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Showing posts with label films. Show all posts
Showing posts with label films. Show all posts
Performentor Shorts: Dr. Ken Atchity on Rejection as an Illusion
Well-known writers throughout history have shared their perspectives on the inevitable rejection that comes with the profession. Their insights often emphasize the importance of persistence, self-belief, and finding a valuable lesson in every "no."
Listen to Dr. Ken Atchity reframe rejection as an illusion we can see past, instead of an unmovable barrier. It matters. Find out why.
Most Important Lesson Every Screenwriter Should Learn: Don't Wait
Every project has its own clock!
~ Ken Atchity
Author Spotlight: Luck of the Irish Leads to Hollywood Deal
Luck of the Irish
Leads to Hollywood Deal
Vicki FitzGerald, a former regional journalist, and PR company director followed her dreams to become a published author in 2017, with her debut crime thriller, Briguella.
Two years later, the mum-of-two flew to the Dublin Writers Conference to pitch her second draft manuscript, Kill List, for a novel adaption into a movie or TV series.
Vicki was selected from 50 people for the final ten to pitch again to Ken and Binnur Karaevli, writer and producer.
Ken, who has produced more than 30 Hollywood movies, including sci-fi shark blockbuster, The Meg, loved the concept and published Kill List via Story Merchant Books.
Vicki said: “When the conference organizer approached me and said my name was the only one given to him by Ken for a film treatment, I was stunned.
“I prepared the plot breakdown and several months later, while recuperating in hospital from multiple leg fractures, my dreams come true. Ken offered to publish Kill List.
“Good things come to those who wait and are brave enough to chase their dreams.”
Kill List has already attracted five-star reviews since publication on March 24, 2021. The pair are finalizing the film treatment to pitch to Hollywood agents.
Ken said: “Kill List is an extremely high concept idea, and those do not come around often. I believe it has the potential to make a fantastic series adaption, possibly spanning several seasons.”
Kill List, Briguella, and Vicki’s memoir, Still Standing, are all set in Weston and feature landmarks and locations across North Somerset.
About Vicki FitzGerald
After a decade as a journalist, Vicki founded the South West public relations firm, Paramount PR, which focused on tourism and the hospitality industries before committing to writing full-time. She has now published three novels and is working on the fourth.
Story Merchant E-Book Deal - William Diehl's Hooligans FREE April 8 - April 12!
Supercop for the feds assembles a group of tough ex-cops to find a killer!
Updated for the screen by Michael A. Simpson (Crazy Heart), for Atchity Productions as Dunetown SOBs!
When someone starts murdering the leaders of the local Triad in Dunetown, Georgia supercop for the feds, Jake Kilmer, puts together the toughest bunch of ex-cops ever assembled to find the killer.
"Make no mistake, these guys are cool... They prefer action to talk, but when they talk it's tough, dirty, often funny and always realistic."-- Atlanta Journal Constitution
"Make no mistake, these guys are cool... They prefer action to talk, but when they talk it's tough, dirty, often funny and always realistic."-- Atlanta Journal Constitution
Federal Agent JAKE KILMER has been trying to bring down the Tagliana mob in
Cincinnati for years, and just as he has them in his sights, they disappear,
only to resurface in the last place on earth Kilmer wants to go – the once
idyllic Dunetown, Georgia, where he’ll have to play nice with a tough squad of
local maverick cops called the SOBs and face a personal past that refuses to
stay buried.
“Fantastic, a sort of Georgia Godfather.” UPI
“Diehl’s writing packs a wallop, and his compassion runs
deep.” Seattle Times
“The author has a knack of sketching brain-scrambled
cops and a clean, unfettered skill at creating suspense and dialogue.” Los Angeles Times
SYNOPSIS:
JAKE
KILMER hasn’t been home to Dunetown in twenty years. The place holds bad
memories. Back in the day he had been a college football star. A shattered
ankle took away both his dreams of a professional career and the woman he
loved.
Now, Jake is a special agent for the
Feds, and it’s time to return to Dunetown.
