Thunderbird can be a choose Giustra

VANCOUVER -- Lionsgate founder Frank Giustra is returning for the entertainment biz, developing a significant acquisition of Vancouver-based Thunderbird Films to improve and broaden its TV methods. Although the amount of gold gold coin wasn't revealed on Wednesday, every time they visit the Canadian businessman and philanthropist among Thunderbird's major traders, per the expansion company's co-founders Tim Gamble and Michael Shepard, who work as Boss and leader, correspondingly. "After we expand our business and step-up production, Frank's support guarantees that individuals can maintain our independence and parlay incredible options," Gamble mentioned. Taking a non-traditional approach to rights management, Thunderbird can provide producers distribution advances. "By delivering producers with advances, we're capable of guide them into finance and production options after which be flexible with distribution contracts, which makes way to greater options," mentioned Shepard. Giustra's investment goes a extended way towards acquiring and creating future programming. "I am thrilled to get this acquisition of Thunderbird and admire the success Tim, Michael in addition to their team have accomplished using the organization throughout yesteryear eight years," mentioned Giustra. "Thunderbird will obtain access to sufficient capital to give consideration to as being a prominent entity inside the production and distribution of television programming getting a unique concentrate on rights management. I anticipate moving the business the next step of success, having its independence to make the most of global options." Thunderbird may even soon unveil a completely new title that will better reflect its various methods. It's presently experiencing success having its TV series, "Mr. Youthful," that's been running on Disney XD and was recently gone after a primetime slot. The business also has a 50% stake inside the "Edge Runner" film franchise. A classic investment banker, Giustra setup Lionsgate in 1997 to make use of the growing Vancouver film industry. He offered nearly all his stake six years later. He's presently a board member. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Brave gets a new TV spot

Brave has followed up its recent archery-based trailer with a brand new TV spot, and of all the promotional footage we've seen so far, this is the one that has really got us excited for Pixar's new one.The film tells the story of a rebellious young princess who inadvertently unleashes chaos in the kingdom when she defies convention, and rejects her parents' plans to marry her off to a worthy suitor.Where previous trailers have been slightly mundane, this one is bursting at the seams with lush visuals and rousing "prepare for battle sequences", as well as hinting at the bond between Kelly MacDonald's princess and her parents.Take a look at the new spot, below... This looks much more like a traditional Pixar movie to us, now. Previously we'd seen a few gags and a bit of action, but not much in the way of heart. Call us suckers for an emotive soundtrack, but this one seems much more stirring than anything we've seen previously.Boasting the vocal talents of Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Kevin McKidd, Robbie Coltrane and Julie Walters, Brave opens in the UK on 13 August 2012.

AFTRA Members Approve Network TV Code

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 22, 2012)– The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO a national union of more than 70,000 performers, recording artists and broadcast professionals today announced that AFTRA members have approved an agreement with the four major television broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) and other producers on terms for a successor agreement to the AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting, aka, the Front of the Book. AFTRA Members passed the agreement 96% in favor, achieving their primary objective in this negotiation: a 1% increase in employer contributions to the AFTRA Health & Retirement Funds upon ratification, which will bring the total H&R contribution rate to 16.5%. The three-year agreement will run retroactivelyfrom Nov. 16, 2011 through Nov. 15, 2014. Other highlights include: Increase wages by 6% over the term of the agreement (2% each year) for most categories Increase minimum hazard pay for dancers from $80 to $100 per day, and from $100 to $125 per program The $37.50 overtime rate for singers will be paid starting at the 7th instead of the 9th hour Increase the minimum work day for stand-ins who work on primetime variety and award shows, which will increase the minimum daily rate by 20% to 67% Improved contract language to increase equal employment opportunities for union performers, including an agreement to prohibit discrimination based on a member’s gender identity. I am proud our members overwhelmingly voted in favor of this hard-fought contract. Our negotiating committee of rehearsal and background actors, promo announcers, freelance newspersons, stunt performers, singers, dancers and, of course, actors, worked tirelessly to secure increased wages, improved working conditions, and stronger protections for AFTRA members in all categories and across all program formats who work under our largest contract, said AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon. Negotiations beganon Nov. 7, and were held at the offices of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers in Sherman Oaks, Calif. A tentative agreement was reached on Dec. 9, 2011. The AFTRA National Board unanimously approved the agreement on Jan. 28, 2012 and sent it out to the membership for ratification. Ballots were mailed to members on Jan. 30 and were returned Feb. 22. AFTRA National Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth served as Chief Negotiator for the Union, and was assisted by co-negotiators Joan Halpern Weise, AFTRA Assistant National Executive Director of Entertainment Programming, and Stephen Burrow, AFTRA NY Local Executive Director. The Network Code Front of the Book is the Unions largest national collective bargaining agreement and generates more than $250 million a year in member earnings. The Code covers programming in all television day parts (except for scripted primetime programs on the networks and the CW which are covered under the AFTRA Exhibit A contract) and programming produced for digital media. Covered programs include dramas in first-run syndication, morning news shows, talk shows, serials (soap operas), variety, reality, sports, contest programs, award shows and promotional announcements. Current programs covered by this contract include: Good Morning America, The View, The Price is Right, The Young and the Restless, Saturday Night Live, Jeopardy, Dancing with the Stars, Late Show with David Letterman, The Voice, Amazing Race, Deal or No Deal, The Tonight Show and American Idol, among many others.

Discovery ink deal with Colombia gov't

Discovery Communications has forged a co-production partnership with Colombia's Secretary of condition for this and Communications (TIC) to produce content for adding to Colombia additionally to advertise and spur television production training programs within the u . s . states.Multiple-year alliance might be the very first media partnership for your Colombian government together with an initial for Discovery in South Usa. Discovery has inked similar initiatives elsewhere, the newest, named "China Imagica," was with China's Condition Council Information Office this season to co produce docus featuring the singular areas of China for worldwide auds.Latest pact boosts numerous queries about the talking about of costs and revenues, that the Discovery representative wasn't at liberty to talk about.Development expects to tap local talent including producers, authors, crew etc. It is also opened up up a place of work inside the Colombian capital of Bogota, which causes it to be its fourth in the region after Buenos Aires, Sao Paolo and Mexico City.While no specific projects have yet been introduced, the primary mandate is always to create documentaries about Colombia across non-fiction genres, including engineering, science, natural background analysis.An advisory board of Colombian and worldwide experts activly works to make certain the subjects selected attracts local additionally to worldwide auds. The partners be ready to bring their first co-production to Discovery and Colombian public TV this year.Development follows a string of media businesses that have setup shop within the u . s . states such as the new the new sony Pictures Television, NBCU's Telemundo and Fox. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com