Documentarians Brett Morgen and Alex Gibney paid tribute to “Super Size Me” filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, who died at 53 on Thursday of complications from cancer.
Morgen — whose films include “The Kid Stays in the Picture,” about legendary producer Robert Evans; “Jane,” about celebrated anthropologist Jane Goodall; and “Moonage Daydream,” about David Bowie — wrote that the Oscar-nominated Spurlock “actually changed the world with his art.”
He was referring to the 2004 film “Super Size Me,” in which Spurlock ate only at McDonald’s for 30 days. After the Oscar-nominated movie’s release and gargantuan success, the fast food chain discontinued its “super size” promotional campaign.
“Morgan Spurlock achieved what most artists only dream: he actually changed the world with his art. He was an amazing father, brother, friend and one of the most important and influential filmmakers of my time. My heart breaks for his family and friends,” Morgen wrote on social media.
“Going Clear” director Alex Gibney tweeted,...
Morgen — whose films include “The Kid Stays in the Picture,” about legendary producer Robert Evans; “Jane,” about celebrated anthropologist Jane Goodall; and “Moonage Daydream,” about David Bowie — wrote that the Oscar-nominated Spurlock “actually changed the world with his art.”
He was referring to the 2004 film “Super Size Me,” in which Spurlock ate only at McDonald’s for 30 days. After the Oscar-nominated movie’s release and gargantuan success, the fast food chain discontinued its “super size” promotional campaign.
“Morgan Spurlock achieved what most artists only dream: he actually changed the world with his art. He was an amazing father, brother, friend and one of the most important and influential filmmakers of my time. My heart breaks for his family and friends,” Morgen wrote on social media.
“Going Clear” director Alex Gibney tweeted,...
- 5/25/2024
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
The entertainment industry is mourning documentarian Morgan Spurlock.
Spurlock, best known for his Academy Award-nominated documentary Super Size Me, in which he consumed fast food for 30 days to highlight its dangers, died on Thursday at the age of 53 from cancer.
“It was a sad day, as we said goodbye to my brother Morgan,” his brother Craig Spurlock said in a family statement. “Morgan gave so much through his art, ideas and generosity. Today the world has lost a true creative genius and a special man. I am so proud to have worked together with him.”
After the news broke of Spurlock’s death, The Simpsons writer and executive producer Al Jean tweeted, “V v v sad to learn of the passing of Morgan Spurlock. A very talented, funny and brilliant man and a true friend to The Simpsons. A great loss.”
And Alex Gibney remarked simply, “Devastated to hear of...
Spurlock, best known for his Academy Award-nominated documentary Super Size Me, in which he consumed fast food for 30 days to highlight its dangers, died on Thursday at the age of 53 from cancer.
“It was a sad day, as we said goodbye to my brother Morgan,” his brother Craig Spurlock said in a family statement. “Morgan gave so much through his art, ideas and generosity. Today the world has lost a true creative genius and a special man. I am so proud to have worked together with him.”
After the news broke of Spurlock’s death, The Simpsons writer and executive producer Al Jean tweeted, “V v v sad to learn of the passing of Morgan Spurlock. A very talented, funny and brilliant man and a true friend to The Simpsons. A great loss.”
And Alex Gibney remarked simply, “Devastated to hear of...
- 5/25/2024
- by Tatiana Tenreyro
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Legally Blonde has become the first big MGM title to spawn a TV series for Prime Video. The Amazon streamer has ordered Elle, a Legally Blonde prequel series. It hails from the film franchise’s star Reese Witherspoon and her Hello Sunshine banner, part of Candle Media. The project is being unveiled at Prime Video’s inaugural upfront presentation today where the streamer also is announcing another TV series based on a MGM property, Tomb Raider.
Created by Laura Kittrell, who will serve as showrunner, Elle follows Elle Woods in high school as we learn about the life experiences that shaped her into the iconic young woman we came to know and love in the first Legally Blonde film. The series is set years before the events in the first movie, which kicked off as Elle Woods (Witherspoon) graduated from college and headed to Harvard Law to pursue a legal career.
Created by Laura Kittrell, who will serve as showrunner, Elle follows Elle Woods in high school as we learn about the life experiences that shaped her into the iconic young woman we came to know and love in the first Legally Blonde film. The series is set years before the events in the first movie, which kicked off as Elle Woods (Witherspoon) graduated from college and headed to Harvard Law to pursue a legal career.
- 5/14/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Dylan Mulvaney is dreaming big, and one of the characters she would like to play is Elle Woods from Legally Blonde.
In a recent interview, the singer and actress said that her dream theater role was to play Glinda in Wicked, but her “dream dream” was to portray the Harvard Law School student that Reese Witherspoon famously played in the 2001 film.
“My dream though is to do a trans Legally Blonde,” Mulvaney said in an interview with IMDb during SXSW. “I wanna play Elle Woods and have maybe a trans Emmett and a trans Paulette. And I think what’s so cool about plugging trans people into existing stories is it inherently changes what the topic is, but in a way that you don’t actually have to do much to the script because it becomes something different — but actually, I think it makes it even more powerful.”
Legally Blonde...
In a recent interview, the singer and actress said that her dream theater role was to play Glinda in Wicked, but her “dream dream” was to portray the Harvard Law School student that Reese Witherspoon famously played in the 2001 film.
“My dream though is to do a trans Legally Blonde,” Mulvaney said in an interview with IMDb during SXSW. “I wanna play Elle Woods and have maybe a trans Emmett and a trans Paulette. And I think what’s so cool about plugging trans people into existing stories is it inherently changes what the topic is, but in a way that you don’t actually have to do much to the script because it becomes something different — but actually, I think it makes it even more powerful.”
Legally Blonde...
- 3/31/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
We’re a little less than a year away from getting the final chapter of the Expendables franchise, though there are several spin-offs in the works following Expendables 4. However, it appears that the longest-developed project has officially been scrapped. Expendabelles was one of the spin-offs confirmed back in 2012, with Legally Blonde screenwriters Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith tapped to pen the script. The film seemed to be on track when a logline was released in 2014, where “An elite group of highly trained female mercenaries are brought together for a covert hostage rescue mission.” Now this logline came after
The Expendabelles Spin-off Is No Longer Happening...
The Expendabelles Spin-off Is No Longer Happening...
- 11/11/2022
- by Jeffrey Bowie Jr.
- TVovermind.com
Veteran film and television lit agent Lee Stuart Cohen (aka “The Hammer” and “The Moose”) died peacefully at his home the morning of October 8 after a long illness. He was 78 years old.
Cohen began his career in the legendary William Morris Agency mailroom in the early 1970s. He went on to became a motion picture and television agent known for discovering new talent and for his loyal, joyful, passionate, and unwavering advocacy for his clients. After decades at Wma where he did stints running TV lit and motion picture lit, Cohen ended his career at Paradigm.
Over the years, Cohen represented such top writing talent as the team of Tom Gammill and Max Pross, known for their work on Seinfeld and The Simpsons, and Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah, who penned such features comedy hits as Legally Blonde, 10 Things I Hate About You and She’s The Man.
In addition...
Cohen began his career in the legendary William Morris Agency mailroom in the early 1970s. He went on to became a motion picture and television agent known for discovering new talent and for his loyal, joyful, passionate, and unwavering advocacy for his clients. After decades at Wma where he did stints running TV lit and motion picture lit, Cohen ended his career at Paradigm.
Over the years, Cohen represented such top writing talent as the team of Tom Gammill and Max Pross, known for their work on Seinfeld and The Simpsons, and Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah, who penned such features comedy hits as Legally Blonde, 10 Things I Hate About You and She’s The Man.
In addition...
- 10/9/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Legally Blonde and The House Bunny screenwriters Karen McCullah and Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith are set to write the romantic comedy I Do… Not for Amazon Studios and Di Bonaventura Pictures.
The feature is centered around a woman who gets the chance to stop her own wedding.
Mark Vahradian and Lorenzo di Bonaventura will produce via Di Bonaventura Pictures.
The project reteams Vahradian, McCullah, and Smith who first worked together on the 1999 teen classic 10 Things I Hate About You.
McCullah and Smith recently completed a rewrite on K: Pop: Lost In America starring Rebel Wilson and a draft of Legally Blonde 3. The duo also penned the comedy She’s the Man, Ella Enchanted and The Ugly Truth. MGM is eager to reignite the Legally Blonde franchise, the first two movies raking in over 266M worldwide at the global box office.
Smith is represented by Verve, Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment, and attorney Karl Austen.
The feature is centered around a woman who gets the chance to stop her own wedding.
Mark Vahradian and Lorenzo di Bonaventura will produce via Di Bonaventura Pictures.
