Latest news with #CurtisBrown
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Vice Media Acquires ‘McMafia' Producer Cuba Pictures From UTA's Curtis Brown
EXCLUSIVE: Vice Media has bought Cuba Pictures from UTA-owned literary and talent agency Curtis Brown. Cuba is one of the UK's most established drama producers. The London-based outfit's series include McMafia, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and the Andrew Garfield movie Boy A. It has just finished shooting The Walsh Sisters in Dublin, the much-anticipated adaptation of the Marian Keyes novels, for RTE and the BBC. It also recently wrapped on The Rumour for Paramount's Channel 5 and starring Joanne Whalley. More from Deadline WME Music Agents Zach Iser & Caroline Yim Join UTA As Partners UTA Signs 'East Of Wall' Filmmaker Kate Beecroft Rebel Wilson Signs With UTA Cuba is run by Dixie Linder and founder Nick Marston, who is also Chairman of Curtis Brown's Television, Film and Theatre Department. Word is that Linder will continue to lead the company with Marston also remaining involved. Deadline understands that Cuba will become part of Vice Studios, which is run by Jamie Hall in London and Danny Gabai in Los Angeles. The label will sit alongside Gangs of London producer Pulse in the Vice Studios fold. Financial terms of the deal are not known. 'Dixie and the team at Cuba Pictures have an exceptional track record in the scripted space,' said Hall. 'Together we will produce incredibly compelling scripted content and extend Vice Studios' global reach.' Marston said that Cuba Pictures has always had 'a fierce intelligence and an independent spirit, with some great clients of Curtis Brown at the heart of the creative process,' adding: 'I am sure that Vice Studios will continue this tradition, and I look forward to fruitful collaborations in the future.' Curtis Brown, which was bought by UTA in 2022, and Cuba have close creative ties, which will remain, said CEO Jonny Geller: 'We will be continuing to work with our friends at Cuba who have brought so many of our clients' projects to the screen.' Linder welcomed the deal to join Vice Studios. 'Their passion and vision make them the perfect partners for this journey, and I can't wait to see what we create together—while continuing our very special relationship with Curtis Brown.' Vice went on a rollercoaster corporate ride, evolving from noisy outsider to part of the media establishment, to bankruptcy. Now, under its new ownership of Fortress Investment Group, Soros Capital Management, and Monroe Capital, it has pared back and restructured and has moved in deal-making mode in recent months. In February, Vice Studios cut a distribution agreement with ITV Studios. In March, Vice acquired LA-based music video and commercials outfit London Alley Entertainment. 'We are impressed by the innovative shows that Cuba Pictures produces with global appeal, and this acquisition accelerates our Studios' growth strategy in scripted content,' said Bruce Dixon, CEO of Vice Media. 'This is the latest example of Vice's momentum and successful turnaround.' Best of Deadline Everything We Know About The 'Reminders of Him' Movie So Far Streamer Subscription Prices And Tiers – Everything To Know As Prices Increase And Ads Abound 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Labour's AI plans are ‘an act of cultural suicide'
Government plans to weaken copyright laws for the benefit of AI companies are 'a cultural act of suicide', according to Britain's leading literary agent. Jonny Geller, chief executive of the Curtis Brown agency, said that the publication of an AI-generated bestseller was inevitable and would spell catastrophe for the creative industries. Under new proposals, big tech companies would be allowed to use copyrighted material to train AI software unless the rights holder explicitly opted out. Mr Geller, whose authors include Marian Keyes, Anthony Horowitz and William Boyd, and who manages the estate of John le Carré, said the publishing industry must fight the plans. Writing in The Bookseller, he said: 'The publishing and agency world may be sleepwalking into its own dangerous and dark period. Not so much a democratic threat as a cultural act of suicide. 'Under the banner of 'how can you stop progress?', we are being invited to reward the companies who stole our authors' work by doing deals with those very same companies.' Mr Geller said that 'no organisation should have the right to take image, creative talent or copyright without permission and that permission should not be obscured by an 'opt-out' only option'. He also argued that AI-generated fiction and non-fiction should be labelled as such, and AI content must provide attribution and pay for its sources. 'Of course, there will be a number one, bestselling novel that is purely AI-generated and we will talk about it and bewail (again) the death of the novel,' he said. 