Mother’s Day weekend 2019 marked a turning point in the young life of Madhuri Shekar.
It all started two years before with a phone call from a woman named Kate Navin, then head of theater for Audible. Navin said she’d recently been armed with money to develop original works from emerging play- wrights, and she was calling to offer Shekar, just a year out of Juilliard, the chance to write. The only catch: Shekar’s play would have to be crafted as an audio-only production.
Shekar’s answer to this challenge was “Evil Eye,” a 100-minute potboiler that revolves around daily telephone conversations between a mother in India and a daughter in Los Angeles. The finished play was released on Audible in May 2019. For Shekar, the impact on her career was immediate. Within weeks, she was negotiating a deal with Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Blumhouse for the movie version...
It all started two years before with a phone call from a woman named Kate Navin, then head of theater for Audible. Navin said she’d recently been armed with money to develop original works from emerging play- wrights, and she was calling to offer Shekar, just a year out of Juilliard, the chance to write. The only catch: Shekar’s play would have to be crafted as an audio-only production.
Shekar’s answer to this challenge was “Evil Eye,” a 100-minute potboiler that revolves around daily telephone conversations between a mother in India and a daughter in Los Angeles. The finished play was released on Audible in May 2019. For Shekar, the impact on her career was immediate. Within weeks, she was negotiating a deal with Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Blumhouse for the movie version...
- 3/27/2024
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Embrace the spine-tingling allure of horror this Valentine’s Day as Haunted House FearFest Film Festival (Hhff) unveils two weeks of chilling romance with an all-new virtual film screening, “Valentine’s Nightmares: Date, Mate, Dine in Fear.” Launched in 2018, Hhff is a global independent horror film and video game festival showcasing the work of innovative independent filmmakers and game developers from around the world – with a special focus on promoting the talents of women and underrepresented groups in the horror genre.
Building on the success of its in-person edition in October 2023, Haunted House FearFest Film Festival is now accepting film and game submissions through their website and audiences can vote for their favorite projects.
October 2023’s edition of Hhff left audiences spellbound with the Manhattan Premiere of eVil Sublet, starring TV icon Sally Struthers in her first horror feature, as well as Jennifer Leigh Houston and Charley Tucker. Also at...
Building on the success of its in-person edition in October 2023, Haunted House FearFest Film Festival is now accepting film and game submissions through their website and audiences can vote for their favorite projects.
October 2023’s edition of Hhff left audiences spellbound with the Manhattan Premiere of eVil Sublet, starring TV icon Sally Struthers in her first horror feature, as well as Jennifer Leigh Houston and Charley Tucker. Also at...
- 1/16/2024
- by Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins
- Horror Asylum
Lenny von Dohlen, who played Harold Smith on Twin Peaks and its 1992 spinoff pic Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me and starred in the 1984 rom-com Electric Dreams during a four-decade screen career, has died. He was 63.
His manager Steven Wolfe said von Dohlen died July 5 at his Los Angeles home after a long illness.
Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery
Born on December 22, 1958 in Augusta, Ga, and raised in Goliad, Texas, Von Dohlen made his screen debut in the 1981 telefilm Kent State and had a small role in the Robert Duvall country music pic Tender Mercies before getting his big break in Electric Dreams. He starred as Miles Harding, an architect whose new PC becomes self-aware and develops a love triangle his Miles’ neighbor (Virginia Madsen). The romantic comedy was the debut feature of prolific music video helmer Steve Barron, who went on to direct for TV, earning an Emmy nom for Merlin.
His manager Steven Wolfe said von Dohlen died July 5 at his Los Angeles home after a long illness.
Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery
Born on December 22, 1958 in Augusta, Ga, and raised in Goliad, Texas, Von Dohlen made his screen debut in the 1981 telefilm Kent State and had a small role in the Robert Duvall country music pic Tender Mercies before getting his big break in Electric Dreams. He starred as Miles Harding, an architect whose new PC becomes self-aware and develops a love triangle his Miles’ neighbor (Virginia Madsen). The romantic comedy was the debut feature of prolific music video helmer Steve Barron, who went on to direct for TV, earning an Emmy nom for Merlin.
