A year after expanding into talent management, Wheelhouse DNA has announced a wave of new signings. The digital entertainment company’s Additive Creative Partners wing has partnered with eight prominent channels from TikTok and YouTube, including lifestyle creator Lauren Kettering (pictured above) and comedian Simba Jones.
Additive Creative reps its clients across all areas, including entertainment, content, and brand partnerships. Its new signees have already explored numerous opportunities across online and real-life platforms. TikToker Carrie Berk, for example, is a published author, while musical comedian Tom McGovern has appeared in off-Broadway productions.
With its latest wave of signings, Additive Creative is building on the momentum it established when it launched last April. One of its new partners is James Wright, the twin brother of former Hype House member (and early Additive Creative signee) Jack Wright.
In addition to the aforementioned creators, Additive Creative has added TikTok interior design maven Clinton Avery Tharp to its roster.
Additive Creative reps its clients across all areas, including entertainment, content, and brand partnerships. Its new signees have already explored numerous opportunities across online and real-life platforms. TikToker Carrie Berk, for example, is a published author, while musical comedian Tom McGovern has appeared in off-Broadway productions.
With its latest wave of signings, Additive Creative is building on the momentum it established when it launched last April. One of its new partners is James Wright, the twin brother of former Hype House member (and early Additive Creative signee) Jack Wright.
In addition to the aforementioned creators, Additive Creative has added TikTok interior design maven Clinton Avery Tharp to its roster.
- 5/18/2023
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Grant Thompson, the YouTuber who created “King of Random” persona, died Monday after a paragliding accident in Utah. Thompson’s body was recovered early Tuesday morning in St. George, Utah after the YouTuber’s family filed a missing person’s report Monday night when he didn’t return from the trip, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. 50 […]
The post YouTuber Grant Thompson, Known As ‘The King of Random,’ Dies At 38 In Paragliding Accident appeared first on uInterview.
The post YouTuber Grant Thompson, Known As ‘The King of Random,’ Dies At 38 In Paragliding Accident appeared first on uInterview.
- 8/1/2019
- by Eileen Nguyen
- Uinterview
‘Lil Bois’.
From now until June, the Northern Territory Travelling Film Festival will be moving about the Top End, with outdoors cinemas popping up in both popular tourist hotspots and remote Indigenous communities.
Led by festival director Britt Guy, 2019 marks the festival’s second year. The program includes Wayne Blair’s Top End Wedding, which will screen at Wurrumiyanga, Nitmiluk National Park and Kakadu National Park, as well as feature documentary The Song Keepers; The Tangentyere Artists Collection of short films, and Lil Bois, the first short film in the traditional language Ngandi, created by Ngandi man Grant Thompson and produced by Ngukurr Story Projects.
The idea for the Nt Travelling Film Festival was borne out of conversations Guy had with the Darwin Film Society, who run the Darwin International Film Festival (Diff). They realised that many of the films presented at Diff from Territorian filmmakers weren’t having a...
From now until June, the Northern Territory Travelling Film Festival will be moving about the Top End, with outdoors cinemas popping up in both popular tourist hotspots and remote Indigenous communities.
Led by festival director Britt Guy, 2019 marks the festival’s second year. The program includes Wayne Blair’s Top End Wedding, which will screen at Wurrumiyanga, Nitmiluk National Park and Kakadu National Park, as well as feature documentary The Song Keepers; The Tangentyere Artists Collection of short films, and Lil Bois, the first short film in the traditional language Ngandi, created by Ngandi man Grant Thompson and produced by Ngukurr Story Projects.
The idea for the Nt Travelling Film Festival was borne out of conversations Guy had with the Darwin Film Society, who run the Darwin International Film Festival (Diff). They realised that many of the films presented at Diff from Territorian filmmakers weren’t having a...
- 4/2/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Back in January, Grant Thompson -- known online as The King Of Random -- found himself facing legal charges after neighbors complained that he set off explosive devices in his backyard. Thompson, whose homemade science experiments and Diy feats of engineering have allowed him to become one of YouTube's most popular creators (he's received more than 1.6 billion views to date), has now put himself on a path toward clearing those charges.
By the terms of the deal he brought to authorities, Thompson will have all charges against him dropped so long as he makes two videos. One will educate viewers about safety precautions they can take before trying out their own experiments, while the other will inform them how they can stay on the good side of the law.
The videos, which Thompson says will be posted on his King Of Random channel at some point in the coming months,...
By the terms of the deal he brought to authorities, Thompson will have all charges against him dropped so long as he makes two videos. One will educate viewers about safety precautions they can take before trying out their own experiments, while the other will inform them how they can stay on the good side of the law.
The videos, which Thompson says will be posted on his King Of Random channel at some point in the coming months,...
- 5/21/2018
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Thanks to his collection of life hacks, Diy projects, and science experiments, Grant Thompson has emerged as one of the internet's top creators. On YouTube, where Thompson is known as The King Of Random, his channel has close to nine million subscribers and has received more than 1.6 billion views to date.
Now, however, a small subset of Thompson's videos have gotten him into some trouble with the law. A court in his Utah hometown has charged him with two counts of second-degree felony possession of an explosive device after neighbors complained about explosions he set off in his backyard.
In a statement reported by The Salt Lake Tribune, the police department in the Salt Lake City suburb of South Jordan have received multiple reports from Thompson's neighbors. One of the complaints relates to a video the YouTube star posted last June, in which he placed dry ice inside water bottles,...
