THE AMERICAN
FILM MARKET THROWS A BASH
By Donna Jeffries
THE 21st ANNUAL AMERICAN FILM
MARKET
At last years 22st annual film
market at Santa Monica Loew's Beach Hotel where the
action is in the selling of motion pictures to the
foreign market, Larry and Donna spent several days
hobnobbing with producers, directors, screenwriters,
actors, buyers and sellers, just to name a
few.
Oh Yes! A LITTLE BIT OF LARRY's
TRIVIA was heart warming...
Gale Anne Hurd
had a warm welcome
for Larry as she arrived at
the AFM party. They originally met a few years
ago, and had discussed Larry working as technical
advisor for Gale's film "Phyllis and Sam".
The film, which aired on HBO, was based on a true
story involving the mob - which Larry worked for at
one time back in Chicago. Don't worry, Larry
never shot anybody - He was actually the P.R. man
for one of their clubs. His duties included
handling the appearances of the famous Rat
Pack: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis
Jr., etc. In fact Sammy marveled at how Larry
got them on the front page of the papers and "put them
on the map"!
Roger Corman was also
happy to see Larry arriving at the AFM party.
Corman cast Larry in one of his films several years
ago. "Hollywood Boulevard II" was the movie, and
it's quite a special film because the cast
consisted of all of Roger Corman's famous discoveries
appearing in cameos in a big party scene within the
film. Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg,
George Lucas, Joe Dante, they were all there...
including Larry!
Founded in
1981,
the American Film Market
has grown steadily over the last two decades to become
the largest motion picture market in the world. Each
year over 500 million dollars in licensing deals are
closed and more than 7,000 people attend from over 70
countries. All of Santa Monica's 23 screens become AFM
screening rooms during the event. Over 650 screenings
are held of more than 400 films. Twenty three
different films every 2 hours. The majority of them
world premieres.
AFMA's membership and the economic
strength of that membership have also grown
dramatically. AFMA represents more than 170 member
companies from16 countries, including two dozen
financial institutions. Collectively, its members
produce more than 350 independent films and countless
hours of television programming each year and generate
more than $4 billion in distribution revenues
annually.
TWO
EXECUTIVES…
who marshaled some impressive deals
at AFM were James J. Julian, M.D. (President) and
William S. Seelig (V.P.) of Qualtech, Inc., who were
at the Loew's Hotel where they were deep in
discussions over one of their projects "It Always
Rains in Rome" with Ika Panajotovic of Noble
Productions. Among other AFM news bits - Jim Sheas's
"Planet of the Dinosaurs" is in re-issue with Quantum
Entertainment . He is also trying to finance a
co-production deal on his Irish comedy-fantasy "Spirit
of Mischief".
Entertainment whiz James Rogers,
who has written six scripts, is getting ready to shoot
several projects in digital. James Curtis and Larry,
who are in the process of forming a company together
called the Curtis Motion Picture Company, (which Larry
is set to co-own) were at AFM speaking with Sidney and
Shane of Cell-Flo who produce digital films and have
several entertainment projects in the works, such
as… "Childs Scream", "Smiley the Tiger", and
"Ooga-Oooga". These productions are to all be produced
in digital.
Larry happened to meet a gorgeous
red-haired actress named Judy Henderson who was making
the rounds at AFM. They discussed not only Larry's
representing her in her acting career but also of her
possible guest appearance on our "Hollywood Beat"
cable talk show, which airs on Adelphia
Cable.
Another beauty in Larry's bevy was
producer Dawn Fields, formerly of Atlanta Motion
Picture magazine and now with Freedom Films Production
company. Dawn also dazzled the crowds at
Loew's.
