Sundance/NHK jerk a 'Close' call

Sundance Institute and NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.) have selected Swedish filmmaker Jens Assur, director from the approaching "Close Far," as champion from the 2012 Sundance/NHK Intl. Filmmaker Award. Award is offered to identify and support a "visionary" filmmaker with their next film, with Sundance Institute staff working carefully using the champion throughout every season, supplying creative and proper support with the development, financing and manufacture of their films. Two films based on the award are screening at Sundance: "Monsters from the Southern Wild" by Benh Zeitlin and "Elena" by Russian filmmaker Andrei Zvyagintsev. Assur's short "Killing the Chickens in order to save the Apes" is playing at Sundance and the writing and pointing debut, "The Final Dog in Rwanda," won honours at festivals in Clermont-Ferrand, Tribeca, Sydney, Rome and Palm Springs. "Close Far" is really a drama thriller including five interlocking tales occur Africa and Europe about folks vulnerable situations whose actions carry personal and global effects. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Relativity, Weinstein Company settle 'Crow' suit

Relativity Media and The Weinstein Company have settled a lawsuit over a remake of 1994's "The Crow" out of court, the companies confirmed in a joint statement."The parties will continue to work on the film together as planned. In addition, Relativity Media has dismissed all of its claims against The Weinstein Company for any wrongdoing regarding the release and distribution of "Nine," and The Weinstein Company has dismissed all of its claims against Relativity Media."TWC originally filed an injunction against Relativity in April to halt the latter's sale of distribution rights to its remake to anyone but TWC. Dispute centered around a contract between TWC and Relativity -- signed "as of March 25, 2009" -- that the suit claims gave TWC exclusive rights to sequels, prequels and remakes of 1994's "The Crow," which grossed close to $100 million worldwide.In May, Relativity fired back, claiming that TWC intentionally masked its financial problems in order to induce Relativity to finance musical "Nine."Plans to remake "The Crow" have been gestating for years. Stephen Norrington first came on to write and direct the movie, based on the comic by James O'Barr, in December 2008. Juan Carlos Fresnadillo recently boarded to direct the film. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Now Casting 'House of Cards,' a New Netflix Original Series

Now Casting 'House of Cards,' a New Netflix Original Series By Daniel Lehman January 20, 2012 Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images Kevin Spacey Pat Moran and Associates is casting local Baltimore, MD and Washington, D.C. actors for "House of Cards," a new U.S. adaptation of the BBC political drama series of the same name. The series stars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, and the pilot will be directed by David Fincher ("The Social Network," "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"). Spacey and Fincher are co-producers for the series, which will stream on Netflix as the company's first original programming. Casting director Pat Moran is seeking male and female actors ages 18+ for various roles. Moran is seeking both union and nonunion talent; the show will be covered under an AFTRA contract. Shooting is scheduled to begin in March. For more information on the project and how to submit, view the full casting notice on BackStage.com. (Subscription required.)Moran is a CSA member whose TV credits include "Game Change," "Veep," "The Wire," and "Oz" for HBO, "Homicide: Life on Street," and other pilots. She has also cast many feature films such as "State of Play," "He's Just Not That Into You," "Syriana," "The Replacements," "The Runaway Bride," and more. Now Casting 'House of Cards,' a New Netflix Original Series By Daniel Lehman January 20, 2012 Kevin Spacey PHOTO CREDIT Jason Kempin/Getty Images Pat Moran and Associates is casting local Baltimore, MD and Washington, D.C. actors for "House of Cards," a new U.S. adaptation of the BBC political drama series of the same name. The series stars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, and the pilot will be directed by David Fincher ("The Social Network," "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"). Spacey and Fincher are co-producers for the series, which will stream on Netflix as the company's first original programming. Casting director Pat Moran is seeking male and female actors ages 18+ for various roles. Moran is seeking both union and nonunion talent; the show will be covered under an AFTRA contract. Shooting is scheduled to begin in March. For more information on the project and how to submit, view the full casting notice on BackStage.com. (Subscription required.)Moran is a CSA member whose TV credits include "Game Change," "Veep," "The Wire," and "Oz" for HBO, "Homicide: Life on Street," and other pilots. She has also cast many feature films such as "State of Play," "He's Just Not That Into You," "Syriana," "The Replacements," "The Runaway Bride," and more.

