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Glendale News Movies/Television

Tenant Spotlight: Uno Productions

UNO Productions 2010 Logo2-page-001 Luis Medina Picture 2

Uno Productions was founded in April 1986 by Luis Medina. Luis Medina was born in Venezuela.  After working in his home country as a radio producer and disc jockey, Luis moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dream to be in the Entertainment business.

Please describe the industry you’re in.

Luis Medina has over three decades of entertainment industry experience spanning radio, television, film, music, special event production and talent management in the U.S. Latin market.

Luis hosted the first Latin music radio countdown in the US, and later managed A&M Records Latin music division for Herb Alpert.  He co-produced the Latin equivalent of ‘We Are The World’ called ‘Cantare Cantaras’ featuring the biggest music names in Latin music.  He has helped to manage the careers of Julio Iglesias, Willie Colon, Laureano Brizuela, among others.  Also, Luis produced countless ‘larger-than-life- productions like Fiesta Broadway and the popular El Premio de la Gente, Latin Music Fan Awards, for Telemundo TV Network.

How long have you been with Uno Productions and what is your title?

Luis Medina founded Uno Productions, Inc. in April 1986 and is the CEO. This coming April we will celebrate 30 years. Amazing but true. I am very proud.

What are you currently working on?

Uno Productions has built an impressive stable of Latin talent including actors, comedians, entertainment hosts, music producers, news & sports anchors, news producers, reporters, voiceover artists, writers and more.  Uno Productions represents these experienced and gifted artists for jobs and career growth in the US Latin market.

Also, we produce original content for Latin digital platforms. UNO Productions works with businesses to produce original content to help stimulate marketing and sales.  We also help our talent to create original content for the promotion of their careers.

You have accomplished so much in your career, what makes you so driven to succeed?

My Family! I dedicate all my accomplishments to them. They are the main motivation I have in my life and daily work. All the fruits of my work are because of them.

If there is one person to thank for your success, who would it be and why?

The heroes of my life are my mother and father.  I thank them every day.  Also, my dear friend, Peter Lopez, was so crucial in my life.  He was a great entertainment attorney and a mentor to me, who sadly passed away few years ago.  Also from my spiritual side, a great motivation is my profound love for, MY GOD. I am a man of a supreme faith.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy very much the entertainment industry. I grew up in the business.  I recognized at an early age that our Latin USA market was growing in the world.  I am proud of the contributions I have been able to make as it has grown to be a giant.

I also am thrilled when I can make a contribution to the careers of the many people we represent. I love to see them successfully grow under our guidance.

Do you have any shout outs for your employees?

IT TAKES MORE THAN UNO TO MAKE IT GREAT.

 

 

 

Categories
HPC News Hollywood News

Tenant Spotlight: Cynthia de Petris and Edgar Pease

tenant

In this Valentine’s Day edition of Tenant Spotlight we caught up with Cynthia de Petris and Edgar Pease on a cool winter’s day in Hollywood. Cynthia and Edgar both practice law over at our Gower location and they happen to be one of the cutest couples ever! We wanted to know more about how they started out individually as well as what it’s like working together.

Cynthia and Edgar are happy to give a free consultation to anyone in the building with legal issues. Suite 254. (323) 785-2131

Cynthia, I read you passed the bar in 1993. What were you doing before you decided to take the big test?

Cynthia: One takes the bar exam following law school. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be an attorney when I graduated. I had always been a teacher, so I set up my own law school tutorial service and spent two years tutoring law students and bar candidates.  Meantime, Ed passed the bar and needed my help because the practice became very busy, so we decided I would take the test as well. I have been practicing since 1993.

Cynthia, what type of law do you practice?

Cynthia:  I am a family law attorney and deal with civil litigation.  Many of my clients are in the entertainment field and I deal with their divorces, custody, support and business disputes.

Edgar, How has your approach changed towards representing artists during the time you’ve been practicing law? What kind of services do you typically provide as an entertainment lawyer?

Edgar: I developed an approach to musical and theatrical artists based upon my 20 plus years as a professional musician prior to becoming an attorney which allows me to speak the language of the artists I am dealing with since I was once looking at issues as a composer and writer instead of just an attorney. I provide contract analysis, deal memos, copyright and intellectual property litigation and representation, trademark and domain name protection, writer and composer protection from infringers and general entertainment consultation.

Edgar, do you represent any artists that are just beginning their musical career?

Edgar: Yes. I represent a rock band by the name of Acidic who has just concluded a 10 month US Tour known as “Warped Tour 14.”  I also represent producer Angel Chen who is a first time major motion picture executive producer. Long time clients I currently represent include Earth, Wind and Fire, Michael Jackson’s Heal the World Foundation, Carlos Santa/John Ryan, Bobby Womack who recently passed away, Continuim Records (Keith Richards), Academy Award composer David Shire, Emmy Award winning composer James D’Pasquale, Academy Award nominee Carol Connors (Theme from “Rocky” and “Rescuers Down Under – Disney), Misty Copeland/San Pedro Ballet Co., Football Hall of Fame Athlete Eric Dickerson, Screen Writer Jerico Stone, Rock/Metal Bands “The Turtels,” Rare Earth, White Snake, Thin Lizzy, Stanley Clarke (famous Jazz musician), Janet Jackson, Jessie J/Loomis and the Lust federal copyright litigation, currently consulting on copyright infringement issues related to 12 Years a Slave/Desperate Housewives, among others.

