Screen Gems has a new leader.
Ashley Brucks has been named president of the Sony film division, best known for its lower-budgeted genre and comedy fare.
The exec, coming in from Paramount where she served as an exec vp at studio label Paramount Players, steps into the shoes worn by Steve Bersch, who stepped down last week and retired after a 16-year stint at Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Bersch oversaw several divisions, including faith-based Affirm Film, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions and Screen Gems. Brucks, who begins her post Nov. 13, will only lead the latter and will report to motion picture group president Josh Greenstein and Sanford Panitch. (Affirm will continue to be run by Rich Peluso and Spwa will still be headed by Joe Matukewicz. Instead of reporting into Bersch, the pair will now report into Greenstein and Panitch.)
Brucks is coming in with plenty of genre experience. The 15-year Paramount...
Ashley Brucks has been named president of the Sony film division, best known for its lower-budgeted genre and comedy fare.
The exec, coming in from Paramount where she served as an exec vp at studio label Paramount Players, steps into the shoes worn by Steve Bersch, who stepped down last week and retired after a 16-year stint at Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Bersch oversaw several divisions, including faith-based Affirm Film, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions and Screen Gems. Brucks, who begins her post Nov. 13, will only lead the latter and will report to motion picture group president Josh Greenstein and Sanford Panitch. (Affirm will continue to be run by Rich Peluso and Spwa will still be headed by Joe Matukewicz. Instead of reporting into Bersch, the pair will now report into Greenstein and Panitch.)
Brucks is coming in with plenty of genre experience. The 15-year Paramount...
- 9/28/2023
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Steve Bersch will step down as the President of Screen Gems, TheWrap has learned. The 16-year Sony executive has opted not to renew his contract when it ends on Dec. 1. The reason for his departure is not known.
Screen Gems will now report to Josh Greenstein and Sanford Panitch jointly, including Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions under new president Joe Matukeqicz and Affirm Films under Rich Peluso. Sony will, in the coming months, share updates on Screen Gems’ leadership transition.
Bersch joined Sony Pictures as president of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions in 2008 and added “President of Screen Gems” to his responsibilities in 2018. He will exit on a high note.
“Insidious: The Red Door” earned $188 million worldwide on an $18 million budget this summer, making the year’s top-grossing horror title thus far. The Patrick Wilson and Lin Shaye-starring supernatural franchise has earned $741 million on a combined $42.5 million budget. That makes it one of the most profitable,...
Screen Gems will now report to Josh Greenstein and Sanford Panitch jointly, including Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions under new president Joe Matukeqicz and Affirm Films under Rich Peluso. Sony will, in the coming months, share updates on Screen Gems’ leadership transition.
Bersch joined Sony Pictures as president of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions in 2008 and added “President of Screen Gems” to his responsibilities in 2018. He will exit on a high note.
“Insidious: The Red Door” earned $188 million worldwide on an $18 million budget this summer, making the year’s top-grossing horror title thus far. The Patrick Wilson and Lin Shaye-starring supernatural franchise has earned $741 million on a combined $42.5 million budget. That makes it one of the most profitable,...
- 9/15/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Exclusive: After nearly 16 years on the Culver City, CA lot, Steve Bersch, President of Screen Gems, is departing Sony when his contract ends on Dec. 1.
We understand it’s a very amicable exit, and that the executive, who is going out on a high note with the highest grossing horror movie of the year, Insidious: The Red Door ($188.5M), is eyeing other pursuits after a long career in the motion picture business. As Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group CEO and Chairman Tom Rothman says in his note to staff below, he tried to convince Bersch to stay.
Deadline also understands that Scott Strauss, EVP of Production for Screen Gems, will also be exiting when Bersch departs.
That box office result for Insidious: Red Door also repped the record for the $730M grossing franchise, one which Bersch has been with since Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group bought North American rights...
We understand it’s a very amicable exit, and that the executive, who is going out on a high note with the highest grossing horror movie of the year, Insidious: The Red Door ($188.5M), is eyeing other pursuits after a long career in the motion picture business. As Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group CEO and Chairman Tom Rothman says in his note to staff below, he tried to convince Bersch to stay.