Things have changed. The Tagliana mob
has taken over. The once sleepy town is now referred to as “Doomtown.” A
racetrack dominates the city. There are Vegas-style hotels. There’s gambling,
sex for sale, and drugs. Greed is in the air. And death.
But
one by one, the mobsters are being murdered. Kilmer needs to solve the murders
and save “Doomtown” from devouring itself.
Many faces from Jake’s past remain. The
County Sheriff STONEWALL TITAN still rules with an iron hand. And DOMINIQUE
RAINES is still beautiful and restless, and, though married to the most
important man in the town, still in love with Jake.
There are new faces, too - a special
task force of the roughest, rowdiest cops ever assembled. They’re known as the SOB’s
(Special Operations Branch) and they are Jake’s to use – if
he can control them.
‘Meg’ Author Steve Alten Sets Original Football Feature ‘Mr. Irrelevant’
Steve Alten, author of Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror and Meg: The Trench, has optioned an original football movie, Mr. Irrelevant, to producer David Rubenstein (1917), and his partners Ken Atchity and Scott Becher of Win-Win Partnerships (formerly producer/director NFL Films).
Billed as an inspiring tale of perseverance and unexpected second chances, Mr. Irrelevant follows the story of a 21-year-old college quarterback after the loss of his father leads him to bomb the tryouts on Pro Scout Day. But when an NFL head coach accidentally sees his potential, the young man gets the opportunity of a lifetime to make his late father proud and go from Mr. Irrelevant to starting quarterback.
“I set out to write an original underdog story with characters audiences could relate to while tapping into my own personal experiences,” said Alten. “Whether writing fictional thrillers like The Meg, or an original script like Mr. Irrelevant, I always endeavor to get the smallest of details correct.”
Among other investors, the production team has announced that Howard Schuster’s Major Studio Partners Film Fund has confirmed its intention to finance the film. MSP had financed over 300 feature films, including Ford v Ferrari, The Devil Wears Prada, Wall Street, Bohemian Rhapsody, X-Men, Walk the Line, and Die Hard.
Atchity’s current slate also includes Gambino: The Rise, in development in Italy with producer Jules Nasso, Alan Gibson’s The Seeding with Rubenstein as executive producer, and Amanda Lear’s My Life with Dali with Tommy Dorfman attached and Chi-Li Wong, Anna Synenko and Anonymous Content also producing. Meg 2: The Trench is also set for an August 2023 release.
A Very Special Interview: Shades of Love and Ken Atchity with Amanda Reyes! Happy Valentine's Day
LISTEN HERE
Made for TV Mayhem Show » podcast
Unearthing great television... one program at a time
This podcast is dedicated to made for television movies and other forms of classic TV! Brought to you by Amanda Reyes (Made for TV Mayhem), Daniel R. Budnik (Bleeding Skull: A 1980s Trash Horror Odyssey), and Nathan Johnson (The Hysteria Continues), plus a few special guests who appear from time to time. With reviews, retrospectives and more, this podcast is your best source for classic television love!
SIGNED!
2/18/24 - Silvia Kramar signed a Story Merchant Books publishing agreement for her novel, The Little Chinese Girl.
2/3/24 - Nick Collins signed as Story Merchant’s new Associate Manager (LA).
9/4/23 - Signed - Literary management agreement for Dublin’s Carrie Brady for her romantic comedy script “Romance Not Required,” developed in our “Getting Your Story Straight” coaching.
Signed - Ama Adair with Writers Lifeline, Inc. to edit her latest Elle Anderson novel prior to publication by Story Merchant Books. Editor Lisa Cerasoli.
5/31/23 - Signed for her YA Novel Bad Order B. B. Ullman a literary management agreement with Story Merchant (via Tobe Roberts) to bring her novel to film/television.
15/15/23 - Signed shopping Agreement with Le Bureau des copyrights Francais for the Estate of Mr. Jiro Taniguchi for Sky Hawk (via Tobe Roberts)
4/17/23 - Signed - shopping agreement with Rowdy Herrington, for his script Comes Love.
