India's Reliance - MediaWorks, This Time - Stakes a Claim in Hollywood

Sharon Waxman — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:03:25 +0000

India is coming to Hollywood, and planning to stay.

The Indian-based Reliance MediaWorks – a division of the media giant Reliance Group that has funded DreamWorks - is moving its headquarters to Los Angeles and looking to expand within the industry in production services.

George Clooney Lacked Confidence? How 'The Descendants' Helped Him Grow Up

Sharon Waxman — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:55:15 +0000

George Clooney plays the kind of man he isn't in "The Descendants" -- ambivalent about life, uncertain about his role as father and husband, a passive link in a long Hawaiian chain. As lawyer and cuckold Matt King, he manages to convey both pathos and humor, often in a single scene. In an exclusive interview with TheWrap he spoke to me about that, and about growing up.

IMG Fallout: JPMorgan's Greg O'Hara Out After Ovitz Maneuver (Exclusive)

Sharon Waxman & Brent Lang — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:06:53 +0000

Gregory O’Hara, the head of JPMorgan Chase’s special investment group and once a rising star at the bank, is leaving, TheWrap has learned.

"He's going to do something different," said Joe Evangelisti, a spokesman for the bank.

Laughing, Crying, the Sundance Elite Drinks to Bingham Ray

Sharon Waxman — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:24:50 +0000

It was a wake that indie veteran Bingham Ray could not have better organized himself.

Except that he did organize it.

In one of the strangely beautiful ironies of his sudden death on Monday, Ray’s planned celebration of the San Francisco Film Society turned into a collective mourning of his death and celebration of his life.

Sunk! How Hollywood Lost the PR Battle Over SOPA

Sharon Waxman — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:58:32 +0000

In the space of a couple of days, Hollywood and its content creators lost the public relations war over Internet piracy SOPA legislation -- which now appears poised to crumble into a million bits of dust.

Wow.

The messaging industry never had control of the message.

The tech guys found a simple, shareable idea -- the Stop Online Piracy Act is Censorship -- made it viral, and made it stick.

Golden Globes in the Ballroom: Things I Learned by Attending

Sharon Waxman — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:43:05 +0000

I attended the Golden Globes last night for the first time, ever. Some of you may know that I have had... opinions about the Globes in the past. Now I have some new opinions, but haven't necessarily relinquished the old ones:

1. The red carpet is its own little planet, full of beautiful, famous people in a protective coating. While on Planet Red Carpet you can befriend anyone.

2. They serve dinner at 4:30. Nobody eats it.

Out of Prison, West Memphis 3 Ex-Con Seeks Justice

Sharon Waxman — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:44:22 +0000

Rarely is the power of filmmaking so starkly evident as with the release last August of three innocent men convicted of the murders of three eight-year-old boys in 1993.

“Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory” is the third – count ‘em – in a series of documentaries starting in 1996 by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, backed by Sheila Nevins at HBO, to chronicle the injustices perpetrated by the Arkansas judicial system against the men who became known as the West Memphis Three.

A Game-Changer for Television? Sesame Street Will Be First Interactive Show

Sharon Waxman — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:02:39 +0000

People keep asking me what exciting new products I’m finding at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week.

There’s a lot of stuff that’s impressive: tablets remain pretty big, and there are new improvements on mobile that make stuff quicker, lighter and snazzier.

But nothing I’ve seen here changes the paradigm – except this one.

TheWrap Names Lisa Fung Executive Editor

Sharon Waxman — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:27:32 +0000

We are very excited to bring you news of a new position at TheWrap. Lisa Fung, a veteran journalist at The Los Angeles Times, will become the site's first Executive Editor.

Please see the news below, and welcome to Lisa!

Thanks to you all,

Sharon.

THEWRAP NAMES LISA FUNG EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Tech’s High Rollers, Media Machers Compare Notes at CES Opening

Sharon Waxman — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:20:43 +0000

It’s some kind of high-class tech-media scrum inside the Tryst nightclub at the Wynn Hotel, just minutes after Microsoft Steve Ballmer completed his opening keynote to a couple of thousand faithful followers on Monday night.