The project reteams Vahradian, McCullah, and Smith who first worked together on the 1999 teen classic 10 Things I Hate About You.
McCullah and Smith recently completed a rewrite on K: Pop: Lost In America starring Rebel Wilson and a draft of Legally Blonde 3. The duo also penned the comedy She’s the Man, Ella Enchanted and The Ugly Truth. MGM is eager to reignite the Legally Blonde franchise, the first two movies raking in over 266M worldwide at the global box office.
Smith is represented by Verve, Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment, and attorney Karl Austen.
- 9/28/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Following a competitive auction, Paramount Pictures has landed an original sci-fi comedy pitch Rachel Nevada from Hannah Hafey and Kaitlin Smith. The pair will also pen the script, with Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort producing. George Dewey, Patrick Gooing and Molly Milstein are shepherding the project for Maximum Effort.
Plot details are being kept under wraps.
Hafey & Smith are one of the more sought-after writing duos in town having just wrote St. Mary’s Catholic School Presents The Vagina Monologues at Amazon, which Tanya Wexler is directing with Di Novi Pictures producing after it was on the 2021 Black List. Their spec, Popular, is set up at HBO Max with Maggie Kiley directing and Berlanti/Schechter Films and The Arlook Group producing; it was included on the 2018 Black List. They also sold Misfit City, a TV adaptation of the graphic novel, to HBO Max with Boom! Studios and Kiwi Smith and Kurt Lustgarten producing.
Plot details are being kept under wraps.
Hafey & Smith are one of the more sought-after writing duos in town having just wrote St. Mary’s Catholic School Presents The Vagina Monologues at Amazon, which Tanya Wexler is directing with Di Novi Pictures producing after it was on the 2021 Black List. Their spec, Popular, is set up at HBO Max with Maggie Kiley directing and Berlanti/Schechter Films and The Arlook Group producing; it was included on the 2018 Black List. They also sold Misfit City, a TV adaptation of the graphic novel, to HBO Max with Boom! Studios and Kiwi Smith and Kurt Lustgarten producing.
- 9/27/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
The Black List has finalized the names of the six writers that will be part of their 2022 Feature Lab and will partake in a hybrid workshop that will include virtual sessions culminating in an in-person weekend intensive in Los Angeles.
Each writer will workshop one screenplay through peer groups and one-on-one sessions with working professional screenwriting mentors, including Kiwi Smith (Legally Blonde), David Rabinowitz (Blackkklansman), Jonathan Stokes (El Gringo), Natalie Krinsky (The Broken Hearts Gallery), Phil Hay (The Invitation), Guinevere Turner (American Psycho), Michael Mitnick (The Current War), and Scott Myers of Go Into The Story.
The Black List has also selected a fellow for the first-ever Black List Musical Film Fellowship. The Fellow will receive mentorship from professional screenwriting mentors with expertise in the musical world.
The 2022 Feature Lab participants and their projects are:
Silicon Valley Girl by Yeon Jin Lee
A young female intern at a top Silicon...
Each writer will workshop one screenplay through peer groups and one-on-one sessions with working professional screenwriting mentors, including Kiwi Smith (Legally Blonde), David Rabinowitz (Blackkklansman), Jonathan Stokes (El Gringo), Natalie Krinsky (The Broken Hearts Gallery), Phil Hay (The Invitation), Guinevere Turner (American Psycho), Michael Mitnick (The Current War), and Scott Myers of Go Into The Story.
The Black List has also selected a fellow for the first-ever Black List Musical Film Fellowship. The Fellow will receive mentorship from professional screenwriting mentors with expertise in the musical world.
The 2022 Feature Lab participants and their projects are:
Silicon Valley Girl by Yeon Jin Lee
A young female intern at a top Silicon...
- 9/22/2022
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
If there was a Mount Rushmore of teen movie figureheads, it should include the Waters Brothers, the writing duo of Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, John Hughes (self explanatory), and Amy Heckerling.
Coming-of-age films are nothing new, but the "teen film" as we know it today is a relatively recent phenomenon, with 1982's "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" serving as the turning point for teen cinema. Before "Fast Times," films centered on teen stories weren't presented with authenticity to...
The post Fast Times At Ridgemont High Signaled A Shake-Up In Studio Filmmaking appeared first on /Film.
Coming-of-age films are nothing new, but the "teen film" as we know it today is a relatively recent phenomenon, with 1982's "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" serving as the turning point for teen cinema. Before "Fast Times," films centered on teen stories weren't presented with authenticity to...
The post Fast Times At Ridgemont High Signaled A Shake-Up In Studio Filmmaking appeared first on /Film.
- 8/10/2022
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has announced its plans for the third annual Global Movie Day on Saturday.
Global Movie Day, which was established in 2020 and is celebrated every second Saturday of February, was created as a way for film fans around the world to celebrate their love of film by engaging with Academy members and filmmakers on social media, using the hashtag #GlobalMovieDay.
This year, celebrities and filmmakers who will participate in Global Movie Day include Zazie Beetz, Halle Berry, Jason Blum, Kris Bowers, Patricia Cardoso, Cher, Jon M. Chu, Ariana DeBose, Ali Fazal, Danny Glover, Eiza González, Tom Hanks, Aldis Hodge, Scarlett Johansson, Marc Maron, Marlee Matlin, Matthew McConaughey, Michelle Rodriguez, J.K. Simmons, Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith, Jurnee Smollett, Amandla Stenberg, Taura Stinson, Diane Warren, Marlon Wayans and Reese Witherspoon.
This year’s Global Movie Day will also spotlight the work of five international artists, all from different continents,...
Global Movie Day, which was established in 2020 and is celebrated every second Saturday of February, was created as a way for film fans around the world to celebrate their love of film by engaging with Academy members and filmmakers on social media, using the hashtag #GlobalMovieDay.
This year, celebrities and filmmakers who will participate in Global Movie Day include Zazie Beetz, Halle Berry, Jason Blum, Kris Bowers, Patricia Cardoso, Cher, Jon M. Chu, Ariana DeBose, Ali Fazal, Danny Glover, Eiza González, Tom Hanks, Aldis Hodge, Scarlett Johansson, Marc Maron, Marlee Matlin, Matthew McConaughey, Michelle Rodriguez, J.K. Simmons, Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith, Jurnee Smollett, Amandla Stenberg, Taura Stinson, Diane Warren, Marlon Wayans and Reese Witherspoon.
This year’s Global Movie Day will also spotlight the work of five international artists, all from different continents,...
- 2/11/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Black List has chosen six screenwriters out of 1,400 submissions for its ninth annual Features Lab.
Lab participants will workshop their scripts through peer groups, and one-on-one mentorship over the course of six weeks. Participating mentors include Minhal Baig (Hala), Jessica Bendinger (Bring It On), Scott Myers, David Rabinowitz (BlackKklansman), Kiwi Smith (Legally Blonde), and Chris Weitz (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story).
Previous Black List Lab alumni include Baig, Tom Dean, Noga Pnueli and Jimmy Keyrouz. Two additional Black List Lab projects (The Enclosed by Chris Basler and Empire Waist by Claire Ayoub) are currently in production.
The Feature Lab participants and their projects are:
New Hampshire Boy
by...
Lab participants will workshop their scripts through peer groups, and one-on-one mentorship over the course of six weeks. Participating mentors include Minhal Baig (Hala), Jessica Bendinger (Bring It On), Scott Myers, David Rabinowitz (BlackKklansman), Kiwi Smith (Legally Blonde), and Chris Weitz (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story).
Previous Black List Lab alumni include Baig, Tom Dean, Noga Pnueli and Jimmy Keyrouz. Two additional Black List Lab projects (The Enclosed by Chris Basler and Empire Waist by Claire Ayoub) are currently in production.
The Feature Lab participants and their projects are:
New Hampshire Boy
by...
- 10/5/2021
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Legally Blonde‘s screenwriters and stars say the film could have been a much raunchier movie, with a Judge Judy cameo and stars like Chloë Sevigny and Paul Bettany in major roles.
For a recent New York Times oral history, various cast and crew members spoke about the film, which has not only remained timely 20 years after its release but continues to be heralded for its messages of female empowerment. The various interviews revealed previously unknown details about the film’s early scripts, casting and production, including the movie’s American Pie-like first draft.
According to writer Kirsten Smith, they initially pitched ...
For a recent New York Times oral history, various cast and crew members spoke about the film, which has not only remained timely 20 years after its release but continues to be heralded for its messages of female empowerment. The various interviews revealed previously unknown details about the film’s early scripts, casting and production, including the movie’s American Pie-like first draft.
According to writer Kirsten Smith, they initially pitched ...
Legally Blonde‘s screenwriters and stars say the film could have been a much raunchier movie, with a Judge Judy cameo and stars like Chloë Sevigny and Paul Bettany in major roles.