4/14/23 - Signed - Garrett X Warren attached to direct HATCHER based on the William Diehl Novel Thai Horse.
4/13/23 - Signed Doreen Wilcox Little at Anonymous Content attached as EP on Anna Synenko’s My Life with Dali.
4/11/23 - Signed packaging deal with Artists Management Agency for Steve Alten’s Mr. Irrelevant.
4/1/23 - Signed management agreement with David Angsten for his crime novel, The Medievalist.
Award Winning, Nominated Atchity Productions!
A STORY MERCHANT company
The Meg - Awards
New Zealand Cinematographers Society
Won,
Gold Award
Specialised Cinematography
Kina Scollay
Underwater photography
Golden Trailer Awards
Nominated, Golden Trailer
Best Home Ent Horror/Thriller
Warner Bros. Pictures, Trailer Park
Nominated, Golden Trailer
Best Billboard
Young Artist Awards
Nominated, Young Artist Award
Best Performance in a Feature Film: Supporting Young Actress
Shuya Sophia Cai
2018
Chinese American Film Festival (C.A.F.F.)
Won, Golden Angel Award
Best Actress
Bingbing Li
Won,
Golden Angel Award
Best US-China Co-Production Film
Golden Trailer Awards
Won,
Golden Trailer
Golden Fleece
Warner Bros. Pictures, Trailer Park
IGN Summer Movie Awards
Nominated, IGN Award
Best Action Movie
2018
New Zealand Cinematographers Society
Won,
Gold Award
Specialised Cinematography
Andrew McGeorge
Kennedy Detail - Awards
1 Nomination
News & Documentary Emmy Awards
Nominated, Emmy
Outstanding Historical Programming - Long Form
Lisa McCubbin (producer), Kenneth Atchity (executive producer), Gerald S. Blaine (producer), Brooke Runnette (executive producer), Chi-Li Wong (executive producer), Grant Axton (producer), David Garfinkle (executive producer), Jay Renfroe (executive producer), Vince DiPersio (co-executive producer), Liza Maddrey (producer) Discovery Channel
Erased - Awards
2015
SOCAN Awards
Won,
SOCAN Award
Domestic Feature Film Award
Jeff Danna
Nominated, Jutra
Best Make-Up (Meilleur Maquillage)
Colleen Quinton
Nominated, Jutra
Best Editing (Meilleur Montage Image)
Dominique Fortin
Hysteria – Awards
2 nominations
2012
Casting Society of America, USA
Nominated, Artios Award
Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Feature - Studio or
Independent Comedy
Gaby Kester (casting director)
2011
Rome Film Fest
Nominated, Golden Marc'Aurelio Award
Tanya Wexler
Gosepl Hill – Awards
2 wins
Nashville Film Festival
Won,
Rosetta Miller Perry Award
Giancarlo Esposito
Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival
Won,
Jury Award
Seashell Best of Fest
Giancarlo Esposito
Adam Resurrected - Awards
1 win & 1 nomination
Valladolid International Film Festival
Nominated, Golden Spike
Best Film
Paul Schrader
Gabriel Yared
Joe Somebody - Awards
1 nomination
2002
Young Artist Awards
Nominated, Young Artist Award
Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actress
Hayden Panettiere
Falling Over Backwards - Awards
4 nominations
1991
Genie Awards
Nominated, Genie
Best Achievement in Sound
Abbey Neidik National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Paul Soles
Nominated, Genie
Best Sound Editing
Diane Le Floc'h, Gudrun Christian, Abbey Neidik, Andy
Malcolm, Michele Cook
1990
Valladolid International Film Festival
Nominated, Golden Spike
Best Film
Mort Ransen
Angels in the Snow - Awards
1 nomination
Young Artist Awards
Nominated, Young Artist Award
Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, Special or Pilot
- Young Actor
Kolton Stewart
The Lost Valentine - Awards
1 win & 6 nominations
Movie Guide Awards
Most Inspirational Television Acting
Betty White
Most Inspiring TV Program
Most Inspirational Television Acting
Katie McGrath
Most Inspirational Television Acting
Sean Faris
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Nominated, Actor
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television
Movie or Miniseries
Betty White
2011
Gold Derby Awards
Nominated, Gold Derby TV Award
TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actress
Betty White
Story Merchant has experience in all realms of entertainment placement, from television series, specials, and movies, to studio, mini-major, and independent feature films.