Cynthia, what do you like most about working with Ed in the same practice?

Cynthia: He’s extremely creative he never says no to a client. And he’s extremely loving and compassionate with every client. It’s inspiring to watch that.

Edgar, what do you like most about working with Cynthia in the same practice?

Edgar: We have been married 24 years now. First of all, she’s such a good attorney; she’s really good at her job. We went to law school together. Between the two of us we make a lawyer. [Laughing] Judges and lawyers see us together all the time. People say when you hire one of us, you get two.

What are you two doing for Valentine’s Day?

Cynthia: We are going to Pupukae which is on the North shore of Hawaii. We have a little place there that overlooks the ocean.

 

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Food/Drink

2nd Annual Sriracha Festival

 


The 2nd Annual L.A. Sriracha Festival is back, by popular demand, taking place this Sunday, Oct. 19, at Chinatown’s historic Central Plaza from 3- 6 p.m.

There will be multiple stations of different chefs and restaurants that are showcasing there dishes. It will allow guests to enjoy a variety of Sriracha-themed dishes, including desserts, at their own pace. Not all dishes will include Sriracha in it but for the most part you can be sure to experience different dishes showcasing the hot sauce. Guests can also enjoy local craft beer, cocktails, sodas, iced coffee and iced tea while also enjoying music from a live DJ set.

You can expect to find dishes from different chefs including EGGSLUT’s Alvin Cailan & Johnny Lee. Also, MENDOCINO FARMS Judy Han – Peruvian Steak Sandwich with Spicy Aji Amarillo (includes Sriracha), Oaxacan Cheese, Herb Aioli, Red Onions, Tomatoes, and Shredded Romaine on panini grilled Drago Bakery’s Torta Bun

TICKET INFORMATION: General Admission tickets are $59 per person in advance, and $69 per person at the door, if still available. VIP Tickets for the event are $90 in advance, and $100 per person at the door, if available. They include reserved seating and one-hour early admission from 2 pm to 3 pm.

Tickets are only available for people 21+ and are for sale at http://sriracha.nightout.com.

Location: Chinatown’s Central Plaza, 943-951 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Read more at: foodgps.com

 

Categories
Hollywood News Food/Drink

California’s first Cat Cafe is coming!



The “Catfe” is coming to Los Angeles in October. Carlos Wong announced half a year ago his Kickstarter to fund California’s first cat café.

From Oct. 2-5, Wong will partner with Chinatown BID and Best Friends L.A., a no-kill shelter, for four days of pure cat fun. There will be cats at the cafes to pet and also to adopt. (You will need to be 18 years or older to adopt.) According to LA Weekly, there will be costumed maids and there will be butlers. DJs and entertainment will also be present.

The location is in the center of Chinatown, at the Far East Plaza, and guests are encouraged to bring rice bowls from Chego, ice cream from Scoops and boba milk tea from Ten Ren.

On Oct. 5, which is the last day of the pop up, LACatfe will operate during CicLAvia. So cyclists can swing by if they want in on the cat action. The bike route passes the Catfe pop up shop.

The event will serve as the kickoff party to the second round of fundraising for the actual Catfe.

The hours of the upcoming Catfe pop-up will be from 4-9 p.m., all four days.

Catfe Pop-Up: Far East Plaza, 727 N. Broadway, Chinatown.
Read more at: laweekly.com

Categories
Hollywood News Food/Drink Music/Concerts

LA Beer Fest

LA has something to rejoice about. We are in the middle of the 6th annual L.A. Beer Week. The event started on Sept. 20 and will be filled with nine days of appreciation for Los Angeles’ craft beer scene. The event is being organized by the Los Angeles County Brewers Guild this year. But that didn’t stop other local places to host their own appreciation events.

Many breweries, restaurants, bars and even music venues across LA are having non-Guild-organized events. Each establishment has added their own twist, highlight or special tapping.

Here are two events that might just be worth your time. For a full schedule, visit labeerweek.com/events or check your local craft beer bar as they probably have something scheduled too. Happy L.A. Beer Week!

WHAT: Beer and Whiskey Brunch
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 21; 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. ($70, buy tickets here)
WHY: It’s never too early for whiskey, we say, so why not start here, at Boneyard Bistro’s annual pairing of beer, whiskey and brunch food. This year they’ve teamed up with Firestone Walker, Deschutes and Golden Road for the occasion, featuring six courses paired with six beers and three different whiskeys.
WHERE: Boneyard Bistro, 13539 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.

WHAT: Musical Beer Crawl
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 23; 5 p.m.
WHY: An L.A. Beer Week favorite is back again with another year of stumbling up and down Sunset Blvd. for all the beer, music, dancing and discounts Echo Park has to offer. The Bruery is pouring special kegs of its “sessionable” version of the infamous Black Tuesday at beer establishments along the strip and everywhere from Two Boots Pizza to Origami Vinyl are offering deals to crawlers who stop by. End the night at Short Stop where the dance party goes until closing time.
WHERE: Various locations down Sunset Blvd., starting at Sunset Beer Co.

Read the full story and check out more events here: laweekly.com

Categories
Food/Drink

Ramen Festival comes back to Los Angeles!