Kodak files for Chapter 11

Eastman Kodak Co., an icon that dates back to the 1880s and the biggest supplier of raw film stock to Hollywood from the beginning of motion pictures, filed for Chapter 11 overnight in U.S. bankruptcy court for the Southern District of NY after struggling for years with fierce competition and shifting technology. The Rochester, N.Y.-based company said Citigroup put out a statement just after midnight Thursday. It said it will provide a $950 million debtor-in-possession loan to allow it to operate during bankruptcy. A bankruptcy judge must approve the loan. Sony and Warner Bros. are named in the filing among Kodak's unsecured creditors, with respectively, $16.7 million and $14.2 million in unsecured notes. For years, Hollywood was based around Kodak products. The 3,332 Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards, opened in 2001. The move has been expected for some months, if not years. Kodak said it will reorganize its businesses, bolster liquidity in the U.S. and abroad, sell non-strategic intellectual property, resolve legacy liabilities, and enable focus on its most valuable business lines. The company has made pioneering investments in digital, it said, generating approximately 75% of its revenue from digital businesses in 2011. "Kodak is taking a significant step toward enabling our enterprise to complete its transformation," CEO Antonio Perez said. Kodak was founded by George Eastman who introduced the Kodak camera in 1888. The company went on to invent film, enabling Thomas Edison to develop the motion picture camera, Brownie cameras selling for $1 and Kodachrome film. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Acad: Digital indies face early death

The Motion Picture Academy's Science & Technology Council released the executive summary of part 2 of its "Digital Dilemma" report on the problems of long-term storage of digital movie footage. This new document focuses on the independent and documentary sectors of the movie business, and it paints a grim picture of filmmakers largely unaware how fragile today's born-digital movies are. "In general," says the report "independent films that beat the odds and secure some form of distribution do so after a much longer time period than movies produced by the major studios. This time period quite likely exceeds the 'shelf life' of any digital work; that is, by the time distribution is secured, the digital data may become inaccessible. "Most of the filmmakers surveyed and interviewed for this report were not aware of the perishable nature of digital content, or how short its unmanaged lifespan is compared to the 95-plus years that U.S. copyright laws allow filmmakers to benefit from their work." The original Digital Dilemma report, released in 2007, focused on studio pics. It laid out the expense and difficulty of maintaining a digital archive of any kind, showing it is far greater than that of storing film in a temperature controlled vault. Originally the Acad's Sci-Tech Council recommended a "migration" strategy of moving data regularly from hard disk to hard disk periodically. However in subsequent presentations the Council has said it's been proven to a mathematical certainty that migration is ultimately bound to fail. The bottom line: "Suitable long-term preservation and access mechanisms for digital motion picture materials have not yet been developed." In other words, there's no known way to preserve digital data over decades and ensure it will remain readable. That is not simply a problem for movie footage. The same issues pertain to digital medical records, financial data, and other information. The Acad is working with Library of Congress and other major industries, to search for a method to preserve digital assets. However, because those efforts are being backed by big business, they may not prove suitable for indie films and filmmakers. Indie films that lack studio distribution -- and the financial resources that come with it -- are at particular risk of being lost entirely. "Unless an independent film is picked up by a major studio's distribution arm," says the summary, "its path to an audiovisual archive is uncertain. If a filmmaker's digital work doesn't make it to such a preservation environment, its lifespan will be limited - as will its revenue-generating potential and its ability to enjoy the full measure of U.S. copyright protection." Awareness of the issue was no greater among documentarians than among narrative indie filmmakers. Says the report: "Surveyed and interviewed documentarians did not seem concerned about or aware of the possibility or likelihood of digitally acquired historical footage being lost. To the contrary, they believed that the Internet and today's digital technologies offered unprecedented access to historical footage." The full report, not yet released, will include proposals for more education, sharing of information and collaboration among archives and other orgs. The summary concludes by saying that unless preservation becomes a requirement for planning, budgeting and marketing strategies, it will remain a problem for indie filmmakers, documentarians and archives alike. "These communities, and the nation's artistic and cultural heritage, would greatly benefit from a comprehensive, coordinated digital preservation plan for the future." Contact David S. Cohen at david.cohen@variety.com