As a producer’s representative, our team analyzes a film’s potential and determines the best distribution channels, whether theatrical, DVD, television, or some combination of the above. With our experience in the international market, we also identify the sales company that best fits an individual film based on our relationships with key executives at dozens of sales companies. Once we identify the best suited sales company, we negotiate all terms of the sales agency agreement to the producer’s and his financer’s best interests.
We focus on securing the most trustworthy distribution avenue that will maximize audience outreach. Our management of the film’s distribution guarantees that the producer retains control of the film’s success.
Contact Ken Atchity for more information.
Thank you Leaders Press
About
Published Book
Your VIP Biography: How to Write Your Autobiography to Land a Hollywood Deal
Amazon best-seller
Discover the not-so-secret Hollywood formula to a movie-worthy story! There’s a big market that’s hungry for a wide variety of personal stories.Yet for all the memoirs that grab Hollywood’s attention, many, many more fail to make a mark. Why do some stories get passed over while others are snatched up by Hollywood producers? This is what you’ll find out in Your VIP Biography!
Matt Atchity Joins SoCal Approach to Head Up New Media and Entertainment Division
January 17, 2023, Los Angeles – SoCal Approach Marketing and Consulting Group today announced the appointment of Matt Atchity to lead their newly established media and entertainment division. The last five years have created massive changes in consumer behavior related to how they search for, access, and consume entertainment content. As we enter a new year, SoCal Approach is poised to bring their data-driven approach to help content creators, studios, and distributors develop precision marketing strategies and maximize their opportunity for engagement with the audiences they hope to reach.
Atchity’s background includes being the long-time Editor-in-Chief of Rotten Tomatoes, GM of Moviefone and Head of Programming at TYT Network (the largest online news network in the world for millennials). He will lead the team applying SoCal Approach’s suite of solutions to help the entertainment industry understand the environment through consumer measurement and insights, audience targeting, marketing strategy, segmentation, content marketing, branding, and new program development.
“Matt was at the helm in establishing Rotten Tomatoes as the industry standard for film and TV reaction and the quality of entertainment content,” said George Owens, President of SoCal Approach. “Our clients desperately need those insights as they attempt to harness the complicated matrix of modern media, and Matt’s experience will greatly benefit producers, filmmakers, studios, streaming services, and content creators seeking to understand their audiences and set content direction.”
Atchity has hosted and produced videos, radio shows, and podcasts related to various aspects of the entertainment industry, and brings decades of experience inside the entertainment industry, helping define the way we use insights and measurement into the world we know today. His experience across media channels will create value at a time where content creation has been revolutionized and the definition of entertainment and how we consume it continues to evolve.
“The entertainment industry landscape is evolving faster than ever, as both audiences and creatives discover new platforms while simultaneously reevaluating their relationships with traditional entities,” said Atchity. “I’m very excited to join the SoCal Approach team and work with creators to find the best ways to reach their audiences.”
About SoCal Approach Marketing and Consulting Group
SoCal Approach Marketing and Consulting Group is a full-service marketing and research agency founded to measure and deliver data-driven market insights businesses can use to understand and reach their target audiences. For additional information on SoCal Approach, visit www.socalapproach.com.
New From The Associated Press! Revisiting Dennis Palumbo's “My Favorite Year!"
My Favorite Year,’ comic salute to TV’s golden age, hits 40
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Peter O’Toole was famed for his commanding, Oscar-nominated turns. Mark Linn-Baker was a fledgling stage actor. Richard Benjamin, who’d made a leading-man splash in “Goodbye, Columbus” and “Westworld,” had a few TV directing credits.