You don’t have to venture very far into the packed, ear-splitting room to find the power center of the consumer electronics industry, gathered by Medialink and GroupM.

5 Remedies for 2012 and What Ails Hollywood

Sharon Waxman — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:01:14 +0000

What’s the reason for the miserable box office performance in 2011?

This is not the first time we’ve asked this question. I asked it back in 2005 in a piece in The New York Times that wondered: “Are people turning away from lackluster movies, or turning their

Steve Jobs: Bully. Cry-Baby.

Sharon Waxman — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:11:06 +0000

I knew Steve Jobs was a visionary. What I didn’t know was that he was such a cry-baby.

It’s one revelation of Walter Isaacson’s biography that hasn’t gotten much attention since the book hit the best-seller list a few weeks ago.

National Geographic Films Shutting Down, Say Insiders (Exclusive)

Sharon Waxman — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:55:22 +0000

National Geographic Films, which is associated with the hit documentary “March of the Penguins” in 2005, is shutting down, according to two individuals with knowledge of the independent studio.

The studio has brought in a scant $1.7 million in revenue this year, with five films in release including “The Last Lion,” “The First Grader” and “Life in a Day.”

Christopher Hitchens: A Salute to Intellectual Honesty

Sharon Waxman — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 07:11:50 +0000

Nothing sharpened Christopher Hitchens’ mind like cancer.

He wrote the best, most piercing, most clarifying prose of his career as he faced down the specter of his own demise.

As he dealt with fatigue and nausea, with the anger, disgust and frustration that must accompany what he knew was a death sentence, Hitch poured it all into words that were as painfully honest as they were hilarious.

Gilt's Susan Lyne at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast: 'My Friends Thought I Was Out of My Mind' (Video)

Sharon Waxman — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:35:45 +0000

You can get a first-hand look at some of the thoughtful and inspiring life lessons that Susan Lyne, the chairman of Gilt Groupe, shared at TheWrap's 3rd annual Power Women breakfast on December 5 at the Hotel Bel-Air .

Execs Exit, Money Tight -- Ryan Kavanaugh Needs a Miracle, but Christmas Is Coming

Sharon Waxman — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:30:08 +0000

There’s a Hollywood mogul who is fond of saying that sooner or later all rumors are true. The question in the case of Ryan Kavanaugh: Is this that time?

Fox Accuses 'The Muppets' of Brainwashing Kids Against the Rich

Sharon Waxman — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:54:04 +0000

If I didn’t know better I’d say that Disney slipped someone over at Fox Business Channel a bill to go on a rant against its hit movie, “The Muppets.”

Naaaaah.

Disney Seeks to Replace Marketing Chief MT Carney (Exclusive)

Sharon Waxman — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:05:31 +0000

Just 19 months after naming Hollywood outsider MT Carney its president of marketing, the Walt Disney Studios is on the hunt for a new marketing chief, TheWrap has learned.

Ryan Kavanaugh’s 9 Lives: $200M Loan From Ron Burkle Saves 'Immortals' (Exclusive)

Sharon Waxman — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:29:34 +0000

EXCLUSIVE

MediaBistro May Want to Buy paidContent -- for Cost (Exclusive)

Sharon Waxman — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:13:15 +0000

Mediabistro is interested in buying paidContent, but not for anywhere close to the $15 million asking price originally reported, TheWrap has learned.

In fact, not for money at all.

The Jim Romenesko Saga, Or How to Piss Off A Whole Lot of Journalists

Sharon Waxman — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:24:00 +0000

In a long explanation to journalists who have a daily habit of trusting him for the lowdown on their world, the blogger Jim Romenesko has laid out a dispute with the Poynter organization that led to an acrimonious departure.

He wrote on his new blog, JimRomenesko.com:

Watch Corey Stoll and Woody Allen's Sister Talk 'Midnight' at TheWrap Screening (Video)

Sharon Waxman — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:29:48 +0000

Letty Aronson is Woody Allen's sister, a once-upon-a-time schoolteacher, who has been producing her brother's movies for years.

"Midnight in Paris" has become the writer-director's biggest hit ever, taking in more than $150 million in box office around the world.

