Manila-based production outfit Parallax Studio and entertainment company Saga Film Studios have formed a joint venture that will distribute the two-part Western epic “Horizon: An American Saga” in the Philippines. The deal is the first of a number of acquisitions planned by the joint venture.
The “Horizon: An American Saga” films are directed by and star Academy Award winner Kevin Costner. The first film has its world premiere Sunday in Cannes’ out of competition section.
Warner Bros./New Line will give the films wide releases in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Spain, Italy and the Netherlands on June 28 and Aug. 16. Daniel Baur’s K5 Intl. is handling international sales.
“When we heard that these films were being offered, we had to jump at the chance to acquire them,” Wesley Villarica of Parallax Studio said. “It’s not every day that films like these come around. And coming from Kevin Costner,...
The “Horizon: An American Saga” films are directed by and star Academy Award winner Kevin Costner. The first film has its world premiere Sunday in Cannes’ out of competition section.
Warner Bros./New Line will give the films wide releases in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Spain, Italy and the Netherlands on June 28 and Aug. 16. Daniel Baur’s K5 Intl. is handling international sales.
“When we heard that these films were being offered, we had to jump at the chance to acquire them,” Wesley Villarica of Parallax Studio said. “It’s not every day that films like these come around. And coming from Kevin Costner,...
- 5/19/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
For new filmmakers and veterans alike, navigating the waters of the international film sales scene can be a daunting task. Halfway through the hectic Cannes Film Market I had a chance to sit down with Scott Bedno of hard-working indie sales outfit Spotlight Pictures. He took a few minutes to help shine a spotlight on the film industry from the international sales agent's perspective.
So tell me a bit about Spotlight; who are you and how long have you been in business?
Spotlight Pictures is a full-service film sales company licensing all media rights of feature films worldwide. Spotlight started in 2005, but the core members of the Spotlight team have decades of experience in the international arena.
What is your position in the company and what is your background?
I am the President of International at Spotlight Pictures. I started at Spotlight in September 2011, but I have known the company CEO, Matthew McCombs, since I first started in the business, as an assistant to legendary buyer’s rep, Gordon Steel. I don’t want to mention how long ago that was! After working with Gordon, I then worked as an acquisitions executive for the Australian distributor, Becker Entertainment, working under Mark Gooder, where we acquired titles such as “The Blair Witch Project” and “Buena Vista Social Club.” I dabbled in the “new media” space for a while, then settled into sales about a decade ago.
You seem to be doing better than just surviving, but actually growing in the past couple markets, what's your secret?
We find that as we’ve grown as a company, producers have gravitated towards us. They appreciate our straight-talk; some sales companies are prone to give out overblown sales estimates just to secure a film, we analyze the market for them realistically. We also try and lay out a road map of the sales strategy and discuss marketing ideas with our producers, as it truly is a partnership. We know how much time and energy our producers put into making the film, so we want to match that time and energy in selling the film. We don’t represent a large number of titles so we can devote enough time and resources to the films we do represent.
Lionsgate acquires Summit, eOne gobbling Alliance, seems like the pond is shrinking; as an "indies' indie" what's your take on the current climate for independent financing and distribution?
Certainly independent financing has taken a hit since the banking crisis. However, there always seems to be a steady stream of investors who want to be involved in the film business, so I feel the death of independent cinema is exaggerated to some degree. Mergers and acquisitions seem to be cyclical as well. At one point, there were no mini-major studios or studio/indie hybrids, then there were a bunch of them, now there aren’t as many. Two years from now, who knows? All I know is, quality product will find a market.
What are some of the titles you currently have, and how was Cannes for you?
We had a great Cannes, I’m pleased to report. We closed deals in Germany, Japan, Latin America, Turkey, Middle East, UK, just to name a few. I will also be closing deals after the market. Our recent titles include “Atlas Shrugged: Part I” which had a theatrical release in the States on over 450 prints, “Millennium Bug,” a creature feature using only practical effects (no CGI!) which buyers loved, the family/dog, “I Heart Shakey 3D,” and the zombie comedy, “Detention of the Dead.” As you can see, it’s a diverse slate, but we know different buyers are looking for different types of product, so we want to make sure we have something for everyone. What they have in common is the passion of the filmmakers behind them.