For those that missed the Ramen festival in August, you can catch them again next month at the Pomona Fairplex. The Los Angeles festival will be one two-day weekend, on October 18-19.

Also, Keizo Shimamoto is coming with a new creation, his Burger Ramen, which is different than his popular Ramen Burger.

Instead this is his take on abura soba, or soupless ramen. The dish is composed of a thick tare, or the concentrated seasoning at the bottom of a ramen bowl, with warm noodles placed on top. In this case, there’s also some greens and an actual cheeseburger.

The wildly popular Little Tokyo establishment, Daikokuya, will be there. They will present a mild Tonkotsu.
Don’t be surprised that this ramen festival will be a massive event as all the other events have been. You can expect long lines so make sure you aren’t starving when you attend the event. The hours will be from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Admission will run $5, and all bowls of ramen will be $8, although kids 12 and under are free.

Get your appetites ready to chow down on some ramen! Hopefully it will not be as hot as it is right now in Los Angeles!

 

Categories
Hollywood News Celebrity News

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus break records



The new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were unveiled last week during Apple’s Live Event. The iPhone 6 has a 4.7-inch screen and the iPhone 6 Plus has a 5.5-inch Retina HD display. Both phones are thinner than the previous versions of the iPhone.

Apple broke records after the new unveiling of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. They are the next best thing for Apple, who had a great amount of sales for their latest model of the phone. Over 4 million people ordered the newest iPhones in the first 24 hours, which was more than their inventory according to Apple.

The latest version of the iPhone went on sale at Apple.com and through carrier partners at 3 a.m. Eastern Friday. This was the best sale ever for Apple; their launch of the iPhone 5 drew in over 2 million orders for the phone, which the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus doubled.

The iPhone 6 features iOS 8, the latest device operating system with a string of enhancements. The smartphones also mark the debut of Apple Pay, a new mobile-payments system that supports credit and debit cards from American Express, MasterCard and Visa issued by major banks.

Categories
Hollywood News Movies/Television

Summer Movies Lineup

We see summer in the horizon, but what is summer without those top blockbuster movies? Los Angeles is no stranger to good weather, but when we’re not busy catching rays, you’ll find us in the theaters playing critic to some of the best summer films. Last summer was topped by Iron Man 3, and this summer is sure to not disappoint. So what do you have to look forward to?

We already saw the official kickoff to summer blockbusters with The Amazing-Spiderman 2 early this month, Godzilla last week, and we’ll be seeing X-Men: Days of Future Past release this weekend. What’s a huge movie franchise without Disney’s remake of the Sleeping Beauty story we all know and love with Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent to hit theaters May 30.

June will be faring well with DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train a Dragon 2 expected to be a hit. To close out the month, Transformers: Age of Extinction (that’s the 4th installment of the franchise in case you lost count, and no, there’s no Shia LaBeouf) will premiere on June 27.

July will bring in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, the sequel to 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes. What are we personally excited about in July? The Purge: Anarchy. The original 2013 The Purge was so intriguing that we just can’t wait for more.

By August we’re all sad to be seeing those perfect summer months come and gone, but we still have those films to look forward to. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is expected to do well, as well as the childhood favorite, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

See Box Office Mojo’s predictions for this summer’s hits.

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Celebrity News Music/Concerts

Beyonce and Jay-Z ‘On The Run’ Tour Announced

Beyonce and Jay-Z fans rejoice. The Carters have announced their On The Run tour to take place this summer. The duo will be doing a 16-date stadium tour, which is set to kick off in Miami on June 25 and finish in San Francisco on August 5. The tour will be stopping in Los Angeles as their second to last date, which will take place on August 2nd at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. It is also said that there are tentative plans to take the tour to Europe.

This will be Beyonce and Jay-Z’s first tour together. Jay wrapped up his Magna Carter tour (with Justin Timberlake) earlier this year. Beyonce’s Mrs. Carter tour finished up in March.

The couple got married in 2008 and has since had a beautiful baby girl, Blue Ivy Carter. Beyonce did the unexpected last year when she dropped her self-titled album without any prior promotion. The visual album came with a music video for every song, which became her 5th consecutive number-one album in the US. Jay-Z and Beyonce also appeared at weekend one of Coachella this year, Jay-Z joining Nas’ set, and Beyonce with her sister Solange.

See full story at The Hollywood Reporter and LA Times.

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Celebrity News Hollywood News Movies/Television

Charlie Cox in CBS’ Wall Street Pilot

Charlie Cox will be starring in CBS' new untitled pilot.
Boardwalk Empire’s Charlie Cox will be starring in CBS’ new untitled pilot.

Charlie Cox will be taking the lead role in CBS’ upcoming untitled television show. The Boardwalk Empire alum will be returning to CBS in a pilot described as a “Wall Street drama” from executive producer John Cusack. The drama will take place in the world of Wall Street, which includes money and power. Cox will be starring as Jackson, an inherently good Wall Street hedge fund trader who has returned from service in Iraq. The story was written by Justified writers Taylor Elmore and Ben Cavell, and was based on an idea created with the aid of Elmore, Cavell, Cusack and Kevin McCabe. The pilot will be executive produced by Justified’s Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly.