I talked to Letty and to Corey Stoll, who gives a hilariously manly portrayal of Ernest Hemingway in the film, ahead of TheWrap's screening of "Midnight in Paris" last week.

Tom Sherak Grilled on Ratner, Oscar Hosts: 'Billy Crystal Is Not Too Old!'

Sharon Waxman — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:21:22 +0000

In an interview in the wake of the Brett Ratner debacle, Tom Sherak, the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, tells TheWrap that he should have considered the director’s personality more when hiring him to produce the Oscars.

“Did I know he had baggage? Yes, I did,” he said. “I didn’t think about that. Should I have? No argument.”

Why Conrad Murray's Guilty Verdict Doesn't Bring Closure

Sharon Waxman — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:45:20 +0000

The reigning emotion in the wake of the Conrad Murray guilty verdict on Monday was of hollow victory rather than catharsis.

At the end of the ordeal, Michael Jackson was still dead and no amount of prison for his doomed doctor would bring him back.

Surprisingly, the spectacle of Murray’s public humiliation didn’t seem to interest the normally voracious consumers of celebrity trash.

Brett Ratner Apologizes for Gay Slur at 'Tower Heist' Screening (Exclusive)

Sharon Waxman — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:23:39 +0000

EXCLUSIVE

“Tower Heist” director and Oscar producer Brett Ratner apologized Monday for using a gay slur Friday night at a public screening of his new film.

Stacey Farish Named Publisher of The Wrap News

Sharon Waxman — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:29:09 +0000

I am pleased to share the news that Stacey Farish, a leading advertising sales executive, has been named publisher of The Wrap News.

Stacey comes to us from The Los Angeles Times, where she has spent the last four years, most recently as the Vice President for Media Entertainment. We are putting out the news release below and look forward to her driving our continued growth in the coming year and beyond.

Please join me in welcoming Stacey, and our thanks to all our readers for their enthusiastic support!

Jason Reitman, Charlize Theron Sneak 'Young Adult' Narcissism

Sharon Waxman — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:27:29 +0000

Paramount has been sneaking screenings of “Young Adult,” Jason Reitman’s droll new film that could be a black comedy, but then again could be an outright tragedy merely punctuated with moments of hilarity.

Walter Isaacson’s Media Blitz Has Me Hooked on Jobs

Sharon Waxman — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 06:47:30 +0000

Ok, that’s it. Walter Isaacson wins.

I already wanted to read his book on Steve Jobs (called ‘Steve Jobs,’ it’s out tomorrow) before I read the story in The New York Times last week and learned how Jobs chose not to be “invaded” by surgery when he was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Seriously tragic.

Mark Wahlberg Falls Out With ‘Fighter’ BFF David O. Russell (Exclusive)

Sharon Waxman — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:18:45 +0000

EXCLUSIVE

One of the most enduring friendships in Hollywood -- and one that led to the Oscars this year -- has dissolved in acrimony.

Hollywood heavyweight Mark Wahlberg has fallen out with his buddy director David O. Russell over the director’s decision to cast someone else in the lead of his new film, “The Silver Linings Playbook,” according to two individuals with knowledge of the relationship.

Why Hulu Got Yanked Off the Auction Block

Sharon Waxman — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:31:23 +0000

Thursday’s cancellation of the Hulu auction had less to do with the $2 billion sale price and more to do with a shift in strategic perspective among the owners.

It’s funny how a sale can focus the mind.

Ryan Kavanaugh’s Dilemma: Will ‘Immortals’ Get Him the JP Morgan Deal?

Sharon Waxman — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:26:37 +0000

Whatever happened to Ryan Kavanaugh?

The affable mogul who seems to be followed by a nimbus of doom-sayers has disappeared.

Michael Ovitz Booted From IMG Board (Exclusive)

Sharon Waxman — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 05:31:49 +0000

Michael Ovitz has left the board of the sports talent agency IMG, TheWrap has learned.

Ovitz, the advisory board member and Hollywood executive, was asked to resign this week after angering CEO Ted Forstmann, who is battling brain cancer, and COO Mike Dolan, by maneuvering to take control of the company.