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Just thinking, if Honey Labrador really sits in the Q booth at the National Show, fresh off her hit series Queer Eye...that could be a huge turning point for Q's status in the industry. Hope that post was genuine. I think attendees would be on their cell phones buying QBID shares on the spot.
Hi PNut. Those are all good questions. Wish I had the answers.
By the QBID comment I only meant that it was a weird coincidence that the same name turned up in relation to the two stocks, but I did not mean to impy any real connection. I doubt there is any. Just noting how incestuous the whole industry seems sometimes.
Cheers.
I don't see this as a big deal, but I respect your opinion.
My take on it is, since Gus Van Sant helped produced "Tarnation" and Van Sant is now doing a project for BVHJ, them throwing a little party to celebrate the success of someone in their "stable" is not unusual. It may even be considered "networking" which is a legitimate business expense in entertainment.
On a separate note, there's a weird QBID connection found here, in that John Cameron Mitchell is also a producer on Tarnation.
Weird how these little entertainment stocks have these little coincidences.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390538/fullcredits
That's a really great idea. No reason these channels need to compete any more than any of the movie channels do. Just package them together for people who like this lifestyle content. Hope the Carriers will see this as a great opportunity to market to this huge demographic.
This has probably been posted, but I got this alert today. JCM rehash, but it makes me think about the "Family channel" issue someone brought up. The film is being somewhat "improvised" so no one, not even Q or Mitchell, knows right now what it's going to come out like. For Q it is just wise to align themselves with Hollywood names right now. If the film is too over the top, they still have the tv rights in their back pockets to sell to the highest bidder, if Q has become too family oriented by 2006 to air it. Either way, we win. A smart play by Frank, IMO.
http://www.washblade.com/2005/3-4/arts/dish/dish.cfm
The article beneath this one about Sharon Stone "switching teams" is interesting too. If there is a groundswell in the Entertainment industry against the current political climate against the gay lifestyle, more and more celebs may come out in the open. Also great for Q, needless to say.
***
On the ‘Bus’
Gay director and “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” impresario JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL has finally gotten funding for his tentatively titled, sexually frank film “Short Bus.” And it’s not coming from a movie studio either.
Q Television, the premium digital cable channel currently only available in New York, Boston, San Francisco and Seattle, has come to the rescue to fund the film, projected to be ready next year. While no deal for distribution has been made, Q will retain rights to air it on the small screen.
“I’m incredibly excited to be working with Q Television,” Mitchell said in a written statement. “Their rock ‘n’ roll enthusiasm for my admittedly controversial project reveals them as a force to be reckoned with.”
The controversy is about the sex in the movie, which will be porn-level graphic, but with (hopefully) better dialogue, plot and acting than most smut. The mostly improvised film aims to tell the story of seven characters of different sexual orientations living and loving in New York.
***
Never Stone cold
Sexy SHARON STONE has let the cat out of the bag about the lavender lust in the upcoming “Basic Instinct” sequel.
“There is lesbian love,” she told “Access Hollywood,” adding that the actress she gets to smooch hasn’t been cast yet. “We’re testing for her now.”
Asked if she was switching sides, Stone, 46, retorted, “Why not? Middle age is an open-minded period.”
DL mentioned here:
JENNY MCCARTHY TO APPEAR ON ABC'S "EXTREME MAKEOVER"
Released by ABC
http://www.thefutoncritic.com/cgi/gofuton.cgi?action=pr&id=20050304abc01
coming soon: www.sirenmultimedia.com
I guess this is Siren's future website, the name Debra Schneider matches.
From PR:
"SIREN Multimedia's principals include the first lady of "Queer Eye for the Straight Girl," Honey Labrador, and her two partners, C. Fitz and Debra A. Schneider"
From Website Who-Is Lookup:
"Administrative Contact:
SIREN
Debra Schneider
2219 Holly Drive
Hollywood, CA 90068
US
Phone: (323)422-9980
Fax..: (323)462-2184
Email: thedebr1@mac.com"
Sorry if this is repeat DD.
