Exclusive: Wondery, the podcast company behind series such as Dr. Death and The Shrink Next Door, has found its next strange audio tale.
The Amazon-owned company is launching Operator, which tells the story of the people behind American TelNet, the company that singlehandedly brought live phone sex into the mainstream.
The series is hosted by Tina Horn, host of sex, kink and gender podcast Why Are People Into That? and creator of sci-fi sex rebel comic book series Sfsx.
In the early 1990s, American TelNet brought together an army of phone sex operators that focused on fostering a human connection – an empathetic ear to the lonely and repressed – and in the process, grossed over $2B. Despite the staggering revenue and groundbreaking innovations in aural connection, the podcast series uncovers the truth behind how the operators themselves were left to struggle alone with the shame and stigma of providing these live sexual services,...
The Amazon-owned company is launching Operator, which tells the story of the people behind American TelNet, the company that singlehandedly brought live phone sex into the mainstream.
The series is hosted by Tina Horn, host of sex, kink and gender podcast Why Are People Into That? and creator of sci-fi sex rebel comic book series Sfsx.
In the early 1990s, American TelNet brought together an army of phone sex operators that focused on fostering a human connection – an empathetic ear to the lonely and repressed – and in the process, grossed over $2B. Despite the staggering revenue and groundbreaking innovations in aural connection, the podcast series uncovers the truth behind how the operators themselves were left to struggle alone with the shame and stigma of providing these live sexual services,...
- 10/25/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Discovery+ is ramping up its feature doc slate with a range of new titles including a documentary about Michael Brody Jr., a hippie-millionaire and heir to a margarine fortune who publicly offered his $25-million inheritance to anyone in need in 1970.
The streamer has acquired the rights to Dear Mr. Brody, which is directed by Keith Maitland (Tower) and was an official selection at the Telluride Film Festival, as well as screening at SXSW and Tribeca Festival.
It has also picked up feature docs Set!, Dead Man’s Switch and Keep Sweet.
Dear Mr. Brody, which will be released theatrically by Greenwich Entertainment ahead of its streaming bow, will launch in winter 2022. It follows the complex story of Brody, who announced that he would be giving away his fortune in 1970. He and his wife became instant celebrities and they were mobbed by the public, scrutinized by the press, and overwhelmed...
The streamer has acquired the rights to Dear Mr. Brody, which is directed by Keith Maitland (Tower) and was an official selection at the Telluride Film Festival, as well as screening at SXSW and Tribeca Festival.
It has also picked up feature docs Set!, Dead Man’s Switch and Keep Sweet.
Dear Mr. Brody, which will be released theatrically by Greenwich Entertainment ahead of its streaming bow, will launch in winter 2022. It follows the complex story of Brody, who announced that he would be giving away his fortune in 1970. He and his wife became instant celebrities and they were mobbed by the public, scrutinized by the press, and overwhelmed...
- 10/1/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Peabody Award-nominated and Television Academy Honors documentary 16 Shots and director Sacha Jenkins’s Burn Motherf*cker, Burn! are being offered for free viewing on multiple platforms by Showtime.
16 Shots examines the 2014 shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke and the cover-up that ensued. Burn Motherf*cker, Burn! explores the complicated relationship between the Los Angeles Police Department and the city’s Black and minority communities.
Showtime said it was making the documentaries available in an effort to provide resources and raise awareness around the ongoing struggle against systemic racism in America.
Both are now streaming on YouTube and Sho.com, and are available to Showtime subscribers on demand. The two films will also be available across multiple television and streaming providers’ devices, websites, applications and authenticated online services and their free On Demand channels.
16 Shots is a joint production from Midnight Productions, Topic Studios, Impact Partners and Chicago Media Project.
16 Shots examines the 2014 shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke and the cover-up that ensued. Burn Motherf*cker, Burn! explores the complicated relationship between the Los Angeles Police Department and the city’s Black and minority communities.
Showtime said it was making the documentaries available in an effort to provide resources and raise awareness around the ongoing struggle against systemic racism in America.
Both are now streaming on YouTube and Sho.com, and are available to Showtime subscribers on demand. The two films will also be available across multiple television and streaming providers’ devices, websites, applications and authenticated online services and their free On Demand channels.
16 Shots is a joint production from Midnight Productions, Topic Studios, Impact Partners and Chicago Media Project.
- 6/6/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has acquired the worldwide rights to the feature-length documentary “Mucho Mucho Amor” ahead of its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, an individual with knowledge of the deal told TheWrap.
The feature, directed by Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabsch, tells the story of gender non-conforming astrologer Walter Mercado. Mercado mesmerized millions of Latino viewers over four decades before he disappeared out of the public eye. He died on Nov. 2, 2019 at age 87. The film will premiere at Sundance on Jan. 24 and will debut on Netflix this summer.