What's your advice to indie producers?
My advice to producers is to make the film you want to make, but it couldn’t hurt to talk to a sales agent before you start down the path. Our current producers bounce ideas off us for their next projects all the time, and we’ll give them our advice from what our buyers are saying to us. We have no ego, so you can say, “I’m making this movie about a dandelion growing in the desert, as it’s a symbol of a young woman’s coming-of-age in post-World War II Mongolia, and you can’t talk me out of it!” And we’ll say, “If that’s your passion, and you have to make the film, then go for it…but can you at least have some name cast?”
What one piece of information would producers be surprised to know?
All producers are concerned about piracy, as are we. However, most producers have been given the advice that you don’t want to have your film released in foreign territories ahead of the Us release, due to piracy. In fact, the opposite is true. There is more piracy flowing out from the States than flowing into the States. Which makes sense, as pirates take advantage of the promotion and awareness from the Us release. You’ve seen the studios catching on to this, as “Battleship” was released very successfully in foreign territories well in advance of the Us release.
Are you open to being contacted even if a film hasn't won a prize at Sundance?
Certainly! We’re always looking for quality product, and that doesn’t mean you need festival accolades to be considered. Producers please check out our website, www.spotlight-pictures.com, and contact us directly regarding your project.
Next up...The Distributor
Written by Zack Coffman. Follow Zack's film marketing tips and adventures @choppertown on Twitter.
So tell me a bit about Spotlight; who are you and how long have you been in business?
Spotlight Pictures is a full-service film sales company licensing all media rights of feature films worldwide. Spotlight started in 2005, but the core members of the Spotlight team have decades of experience in the international arena.
What is your position in the company and what is your background?
I am the President of International at Spotlight Pictures. I started at Spotlight in September 2011, but I have known the company CEO, Matthew McCombs, since I first started in the business, as an assistant to legendary buyer’s rep, Gordon Steel. I don’t want to mention how long ago that was! After working with Gordon, I then worked as an acquisitions executive for the Australian distributor, Becker Entertainment, working under Mark Gooder, where we acquired titles such as “The Blair Witch Project” and “Buena Vista Social Club.” I dabbled in the “new media” space for a while, then settled into sales about a decade ago.
You seem to be doing better than just surviving, but actually growing in the past couple markets, what's your secret?
We find that as we’ve grown as a company, producers have gravitated towards us. They appreciate our straight-talk; some sales companies are prone to give out overblown sales estimates just to secure a film, we analyze the market for them realistically. We also try and lay out a road map of the sales strategy and discuss marketing ideas with our producers, as it truly is a partnership. We know how much time and energy our producers put into making the film, so we want to match that time and energy in selling the film. We don’t represent a large number of titles so we can devote enough time and resources to the films we do represent.
Lionsgate acquires Summit, eOne gobbling Alliance, seems like the pond is shrinking; as an "indies' indie" what's your take on the current climate for independent financing and distribution?
Certainly independent financing has taken a hit since the banking crisis. However, there always seems to be a steady stream of investors who want to be involved in the film business, so I feel the death of independent cinema is exaggerated to some degree. Mergers and acquisitions seem to be cyclical as well. At one point, there were no mini-major studios or studio/indie hybrids, then there were a bunch of them, now there aren’t as many. Two years from now, who knows? All I know is, quality product will find a market.
What are some of the titles you currently have, and how was Cannes for you?
We had a great Cannes, I’m pleased to report. We closed deals in Germany, Japan, Latin America, Turkey, Middle East, UK, just to name a few. I will also be closing deals after the market. Our recent titles include “Atlas Shrugged: Part I” which had a theatrical release in the States on over 450 prints, “Millennium Bug,” a creature feature using only practical effects (no CGI!) which buyers loved, the family/dog, “I Heart Shakey 3D,” and the zombie comedy, “Detention of the Dead.” As you can see, it’s a diverse slate, but we know different buyers are looking for different types of product, so we want to make sure we have something for everyone. What they have in common is the passion of the filmmakers behind them.