Now, however, a small subset of Thompson's videos have gotten him into some trouble with the law. A court in his Utah hometown has charged him with two counts of second-degree felony possession of an explosive device after neighbors complained about explosions he set off in his backyard.
In a statement reported by The Salt Lake Tribune, the police department in the Salt Lake City suburb of South Jordan have received multiple reports from Thompson's neighbors. One of the complaints relates to a video the YouTube star posted last June, in which he placed dry ice inside water bottles,...
- 1/18/2018
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
CBS has put into development an untitled medical/spiritual drama based on Dr. Harley Rotbart’s book Miracles We Have Seen: America’s Leading Physicians Share Stories They Can’t Forget. The project hails from Joby Harold & Tory Tunnell’s Safehouse Pictures; Dr Mehmet Oz and his wife, producer Lisa Oz; Sony Pictures Television Studios; and CBS Television Studios. Written by Grant Thompson (McFarland, USA), the untitled Medical Miracles project is a medical drama that exists…...
- 9/11/2017
- Deadline TV
CBS has put in development Jumpmen, an hourlong drama from former The Good Wife executive producer Craig Turk and Jane the Virgin executive producer Ben Silverman. Co-written and executive produced by Turk and Grant Thompson (McFarland USA), Jumpmen centers on Air Force pararescue jumpers who find, treat, and recover disaster victims in the most extreme, impossible circumstances. When a veteran Pj’s daughter becomes the first woman to qualify for his unit, the team’s…...
- 10/18/2016
- Deadline TV
Ryan Coogler's "Creed" topped the NAACP Image Awards nomination which were revealed this morning. "Creed" received nods for best picture, director for Coogler, actor for Michael B. Jordan, writing for Coogler and Aaron Covington, and supporting actress noms for both Phylicia Rashad and Tessa Thompson.
We'll find out the winners on February 5 on the live airing of the ceremony on TV one.
Here is the full list of nominees of the 47th NAACP Image Awards:
Entertainer Of The Year
Michael B. Jordan
Misty Copeland
Pharrell Williams
Shonda Rhimes
Viola Davis
Television
Outstanding Comedy Series
.black-ish. (ABC)
.House of Lies. (Showtime)
.Key & Peele. (Comedy Central)
.Orange is the New Black. (Netflix)
.Survivor.s Remorse. (Starz)
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher . .Brooklyn Nine-Nine. (Fox)
Anthony Anderson . .black-ish. (ABC)
Don Cheadle . .House of Lies. (Showtime)
Dwayne Johnson . .Ballers. (HBO)
RonReaco Lee . .Survivor.s Remorse. (Starz)
Outstanding Actress...
We'll find out the winners on February 5 on the live airing of the ceremony on TV one.
Here is the full list of nominees of the 47th NAACP Image Awards:
Entertainer Of The Year
Michael B. Jordan
Misty Copeland
Pharrell Williams
Shonda Rhimes
Viola Davis
Television
Outstanding Comedy Series
.black-ish. (ABC)
.House of Lies. (Showtime)
.Key & Peele. (Comedy Central)
.Orange is the New Black. (Netflix)
.Survivor.s Remorse. (Starz)
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher . .Brooklyn Nine-Nine. (Fox)
Anthony Anderson . .black-ish. (ABC)
Don Cheadle . .House of Lies. (Showtime)
Dwayne Johnson . .Ballers. (HBO)
RonReaco Lee . .Survivor.s Remorse. (Starz)
Outstanding Actress...
- 12/8/2015
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Chicago – Sports stories are made for the underdog, and it is the conduit for many immigrants and minorities to break through to the American Dream. “McFarland, USA” takes that idea and runs with it, as a high school cross country team of Mexican immigrants head towards the finish line.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Kevin Costner portrays the “coach,” with the same good vibes and unflappable air he has given all of his sports movie roles. This is based-on-a-true-story, so there actually is a cross country team in McFarland (north of Bakersfield, California), who kept winning because of the coach and the tradition established there. This is the origin story of that team in 1987, as the Mexican immigrant sons of “pickers” (field workers) become the core of the runners. The themes of poverty and wanting to belong to America run like a thread through the story, which per usual for sports stories involved second...
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Kevin Costner portrays the “coach,” with the same good vibes and unflappable air he has given all of his sports movie roles. This is based-on-a-true-story, so there actually is a cross country team in McFarland (north of Bakersfield, California), who kept winning because of the coach and the tradition established there. This is the origin story of that team in 1987, as the Mexican immigrant sons of “pickers” (field workers) become the core of the runners. The themes of poverty and wanting to belong to America run like a thread through the story, which per usual for sports stories involved second...
- 2/23/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Personal Best: Caro Returns to Studio Filmmaking with Feel-Good Adaptation
It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything from New Zealand director Niki Caro, who made headlines with her 2002 sophomore film, Whale Rider, before making her Hollywood debut with 2005’s North Country. After the dismal reception of her 2009 effort, A Heavenly Vintage (aka The Vinter’s Luck), she’s helmed, of all things, a Disney film, McFarland, USA. Kevin Costner, once the penultimate star of mainstream, sports themed cinema, finds himself as the figure responsible for fostering athletic careers, moving from Ivan Reitman’s Draft Day to late 1980’s cross-country coach here. Caro’s film is the second ‘based on a true story’ minority flavored studio flick this year, following Sean McNamara’s Spare Parts, which also relates the travails of a group of Hispanic students overcoming odds to succeed in an organized school events. Beat by methodical beat,...
