools to make films more accessible, both for disabled crew members and for audiences.
According to Nielsen, the disability market influences more than a trillion dollars in disposable income. However, with one-in-five people in the U.S. having a disability, there is a startling lack of representation – just 2.3% of characters in the 100 top-grossing films of 2019 and 8% in family films.
“What we see and hear on screen influences how we act in real life,...
- 1/28/2021
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
The cast of Zombies 2 are channeling their inner Wildcats for the Disney Channel Summer Sing-Along. Ahead of the special on July 10, Popsugar has an exclusive look at the opening number, "What Time Is It?" from High School Musical 2. While Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly take the leads as they sing Troy and Gabriella's lines, the rest of their costars, Ariel Martin, Pearce Joza, Trevor Tordjman, and Chandler Kinney, join in later wearing East High's school colors.
The special is sure to be fun for new and old Disney Channel fans as stars like Demi Lovato, Coco Jones (Let It Shine), Olivia Rodrigo (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series), and more make special appearances. The full song lineup includes: "What Time Is It?" from HSM2, "It's On" from Camp Rock 2, "Fired Up" from Zombies, "All I Want" from Hsmtmts, "Best Summer Ever" from Teen Beach 2, "Guardian Angel" from Let It Shine,...
The special is sure to be fun for new and old Disney Channel fans as stars like Demi Lovato, Coco Jones (Let It Shine), Olivia Rodrigo (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series), and more make special appearances. The full song lineup includes: "What Time Is It?" from HSM2, "It's On" from Camp Rock 2, "Fired Up" from Zombies, "All I Want" from Hsmtmts, "Best Summer Ever" from Teen Beach 2, "Guardian Angel" from Let It Shine,...
- 7/11/2020
- by Kelsie Gibson
- Popsugar.com
Amazon Prime Video has unveiled a lineup of 39 films, including narrative and documentary features, short films and episodic titles, that were meant to screen at the canceled SXSW Film Festival.
Filmmakers submitted to SXSW were invited to opt in to take part in the online film festival that will play on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S. starting on April 27 and running through May 6. The films are available for free to U.S. audiences with only a free Amazon account.
The lineup includes some of the award winners that the SXSW juries announced last month despite the festival being canceled. Among them are the documentary short “No Crying at the Dinner Table,” which won the jury’s top prize, and the narrative short “Dirty,” which won a special jury recognition for acting.
Also Read: SXSW Film Festival Announces Jury, Special Awards Despite Cancellation Due to Coronavirus
“SXSW has always...
Filmmakers submitted to SXSW were invited to opt in to take part in the online film festival that will play on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S. starting on April 27 and running through May 6. The films are available for free to U.S. audiences with only a free Amazon account.
The lineup includes some of the award winners that the SXSW juries announced last month despite the festival being canceled. Among them are the documentary short “No Crying at the Dinner Table,” which won the jury’s top prize, and the narrative short “Dirty,” which won a special jury recognition for acting.
Also Read: SXSW Film Festival Announces Jury, Special Awards Despite Cancellation Due to Coronavirus
“SXSW has always...
- 4/21/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Online platform Stage 32 is rolling out a screening series starting Tuesday to highlight filmmakers and films impacted by cancellations or postponement of festivals to a network of industry executives and professionals.
More from DeadlineSXSW Debut Nixed, Rod Lurie-Directed Afghan War Thriller 'The Outpost' Lands Screen Media DealSundance Pic 'Miss Juneteenth' To Hit Screens In June With Vertical Entertainment DealSXSW 2020 Pilot Showcase Makes Its Way To Vimeo
The 70-plus films include Best Summer Ever with Maggie Gyllenhall and documentary Echoes of the Invisible, respectively the Final Draft Screenwriting and Zeiss Cinematography Award-winners from SXSW.
Stage 32 said it’s invited thousands of sales agents, distributors, financiers, managers, agents and development executives who have worked with the company over the last nine years onto the new platform. Filmmakers can choose whether to screen publicly to Stage 32’s global community of over 600,000 members worldwide or just to the professionals...
More from DeadlineSXSW Debut Nixed, Rod Lurie-Directed Afghan War Thriller 'The Outpost' Lands Screen Media DealSundance Pic 'Miss Juneteenth' To Hit Screens In June With Vertical Entertainment DealSXSW 2020 Pilot Showcase Makes Its Way To Vimeo
The 70-plus films include Best Summer Ever with Maggie Gyllenhall and documentary Echoes of the Invisible, respectively the Final Draft Screenwriting and Zeiss Cinematography Award-winners from SXSW.
Stage 32 said it’s invited thousands of sales agents, distributors, financiers, managers, agents and development executives who have worked with the company over the last nine years onto the new platform. Filmmakers can choose whether to screen publicly to Stage 32’s global community of over 600,000 members worldwide or just to the professionals...
- 4/20/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Kumail Nanjiani has been cast as a journalist, Daisy Ridley boards Imax’s “Asteroid Hunters,” “Best Summer Ever” leads off a festival, Shelley Duvall gets an honor and “Dark Harvest” lands at MGM.
Project Launch
Kumail Nanjiani will star in the political thriller “The Independent,” which is being introduced to buyers by The Exchange at the Berlin Film Festival.
He will portray a journalist who uncovers a conspiracy, which places the fate of the election in his hands with America’s first viable independent presidential candidate poised for victory.
“Kumail is a great actor with global recognition and he serves as the cornerstone for an incredible ensemble cast that we are excited to announce shortly,” said Brian O’Shea of The Exchange.