For a recent New York Times oral history, various cast and crew members spoke about the film, which has not only remained timely 20 years after its release but continues to be heralded for its messages of female empowerment. The various interviews revealed previously unknown details about the film’s early scripts, casting and production, including the movie’s American Pie-like first draft.
According to writer Kirsten Smith, they initially pitched ...
For a recent New York Times oral history, various cast and crew members spoke about the film, which has not only remained timely 20 years after its release but continues to be heralded for its messages of female empowerment. The various interviews revealed previously unknown details about the film’s early scripts, casting and production, including the movie’s American Pie-like first draft.
According to writer Kirsten Smith, they initially pitched ...
“Legally Blonde 3” is slated to hit theaters in May 2022 after originally being scheduled for a February 2020 release.
MGM Studios announced the news on Twitter late Tuesday, following the “Legally Blonde” virtual reunion featuring Reese Witherspoon and her co-stars Selma Blair (Vivian Kensington), Jessica Cauffiel (Margot), Jennifer Coolidge (Paulette Bonafonté), Matthew Davis (Warner Huntington III), Ali Larter (Brooke Taylor Windham), Holland Taylor (Professor Stromwell), Alanna Ubach (Serena McGuire), and Luke Wilson (Emmett Richmond)
“Elle Woods is back! Legally Blonde 3 coming May 2022. We rest our case,” the studio tweeted.
In May, Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor were set as the duo writing the sequel, which will feature Witherspoon reprising her iconic role from the first two “Legally Blonde” films.
Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine is producing “Legally Blonde 3,” alongside Marc Platt and Adam Siegel, president of Platt Productions. Hello Sunshine’s head of film and television, Lauren Neustadter, is also producing.
MGM Studios announced the news on Twitter late Tuesday, following the “Legally Blonde” virtual reunion featuring Reese Witherspoon and her co-stars Selma Blair (Vivian Kensington), Jessica Cauffiel (Margot), Jennifer Coolidge (Paulette Bonafonté), Matthew Davis (Warner Huntington III), Ali Larter (Brooke Taylor Windham), Holland Taylor (Professor Stromwell), Alanna Ubach (Serena McGuire), and Luke Wilson (Emmett Richmond)
“Elle Woods is back! Legally Blonde 3 coming May 2022. We rest our case,” the studio tweeted.
In May, Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor were set as the duo writing the sequel, which will feature Witherspoon reprising her iconic role from the first two “Legally Blonde” films.
Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine is producing “Legally Blonde 3,” alongside Marc Platt and Adam Siegel, president of Platt Productions. Hello Sunshine’s head of film and television, Lauren Neustadter, is also producing.
- 10/21/2020
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
We probably don't have to tell you at this point that the "teens" you see on TV and in movies are rarely teens themselves - that's old news. It should come as no surprise then that the cast of Netflix's teen-centric series, Trinkets, is no exception. Based on 2013 novel of the same name by Kirsten Smith, the show revolves around three very different high schoolers whose paths cross in a Shoplifters Anonymous meeting, and its stars are definitely actors to watch out for. But how old are they really? Though most are not much older than teens themselves, here are the real ages of the actors. And don't forget: the second and final season premieres on Aug. 25!
Related: Trinkets Could Return For a Second Season, but It Would Have to Make Some Changes...
Related: Trinkets Could Return For a Second Season, but It Would Have to Make Some Changes...
- 8/18/2020
- by Corinne Sullivan
- Popsugar.com
The Netflix teen drama Trinkets is back for a second season, but it's also going to be the last one. So why did Netflix choose to end Trinkets? When the platform picked up the show for season two it was with the understanding that this would be the last season, giving the creative team plenty of time to prepare - but we're still not totally sure what was behind the decision in the first place.
As per usual for Netflix cancellations, there's little to no information to figure out why Trinkets got the axe. Ratings on Netflix are famously kept under wraps, so there's no way for ordinary viewers to get an idea of what the viewing numbers were like and if that was the cause of the cancellation. The show certainly wasn't one of the "big name," super buzzy titles on social media, but as we know, that doesn't...
As per usual for Netflix cancellations, there's little to no information to figure out why Trinkets got the axe. Ratings on Netflix are famously kept under wraps, so there's no way for ordinary viewers to get an idea of what the viewing numbers were like and if that was the cause of the cancellation. The show certainly wasn't one of the "big name," super buzzy titles on social media, but as we know, that doesn't...
- 8/11/2020
- by Amanda Prahl
- Popsugar.com
Back in 2018, Reese Witherspoon announced that a third Legally Blonde movie was headed our way. At the same time, she confirmed that she would be reprising her iconic role as Elle Woods - and we were excited, to say the least. But ever since . . . it's kind of been crickets. The film was originally set for release in February 2020 (which obviously never happened), and the original screenwriters, Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah, were reportedly returning to pen the sequel.
But finally, on Monday, Deadline confirmed that not only is the movie still on the horizon but Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor have signed on to write the screenplay. They also confirmed that "Reese Witherspoon remains aboard, reprising her role as attorney Elle Woods," and that the film is "producing through her Hello Sunshine studio with the franchise's original producer Marc Platt."
Legally Blonde 3 won't be a rewrite of Smith and McCullah's original version,...
But finally, on Monday, Deadline confirmed that not only is the movie still on the horizon but Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor have signed on to write the screenplay. They also confirmed that "Reese Witherspoon remains aboard, reprising her role as attorney Elle Woods," and that the film is "producing through her Hello Sunshine studio with the franchise's original producer Marc Platt."
Legally Blonde 3 won't be a rewrite of Smith and McCullah's original version,...
- 5/19/2020
- by Angela Law
- Popsugar.com
Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor will write MGM’s “Legally Blonde 3,” in which Reese Witherspoon is set to reprise her iconic role of Elle Woods, an individual with knowledge of the deal told TheWrap.
Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine is producing the film, alongside Marc Platt and Adam Siegel, president of Platt Productions. Hello Sunshine’s head of film and television, Lauren Neustadter, is also producing.
This is the second time Kaling and Goor are partnering up on a film. They collaborated on the Kaling/Priyanka Chopra wedding comedy that was picked up by Universal after a heated auction in 2019.
Also Read: 'Legally Blonde 3' Gets Valentine's Day 2020 Release Date
Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah adapted the novel by Amanda Brown for the first film and were previously in talks to write the script.
“Legally Blonde” grossed $141 million worldwide, while its followup secured $124 million at the global box office.
Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine is producing the film, alongside Marc Platt and Adam Siegel, president of Platt Productions. Hello Sunshine’s head of film and television, Lauren Neustadter, is also producing.
This is the second time Kaling and Goor are partnering up on a film. They collaborated on the Kaling/Priyanka Chopra wedding comedy that was picked up by Universal after a heated auction in 2019.
Also Read: 'Legally Blonde 3' Gets Valentine's Day 2020 Release Date
Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah adapted the novel by Amanda Brown for the first film and were previously in talks to write the script.
“Legally Blonde” grossed $141 million worldwide, while its followup secured $124 million at the global box office.
- 5/19/2020
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor have signed on to write the script for MGM's Legally Blonde 3.
The third installment of the comedy franchise will also see Reese Witherspoon reprise her role as Elle Woods. Witherspoon's banner Hello Sunshine and the company's head of television and film Lauren Neustadter, along with Marc Platt and Adam Siegel of Platt Productions. will produce the film.
Witherspoon confirmed that a third Legally Blonde pic was in the works back in June 2018, with the planned threequel to be penned by the original film's scribes Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah....
The third installment of the comedy franchise will also see Reese Witherspoon reprise her role as Elle Woods. Witherspoon's banner Hello Sunshine and the company's head of television and film Lauren Neustadter, along with Marc Platt and Adam Siegel of Platt Productions. will produce the film.
Witherspoon confirmed that a third Legally Blonde pic was in the works back in June 2018, with the planned threequel to be penned by the original film's scribes Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah....
- 5/18/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor have signed on to write the script for MGM's Legally Blonde 3.
The third installment of the comedy franchise will also see Reese Witherspoon reprise her role as Elle Woods. Witherspoon's banner Hello Sunshine and the company's head of television and film Lauren Neustadter, along with Marc Platt and Adam Siegel of Platt Productions. will produce the film.
Witherspoon confirmed that a third Legally Blonde pic was in the works back in June 2018, with the planned threequel to be penned by the original film's scribes Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah....
The third installment of the comedy franchise will also see Reese Witherspoon reprise her role as Elle Woods. Witherspoon's banner Hello Sunshine and the company's head of television and film Lauren Neustadter, along with Marc Platt and Adam Siegel of Platt Productions. will produce the film.
