Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2023 Emmy Predictions:
Outstanding Documentary of Nonfiction (Series) “Harry & Meghan” was directed by Liz Garbus.
Weekly Commentary: A tight race ensues for acclaimed documentaries. Ken Burns’ powerful “The U.S. and the Holocaust” which premiered at Telluride 2022 before hitting television screens, is a favorite in the category.
Read: Variety’s...
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2023 Emmy Predictions:
Outstanding Documentary of Nonfiction (Series) “Harry & Meghan” was directed by Liz Garbus.
Weekly Commentary: A tight race ensues for acclaimed documentaries. Ken Burns’ powerful “The U.S. and the Holocaust” which premiered at Telluride 2022 before hitting television screens, is a favorite in the category.
Read: Variety’s...
- 8/28/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
HBO’s confirmed 100 Foot Wave will continue to wow surfers and non-surfers alike, renewing the documentary series for a third season. “We couldn’t be more excited to continue the journey with our incredible surfers and crew,” said director Chris Smith. “HBO have been amazing partners. Endlessly grateful for their enthusiasm, support, and creative collaboration.”
Season two premiered on April 16, 2023 and earned six Emmy nominations in categories including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series, Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program, Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program, and Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program. The renewal announcement didn’t indicate when season three is expected to arrive.
Garrett McNamara pictured in ‘100 Foot Wave’ season 2 (Photograph by Hélio António/HBO)
The docuseries follows big wave surfing legend Garrett McNamara, his wife, Nicole, and their friends and fellow surfers in Nazaré, Portugal as they push the boundaries of their sport and...
Season two premiered on April 16, 2023 and earned six Emmy nominations in categories including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series, Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program, Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program, and Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program. The renewal announcement didn’t indicate when season three is expected to arrive.
Garrett McNamara pictured in ‘100 Foot Wave’ season 2 (Photograph by Hélio António/HBO)
The docuseries follows big wave surfing legend Garrett McNamara, his wife, Nicole, and their friends and fellow surfers in Nazaré, Portugal as they push the boundaries of their sport and...
- 8/23/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Exclusive: HBO is renewing 100 Foot Wave for a third season, the network’s critically acclaimed documentary series built around famed big wave surfer Garrett McNamara.
The news comes as season 2 of the show directed and executive produced by Chris Smith competes for six Emmys, the most earned by any documentary series this year. Among its nominations are Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series and Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program. Season 1 of the show won an Emmy for its cinematography, which captured McNamara and other elite surfers testing their skills on titanic walls of water off the coast of Portugal.
Crowds gather at Nazaré, Portugal to watch surfers take on immense waves.
“100 Foot Wave chronicles the adventures of big wave surfing legend Garrett McNamara, his wife, Nicole, and their nucleus of friends and fellow surfers in Nazaré, Portugal as they push the boundaries of their sport and the limits of their minds and bodies,...
The news comes as season 2 of the show directed and executive produced by Chris Smith competes for six Emmys, the most earned by any documentary series this year. Among its nominations are Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series and Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program. Season 1 of the show won an Emmy for its cinematography, which captured McNamara and other elite surfers testing their skills on titanic walls of water off the coast of Portugal.
Crowds gather at Nazaré, Portugal to watch surfers take on immense waves.
“100 Foot Wave chronicles the adventures of big wave surfing legend Garrett McNamara, his wife, Nicole, and their nucleus of friends and fellow surfers in Nazaré, Portugal as they push the boundaries of their sport and the limits of their minds and bodies,...
- 8/23/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Speakers include Guillermo del Toro, Ladj Ly, Nadine Labaki, Viggo Mortenson, Jeremy Thomas.
TIFF top brass have unveiled the bulk of the TIFF Industry Conference line-up with sessions and speakers including Spike Lee, Lucy Walker, AI and film, and African cinema and film industries.
The Conference is divided into six sections and encompasses Doc Day and the new Sloane science and technology project pitch initiative funded by Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Public Understanding of Science and Technology programme.
Besides Lee and Walker, whose acquisition title Mountain Queen: The Summits Of Lhakpa Sherpa will premiere in TIFF Docs, speakers include Guillermo del Toro,...
TIFF top brass have unveiled the bulk of the TIFF Industry Conference line-up with sessions and speakers including Spike Lee, Lucy Walker, AI and film, and African cinema and film industries.
The Conference is divided into six sections and encompasses Doc Day and the new Sloane science and technology project pitch initiative funded by Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Public Understanding of Science and Technology programme.
Besides Lee and Walker, whose acquisition title Mountain Queen: The Summits Of Lhakpa Sherpa will premiere in TIFF Docs, speakers include Guillermo del Toro,...
- 8/14/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The Toronto Film Festival is increasingly lending its audience and celebrity luster to indie TV producers eyeing new small-screen financing models as the era of easy streaming money goes away.
“It’s about the whole package. It’s our curatorial stamp of approval. It’s access to decision-makers. It’s access to mentors, and it’s something you can put on your résumé for years to come,” Geoff Macnaughton, senior director of industry and theatrical programming, tells The Hollywood Reporter.
Macnaughton, who also programs the Primetime showcase of high-end TV series at TIFF, is getting set to reveal the lineup for his section’s 2023 edition as the marquee film festival gets deeper into premiering high-end international TV shows in front of cinema audiences.
The Primetime sidebar last year showcased seven TV series, including five world premieres, with auteur Lars von Trier bringing his The Kingdom Exodus series to TIFF, while...
“It’s about the whole package. It’s our curatorial stamp of approval. It’s access to decision-makers. It’s access to mentors, and it’s something you can put on your résumé for years to come,” Geoff Macnaughton, senior director of industry and theatrical programming, tells The Hollywood Reporter.