Deadline also understands that Scott Strauss, EVP of Production for Screen Gems, will also be exiting when Bersch departs.
That box office result for Insidious: Red Door also repped the record for the $730M grossing franchise, one which Bersch has been with since Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group bought North American rights...
- 9/15/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures’ faith-focused label Affirm Films and Monarch Media have launched a trailer for Christmas musical film “Journey to Bethlehem.”
The film marks the feature directorial debut of Adam Anders, who was a music producer on “Glee.” A retelling of the the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus, the film is a live-action Christmas musical weaving classic Christmas melodies with humor, faith and new pop songs.
The cast includes Fiona Palomo (“Outer Banks”) as Mary, Milo Manheim (“Prom Pact”) as Joseph, Antonio Banderas (“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”) as Herod, Stephanie Gil (“Fatima”), Rizwan Manji (“Schitt’s Creek”), Geno Segers (“Perfect Harmony”), Omid Djalili (“Gladiator”), Joel Smallbone and Lecrae.
Anders penned the script along with Peter Barsocchini (“High School Musical”) and wrote the music with Nikki Anders (“Glee”) and Peer Astrom (“Rock of Ages”). The film is produced by Anders, Alan Powell and Steve Barnett through Monarch Media,...
The film marks the feature directorial debut of Adam Anders, who was a music producer on “Glee.” A retelling of the the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus, the film is a live-action Christmas musical weaving classic Christmas melodies with humor, faith and new pop songs.
The cast includes Fiona Palomo (“Outer Banks”) as Mary, Milo Manheim (“Prom Pact”) as Joseph, Antonio Banderas (“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”) as Herod, Stephanie Gil (“Fatima”), Rizwan Manji (“Schitt’s Creek”), Geno Segers (“Perfect Harmony”), Omid Djalili (“Gladiator”), Joel Smallbone and Lecrae.
Anders penned the script along with Peter Barsocchini (“High School Musical”) and wrote the music with Nikki Anders (“Glee”) and Peer Astrom (“Rock of Ages”). The film is produced by Anders, Alan Powell and Steve Barnett through Monarch Media,...
- 9/13/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Fiona Palomo is Mary, Milo Manheim is Joseph and Oscar nominee Antonio Banderas is King Herod in Sony Affirm’s upcoming untitled holiday musical centered around the Nativity.
The movie is currently in production with Monarch Media on the coast of Spain for a Nov. 10 theatrical release.
Award-winning music producer Adam Anders is making his feature directorial debut and wrote the script along with Peter Barsocchini (High School Musical franchise) and wrote the music with Nikki Anders and Peer Astrom.
Logline: A young woman carrying an unimaginable responsibility. A young man torn between love and honor. A jealous king who will stop at nothing to keep his crown. This live-action Christmas musical celebration for the entire family, weaves classic Christmas melodies into new pop songs in a music-infused retelling...
The movie is currently in production with Monarch Media on the coast of Spain for a Nov. 10 theatrical release.
Award-winning music producer Adam Anders is making his feature directorial debut and wrote the script along with Peter Barsocchini (High School Musical franchise) and wrote the music with Nikki Anders and Peer Astrom.
Logline: A young woman carrying an unimaginable responsibility. A young man torn between love and honor. A jealous king who will stop at nothing to keep his crown. This live-action Christmas musical celebration for the entire family, weaves classic Christmas melodies into new pop songs in a music-infused retelling...
- 2/23/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony will be opening the Kendrick Brothers’ new documentary Show Me the Father on Sept. 10, while the studio has dated a 10th anniversary re-release of the filmmakers’ Courageous for Oct. 15. Show Me the Father explores the fatherhood of God.
“Everyone has a father story, but not everyone has learned how to redeem it for their own good and the good of others,” said executive producer Stephen Kendrick. “Even though fatherlessness is directly connected to so much brokenness in today’s world, we wanted to go beyond traditional documentaries and show how God is the perfect Father and can amazingly provide the love and healing to anyone at any stage in life.”