Witherspoon confirmed that a third Legally Blonde pic was in the works back in June 2018, with the planned threequel to be penned by the original film's scribes Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah....
- 5/18/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Five promising writers have been selected as winners of the 2019 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition, out of a total of 7,302 scripts and 12 finalists. The fellows will each receive a generous $35,000 prize, the first installment of which will be distributed at the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Awards Presentation & Live Read on Thursday, November 7, 2019, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. For the seventh consecutive year, an ensemble of notable actors will read selected scenes from the winning scripts.
The 2019 winners are (listed alphabetically by author): Aaron Chung, “Princess Vietnam”; Karen McDermott, “Lullabies of La Jaula”; Renee Pillai, “Boy with Kite”; Sean Malcolm, “Mother”; and Walker McKnight, “Street Rat Allie Punches Her Ticket.”
Each writer comes from a unique background: Chung is a film intern at Entertainment One, with a master’s in screenwriting; McDermott is an attorney and English professor, according to her Twitter bio; and McKnight is a novelist,...
The 2019 winners are (listed alphabetically by author): Aaron Chung, “Princess Vietnam”; Karen McDermott, “Lullabies of La Jaula”; Renee Pillai, “Boy with Kite”; Sean Malcolm, “Mother”; and Walker McKnight, “Street Rat Allie Punches Her Ticket.”
Each writer comes from a unique background: Chung is a film intern at Entertainment One, with a master’s in screenwriting; McDermott is an attorney and English professor, according to her Twitter bio; and McKnight is a novelist,...
- 10/4/2019
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Network: Netflix.
Episodes: Tbd (half-hour).
Seasons: Two.
TV show dates: June 14, 2019 — present.
Series status: Ending.
Performers include: Brianna Hildebrand, Kiana Madeira, Quintessa Swindell, Brandon Butler, Odiseas Georgiadis, Henry Zaga, Jessica Lynn Skinner, Larry Sullivan, Joy Bryant, Dana Green, Jacob Skidmore, Haley Tju, Linden Ashby, Parker Hall, and October Moore.
TV show description:
From creators Amy Andelson, Emily Meyer, and Kirsten Smith, the Trinkets TV show is a half-hour teen drama based on Smith's 2014 young adult novel of the same name. The series centers on three very different high school girls who wind up bonding over the one thing they seem to have in common -- shoplifting. Read More…...
Episodes: Tbd (half-hour).
Seasons: Two.
TV show dates: June 14, 2019 — present.
Series status: Ending.
Performers include: Brianna Hildebrand, Kiana Madeira, Quintessa Swindell, Brandon Butler, Odiseas Georgiadis, Henry Zaga, Jessica Lynn Skinner, Larry Sullivan, Joy Bryant, Dana Green, Jacob Skidmore, Haley Tju, Linden Ashby, Parker Hall, and October Moore.
TV show description:
From creators Amy Andelson, Emily Meyer, and Kirsten Smith, the Trinkets TV show is a half-hour teen drama based on Smith's 2014 young adult novel of the same name. The series centers on three very different high school girls who wind up bonding over the one thing they seem to have in common -- shoplifting. Read More…...
- 8/2/2019
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Good news, everyone - Netflix has gifted us with a new obsession (as if we didn't have enough already), and we have a feeling that this one's really going to steal your attention. Trinkets, based on 2013 novel by Kirsten Smith, revolves around three very different sticky-fingered teens whose paths cross in a Shoplifters Anonymous meeting, and as little as they have in common, the one thing they do share brings them together in unexpected ways. And of course there's also plenty of the requisite high school drama and heartbreak in between.
Just like Netflix's über-popular teen-centric series 13 Reasons Why, the source material for this new show also came from a Ya novel of the same name. Trinkets the novel was written by Hollywood screenwriter Smith, who cowrote an impressive range of popular girl-power movies, including Legally Blonde, 10 Things I Hate About You, The House Bunny, She's the Man, and The Ugly Truth.
Just like Netflix's über-popular teen-centric series 13 Reasons Why, the source material for this new show also came from a Ya novel of the same name. Trinkets the novel was written by Hollywood screenwriter Smith, who cowrote an impressive range of popular girl-power movies, including Legally Blonde, 10 Things I Hate About You, The House Bunny, She's the Man, and The Ugly Truth.
- 6/16/2019
- by Corinne Sullivan
- Popsugar.com
Netflix's a new teen drama Trinkets is already generating buzz, and we don't even know yet if we'll get a second season. Netflix, known for cranking out original content, released the show, which follows a trio of teen girls who go through the usual struggles of being, well, teen girls - but with a twist: they're all serial shoplifters, who meet in a support group for kleptomania and instead start teaming up to continue stealing. The first season, available for streaming now, consists of 10 episodes of just under 30 minutes each.
Whether or not there will be a season two is still up in the air, and probably will be for a little while. Trinkets is based on a novel, published in 2013 by Kirsten Smith (who you know as the screenwriter behind classic comedies like 10 Things I Hate About You and Legally Blonde). It's a standalone novel, not an ongoing series,...
Whether or not there will be a season two is still up in the air, and probably will be for a little while. Trinkets is based on a novel, published in 2013 by Kirsten Smith (who you know as the screenwriter behind classic comedies like 10 Things I Hate About You and Legally Blonde). It's a standalone novel, not an ongoing series,...
- 6/15/2019
- by Amanda Prahl
- Popsugar.com
Are you getting your money's worth out of the first season of the Trinkets TV show on Netflix? As we all know, the Nielsen ratings typically play a big role in determining whether a TV show like Trinkets is cancelled or renewed for season two. Netflix and other streaming platforms, however, collect their own data. If you've been watching this TV series, we'd love to know how you feel about the Trinkets season one episodes. We invite you to rate them for us here.
A Netflix teen drama based on Kirsten Smith's 2014 young adult novel of the same name, Trinkets stars Brianna Hildebrand, Kiana Madeira, and Quintessa Swindell. Set in Portland, Oregon, the series centers grieving misfit Elodie Davis (Hildebrand), tough chick Moe Truax (Madeira), and queen bee Tabitha Foster (Swindell). After being separately ordered by the court to attend Shoplifters Anonymous meetings,...
A Netflix teen drama based on Kirsten Smith's 2014 young adult novel of the same name, Trinkets stars Brianna Hildebrand, Kiana Madeira, and Quintessa Swindell. Set in Portland, Oregon, the series centers grieving misfit Elodie Davis (Hildebrand), tough chick Moe Truax (Madeira), and queen bee Tabitha Foster (Swindell). After being separately ordered by the court to attend Shoplifters Anonymous meetings,...
- 6/15/2019
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Vulture Watch
Is this the end of Elodie, Moe, and Tabitha's run? Has the Trinkets TV show been cancelled or renewed for a second season on Netflix? The television vulture is watching all the latest TV cancellation and renewal news, so this page is the place to track the status of Trinkets, season two. Bookmark it, or subscribe for the latest updates. Remember, the television vulture is watching your shows. Are you?
What's This TV Show About?
A Netflix teen drama based on Kirsten Smith's 2014 novel, Trinkets stars Brianna Hildebrand, Kiana Madeira, and Quintessa Swindell. Set in Portland, Oregon, the series centers grieving misfit Elodie Davis (Hildebrand), tough chick Moe Truax (Madeira), and queen bee Tabitha Foster (Swindell). After being separately ordered by the court to attend Shoplifters Anonymous meetings, these three very different high school girls wind up bonding over the...
Is this the end of Elodie, Moe, and Tabitha's run? Has the Trinkets TV show been cancelled or renewed for a second season on Netflix? The television vulture is watching all the latest TV cancellation and renewal news, so this page is the place to track the status of Trinkets, season two. Bookmark it, or subscribe for the latest updates. Remember, the television vulture is watching your shows. Are you?
What's This TV Show About?
A Netflix teen drama based on Kirsten Smith's 2014 novel, Trinkets stars Brianna Hildebrand, Kiana Madeira, and Quintessa Swindell. Set in Portland, Oregon, the series centers grieving misfit Elodie Davis (Hildebrand), tough chick Moe Truax (Madeira), and queen bee Tabitha Foster (Swindell). After being separately ordered by the court to attend Shoplifters Anonymous meetings, these three very different high school girls wind up bonding over the...
- 6/15/2019
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Exclusive: Paramount Pictures has picked up Party Girls, an original pitch from the Legally Blonde screenwriting duo Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith and Karen McCullah, with Todd Garner attached to produce via his Broken Road Productions banner. Garner is the producer behind such films as Paul Blart: Mall Cop and its sequel, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, The Possession of Hannah Grace and Isn’t It Romantic.