THE
BIGGEST PARTY
of the whole market had to have
been the one that was held at the Victorian on Main
Street by The Bonding Company. Producer, writer,
director Lisa Yesko, who is now president of The
Bonding Company, marshaled that maneuver, and quite
well we might add. Lisa is a longtime pal of Larry's
and always uses him in her films in a special cameo
appearance. Another good friend of Larry's and former
guest of "Hollywood Beat", producer Martin Cohen, made
a brief appearance at AFM, but was too busy working on
film projects to stay! What does that say about all
those guys mingling in the lobby all day?!
The Alpha Film Group from Atlanta
was back this year at AFM. Ray Guthrie, who Larry
worked with in Atlanta a few years ago in putting the
company together, was back at Loew's and as energetic
as ever. The company has several films they are
representing, including: "Atlanta Blue", "Bad Trip",
"Smooth Operator" and "9 out of 10".
TVI publisher Troy Cory and his
lovely wife Josie also made an appearance at Loew's
Hotel, meeting with old friends and new. Actress Mina
Chow was there mingling as well.
TALK ABOUT
INTERNATIONAL
Larry and I were fortunate to be
invited to the opening night party for the Malibu
International Film Festival (which happens to
partially coincide with the AFM). The party and
fashion show was held at the nearby Fairmont Miramar
Hotel, and hosted by beauty-mogul Paul Mitchell, who
sat and passed the pasta with his special guests. As
for the Festival's closing night Gala… Charles
Bronson, Arthur Hiller, Shirley MacLaine and Nick
Nolte were among those awarded, by presenters James
Cameron, Roger Corman, and Stacy Keach. It was a
wonderful evening, and nice to see
Arthur
Hiller receiving
much-deserved recognition. Arthur, who not only
directed such hits as: "Love Story", "Silver
Streak", "The Out of Towners", and "Man of La
Mancha" -- is also a former president of the
Director's Guild, and The Motion Picture Academy
&endash; not to mention also being a former guest on
our show "Hollywood Beat" a few years ago.
Back at AFM the next day, Bianca,
the beautiful, young Brazilian actress who recently
co-starred in the upcoming film called "Elvis in
Hawaii" wowed the crowd at Loew's. The film, which was
shot on location in Hawaii and was produced by John
Harris was a big hit at AFM. Bianca and Donna
discussed the possibility of a role for her in Donna's
film "Carmen &endash; The Story of Carmen Miranda".
Bianca's mother, who was with her at Loew's that day,
actually knew Carmen Miranda, and happens to run her
very own Samba School in Rio! Not only that, but she
looks just like Carmen Miranda! Bianca invited us to a
Brazilian Carnival party at the ZaBumBa Restaurant on
Venice Boulevard, where we ate fried plantains and
danced the night away to the tropical rhythms.
Producer Bob Hevelone talked with
Donna about writing scripts for production in Mexico,
which Bob has filmed in and is proving to be a hot new
territory with the popularity now of films such as
"Traffic" and "The Mexican" starring Julia Roberts and
Brad Pitt.
The Italian bombshell Paola Perla
was also seen in the lobby of Loew's, fresh from her
riveting guest spot on our show "Hollywood Beat". The
talented actress co-starred in a film recently with
Anthony Quinn. Larry introduced Paolo to Franco
Columbu, the legendary bodybuilding champ and now film
producer, who discussed the possibility of a movie
role for her. Larry also introduced Paola to Ika
Panajotovic who is also looking to do some filming in
Italy, perhaps with Qualtech, Inc. who, as we
mentioned earlier, is producing a film called "It
Always Rains in Rome". Paola also got a chance to talk
to legendary actor Fred Williamson who now has his own
production company called Po'Boy Productions.
Versatile Paola also sometimes acts as an assistant in
magic shows at the famous Magic Castle. Her mystical,
magician partner also made the rounds at AFM. Bill
Perron is a regular performer at the Magic Castle, and
much in demand.