“In September 2011, Courageous was estimated to open at the box office with $1.5 million and it ended the weekend the #1 new movie, with $9.4 million in the first frame,” said Rich Peluso, EVP/Head of Affirm Films. “We are thrilled to...
“Everyone has a father story, but not everyone has learned how to redeem it for their own good and the good of others,” said executive producer Stephen Kendrick. “Even though fatherlessness is directly connected to so much brokenness in today’s world, we wanted to go beyond traditional documentaries and show how God is the perfect Father and can amazingly provide the love and healing to anyone at any stage in life.”
“In September 2011, Courageous was estimated to open at the box office with $1.5 million and it ended the weekend the #1 new movie, with $9.4 million in the first frame,” said Rich Peluso, EVP/Head of Affirm Films. “We are thrilled to...
- 6/1/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Affirm Films, Sony Pictures’ label specializing in inspirational, faith and family-friendly features, is expanding into television. Affirm Films has partnered with Sony Pictures Television to launch Affirm Television and has tapped tapped Marybeth Sprows, VP Original Programming for Crown Media Family Networks to run it. As VP, Affirm Television, Sprows will oversee all aspects of development and production, with a dual report to Rich Peluso, Evp/Head of Affirm Films, and Chris Parnell and Jason Clodfelter, Co-Presidents at Sony Pictures Television Studios.
“The pairing of Affirm Films and Sony Pictures Television brings together two passionate, experienced and focused groups with unique strengths that will make a mark in the television and episodic space,” said Peluso. “I’m eager to start working with Marybeth Sprows and the Spt team to create entertaining and meaningful content that will connect with an underserved audience seeking faith, family and inspirational content, and expanding...
“The pairing of Affirm Films and Sony Pictures Television brings together two passionate, experienced and focused groups with unique strengths that will make a mark in the television and episodic space,” said Peluso. “I’m eager to start working with Marybeth Sprows and the Spt team to create entertaining and meaningful content that will connect with an underserved audience seeking faith, family and inspirational content, and expanding...
- 12/4/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony just announced internally a trio of promotions at Affirm, its faith-based label that has seen success with pics including Miracles From Heaven, which grossed $74 million worldwide since its March release, as well as titles like War Room and Risen. Rich Peluso, who has run the label since it launched in 2007, has been upped to Evp and will continue to oversee the slate; Tana Evans has been elevated to Svp marketing and distribution, and Josh Nadler has been promoted…...
- 11/7/2016
- Deadline
As a Christian who is involved in reviewing movies and interviewing actors and filmmakers, I’m always excited to hear about actors who share my faith. Although most critics pan any sort of Bible-based movie, I give them a chance if they fall within certain genres. I’m always on the search for a good faith-oriented horror or sci-fi film that will break down the barrier between “secular” and Christian cinema.
One movie that immediately caught my attention as soon as I saw the cover of the graphic novel it’s based on is The Remaining. According to the official description, it revolves around “a group of close friends [who] gather for a wedding. The celebration is shattered by a series of cataclysmic events and enemies foretold by biblical end-times prophecies. The survivors face a horrifying, uncertain future as they scramble for safety, but as their world collapses around them in...
One movie that immediately caught my attention as soon as I saw the cover of the graphic novel it’s based on is The Remaining. According to the official description, it revolves around “a group of close friends [who] gather for a wedding. The celebration is shattered by a series of cataclysmic events and enemies foretold by biblical end-times prophecies. The survivors face a horrifying, uncertain future as they scramble for safety, but as their world collapses around them in...
- 8/26/2014
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Eric Shirey)
- Cinelinx
As a Christian who is involved in reviewing movies and interviewing actors and filmmakers, I’m always excited to hear about actors who share my faith. Although most critics pan any sort of Bible-based movie, I give them a chance if they fall within certain genres. I’m always on the search for a good faith-oriented horror or sci-fi film that will break down the barrier between “secular” and Christian cinema.