Party Girls is a female ensemble comedy about a group of party girls from the Studio 54 era who reunite in the present day, now in their 70s, to continue the party.
Together, McCullah and Smith also co-wrote the screenplays for teen rom-coms 10 Things I Hate About You and She’s the Man as well as served as executive producers on The House Bunny and The Ugly Truth.
Smith co-created the upcoming Netflix series, Trinkets, which is based on her young-adult novel of the same name.
Party Girls is a female ensemble comedy about a group of party girls from the Studio 54 era who reunite in the present day, now in their 70s, to continue the party.
Together, McCullah and Smith also co-wrote the screenplays for teen rom-coms 10 Things I Hate About You and She’s the Man as well as served as executive producers on The House Bunny and The Ugly Truth.
Smith co-created the upcoming Netflix series, Trinkets, which is based on her young-adult novel of the same name.
- 5/21/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Trinkets is coming to the small screen. Netflix just announced they've ordered a TV show based on the young adult novel by Kirsten Smith.
The drama follows "three teenage girls from different corners of the high school cafeteria find themselves in the same mandated Shoplifter's Anonymous meeting." The cast includes Brianna Hildebrand, Kiana Madeira, Quintessa Swindell, Odiseas Georgiadis, Henry Zaga, and Larisa Oleynik.
Read More…...
The drama follows "three teenage girls from different corners of the high school cafeteria find themselves in the same mandated Shoplifter's Anonymous meeting." The cast includes Brianna Hildebrand, Kiana Madeira, Quintessa Swindell, Odiseas Georgiadis, Henry Zaga, and Larisa Oleynik.
Read More…...
- 10/17/2018
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
A third Legally Blonde film is officially in the works, and Reese Witherspoon is set to reprise her role as Elle Woods! On Thursday, June 7, the 42-year-old actress confirmed the reports by rocking a pink sparkly bikini in an Instagram video, writing, "It's true . . . #LegallyBlonde3." According to The Hollywood Reporter, Witherspoon is working on Legally Blonde 3 with MGM and will produce the movie through her media company, Hello Sunshine. Few other details are known yet, but the screenwriters behind the original, Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah, are also in talks to return.
It's been 17 years since the classic hit screens, and we can't wait to see how Elle's story has evolved since 2003's sequel. Witherspoon is currently filming Big Little Lies season two and continuing to work on her Draper James line of clothing and home decor. We have a feeling her response to juggling all of these projects...
It's been 17 years since the classic hit screens, and we can't wait to see how Elle's story has evolved since 2003's sequel. Witherspoon is currently filming Big Little Lies season two and continuing to work on her Draper James line of clothing and home decor. We have a feeling her response to juggling all of these projects...
- 6/11/2018
- by Erin Cullum
- Popsugar.com
“Legally Blonde 3” will hit theaters on Valentine’s Day 2020, MGM announced Thursday.
Earlier this week, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap that Witherspoon was in talks for “Legally Blonde 3,” which the actress later confirmed as a done deal. Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah adapted the novel by Amanda Brown for the first film and are in final talks to write the script for MGM. Marc Platt and his Platt Productions president, Adam Siegel, are producing alongside Witherspoon through her Hello Sunshine banner.
Back in Pink in 2020! #LegallyBlonde3 pic.twitter.com/KP1l6R0zTU
— MGM Studios (@MGM_Studios) June 7, 2018
“Legally Blonde” grossed $141 million worldwide, while its followup secured $124 million at the global box office. The first film followed Elle Woods as she went to Harvard Law School after she was dumped by her boyfriend. In the sequel, Elle headed to Washington D.C. to join the staff...
Earlier this week, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap that Witherspoon was in talks for “Legally Blonde 3,” which the actress later confirmed as a done deal. Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah adapted the novel by Amanda Brown for the first film and are in final talks to write the script for MGM. Marc Platt and his Platt Productions president, Adam Siegel, are producing alongside Witherspoon through her Hello Sunshine banner.
Back in Pink in 2020! #LegallyBlonde3 pic.twitter.com/KP1l6R0zTU
— MGM Studios (@MGM_Studios) June 7, 2018
“Legally Blonde” grossed $141 million worldwide, while its followup secured $124 million at the global box office. The first film followed Elle Woods as she went to Harvard Law School after she was dumped by her boyfriend. In the sequel, Elle headed to Washington D.C. to join the staff...
- 6/7/2018
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Reese Witherspoon channeled her inner Elle Woods to confirm the news that she would be returning for a third film in the “Legally Blonde” series.
“It’s true… #LegallyBlonde3,” the actress wrote on Instagram, accompanying a video in which she glides across a pool on a blue floatie, wearing a glittery pink bikini — a clear reference to the Harvard admissions video Elle Woods puts together in the first “Legally Blonde.”
Earlier this week, it was announced that Witherspoon was in talks for “Legally Blonde 3.” Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah adapted the novel by Amanda Brown for the first film and are in final talks to write the script for MGM. Marc Platt and his Platt Productions president, Adam Siegel, are producing alongside Witherspoon through her Hello Sunshine banner.
Also Read: Reese Witherspoon in Talks to Return for 'Legally Blonde 3'
“Legally Blonde” grossed $141 million worldwide, while its follow-up secured $124 million at the global box office.
“It’s true… #LegallyBlonde3,” the actress wrote on Instagram, accompanying a video in which she glides across a pool on a blue floatie, wearing a glittery pink bikini — a clear reference to the Harvard admissions video Elle Woods puts together in the first “Legally Blonde.”
Earlier this week, it was announced that Witherspoon was in talks for “Legally Blonde 3.” Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah adapted the novel by Amanda Brown for the first film and are in final talks to write the script for MGM. Marc Platt and his Platt Productions president, Adam Siegel, are producing alongside Witherspoon through her Hello Sunshine banner.
Also Read: Reese Witherspoon in Talks to Return for 'Legally Blonde 3'
“Legally Blonde” grossed $141 million worldwide, while its follow-up secured $124 million at the global box office.
- 6/7/2018
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
It’s official — Elle Woods is headed back to the big screen! (What, like it’s hard?)
Earlier this week, reports that Reese Witherspoon was reprising her iconic Legally Blonde character for a third installment of the beloved film franchise had the internet buzzing.
And on Thursday, the 42-year-old actress confirmed the Legally Blonde 3 news by slipping back into the pink sequin bikini Elle wore for her Harvard Law application in the original 2001 film.
“It’s true,” she wrote on social media, captioning a video of herself in the two piece as she drifted on a blue pool float.
It’s true.
Earlier this week, reports that Reese Witherspoon was reprising her iconic Legally Blonde character for a third installment of the beloved film franchise had the internet buzzing.
And on Thursday, the 42-year-old actress confirmed the Legally Blonde 3 news by slipping back into the pink sequin bikini Elle wore for her Harvard Law application in the original 2001 film.
“It’s true,” she wrote on social media, captioning a video of herself in the two piece as she drifted on a blue pool float.
It’s true.
- 6/7/2018
- by Dave Quinn
- PEOPLE.com
The star will return as chirpy lawyer Elle Woods and also produce, with original writers Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith returning
A third Legally Blonde film is on the way, with reports suggesting Reese Witherspoon is to reprise her role as idealistic lawyer Elle Woods – 15 years after her last outing as the character.
According to Deadline, Legally Blonde 3 is being backed by MGM, who are looking to bring back much of the talent that made the first film, released in 2001, a surprise commercial success. Writers Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith are back on board. Witherspoon – who in the interim has become a powerful behind-the-scenes figure with executive credits on Gone Girl, Wild and TV’s Big Little Lies – will produce, along with Marc Platt.
A third Legally Blonde film is on the way, with reports suggesting Reese Witherspoon is to reprise her role as idealistic lawyer Elle Woods – 15 years after her last outing as the character.
According to Deadline, Legally Blonde 3 is being backed by MGM, who are looking to bring back much of the talent that made the first film, released in 2001, a surprise commercial success. Writers Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith are back on board. Witherspoon – who in the interim has become a powerful behind-the-scenes figure with executive credits on Gone Girl, Wild and TV’s Big Little Lies – will produce, along with Marc Platt.
- 6/5/2018
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
Get your scented papers ready!
Reese Witherspoon is reportedly nearing a deal to reprise her role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde — and this time she’s also producing through her Hello Sunshine company. The third installment would also reunite Witherspoon with the writers of the first movie, Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah, according to Variety.
Elle Woods was last seen onscreen in 2003’s Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde after making her first appearance in the iconic 2001 original, Legally Blonde. Witherspoon’s Woods started out as a desolate sorority girl who decides to follow her ex boyfriend to Harvard Law...
Reese Witherspoon is reportedly nearing a deal to reprise her role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde — and this time she’s also producing through her Hello Sunshine company. The third installment would also reunite Witherspoon with the writers of the first movie, Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah, according to Variety.