Macnaughton, who also programs the Primetime showcase of high-end TV series at TIFF, is getting set to reveal the lineup for his section’s 2023 edition as the marquee film festival gets deeper into premiering high-end international TV shows in front of cinema audiences.
The Primetime sidebar last year showcased seven TV series, including five world premieres, with auteur Lars von Trier bringing his The Kingdom Exodus series to TIFF, while...
- 8/4/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Amplify Pictures, the independent television studio behind HBO’s Emmy-winning “100 Foot Wave,” has made a pair of hires. It has tapped Rachel Eggebeen as its chief content officer and Colin King Miller as its chief operating officer. The veteran executives will take founding partnership roles alongside Amplify Pictures CEO Joe Lewis.
“It’s a time of expansion,” Lewis told Variety in an interview. “We’re growing our team and becoming more global.”
At the same time, Amplify has sold a minority stake to Great Mountain Partners. It is understood that the deal values Amplify at $50 million. The funding will be used to back more production of original series of both the unscripted and scripted variety. Great Mountain Partners previous investments include the Oscar-winning film studio A24, branded content producer Rise Studios and the Vuelta Group, a European film studio.
“Amplify Pictures is one of those opportunities where the combination...
“It’s a time of expansion,” Lewis told Variety in an interview. “We’re growing our team and becoming more global.”
At the same time, Amplify has sold a minority stake to Great Mountain Partners. It is understood that the deal values Amplify at $50 million. The funding will be used to back more production of original series of both the unscripted and scripted variety. Great Mountain Partners previous investments include the Oscar-winning film studio A24, branded content producer Rise Studios and the Vuelta Group, a European film studio.
“Amplify Pictures is one of those opportunities where the combination...
- 7/6/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission.
This story was created in paid partnership with HBO Max.
Record-breaking surf pioneer Garrett McNamara and his fellow world-class athletes chase the biggest waves in the world in season two of 100 Foot Wave.
The HBO original series premieres on April 16 on HBO and will stream simultaneously on HBO Max (which will be rebranded to Max starting May 23). The new season will be accompanied by a podcast hosted by Nicole McNamara.
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Led by an award-winning cinematography team that includes director Chris Smith and executive producer Joe Lewis (who is an Oscar away from Egot status), the Emmy-winning documentary series follows professional big-wave surfers “Gmac” McNamara, Justine Dupont, C.J. Macias, Kai Lenny, newcomer António Laureano and others at the beginning of the season in Nazaré,...
This story was created in paid partnership with HBO Max.
Record-breaking surf pioneer Garrett McNamara and his fellow world-class athletes chase the biggest waves in the world in season two of 100 Foot Wave.
The HBO original series premieres on April 16 on HBO and will stream simultaneously on HBO Max (which will be rebranded to Max starting May 23). The new season will be accompanied by a podcast hosted by Nicole McNamara.
HBO Max Subscription $10 and up monthly
Buy now
Led by an award-winning cinematography team that includes director Chris Smith and executive producer Joe Lewis (who is an Oscar away from Egot status), the Emmy-winning documentary series follows professional big-wave surfers “Gmac” McNamara, Justine Dupont, C.J. Macias, Kai Lenny, newcomer António Laureano and others at the beginning of the season in Nazaré,...
- 4/14/2023
- by THR Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The second season of the Emmy®-winning HBO Original six-part docuseries 100 Foot Wave, directed and executive produced by award-winning filmmaker Chris Smith (HBO’s “Branson”) and executive produced by Emmy®, Golden Globe®, and Tony® winner Joe Lewis (“Fleabag”), debuts Sunday, April 16 (8:00-9:00 p.m. Et/Pt) with new episodes premiering subsequent Sundays at the same time on HBO and available to stream on HBO Max. Ryan Heller, Michael Bloom and Maria Zuckerman also serve as executive producers for Topic Studios.
Synopsis: 100 Foot Wave returnsto Nazaré, Portugal — with stops in Hawaii and California — for a heart-pounding and adrenaline-filled second season following big wave legend Garrett McNamara, his world-class surfing peers, and some surprising newcomers as they continue to push the boundaries of their sport and the limits of their minds and bodies. As much a story of personal relationships, longing, fear, and love, the series spans the...
Synopsis: 100 Foot Wave returnsto Nazaré, Portugal — with stops in Hawaii and California — for a heart-pounding and adrenaline-filled second season following big wave legend Garrett McNamara, his world-class surfing peers, and some surprising newcomers as they continue to push the boundaries of their sport and the limits of their minds and bodies. As much a story of personal relationships, longing, fear, and love, the series spans the...
- 3/27/2023
- by TV Shows Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
Two decades after his breakthrough as a documentary filmmaker, Chris Smith is on a tear in the non-fiction realm, having directed “Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond,” “Fyre,” and “Operation Variety Blues: The College Admissions Scandal” in the past four years, while also serving as an executive producer of last year’s pandemic docuseries sensation “Tiger King.” His latest effort, HBO’s “100 Foot Wave,” follows surfing pioneer Garrett McNamara on his quest to conquer a mighty swell in Portugal; another project revolving around Robert Downey Jr. and his late father is in the works.
Last August, the younger Downey called Smith “arguably the greatest documentary (filmmaker) around right now” while speaking on the “Smartless” podcast, praise that especially resonated given his father’s work as documentary filmmaker.
Smith’s recent output reflects a renewed focus on documentary filmmaking after years of mostly concentrating on commercial directing to the point of burnout.
Last August, the younger Downey called Smith “arguably the greatest documentary (filmmaker) around right now” while speaking on the “Smartless” podcast, praise that especially resonated given his father’s work as documentary filmmaker.