It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything from New Zealand director Niki Caro, who made headlines with her 2002 sophomore film, Whale Rider, before making her Hollywood debut with 2005’s North Country. After the dismal reception of her 2009 effort, A Heavenly Vintage (aka The Vinter’s Luck), she’s helmed, of all things, a Disney film, McFarland, USA. Kevin Costner, once the penultimate star of mainstream, sports themed cinema, finds himself as the figure responsible for fostering athletic careers, moving from Ivan Reitman’s Draft Day to late 1980’s cross-country coach here. Caro’s film is the second ‘based on a true story’ minority flavored studio flick this year, following Sean McNamara’s Spare Parts, which also relates the travails of a group of Hispanic students overcoming odds to succeed in an organized school events. Beat by methodical beat,...
- 2/19/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
There is a recognizable template to inspirational sports dramas developed by Disney. You have a beleaguered coach figure trying to reclaim his former glory. You have a rowdy, unmotivated group of ragtag players that just need to add discipline to their raw talent to attain success. You have an antagonist buoyed by prestige or power that the underdog protagonists have to face. You have montages set to swelling music, and of course, the inevitable down-to-the-wire speech, of which any dedicated fan of the genre could recite a variation. Oh, and most of the time, they are based on a true story.
The sport is different but the song remains the same for McFarland, USA. Kevin Costner continues his dismal streak of performances after Three Days to Kill and Draft Day, as high-school football coach Jim White. After roughing up a student, White loses his job at an elite secondary school...
The sport is different but the song remains the same for McFarland, USA. Kevin Costner continues his dismal streak of performances after Three Days to Kill and Draft Day, as high-school football coach Jim White. After roughing up a student, White loses his job at an elite secondary school...
- 2/18/2015
- by Jordan Adler
- We Got This Covered
Inspired by the 1987 true story, McFarland, USA follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school.
Coach White and the McFarland students have a lot to learn about each other but when White starts to realize the boys’ exceptional running ability, things begin to change. Soon something beyond their physical gifts becomes apparent—the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic.
With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well. Along the way, Coach White realizes that his family finally found a place to call home and both he and his...
Coach White and the McFarland students have a lot to learn about each other but when White starts to realize the boys’ exceptional running ability, things begin to change. Soon something beyond their physical gifts becomes apparent—the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic.
With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well. Along the way, Coach White realizes that his family finally found a place to call home and both he and his...
- 2/10/2015
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures has released a lineup, along with new photos and dates, of their upcoming movies for 2015.
From dinosaurs to fairy tales, super heroes to galaxies far, far away, one of the most anticipated films next year is from director Steven Spielberg.
©DreamWorks II Distribution Co., LLC and Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Tom Hanks (left) stars in Spielberg’s (right) Untitled Cold War spy thriller, which is the true story of James Donovan, an attorney who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on the near-impossible mission to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot.
“This is one of the more astonishing stories about the Cold War I’d ever heard. James Donovan is a hero to me and Tom made him so completely accessible. I’ve always wanted to make a spy...
From dinosaurs to fairy tales, super heroes to galaxies far, far away, one of the most anticipated films next year is from director Steven Spielberg.
©DreamWorks II Distribution Co., LLC and Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Tom Hanks (left) stars in Spielberg’s (right) Untitled Cold War spy thriller, which is the true story of James Donovan, an attorney who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on the near-impossible mission to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot.
“This is one of the more astonishing stories about the Cold War I’d ever heard. James Donovan is a hero to me and Tom made him so completely accessible. I’ve always wanted to make a spy...
- 12/30/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Solution Entertainment Group has released the first image from the Shia Labeouf-led psychological thriller "Man Down" which also Gary Oldman, Kate Mara and Jai Courtney. Set in a savage post-apocalyptic America, Labeouf and Courtney play a pair who are in search of the former's family.
"Zhang Yimou's first English-language film, 'The Great Wall' at Legendary East, has seen a budget increase to $135 million with filming to begin in February. The period action spectacular with sci-fi elements is currently casting..." (full details)
"Ivanhoe Pictures has picked up the film rights to Ryan Graudin's young adult action-adventure novel 'The Walled City'. The story follows three teenagers who are fighting to survive and escape a lawless, walled city..." (full details)
"On Entertainment, Wild Bunch and Pathe are teaming for an $80 million animated feature based on the iconic Playmobil toys brand. Much of the team behind 'The Little Prince' will be...
"Zhang Yimou's first English-language film, 'The Great Wall' at Legendary East, has seen a budget increase to $135 million with filming to begin in February. The period action spectacular with sci-fi elements is currently casting..." (full details)
"Ivanhoe Pictures has picked up the film rights to Ryan Graudin's young adult action-adventure novel 'The Walled City'. The story follows three teenagers who are fighting to survive and escape a lawless, walled city..." (full details)
"On Entertainment, Wild Bunch and Pathe are teaming for an $80 million animated feature based on the iconic Playmobil toys brand. Much of the team behind 'The Little Prince' will be...
- 11/7/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Disney has dropped the trailer for McFarland USA, the sports biopic starring Kevin Costner and Maria Bello. Inspired by the 1987 true story, McFarland, USA follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. They ultimately bond to build not only a championship cross-country team, but an enduring legacy as well. Niki Caro directs from a screenplay by Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson, and story by Cleveland & Gilois. McFarland USA hits theaters on February 20, 2015.