Charlie Cox is no stranger to CBS as he starred in last season’s pilot The Ordained. Cox is also a veteran of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, in which he starred in for two seasons. In addition, his long resume includes Stardust, Moby Dick and Hello Carter.

CBS has a great lineup of drama pilots for this new season. We can expect Extant and Battle Creek, which have both already received direct to series orders for this summer. Other dramas include Madame Secretary, Scorpion, and CSI and NCIS spinoffs.

See full story at The Hollywood Reporter.

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Movies/Television Celebrity News

Jessica Lange joins Paramount’s ‘The Gambler’

Jessica Lange will be playing Mark Wahlberg's mother in 'The Gambler'
Jessica Lange will be playing Mark Wahlberg’s mother in ‘The Gambler’

Jessica Lange will be getting risky on a new film, The Gambler. Paramount is remaking the 1974 film about a college professor whose gambling addiction takes over his life, even after he starts running with a questionable crowd. Mark Wahlberg is attached to play the professor, and Lange will be filling the role of his mother. James Toback wrote the original script that Lauren Hutton and Paul Sorvino co-starred in for the 1974 version.

This project comes as Jessica Lange recently received nominations from both the Golden Globes and SAG Awards for her role on the recent season of American Horror Story: Coven. She has received awards in the past from the Emmys, Golden Globes and SAG, all for FX’s hit television series. American Horror Story is currently in the midst of airing its third season, and has already announced a renewal for a fourth season for 2014.

The movie will be directed by Rupert Wyatt off of a script by William Monahan. Brie Lawson is also attached to appear in the film.

View full story at Deadline.

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Hollywood News Movies/Television

Golden Globe Nominations to be Announced

Olivia Wilde, Aziz Ansari and Zoe Saldana will be announcing the 71st Annual Golden Globe nominees live on Thursday, December 12.
Olivia Wilde, Aziz Ansari and Zoe Saldana will be announcing the 71st Annual Golden Globe nominations live on Thursday, December 12.

It seems like award season is in full swing now, and the Golden Globes will be joining the ranks. Aziz Ansari, Zoe Saldana and Olivia Wilde will be joining Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Theo Kingma to announce the 71st Annual Golden Globe Award nominees this week. Kevin Bacon’s daughter, and newly crowned Miss Golden Globes 2014, Sosie Bacon will be joining the announcers. The nomination announcement will take place on Thursday, December 12 airing live on NBC’s Today show and streaming on GoldenGlobes.com. Nominations will span across 25 categories for film and television, both domestic and foreign.

The 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards is set to air live on Sunday, January 12, 2014. Audience favorites Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will be hosting the awards ceremony for the second year in a row. The award show is seen in over 160 countries, and last year they had nearly 20 million people tune in. The show is produced by Dick Clark Productions in association with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

View full story at GoldenGlobe.com

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Hollywood News Movies/Television

AFI names 10 best movies, TV shows of 2013

'The Good Wife' is one of ten television shows picked for the AFI Award.
‘The Good Wife’ is one of ten television shows picked this year for an AFI Award.

With December quickly coming to an end, The American Film Institute has announced its pick of top 10 films and 10 television shows of 2013. AFI reveals its nominees each year of movies and shows that “best advance the art of the moving image, enhance the rich cultural heritage of America’s art form, inspire audiences and artists alike and/or make a mark on American society.” The American Film Institute presents the AFI Awards each year, which are carefully selected by a jury of AFI members, scholars, film and television artists, critics and AFI Trustees.

Below are this year’s top picks (in alphabetical order):

Film
1. American Hustle
2. Captain Phillips
3. Fruitvale Station
4. Gravity
5. Her
6. Inside Llewyn Davis
7. Nebraska
8. Saving Mr. Banks
9. 12 Years a Slave
10. The Wolf of Wall Street

Television
1. The Americans
2. Breaking Bad
3. Game of Thrones
4. The Good Wife
5. House of Cards
6. Mad Men
7. Masters of Sex
8. Orange is the New Black
9. Scandal
10. Veep

AFI aims to appreciate the community of talented storytellers by awarding them this honor. Last year, eight of the overall nine best picture Oscar nominees made AFI’s list.

View full story at The Hollywood Reporter.

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Movies/Television

‘Californication’ Cancelled After Seventh Season

Showtime has announced that their hit series 'Californication' will be cancelled after its 7th season next year.
David Duchovny is the star of Showtime’s dark comedy ‘Californication,’ which will premiere its 7th and final season next year.

All good things come to an end, and Californication is no exception. Showtime’s hit television series has announced that the April 2014 premiere of their 7th season will be their last. The dark comedy quickly became Showtime’s longest-running series and was honored with two Emmys during its run. Californication fans will hopefully find closure as the network plans for the show’s final season to neatly wrap up the lives of the characters.

Californication is based on Hank Moody, played by David Duchovny, who is a novelist balancing the fast paced life of Los Angeles and his family and friends. Hank’s never ending adventures with women, drugs and his best friend/agent have made for an exciting six seasons thus far.

The series was created by Tom Kapinos and was picked up by Showtime in 2007. Earlier this year they considered doing a spinoff featuring Maggie Grace’s religious groupie Faith, but have since decided against it. Californication will join Showtime’s other shows cancelled this year, including The Big C, Dexter and The Borgias.