- 7/8/2022
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
All 22,000 plus voting members of the TV academy have until July 13 to cast their 2020 Emmy Awards nominations ballots for programs (save for animated documentary/nonfiction which are restricted to their peer groups). Unlike the Oscars, voters for the Emmys do not rank their choices and nominees are determined by a simple tally. In the past, voters were limited in the number of programs that they could put forth. Three years ago that cap (which was usually 10 per category) was lifted.
While there has been an explosion in the number of comedy and drama series recently, the limited series genre had been almost static. There were 25 entries in 2015, 26 in 2016 and 25 again in 2017. But there has been an uptick as of late, with 33 such shows submitted in 2018, 35 last year and 41 for this awards cycle. Even so, with five nominees for Best Limited Series, the odds for each of the entries detailed below is pretty good.
While there has been an explosion in the number of comedy and drama series recently, the limited series genre had been almost static. There were 25 entries in 2015, 26 in 2016 and 25 again in 2017. But there has been an uptick as of late, with 33 such shows submitted in 2018, 35 last year and 41 for this awards cycle. Even so, with five nominees for Best Limited Series, the odds for each of the entries detailed below is pretty good.
- 7/9/2020
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Jada Pinkett Smith is getting real about her relationship with Will Smith. The 48-year-old actress discussed what she's learned about her 51-year-old husband amid social distancing on Wednesday's episode of Red Table Talk. The subject came up after Jada asked guests Pastor John Gray and his wife Aventer Gray what they've learned about each other during this time. "I have to be honest: I think one of the things that I realize is that I don't know Will at all," the Girls Trip star said. "Let me tell you: I feel like there's a layer that you get to, right? Life gets busy, and you create these stories in your head. And then you hold onto these stories and that...
- 4/29/2020
- E! Online
Do you know how to identify and achieve the set goals in the shortest possible time? What do you need to work more efficiently? Our life is too short to waste it on things that don’t make us happy. It’s essential to expand your knowledge and make efforts for self-development. Books are necessary helpers here. We have selected the best intellectual books for college students that will help you take a welcome step forward.
“The Productivity Project: Proven Ways to Become More Awesome” by Chris Bailey
Chris Bailey took a fascinating project to find effective ways of personal productivity. Within a year, he researched and tested a lot of techniques: for example, he worked 90 hours a week, meditated 30 minutes every day, used a smartphone only an hour a day, and tried to live in complete isolation. The author selected 25 best ways to increase productivity that helped him. If you use them,...
“The Productivity Project: Proven Ways to Become More Awesome” by Chris Bailey
Chris Bailey took a fascinating project to find effective ways of personal productivity. Within a year, he researched and tested a lot of techniques: for example, he worked 90 hours a week, meditated 30 minutes every day, used a smartphone only an hour a day, and tried to live in complete isolation. The author selected 25 best ways to increase productivity that helped him. If you use them,...
- 4/27/2020
- by James Smith
- Nerdly
Discovery Channel is removing a five-second scene from Sunday’s episode of “River of No Return” in which a cast member hits a horse with a hammer after PETA issued a letter to Idaho’s Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office requesting a criminal investigation into the incident Thursday.
“That scene will never air again on Discovery,” a spokesperson for Discovery said in an exclusive statement to TheWrap Thursday, regarding any future reruns of the episode on television, online or on the Discovery Go app.
In the scene, which aired on Oct. 27, Ron Ens, a cast member on the show, is seen striking a tethered horse with a metal hammer typically used for horse-shoeing. PETA has also requested that Discovery remove the episode and cut ties with Ens. You can watch PETA’s clip of the scene here.
Also Read: Bears and Humans Will Finally Battle for Supremacy in Discovery's New Competition Series 'Man vs.
“That scene will never air again on Discovery,” a spokesperson for Discovery said in an exclusive statement to TheWrap Thursday, regarding any future reruns of the episode on television, online or on the Discovery Go app.
In the scene, which aired on Oct. 27, Ron Ens, a cast member on the show, is seen striking a tethered horse with a metal hammer typically used for horse-shoeing. PETA has also requested that Discovery remove the episode and cut ties with Ens. You can watch PETA’s clip of the scene here.
Also Read: Bears and Humans Will Finally Battle for Supremacy in Discovery's New Competition Series 'Man vs.
- 10/31/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
It’s Memorial Day weekend, and chances are you’re going to observe the three-day time-out in all of the traditional ways: Honoring those who have died while serving our country, barbecuing, cracking open cold ones with the boys and of course, watching TV.