What's your advice to indie producers?
My advice to producers is to make the film you want to make, but it couldn’t hurt to talk to a sales agent before you start down the path. Our current producers bounce ideas off us for their next projects all the time, and we’ll give them our advice from what our buyers are saying to us. We have no ego, so you can say, “I’m making this movie about a dandelion growing in the desert, as it’s a symbol of a young woman’s coming-of-age in post-World War II Mongolia, and you can’t talk me out of it!” And we’ll say, “If that’s your passion, and you have to make the film, then go for it…but can you at least have some name cast?”
What one piece of information would producers be surprised to know?
All producers are concerned about piracy, as are we. However, most producers have been given the advice that you don’t want to have your film released in foreign territories ahead of the Us release, due to piracy. In fact, the opposite is true. There is more piracy flowing out from the States than flowing into the States. Which makes sense, as pirates take advantage of the promotion and awareness from the Us release. You’ve seen the studios catching on to this, as “Battleship” was released very successfully in foreign territories well in advance of the Us release.
Are you open to being contacted even if a film hasn't won a prize at Sundance?
Certainly! We’re always looking for quality product, and that doesn’t mean you need festival accolades to be considered. Producers please check out our website, www.spotlight-pictures.com, and contact us directly regarding your project.
Next up...The Distributor
Written by Zack Coffman. Follow Zack's film marketing tips and adventures @choppertown on Twitter.
- 6/14/2012
- by Zack Coffman
- Sydney's Buzz
By the Hollywood Reporter
Longtime international film broker Gordon Steel is setting up Compass Entertainment Media, a production and finance entity aimed at delivering big-budget theatrical pictures to the marketplace. The first pic for the venture will be the live action/CGI animated family comedy "Toad Trip" from screenwriters Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson of the "Air Bud" franchise.
Read more at the Hollywood Reporter.
Longtime international film broker Gordon Steel is setting up Compass Entertainment Media, a production and finance entity aimed at delivering big-budget theatrical pictures to the marketplace. The first pic for the venture will be the live action/CGI animated family comedy "Toad Trip" from screenwriters Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson of the "Air Bud" franchise.
Read more at the Hollywood Reporter.
- 11/5/2009
- by Brent Lang
- The Wrap
Gordon Steel is starting up Compass Entertainment Media to produce and finance big-budget theatrical pictures. The first will be "Toad Trip" from screenwriters Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson ("Air Bud" franchise). The film will be budgeted at $25 million and is co-produced by Social Capital Films as well as animation company Rhythm and Hues ("Alvin and the Chipmunks"). Project was previously set up at DreamWorks under Micahel DeLuca and was acquired out of turnaround by Tamasy.
- 11/4/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
More Afm news
Longtime international film broker Gordon Steel is setting up Compass Entertainment Media, a production and finance entity aimed at delivering big-budget theatrical pictures to the marketplace.
The first pic for the venture will be the live action/CGI animated family comedy "Toad Trip" from screenwriters Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson of the "Air Bud" franchise.
"This project marks our first foray into filling the demand in the international marketplace for theatrical-quality, television-friendly family entertainment," said Steel, who will also continue to run his distribution consultancy, the Steel Co.
Budgeted in the $25 million budget range, "Toad Trip" is a co-prod with finance outfit Social Capital Films and animation house Rhythm and Hues ("Alvin and the Chipmunks"), the latter of which is currently overseeing the pic's animation and character development.
"Toad Trip" had previously been set up at DreamWorks under Michael DeLuca and was acquired out of turnaround by Tamasy,...
Longtime international film broker Gordon Steel is setting up Compass Entertainment Media, a production and finance entity aimed at delivering big-budget theatrical pictures to the marketplace.
The first pic for the venture will be the live action/CGI animated family comedy "Toad Trip" from screenwriters Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson of the "Air Bud" franchise.