BHFS, out of curiosity, is Pear Mound going to be a publicly traded company? I work in the industry and naturally like entertainment stocks.
Variety article from Feb. 23.
A little old now but contains good info (sorry if a repost):
Posted: Wed., Feb. 23, 2005, 10:00pm PT
'Shortbus' on the Q tip
Net coins Mitchell's controversial effort
By IAN MOHR
NEW YORK -- Q Television, the subscription cable net aimed at gay and lesbian viewers, has come aboard as a majority financier on John Cameron Mitchell's controversial feature "Shortbus."
Mitchell, creator of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," grabbed headlines when he announced last year that the film would feature graphic gay and straight sex scenes by amateur players.
Pic, described as "an exploration of sexuality, art and music," follows seven characters as they navigate sex and love in modern-day Gotham. Howard Gertler and Tim Perell are producing.
"Shortbus" will head into production for 30 days starting May 9. Mitchell said he's aiming to screen the film at next year's Berlin Film Festival, with a possibly sneak peek at Sundance.
Headed by prexy-CEO Frank Olsen, Q will use "Shortbus" to brand itself as a cutting-edge, risk-taking entity.
Fortissimo is handling foreign sales on the pic, which does not yet have domestic theatrical distribution.
Mitchell said he found studio-based specialty arms supportive of the material at script stage but shy to back the project prior to shooting due to their corporate ties.
He added that the film will be a "perfect way of getting Q out there as the maverick (gay) station."
"Most of the other (gay) channels couldn't show the film," he added.
Q gets basic cable rights as part of the deal. Senior exec veep Alexis Fish brought the project into the network.
Read the full article at:
http://www.variety.com/story.asp?l=story&a=VR1117918444&c=1238
Just a random thought on the JCM deal.
JCM is a hot property in the indie film world and his next picture would have eventually found financing with or without QTN (in my opinion)...and without having to give away exclusive broadcast rights to a relatively unknown network currently in a meager handful of cities. That leads me to believe that QTN somehow thoroughly convinced JCM's people that QTN will have wide distribution by the time the film is done. They possibly would have had to guarantee/prove it...just thinking out loud. (Sorry if someone's said this already.)
"Wild Bunch will screen the film for buyers in Cannes."
That's the part I found interesting.
Latest on Dirty Love, found in Variety:
Posted: Wed., Feb. 23, 2005, 10:00pm PT
Bunch finds 'Love' o'seas
By IAN MOHR
NEW YORK -- Foreign sales banner Wild Bunch has picked up overseas rights to director John Asher's "Dirty Love," starring Jenny McCarthyJenny McCarthy, Eddie Kaye Thomas and Carmen Electra.
McCarthy penned the pic and also stars as a jilted photographer who gets even with her model boyfriend after she catches him cheating.
Pic was a recent Sundance entry.
Wild Bunch will screen the film for buyers in Cannes.
"We are very excited to have the opportunity in working once again with Wild Bunch," said William Morris Independent co-head Cassian ElwesCassian Elwes, who repped the film in the sale. "Their creative and innovative vision makes them one of the most respected companies worldwide."
Pic was produced by Trent Walford, McCarthy and Asher.
Scott Saldana and Jim Cantelupe exec produced.
Pic is still seeking domestic distribution.
Date in print: Thurs., Feb. 24, 2005';
I haven't found anything new in a while. Last Sunday on the TV Show "Sunday Morning Shoot-Out" (on AMC) they were at the Comedy Fest but they didn't mention DL. I think this Sunday's edition might also be from there (not positive). Nothing else coming up on the internet that I can find.