Smith’s recent output reflects a renewed focus on documentary filmmaking after years of mostly concentrating on commercial directing to the point of burnout.
- 7/18/2021
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: ScreenHits TV, an aggregation platform designed for the current era of streaming abundance, is adding to its executive roster as it expands in key global territories.
Joe Lewis, former comedy and drama chief at Amazon Studios, is joining the company’s advisory board, as is former WarnerMedia and Disney Emea distribution executive Humphrey Black.
Mariano Kon will take on the new role of Gm and VP, Content & Business Development, for ScreenHits TV in the Latin America market. He has served in senior network posts in the region, including as VP & Gm of Programming and Production for A&e Channel. Other previous positions include Gm of Claxson’s Infinito Channels and of Argentinian streaming platform Cont.ar.
Lewis has been steering his own production company, Amplify Pictures, since leaving Amazon Studios in 2017 amid a large-scale reset of the tech giant’s streaming leadership. Roy Price, who led the studio from its inception,...
Joe Lewis, former comedy and drama chief at Amazon Studios, is joining the company’s advisory board, as is former WarnerMedia and Disney Emea distribution executive Humphrey Black.
Mariano Kon will take on the new role of Gm and VP, Content & Business Development, for ScreenHits TV in the Latin America market. He has served in senior network posts in the region, including as VP & Gm of Programming and Production for A&e Channel. Other previous positions include Gm of Claxson’s Infinito Channels and of Argentinian streaming platform Cont.ar.
Lewis has been steering his own production company, Amplify Pictures, since leaving Amazon Studios in 2017 amid a large-scale reset of the tech giant’s streaming leadership. Roy Price, who led the studio from its inception,...
- 7/13/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Surfing legend Garrett McNamara has broken many bones riding some of the world’s biggest waves.
“Broke my feet many times, broke my ribs many times,” he notes. “I’ve broke my back, broke my shoulder.”
Those injuries have not deterred him from going back into the ocean and seeking to do what might seem impossible, or at least inadvisable: surfing a 100-foot-tall wave.
His quest to accomplish that feat unfolds in the six-part HBO Sports documentary 100 Foot Wave, coming this spring to HBO and to streaming platform HBO Max. Chris Smith directed, aiming “to try to tell the story from land and sea.”
HBO Announces Six-Part Sports Documentary ‘100 Foot Wave’ Focused On Big-Wave Pioneer Garrett McNamara’s Quest For Surfing’s Everest
Smith and executive producer Joe Lewis and their team shot on four continents, with a good portion of the surfing action filmed in Nazaré,...
“Broke my feet many times, broke my ribs many times,” he notes. “I’ve broke my back, broke my shoulder.”
Those injuries have not deterred him from going back into the ocean and seeking to do what might seem impossible, or at least inadvisable: surfing a 100-foot-tall wave.
His quest to accomplish that feat unfolds in the six-part HBO Sports documentary 100 Foot Wave, coming this spring to HBO and to streaming platform HBO Max. Chris Smith directed, aiming “to try to tell the story from land and sea.”
HBO Announces Six-Part Sports Documentary ‘100 Foot Wave’ Focused On Big-Wave Pioneer Garrett McNamara’s Quest For Surfing’s Everest
Smith and executive producer Joe Lewis and their team shot on four continents, with a good portion of the surfing action filmed in Nazaré,...
- 2/11/2021
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Do a 100-foot waves exist? If so, what does such a leviathan look like? And can a human even ride one?
Directed and executive produced by Chris Smith and executive produced by Emmy winner Joe Lewis, the six-part HBO Sports Documentary series 100 Foot Wave plumbs the depths of those questions through the quest of one man. The series intimately follows the decade-long odyssey of big-wave pioneer Garrett McNamara who, after visiting a small fishing village in Portugal, helped push the sport beyond the realm of imagination.
For decades, the biggest wave ever ridden was agreed to have been a legendary 35-foot monster ridden by Greg Noll in 1969 on the West Side of Oahu. Surfers rehashed Noll’s ride, arguing whether a wave could even reach that height without toppling over and, if so, if a human could actually ride it.
As surfers explored the planet, they eventually discovered a very few rare spots — in California,...
Directed and executive produced by Chris Smith and executive produced by Emmy winner Joe Lewis, the six-part HBO Sports Documentary series 100 Foot Wave plumbs the depths of those questions through the quest of one man. The series intimately follows the decade-long odyssey of big-wave pioneer Garrett McNamara who, after visiting a small fishing village in Portugal, helped push the sport beyond the realm of imagination.
For decades, the biggest wave ever ridden was agreed to have been a legendary 35-foot monster ridden by Greg Noll in 1969 on the West Side of Oahu. Surfers rehashed Noll’s ride, arguing whether a wave could even reach that height without toppling over and, if so, if a human could actually ride it.
As surfers explored the planet, they eventually discovered a very few rare spots — in California,...
- 2/8/2021
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
(from left) Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Schofield (George MacKay) in “1917,” the new epic from Oscar®-winning filmmaker Sam Mendes.
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced today the Motion Pictures and Television nominees for the 31st Annual Producers Guild Awards. Winners in these categories will be announced at the PGA awards ceremony on January 18 at the Hollywood Palladium.