- 11/3/2014
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline
Here’s your first look at director Niki Caro’s film McFarland, USA. The trailer stars Kevin Costner and Maria Bello.
Inspired by the 1987 true story, McFarland, USA follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school.
Coach White and the McFarland students have a lot to learn about each other but when White starts to realize the boys’ exceptional running ability, things begin to change. Soon something beyond their physical gifts becomes apparent—the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic.
With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well.
Inspired by the 1987 true story, McFarland, USA follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school.
Coach White and the McFarland students have a lot to learn about each other but when White starts to realize the boys’ exceptional running ability, things begin to change. Soon something beyond their physical gifts becomes apparent—the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic.
With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well.
- 11/3/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
During VidCon's yearly Industry Day, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki took to the stage at the Anaheim Convention Center to share a few new developments with the assembled audience. The most significant announcement of the keynote concerned Fan Funding, a new feature that will allow fans to donate money to their favorite channels. Fan Funding is YouTube's answer to the rise of crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, Patreon, and Subbable. YouTube creators have flocked to those sites in order to become less reliant on ad revenue, and YouTube wants in on the action. Through Fan Funding, viewers will be able to donate up to $500 to each of their favorite creators. For each transaction, YouTube will take a 5% cut, plus 21 cents. Each creator will also have the option to customize his own Fan Funding page. This can include "thank you" videos that play for each donor. Channels already testing out the...
- 6/27/2014
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
April 1st marks one of the biggest "tentpole" events on YouTube, as the site joins its community in thinking up clever April Fools Day pranks. This year was no different, and we've collected our seven favorite entries. 7. The Best Internet April Fools Pranks by Good Mythical Morning On April 1st, it's hard to tell which developments are legit and which ones are fiction. Rhett and Link helped viewers spot some of the best pranks from across the Internet on the most recent episode of their Good Mythical Morning show. Let's all thank them for rounding up the jokes so that we don't have to. 6. Villager Sounds Resource Pack by Element Animation Element Animation helped Minecraft players have some fun on April Fools by creating a resource pack that turns all player characters into dim-witted 'villagers'. Several members of the Minecraft YouTube community have already had plenty of fun with their new toy.
- 4/1/2014
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Lionsgate currently has a powerful female led franchise in the form of The Hunger Games with Jennifer Lawrence, and now they're working on a true life drama that will give another powerful female the spotlight on the big screen. Deadline report Lionsgate and Odd Lot Entertainment have picked up a pitch called Spitfire from up and coming writer Grant Thompson (scripting the Kevin Costner sports film McFarland), a film that looks at the life of Louise Smith, a rebellious woman who broke onto the stock car racing circuit back in the 1950s, paving the way for females to enter the fast-paced, male-dominated sport. Smith came to be known as the First Lady of Racing as she followed her dreams of racing all the way to Daytona, and even became an integral part of landing the funding for the racing organization that would become Nascar after World War II. The stock...
- 11/15/2013
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
Lionsgate and Odd Lot Entertainment have acquired Grant Thompson's script pitch "Spitfire".
The project proposes to tell the fact-based story of Louise Smith, the woman who took the stock car racing scene of the 1950s by storm.
Smith smashed through gender preconceptions of the time and helped secure the initial funding for what would become the billion-dollar sports giant Nascar.
Nicky Weinstock is producing.
Source: Deadline...
The project proposes to tell the fact-based story of Louise Smith, the woman who took the stock car racing scene of the 1950s by storm.
Smith smashed through gender preconceptions of the time and helped secure the initial funding for what would become the billion-dollar sports giant Nascar.
Nicky Weinstock is producing.
Source: Deadline...
- 11/15/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
With a fanbase in the trillions . at least that.s what it seems like . the sport of Nascar is barely present in the history of cinema outside of a few obvious examples, especially when compared to movies about major league baseball and other sports organizations. And with Ron Howard.s Formula 1 .centered Rush recently gaining much critical acclaim (not to mention tons of money at the foreign box office), it.s no surprise that Nascar is now getting behind its own origin story, Spitfire, which was recently acquired by Lionsgate and OddLot Entertainment, who is also behind Ivan Reitman.s upcoming NFL comedy Draft Day. Based on a pitch from actor/writer Grant Thompson, Deadline reports Spitfire will cover the strong female presence in the early years of Nascar, which was created after World War II by Florida businessman Bill France Sr. The film will follow Louise Smith, often called...
- 11/15/2013
- cinemablend.com
Exclusive: Lionsgate and Gigi Pritzker’s Odd Lot Entertainment has acquired Spitfire, a pitch by Grant Thompson to tell the fact-based story of Louise Smith, a rebellious firebrand who takes the stock car racing scene of the 1950s by storm with her steadfast driving skills and changes the fate of racing forever. Female drivers were surprisingly instrumental in the founding of Nascar just after WWII. A forgotten forerunner of contemporary female drivers like Danica Patrick, Smith was the quintessential small-town girl with big dreams who smashed through the gender preconceptions of the time to ultimately race at the famed Daytona Beach road course and helped secure the initial funding for what would become the billion-dollar sports giant Nascar. Nicky Weinstock of Invention Films is producing. Nascar is exec producing. Nascar holds the key to a vast potential racing audience, but it is stingy about the films it gets involved in.
- 11/15/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Grant Thompson with the cast of Taking On The Chocolate Frog. .Photo by Kate Ryan
.
