By Pamela Jones, Attorney There were numerous errors in my prior posting concerning the “Ghost Hunters” case and summary of the 9th Circuit’s ruling earlier this month. The Court’s decision focused solely on the legal issue of whether federal copyright law pre-empts a state law ‘implied in fact’ contract claim. The Appellate Court held that the …
Montz v. Pilgrim Films & Television, Inc. – Correction Read More »
We continue to explore issues raised by the commissioning process for The Bible, a 10-hour docu-drama series from the U.S. History channel In previous posts: Creation Theory #1: History Channel Refreshes a Golden Oldie. Chooses a Promotable, Rock-solid Producer Creation Theory #2: An A+E Networks’ Stakeholder is Eager to Establish a 50%-owned Production Company as a …
Last week, History announced The Bible, a five-part, 10-hour docu-drama that explores Biblical stories The series will screen in 2013 According to History’s press release “THE BIBLE series is being produced for HISTORY by Lightworkers Media and Hearst Entertainment & Syndication. “Executive Producers are Mark Burnett, Roma Downey and Richard Bedser.” So what is the …
History Refreshes ‘The Bible’. Creation Theory #2 Read More »
The History Channel recently announced The Bible, a 10-hour dramatic series – History calls it a ‘docu-drama’ – that explores Biblical stories. Mark Burnett is the producer. For History, it’s another big stride out of its Factual comfort zone and further towards Scripted television and signature docu-dramas And it’s a new direction for Burnett, a …
History Channel Refreshes ‘The Bible’. Creation Theory #1 Read More »
Where is the Sundance Channel headed after 15 years? Founder Robert Redford is an occasional presence at the channel He’s certainly not gripping the tiller Is there anything left of his vision? A clue: What did Sundance green light at the 2011 Upfronts? Ownership Robert Redford, Universal Studios and Showtime Networks launched the Sundance Channel …
How are they doing this year? John Morse, president of the research firm Byron Media continues his quarterly snapshot of how U.S. Unscripted channels are gaining or losing prime time viewers year-to-year. Our selection is not apples-to-apples: It includes channels that are dedicated to Docs and Unscripted, for example Nat Geo and Discovery And others …
U.S. Factual Networks, 1Q 2011: Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Read More »
HOT DOCS FORUM That special magic thing settled over Toronto last week for the Hot Docs Forum, where 27 producers pitched their pre-selected projects to a high table packed with commissioners and funders. The setting was the Great Hall at UofT’s Hart House. It was part Hogwarts Part Westminster And much more absorbing! The Format …
Were you invited to the ‘Big W’? We’re not referring to the Royal Wedding But to the W Hotel in trendy Miami Beach That’s where A+E Network’s senior executive team recently poured on the RESPECT for their ‘preferred producers’ 20+/- top companies were invited They were thoroughly briefed on strategies for the major channels: A&E, …