What is there to look forward to on Showtime? Newcomer Trending Down, a pilot by Philip Seymour Hoffman will be joining the ranks of favorite returners such as Episodes, House of Lies and Shameless.

View full story at The Hollywood Reporter.

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Movies/Television

Jenji Kohan is Back for HBO

The creator of 'Weeds' and 'Orange is the New Black,' Jenji Kohan, is working on her next project for HBO.
The creator of ‘Weeds’ and ‘Orange is the New Black,’ Jenji Kohan, is working on her next project for HBO.

We all loved Weeds and Orange is the New Black, and now the mastermind behind both hit television series, Jenji Kohan, is back. Kohan was the creator of Showtime’s Weeds and the co-creator of Netflix’s original series Orange is the New Black, and we will be seeing her now as she begins work on a new drama on HBO. The new untitled Salem drama is a period piece that will explore the circumstances surrounding the witch hysteria in American history. The segment of Salem’s history that pitted neighbors against neighbors and set everyone into a mass hysteria interested Kohan, and she hopes to explore this with her already large fan base.

She will be writing the bewitching story with Bruce Miller and Tracy Miller, and she and Bruce will be executive producing as well. The show will be premiering on HBO, and Kohan will be working on the project with Lionsgate TV where she has an overall deal.

The untitled drama comes as Jenji is in the middle of production with the second season of acclaimed hit series, Orange is the New Black.

Other projects in the works at HBO include Ryan Murphy’s Open and another newcomer, The Leftovers.

View full story at The Hollywood Reporter.

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HPC News Hollywood News Movies/Television

‘Looking’ to Premiere on HBO in January

HBO's new drama-comedy 'Looking' will premiere on Sunday, January 19, 2014.
HBO’s new drama-comedy ‘Looking’ will premiere on Sunday, January 19, 2014.

HPC News – Hollywood Production Center is once again happy announce that we have been joined by an exciting television project. Mission Street Productions has moved into the Hollywood Production Center offices, and they are currently working on a new series for HBO titled Looking. This half hour drama-comedy will follow the lives of a group of gay men living in San Francisco as they deal with dating in the digital age and growing older in the gay community. The three gay best friends will be played by Jonathan Groff, Frankie J. Alvarez and Murray Bartlett.

The eight-episode series was filmed in San Francisco at the start of fall. Looking was created by Michael Lannen, who is also attached as co-executive producer, and is directed by Andrew Haigh. Haigh and Sarah Condon serve as executive producers. Looking will premiere on Sunday, January 19, 2014 on HBO.

HBO’s other popular drama-comedy Girls will premiere its 3rd season January 12, 2014. Other new television shows on HBO’s schedule is True Detective and The Leftovers.

Check out the trailer for Looking here.

View full story at The Hollywood Reporter.

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Glendale News Movies/Television HPC News

HPC Welcomes Amazon’s ‘Bosch’

Titus __ will be starring in Amazon's newest television series, 'Bosch.' The new show will premiere in March fort
Titus Welliver will be starring in Amazon’s newest television series, ‘Bosch.’ The pilot will premiere in 2014 for viewer feedback.

HPC News – Another tenant at the Hollywood Production Center is the team for a new television drama pilot, Bosch. The pilot was ordered by Amazon Studios who is looking to quickly expand its original programming. After focusing mostly on comedies and kids programming, Amazon is moving towards drama with Bosch, a police procedural based on Michael Connelly’s books. Michael Connelly has created a character named Harry Bosch, a veteran Los Angeles Police Department homicide detective who is pursuing a killer, while also standing trial in federal court himself. The Bosch character has been at the center of 20 novels by Connelly, and will be played by Lost and Sons of Anarchy alum Titus Welliver. He will also be joined by Annie Wersching, Amy Price-Francis and Jamie Hector as costars.

The pilot was written by Connelly and Treme co-creator Eric Overmyer, who are executive producing with Fabrik’s Henrik Bastin and Mikkel Bondesen. Jim McKay is attached to direct.

The pilot will be available on Amazon Instant Video for viewer feedback in early 2014.

View full story at Deadline.

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HPC News Glendale News Movies/Television

‘The Killing’ to Return for a 4th Season on Netflix

'The Killing' will be returning for a 4th season, but this time exclusively on Netflix.
‘The Killing’ will be returning for a 4th season, but this time exclusively on Netflix.

HPC News – The Killing cannot be killed. Hollywood Production Center’s longtime tenant will be continuing their work on their popular television series The Killing from our offices. The hit television show first aired in 2011 on AMC, and continued to air three seasons until the cable network announced the show’s cancellation earlier in 2013. However, Netflix recently announced that they would be picking up the series and continuing the 4th season. This 4th season will air 6 episodes and will be considered the “final season.” The series’ stars Joel Kinnaman (who plays Stephen Holder) and Mireille Enos (who plays Sarah Linden) will be returning to the show to explore a new police case.

The Killing has gained a lot of popularity on Netflix’s streaming service, which helped it grow its audience for three seasons. The show had originally been cancelled after two seasons, but Fox TV Studios later announced that it would be returning after all due to a unique deal with AMC and Netflix. In this deal the streaming service, which had already built up an audience from the first 2 seasons being on its service, would stream the 3rd season 90 days after the finale aired on AMC to offset costs. When AMC announced that they would be pulling the plug for good in 2013, Netflix stepped in to pick up a 4th season to be aired exclusively to Netflix users. The wildly popular streaming service believe this show is perfect for on-demand viewing, so they have given Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder the chance at a proper goodbye.