Elle Woods was last seen onscreen in 2003’s Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde after making her first appearance in the iconic 2001 original, Legally Blonde. Witherspoon’s Woods started out as a desolate sorority girl who decides to follow her ex boyfriend to Harvard Law...
- 6/4/2018
- by Ale Russian
- PEOPLE.com
Elle Woods is back.
Reese Witherspoon is in talks to reprise her role as the precocious lawyer for a third Legally Blonde movie from MGM, which she would also produce through her Hello Sunshine banner.
The star on Thursday confirmed the news on social media, posting a video callback to the original film along with the message: "It’s true... #LegallyBlonde3." The same day, it was announced that the film is set to hit theaters on Valentine's Day 2020.
It’s true... #LegallyBlonde3 pic.twitter.com/i9zBrUpRCp
— Reese Witherspoon (@RWitherspoon) June 7, 2018
Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah, who penned ...
Reese Witherspoon is in talks to reprise her role as the precocious lawyer for a third Legally Blonde movie from MGM, which she would also produce through her Hello Sunshine banner.
The star on Thursday confirmed the news on social media, posting a video callback to the original film along with the message: "It’s true... #LegallyBlonde3." The same day, it was announced that the film is set to hit theaters on Valentine's Day 2020.
It’s true... #LegallyBlonde3 pic.twitter.com/i9zBrUpRCp
— Reese Witherspoon (@RWitherspoon) June 7, 2018
Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah, who penned ...
Elle Woods is back.
Reese Witherspoon is in talks to reprise her role as the precocious lawyer for a third Legally Blonde movie from MGM, which she would also produce through her Hello Sunshine banner.
Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah, who penned the 2001 original, are also in talks to return, along with producer Marc Platt. Platt Productions' president Adam Siegel would also produce.
Legally Blonde, which follows a hot pink-clad law student shaking up the stuffy world of Harvard law school, hit theaters in 2001, becoming a surprise box office success, spurring a 2003 sequel, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White &...
Reese Witherspoon is in talks to reprise her role as the precocious lawyer for a third Legally Blonde movie from MGM, which she would also produce through her Hello Sunshine banner.
Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah, who penned the 2001 original, are also in talks to return, along with producer Marc Platt. Platt Productions' president Adam Siegel would also produce.
Legally Blonde, which follows a hot pink-clad law student shaking up the stuffy world of Harvard law school, hit theaters in 2001, becoming a surprise box office success, spurring a 2003 sequel, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White &...
The Black List announced the six finalists for its 2017 Feature Writers Lab, chosen from 900 entrants who have not yet made $100,000 as writers. The six — an equal mix of three men and three women — will participate in a week-long, residential workshop this month in Los Angeles. Each writer will workshop one screenplay through a peer workshop and one-on-one sessions with working professional screenwriting mentors who this year include Scott Myers, Phil Hay (“Ride Along”), Jamie Linden (“Money Monster”), Phyllis Nagy (“Carol”), Allison Schroeder (“Hidden Figures”) and Kiwi Smith (“Legally Blonde”). Also Read: The Black List Hopes to Release...
- 10/4/2017
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
Read More: 7 Best Screenwriting Apps to Make Life Easier
New York Women in Film & Television (Nywift) and Iris , a collective of women filmmakers, have officially announced the 10 selected screenwriters who will participate in this year’s The Writers Lab. Now in its second year, The Writers Lab is a program where emerging female screenwriters team up with industry mentors to help develop their screenplays. The lab is open to women over the age of 40 and is funded by Meryl Streep. This year’s participants include:
Carol Carpenter, “The Guadalupe”
Melody Cooper, “The Sound of Darkness”
Meredith DePaolo, “Devil’s Eye””
Nancy Duff, “Dead Drop”
Kate Erickson, “Roll With It”
Tina Field Howe, “Drone War”
Christina Hulen, “A Gentleman of Good Hope”
Christine Toy Johnson, “Jumping the Third Rail”
Nanci Katz-Ellis, “Blink”
Leslie Longworth, “One Bad Astronaut”
Barbara Nunberg, “Willful Blindness”
Stephanie Stanley, “The Radical”
The mentors who will be included...
New York Women in Film & Television (Nywift) and Iris , a collective of women filmmakers, have officially announced the 10 selected screenwriters who will participate in this year’s The Writers Lab. Now in its second year, The Writers Lab is a program where emerging female screenwriters team up with industry mentors to help develop their screenplays. The lab is open to women over the age of 40 and is funded by Meryl Streep. This year’s participants include:
Carol Carpenter, “The Guadalupe”
Melody Cooper, “The Sound of Darkness”
Meredith DePaolo, “Devil’s Eye””
Nancy Duff, “Dead Drop”
Kate Erickson, “Roll With It”
Tina Field Howe, “Drone War”
Christina Hulen, “A Gentleman of Good Hope”
Christine Toy Johnson, “Jumping the Third Rail”
Nanci Katz-Ellis, “Blink”
Leslie Longworth, “One Bad Astronaut”
Barbara Nunberg, “Willful Blindness”
Stephanie Stanley, “The Radical”
The mentors who will be included...
- 8/4/2016
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
The first ever Writers Lab, a program targeting female screenwriters over 40, took place at Wiawaka on Lake George, New York from September 18-20, 2015.
The group of mentors included Caroline Kaplan ("Boyhood," "Time Out of Mind," "Personal Velocity"), Kirsten Smith ("Legally Blonde," "Ten Things I Hate About You"), Jessica Bendinger ("Bring It On," "Aquamarine"), Mary Jane Skalski ("Win Win," "The Station Agent"),Gina Prince-Bythewood ("Secret Life of Bees," "Beyond the Lights"),Lydia Dean-Pilcher ("The Lunchbox," The Reluctant Fundamentalist"), Meg LeFauve ("Inside Out," "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys"), and Darnell Martin (“Cadillac Records” and “I Like It Like That”).
Launched by New York Women in Film and Television (Nywift) and Iris, a collective of women filmmakers dedicated to championing the female voice in narrative film, was funded in part by Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep, and with the collaboration of the Writers Guild of America East.
Motivated by its screenwriting members who were frustrated with the paucity of development opportunities, Iris founders Elizabeth Kaiden, Kyle Ann Stoke, and Nitza Wilson approached Nywift to support a screenwriting Lab exclusively for this demographic and The Writers Lab came into being.
I spoke with Iris cofounder Elizabeth Kaiden to follow up about the first Writers Lab.
Kouguell: How many screenplays were submitted for consideration?
Kaiden: There were approximately 3,500 screenplays submitted. The selected participants were Sarah Bird ("Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen), Vanessa Carmichael ("The American"). Tracy Charlton ("Raised Up"), Kellen Hertz ("Ashburn"), Anna Hozian ("Anchor Baby"), Lyralen Kaye ("St John the Divine in Iowa"), Jan Kimbrough ("The Glastonbury Cow Party"), Billie Jo Mason ("The Cargo"), Peres Owino ("Basketweaver"), Gretchen Somerfeld ("Face Value"), Janet Stilson ("Jaguar Trail"), and Kim Turner ("It Goes Like This").
Kouguell: What were some highlights from the three-day Lab?
Kaiden: Highlights included the chemistry, warmth and enthusiasm of the group, the bucolic setting in which serious and thoughtful individual meetings between writers and mentors took place, the outstanding, locally sourced, group meals presented by Wiawaka chef Meg, and evening conversations around a bonfire. Oh, and the weather was fabulous.
Kouguell: What is the next step for these writers selected for the Lab?
Kaiden: Writers are all revising their work and communicating with each other. They will use the feedback, resources, references, and friendships they took away from the Lab to further develop their scripts and their opportunities.
Kouguell: In addition to the one-on-one meetings, what other events took place?
Kaiden: There were three panel discussions in which the mentors addressed specific craft issues and general industry insight, informal conversations, group meals, as well as small, directed group conversations led by Nywift Board President Alexis Alexanian to address the challenges writers face in navigating the film world.
Kouguell: What do you feel were some of the most positive outcomes from the weekend in Lake George?
Kaiden: The most exciting outcome of this venture, for me, is uncovering and bringing to public attention the field of women screenwriters, particularly its enormous breadth and depth. The most positive outcomes of the weekend Lab, for me, include the sense of empowerment I believe the Lab gave the writers to continue their work and develop their projects, and the supportive community of writers we all discovered, which can only further our goals of ensuring that more of their stories will reach audiences.
Kouguell: Will the Writers Lab take place again next year?
Kaiden: Yes.
Kouguell: Anything else you’d like to add?