The 2020 Producers Guild Awards nominations are listed below in alphabetical order by category, along with eligible producers’ names:
The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures
● 1917
○ Producers: Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Jayne‐Ann Tenggren, Callum McDougall
● Ford v Ferrari
○ Producers: Peter Chernin & Jenno Topping, James Mangold
● The Irishman
○ Producers: Jane Rosenthal & Robert De Niro, Emma Tillinger Koskoff & Martin Scorsese
● Jojo Rabbit
○ Producers: Carthew Neal, Taika Waititi
● Joker
○ Producers: Todd Phillips & Bradley Cooper, Emma Tillinger Koskoff
● Knives Out
○ Producers: Rian Johnson, Ram Bergman
● Little Women
○ Producer: Amy Pascal
● Marriage Story
○ Producers: Noah Baumbach,...
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced today the Motion Pictures and Television nominees for the 31st Annual Producers Guild Awards. Winners in these categories will be announced at the PGA awards ceremony on January 18 at the Hollywood Palladium.
The 2020 Producers Guild Awards nominations are listed below in alphabetical order by category, along with eligible producers’ names:
The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures
● 1917
○ Producers: Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Jayne‐Ann Tenggren, Callum McDougall
● Ford v Ferrari
○ Producers: Peter Chernin & Jenno Topping, James Mangold
● The Irishman
○ Producers: Jane Rosenthal & Robert De Niro, Emma Tillinger Koskoff & Martin Scorsese
● Jojo Rabbit
○ Producers: Carthew Neal, Taika Waititi
● Joker
○ Producers: Todd Phillips & Bradley Cooper, Emma Tillinger Koskoff
● Knives Out
○ Producers: Rian Johnson, Ram Bergman
● Little Women
○ Producer: Amy Pascal
● Marriage Story
○ Producers: Noah Baumbach,...
- 1/7/2020
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Guild’s feature winner viewed as strong Oscar bellwether.
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced on Tuesday (January 7) its film and TV nominees, with Parasite, The Irishman and Golden Globe winners 1917 and Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood in the mix for best film.
The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures is regarded as a strong bellwether for the Oscars, with 21 winners going on to claim the best picture Oscar since the Guild’s inception.
Feature nominees include Marriage Story, Ford v Ferrari, Joker, Knives Out, Jojo Rabbit, and Little Women.
Animation feature nominees...
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced on Tuesday (January 7) its film and TV nominees, with Parasite, The Irishman and Golden Globe winners 1917 and Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood in the mix for best film.
The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures is regarded as a strong bellwether for the Oscars, with 21 winners going on to claim the best picture Oscar since the Guild’s inception.
Feature nominees include Marriage Story, Ford v Ferrari, Joker, Knives Out, Jojo Rabbit, and Little Women.
Animation feature nominees...
- 1/7/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
The Producers Guild of America has revealed its nominees in the motion picture and television categories for its 31st Annual Producers Guild Awards; nominees include recent Golden Globe winners “1917,” “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood,” “Missing Link,” “Succession,” “Fleabag” and “Chernobyl.”
The PGA, which has about 8,200 members, has matched the Oscar for best picture in 21 of its 30 years, including “The Green Book” last year and “The Shape of Water” in 2018.
The PGA uses a preferential balloting system that’s similar to that employed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The PGA and AMPAS both expanded their voting for the top film to 10 nominees in 2009. About three-quarters of the PGA’s Zanuck nominees wind up as Oscar best picture nominees.
On the TV side, among all of the drama and comedy nominees, only “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (last year’s comedy winner) is a repeat from last year.
The PGA, which has about 8,200 members, has matched the Oscar for best picture in 21 of its 30 years, including “The Green Book” last year and “The Shape of Water” in 2018.
The PGA uses a preferential balloting system that’s similar to that employed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The PGA and AMPAS both expanded their voting for the top film to 10 nominees in 2009. About three-quarters of the PGA’s Zanuck nominees wind up as Oscar best picture nominees.
On the TV side, among all of the drama and comedy nominees, only “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (last year’s comedy winner) is a repeat from last year.
- 1/7/2020
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
The Producers Guild has unveiled nominations for its 31st annual PGA Awards, listing nominees for the year’s best-produced works in motion pictures and television categories. The awards will be presented January 18 at the Hollywood Palladium.
Often a bellwether for the Oscars, the ten films nominated include Sam Mendes’ World War I epic 1917, Twentieth Century Fox/Chernin Entertainment’s Ford V Ferrari, Netflix’s The Irishman, Taika Waititi-directed Jojo Rabbit, Sony’s Little Women, Netflix’s Marriage Story, Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time in Hollywood and Bong Jong Ho’s black comedy thriller Parasite.
HBO dominated the drama series field with four of the five nominees, Big Little Lies (season 2), Game of Thrones, Succession and Watchmen, joined by Netflix’s The Crown (season 3).
Here’s the full list of PGA Award nominees:
The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures
1917
Producers: Sam Mendes,...
Often a bellwether for the Oscars, the ten films nominated include Sam Mendes’ World War I epic 1917, Twentieth Century Fox/Chernin Entertainment’s Ford V Ferrari, Netflix’s The Irishman, Taika Waititi-directed Jojo Rabbit, Sony’s Little Women, Netflix’s Marriage Story, Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time in Hollywood and Bong Jong Ho’s black comedy thriller Parasite.
HBO dominated the drama series field with four of the five nominees, Big Little Lies (season 2), Game of Thrones, Succession and Watchmen, joined by Netflix’s The Crown (season 3).
Here’s the full list of PGA Award nominees:
The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures
1917
Producers: Sam Mendes,...
- 1/7/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Amazon has put in development Troll, a comedy from writer Lee Sung Jin (Undone), and Joe Lewis’ Amplify Pictures. Rhys Thomas (Documentary Now!) is attached to direct and executive produce.