When the barbecue has been devoured and the block parties have wound down, settle into your couch with ease — we’ve got you covered on what to watch this weekend, from the season finale of “Killing Eve” to HBO’s “Game of Thrones: The Last Watch” to a new episode of “The Bachelorette.”
“What/If” Renée Zellweger stars in Netflix’s latest series, which dropped on the streaming service Friday. Described as a “neo-noir social thriller,” the anthology series “explores the ripple effects of what happens when acceptable people start doing unacceptable things. The season focuses on a mysterious woman’s lucrative but dubious offer to...
When the barbecue has been devoured and the block parties have wound down, settle into your couch with ease — we’ve got you covered on what to watch this weekend, from the season finale of “Killing Eve” to HBO’s “Game of Thrones: The Last Watch” to a new episode of “The Bachelorette.”
“What/If” Renée Zellweger stars in Netflix’s latest series, which dropped on the streaming service Friday. Described as a “neo-noir social thriller,” the anthology series “explores the ripple effects of what happens when acceptable people start doing unacceptable things. The season focuses on a mysterious woman’s lucrative but dubious offer to...
- 5/25/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Television executive producer Lemuel Plummer has created the first streaming-video-on-demand platform dedicated to faith-based African American consumers and is partnering with ICM Partners, Ebony/Jet magazines, Vimeo, Grammy-winning music mogul Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins and prominent Christian leaders, among others, to support and activate the rollout of the service which is anticipated to be in 3Q of this year.
“Delivering compelling content to a passionate fan base is the basis of Black Box Faith’s business model and we are excited to expend our expertise and capital to get behind such a compelling business and programming model,” said Ted Chervin, Co-Managing Director of ICM Partners.
Ebony Magazine and its sister publication Jet Magazine will market the launch of Black Box Faith across its platforms, including online and social media.
“Black Box Faith is the right platform to deliver Christian programming to our Ebony and Jet audiences.
“Delivering compelling content to a passionate fan base is the basis of Black Box Faith’s business model and we are excited to expend our expertise and capital to get behind such a compelling business and programming model,” said Ted Chervin, Co-Managing Director of ICM Partners.
Ebony Magazine and its sister publication Jet Magazine will market the launch of Black Box Faith across its platforms, including online and social media.
“Black Box Faith is the right platform to deliver Christian programming to our Ebony and Jet audiences.
- 5/1/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Discovery has greenlit a new series, “River of No Return” — and by the sound of it, it’s not going to be your average camping trip.
The series follows a small community of people who live in Idaho’s remote Frank Church Wilderness, where the only way in or out is by plane — or, for the brave, by boat across the perilous Salmon River.
Lewis and Clark described the river — the largest un-dammed river in North America — as “foaming and roaring through rocks in every direction, so as to render the passage of anything impossible.” The 2.3 million acres of secluded wilderness beyond, also known as “The Frank,” is home to some of the last stretches of undeveloped frontier — and some very steep canyons.
Also Read: Buzz Aldrin Boards Discovery's 50th Anniversary Celebration of Apollo 11 Moon-Landing (Exclusive)
For the homesteaders who are drawn to life in “The Frank,” they must rely on pilots,...
The series follows a small community of people who live in Idaho’s remote Frank Church Wilderness, where the only way in or out is by plane — or, for the brave, by boat across the perilous Salmon River.
Lewis and Clark described the river — the largest un-dammed river in North America — as “foaming and roaring through rocks in every direction, so as to render the passage of anything impossible.” The 2.3 million acres of secluded wilderness beyond, also known as “The Frank,” is home to some of the last stretches of undeveloped frontier — and some very steep canyons.
Also Read: Buzz Aldrin Boards Discovery's 50th Anniversary Celebration of Apollo 11 Moon-Landing (Exclusive)
For the homesteaders who are drawn to life in “The Frank,” they must rely on pilots,...
- 4/9/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Ciara is taking back her narrative. Overnight, the diva dropped "Level Up," her first single since "Dance Like We're Making Love" was released in 2015—and the first single since she signed to Warner Bros. Records last year. J.R. Rotem produced the track for the singer's forthcoming seventh studio album, and it samples the Jersey Remix of "We Are Young" (used in the "F--k It Up Challenge"). The video, directed and choreographed by Parris Goebel, a.k.a. Parri$, features the ReQuest Dance Crew. The song's title cleverly references Ciara's controversial #LevelUp social media posts. In January, she reposted a video clip from John Gray's "He Who Finds a...