Costantini, Tabsch and Alex Fumero are producers on the project, while Darren Foster, Lisa Leingang, Mona Panchal and Jeffrey Plunkett serve as executive producers. Muck Media, Key Rat, Inc., and Topic Studios produced.
Also Read: 'The Father' Starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman Acquired by Sony Pictures Classics Ahead of Sundance
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Eugenio Derbez and Raul De Molina are featured in the documentary.
The feature, directed by Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabsch, tells the story of gender non-conforming astrologer Walter Mercado. Mercado mesmerized millions of Latino viewers over four decades before he disappeared out of the public eye. He died on Nov. 2, 2019 at age 87. The film will premiere at Sundance on Jan. 24 and will debut on Netflix this summer.
Costantini, Tabsch and Alex Fumero are producers on the project, while Darren Foster, Lisa Leingang, Mona Panchal and Jeffrey Plunkett serve as executive producers. Muck Media, Key Rat, Inc., and Topic Studios produced.
Also Read: 'The Father' Starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman Acquired by Sony Pictures Classics Ahead of Sundance
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Eugenio Derbez and Raul De Molina are featured in the documentary.
- 1/17/2020
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Topic Studios has brought in veteran scripted development executive Quan Phung as Svp Original Series.
Phung is tasked with building a scripted content team in Los Angeles following Topic’s recent decision to relocate the studio’s scripted TV division from New York to L.A., resulting in a handful of layoffs, including Svp Scripted Programming Lisa Leingang.
Based out of the studio’s L.A. office, Phung will oversee the sourcing, developing and packaging of premium ongoing and event series to the broadcast, cable and streaming marketplace. He will report to Topic Studios Evp Maria Zuckerman, who has been working on refocusing the company’s strategy across film, TV, audio and nonfiction since joining in May. Entering the scripted series arena, where the studio doesn’t have a presence yet, is considered a priority.
“Quan is a forward-thinking, savvy and highly respected veteran, and the depth of his...
Phung is tasked with building a scripted content team in Los Angeles following Topic’s recent decision to relocate the studio’s scripted TV division from New York to L.A., resulting in a handful of layoffs, including Svp Scripted Programming Lisa Leingang.
Based out of the studio’s L.A. office, Phung will oversee the sourcing, developing and packaging of premium ongoing and event series to the broadcast, cable and streaming marketplace. He will report to Topic Studios Evp Maria Zuckerman, who has been working on refocusing the company’s strategy across film, TV, audio and nonfiction since joining in May. Entering the scripted series arena, where the studio doesn’t have a presence yet, is considered a priority.
“Quan is a forward-thinking, savvy and highly respected veteran, and the depth of his...
- 10/2/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
A small round of layoffs has hit Topic Studios this week in the television division, insiders familiar with the company told Variety.
One of the insiders said three executives at the New York-based producer and distributor are out: senior vice president of scripted programming and Viacom alum Lisa Leingang, vice president of development Mona Panchal and scripted programming director Kate Zabinsky.
A spokesperson for Topic Studios declined to comment on personnel, but said the scripted television division is in the process of relocating to Los Angeles. Topic operates as an arm of Pierre Omidyar’s First Look Media, and has been making cost-cutting moves since HBO vet Maria Zuckerman replaced Adam Pincus as executive vice president in May.
In late June, First Look shuttered the studio’s digital publication Topic Magazine, dedicated to nonfiction storytelling, and cut off funding to the political cartoon website the Nib. In mid-July, New York...
One of the insiders said three executives at the New York-based producer and distributor are out: senior vice president of scripted programming and Viacom alum Lisa Leingang, vice president of development Mona Panchal and scripted programming director Kate Zabinsky.
A spokesperson for Topic Studios declined to comment on personnel, but said the scripted television division is in the process of relocating to Los Angeles. Topic operates as an arm of Pierre Omidyar’s First Look Media, and has been making cost-cutting moves since HBO vet Maria Zuckerman replaced Adam Pincus as executive vice president in May.
In late June, First Look shuttered the studio’s digital publication Topic Magazine, dedicated to nonfiction storytelling, and cut off funding to the political cartoon website the Nib. In mid-July, New York...
- 9/21/2019
- by Matt Donnelly and Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Showtime Documentary Films said Tuesday that it will premiere its new documentary 16 Shots, an examination of the 2014 shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke and the cover-up that ensued, on June 14 at 9 Pm.
The pic is from Richard Rowley, whose Dirty Wars was nominated for a Feature Documentary Oscar in 2014. He also serves as cinematographer on many of his projects including docuseries America Divided and Documenting Hate: Charlottesville.
Rowley’s 16 Shots dissects the aftermath of the McDonald shooting through first-hand witness accounts. After the police initially declared the shooting as justified, journalists and activists fought for footage to be released, causing turmoil within the Chicago Pd and local Chicago government officials. Van Dyke was eventually convicted, further fracturing the city’s political landscape.