Production for the 4th season of The Killing  is set to begin in February.

View the full story at The Hollywood Reporter.

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HPC News Hollywood News Movies/Television

HPC Welcomes After Dark Films

After Dark Films has moved into HPC to work on their latest project, 'Re-Kill.'
After Dark Films has moved into HPC to work on their latest project, ‘Re-Kill.’

HPC News – A new tenant has moved into Hollywood Production Center, and that is After Dark Films, a horror, original and action film production company and distributor founded by Courtney Solomon. The company is currently working on a horror film called Re-Kill, which is a found-footage zombie film. The footage is of the brave men and women of R-division who must find and destroy zombies. It is five years after the initial Outbreak and just as they begin to think they are almost clear of the disease, they see signs of a second Outbreak. They begin to worry that humanity may not be able to survive a second round of this epidemic. The movie is said to be shot in a wartime documentary style, and is in the vein of 28 Days Later.

Re-Kill marks Valerie Milev’s directorial debut. The film was written by Michael Hurst, who is also credited for House of the Dead 2 and Pumpkinhead: Blood Feud.

After Dark Film’s Courtney Solomon current work includes directing the 2013 film Getaway, starring Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez and Jon Voight. Re-Kill will be a collaborative effort between After Dark Films and Valerie Milev. The project was put on pause during post-production as the teams worked on different projects, but they are expecting a theatrical release early in 2014.

View full story at IMDB.com.

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HPC News Glendale News Movies/Television Celebrity News

Wanda Sykes is Bringing Back ‘Last Comic Standing’

Wanda Sykes of Push It Productions will be executive producing NBC's 'Last Comic Standing,' which is set to air in summer 2014.
Wanda Sykes of Push It Productions will be executive producing NBC’s ‘Last Comic Standing,’ which is set to air in summer 2014.

HPC News – Hollywood Production Center is currently housing Push It Productions, which is run by the powerful duo Wanda Sykes and Page Hurwitz. Following a three-year absence, NBC is bringing back Last Comic Standing, and Push It Productions is on board to produce the show. Wanda Sykes and Page Hurwitz are attached as executive producers, continuing Hurwitz’s relationship with the series as executive producer from 2006 to 2010.

The eighth season of Last Comic Standing, an unscripted comedic competition series is set to be aired on NBC in the summer of 2014. The show first started in 2003 and ran seven seasons until 2010. The show is being revived, and the network is once again bringing together top comedians from across the country to compete in a series of comedic challenges each week until one comedian is left standing with a development contract with NBC and a television special on Comedy Central.

Push It Productions inked the overall deal with Universal Television’s alternative studio in April. Wanda Syke’s credits include a long stand-up comedy career complete with three Emmy Awards and television work, such as HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, Fox’s The Wanda Sykes Show, Comedy Central’s Wanda Does It. Hurwitz’s own resume includes work on OWN’s The Rosie Show and NBC’s The Marriage Ref.

View full story at The Hollywood Reporter.

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Movies/Television HPC News Glendale News

MTV’s ‘Finding Carter’ Found its Home at HPC

U.K.'s 'Skins' star Kathryn Prescott will star in MTV's upcoming drama 'Finding Carter.'
U.K.’s ‘Skins’ star Kathryn Prescott will star in MTV’s upcoming drama ‘Finding Carter.’

HPC News – There are a lot of new faces at the Hollywood Production Center, and that includes New Remote Productions who is working on a new television pilot for MTV called Finding Carter. The new drama centers on a teenage girl, Carter who has the perfect life being the center of attention at school and living with her fun-loving single mother. Things take a dramatic turn when a police bust reveals that Carter’s supposed mother abducted her as a toddler. Carter now has to navigate the struggles of high school and boys while adapting to her recently discovered biological family, which includes a twin sister and police detective mother.

Kathryn Prescott, known as Emily on the U.K.’s Skins will star as Carter. Lost alumna Cynthia Watros recently announced her role as Carter’s biological mother, and Alexis Denisof from Much Ado About Nothing will play her father.

Emily Silver and Terri Minsky’s Finding Carter was picked up alongside cyber thriller, Eye Candy from the horror producer Jason Blum. These two drama pilot orders come just behind two comedy pickups, Faking It and Happyland, while a Scream series adaptation continues to be in the works. MTV is continuing to expand its scripted lineup, with past successes including Awkward and Teen Wolf.

View full story at The Hollywood Reporter.

 

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Movies/Television HPC News Hollywood News

Kevin Williamson of ‘The Following’ and ‘The Vampire Diaries’

Kevin Williamson, the creator of 'The Following' and 'The Vampire Diaries' discusses the uprising trend of horror with The Hollywood Reporter.
Kevin Williamson, the creator of ‘The Following’ and ‘The Vampire Diaries’ discusses the uprising trend of horror with The Hollywood Reporter.