- 7/18/2018
- E! Online
During his career, production designer Roy Forge Smith, who died this week at 87, worked with such directors as Terry Gilliam (Monty Python and the Holy Grail) and Mel Brooks (Robin Hood: Man in Tights). His most frequent collaborator was writer-director John Gray, with whom he worked on seven TV movies, including Martin and Lewis, The Lost Capone, The Day Lincoln Was Shot and The Hunley, and two seasons of the CBS drama series Ghost Whisperer, which Gray created. Here…...
- 2/10/2017
- Deadline TV
Roy Forge Smith, a veteran production designer who worked on the classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail and two seasons of Ghost Whisperer, has died. He was 87. His friend and collaborator John Gray said Smith died February 6 but gave no other details. “Roy was the master of doing things simply,” writer-director Gray said. “It's the biggest and most important thing I learned from him (among many many things); in the midst of complexity, look for the simplicity.” A…...
- 2/10/2017
- Deadline TV
Roy Forge Smith, a veteran production designer who worked on the classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail and two seasons of Ghost Whisperer, has died. He was 87. His friend and collaborator John Gray said Smith died February 6 but gave no other details. “Roy was the master of doing things simply,” writer-director Gray said. “It's the biggest and most important thing I learned from him (among many many things); in the midst of complexity, look for the simplicity.” A…...
- 2/10/2017
- Deadline
Friends and colleagues of Ian Sander are gathering at 10 Am this morning at Valley Beth Shalom for a memorial celebration of the veteran TV producer, who died last Tuesday at the age of 68. Among them is writer-producer John Gray, creator/executive producer of the long-running CBS drama Ghost Whisperer starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, on which Sander served as an executive producer alongside his wife and long-time producing partner Kim Moses, as well as in-house…...
- 5/9/2016
- Deadline TV
Register this: When writer/director John Gray was asked by his old pals at Sander Moses Productions to go to Paris and make a short film about romantic fantasy and international travel (“They had me at Paris,” Gray said), the one thing everyone knew in advance was where they’d be holding the premiere. “French Kiss” will have its debut tonight, replete with red carpet and after-party, at the Marriott Marina Del Rey, the insouciant fantasy having been produced for Marriott Content Studios. Starring Tyler Ritter and French ingénue Margot Luciarte, it marks the corporation’s latest foray into the production of films to be launched on a variety of online platforms including the hotel chain’s website, and for which the company is willing to expend the money necessary to create polished product avec special effects. (A previous effort, “Two Bellmen,” had an estimated budget of $200,000. And about 5 million hits on YouTube.
- 5/19/2015
- by John Anderson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Marriott Digital Studio is gearing up audiences for its upcoming flick. The studio branch of the global hotel chain has released the trailer for its second short film French Kiss, which will premiere on May 19, 2015.
Self-described as a “mystical romance,” French Kiss tells the story of a young, job-obsessed American named Ethan (played by Tyler Ritter). While in Paris for an innovation conference at the Champs Élysées Marriott hotel, Ethan is goaded into following a string of unusual, magical clues strewn across the city by his secret admirer Margaux (French model and actress Margot Luciarte). Ethan finally starts to experience the joys of Paris instead of worrying about work, but whether or not Margaux is real or just a muse remains to be seen.
Announced back in April 2015, French Kiss is part of a larger plan Marriott introduced back in October 2014 to create content which engages millennial travelers while also...
Self-described as a “mystical romance,” French Kiss tells the story of a young, job-obsessed American named Ethan (played by Tyler Ritter). While in Paris for an innovation conference at the Champs Élysées Marriott hotel, Ethan is goaded into following a string of unusual, magical clues strewn across the city by his secret admirer Margaux (French model and actress Margot Luciarte). Ethan finally starts to experience the joys of Paris instead of worrying about work, but whether or not Margaux is real or just a muse remains to be seen.
Announced back in April 2015, French Kiss is part of a larger plan Marriott introduced back in October 2014 to create content which engages millennial travelers while also...
- 4/28/2015
- by Bree Brouwer
- Tubefilter.com
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