“The shooting of Laquan McDonald tore up Chicago in ways the city is still processing today,” said Vinnie Malhotra, Evp Nonfiction Programming at Showtime.
The pic is from Richard Rowley, whose Dirty Wars was nominated for a Feature Documentary Oscar in 2014. He also serves as cinematographer on many of his projects including docuseries America Divided and Documenting Hate: Charlottesville.
Rowley’s 16 Shots dissects the aftermath of the McDonald shooting through first-hand witness accounts. After the police initially declared the shooting as justified, journalists and activists fought for footage to be released, causing turmoil within the Chicago Pd and local Chicago government officials. Van Dyke was eventually convicted, further fracturing the city’s political landscape.
“The shooting of Laquan McDonald tore up Chicago in ways the city is still processing today,” said Vinnie Malhotra, Evp Nonfiction Programming at Showtime.
- 5/14/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Dogwoof has acquired international sales rights to Tim Travers Hawkins’ “Xy Chelsea,” an intimate portrait of Chelsea Manning, the former U.S. Army intelligence analyst who was recently incarcerated after refusing to testify in the WikiLeaks case.
Manning was was sentenced to 35 years at a maximum-security prison for leaking classified military information to WikiLeaks in 2013. Four years later, then-President Barack Obama commuted Manning’s sentence as one of the final acts of his presidency.
The documentary, which will have its world premiere at Tribeca, follows Manning as she prepares her transition to living life for the first time as a free woman. Hawkins was granted exclusive and intimate access to Manning after her release from military prison.
Produced by Pulse Films, “Xy Chelsea” will air on Showtime in North America in June, following its release in the U.K. on May 24.
“‘Xy Chelsea’ is a challenging documentary that speaks to many troubling phenomena of our times,...
Manning was was sentenced to 35 years at a maximum-security prison for leaking classified military information to WikiLeaks in 2013. Four years later, then-President Barack Obama commuted Manning’s sentence as one of the final acts of his presidency.
The documentary, which will have its world premiere at Tribeca, follows Manning as she prepares her transition to living life for the first time as a free woman. Hawkins was granted exclusive and intimate access to Manning after her release from military prison.
Produced by Pulse Films, “Xy Chelsea” will air on Showtime in North America in June, following its release in the U.K. on May 24.
“‘Xy Chelsea’ is a challenging documentary that speaks to many troubling phenomena of our times,...
- 4/3/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Chelsea Manning documentary Xy Chelsea, which premieres at Tribeca and will air in the U.S. on Showtime in June, has been picked up for international sales by UK documentary specialist Dogwoof.
Produced by Pulse Films and executive-produced by Laura Poitras, director Tim Travers Hawkins’ feature is an intimate portrait of Manning after her initial release from military prison. The whistleblower and former soldier was convicted by court martial in July 2013 of violations of the Espionages Act and other offenses, after disclosing to WikiLeaks nearly 750,000 classified or sensitive military and diplomatic documents. The trans activist had her 35-year sentence in an all-male maximum security prison commuted by President Obama in 2017 but was sent back to prison this year for contempt of court.
Pic was co-financed by the BFI, Field of Vision and Topic Studio and was written by Mark Monroe, Tim Travers Hawkins, Enat Sidi and Andrea Scott. Producers are Julia Nottingham,...
Produced by Pulse Films and executive-produced by Laura Poitras, director Tim Travers Hawkins’ feature is an intimate portrait of Manning after her initial release from military prison. The whistleblower and former soldier was convicted by court martial in July 2013 of violations of the Espionages Act and other offenses, after disclosing to WikiLeaks nearly 750,000 classified or sensitive military and diplomatic documents. The trans activist had her 35-year sentence in an all-male maximum security prison commuted by President Obama in 2017 but was sent back to prison this year for contempt of court.
Pic was co-financed by the BFI, Field of Vision and Topic Studio and was written by Mark Monroe, Tim Travers Hawkins, Enat Sidi and Andrea Scott. Producers are Julia Nottingham,...
- 4/3/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Film will have world premiere at Tribeca.
UK-based documentary specialists Dogwoof have acquired all international sales rights excluding North America to Xy Chelsea, a feature about American military whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
Dogwoof has planned a UK release for May 24, following from the film’s world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival on May 1. Showtime has North American rights on the title and has planned a Us release for June.
Directed by British director Tim Travers Hawkins and produced by the UK’s Pulse Films, the film follows Manning after President Barack Obama commuted her 35 year prison sentence for leaking classified military information to WikiLeaks,...
UK-based documentary specialists Dogwoof have acquired all international sales rights excluding North America to Xy Chelsea, a feature about American military whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
Dogwoof has planned a UK release for May 24, following from the film’s world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival on May 1. Showtime has North American rights on the title and has planned a Us release for June.