HPC News – The Hollywood Production Center is home to FOX’s The Following and The CW’s The Vampire Diaries, and Kevin Williamson, the creator of both shows was recently featured in The Hollywood Reporter. Williamson spoke to them about movies that have scared him the most, which he said was The Exorcist when he was a kid, and now as an adult Hostile. In discussing the uprising trend of the horror genre, Williamson talked about the recent popularity of ‘found footage’ as seen in the Paranormal Activity franchise, while the young adult demographic has seen a rise in the theme of a post-apocalyptic world. Kevin Williamson’s horror background also includes working on the Scream franchise, as well I Know What You Did Last Summer.

The Hollywood Reporter crew came to the Hollywood Production Center and filmed the entire piece in our spacious conference room. The day also included a photo shoot focusing on Williamson’s recent success with The Following. The hit serial killer drama revolves around an ex-FBI agent (played by Kevin Bacon) who tries to track down a serial killer who escaped prison and is growing a huge cult following. The Following was reordered for a second season and has put out a teaser for their new season that is expected to premiere on January 20, 2014.

Watch Kevin Williamson’s interview with The Hollywood Reporter here.
Watch The Following season 2 teaser here.

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Movies/Television

You Can Now Watch TV on Twitter

Twitter's CEO Dick Costolo is in talks with NBCU and Comcast for the new "See It" feature.
Twitter’s CEO Dick Costolo is in talks with NBCU and Comcast for the new “See It” feature.

NBCUniversal announced last month that they have partnered with Twitter to bring television to the booming social media platform. Expected to begin this month, Comcast engineers created a new feature that will be available to millions of Xfinity customers called “See It.” Twitter users will be able to access TV shows, movies, and sports directly from a tweet, which will give them the option to “See It.” In addition, customers can set their DVR or even buy theater tickets through Fandango. The technology will cover the various NBCU networks including NBC, CNBC, USA, Syfy, Bravo, Oxygen and E!.

This partnership comes amid Twitter’s move towards being the social media platform for television. Twitter compliments the live viewing experience, which has lured Comcast into drawing up a deal. Comcast wants “See It” to be an instant online remote control, which they hope will get the audience even more engaged with what they are watching.

This partnership also brings to light a new forum for advertising. They are hoping that NBCU’s advertising clients will see the benefit of “See It” and lead them to expand their TV and digital sponsorships to Twitter. Comcast and Twitter are already in talks with distribution partners and television networks to use this “See It” feature to promote their content.

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Celebrity News HPC News Hollywood News Glendale News Movies/Television

‘How to Make Love Like an Englishman’ Continues Filming

Jessica Alba and Ben McKenzie were filming for 'How to Make Love Like an Englishman' this weekend in Malibu.
Jessica Alba and Ben McKenzie were filming for ‘How to Make Love Like an Englishman’ this weekend in Malibu.

HPC News – HPC welcomes the team for How to Make Love Like an Englishman, an upcoming film starring Pierce Brosnan, Jessica Alba, Salma Hayek and Ben McKenzie. The movie is about a Cambridge University professor who finds a woman who is his ideal match, forcing him to reevaluate his life of hedonistic excess, which comes after he impregnates her grad student stepsister. The romantic comedy was written by Matthew Newman and will be directed by Tom Vaughan. Brosnan will star as the professor, Hayek as his love interest and Jessica Alba as the stepsister.

Production for How to Make Love Like an Englishman began earlier last month and Jessica Alba and Ben McKenzie were spotted this weekend in Malibu filming for the movie. The film takes place in Los Angeles, so the crew decided to keep filming local as they wrap up filming in early November. The project is a co-production between Palmstar Media Capital, Southpaw Entertainment, Irish Dreamtime and Envision.

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Glendale News Movies/Television Celebrity News HPC News

The Horror Continues with ‘Incarnate’

Aaron Eckhart is attached to star as the exorcist in Jason Blum's latest horror film, 'Incarnate.'
Aaron Eckhart is attached to star as the exorcist in Jason Blum’s latest horror film, ‘Incarnate.’

HPC News – HPC is happy to once again welcome a fantastic upcoming film to its offices. Blumhouse Productions is preparing for the next big horror film, Incarnate. Incarnate will revolve around an unconventional exorcist who can tap into the subconscious of the possessed until he meets his match, a 9-year old boy possessed by a demon from his past. Aaron Eckhart is attached to star as the exorcist and Catalina Sandino Moreno was recently added to the project to star alongside him.

The film comes on the heels of Blumhouse’s Jason Blum’s latest successful horror project, Insidious: Chapter 2. Jason Blum, founder of Blumhouse Productions, has a long resume that includes Paranormal Activity, The Purge and Sinister among others. The company is known for its low-budget, high earning horror genre films that have received huge acclaim in the past couple of years. Jason Blum will act as producer and Brad Peyton will take the role of director on the script written by Ronnie Christensen. Production is set to start this month.

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Celebrity News Hollywood News

Haunted Play Presents ‘Delusion: Masque of Mortality’

Haunted Play presents 'Delusion: something' that will be taking place through the month of October just in time for Halloween.
Haunted Play presents ‘Delusion: Masque of Mortality’ that will be taking place through the month of October just in time for Halloween.

With Halloween coming up, Los Angeles has plenty of spooky activities to take advantage of. One of them is Haunted Play, the first ever interactive horror theatre company, which returns this year with Delusion: Masque of Mortality. The story will involve a group trying to escape a plague during California’s troubled past, and attendees will be walking through an old church as they see the story unravel. This theater group allows you to be a character in a horror/suspense film, connecting with actors in an unprecedented way. You will participate in the spooky story and perform actions for the actors that will move the story along. Such interaction is unheard of in most theatre groups, and will allow you to be truly a part of the horror story.