Written by Lee, Troll is a comedy series about an eternal optimist, who refuses to give up on his dreams of being a world-renowned documentary filmmaker, despite living off gig economy apps and never actually making a documentary. After being bullied online, he finally sets out to make a film exposing his troll, only to stumble upon what might be a geopolitical conspiracy.
Lee executive produces with Thomas. Lewis, who is under a first-look deal with Amazon, produces via his Amplify Pictures.
Lee is currently a co-executive producer on Amazon’s Undone. His previous credits include Netflix’s Tuca & Bertie and HBO’s Silicon Valley. Lee’s FX pilot, Singularity, was directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.
Written by Lee, Troll is a comedy series about an eternal optimist, who refuses to give up on his dreams of being a world-renowned documentary filmmaker, despite living off gig economy apps and never actually making a documentary. After being bullied online, he finally sets out to make a film exposing his troll, only to stumble upon what might be a geopolitical conspiracy.
Lee executive produces with Thomas. Lewis, who is under a first-look deal with Amazon, produces via his Amplify Pictures.
Lee is currently a co-executive producer on Amazon’s Undone. His previous credits include Netflix’s Tuca & Bertie and HBO’s Silicon Valley. Lee’s FX pilot, Singularity, was directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.
- 9/22/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
When the 2019 Emmy Awards nominations were announced two weeks ago, the only thing unconfirmed were the producers. Television Academy officials have now unveiled a new list of nominee names for Comedy Series, Drama Series, TV Movie, Limited Series and more. The annual delay is caused by a need for vetting the submissions to determine the official producer names that are now nominated.
Performers nominated as producers for comedy include Bill Hader, Daniel Levy, Eugene Levy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Natasha Lyonne, Amy Poehler and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Drama stars as producer nominees are Jason Bateman, Will Ferrell, Bob Odenkirk, Sandra Oh and Waller-Bridge. Top name Limited Series producers include Amy Adams, Robert De Niro, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sam Rockwell, Ben Stiller, Michelle Williams and Oprah Winfrey. Performers nominated in the TV Movie category are Peter Dinklage, Ian McShane and Timothy Olyphant.
In addition to the categories listed below, Ferrell is also a nominated producer for “Drunk History,...
Performers nominated as producers for comedy include Bill Hader, Daniel Levy, Eugene Levy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Natasha Lyonne, Amy Poehler and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Drama stars as producer nominees are Jason Bateman, Will Ferrell, Bob Odenkirk, Sandra Oh and Waller-Bridge. Top name Limited Series producers include Amy Adams, Robert De Niro, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sam Rockwell, Ben Stiller, Michelle Williams and Oprah Winfrey. Performers nominated in the TV Movie category are Peter Dinklage, Ian McShane and Timothy Olyphant.
In addition to the categories listed below, Ferrell is also a nominated producer for “Drunk History,...
- 7/29/2019
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
The Pfeffermans are back to take one last bow in the musical finale of Amazon Prime Video’s “Transparent.” Amazon announced during its session at the Television Critics Association Press Tour that the two-hour movie event will debut Sept. 27, in addition to releasing the official trailer, featuring the family’s colorful journey toward acceptance in the face of a shocking loss.
“What we went through over the past couple of years, we needed to find a new way to enter this story,” creator and showrunner Jill Soloway told the audience during the show’s TCA panel, neatly pivoting away from the catalyst of what the series “went through over the past couple years,” specifically, accusations of sexual harassment against Jeffrey Tambor, who starred in the first four seasons of “Transparent” as the titular trans parent, Maura.
“There were many pauses,” Soloway said, of the nearly two years that have passed...
“What we went through over the past couple of years, we needed to find a new way to enter this story,” creator and showrunner Jill Soloway told the audience during the show’s TCA panel, neatly pivoting away from the catalyst of what the series “went through over the past couple years,” specifically, accusations of sexual harassment against Jeffrey Tambor, who starred in the first four seasons of “Transparent” as the titular trans parent, Maura.
“There were many pauses,” Soloway said, of the nearly two years that have passed...
- 7/27/2019
- by Libby Hill
- Indiewire
“Transparent” creator Jill Soloway addressed how the show’s upcoming musical finale allowed the team behind the show to move beyond the scandal that saw series star Jeffrey Tambor exit the series.
“When people talk about musicals, when people turn to song instead of conversation, its because there are certain things that can’t be said with words,” Soloway said at the Television Critics Association summer press tour on Saturday.
“As storytellers and as artists, this was our chance to heal together,” they continued. “Every time we got together…we were just trying to find our way back to that holy belief that what we were doing mattered…We had to find our way back to joy and the musical allowed us to do that.”
In the musical finale of the Emmy-winning series, which is dubbed the “Musicale Finale,” when the Pfeffermans face a life-changing loss, they confront grief and come together to celebrate connection,...
“When people talk about musicals, when people turn to song instead of conversation, its because there are certain things that can’t be said with words,” Soloway said at the Television Critics Association summer press tour on Saturday.
“As storytellers and as artists, this was our chance to heal together,” they continued. “Every time we got together…we were just trying to find our way back to that holy belief that what we were doing mattered…We had to find our way back to joy and the musical allowed us to do that.”
In the musical finale of the Emmy-winning series, which is dubbed the “Musicale Finale,” when the Pfeffermans face a life-changing loss, they confront grief and come together to celebrate connection,...
- 7/27/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
It was announced today at TCA that Amazon’s Transparent musical finale will drop on Sept. 27 on Prime.
For quite some time, Jill Soloway wanted to create a musical with her sister Faith, a writer and consulting producer on the show.
“What we went through over the past couple of years, we needed to find a new way to enter this story,” said Soloway at TCA today without specifically mentioning Jeffrey Tambor’s departure from the series in the wake of sexual harassment allegations.