A troupe of ex-criminals has agreed to go back to a prison to learn how to become actors in a new TV observational documentary series, Taking on the Chocolate Frog.
The three-part series will follow the wannabe actors as they rehearse and perform in front of a live audience The Chocolate Frog, a play by Jim McNeil.
The venue is the Parramatta Correctional Centre, where McNeil wrote the play while he was incarcerated for 17 years for armed robbery and shooting a police officer.
The play was first performed in Parramatta Gaol by a group of inmates in 1970. McNeil was paroled in 1974 and died in 1982, homeless and penniless, aged 47.
Created and executive produced by Simon Steel, Screentime.s Executive Producer Entertainment, the docu was commissioned by Studio, Sbs.s arts and entertainment channel on Foxtel. Funding...
.
A troupe of ex-criminals has agreed to go back to a prison to learn how to become actors in a new TV observational documentary series, Taking on the Chocolate Frog.
The three-part series will follow the wannabe actors as they rehearse and perform in front of a live audience The Chocolate Frog, a play by Jim McNeil.
The venue is the Parramatta Correctional Centre, where McNeil wrote the play while he was incarcerated for 17 years for armed robbery and shooting a police officer.
The play was first performed in Parramatta Gaol by a group of inmates in 1970. McNeil was paroled in 1974 and died in 1982, homeless and penniless, aged 47.
Created and executive produced by Simon Steel, Screentime.s Executive Producer Entertainment, the docu was commissioned by Studio, Sbs.s arts and entertainment channel on Foxtel. Funding...
- 8/14/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Start is getting serious. The series we've seen recently from IGN's original programming channel have been budget video game adaptations, plucky comedies, and warmhearted reality shows, but a new offering takes a much darker turn. Start is the home of Project S.E.R.A., a sleek, action-packed zombie thriller that is sure to be a hit with its target demographic. Project S.E.R.A. opens in medias res, and right away we get a taste of the violence, blood, and moody lighting that quickly becomes the series' distinguishing style. The narrative is jumpy but suspenseful, and director Benjamin Howedeshell isn't afraid to think big. “Project S.E.R.A. takes what’s typically expected of a web series and blows that expectation out of the water," said executive producer Grant Thompson. "This series looks and feels like a studio feature film, and we can't wait to bring that...
- 1/31/2013
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
A character-driven drama from Neal Moritz’s Original Film has been bought by CBS. The untitled project, penned by actor-turned-writer Grant Thompson, centers on an FBI agent from Nebraska who single-handedly prevents a major domestic terrorist attack while on a family vacation and instantly becomes an American hero. He then takes on a new job leading a DC task force. Steve Maeda (Lie To Me), Neil Moritz and Vivian Cannon executive produce, with Thompson co-executive producing. Sony TV, where Original Film is based, is producing. Original Film also recently sold a comedy to Fox, Patients Required, which is being written by Chris Cox. The company is behind Showtime’s The Big C and upcoming NBC comedy Save Me. Thompson, repped by Paradigm and Madhouse Entertainment, recently wrote the Disney sports film McFarland, to be directed by Niki Caro, which is now casting and has had Kevin Costner circling it. Additionally,...
- 8/31/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive "McFarland," a sports story acquired by Disney years ago, has been resurrected as a Mayhem Pictures project. Actor and writer Grant Thompson wrote the latest version of the script. The movie, originally called “The Boys of McFarland,” is based on a 1997 Los Angeles Times article about a high school coach in McFarland, Calif., who tried to inspire students by forming a cross-country team. Christopher Cleveland wrote the original adaptation. That version never was made. Years later, Disney production chief Sean Bailey decided the story ought to be told. The studio then enlisted Thompson...
- 3/30/2011
- by Joshua L. Weinstein
- The Wrap
Between shooting Twilight and New Moon, Summit Entertainment pondered replacing Taylor Lautner in the role of Jacob. To prove he was worthy of the reprisal, Lautner gained 30 pounds of bulk and transformed into a muscle-bound hero capable of shirtless scenes and carrying the sequel in Robert Pattinson’s absence.
Summit is clearly convinced of his conviction and impressed by his star-making turn because they’re crafting an action hero movie that will elevate him from the realm of High School Musicals and in the same genre as Damon’s Bourne trilogy and Neeson’s Taken.
According to Variety’s BFDealMemo, the studio has used a little of the Twilight money to acquire Cancun, a script by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson about a spring break trip to the Mexican tourist location. While on vacation, Lautner’s love interest is taken hostage by a drug cartel and he must save them.
Summit is clearly convinced of his conviction and impressed by his star-making turn because they’re crafting an action hero movie that will elevate him from the realm of High School Musicals and in the same genre as Damon’s Bourne trilogy and Neeson’s Taken.
According to Variety’s BFDealMemo, the studio has used a little of the Twilight money to acquire Cancun, a script by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson about a spring break trip to the Mexican tourist location. While on vacation, Lautner’s love interest is taken hostage by a drug cartel and he must save them.
- 12/21/2009
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
Taylor Lautner, who plays werewolf Jacob in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," is heading to "Cancun," as the actor is set to star in an action flick based on a spec by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson.
Summit Entertainment is backing the project, according to the Hollywood Reporter, and the story follows a college kid who has to rescue a chick and her friends from drug dealers during a vacation in Cancun.
It seems the movie will be completely centered around and structured for Lautner specifically, which is a good way for Summit to make a whole lot of money (I bet every single Jacob fan will go anc check it out.)...