Lionsgate buys Summit for $412.5 million

Summit's last 'Twilight' pic, 'Breaking Beginning -- Part 1,' made nearly $700 million worldwide.Lionsgate's 'Hunger Games' franchise is predicted to produce huge amounts of cash for your minimajor.Summit Entertainment and Lionsgate have made the decision just to walk lower the aisle, mixing the town's leading minimajors in the complex cash and stock deal worth $412.5 million. The completed deal, that's been prone to close in the last week, has been around since the close in the market Friday. Lionsgate co-chairman and Boss Jon Feltheimer and vice chairman Michael Burns told Variety that final particulars were worked out at 3 a.m. PST on Friday. The sale is structured just like a utilized buyout with many different the price funded with cash on the quantity sheet at Summit. "This transaction continues Lionsgate's extended-term growth way of developing a varied worldwide media company through a mixture of disciplined, accretive proper purchases and organic growth and keep a great balance sheet," mentioned Feltheimer and Burns in the joint statement. "We are joining together two effective entertainment brands, getting together two world-class feature film franchises to find out a commanding position inside the youthful adult market, strengthening our global distribution infrastructure and creating a scalable platform that can result in significant and accretive financial advantages to Lionsgate traders." The Lionsgate board approved the sale Tuesday, according to Feltheimer. Summit co-chairmen Make the most of Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger mentioned in the statement, "We're feeling the combined entity will probably be much more than the sum its parts." The announcement mentioned both Lionsgate and Summit continues for distinct brands -- both "confused being produced and distribution of films." However it did not directly address the status of Friedman and Wachsberger. Speculation regarding future has varied broadly, different within the two while using reins of Lionsgate's movie methods from current topper Joe Drake to Freidman and Wachsberger departing the combined company. Friedman and Wachsberger met with Summit staff Friday mid-day following a announcement to brief them round the deal and stress they ought to focus on the ongoing business. "We stated thirstily that people will probably continue to handle their business since there is available a lot of films coming," Friedman mentioned. "We'll still operate Summit daily and employ Lionsgate around the seamless transition. We are not implementing our ft in the pedal." Feltheimer told Variety he needs specifics on management structure being revealed next week. The announcement also didn't address the issue of whether you will notice lay offs but Feltheimer mentioned, "There's without doubt that you'll see some consolidation but also for many employees, this can be a significant chance." The merger will substantially strengthen Lionsgate's foreign sales methods. Wachsberger mentioned he needs Summit's foreign sales division being opeating of course within the approaching Berlin and Cannes film areas. Though Lionsgate relies in Vancouver, nearly all its methods will be in Santa Monica, a few blocks within the Summit offices. Summit has about 150 employees, Lionsgate about 500. Wachsberger established that there are many familiarity involving the two companies. "Individuals at Summit be familiar with people at Lionsgate," Wachsberger noted. Lionsgate mentioned transaction is predicted being "substantially accretive" in Lionsgate's 2013 fiscal year beginning April 1. Beyond the Summit cash, the comfort in the transaction was funded with $55 million of existing Lionsgate cash, $45 million of cash received in the lately launched quantity of Lionsgate convertible notes, $50 million of Lionsgate common stock plus an additional $20 million of cash or stock being launched at Lionsgate's option within two several weeks. Summit's existing term loan was refinanced getting a $500 million debt facility, guaranteed with the collateral in the Summit assets. The lent funds matures in 2016 but Lionsgate mentioned it "anticipates having to pay back the lent funds just before the maturity date, due to the running earnings the organization is predicted to produce.In . Burns and Friendman both told Variety the fourth and fifth "Twilight" films as well as the "Hunger Games" films are expected to create huge amounts of cash to cover lower that loan right before 2016. The little-majors are actually settling exclusively with each other in recent days as professionals sorted using the complexity in the transaction. Miramax owner Colony Capital designed a deal combined with experienced discussions throughout November and December before losing out. The merged entity may have more firepower in the market where the majors have scaly back on mid-budget films for tentpoles and franchises -- creating an opportunity for substantial indies to fill that gap. The union brings the "Twilight" franchise beneath the same roof as "The Hunger Games," which Lionsgate is banking onto revitalize its film slate. All the the "Twilight" photos, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning -- Part 2," due to open November. 16, will most likely take because $1 billion within the worldwide box office. The initial installment from the products Lionsgate hopes is really a franchise using the popular book series, "Hunger Games" opens March 23. A clip for your pic got a good start having its target aud in running with Summit's "Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning -- Part 1," which did boffo business following its November. 