SPEAKING
OF CHAMPS
Franco Columbu, who is the CEO of
Westar Entertainment, is representing two of Donna's
films at the market which she wrote, "Double Cross",
and "Berettas' Island" which happens to feature Arnold
Schwarzenegger. Franco also has a new film at the
market called "Ancient Warriors" which co-stars Daniel
Baldwin and Richard Lynch.
Speaking of Arnold
Schwarzenegger… The Film Artist's Network held
their annual AFM bash at Arnold's restaurant, Shatzi's
on Main Street &endash; and was a huge success. The
Film Artists Network (F.A.N.) who represents several
motion pictures in the news now, was at Loew's
marketing several of their films. We spoke with Paul
Jefferson, actor and associate, who told us about one
of the companies' pictures which is called "Fast
Women". The title definitely had Larry's eyes light
up! Paul gave out baseball caps with the title
stitched on them to several market goers… of
course Larry was one of the first to wear one. As it
turns out, "Fast Women" is actually a docu-drama on
old time, women race car drivers and is produced by
Rachel Belofsky of CandyHeart Productions.
Also making the rounds was Edwin
Vischer, producer/actor who is representing Deco LA
Productions and who have several films in their
portfolio… including "Title to Murder" starring
Maureen McCormick and Christopher Atkins. While
mingling in the lobby, Edwin kept market goers
entertained by shooting special digital photographs of
them with his new high-tech camera
equipment.
PLATINUM-WINNING
recording artist Delphine also made
an appearance at the AFM at Loew's Hotel. She has
several motion picture soundtracks under her belt, and
in the works. She's worked alongside some of the music
industry's legends. She also worked on the famous
"Selena" soundtrack and hit single, earning a platinum
record for her artistry. We're proud to say, she also
does music for our show, "Hollywood Beat". Delphine's
good friend, entertainment attorney Diana Balabanian
could also be seen mingling with entertainment
executives in the lobby.
One of the hot new players on the
scene at AFM was Sterling Pacific Films. Gil Wadsworth
and Scott McAboy are the two young founders of this
new maverick studio. Arriving at this year's AFM with
13 movies, one more offering than the well-established
kingpin of the market Miramax!
Since
1982, more than fifty percent of the world's
critically acclaimed films were produced or licensed
globally by AFMA member companies.
They include several Oscar winning
films such as "Gandhi", "Amadeus", "Platoon", "The
Last Emperor", "Dances With Wolves", "Braveheart",
"The English Patient", "Shakespeare in Love", and this
year's Oscar hits "Traffic", and "Chocolat".
An awards ceremony with big-time
stars, a white-tented oasis on the beach, potted palms
blowing in the record-breaking wind, an open bar, and
a host of tables topped by tasty oriental dishes
served up by super chef Wolfgang Puck drew over 1,000
people to the event.
In an effort to recognize the
American independent filmmaking world as the career
rocket-launcher for Hollywood stars and movie moguls
of the future &endash; as well as a haven for those
seeking to guide their own destinies &endash; the
American Film Market Association (AFMA) has finally
launched its very first awards gala.
Lighting up the north side of the
Santa Monica Pier recently, the AFMA Honors Event
really rocked the neighborhood… Including drawing
a huge riot of 300 demonstrators circling the tent
like nomads on the warpath. Fortunately the "nomads"
were friendly employees of Loews hotel (where the AFMA
annual film market is held) along with members of the
Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees Union, who
were taking an opportunity to call attention to their
ongoing battle for unionization. The L.A.P.D. riot
squad was called in and quickly disbanded the group.
But that's a whole other story. As for the main event
itself…
According to Jean Prewitt,
president of AFMA "This event illustrates AFMA's
renewed determination to foster an environment that
acknowledges the importance of the individuals who
lend their creative talent to independent
filmmaking."
Arnold Schwarznegger was one of the
four honorees of the evening. Awarded by mistress of
ceremonies Jamie Lee Curtis as the "Worldwide Box
Office Champ". The award was given in recognition of
"excellence in independent film making", recognizing
that many of Arnold's successful roles have been
funded by independent companies. Blockbusters such as
"Conan The Barbarian", "The Terminator" and
"Terminator 2: Judgment Day" are just a few examples.