Summit Entertainment is backing the project, according to the Hollywood Reporter, and the story follows a college kid who has to rescue a chick and her friends from drug dealers during a vacation in Cancun.
It seems the movie will be completely centered around and structured for Lautner specifically, which is a good way for Summit to make a whole lot of money (I bet every single Jacob fan will go anc check it out.)...
- 12/20/2009
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
If you saw Taylor Lautner’s surprisingly fantastic martial arts skills during his opening monologue on SNL a couple of weeks ago, then you know the Twilight star has the potential to be an action sensation. Keyword: potential. Well, Twilight producer Summit Entertainment will be re-tolling Eric Champnella (Mr. 3000) and actor Grant Thompson’s spec script for Cancun into a Lautner vehicle.
Cancun centers on a out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them.
It sounds like a B-movie.
The action scenes in the film will be designed around Lautner’s ability to kick ass. This will mark the first project to be produced under Lautner’s production company, which he shares with his father Dan Lautner.
Check out Taylor Lautner’s high-flying moves...
Cancun centers on a out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them.
It sounds like a B-movie.
The action scenes in the film will be designed around Lautner’s ability to kick ass. This will mark the first project to be produced under Lautner’s production company, which he shares with his father Dan Lautner.
Check out Taylor Lautner’s high-flying moves...
- 12/19/2009
- by Reel Loop News Staff
- ReelLoop.com
We have more Ta Follows the Stars for you today with new projects the Twilight cast have been working on. There is a new clip from The Yelllow Handkerchief starring Kristen Stewart news on Taylor Lautner partnering up with Summit on a new project another interview with Anna Kendrick for Up In The Air and Ashley Greene all dressed up to attend the premiere of Sherlock Holmes.Kristen Stewart in The Yellow HandkerchiefVariety reports Taylor Lautner will partner up with Summit on a new action movieSummit Entertainment and producers Temple Hill are crafting an action vehicle for their Twilight star Taylor Lautner that shapes up as the first film after his breakthrough in New Moon.Summit has acquired an untitled script by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson that is best described as a teenaged Taken meets Die Hard.Dan Lautner will produce with Temple Hill partners Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen.
- 12/18/2009
- twilightersanonymous.com
Abs of steel won't just win the hearts of teens everywhere, they can also kick off an action film career. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Summit Entertainment has just grabbed a spec script called Cancun, in hopes of turning it into a vehicle for Twilight star Taylor Lautner. Lautner, who appears as a werewolf Jacob in the series, would play a college kid who has to save a girl and her friends when they are taken hostage by a drug cartel in Cancun. The film would call for Lautner to use his newly acquired martial arts skills, perhaps creating a new action star in the process. Cancun was written by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson. Source: The Hollywood Reporter...
- 12/18/2009
- LRMonline.com
The decision-makers at Summit Entertainment know a good thing when they see one. By good thing, I mean Taylor Lautner. By Taylor Lautner, I mean shirtless Taylor Lautner fighting bad guys and stuff.
That's the method to Summit's madness as the movie studio is developing a new action film for "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" star Lautner titled "Cancun" based on a spec script from Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson. Lautner is developing the film alongside his father Dan Lautner.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Cancun" focuses on "an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them."
There is currently no word on whether or not the young actor will turn into a werewolf in the film, but my mind is telling me no...
That's the method to Summit's madness as the movie studio is developing a new action film for "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" star Lautner titled "Cancun" based on a spec script from Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson. Lautner is developing the film alongside his father Dan Lautner.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Cancun" focuses on "an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them."
There is currently no word on whether or not the young actor will turn into a werewolf in the film, but my mind is telling me no...
- 12/18/2009
- by Josh Wigler
- MTV Movies Blog
By the Hollywood Reporter
Summit is staying in the Taylor Lautner game.
As the days tick down to the town closing for the holidays, the company has picked up "Cancun," an action spec by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson.
The project is acting as starring vehicle for Lautner and is the first project from the newly established production shingle he shares with his dad, Dan Lautner.
Read more from the Hollywood Reporter.
Summit is staying in the Taylor Lautner game.
As the days tick down to the town closing for the holidays, the company has picked up "Cancun," an action spec by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson.
The project is acting as starring vehicle for Lautner and is the first project from the newly established production shingle he shares with his dad, Dan Lautner.
Read more from the Hollywood Reporter.
- 12/18/2009
- by Dylan Stableford
- The Wrap
Now that The Twilight Saga: New Moon has ranked in big box office its three leads will be getting A-list treatment in the next projects that they undertake. For Taylor Lautner, who plays the werewolf Jacob in the franchise, it means the chance to topline his own film projects.
Lautner is now attached to star as the lead in an untitled action script written by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson that Variety describes as Taken meets Die Hard. In the movie the actor would use his real-life karate skills when his character, a young man who wanted to be a soldier before being sidelined by an injury, goes on vacation in Cancun and then has to rescue his kidnapped friends from a drug gang. Taylor's father Dan Lautner is one of the film's producers and Temple Hill Entertainment, the Twilight production company, is also developing it.
The makers want this...
Lautner is now attached to star as the lead in an untitled action script written by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson that Variety describes as Taken meets Die Hard. In the movie the actor would use his real-life karate skills when his character, a young man who wanted to be a soldier before being sidelined by an injury, goes on vacation in Cancun and then has to rescue his kidnapped friends from a drug gang. Taylor's father Dan Lautner is one of the film's producers and Temple Hill Entertainment, the Twilight production company, is also developing it.