“This was our chance to heal together,” said Soloway, “every time we improvised, sang, or danced together, we were trying to work back to that holy belief of what was important.”
“Being a musical, rescued us from it being serious,” said Soloway.
Alexandra Billings, who plays Davina on the show, spoke about the series’ on-set spirituality, and how they were able to weather the storm in...
For quite some time, Jill Soloway wanted to create a musical with her sister Faith, a writer and consulting producer on the show.
“What we went through over the past couple of years, we needed to find a new way to enter this story,” said Soloway at TCA today without specifically mentioning Jeffrey Tambor’s departure from the series in the wake of sexual harassment allegations.
“This was our chance to heal together,” said Soloway, “every time we improvised, sang, or danced together, we were trying to work back to that holy belief of what was important.”
“Being a musical, rescued us from it being serious,” said Soloway.
Alexandra Billings, who plays Davina on the show, spoke about the series’ on-set spirituality, and how they were able to weather the storm in...
- 7/27/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon has released the trailer for the series finale of “Transparent,” and it involves a lot of singing, dancing and jazz hands.
The fifth and final season finale revolves around the death of character Maura Pfefferman, previously played by Jeffrey Tambor, who was written off the series following an investigation into sexual misconduct accusations against him, which he previously denied. Tambor will not appear in the finale.
Amazon describes the episode as “a dazzling movie fantasia inspired by the classic musicals that shaped a culture” that follows the Pfefferman family as they “face a life-changing loss,” and “begin a journey hilarious and melancholy, brazen and bold. As they face this new transition, they confront grief and come together to celebrate connection, joy, and transformation.” You can watch the trailer above.
Also Read: Blake Lively Signs First-Look Deal With Amazon
The series is created by Jill Soloway, who prefers to be referenced by gender neutral pronouns,...
The fifth and final season finale revolves around the death of character Maura Pfefferman, previously played by Jeffrey Tambor, who was written off the series following an investigation into sexual misconduct accusations against him, which he previously denied. Tambor will not appear in the finale.
Amazon describes the episode as “a dazzling movie fantasia inspired by the classic musicals that shaped a culture” that follows the Pfefferman family as they “face a life-changing loss,” and “begin a journey hilarious and melancholy, brazen and bold. As they face this new transition, they confront grief and come together to celebrate connection, joy, and transformation.” You can watch the trailer above.
Also Read: Blake Lively Signs First-Look Deal With Amazon
The series is created by Jill Soloway, who prefers to be referenced by gender neutral pronouns,...
- 7/27/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Amazon Prime Video has released the teaser for the two-hour musical series finale of “Transparent,” which reveals Jeffrey Tambor’s Maura is dead and Judith Light’s Shelly is having a hard time acting “respectfully” about it.
Here’s the synopsis for the special series-closing episode, which will debut this fall on Prime Video: The Transparent “Musicale Finale” takes the beloved Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning series to new heights as a dazzling movie fantasia inspired by the classic musicals that shaped a culture. When the Pfeffermans face a life-changing loss, they begin a journey hilarious and melancholy, brazen and bold. As they face this new transition, they confront grief and come together to celebrate connection, joy, and transformation.
Created by series creator Jill Soloway, with original music by Faith Soloway, the “Transparent: Musicale Finale” stars returning cast members Light, Gaby Hoffmann, Amy Landecker, Jay Duplass, Alexandra Billings, Kathryn Hahn,...
Here’s the synopsis for the special series-closing episode, which will debut this fall on Prime Video: The Transparent “Musicale Finale” takes the beloved Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning series to new heights as a dazzling movie fantasia inspired by the classic musicals that shaped a culture. When the Pfeffermans face a life-changing loss, they begin a journey hilarious and melancholy, brazen and bold. As they face this new transition, they confront grief and come together to celebrate connection, joy, and transformation.
Created by series creator Jill Soloway, with original music by Faith Soloway, the “Transparent: Musicale Finale” stars returning cast members Light, Gaby Hoffmann, Amy Landecker, Jay Duplass, Alexandra Billings, Kathryn Hahn,...
- 6/5/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Sharon Tal Yguado has stepped down as head of genre programming at Amazon Studios, TheWrap has learned.
No reason was given for Yguado’s departure, and Amazon declined to comment. A replacement has not yet been named.
The executive, who first joined the studio in 2017 to oversee event programming, was briefly elevated to lead all of the studio’s scripted TV efforts in the months following the departure of former studio boss Roy Price and Joe Lewis.
Also Read: Amazon On Pace to Spend $7 Billion on Content in 2019
She shifted back to her focus on genre programming, including the upcoming “Lord of the Rings” series, under the new leadership of Jennifer Salke and co-heads of TV, Albert Cheng and Vernon Sanders. Her areas of oversight included hour-long dramas in science fiction, fantasy and supernatural.
Yguado was said to have been instrumental in securing the rights to the series, which was...
No reason was given for Yguado’s departure, and Amazon declined to comment. A replacement has not yet been named.
The executive, who first joined the studio in 2017 to oversee event programming, was briefly elevated to lead all of the studio’s scripted TV efforts in the months following the departure of former studio boss Roy Price and Joe Lewis.
Also Read: Amazon On Pace to Spend $7 Billion on Content in 2019
She shifted back to her focus on genre programming, including the upcoming “Lord of the Rings” series, under the new leadership of Jennifer Salke and co-heads of TV, Albert Cheng and Vernon Sanders. Her areas of oversight included hour-long dramas in science fiction, fantasy and supernatural.
Yguado was said to have been instrumental in securing the rights to the series, which was...
