To Our Readers
Thanks for taking part in our recent survey. It's clear you have a lot to say about what we're doing, and that you have a great desire for changes in our coverage. Because you demanded it, you will see an increase in our coverage of box office and financing news, festivals, European and Asian film, web news and digital services in 2012. Additionally, there is an increased demand for monthly features, like our "Filmmakers to Watch" series, as well as "Writers" and "Producers" to watch. As such, and because of our need to expand and cover our resulting expenses, we've decided that come January we will move to a $4.99/month subscription price. Also, during the course of the year we will begin rolling out the additional monthly features for only $1.99 per month. Thanks again for your loyal readership and we look forward to beginning a new and improved FNB in 2012!
Projects Announced
Universal Picks Up Rights To YA Novel “Daughter Of Smoke & Bone” Universal Pictures has swooped in to acquire the rights to Laini Taylor’s young adult fantasy novel “Daughter of Smoke & Bone.” The first installment of a trilogy, published in September by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, tells the tale of a 17-year old art student whose father occasionally sends her on errands around the world, collecting human teeth for a mysterious purpose. The young woman gradually becomes aware that she is part of ancient struggle between devils and angels and finds herself in a forbidden romance with a warrior angel. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/daughter-smoke-bone-laini-taylor-273700 Project Updates
Keanu’s Making His Directorial Debut? Woah! Universal Pictures is boarding Keanu Reeves’ directorial debut “Man of Tai Chi,” which will be shot in China and co-financed by Village Roadshow Pictures Asia, China Film Group, Wanda Media and Universal. Reeves, who also will co-star in the martial arts pic, has been in talks with Village Roadshow Asia and China Film Group for months regarding the project. Set in contemporary Beijing, film headlines Tiger Chen, who was part of the kung fu team in “The Matrix” and stars as a young martial artist whose fighting skills brings him to a realm of vast opportunities, and painful choices. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/keanu-reeves-director-man-tai-chi-273813 Wait, So Now Jane Fonda’s Joining That Aaron Sorkin Show? Wow. Jane Fonda is coming to the small screen. The two-time Academy Award-winning actress has booked a recurring role on HBO’s newsroom-set Aaron Sorkin drama. She will join a collection of high profile actors, including Jeff Daniels and Emily Mortimer. In the project, which is set at a 24-hour cable news network, Fonda will play Leona Lansing, the CEO of the cable news network’s parent company whose ideals often clash with the news outlet she oversees. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jane-fonda-aaron-sorkin-hbo-drama-273823 Business/Legal News
Leo Joins HBO In Hopes They’ll “Beat The Reaper” HBO is looking to Leonardo DiCaprio to “Beat the Reaper.” The premium cable network is developing a drama series based on Josh Bazell’s debut novel of the same name. The medical thriller hails from New Regency, with DiCaprio attached to executive produce. Brian Koppleman and David Levien will write and executive produce the project, which centers on a young ER doctor whose life is upended when a patient comes through his ward that recognizes the internist from his old life — when he used to work for a notorious crime family. As his past comes crashing back and his enemies from his old life try to destroy him, he tries to hold his new life together while discovering everything he knew about his past may have been wrong. Arnon Milchan, Hutch Parker, Bob Harper, Julie Yorn and Jennifer Davisson Killoran will join the as EPs. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/leonardo-dicaprio-hbo-beat-reaper-adaptation-273817 A Sign Of The Apocalypse: Clint Eastwood Is Doing A Reality Show Just when you thought this was the most boring news day of all time, some hilarity: according to TMZ, Clint Eastwood — the 81-year-old Oscar-winning director responsible for a lifetime of screen tough guys — is going to participate in a reality show on E! that’s apparently along the lines of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” Per TMZ, the show will focus on Eastwood’s wife, their daughter, and his 18-year-old daughter, an aspiring actress, while showing viewers what life is like for “Hollywood royalty.” Thankfully, Eastwood won’t have a major part on the series, but will make a “couple of cameos.” They’ll probably include frowning. The untitled series comes from the same producers as “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” and will reportedly come on the air at some point in 2012. http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/12/14/clint-eastwood-reality-show/ Industry Moves
Not Exactly Shocking News: Brad Grey Remains At Paramount Paramount chairman and CEO Brad Grey signed a new five-year deal to remain with the studio until early 2017, a source close to the studio confirmed. The founder of management and production company Brillstein-Grey Entertainment was named CEO of Paramount in 2005. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/brad-grey-paramount-chairman-273748 It’s Promotion Day At Sony Pictures! John Naveira has been promoted to executive vp postproduction at Sony Pictures Entertainment. He succeeds James Honore, who retires this month after 26 years working at the studio.
Naveira joined the studio in 1990 as a postproduction supervisor and rose through the ranks, to director, executive director and, most recently, vp postproduction, a role to which he was named in 2009. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sony-pictures-amazing-spider-man-john-naveira-promotion-273820 Technology/Multi-Platform Content
As If UCB Didn’t Have Enough Influence, Now It’s Hitting The Web … Comediennes Mo Gaffney, Nancy Lee Grahn and Morgan Walsh are encouraging a cat fight. The actresses are set to launch “Back Talk,” a new web series for UCBcomedy.com, the Upright Citizens Brigade online comedy channel. The show will poke fun at what happens behind the scenes at women’s talk shows such as “The View” and “The Talk.” Matt Walsh will direct Gaffney, Grahn and Walsh. Media Sparks Entertainment’s Stacey Parks will serve as a producer. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/upright-citizens-brigade-the-talk-the-view-273837 FNB Op-Ed
Ex-Pat Whining
Our awesome intern Andrew Hurley, a proud Welshman, has written a fantastic piece about the best and worst of these trans-Atlantic TV things we've been doing. We happen to think his piece is hilarious, and think you'll agree, but you'll have to click on the link to find out.
http://filmnewsbriefs.com/2011/12/fnb-op-ed-%E2%80%94-ex-pat-whining/
Website to Watch
http://www.tvwritersvault.com/
Eager aspiring actors, unusual families or anyone with a great idea for a new reality TV show may want to consider pitching it on TV Writers Vault that operates as a database for producers, studios and networks for reality series ideas. The site's founder Scott Manville said since the site's launch six years ago more than two dozen projects have been purchased via the site. Manville said executives at Fox TV Studios, ABC, CBS, Discovery/TLC, Lifetime TV, Sony Pictures TV use the site. Additional Source:
www.cynopsis.com | 
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