The sum of these unlikely parts was the zesty 1982 movie comedy “My Favorite Year,” starring O’Toole and Linn-Baker, directed by Benjamin and produced by Mel Brooks. It paid loving tribute to the original golden age of TV in the mid-20th century and the variety shows that were the “Saturday Night Live” hits of their day.
When Benjamin read the screenplay credited to Norman Steinberg and Dennis Palumbo, he immediately turned to his wife, actor Paula Prentiss.
“I hope they want me for this, because it’s just great,” Benjamin recalled saying.
The film, marking its 40th anniversary, is set in 1954 and topped by O’Toole as faded but still-glam movie idol Alan Swann, who’s appearing on “Comedy Cavalcade” only to pay off his IRS debt. Linn-Baker plays Benjy Stone, an energetic young writer tasked with keeping Swann out of trouble (read: sober) until the broadcast.
The inspirations for “My Favorite Year” included Sid Caesar, the decade’s reigning TV comedy star, and “Your Show of Shows,” the hit he topped from 1950-54 and was followed by “Caesar’s Hour.” The movie also is infused with the spirit of Errol Flynn’s swashbuckling films such as “Captain Blood,” with Swann’s “Captain from Tortuga” seen in a faux clip.
Brooks, who wrote for “Your Show of Shows” alongside another future giant of stage and screen, Neil Simon, said in his 2021 memoir “All About Me!” that the movie represented “my love letter to Sid Caesar and the early days of television, and it was also a damn good story.”
“It’s one of the three best productions about live TV that I’ve ever seen,” said David Bianculli, a TV critic for NPR’s “Fresh Air” and author of “Dictionary of Teleliteracy.” His other top picks: “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and Simon’s play “Laughter on the 23rd Floor.”
“My Favorite Year,” which is available on streaming services, had a respectable box office opening in October 1982, coming in third behind “An Officer and a Gentlemen” and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.”
The Hollywood Conveyor Belt
The Conveyor Belt
Imagine a magical conveyor belt in the sky that carries every story that’s heading for the screen. Your goal is to somehow get your story from the back of the belt, where “naked stories” lie, to the very front of the belt where fully-clothed stories are about to leap into “principal photography.”
What do the fully-clothed stories at the “stardust point” of the conveyor belt look like? At the very least, they have
- A perfected script that has been vetted numerous times by dozens of highly-critical technical and creative industry readers, and rewritten accordingly. It’s not unusual for a script to have gone through twenty or more revisions.
- A finalized (and “bonded”!) budget that has undergone even more revisions than the script.
- A “start date” agreed upon by all parties to the filming.
- A location that works for the best interests of the film.
- A solid legal foundation that provides contracts for everything from the “underlying rights” to the services to be provided by every member of the cast and every member of the crew.
- A director who understands the story enough to “enhance the flame” created by the screenwriter (who enhanced the flame the original storyteller created), and who the financers and “completion bond” executives trust to deliver a completed film.
- A committed cast suitable not only to the script, but also to the distributors, sales agents, and finance representatives.
- An international sales agent who has agreed with the producers on selling the completed film to every possible market.
- A “domestic distributor” who has shown interest in distributing the film in the United States and Canada.
By contrast, stories at the far end of the conveyor belt lack any or all of these elements, the farthest from stardust being, in this approximate order,
- a “great idea for a film,”
- a written “pitch,”
- a book (fiction or nonfiction),
- other source material (like a magazine article, or life rights),
- a “treatment,”
- a stage play, or first draft screenplay.
They aren’t ready to be filmed until they gather all the other necessary elements.
One of the nearly infinite “Catch 22s” of show business is that every story on the conveyor belt risks being leapfrogged over by a story that has more of the necessary elements. No wonder it takes forever to make a film. I recently saw a film into production that I’d been working on for twenty years. It sold to networks twice, but always got stopped along the way by “regime change” or “policy change.”
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