"This project marks our first foray into filling the demand in the international marketplace for theatrical-quality, television-friendly family entertainment," said Steel, who will also continue to run his distribution consultancy, the Steel Co.
Budgeted in the $25 million budget range, "Toad Trip" is a co-prod with finance outfit Social Capital Films and animation house Rhythm and Hues ("Alvin and the Chipmunks"), the latter of which is currently overseeing the pic's animation and character development.
"Toad Trip" had previously been set up at DreamWorks under Michael DeLuca and was acquired out of turnaround by Tamasy,...
- 11/3/2009
- by By Elizabeth Guider
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paris -- TF1 Video and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment officially launched an operational joint venture for video distribution in Gaul last week, after announcing the union in early June.
The new venture, run by TF1 Video CEO Pierre Brossard and Sphe managing director Pascal Fauveau, is now fully outfitted for business and is based out of a Paris office housing 65 employees.
The TF1-sphe fusion will be a major force in the French video industry with a catalog of more than 6,000 titles, representing over 20% of the Gallic home video market.
The long-in-the-works deal was initiated and negotiated by the Los Angeles representative of TF1, Gordon Steel, whose company is under contract with a number of key international TV and film distribution players.
"After a lot of preparation, we're now real. We're operating fully as a joint venture. We're together, and it's working," Sphe's evp of International Matt Brown, said in an interview in Paris.
The new venture, run by TF1 Video CEO Pierre Brossard and Sphe managing director Pascal Fauveau, is now fully outfitted for business and is based out of a Paris office housing 65 employees.
The TF1-sphe fusion will be a major force in the French video industry with a catalog of more than 6,000 titles, representing over 20% of the Gallic home video market.
The long-in-the-works deal was initiated and negotiated by the Los Angeles representative of TF1, Gordon Steel, whose company is under contract with a number of key international TV and film distribution players.
"After a lot of preparation, we're now real. We're operating fully as a joint venture. We're together, and it's working," Sphe's evp of International Matt Brown, said in an interview in Paris.
- 9/10/2009
- by By Rebecca Leffler
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Scotts beat for 'Tell-Tale'
Ridley and Tony Scott Scott's Free Prods. is going back to its genre roots with "Tell-Tale", a modern-day reimagining of the Edgar Allan Poe classic "The Tell-Tale Heart" from director Michael Cuesta and screenwriter Dave Callaham.
" 'Tell-Tale' is a psychological thriller that sets Poe's haunting tale against the backdrop of modern science," Scott Free president Michael Costigan said.
Scott Free is the company behind "American Gangster", which bows Friday. The Scott brothers made their early name with "Alien" and "The Hunger".
The Poe-inspired film will be produced by Ridley Scott, Tony Scott and Costigan as well as Social Capital's Christopher Tuffin and Martin Shore. Shore is a Santa Monica-based equity firm that was brought to Scott Free by indie film broker the Gordon Steel Co. Shore made his money in the real estate business, while Tuffin is a producer.
The film is budgeted at $20 million and will be shot in early 2008. Casting is under way.
Gordon Steel and partner John Baca suggested that the tone of the film likely will be a cross between "Jacob's Ladder" and "Marathon Man".
"Ridley and Tony are great storytellers.
" 'Tell-Tale' is a psychological thriller that sets Poe's haunting tale against the backdrop of modern science," Scott Free president Michael Costigan said.
Scott Free is the company behind "American Gangster", which bows Friday. The Scott brothers made their early name with "Alien" and "The Hunger".
The Poe-inspired film will be produced by Ridley Scott, Tony Scott and Costigan as well as Social Capital's Christopher Tuffin and Martin Shore. Shore is a Santa Monica-based equity firm that was brought to Scott Free by indie film broker the Gordon Steel Co. Shore made his money in the real estate business, while Tuffin is a producer.
The film is budgeted at $20 million and will be shot in early 2008. Casting is under way.
Gordon Steel and partner John Baca suggested that the tone of the film likely will be a cross between "Jacob's Ladder" and "Marathon Man".
"Ridley and Tony are great storytellers.
- 10/31/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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