Haunted Play has been ranked by various sources as the best haunts to be a part of in Los Angeles. In 2012, Neil Patrick Harris joined the team to help them create even more psychologically disturbing, interactive theatre experiences. This year their play will take place at the Bethany Presbyterian Church in Silver Lake.

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Hollywood News Movies/Television

The Bear is Back for ‘Ted 2’

Ted 2 is set to be released June 26, 2015. Mark Wahlberg and Seth MacFarlane will be returning as the cast.
Ted 2 is set to be released June 26, 2015. Mark Wahlberg and Seth MacFarlane will be returning as the cast.

The vulgar yet lovable teddy bear is back for Ted 2. The comedy sequel is set to be released on June 26, 2015 with Seth MacFarlane returning to co-write, direct and co-star as the bear’s voice. Ted 2 is set to be released by Universal and Media Rights Capital, and Mark Wahlberg is expected to return as the bear’s childhood owner.

Ted was released in the summer of 2012 and grossed $54.4 million its opening weekend and has since grossed over $218 million domestically as of October 2013. The movie went on to become the 12th-highest-grossing film of the year and the highest-grossing original R-rated comedy of all time. The movie starred Mark Wahlberg across from Mila Kunis and Seth MacFarlane. The movie guest starred Nora Jones and Sam J. Jones as Flash Gordon.

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Movies/Television Hollywood News

Syfy Follows Up with ‘Avalanche Sharks’

Syfy released the trailer to their newest shark film 'Avalanche Sharks.'
Syfy released the trailer to their newest shark film ‘Avalanche Sharks.’

We all remember when Sharknado came out this summer and all of the social media buzz it created, and Syfy has decided to take advantage of it. Syfy recently released the trailer of their latest shark-based horror film, Avalanche Sharks. This time around, the setting for the freak-shark attacks is the snow covered mountains of a small mountain town during spring break. Spring breakers come to the mountain for drunken debauchery, that is until an avalanche awakens a large prehistoric Snow Shark that starts to terrorize the mountain.

Syfy hasn’t announced a release date for Avalanche Sharks yet, but we can expect it to be soon while the shark-craze is still going. The new movie is directed by Scott Wheeler and produced by Odyssey Media and Pulser Productions.

Check out the ‘Avalanche Sharks’ trailer here.

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Hollywood News Food/Drink

Mixologists Go Head to Head

The Covenant House California hosted the All-Star Mixology Competition last week in Los Angeles.
The Covenant House California hosted the All-Star Mixology Competition last week in Los Angeles. Edwin Cruz of The Spare Room in Hollywood was crowned the winner.

Los Angeles – With the popularity of cooking contests and specialty chefs going head to head in cook-offs on television, it is no surprise that the men behind the bars wanted to compete as well. Last week Covenant House California hosted an All-Star Mixology Contest in Culver City where mixologists competed to make the best drinks. Some contestants were cocktail makes at L.A. bars such as ShoreBar, Eveleigh and The Spare Room, while others were liquor brand ambassadors. Contestants competed in three rounds that increased in difficulty until only the final three contestants were left for the final round. In this round, the three mixologists were given a secret ingredient, pears, and asked to make a drink. Edwin Cruz of The Spare Room in Hollywood blew the judges away and was named the winner.

The judge panel for the event included Georgia Hardstark and Alie Ward, co-hosts of the Cooking Channel’s Tripping Out with Georgia and Alie and co-contributors to the channel’s Unique Sweets. Other judges included A-list stylist and interior designer Estee Stanley, Paramount Pictures vice president Liza Pano, and publisher and executive editor of The Tasting Panel magazineMeridithMay. The event was held in Unici Casa in Culver City.

Covenant House California operates centers in Los Angeles and Oakland, which provide housing, health benefits, education and employment help to homeless youth. Last year, Covenant House California helped over 5,000 children that are homeless due to various circumstances. The benefit event was co-sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter and ABC-7.

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Movies/Television Hollywood News

Cruella de Vil is Back

Aline Brosh McKenna will writing the script for one of Disney's newest movies 'Cruella.'
Aline Brosh McKenna will writing the script for one of Disney’s newest movies ‘Cruella.’

Cruella de Vil was made famous as the dog-fur-loving villain in the 1961 animated film 101 Dalmations and she is coming back for her very own movie. The new Disney movie Cruella will be centered around Cruella de Vil and her villainous tendencies. The news comes after the studio made Maleficent, set to release in 2014, which is based on the infamous Sleeping Beauty villain, Maleficent. Cruella will be one of Disney’s latest live-action take on one of its classic animated films. Along with Maleficent and Alice, Disney will also be remaking Cinderella, which just went into principal photography.

Aline Brosh McKenna, the writer for Cinderella has been selected to write and produce this new movie. Disney realized that no one knows Cruella de Vil better than Glenn Close who played the character in 1996 film – and returned again in 2000 for the sequel – so she will be act as executive producer for this film. McKenna may be best known for her adaption of The Devil Wears Prada. The writer just finished up the script for Annie, which she is currently casting for.