- 5/3/2019
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Updated with Tal Yguado’s statement: Sharon Tal Yguado is stepping down as Amazon Studios’ Head of Genre Drama after more than two years. The studio is expected to continue to have a dedicated genre executive with a replacement Tbd.
Tal Yguado joined Amazon Studios under its previous regime in January 2017 and was tasked with building a slate of big scope, big event genre series — hourlong science fiction, action, fantasy and horror series.
Only months into her tenure, Tal Yguado became the top scripted programming executive at Amazon Studios following the ousters in fall 2017 of Amazon Studios head Roy Price and his top lieutenant Joe Lewis. She was then named interim head of scripted programming for Amazon Studios, a position she held for the next several months.
Tal Yguado stayed on after Jennifer Salke joined Amazon Studios as new head in spring 2018. Salke subsequently named Vernon Sanders and Albert Cheng co-heads of television.
Tal Yguado joined Amazon Studios under its previous regime in January 2017 and was tasked with building a slate of big scope, big event genre series — hourlong science fiction, action, fantasy and horror series.
Only months into her tenure, Tal Yguado became the top scripted programming executive at Amazon Studios following the ousters in fall 2017 of Amazon Studios head Roy Price and his top lieutenant Joe Lewis. She was then named interim head of scripted programming for Amazon Studios, a position she held for the next several months.
Tal Yguado stayed on after Jennifer Salke joined Amazon Studios as new head in spring 2018. Salke subsequently named Vernon Sanders and Albert Cheng co-heads of television.
- 5/3/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
After a two years on the job, Sharon Tal Yguado is leaving Amazon Studios.
Yguado was hired in January 2017 to oversee genre programming under former Amazon Studios head Roy Price in a direct mandate from CEO Jeff Bezos to find the streamer and retail giant its version of Game of Thrones. In the months that followed, Yguado — a former Fox International Studios exec who was key to the global launch of AMC's The Walking Dead — wound up heading genre, comedy and drama after Price and his comedy/drama exec Joe Lewis were ousted. She was then relegated back to her role ...
Yguado was hired in January 2017 to oversee genre programming under former Amazon Studios head Roy Price in a direct mandate from CEO Jeff Bezos to find the streamer and retail giant its version of Game of Thrones. In the months that followed, Yguado — a former Fox International Studios exec who was key to the global launch of AMC's The Walking Dead — wound up heading genre, comedy and drama after Price and his comedy/drama exec Joe Lewis were ousted. She was then relegated back to her role ...
Amazon has released the first trailer for the second season of the acclaimed Phoebe Waller-Bridge comedy “Fleabag.”
The new trailer teases the addition of “Sherlock” star Andrew Scott as a Catholic priest who “jolts [Fleabag] into seeing the world in a different way,” and “Killing Eve” star Fiona Shaw as Fleabag’s therapist.
The new set of episodes comes nearly three years after the first season, with a break for Waller-Bridge to create and write the first season of BBC America’s “Killing Eve.” Now, having handed over the reins of that show, “Fleabag” is heading back to Amazon on May 17.
Also Read: 'Fleabag' Theater Review: Phoebe Waller-Bridge Creates a Millennial Update on Bridget Jones and Carrie Bradshaw
Per Amazon, the new season picks up a year after the first, with “old wounds to unpick and new ones to dress as the next chapter of Fleabag’s life takes...
The new trailer teases the addition of “Sherlock” star Andrew Scott as a Catholic priest who “jolts [Fleabag] into seeing the world in a different way,” and “Killing Eve” star Fiona Shaw as Fleabag’s therapist.
The new set of episodes comes nearly three years after the first season, with a break for Waller-Bridge to create and write the first season of BBC America’s “Killing Eve.” Now, having handed over the reins of that show, “Fleabag” is heading back to Amazon on May 17.
Also Read: 'Fleabag' Theater Review: Phoebe Waller-Bridge Creates a Millennial Update on Bridget Jones and Carrie Bradshaw
Per Amazon, the new season picks up a year after the first, with “old wounds to unpick and new ones to dress as the next chapter of Fleabag’s life takes...
- 4/11/2019
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Amazon Prime Video wants to be the Amazon of streaming services. As a retailer, Amazon is a giant. But as a TV programmer, Amazon has lagged in buzz and attention — which is why it’s in the midst of a programming overhaul, particularly on the scripted side.
That means moving out of the art house business and into the big tent — focusing on more big-budget, buzzy series that might better capture the attention of viewers, giving them a reason to keep their Prime membership, beyond that infamously free two-day shipping.
Shows like “Transparent” and “Mozart in the Jungle” gave Amazon critical acclaim and credibility inside Hollywood. Yet Amazon hasn’t yet morphed into a true competitor to streaming leader Netflix, as ratings for those shows and others have lagged. Like Netflix and Hulu, Amazon’s ratings aren’t readily available to the public — but anecdotal evidence, including reports by third-party measurement agencies,...
That means moving out of the art house business and into the big tent — focusing on more big-budget, buzzy series that might better capture the attention of viewers, giving them a reason to keep their Prime membership, beyond that infamously free two-day shipping.
Shows like “Transparent” and “Mozart in the Jungle” gave Amazon critical acclaim and credibility inside Hollywood. Yet Amazon hasn’t yet morphed into a true competitor to streaming leader Netflix, as ratings for those shows and others have lagged. Like Netflix and Hulu, Amazon’s ratings aren’t readily available to the public — but anecdotal evidence, including reports by third-party measurement agencies,...