'But it will herald a period of disruption so catastrophic for the creative industry that we will forget this simple, inalienable truth: that all creativity comes from humans who have either lived or imagined extraordinary worlds, not a programme that has recycled older ideas and juggled words around,' Geller said. His intervention on behalf of the publishing industry follows last month's release of a silent album by more than 1,000 musicians, including Kate Bush, Damon Albarn and Hans Zimmer, in protest at the Government's planned changes. Sir Paul McCartney has also sent a message to the Government, saying: 'You're supposed to protect us. That's your job. So if you're putting through a Bill, make sure you protect the creative thinkers, the creative artist, or you're not going to have them.' The Make it Fair campaign, backed by a coalition of creatives, artists and businesses including The Telegraph, also opposes the proposals. Dame Caroline Dinenage, chairman of the culture, media and sport select committee, likened the opt-out rule to 'burglars being allowed into your house unless there's a big sign on your front door expressly telling them that thievery isn't allowed'. According to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the UK's current regime for copyright and AI 'is holding back the creative industries, media and AI sector from realising their full potential – and that cannot continue'. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Labour's AI plans are ‘an act of cultural suicide'
Government plans to weaken copyright laws for the benefit of AI companies are 'a cultural act of suicide', according to Britain's leading literary agent. Jonny Geller, chief executive of the Curtis Brown agency, said that the publication of an AI-generated bestseller was inevitable and would spell catastrophe for the creative industries. Under new proposals, big tech companies would be allowed to use copyrighted material to train AI software unless the rights holder explicitly opted out. Mr Geller, whose authors include Marian Keyes, Anthony Horowitz and William Boyd, and who manages the estate of John le Carré, said the publishing industry must fight the plans. Writing in The Bookseller, he said: 'The publishing and agency world may be sleepwalking into its own dangerous and dark period. Not so much a democratic threat as a cultural act of suicide. 'Under the banner of, 'how can you stop progress?', we are being invited to reward the companies who stole our authors' work by doing deals with those very same companies.' AI-labelled content Mr Geller said that 'no organisation should have the right to take image, creative talent or copyright without permission and that permission should not be obscured by an 'opt-out' only option'. He also argued that AI-generated fiction and non-fiction should be labelled as such, and AI content must provide attribution and pay for its sources. 'Of course, there will be a number-one, bestselling novel that is purely AI-generated and we will talk about it and bewail (again) the death of the novel,' he said. 'But it will herald a period of disruption so catastrophic for the creative industry that we will forget this simple, inalienable truth: that all creativity comes from humans who have either lived or imagined extraordinary worlds, not a programme that has recycled older ideas and juggled words around,' Geller said. His intervention on behalf of the publishing industry follows last month's release of a silent album by more than 1,000 musicians, including Kate Bush, Damon Albarn and Hans Zimmer, in protest at the Government's planned changes. Sir Paul McCartney has also sent a message to the Government, saying: 'You're supposed to protect us. That's your job. So if you're putting through a Bill, make sure you protect the creative thinkers, the creative artist, or you're not going to have them.'
CBS News
05-02-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Los Angeles grocers partner with FEMA for wildfire resource assistance
Three Los Angeles-area grocery stores will host mini resource stations this weekend, to provide critical resources for businesses, employees and residents impacted by the recent wildfires. Representatives with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration and the County of Los Angeles will be at resource stations set up at Ralphs and Food 4 Less stores in Malibu, Venice, and Pasadena on Saturday, Feb. 8. At these locations, FEMA will provide essential information and resources for individuals and families impacted by the fires, while the SBA will assist affected businesses, homeowners and renters with financial guidance and recovery support. "We know how overwhelming recovery can be after a disaster, and we want people to know they're not alone," said Curtis Brown, Federal Coordinating Officer. "By working with Ralphs and Food 4 Less, we're bringing support directly to the communities that need it most—making it easier for families and businesses to get the help they need to rebuild and move forward." Saturday's event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the following locations: Food 4 Less - 1329 N Lake Ave, Pasadena Ralphs - 910 Lincoln Blvd, Venice Ralphs - 23841 Malibu Rd, Malibu Bracken's Kitchen will serve free hot meals to those affected by the fires at the Pasadena Food 4 Less throughout the week, while supplies last.