20 domestic bow. Since 2007, Summit co-chairs Friedman and Wachsberger have transformed Summit in the foreign sales company in to a full-service production and distribution studio around the rear of their effective gamble on film adaptations of Stephenie Meyer's best-selling quantity of vampire-werewolf books. In April 2007, Summit arranged a $1 billion financing deal -- a transaction that won't happen to be possible a few several days later because real estate marketplaces began melting lower. Last March, Summit closed a $750 million financing deal -- a $550 million term loan together with a $200 million turning line of credit -- that allowed the business to unshackle itself from numerous its debt, increase feature production and fund day-to-day methods. Furthermore, it paid out a cash distribution towards the greatest traders, including Friedman, Wachsberger, Participant Media, Nala Films and equity fund Rizvi Traverse Management. Lionsgate and Summit have observed discussions of a union coming back to date as fall 2008, before the bow in the first "Twilight" pic. People discussions began again last fall inside the wake of Lionsgate's settlement with longtime foe Carl Icahn that the billionaire made the decision to market this stake finish his three-year mission Lionsgate shares appreciated by 28% this season and possess acquired another 3% this year. Summit's technique is to produce and distribute 10-12 films every year, getting a focus on the midrange films the majors are more unlikely to greenlight. Aside from "Twilight," Summit's bread and butter has remains broad-based fare at moderate prices with identifiable stars for instance "Red-colored-colored," "Source Code" and 2 thrillers now in publish-production: "Guy around the Ledge" with Mike Worthington and "Cold Light of Day" with Henry Cavill, Sigourney Weaver and Bruce Willis. Approaching photos include dance pic "Step-up 4" and vampire romancer "Warm Physiques." Besides the fourth "Twilight," "Source Code" and 'The Beaver," Summit's 2011 release slate incorporated "The Pitch-dark Hour", "50/50" and Chris Weitz' drama about Mexican immigrants in La, "A Far Greater Existence." A "Red-colored-colored" follow-up remains dated for next season but Summit hasn't locked lower a director. Summit's been trying to make a "Highlander" reboot. Summit also acquired a bit of the stunner couple of years ago with Oscar-champion "The Hurt Locker" -- the least expensive grosser connected having a Oscar Best Picture champion. Unlike Summit, Lionsgate also provides a considerable TV production-distribution operation that's where you can series including AMC's "Mad Males," Showtime's "Weeds" and "Nurse Jackie," "Boss" on Starz as well as the approaching Charlie Sheen sitcom "Anger Management" on Foreign exchange. Its Debmar-Mercury distribution operation includes "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" and "The Wendy Williams Show." Lionsgate is ongoing to develop through purchases throughout yesteryear dozen years under Feltheimer and Burns. The duo have orchestrated the purchases of film and video libraries including Trimark in 2000, Artisan in 2003, Redbus in 2005, Debmar-Mercury in 2006, Mandate in 2007 and tv Guide Network this past year, additionally to some stake in distrib Kerbside Sights in 2007. No matter your dream with Icahn, Lionsgate ongoing to become a dynamic bidder for MGM this past year and 2010 just before the Lion experienced its pre-packed personal personal bankruptcy in the finish of 2010 in the deal that left Spyglass cake cake toppers Roger Birnbaum and Gary Barber in charge. Lionsgate introduced in November it had lost $24.6 000 0000 within the second quarter ended Sept. 30 due partly to disappointing perfs from "Conan the Barbarian," "Warrior" and "Abduction." Lionsgate'a balance sheet had $590 million with debt by Sept. 30. It comes down to 13,000 game game titles within the film and tv library. JP Morgan, Barclays Capital, and Jefferies offered as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners on financing the acquisition for Lionsgate with JP Morgan, Barclays Capital and Jefferies also becoming finance experts. Barclays Capital provided a justness opinion to Lionsgate. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz offered as outdoors an attorney for Lionsgate. Lining Grode Stein LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP offered as outdoors an attorney for Summit. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Syfy adds three VPs

"Face Off" Syfy has triggered three unscripted programming executives in the Vice president level to supervise its slate of reality series, such as the new makeup/prosthetics competish show "Face Off." Robyn Lattaker-Manley, Wayne Sampson and Colin Whelan would be the NBCUniversal cabler's new veeps, alternative programming, confirming to senior Vice president Tim Krubsack. Tori Socha and Andrew Whitney join the internet as company directors of alternative programming. Lattaker-Manley, Sampson and Whelan will manage Syfy series including "Ghost Predators," "Fact or Photoshopped: Paranormal Files," "Haunted Collector," "Paranormal Witness," "Hollywood Treasure," and approaching skeins "Monster Guy," "Dream Machines" and "Total Blackout." The crew will even manage developing new unscripted shows for that internet. The 3 have varied skills within the same industry: Lattaker-Manley labored being an indie producer following a stint at Wager Sampson involves the cabler from Dick Clark Prods. and Whelan originates from TLC. Contact Mike Thielman at mike.thielman@variety.com