Directed by British director Tim Travers Hawkins and produced by the UK’s Pulse Films, the film follows Manning after President Barack Obama commuted her 35 year prison sentence for leaking classified military information to WikiLeaks,...
- 4/3/2019
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Yolanda Ramke.
The former senior VP of acquisitions and co-productions in North America for Cineflix Rights has boarded The Line, an eight-part, female-driven World War II thriller created and written by Yolanda Ramke.
Anthony Kimble is introducing the project from the Essential Media Group via his newly-launched company Fugitive Content, at the Series Mania festival in Lille, northern France.
Screen Australia funded development of the series, originally entitled Zero Night, based on the true story of a crack team of British and Australian soldiers who staged an ingenious escape from a prisoner-of-war camp in Warburg, Germany. A parallel story follows a young woman who led the Belgian resistance movement.
Ramke wrote the second draft while she was co-directing Cargo with Ben Howling. Despite the historical setting, The Line is said to strike a contemporary tone and covers issues about the sexes that still resonate today.
The project is still in...
The former senior VP of acquisitions and co-productions in North America for Cineflix Rights has boarded The Line, an eight-part, female-driven World War II thriller created and written by Yolanda Ramke.
Anthony Kimble is introducing the project from the Essential Media Group via his newly-launched company Fugitive Content, at the Series Mania festival in Lille, northern France.
Screen Australia funded development of the series, originally entitled Zero Night, based on the true story of a crack team of British and Australian soldiers who staged an ingenious escape from a prisoner-of-war camp in Warburg, Germany. A parallel story follows a young woman who led the Belgian resistance movement.
Ramke wrote the second draft while she was co-directing Cargo with Ben Howling. Despite the historical setting, The Line is said to strike a contemporary tone and covers issues about the sexes that still resonate today.
The project is still in...
- 3/25/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Anthony Kimble, formerly of Cineflix, National Geographic, and Viacom’s Channel 5, has launched Fugitive and will develop, finance, and exec produce drama and unscripted TV through the new banner.
Its first projects include “Uncanny Valley: The Truth About Thinking Machines,” which comes from producers Topic and Jigsaw. A series about A.I. and the future of mankind, it will combine non-fiction elements from Alex Gibney and scripted elements from Cory Doctorow.
Fugitive also has a female-driven World War II series, “The Line,” from Australian shingle Essential. It is written by Yolanda Ramke, the screenwriter and director of Netflix’s first Australian feature, “Cargo.”
On the unscripted side the new firm is working with “Intervention” producer Grb and will find partners and finance for new shows on its slate.
“I am thrilled to have Fugitive up and running and most delighted that my first projects are such strong titles – and...
Its first projects include “Uncanny Valley: The Truth About Thinking Machines,” which comes from producers Topic and Jigsaw. A series about A.I. and the future of mankind, it will combine non-fiction elements from Alex Gibney and scripted elements from Cory Doctorow.
Fugitive also has a female-driven World War II series, “The Line,” from Australian shingle Essential. It is written by Yolanda Ramke, the screenwriter and director of Netflix’s first Australian feature, “Cargo.”
On the unscripted side the new firm is working with “Intervention” producer Grb and will find partners and finance for new shows on its slate.
“I am thrilled to have Fugitive up and running and most delighted that my first projects are such strong titles – and...
- 3/21/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Showtime announced spring premiere dates for season 2 of The Chi, new drama series City On A Hill starring Kevin Bacon and Aldis Hodge, four-part docuseries Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mice & Men, as well as feature documentary Xy Chelsea during its presentation Thursday at the TCA Winter Press Tour. The premium cabler also released trailers for The Chi, City On a Hill and Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men, which you can watch below.
Season 2 of The Chi will premiere Sunday, April 7 at 10 Pm. Created and executive produced by Lena Waithe (Master of None) and executive produced by Common (Selma), The Chi is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption. Ensemble cast includes Jason Mitchell, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Jacob Latimore, Alex Hibbert, Yolonda Ross, Tiffany Boone, Armando Riesco, Barton Fitzpatrick, Shamon Brown Jr., and Michael V.
Season 2 of The Chi will premiere Sunday, April 7 at 10 Pm. Created and executive produced by Lena Waithe (Master of None) and executive produced by Common (Selma), The Chi is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption. Ensemble cast includes Jason Mitchell, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Jacob Latimore, Alex Hibbert, Yolonda Ross, Tiffany Boone, Armando Riesco, Barton Fitzpatrick, Shamon Brown Jr., and Michael V.
- 1/31/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Showtime set the premiere dates for a pair of documentaries on the Wu-Tang Clan and Chelsea Manning.
The pay cable will debut Sacha Jenkins’ four-part “Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men” on Friday, May 10 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt, while “Xy Chelsea” will premiere a month later on Friday, June 7 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt.
Showtime acquired “Of Mics and Men” earlier this month and the docuseries premiered its first two episodes at the Sundance Film Festival. Watch a trailer for the doc above.