Personally I am excited about the stock now. The problems can be read in more detail back in this thread and in PRs, where BJ Davis and Kimberley Kates vied for control of the company and Davis held 100M shares of the roughly 120M shares OS. Long story short, they have since kissed and made up, Davis returned the shares which were then cancelled leaving a little over 20M shares OS. He is back in, making movies and I think on the board, but not in the top seat (that's Kates now). Since then, they all seem to be plugging away together getting movies made and distributors lined up. I'm in at .06 and .078 and have been watching it since last year when it was in the teens. It recently went (others correct me if I'm wrong) to around .03 during the long period of silence. But now things are percolating. Dirty Love has foreign distributor signed (same distributor that handled Fahrenheit 911) with domestic distribution in negotiation. Forget About It seems about ready too. For my money, the Gus Van Sant project (Lightfield's Home Videos) is the feather in the cap, because his name brings a little more legitimacy. My opinion only. Do your DD, and pick your in point...my feeling is it will be hard to get in again below current levels. But I'm not an experienced trader. They have an RS in their past but I don't see that happening again. They have too much going for them now to soil it. IMO. (Other longs here feel free to correct any of my numbers, I'm typing this off the top of my head.)
Welcome new people! Yes this is the company that produced Dirty Love, which was shown at Sundance. Here is their website, where you can read up on them:
http://www.beverlyhillsfilmstudios.com/
The company has had a rocky period in its past, which seems to have been straightening out lately with the impending release of 2 films (Dirty Love & Forget About It) and a Gus Van Sant production in production as we speak. An exciting time, but read up on its history to see if it is the right investment for you. Cheers!
Dirty Love clip just shown on "At The Angelica" on IFC channel. Very brief, as part of overall Sundance coverage. But it's the first clip I've seen aired.
That made me laugh out loud. Thanks.
"God is like QBID... a non-reporting enterprise....so, who knows! "
Hi jimj,
That information is contained in the PR dated December 9, towards the bottom.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/041209/95197_1.html
"BJ "Beau" Davis gave the green-light for the film which Beverly Hills Film Studios co-financed along with several other investors."
We don't really know the nitty-gritty details of the agreement between the "several other investors". BHFS may well legally "own" the film as long as they guarantee a certain return to the other investors who chipped in to make it. Who knows. But they are obviously the primary party since they put it together and green-lit the film, so that's good.
Regarding Stockard Channing, it was listed on the old website too, the one with the Broadcast Schedule. I just looked it up and you can find Stockard Channing on this page:
http://www.qtelevision.com/archive/57.html
If you look over some of the other pages, you'll see shows as old as "Mary Hartman" airing in syndication on Q. This leads me to believe that they are also airing the old Stockard Channing Show from, I believe, the 80's. Not bad, but not the big celebrity tie-in we are hoping for if that is the case. And obviously, I hope I'm dead wrong. Stockard Channing, in her current incarnation, would be huge for us.
And looks like they changed the name of the movie to one word "Fuhgetaboutit" as well. Kinda like it. Slang like "Goodfellas" but for a comedy. Pretty unique. Trailer's tighter too. Coming along nicely.
http://www.beverlyhillsfilmstudios.com/fai_clip2.html
DL showing at "U.S. Comedy Arts Festival's Film Discovery Showcase" along with some of the other films from Sundance, et al.
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20050209/NEWS/102090005
"Heading the Surprise! Screenings are "The Aristocrats" and "Kung Fu Hustle." "The Aristocrats," directed by Paul Provenza, features an array of comedians - including Snowmass Villager Eric Mead - all telling the same very off-color joke. "Kung Fu Hustle," a Chinese action comedy by "Shaolin Soccer" director Stephen Chow, will show as the opening night film (today at 5 p.m. at the Wheeler Opera House). The series also has "Dirty Love," starring Jenny McCarthy and directed by McCarthy's husband, John Asher; and "Happy Endings" by director Don Roos and starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, which showed as the opening night film at the Sundance Festival."
Hello Wild1,
No, I'm just a very excited investor. No connections to the company whatsoever. When I say "us" I mean just that, you and me and the other shareholders who collectively "own" BVHJ.