"Today what we call independent film runs the gamut,"
said Curtis. "All of our honorees tonight have
advanced independent film as an art form."
After showing an impressive montage
of film clips from Arnold's hit movies, Jamie Lee
Curtis reminded the audience of how far Arnold has
come since his days as a struggling body builder and
how he finally triumphed over odds to win not only an
unprecedented six consecutive Mr. Olympia titles, but
went on to launch a successful film career that has
now topped the 1 billion dollar mark in theatres
around the world.
Arnold has truly come a long way,
but as most larger-than-life celebrities, not without
a bit of scandal. Recent news stories and eye-witness
reports have come to portray Arnold as being a playboy
who takes advantage of his stardom by regularly
cheating on his wife, sneaking starlets around on film
sets, and having numerous flings on his many travels.
As a friend and former leading lady of Arnold's (in
"True Lies"), Jamie Lee had tears in her eyes as she
related (in obvious reference to the news
reports)… "I just want to make one personal
remark. I think that this man is one of the finest men
I've ever met in my entire life. I think that the way
that he conducts his life, his family, his charity
work, what he gives back to children all over the
world, makes him so much bigger than a world box
office champ. I just think he's a great man, in a very
simple and gentle way. So it is with great joy and
personal privilege for me to present the first annual
AFMA artists award for Worldwide Box Office Champ to
one of my favorite champions in the world, the next
governor of the state of California &endash; Arnold
Schwarzenegger!"
The crowd roared with laughter as
Arnold responded, "Thank you Jamie Lee Curtis for the
great introduction. It was exactly the way I wrote
it". Arnold went on to also reminisce about how far
he's come in his career, "I remember the first movie
that I was hired to do, which was an independent
production company, "Hercules in New York". Let me
tell you something, a lot of people are asking me 'are
you concerned about all the things people are writing
about you?'…Oh, no… but "Hercules in New
York"!
"It is a really great honor to be
recognized by the AFMA for my contributions and
achievements at the box office," Schwarzenegger says.
"Over the years, I have been fortunate to partner with
an incredible group of people on independent projects
as well as studio productions &endash; all of whom
have shared in the worldwide success of my films.
Because of the pool of truly talented writers,
directors, and filmmakers &endash; like Jim (Cameron),
Andy (Vajna), Mario (Kassar) &endash; and
organizations such as the AFMA, more and more studios
have realized the importance of creating partnerships
with independent productions."
"…Like Jamie Lee Curtis said,
my movies have grossed over a billion dollars, and
this is just the movies from independent production
companies. Of course I can't wait to continue on in
this tradition, to continue on with Andy Vajna and
Mario Kassar with "Terminator 3" which is one of my
next pictures that I'm going to do". As Arnold talked
of future projects and working again with his buddies
and listing names such as pal, Jamie Lee Curtis, the
tent almost collapsed from the overwhelming applause.
"I want to thank all of the independent production
companies and producers… I want to thank my wife
also, who for the past twenty years has been reading
every script, and has been one hundred percent behind
me… who's probably right now putting the kids to
bed like a good housefrau." Arnold closed-out amidst
much cheering with his immortal line…"I'll be
back!"
"There's more freedom in
independent films," said rapper-actor LL Cool J, who
presented the Vision in Directing Award to Renny
Harlin. In reference to the current Oscar frenzy,
Harlin told the crowd, "The best thing about THIS
award is that you know you're going to get it!" "When
I was in film school in Finland in the early 1980's, I
worked for a distribution company, Cine Studio, and
they sent me to Cannes and MIFED and the very first
AFM," Harlin recalled. "I was there to buy
distribution rights for Finland, and my job was to
watch movies, design posters for them and do the
marketing campaigns. It was a dream job."