Kaiden: We were excited and delighted by the energy and enthusiasm at the Lab. It felt like an important event. It Was an important event. We discussed and debated issues of theme, tone, craft, structure, character, as well as production, representation, and target markets. The mentors were unbelievably focused, supportive and encouraging. Serious work was done. The writers left feeling, I think, that their voices had been heard, and that they should all continue to tell their stories. I think you will be hearing more from these writers and about these projects. And, although that would have been enough, everyone had a blast.
Award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker, Susan Kouguell teaches screenwriting at Purchase College Suny, and presents international seminars on screenwriting and film. Author of Savvy Characters Sell Screenplays! and The Savvy Screenwriter, she is chairperson of Su-City Pictures East, LLC, a consulting company founded in 1990 where she works with writers, filmmakers, and executives worldwide. www.su-city-pictures.com, http://su-city-pictures.com/wpblog...
The group of mentors included Caroline Kaplan ("Boyhood," "Time Out of Mind," "Personal Velocity"), Kirsten Smith ("Legally Blonde," "Ten Things I Hate About You"), Jessica Bendinger ("Bring It On," "Aquamarine"), Mary Jane Skalski ("Win Win," "The Station Agent"),Gina Prince-Bythewood ("Secret Life of Bees," "Beyond the Lights"),Lydia Dean-Pilcher ("The Lunchbox," The Reluctant Fundamentalist"), Meg LeFauve ("Inside Out," "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys"), and Darnell Martin (“Cadillac Records” and “I Like It Like That”).
Launched by New York Women in Film and Television (Nywift) and Iris, a collective of women filmmakers dedicated to championing the female voice in narrative film, was funded in part by Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep, and with the collaboration of the Writers Guild of America East.
Motivated by its screenwriting members who were frustrated with the paucity of development opportunities, Iris founders Elizabeth Kaiden, Kyle Ann Stoke, and Nitza Wilson approached Nywift to support a screenwriting Lab exclusively for this demographic and The Writers Lab came into being.
I spoke with Iris cofounder Elizabeth Kaiden to follow up about the first Writers Lab.
Kouguell: How many screenplays were submitted for consideration?
Kaiden: There were approximately 3,500 screenplays submitted. The selected participants were Sarah Bird ("Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen), Vanessa Carmichael ("The American"). Tracy Charlton ("Raised Up"), Kellen Hertz ("Ashburn"), Anna Hozian ("Anchor Baby"), Lyralen Kaye ("St John the Divine in Iowa"), Jan Kimbrough ("The Glastonbury Cow Party"), Billie Jo Mason ("The Cargo"), Peres Owino ("Basketweaver"), Gretchen Somerfeld ("Face Value"), Janet Stilson ("Jaguar Trail"), and Kim Turner ("It Goes Like This").
Kouguell: What were some highlights from the three-day Lab?
Kaiden: Highlights included the chemistry, warmth and enthusiasm of the group, the bucolic setting in which serious and thoughtful individual meetings between writers and mentors took place, the outstanding, locally sourced, group meals presented by Wiawaka chef Meg, and evening conversations around a bonfire. Oh, and the weather was fabulous.
Kouguell: What is the next step for these writers selected for the Lab?
Kaiden: Writers are all revising their work and communicating with each other. They will use the feedback, resources, references, and friendships they took away from the Lab to further develop their scripts and their opportunities.
Kouguell: In addition to the one-on-one meetings, what other events took place?
Kaiden: There were three panel discussions in which the mentors addressed specific craft issues and general industry insight, informal conversations, group meals, as well as small, directed group conversations led by Nywift Board President Alexis Alexanian to address the challenges writers face in navigating the film world.
Kouguell: What do you feel were some of the most positive outcomes from the weekend in Lake George?
Kaiden: The most exciting outcome of this venture, for me, is uncovering and bringing to public attention the field of women screenwriters, particularly its enormous breadth and depth. The most positive outcomes of the weekend Lab, for me, include the sense of empowerment I believe the Lab gave the writers to continue their work and develop their projects, and the supportive community of writers we all discovered, which can only further our goals of ensuring that more of their stories will reach audiences.
Kouguell: Will the Writers Lab take place again next year?
Kaiden: Yes.
Kouguell: Anything else you’d like to add?
Kaiden: We were excited and delighted by the energy and enthusiasm at the Lab. It felt like an important event. It Was an important event. We discussed and debated issues of theme, tone, craft, structure, character, as well as production, representation, and target markets. The mentors were unbelievably focused, supportive and encouraging. Serious work was done. The writers left feeling, I think, that their voices had been heard, and that they should all continue to tell their stories. I think you will be hearing more from these writers and about these projects. And, although that would have been enough, everyone had a blast.
Award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker, Susan Kouguell teaches screenwriting at Purchase College Suny, and presents international seminars on screenwriting and film. Author of Savvy Characters Sell Screenplays! and The Savvy Screenwriter, she is chairperson of Su-City Pictures East, LLC, a consulting company founded in 1990 where she works with writers, filmmakers, and executives worldwide. www.su-city-pictures.com, http://su-city-pictures.com/wpblog...
- 10/26/2015
- by Susan Kouguell
- Sydney's Buzz
Read More: Athena Film Festival Creates Ziskin Award, Will Sneak 'Ann Richards' Texas' The 2016 Athena Film Festival has announced a partnership with The Black List to present the inaugural Athena Film Festival Black List Mini-Lab. The screenwriters lab, which is offered as part of the 2016 Athena Film Festival, is open to female writers with scripts that focus on women's leadership. The Black List is a screenplay database used to connect screenwriters with filmmakers and producers. The Mini-Lab will consist of a peer workshop and one-on-one sessions with professional screenwriters. Previous Black List Mini-Lab mentors include Beau Wilimon, Leslye Headland and Kiwi Smith. Four screenwriters will be chosen to attend the two-day lab. The Athena Film Festival, which is now in its 6th year, will be held February 18-21 at Barnard College in New York City. Submissions are now open. The deadline for submissions is November 21. For more information, visit the official.
- 10/1/2015
- by Aubrey Page
- Indiewire
From The Craft and The Birds to The Fugitive and She's All That, the many film reboots and remakes currently in the works...
Over the years that Den Of Geek has been going, we've regularly been charting the assortment of reboots and remakes that are making their way through the Hollywood system. This, then, is the current state of play. We've removed a bunch of projects that seem utterly dead - the once mooted remakes of Videodrome and Timecrimes, for instance - but we'll keep this list up to date as and when we hear of more.
Without further ado, here's what's coming up...
Akira
One of Hollywood's most on and off projects, the current state of the live action Akira remake is that it's back in the works. Marco J Ramirez, the showrunner for season 2 of Netflix's Daredevil show, has been hired to pen a screenplay. Warner Bros is still backing the film,...
Over the years that Den Of Geek has been going, we've regularly been charting the assortment of reboots and remakes that are making their way through the Hollywood system. This, then, is the current state of play. We've removed a bunch of projects that seem utterly dead - the once mooted remakes of Videodrome and Timecrimes, for instance - but we'll keep this list up to date as and when we hear of more.
Without further ado, here's what's coming up...
Akira
One of Hollywood's most on and off projects, the current state of the live action Akira remake is that it's back in the works. Marco J Ramirez, the showrunner for season 2 of Netflix's Daredevil show, has been hired to pen a screenplay. Warner Bros is still backing the film,...
- 8/19/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Presented by New York Women in Film and Television (Nywift) and Iris, The Writers Lab is funded with the generous support of Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep. The one-of-a-kind lab will bring 12 women screenwriters over the age of 40 together with established mentors from the film industry for an intimate gathering and intensive workshop at Wiawaka Center for Women on Lake George, NY from September 18-20, 2015. The Lab is also presented in collaboration with the Writers Guild of America, East.
Being the only program of its kind, The Writers Lab evolved in recognition of the absence of the female voice in narrative film, along with the lack of support for script development. The lab will offer these 12 promising features by women over 40 a springboard to production.
The prestigious group of mentors includes Caroline Kaplan ("Boyhood," "Time Out of Mind," "Personal Velocity"), Kirsten Smith ("Legally Blonde," "Ten Things I Hate About You"), Jessica Bendinger ("Bring It On," "Aquamarine"), Mary Jane Skalski ("Win Win," "The Station Agent"), Gina Prince-Bythewood ("Secret Life of Bees," "Beyond the Lights"), Lydia Dean-Pilcher ( "The Lunchbox,"The Reluctant Fundamentalist"), Meg LeFauve ("Inside Out," "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys"). During one-on-one meetings they will provide the participants with insightful feedback and will take part in additional events to inspire the artists to hone their creative vision.
The Writers Lab, which was first announced at this year’s Tribeca film festival, received over 3,500 submissions, which encouraged the organizer to support not eight, as they originally had planned, but 12 women in film.