But thank you also for bringing up one of my "facts"..I mistakenly posted that Mccarthy has a three picture deal with us (BVHJ). Looking back at the PR's I see that it is actually a 2 picture deal. Apologies for the error. See the Beverly Hills Film Studios website and find the PR dated August 17 for details:
"In the last few months, BHFS has seen steady growth with announcement of a full production slate and the signing of Jenny McCarthy to a two-picture deal with the studio. BHFS has also recently expanded its team to include a sales staff for foreign distribution as well as a music division, Beverly Hills Film Studios Media Division, which will distribute the soundtrack to "Forget About It" in upcoming months. "
I urge everyone here to peruse that investor's page and re-read all the PR's. They are full of info, some of which was easily forgotten, especially back when the company seemed bogged down in litigation and inaction. Now, re-reading their plans for 2005 in these PR's gives me chills, especially when I see some of those plans slowly coming to life.
One of the PR's also clarifies our involvement with Dirty Love a little bit more. It seems that Kates and company were involved early on, on a persoanl level, but financially only partially:
"DIRTY LOVE" is an outrageous, romantic comedy, and was originally written as a television pilot by Jenny McCarthy for Columbia//Tri-Star and Fox Television who paid for the licensing rights. Over a period of some two years, Ms. Kates worked with business affairs at the studios to get the rights back to McCarthy.
BJ "Beau" Davis gave the green-light for the film which Beverly Hills Film Studios co-financed along with several other investors."
The investor's page is a goldmine of info, especially now in retrospect, with pieces of the puzzle starting to fall into place.
Cheers!
Cool, Highhumper! Did they say anything else? By the way, how long did it take them to get back to you? Just curious. The one time I wrote to them I got a very speedy and upbeat response, which I liked.
Yes it 's possible that BVHJ's involvement with DL could be to a lesser extent than its involvement with Forget About It, given what was leaked a while back on this board. It's on their site right up there with the other projects, but for all we know it may have come to BVHJ late in its production, perhaps for completion funds in exchange for a stake in its sale. How large a stake remains to be seen, but one of the marks of a studio that's going to be succcessful is the ability to pick projects to get "into bed" with, even if they aren't your own originals. Nothing wrong with that, and they seem to have backed one with potential here. The good buzz probably isn't moving the pps because our exact degree of involvement is still an unknown, so there's no way to even guess at what kind of income its sale could generate for the company. Let's hope it's significant, but even if it's rather small, it's great publicity and Jenny McCarthy has a 3 picture deal with us, so the other projects in that deal could contain better terms for us too. We'll see. I'm feeling a little let down after scanning the internet every day for news out of Sundance only to still be waiting several days after everyone's flown back to Hollywood, but that's how it goes. The rumors were exciting, but now we're back to the tender mercies of the company PR's, if and when they come. Drag. I think this company has huge potential, I just wish they fed us a little more often.
By the way, Dixie, what is your idea on this?
Dixieman, honestly I have no idea about that. If I were to guess optimistically, I'd say people were buying it up anticipating an announcement of a quick sale at Sundance, and when none was announced during the festival interest waned and people went back into watch mode. But who knows for sure. Tonight I did come across the first "first person" account I've found of someone actually mentioning a sale in the works for Dirty Love, by combing through the local news on the festival (instead of the national news, like I have been prior to this). Hopefully it all panned out and an announcement is pending. But, as always, ours is but to watch and wait:
http://216.239.63.104/search?q=cache:Qi4fwUYED94J:yahoo.eonline.com/Features/Features/Sundance2005/D...
"And the fever doesn't take a break. During a packed-to-the-rafters Snoop Dogg concert late Monday night (remember, we're in Utah), we run into director John Asher--in the middle of a deal. His raunchy revenge comedy Dirty Love has siphoned hype thanks to his wife and star Jenny McCarthy. (She's manic and charming in it, even while, say, screaming and smearing vomit on her breasts.) Oh, and it has Carmen Electra, too. "But you gotta excuse me," he says, grinning wildly and turning into the crowd. "I don't wanna be rude, but these guys over here are trying to buy my movie."
the "former interpretation'" would point to the "cult classic" statement in that sentence, as i read it.