Also Read: Showtime Acquires Sacha Jenkins' Wu-Tang Clan Documentary Series
“Of Mics and Men” is tied to the 25th anniversary of Wu-Tang’s seminal debut album, “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).” The series looks back on their career, combining intimate and reflective interviews from each of the nine living members with never-before-seen archival footage and performances.
The series follows the founding members – RZA, Gza, Ol’ Dirty Bastard (who died in 2004), Inspectah Deck,...
The pay cable will debut Sacha Jenkins’ four-part “Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men” on Friday, May 10 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt, while “Xy Chelsea” will premiere a month later on Friday, June 7 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt.
Showtime acquired “Of Mics and Men” earlier this month and the docuseries premiered its first two episodes at the Sundance Film Festival. Watch a trailer for the doc above.
Also Read: Showtime Acquires Sacha Jenkins' Wu-Tang Clan Documentary Series
“Of Mics and Men” is tied to the 25th anniversary of Wu-Tang’s seminal debut album, “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).” The series looks back on their career, combining intimate and reflective interviews from each of the nine living members with never-before-seen archival footage and performances.
The series follows the founding members – RZA, Gza, Ol’ Dirty Bastard (who died in 2004), Inspectah Deck,...
- 1/31/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Arrangement with Arctic filmmakers to cover, film, TV.
Topic Studios has struck a first-look film and television deal with filmmaking team Joe Penna and Ryan Morrison, expanding on a recent collaboration on a scripted anthology series to be announced soon.
The deal will encompass film and television projects. Penna and Morrison’s debut feature Arctic premiered in Cannes last summer and Bleecker Street has set a February 1 Us release date for the survival thriller staring Mads Mikkelsen.
The duo is in pre-production on second feature Stowaway, a sci-fi thriller starring Anna Kendrick and Toni Collette.
“We have loved working with Joe and Ryan,...
Topic Studios has struck a first-look film and television deal with filmmaking team Joe Penna and Ryan Morrison, expanding on a recent collaboration on a scripted anthology series to be announced soon.
The deal will encompass film and television projects. Penna and Morrison’s debut feature Arctic premiered in Cannes last summer and Bleecker Street has set a February 1 Us release date for the survival thriller staring Mads Mikkelsen.
The duo is in pre-production on second feature Stowaway, a sci-fi thriller starring Anna Kendrick and Toni Collette.
“We have loved working with Joe and Ryan,...
- 1/17/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Topic Studios has signed a first look film and television deal with filmmakers Joe Penna and Ryan Morrison, whose feature Arctic made its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival last May as an official selection in the Midnight section. The deal expands the relationship between Topic, Penna and Morrison who recently collaborated on a scripted anthology series which will be announced soon.
“We have loved working with Joe and Ryan,” said Lisa Leingang and Ryan Heller for Topic Studios. “They are a rare combination of world-builders, Diy filmmakers and first class storytellers. There’s so much we want to do together.”
Said Penna and Morrison: “We’re beyond excited to be working so closely with Topic. They truly support their creative partners and tell the type of stories people need to hear. Topic is a studio with something to say and we’re very much looking forward joining the conversation.
“We have loved working with Joe and Ryan,” said Lisa Leingang and Ryan Heller for Topic Studios. “They are a rare combination of world-builders, Diy filmmakers and first class storytellers. There’s so much we want to do together.”
Said Penna and Morrison: “We’re beyond excited to be working so closely with Topic. They truly support their creative partners and tell the type of stories people need to hear. Topic is a studio with something to say and we’re very much looking forward joining the conversation.
- 1/17/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Topic Studios is developing a scripted TV series based on Benito Cereno, the 1855 Herman Melville novella about the fictionalized revolt of a Spanish slave ship. The series, which will be adapted to take place in deep space, is created by The Knick scribe/co-executive producer Steven Katz, who will write and executive produced project.
Topic Studios will also executive produce alongside Manage-ment’s Dan Halsted and Corinne Hayoun.
Inspired by the novella — considered one of Melville’s finest works as a commentary on slavery, the nature of man and good versus evil — the series will be a science fiction thriller centered on an accidental encounter between a human commercial ship and an alien slave freighter, where the human captain navigates a world of inter-species slavery in a distant future with frightening parallels to our past.
“Benito Cereno is one of Melville’s most thought-provoking short stories, and Steven has been able to retain its essence,...
Topic Studios will also executive produce alongside Manage-ment’s Dan Halsted and Corinne Hayoun.
Inspired by the novella — considered one of Melville’s finest works as a commentary on slavery, the nature of man and good versus evil — the series will be a science fiction thriller centered on an accidental encounter between a human commercial ship and an alien slave freighter, where the human captain navigates a world of inter-species slavery in a distant future with frightening parallels to our past.
“Benito Cereno is one of Melville’s most thought-provoking short stories, and Steven has been able to retain its essence,...