The selected participants are Sarah Bird ("Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen), Vanessa Carmichael ("The American"). Tracy Charlton ("Raised Up"), Kellen Hertz ("Ashburn"), Anna Hozian ("Anchor Baby"), Lyralen Kaye ("St John the Divine in Iowa"), Jan Kimbrough ("The Glastonbury Cow Party"), Billie Mason ("The Cargo"), Peres Owino ("Basketweaver"), Gretchen Somerfeld ("Face Value"), Janet Stilson ("Jaguar Trail"), and Kim Turner ("It Goes Like This").
You can find out more about this initiative and others from Nywift Here...
Being the only program of its kind, The Writers Lab evolved in recognition of the absence of the female voice in narrative film, along with the lack of support for script development. The lab will offer these 12 promising features by women over 40 a springboard to production.
The prestigious group of mentors includes Caroline Kaplan ("Boyhood," "Time Out of Mind," "Personal Velocity"), Kirsten Smith ("Legally Blonde," "Ten Things I Hate About You"), Jessica Bendinger ("Bring It On," "Aquamarine"), Mary Jane Skalski ("Win Win," "The Station Agent"), Gina Prince-Bythewood ("Secret Life of Bees," "Beyond the Lights"), Lydia Dean-Pilcher ( "The Lunchbox,"The Reluctant Fundamentalist"), Meg LeFauve ("Inside Out," "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys"). During one-on-one meetings they will provide the participants with insightful feedback and will take part in additional events to inspire the artists to hone their creative vision.
The Writers Lab, which was first announced at this year’s Tribeca film festival, received over 3,500 submissions, which encouraged the organizer to support not eight, as they originally had planned, but 12 women in film.
The selected participants are Sarah Bird ("Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen), Vanessa Carmichael ("The American"). Tracy Charlton ("Raised Up"), Kellen Hertz ("Ashburn"), Anna Hozian ("Anchor Baby"), Lyralen Kaye ("St John the Divine in Iowa"), Jan Kimbrough ("The Glastonbury Cow Party"), Billie Mason ("The Cargo"), Peres Owino ("Basketweaver"), Gretchen Somerfeld ("Face Value"), Janet Stilson ("Jaguar Trail"), and Kim Turner ("It Goes Like This").
You can find out more about this initiative and others from Nywift Here...
- 8/14/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Read More: 7 Best Screenwriting Apps to Make Life Easier The Black List has just revealed plans to host four Screenwriters Mini-Labs, scheduled to take place this fall in Toronto, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Each Mini-Lab will bring together four writers for a weekend-long intensive where writers will receive feedback from their peers, as well as professional mentors. Previous mentors include Kiwi Smith, Billy Ray, Max Borenstein, Jessica Bendinger, Beau Willimon, Leslye Headland, Brian Koppelman, Michael Mitnick, Jesse Wigutow and Scott Myers. The lab format of professional development is not a new venture for The Black List -- the company previously hosted two week-long labs in Las Vegas, Nv and one Mini-Lab in New York, NY. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and deadlines for the Mini-Labs click here. Make sure to read the fine print. Bear in mind that travel and accommodations are only provided for participants of the Los Angeles.
- 7/20/2015
- by Shipra Harbola Gupta
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Paradigm has signed Karen McCullah, best known for co-writing with partner Kirsten Smith 10 Things I Hate About You, Legally Blonde, She's the Man, Ella Enchanted, The Ugly Truth and The House Bunny. She also wrote and produced the dramedy Crazy Kind of Love. They have been working on ExpendaBelles, the femme-centric spinoff of The Expendables, as well as a remake of Sister Act at Disney. She did production rewrite work on The Civilian with Jackie Chan attached…...
- 6/17/2015
- Deadline
A noble group of people, known only as Pocket Gems, are breathing life back into Mean Girls and turning it into a fetch mobile video game, The Hollywood Reporter writes. It will be a free-to-play game that features a choose-your-own-adventure gaming style. (So, kind of like Elder Scrolls, just with clothes, popularity, and Plastics instead of swords, dominion, and Orcs.) Legally Blonde screenwriter Kirsten Smith, along with Marcy Kelly, will reportedly write a story that takes place after the events in the film, a.k.a. after all the Lindsay Lohan–Rachel McAdams drama. As players, you'll get to enroll in the fictional high school as seniors and interact with all the classic movie characters as you see fit. "Even though it's been a while since the movie came out, it's been a favorite for people at the company," Pocket Gems' Jameel Khalfan told THR. "You as a user make...
- 6/11/2015
- by Sean Fitz-Gerald
- Vulture
Following the success of American Sniper, Clint Eastwood has found his next project, which will once again be a biopic. Eastwood has signed on to direct a movie focusing on airline pilot Captain Chelsey “Sully” Sullenberger. Captain Sullenberger rose to prominence in 2009, when he managed to land a plane on the Hudson River following an engine accident, with no casualties as a result of his actions. The screenplay for the film will come from Perfect Stranger scribe Todd Komarnicki, who will adapt the book Highest Duty: My Search For What Really Matters, which was co-authored by Sullenberger himself.
In their announcement of the film, Warner Bros. had this to add.
it will go beyond Sullenberger’s almost impossible and much-heralded achievement of safely landing a jumbo jet on the water, which was captured on video and viewed around the world. But behind the scenes, a drama was unfolding that could...
In their announcement of the film, Warner Bros. had this to add.
it will go beyond Sullenberger’s almost impossible and much-heralded achievement of safely landing a jumbo jet on the water, which was captured on video and viewed around the world. But behind the scenes, a drama was unfolding that could...
- 6/4/2015
- by Deepayan Sengupta
- SoundOnSight
It's unclear if Whoopi Goldberg is returning, but Disney is set to reboot the Sister Act movies.
We're sure we're supposed to do a joke about remakes becoming a habit or something here. However, the truth is that remake stories seem to be coming two a week now, and sometimes we just stare at the screen and shrug a little instead.
Case in point: 1992's Sister Act is being remade.
The original film is entertaining enough, primarily for being a strong role for Whoopi Goldberg. Furthermore, Dame Maggie Smith and Kathy Najimy (who isn't a dame, but should be) are also in the cast. Those three can lift any film they touch. Less so the sequel, which followed in 1993, but even then, Sister Act was harmless enough.
Since the first movie hit big, a Broadway musical eventually followed, but there was never any sense that a Sister Act 3 was being planned.
We're sure we're supposed to do a joke about remakes becoming a habit or something here. However, the truth is that remake stories seem to be coming two a week now, and sometimes we just stare at the screen and shrug a little instead.
Case in point: 1992's Sister Act is being remade.
The original film is entertaining enough, primarily for being a strong role for Whoopi Goldberg. Furthermore, Dame Maggie Smith and Kathy Najimy (who isn't a dame, but should be) are also in the cast. Those three can lift any film they touch. Less so the sequel, which followed in 1993, but even then, Sister Act was harmless enough.
Since the first movie hit big, a Broadway musical eventually followed, but there was never any sense that a Sister Act 3 was being planned.
- 6/4/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
A few years ago remaking movies from the '80s was all of the rage. And while that trend is certainly going to continue for the foreseeable future (the '80s had a lot of great movies, after all), we're already starting to edge into '90s nostalgia territory. Surprisingly one of the movies leading that decade's remake charge is none other than the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg classic Sister Act. Yes, the movie where Whoopi Goldberg pretends to be a nun so that she can hide from the mob is getting a remake. Disney is producing the new version, which will be written by the duo of Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah (Legally Blonde) and produced by Allison Shearmur (Cinderella). Plot details aren't known at this point, nor is the level of Whoopi Goldberg's...
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- 6/4/2015
- by Peter Hall
- Movies.com
Praise the Lord! Disney is remaking classic Whoopi Goldberg comedy Sister Act.
Writers Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith (Legally Blonde, 10 Things I Hate About You) are on board to pen the script for the upcoming reboot, The Wrap reports.
Alli Shearmur, who previously worked on Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella, will produce the film.
Sister Act grossed $230 million worldwide when it premiered in 1992.
It was followed by 1993 sequel Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.
The original starred Goldberg, Maggie Smith and Harvey Keitel - watch a trailer for it below:...
Writers Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith (Legally Blonde, 10 Things I Hate About You) are on board to pen the script for the upcoming reboot, The Wrap reports.
Alli Shearmur, who previously worked on Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella, will produce the film.
Sister Act grossed $230 million worldwide when it premiered in 1992.
It was followed by 1993 sequel Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.
The original starred Goldberg, Maggie Smith and Harvey Keitel - watch a trailer for it below:...
- 6/3/2015
- Digital Spy
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