Meanwhile, increasing Sundance buzz like this is whetting my appetite for more BVHJ:
"Dirty Love — What were Jenny McCarthy and Carmen Electra doing at Sundance? Promoting their tres hip independent movie, of course. Oh, and that's — brace yourself — star and screenwriter Jenny McCarthy. (Who knew?) It's either a cult classic waiting to happen or a sign of the apocalypse. Buzz out of the festival is leaning toward the former interpretation."
http://movies.go.com/moviesdynamic/story?id=700374
Haven't heard anything new on FAI.
I guess it's still in post. My searches bring up nothing new.
New York Post mention today.
Just a brief mention in the article, but they chose "our" film as the only photo. (Wouldn't you?)
http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/39464.htm
Howdy Dixie,
Welcome. Let's hope this is a good year for BVHJ (and us).
cheers!
Just for the record, where I live my cable (Comcast) features suddenly changed sometime in the last 2 weeks to include a bunch of video on demand selections. Not just movies, but various categories of programming. Not a huge selection, but impressive for a start. I haven't checked it out thoroughly yet because I'm afraid to get charged for something I don't want to watch, but when I have more time to carefully look it over, I think it will win me over...as long as the selection is good.
What this means for the Q is a tough call...I guess more syndication opportunities maybe? Will Comcast be cool about actually printing an onscreen video category that says "Gay Programs" or "LGBT"? For all their customers to see? Time will tell.
and from People Magazine, also dated yeserday:
http://people.aol.com/people/galleries/0%2C19884%2C1020510%2C00.html
Not much buzz so far today. The silence is deafening. Found this from yesterday, just another positive mention from someone at the fest.
http://www.digitalvideoediting.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=30405
"If advertising and marketing are any indicator, “Grizzly Man” looks to be one of the hits of the festival, but films like Murderball, Trudell, 5th World, After Innocence, Lonesome Jim, Dirty Love, and many others draw large crowds, long lines, and lots of excitement. My favorite so far is Craig Brewer’s Hustle and Flow, with a fast paced, gritty real story line that echoes what’s happening in the music world today."
Variety update today:
"Other pics were in play: There were numerous offers in on "The Devil and Daniel Johnston," Jeff Feuerzeig's docu portrait of a musical genius; Phil Morrison's "Junebug," starring Embeth Davidtz and Alessandro Nivola; and Jenny McCarthy starrer "Dirty Love."
http://www.variety.com/?layout=sundance2005&nav=news&content=article&articleid=VR1117916...
http://efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=11286
excerpt:
"I'll say it again because it cannot be said enough, the girl is a comedy genius. Maybe she pissed you off in MTV's Singl'd Out. Maybe she did herself no favors in BASEketball. Maybe she'll always be remembered for that advertisement featuring her sitting on a toilet - so be it. The girl can sell a joke, and she will stop at nothing to get a laugh out of the audience, and that should be respected at least enough to give the girl her props when she does something right. In a day and age where the physical female comic simply does not exist, McCarthy takes you back to the days of Lucille Ball, mixing in a healthy dose of Farelly Brothers and Playboy Playmate to boot, to create an unstoppable comedy force. This allows those around her to play off her well, and every single person with more than three lines in this film does exactly that."
Ain't It Cool News: "Dirty Love" review. This is getting good...
http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=19220
DIRTY LOVE
Oh, baby. I did not expect to like this film so much. This film is what "The Sweetest Thing" so deperately wanted to be: A raunchy sex comedy from the woman's perspective. It's audacious, gross-out humor, which mines the comedic potential of just about every orifice in the human body, and all of the sounds they make, offset with a brilliant (yes, I used the word BRILLIANT) comedic performance by Playmate/game show hostess/all-around perfect woman Jenny McCarthy, working from her own script.
The plot, thin as it is, involves McCarthy as Rebecca, a professional photographer who is shattered when her model boyfriend is caught cheating on her. After a visit to an oddly blunt and unsympathetic psychic, she begins to plot revenge, continually escalating her efforts, all in order to regain some of her dignity, and claim the romantic love that she feels entitled to.