- 11/28/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Topic Studios has acquired film and TV rights to Cory Doctorow’s upcoming science-fiction novella, “Unauthorized Bread,” the first in a four-part short story series that will debut next year.
“Unauthorized Bread” is set in a near future America where the usage of everyday technology falls under the control of corporations — including all the appliances being designed to extract as much cash as possible, from the toasters that only accept “authorized bread” to the refrigerators permitting only authorized groceries.
“We’re in the grips of a long-overdue debate over whether technology will improve our lives or destroy us, but that debate has been oversimplified to the point of uselessness,” said Doctorow. “The question isn’t ‘which technology is best?’ but rather, ‘How do we make technology that serves us, rather than exploiting us?’ The answer always starts with control: if you can’t control your technology, there’s a good...
“Unauthorized Bread” is set in a near future America where the usage of everyday technology falls under the control of corporations — including all the appliances being designed to extract as much cash as possible, from the toasters that only accept “authorized bread” to the refrigerators permitting only authorized groceries.
“We’re in the grips of a long-overdue debate over whether technology will improve our lives or destroy us, but that debate has been oversimplified to the point of uselessness,” said Doctorow. “The question isn’t ‘which technology is best?’ but rather, ‘How do we make technology that serves us, rather than exploiting us?’ The answer always starts with control: if you can’t control your technology, there’s a good...
- 10/8/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Topic Studios has acquired film and TV rights to sci-fi author Cory Doctorow’s upcoming novella Unauthorized Bread, the first in a four-part short story series Radicalized that will debut in early 2019.
A cautionary tale about the impact of continued technological advancement and class divisions, Unauthorized Bread takes place in a near future America where the usage of everyday technology falls under the control of corporations. Refugee Salima is thrilled to be accepted into subsidized housing in Boston but it comes at a real price: every system, including all the appliances, are locked and designed to extract as much cash as possible, from the toasters that only accept “authorized bread” to the fridges that will only permit authorized groceries. When the situation proves uninhabitable, Salima leads a rebellion to jailbreak all the locked appliances in her building — a golden age until they are put at risk of being caught, charged,...
A cautionary tale about the impact of continued technological advancement and class divisions, Unauthorized Bread takes place in a near future America where the usage of everyday technology falls under the control of corporations. Refugee Salima is thrilled to be accepted into subsidized housing in Boston but it comes at a real price: every system, including all the appliances, are locked and designed to extract as much cash as possible, from the toasters that only accept “authorized bread” to the fridges that will only permit authorized groceries. When the situation proves uninhabitable, Salima leads a rebellion to jailbreak all the locked appliances in her building — a golden age until they are put at risk of being caught, charged,...
- 10/8/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Grey Matter Productions and Topic Studios have set writer-director Oren Moverman to adapt The Good Girl, the debut novel from Mary Kubica, into a thriller drama series. Topic’s Adam Pincus and Lisa Leingang, along with Grey Matter’s Lawrence Grey and Ben Everard, will executive produce.
The Good Girl is a twisting and suspenseful thriller about the kidnapping-gone-wrong of Mia Dennett, the perfect daughter of a prominent Chicago judge. When she is abducted as part of a wild extortion plot, her kidnapper unexpectedly decides to hide her in a remote cabin for months, evading both the police and the criminals who want to use her to get to her father. Alternating timelines and the shifting points of view of Mia’s mother, her kidnapper, and the detective tasked with finding her, constantly circle the question of what really happened to Mia and how, even in the perfect family, nothing is as it seems.
The Good Girl is a twisting and suspenseful thriller about the kidnapping-gone-wrong of Mia Dennett, the perfect daughter of a prominent Chicago judge. When she is abducted as part of a wild extortion plot, her kidnapper unexpectedly decides to hide her in a remote cabin for months, evading both the police and the criminals who want to use her to get to her father. Alternating timelines and the shifting points of view of Mia’s mother, her kidnapper, and the detective tasked with finding her, constantly circle the question of what really happened to Mia and how, even in the perfect family, nothing is as it seems.
- 9/13/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Grey Matter Productions and Topic Studios are set to produce a new television drama series based on Mary Kubica’s novel “The Good Girl,” with Oren Moverman adapting. Topic Studios’ Adam Pincus and Lisa Leingang will executive produce with Grey Matter’s Lawrence Grey and Ben Everard. Grey Matter’s Seana Diemer Iwanyk sourced the project.
“The Good Girl” tells the story of the kidnapping-gone-wrong of Mia Dennett, the perfect daughter of a prominent Chicago judge. When she is abducted as part of a wild extortion plot, her kidnapper unexpectedly decides to hide her in a remote cabin for months, evading both the police and the criminals who want to use her to get to her father. Alternating timelines and the shifting points of view of Mia’s mother, her kidnapper, and the detective tasked with finding her, constantly circle the question of what really happened to Mia and how,...