The makers want this...
- 12/18/2009
- by Patrick Sauriol
- Corona's Coming Attractions
Have you ever jammed a bottle of maple syrup up your ass, had it explode, and -- as a result -- your butt cheeks stuck together for weeks, causing a system back-up that made your eyes float?
Yeah. Me neither. But watching Taylor Lautner try to act is something akin to that feeling, I would think. Dude is seriously one of the most horrendous actors on the planet -- he seems so completely self-aware and anxious, like a popular 17-year-old high school girl who is approached by local news cameras while she's in her sweatpants. Yeah. She wants to be on camera, but Omg can they see my zit? The fella is not even cut out for public service announcements on local access channels in Canada. But of course, he's getting his own film.
I mean: He's knows martial arts, and he is Team Jacob, so Summit Entertainment is setting...
Yeah. Me neither. But watching Taylor Lautner try to act is something akin to that feeling, I would think. Dude is seriously one of the most horrendous actors on the planet -- he seems so completely self-aware and anxious, like a popular 17-year-old high school girl who is approached by local news cameras while she's in her sweatpants. Yeah. She wants to be on camera, but Omg can they see my zit? The fella is not even cut out for public service announcements on local access channels in Canada. But of course, he's getting his own film.
I mean: He's knows martial arts, and he is Team Jacob, so Summit Entertainment is setting...
- 12/18/2009
- by Dustin Rowles
Taylor Lautner is one step closer to taking over the world. When The Twilight Saga started to gear up, it was obvious that Lautner was right where he wanted to be. While his co-stars shrunk from fame and griped about the neverending Big Brother eyes of Twi-hards, Lautner slid into his role, eager to chat up his film wherever he could and, subsequently, do whatever he needed to do to stay in the series. (Like go from wee, tiny li'l thing to Mr. Six-Pack Werewolf abs.) And now he's looking to save more ladies in Cancun.
The Hollywood Reporter posts that Lautner will star in a new action flick Summit has picked up from Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson. A gig meant to show off his mad martial arts skills, the film focuses on "an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on break. While there,...
The Hollywood Reporter posts that Lautner will star in a new action flick Summit has picked up from Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson. A gig meant to show off his mad martial arts skills, the film focuses on "an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on break. While there,...
- 12/18/2009
- by Monika Bartyzel
- Cinematical
Summit Entertainment has picked up the action script Cancun by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson. Taylor Lautner ("The Twilight Saga") is attached to star in the project. The Hollywood Reporter says Taylor's dad, Dan Lautner, is in discussion to produce the movie with Temple Hill's Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen. The story follows an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them. The trade adds that the project is designed to take advantage of Lautner's martial arts skills.
- 12/18/2009
- Comingsoon.net
On the snowy winter days, it's only natural to get a little wistful about summer holidays - and it seems that Taylor Lautner is doing the same as he has just signed on to star in action flick Cancun for Summit, which will see him head off to Mexico for some holiday hostage drama.
The film, penned by Mr 3000's Eric Champnella along with Grant Thompson and will be produced by Lautner under his new film company which he has set up with his dad.
The script follows a young college couple taking a break with friends in the popular holiday resort who become embroiled in the workings of a drug cartel - leaving Lautner's character to save the gang of girls, using his martial art skills to do so.
Lautner is hot stuff at the moment, riding the renewed interest in him following the extra (torso) exposure in New Moon.
The film, penned by Mr 3000's Eric Champnella along with Grant Thompson and will be produced by Lautner under his new film company which he has set up with his dad.
The script follows a young college couple taking a break with friends in the popular holiday resort who become embroiled in the workings of a drug cartel - leaving Lautner's character to save the gang of girls, using his martial art skills to do so.
Lautner is hot stuff at the moment, riding the renewed interest in him following the extra (torso) exposure in New Moon.
- 12/18/2009
- Screenrush
Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson's action spec script "Cancun" is being retooled by Summit Entertainment into a starring vehicle for "Twilight" hunk Taylor Lautner says The Hollywood Reporter.
The story follows an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them.
The action will be designed to take advantage of Lautner's martial arts skills and is the first project of a new production company Lautner shares with his father. Dan Lautner, Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen will produce.
The story follows an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them.
The action will be designed to take advantage of Lautner's martial arts skills and is the first project of a new production company Lautner shares with his father. Dan Lautner, Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen will produce.
- 12/18/2009
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson's action spec script "Cancun" is being retooled by Summit Entertainment into a starring vehicle for "Twilight" hunk Taylor Lautner says The Hollywood Reporter.
The story follows an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them.
The action will be designed to take advantage of Lautner's martial arts skills and is the first project of a new production company Lautner shares with his father. Dan Lautner, Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen will produce.
The story follows an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them.
The action will be designed to take advantage of Lautner's martial arts skills and is the first project of a new production company Lautner shares with his father. Dan Lautner, Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen will produce.
- 12/18/2009
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Gaining success after playing Jacob Black in Summit Entertainment's "Twilight" and its sequel "The Twilight Saga's New Moon", Taylor Lautner is on board to star in the studio's new action movie project. According to Variety, Summit has picked up an untitled script written by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson that is described as a teenage version of "Taken" meets "Die Hard".