- 1/4/2018
- by Michael Schneider
- Indiewire
Amazon Studios is cleaning house in more ways than one. The company’s original video division has reportedly nixed all three series from its most recent fall Pilot Season -- whereby the video giant premieres prospective shows and then makes orders based on fan response from Prime subscribers.
The three series that Amazon has not picked up, reports Deadline, include the Glenn Close starrer Sea Oak; Love You More from showrunner Michael Patrick King; and The Climb, a comedy about an office assistant seeking internet fame.
The aforementioned projects were first announced in late October -- days after Amazon Studios’ top executive, Roy Price, departed the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Subsequently, Amazon Studios’ head of scripted content, Joe Lewis, and head of unscripted content, Conrad Riggs, were also let go. Lewis was replaced by Sharon Tal Yguado, while Price’s interim replacement is Amazon Studios COO Albert Chang.
The three series that Amazon has not picked up, reports Deadline, include the Glenn Close starrer Sea Oak; Love You More from showrunner Michael Patrick King; and The Climb, a comedy about an office assistant seeking internet fame.
The aforementioned projects were first announced in late October -- days after Amazon Studios’ top executive, Roy Price, departed the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Subsequently, Amazon Studios’ head of scripted content, Joe Lewis, and head of unscripted content, Conrad Riggs, were also let go. Lewis was replaced by Sharon Tal Yguado, while Price’s interim replacement is Amazon Studios COO Albert Chang.
- 12/18/2017
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
Amazon is batting 0-3 with its 2017 comedy pilots: The streamer has passed on its entire half-hour pilot slate, including Glenn Close’s Sea Oak, Bridget Everett’s Love You More and Diarra Kilpatrick’s The Climb.
As noted by Deadline, which first reported the news of the trio’s demise, the quasi-canecllations come just weeks after the male execs who greenlit them, Amazon Studios boss Roy Price and his No. 2, head of comedy and drama development Joe Lewis, left their posts in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal.
RELATEDLord of the Rings Series Lands at Amazon With Multi-Season Commitment...
As noted by Deadline, which first reported the news of the trio’s demise, the quasi-canecllations come just weeks after the male execs who greenlit them, Amazon Studios boss Roy Price and his No. 2, head of comedy and drama development Joe Lewis, left their posts in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal.
RELATEDLord of the Rings Series Lands at Amazon With Multi-Season Commitment...
- 12/18/2017
- TVLine.com
Stars: Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson, Cynthia Rothrock, Matt Mullins, Joe Lewis, Chiranan Manochaem, Jawed El Berni, Gigi Velicitat, Yuhkoh Matsuguchi, Prasit Suanphaka, Wirat Kemklad | Written by Lawrence Riggins | Directed by Toby Russell
Originally filmed as White Tiger back in 2012, Russell’s film apparently sat in legal limbo until Vision Films, thankfully, picked the film up for release as the newly monikered Death Fighter.
The final film to feature the late Joe Lewis (Jaguar Lives, Force Five) who was – Fyi – one of only 5 men to ever defeat Chuck Norris in combat, Death Fighter is headlined by Matt Mullins (Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight, Mortal Kombat: Legacy) as a young American cop who witnesses his mentor’s murder in a trade deal gone wrong and finds himself on the wrong side of the law in Thailand. With a bounty on his head, he teams up with a mercenary (Wilson), out to settle a score of his own,...
Originally filmed as White Tiger back in 2012, Russell’s film apparently sat in legal limbo until Vision Films, thankfully, picked the film up for release as the newly monikered Death Fighter.
The final film to feature the late Joe Lewis (Jaguar Lives, Force Five) who was – Fyi – one of only 5 men to ever defeat Chuck Norris in combat, Death Fighter is headlined by Matt Mullins (Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight, Mortal Kombat: Legacy) as a young American cop who witnesses his mentor’s murder in a trade deal gone wrong and finds himself on the wrong side of the law in Thailand. With a bounty on his head, he teams up with a mercenary (Wilson), out to settle a score of his own,...
- 9/21/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
DVD Playhouse—July 2009
By
Allen Gardner
Do The Right Thing: 20th Anniversary Edition (Universal) Spike Lee’s groundbreaking fable about race relations in an ethnically mixed Brooklyn neighborhood during a sweltering New York summer remains as potent, timely and prescient as it was in 1989. Lee is among the cast, which also includes John Turturro, Danny Aiello, Samuel L. Jackson, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, and Rosie Perez (to name a few), that provide the tableaux-like framework for this stunning work. Criminally ignored by Oscar (it wasn't even nominated for Best Picture, but did garner nods for Supporting Actor Danny Aiello and Lee’s screenplay), it endures as a timeless classic. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Commentary by Lee, Ernest Dickerson, Wynn Thomas, Joie Lee; Documentary; Deleted and extended scenes; Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround.
Coraline (Universal) A young girl moves into an old Victorian house with her parents...
By
Allen Gardner
Do The Right Thing: 20th Anniversary Edition (Universal) Spike Lee’s groundbreaking fable about race relations in an ethnically mixed Brooklyn neighborhood during a sweltering New York summer remains as potent, timely and prescient as it was in 1989. Lee is among the cast, which also includes John Turturro, Danny Aiello, Samuel L. Jackson, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, and Rosie Perez (to name a few), that provide the tableaux-like framework for this stunning work. Criminally ignored by Oscar (it wasn't even nominated for Best Picture, but did garner nods for Supporting Actor Danny Aiello and Lee’s screenplay), it endures as a timeless classic. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Commentary by Lee, Ernest Dickerson, Wynn Thomas, Joie Lee; Documentary; Deleted and extended scenes; Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround.
Coraline (Universal) A young girl moves into an old Victorian house with her parents...
- 7/14/2009
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
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