Random House Studio, the eleven-year-old film and television group operated by Penguin Random House, has been “acquired by” and transferred over to FremantleMedia North America, part of PRH parent company Bertelsmann’s RTL division. In turn, FMNA has entered into a partnership with Meridian Entertainment, a China-based global content developer that will “work with FMNA and Random House Studio to finance and produce theatrical film projects.” FNMA adds that Meridian “will operate and grow the studio’s theatrical slate.” Meridian chairman Jennifer Dong adds in an announcement, “Meridian has the determination, strength and ability to make full use of the rich and varied […]
Film/TV
Briefs: Harper Pairs with Temple Hill, Final Days for St. Mark’s, and More
Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey’s film production company Temple Hill Entertainment has a new publishing agreement with HarperCollins in which the producers will “generate original ideas and opportunities for books and series,” that Harper will publish under the Temple Hill Publishing banner. Petersen Harris at Temple Hill will serve as their vp, publishing (he ran the Penguin Development Group before joining the production company in 2014, and is the son of Susan Petersen Kennedy and Bruce Harris), and the producers were represented by Writers House in the publishing deal. Temple Hill has produced adaptions of both YA (The Fault in Our Stars; Paper Towns, The […]
Corporate: Harper Pairs with Producer; Ingram Acquires Aer.io; Hachette Buys Kero; and More
HarperCollins is trying another relationship with a video producer. This time, they have “agreed to a strategic framework” with Insurrection Media to option and develop books in sci-fi, drama, and comedy for both digital video and linear television series. They will “jointly identify key titles that are most compelling and suitable for video series and then co-develop and produce shows to be owned and distributed by Insurrection in the U.S. and overseas on a multitude of over-the-top and linear video platforms.” The first announced title for development is Debra Driza‘s Mila 2.0 trilogy, published by Katherine Tegen Books. Overlooked by most outlets is that Driza’s work was […]
People, Etc.
LAT book critic David Ulin is leaving the paper on December 15, among those taking the company’s buyout offer. He writes to LA Observed: “This is an opportunity for me to focus further on my writing, which I have been wanting to do.” The newspaper’s book editor Joy Press left quietly earlier in the year as well (and is working on a book for Atria), and apparently also took a buyout. That seems to leave Carolyn Kellogg as the only staff member focused on books. Rob Kirkpatrick has joined The Stuart Agency as a literary agent, focusing in nonfiction, including […]
People, Etc.
Antonella Iannarino has left the David Black Agency, where she was an agent and website and social media manager for authors, after eight years to launch AI Strategic, offering consulting services to authors and companies for developing their online presence through social media, websites, ebook publishing and brand strategies. She may be reached at antonella@aistrategic.com. Claire Payne will join Parragon as senior director of mass market sales on July 3. Previously she was senior director of sales at Dalmatian Press. In the UK, literary agent Anita Land has split with partner since 2000 Georgina Capel to set up a new agency, the Bookseller […]
Scholastic and Universal in 3-Year First Look Deal; Forte To Produce
Scholastic has entered a three-year first-look deal to develop live-action feature films with Universal Pictures — which was already developing adaptations of Clifford, The Big Red Dog and The 39 Clues. Deborah Forte is leaving her role as president of Scholastic Media to develop and produce these properties through her new production company Silvertongue Films, which will operate out of offices in Los Angeles and New York. In a statement, Forte said she was “excited about the new venture” which would allow her to “focus on producing movies based on a selection of Scholastic’s treasured book series alongside some of the most talented […]