One movie that immediately caught my attention as soon as I saw the cover of the graphic novel it’s based on is The Remaining. According to the official description, it revolves around “a group of close friends [who] gather for a wedding. The celebration is shattered by a series of cataclysmic events and enemies foretold by biblical end-times prophecies. The survivors face a horrifying, uncertain future as they scramble for safety, but as their world collapses around them in...
One movie that immediately caught my attention as soon as I saw the cover of the graphic novel it’s based on is The Remaining. According to the official description, it revolves around “a group of close friends [who] gather for a wedding. The celebration is shattered by a series of cataclysmic events and enemies foretold by biblical end-times prophecies. The survivors face a horrifying, uncertain future as they scramble for safety, but as their world collapses around them in...
- 8/26/2014
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Eric Shirey)
- Cinelinx
The first stills and wrap news for the latest spooker from Sony Pictures, The Remaining, have appeared on our desks so we thought we'd push out the goodies your way! Read on for details, and look for more soon!
From the Press Release
Affirm Films, a division of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (Spwa), and Cinematic wrapped principal photography of The Remaining on March 18th in Wilmington, Nc.
The horror thriller, based on biblical accounts of the end times, is written and directed by Casey La Scala (Donnie Darko). The film stars Alexa Vega (Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D), Shaun Sipos (Texas Chainsaw 3D), Johnny Pacar (Flight 29 Down), Italia Ricci (“Terminales”), Bryan Dechart (Step Up 3D) and newcomer Liz E. Morgan. The Remaining is produced by Brad Luff (Urban Legends), Marc Bienstock (Quarantine 2: Terminal) and La Scala.
The Remaining is an action-packed horror thriller...
From the Press Release
Affirm Films, a division of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (Spwa), and Cinematic wrapped principal photography of The Remaining on March 18th in Wilmington, Nc.
The horror thriller, based on biblical accounts of the end times, is written and directed by Casey La Scala (Donnie Darko). The film stars Alexa Vega (Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D), Shaun Sipos (Texas Chainsaw 3D), Johnny Pacar (Flight 29 Down), Italia Ricci (“Terminales”), Bryan Dechart (Step Up 3D) and newcomer Liz E. Morgan. The Remaining is produced by Brad Luff (Urban Legends), Marc Bienstock (Quarantine 2: Terminal) and La Scala.
The Remaining is an action-packed horror thriller...
- 3/20/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
From the cast, you’d think it was an Oscar contender. There’s Melissa Leo, who took home an Academy Award last year for portraying the brash, hair-sprayed matriarch in “The Fighter.” And then there’s Robert Duvall.
“Mr. Duvall,” Leo says with a schoolgirl sigh, is the reason she joined the Christian film “Seven Days in Utopia.”
The story follows a fledgling pro-golfer played by Lucas Black (the wide-eyed lead from “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift”), who, after a very bad couple of holes, contemplates leaving the sport forever. Leo is a buttoned-up widow with limited screen time, and Duvall plays the pious sage with slightly sordid past.
“They didn’t know which way they wanted to go with this film,” Duvall said. “I said, ‘There’s only one Jesus Christ, [so] give me some faults, give me some obstacles.’ "
Duvall pushed the writers to add in his character’s past faults.
“Mr. Duvall,” Leo says with a schoolgirl sigh, is the reason she joined the Christian film “Seven Days in Utopia.”
The story follows a fledgling pro-golfer played by Lucas Black (the wide-eyed lead from “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift”), who, after a very bad couple of holes, contemplates leaving the sport forever. Leo is a buttoned-up widow with limited screen time, and Duvall plays the pious sage with slightly sordid past.
“They didn’t know which way they wanted to go with this film,” Duvall said. “I said, ‘There’s only one Jesus Christ, [so] give me some faults, give me some obstacles.’ "
Duvall pushed the writers to add in his character’s past faults.
- 10/5/2011
- by Jessie Heyman
- Huffington Post
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