“The Good Girl” tells the story of the kidnapping-gone-wrong of Mia Dennett, the perfect daughter of a prominent Chicago judge. When she is abducted as part of a wild extortion plot, her kidnapper unexpectedly decides to hide her in a remote cabin for months, evading both the police and the criminals who want to use her to get to her father. Alternating timelines and the shifting points of view of Mia’s mother, her kidnapper, and the detective tasked with finding her, constantly circle the question of what really happened to Mia and how,...
- 9/13/2018
- by Daniel Holloway
- Variety Film + TV
Mary Kubica’s source material centres on botched abduction.
Oren Moverman will adapt and direct the TV series The Good Girl for Topic Studios and Grey Matter Productions.
Based on Mary Kubica’s debut novel, the story tells of the botched kidnapping of a prominent Chicago judge.
Topic Studios’ Adam Pincus and Lisa Leingang, along with Grey Matter’s Lawrence Grey and Ben Everard, will serve as executive producers. Grey Matter’s Seana Diemer Iwanyk sourced the material.
Moverman earned a 2019 best original screenplay nod for The Messenger. His directing credits include Rampart and The Dinner.
“Oren Moverman is one...
Oren Moverman will adapt and direct the TV series The Good Girl for Topic Studios and Grey Matter Productions.
Based on Mary Kubica’s debut novel, the story tells of the botched kidnapping of a prominent Chicago judge.
Topic Studios’ Adam Pincus and Lisa Leingang, along with Grey Matter’s Lawrence Grey and Ben Everard, will serve as executive producers. Grey Matter’s Seana Diemer Iwanyk sourced the material.
Moverman earned a 2019 best original screenplay nod for The Messenger. His directing credits include Rampart and The Dinner.
“Oren Moverman is one...
- 9/13/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: John Lyons, the former Focus Features President of Production who steered such Oscar-winning films as Milk, Brokeback Mountain and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, has signed a multi-year first look production deal at Topic Studios.
Under the agreement, Lyons will develop and produce feature film projects for the Oscar-winning Spotlight studio to finance. At Focus, Lyons was also behind such acclaimed features as Joel and Ethan Coen’s Burn After Reading and A Serious Man, Cary Fukanaga’s Sin Nombre and Jane Eyre. Lyons’ independent producing credits include Paul Thomas Anderson’s Hard Eight and Boogie Nights, Peter Hedges’ Pieces of April, and Universal’s Sisters as well as the HBO series The Young Pope with Paolo Sorrentino.
“John has been involved with so many great films and filmmakers, from the Coen brothers and Raising Arizona to Paul Thomas Anderson and Boogie Nights, to all his work during...
Under the agreement, Lyons will develop and produce feature film projects for the Oscar-winning Spotlight studio to finance. At Focus, Lyons was also behind such acclaimed features as Joel and Ethan Coen’s Burn After Reading and A Serious Man, Cary Fukanaga’s Sin Nombre and Jane Eyre. Lyons’ independent producing credits include Paul Thomas Anderson’s Hard Eight and Boogie Nights, Peter Hedges’ Pieces of April, and Universal’s Sisters as well as the HBO series The Young Pope with Paolo Sorrentino.
“John has been involved with so many great films and filmmakers, from the Coen brothers and Raising Arizona to Paul Thomas Anderson and Boogie Nights, to all his work during...
- 9/4/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Topic Studios and Playground are developing States of America, an hourlong dystopian drama written by Tom King, a former CIA officer turned bestselling author and comic book writer, as a television series.
States of America is set in a deeply divided U.S. that with an unprovoked act of war has been forced to suffer foreign occupation for the sake of a tentative peace. Combining the thrill and intrigue of speculative fiction with the modern fears and anxiety of the War on Terror, the series explores a world where the old, small differences that divide this country have become the war cries of new nations.
King is a multiple Eisner Award-winning comic book writer, who won his latest Eisner Award, for Best Writer, last Friday at San Diego Comic-Con. He is the author of bestselling Batman for DC, Mr. Miracle (DC), The Vision (Marvel) and the recently announced Heroes in Crisis for DC.
States of America is set in a deeply divided U.S. that with an unprovoked act of war has been forced to suffer foreign occupation for the sake of a tentative peace. Combining the thrill and intrigue of speculative fiction with the modern fears and anxiety of the War on Terror, the series explores a world where the old, small differences that divide this country have become the war cries of new nations.
King is a multiple Eisner Award-winning comic book writer, who won his latest Eisner Award, for Best Writer, last Friday at San Diego Comic-Con. He is the author of bestselling Batman for DC, Mr. Miracle (DC), The Vision (Marvel) and the recently announced Heroes in Crisis for DC.