In the film, Taylor will play a teenager who tries to rescue his friends when they're abducted while on spring break in Cancun. After an injury sidelines his plans to be an elite soldier, he tries to get on with his life by heading to college. There he meets a girl who convinces him to join her friends on a spring-break trip to Cancun. When his traveling partners are kidnapped and used as bargaining chips to free a drug lord, he puts his training to use to free them.
In the film, Taylor will play a teenager who tries to rescue his friends when they're abducted while on spring break in Cancun. After an injury sidelines his plans to be an elite soldier, he tries to get on with his life by heading to college. There he meets a girl who convinces him to join her friends on a spring-break trip to Cancun. When his traveling partners are kidnapped and used as bargaining chips to free a drug lord, he puts his training to use to free them.
- 12/18/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Oh, look… Taylor Lautner's in demand again. What a shocker. Yes, while Twilight's shirt-eschewing were-hunk was the focus of speculation that Paramount was considering him as Max Steel, he's also being courted by Summit Entertainment, which understandably wants to keep using one of the elements that made New Moon such a big success.The company has nabbed action spec script Cancun, written by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson, with plans to make it into a starring vehicle for Lautner.And the story? A college lad heads to the Mexican holiday hotspot with a girl, who promptly gets herself kidnapped by a drug cartel. So careless, some ladies. Lautner's character is forced to break out some action chops and utilize his fancy martial arts skills (which the actor was only to happy to show off on Saturday Night Live this past weekend) to rescue her. There's no word on exactly when it'll shoot,...
- 12/18/2009
- EmpireOnline
"Twilight Saga" star Taylor Lautner is staying in the Summit Entertainment family -- and his own -- for his next movie project.
Summit has picked up the rights to an action script that it sees as a vehicle for Lautner. He would play a teenager who works to rescue his friends when they're kidnapped while on spring break in Cancun. The script is by Eric Champnella ("Mr. 3000") and Grant Thompson.
The showbiz trade papers report that Lautner's father, Dan Lautner, will serve as a producer on the project. He and Taylor recently formed a production company, Tailor Made Entertainment, to develop movie and TV projects.
Lautner is also attached to a movie based on the Mattel toy/cartoon character Max Steel at Paramount, but the Summit project is likely to film first -- possibly over the summer, before Lautner goes back to work on the final "Twilight" movie (or movies,...
Summit has picked up the rights to an action script that it sees as a vehicle for Lautner. He would play a teenager who works to rescue his friends when they're kidnapped while on spring break in Cancun. The script is by Eric Champnella ("Mr. 3000") and Grant Thompson.
The showbiz trade papers report that Lautner's father, Dan Lautner, will serve as a producer on the project. He and Taylor recently formed a production company, Tailor Made Entertainment, to develop movie and TV projects.
Lautner is also attached to a movie based on the Mattel toy/cartoon character Max Steel at Paramount, but the Summit project is likely to film first -- possibly over the summer, before Lautner goes back to work on the final "Twilight" movie (or movies,...
- 12/18/2009
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Apparently, film studio Summit Entertainment has enjoyed working with The Twilight Saga: New Moon and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse star Taylor Lautner. At least that's what it would seem like after the news that Variety has just announced. According to them, Lautner and Summit will be teaming up once again for another project "that is best described as a teen-aged Taken meets Die Hard," a consequence of Lautner's affinity for Taken and his interest in doing similar films. Summit Entertainment producers Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen are teaming up with Lautner's father, Dan Lautner, to produce the untitled script (by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson) under their new compan ... He's got Max Steel and Valentine's Day (with Taylor Swift) coming up ...
- 12/18/2009
- by thetwilightexaminer
- Twilight Examiner
Summit is staying in the Taylor Lautner game.
As the days tick down to the town closing for the holidays, the company has picked up "Cancun," an action spec by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson.
The project is acting as starring vehicle for Lautner and is the first project from the newly established production shingle he shares with his dad, Dan Lautner.
Dan Lautner is in discussion to produce the movie with Temple Hill's Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen, who forged a relationship with the actor whom they worked on Summit's "Twilight Sage: New Moon."
The story follows an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them. The story is designed to take advantage of Lautner's martial arts skills, which he showed off when...
As the days tick down to the town closing for the holidays, the company has picked up "Cancun," an action spec by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson.
The project is acting as starring vehicle for Lautner and is the first project from the newly established production shingle he shares with his dad, Dan Lautner.
Dan Lautner is in discussion to produce the movie with Temple Hill's Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen, who forged a relationship with the actor whom they worked on Summit's "Twilight Sage: New Moon."
The story follows an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them. The story is designed to take advantage of Lautner's martial arts skills, which he showed off when...
- 12/17/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Signed books by Jk Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Jenson Button, Richard Branson, Ricky Gervais, Michael Parkinson and many more are going under the hammer for charity thanks to the work of a man from Bristol, UK.
Grant Thompson has been collecting the autographed books from celebrities for the last two years, and is now selling them for a local Ms charity.
“Jk Rowling was my first book which [then] got me started from there,” Thompson told the BBC. “Originally I was trying to keep everything Bristol-based and I knew Jk Rowling lived outside Bristol. Also her mum had Ms as well, so it started with that really.”
Read more...
Grant Thompson has been collecting the autographed books from celebrities for the last two years, and is now selling them for a local Ms charity.
“Jk Rowling was my first book which [then] got me started from there,” Thompson told the BBC. “Originally I was trying to keep everything Bristol-based and I knew Jk Rowling lived outside Bristol. Also her mum had Ms as well, so it started with that really.”
Read more...
- 12/10/2009
- Look to the Stars
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