Now, Jenny McCarthy has always been a bit of a goofball. We've all known that. It was this quality that seperated her from other models, and actually endeared her to men and women alike. We also already knew that she has a smoking hot body. The suprise here is just how gifted she is, as she uses that body to full effect, to get both easy, broad laughs (bending it, contorting it, abusing it during pratfalls, spraying it with assorted messy substances), and more subtle ones (priceless reaction shots, including one moment that she has alone with a mirror that makes me smile every time I think of it). The festival guide compares her to Lucille Ball, and while Lucille Ball certainly never shook her bare breasts outside of a nightclub, as McCarthy does here, it's actually a pretty apt comparison. Carol Burnett is another one of the physical comedy greats that McCarthy can look forward to being compared to. You go ahead and shake your head, but mark my words: This is a breakout performance.
What makes this movie succeed where other raunchy comedies fail, is, like the American Pie films, it roots its humor in immensely likeable characters, and invests the story with plenty of heart. This is not crudeness for crudeness' sake; You really care about Rebecca, and feel for her even when she is having what, for most women, would be the most embarrassing moment of their lives, a huge set piece involving a mad scramble through a grocery store that I will NOT ruin for anyone here. And when, in the movie's Cinderella-ish climactic moment, she screams perhaps the goofiest line in movie history, instead of groans, it provokes cheers, laughs, and, for this viewer, a broad, ear-to-ear smile.
The supporting cast all get their moments, as well. Eddie Kaye Thomas, fresh off of Stifler's Mom, again provokes envy as the everyman who really, legitimately loves Rebecca, if only he could find the words to tell her (everyone sigh, all together now). Carmen Electra, who for the first few scenes was completely unrecognizeable, gets in a few choice laughs with her waaaay-over-the-top performance as a wannabe gangsta type, and Guillermo ("Yo, you better wrap that shit UP, B!") Diaz, also unrecognizeable without his soul patch, was a riot, with his oddball portrayal of a magician and potential suitor to Rebecca.
There are so many gags in this film that will stay with me for a long time, including one scene that will find its place in the pantheon of the great cinematic comedy bits of all time. I cannot recommend this film enough for some great belly laughs, some sweet "Awww" moments, and one virtuoso comedic performance by Jenny McCarthy.
She's also really hot, did I mention that? I enclosed a picture.
cat do you remember where that quote is from? I can only find BVHJ listed as Studio or contact for Dirty Love any where, including official Sundance website and at IMDB. But , of course, you never know what goes on behind the scenes.
More Park City interviews today, like this one:
http://jam.canoe.ca/Movies/2005/01/24/909021.html
An IMDB user just back from Sundance posted this on IMDB:
"I am 38 and laughed quite hysterically at this movie. We just returned from Sundance and I saw it with a crew of girlfriends whom I've know for 25 years. I would say the chicks will like it more than the guys since just about every bad thing that could happen to a girl happened to Rebecca (McCarthy) in this movie. I would love to know what others think.
Jenny McCarthy did some great acting. I could feel her pain. I loved the music and plot of this movie
We stayed for the Q&A after the premiere and Jenny McCarthy and John Asher seemed genuinely thrilled and over the moon about the audience reaction. They were stoked and I could tell they were proud of their work.
The performances by Eddie Kaye Thomas, Carmen Electra and Kam were fantastic. "
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327643/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnxteD0yMHxzZz0xfGxtPTIwMHx0dD1vbnxwbj0wfHE9ZGlydHkg...
Sure, I'll post if I find anything on that one, Joe. I'm basically just surfing the web and setting up Google news alerts for myself with keywords of the film titles and crew. I think "Forget About It" is just in post right now, and we'll probably get similar good news on that one soon. Since it's not in a festival, however, we're a little more dependent on the Company for information, unfortunately.
Hey Desert, care to speculate on what an announced sale of perhaps a few mil will do to the stock price? Have they ever had any actual income before this impending major sale of a motion picture? Am I the only one getting excited to hear this impending distribution announcement? The nice thing is that these deals usually leak out of the festival immediately, so you don't have to wait for a PR and then wonder if the numbers have been spun...Variety and other sources tell you right up front about these movie deals and the figures involved.