- 7/25/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
First Look Media continues to signal a push in original series with the hire of former Comedy Central Svp Original Programming and Development Lisa Leingang. She will serve as Svp, Scripted Programming, based in New York. Leingang’s appointment comes two weeks after First Look Media tapped another Viacom Media Networks alum, Adam Pincus, as Evp Programming and Content, overseeing feature films, TV and digital programming. Reporting to Pincus, Leingang will head up the…...
- 12/2/2015
- Deadline TV
Comedy Central announced Tuesday it has lured a top development executive away from MTV. The cable network has named Brooke Posch vice president of original programming and development. Based in New York, she'll report to Kent Alterman, who heads original programming and development for the network. Posch succeeds Lisa Leingang, who left the network earlier this year when her contract wasn't renewed.At MTV, Posch served as a VP of comedy and animation. She'd held that role since 2009, and oversaw development of several pilots including, “The Substitute,” “Epic Fail,” and the docu-series, “World of Jenks," according to a release. She also worked with Nikki Glaser and Sara Schaefer to develop a late-night talk show for the comedians. Moreover, she helped develop a half-hour Latina comedy with Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions. Prior to MTV, Posch was with Crossroads Television, developing projects for several cable networks, including Nickelodeon, IFC, VH1, and Bravo.
- 5/30/2012
- by help@backstage.com (Sean J. Miller)
- backstage.com
Exclusive: MTV executive Brooke Posch has joined Comedy Central as VP, Original Programming and Development, East Coast. Based in New York, Posch will oversee development and production of all east coast-based Comedy Central original pilots and series, reporting to Kent Alterman, Comedy Central’s head of original programming and development. Posch succeeds Lisa Leingang, Svp Original Programming and Development, who exited in March after her contract was not renewed. Posch comes to Comedy Central from MTV where she has served as VP Comedy and Animation since 2009, overseeing the development of such studio, game, unscripted and animated pilots as The Substitute and Epic Fail as well as documentary series World of Jenks. She also developed a late-night talk show with comedians Nikki Glaser & Sara Schaefer and a half-hour Latina comedy with Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican Prods. Prior to MTV, Posch was Director of Development/Executive Producer at Crossroads Television. “Brooke has...
- 5/29/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: Lisa Leingang, Svp Original Programming and Development for Comedy Central, has been let go after two and a half years on the job. I’ve learned that Leingang’s contact was not renewed. Based in New York, Leingang oversaw development and production of Comedy Central pilots and series based on the east coast and was executive in charge of production for the network’s The Colbert Report. Leingang was hired in 2009 by Comedy Central’s previous head of original programming Lauren Corrao. Since Corrao’s departure, she had been reporting to her successor, Kent Alterman. Before joining Comedy Central, Leingang spent four years as VP, primetime programming and development at CBS Entertainment and seven years at NBC and its sister studio holding a number of development and producing positions.
- 3/7/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
New York -- Comedy Central has hired Lisa Leingang as senior vp, original programming and development, East Coast.
She previously spent four years at CBS Entertainment as vp, primetime programming and development.
Lauren Corrao, president, original programming and development, to whom Leingang will report, announced the appointment Monday.
Leingang will oversee development and production of all Comedy Central original pilots and series based on the East Coast.
She previously spent four years at CBS Entertainment as vp, primetime programming and development.
Lauren Corrao, president, original programming and development, to whom Leingang will report, announced the appointment Monday.
Leingang will oversee development and production of all Comedy Central original pilots and series based on the East Coast.
- 8/17/2009
- by By Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bravo has unveiled a bevy of new programs, including a sketch-comedy show from the Upright Citizens Brigade and spinoff of Project Runway. A.S.S.S.S.C.A.T.: Improv is a one-hour special based on the exploits of the improvisational comedy group that will run sometime in the fall. It features Rachel Dratch, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey and Andy Richter, among others. Constant Communications is the producer; Lisa Leingang and John Fortenberry are executive producers; Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh are executive producers for the Upright Citizens Brigade. The Pennsylvania native who won last season's Project Runway, Jay McCarroll, gets his own one-hour documentary called Project Jay. The documentary, a production of Miramax Television, The Weinstein Co. and Bravo, will follow the exploits of McCarroll as he heads for New York City to market his own fashion line.
- 7/15/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NBC is strengthening its comedy talent roster, signing development deals with New York's popular Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, Perrier-winning comedian Demetri Martin as well as little-known New Zealand folk parody duo Flight of the Conchords. All three pacts were spearheaded by Lisa Leingang, who has re-upped her deal with NBC Universal TV to continue as New York-based producer in charge of developing programming and recruiting acting and writing talent on the East Coast and in Europe. In her search for new faces and voices, Leingang works with NBC executive vp casting Marc Hirschfeld on the talent side and with NBC Uni TV co-presidents Angela Bromstad and David Kissinger on the writing side. "She is totally tapped into the New York comedy scene," Hirschfeld said of Leingang. "She is an incredible resource, both on the writing and talent side, which a great combination."...
- 10/8/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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