Amy Rice, who was nominated for an Emmy for “By the People: The Election of Barack Obama,” is directing “The Independent” from a script by Evan Parter.
Project Launch
Kumail Nanjiani will star in the political thriller “The Independent,” which is being introduced to buyers by The Exchange at the Berlin Film Festival.
He will portray a journalist who uncovers a conspiracy, which places the fate of the election in his hands with America’s first viable independent presidential candidate poised for victory.
“Kumail is a great actor with global recognition and he serves as the cornerstone for an incredible ensemble cast that we are excited to announce shortly,” said Brian O’Shea of The Exchange.
Amy Rice, who was nominated for an Emmy for “By the People: The Election of Barack Obama,” is directing “The Independent” from a script by Evan Parter.
- 2/22/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Maggie Gyllenhaal has joined the cast of Baz Luhrmann’s untitled musical drama on the life of Elvis Presley and will play the rock and roll legend’s mother, Gladys Presley, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Gyllenhaal joins a cast that includes Austin Butler as Elvis, Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker, and Olivia DeJonge will play his wife, Priscilla Presley.
Production is expected to start this spring on the film that Luhrmann wrote with Craig Pearce. The untitled movie specifically follows Elvis’ relationship with his manager as a young performer and how he ultimately came from humble, dirt poor origins to change the face of music.
Also Read: How an Unpublished Cameron Crowe Story About Elvis Presley Turned Into 'Almost Famous'
The film hit theaters on Oct. 1, 2021.
Elvis’ relationship with his mother was close, and while he was on tour, she and her husband Vernon...
Gyllenhaal joins a cast that includes Austin Butler as Elvis, Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker, and Olivia DeJonge will play his wife, Priscilla Presley.
Production is expected to start this spring on the film that Luhrmann wrote with Craig Pearce. The untitled movie specifically follows Elvis’ relationship with his manager as a young performer and how he ultimately came from humble, dirt poor origins to change the face of music.
Also Read: How an Unpublished Cameron Crowe Story About Elvis Presley Turned Into 'Almost Famous'
The film hit theaters on Oct. 1, 2021.
Elvis’ relationship with his mother was close, and while he was on tour, she and her husband Vernon...
- 2/7/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Maggie Gyllenhaal will play Gladys Presley, the King of Rock and Roll’s mother, in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic “Elvis.”
The Warner Bros. film stars Austin Butler in the title role and Tom Hanks as Elvis Presley’s manger, Colonel Tom Parker.
Luhrmann co-wrote the script with Craig Pearce. The movie revolves around the veteran manager and the young singer, who came from dirt-poor origins to become an icon who changed the course of music history. The project marks Luhrmann’s first film since his 2013 adaptation of “The Great Gatsby” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. He most recently worked on the Netflix series “The Get Down.” Production is expected to start this spring.
Throughout his career, Presley talked about his devotion to his mother, constantly calling her his number one girl. The close relationship is said to have continued when the musician’s career took off and during Gladys’ bout of depression...
The Warner Bros. film stars Austin Butler in the title role and Tom Hanks as Elvis Presley’s manger, Colonel Tom Parker.
Luhrmann co-wrote the script with Craig Pearce. The movie revolves around the veteran manager and the young singer, who came from dirt-poor origins to become an icon who changed the course of music history. The project marks Luhrmann’s first film since his 2013 adaptation of “The Great Gatsby” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. He most recently worked on the Netflix series “The Get Down.” Production is expected to start this spring.
Throughout his career, Presley talked about his devotion to his mother, constantly calling her his number one girl. The close relationship is said to have continued when the musician’s career took off and during Gladys’ bout of depression...
- 2/7/2020
- by Justin Kroll
- Variety Film + TV
Peter Sarsgaard has joined the cast of Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” the director tweeted on Friday.
“Oh… Hi, Peter…,” the filmmaker tweeted alongside a gif of Sarsgaard, as well as the bat emoji often associated with the film.
Specifics of the role were not specified. Robert Pattinson is set to star as the Dark Knight, while Zoe Kravitz has been cast as Selina Kyle, a.k.a. Catwoman and Paul Dano has been cast as Edward Nashton, also known as the Riddler. John Turturro is playing Carmine Falcone. TheWrap previously reported that Andy Serkis was in talks to play Alfred Pennyworth and that Colin Farrell was in talks to star as The Penguin. Jeffrey Wright is playing Commissioner Gordon, while Jayme Lawson is set to star as well.
Also Read: John Turturro to Play Carmine Falcone in Matt Reeves' 'The Batman'
Reeves took over the directing gig after...
“Oh… Hi, Peter…,” the filmmaker tweeted alongside a gif of Sarsgaard, as well as the bat emoji often associated with the film.
Specifics of the role were not specified. Robert Pattinson is set to star as the Dark Knight, while Zoe Kravitz has been cast as Selina Kyle, a.k.a. Catwoman and Paul Dano has been cast as Edward Nashton, also known as the Riddler. John Turturro is playing Carmine Falcone. TheWrap previously reported that Andy Serkis was in talks to play Alfred Pennyworth and that Colin Farrell was in talks to star as The Penguin. Jeffrey Wright is playing Commissioner Gordon, while Jayme Lawson is set to star as well.
Also Read: John Turturro to Play Carmine Falcone in Matt Reeves' 'The Batman'
Reeves took over the directing gig after...
- 12/6/2019
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
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