Seeking to advance in his career,
Harlin relocated to America in the mid-1980's and
after a three year bout of pennilessness, eventually -
through a series of events - ended up directing
"Nightmare on Elm Street 4", followed by the second
entry in the "Die Hard" series and the Sylvestor
Stallone-actioner "Cliffhanger".
Roger
Cormen, who was presented,
with the Lifetime
Achievement Award for his 50-plus-year career, said
filmmakers should look to independents for innovative
ideas. "By innovating you can jump ahead of the
majors," he said. "You can make your mark." And he
should know &endash; not only having "made a hundred
movies in Hollywood and never losing a dime" (to
paraphrase the title of his autobiography) but having
also developed an uncanny knack for discovering new
raw talent. He ultimately ended up launching the
careers of Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola,
Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Robert Towne, and Jack
Nicholson, among others. Not bad for a man known as
the "one-man AFM", and the pioneer of drive-in
entertainment. While making a name for himself with
B-movies, with names like "The Monster From the Ocean
Floor" and "Death Race 2000", Cormen also became a
significant player on the art house circuit, releasing
films by Bergman, Fellini and Truffaut.
As Corman recalls, the AFM
originated in a frugal way he could appreciate. "Andy
Vajna, Mario Kassar, and Bobby Meyers went out for
dinner at the Cannes Film Festival. They got a
phenomenal bill, and said, 'This is insane! We're
being taken for all our money out here, so let's start
our own film festival!' Now the American Film Market
is the most profitable film market in the world, with
Mifed and Cannes running behind it." Cormen finds
himself amused by the often Fellini-esque aspects of
the AFM, as distributors in their best Armanis bump
into starving actors dressed as giant demons and
nubile women dressed in next to nothing - nearly all
with a script or film in hand. "There's a surreal
quality to the AFM because there are so many films
there. So many people want to be a producer or a
distributor that they're trying to fake their way in,
and I'd be doing the same thing if I was in their
position! I'd probably pretend to be a waiter, so I
have nothing but sympathy for these
people."
Renee Zellweger was to receive an
acting award at the Honors Event, but was on location
in London for the film "Bridget Jones' Diary".
Partygoers included AFMA producer Kathy Morgan,
president Jean Prewitt, television host Julie Moran,
producer Gale Anne Hurd, actors, Scott Baio, Carol
Kane, Corbin Bernsen, Jennifer Blanc of TV's "Dark
Angel", and (Best Supporting Actress Oscar-winner for
"Pollack") Marcia Gay Harden, along with the hit
singing sensation "N SYNC" fresh from their Grammy
win. The vivacious boys were seen practically diving
into the potsticker table. Which you couldn't blame
them - the food was awfully good. I had several rounds
of seconds myself, at one point joining producer Ika
Panajotovic and his wife Elena, who invited me to join
them for dessert at their table. Ika's company Noble
Productions has just produced the new film sensation
"Sky Hook" which was filmed on location in Yugoslavia.
Ika is also returning to the market with several
previous hits, including "Last Nazi", which was number
one in the Shanghai, China and St. Petersburg, Russia
Film Festivals.
All in all, AFMA's inaugural Honors
Event was a smash success and we look forward to
seeing many other well-deserved independent film
artists awarded in future Honors Events.
Yes, There's always something going
on in the entertainment biz… be it a festival, a
world premiere, a convention, an awards gala… and
be it hell or high water &endash; Larry will try and
find a way there! Watch out Cannes! So until next
time, that's a wrap.
Respectfully ,
Josie
Cory,
Publisher/Editor TVI Magazine
For
Streaming Video from TV Show - "Hollywood Beat" -
Please
Download Ouicktime On Your Computer - If Need
Be
--AFM
- SMART90
com/afm
American Film Market
A
New Way To Advertise - Our 24-hour, 365
days-a-year smart90
number -can be your portal to the web to introduce your
movies to the world -- on