The Producers Guild of America and Google announced up to two $50,000 grants as part of “The Short Film Project presented by the Producers Guild and Google.” This opportunity is offered exclusively to PGA Create Fellows from its recent scripted lab for emerging and mid-career creative producers from backgrounds underrepresented in the industry. This new opportunity extends Google’s previously announced lead sponsorship of the PGA Create lab.
The grants will be used to produce new short films that will incorporate Google Assistant branding. The 10 producers and teams from the recently completed PGA Create scripted cycle will be invited to respond to a creative brief from Google. A leading panel of industry experts, as well as representatives from the Producers Guild and Google will select the final two recipients of the funding. Selected producers will retain ownership of the short films which will debut in June 2022 at the PGA’s 12th Produced By Conference.
In a joint statement, Gail Berman and Lucy Fisher, Producers Guild presidents, shared, “The Producers Guild is delighted to partner with Google for the new ‘The Short Film Project’ initiative, which will provide valuable, first-hand creative producing experience to this important cohort of producers. Providing opportunities to broaden the pipeline into the business for producers from underrepresented backgrounds is a key priority for the PGA that we will continue to expand on.”
“Google was honored to be the lead sponsor of the inaugural PGA Create and support the ambitions of the brilliant group of fellows,” said Elle Roth-Brunet, who leads Entertainment & Marketing Partnerships at Google. “‘The Short Film Project’ grants demonstrate our commitment to providing resources and mentorship toward the dreams and aspirations of underrepresented creatives in entertainment and we wish all those who submit the best of luck.”
PGA Create, sponsored by Google, was held October 25-28, 2021 and featured 10 creative producers and producing teams actively developing, financing and packaging scripted features and series. Fellows participated in four days of intensive sessions, masterclasses and roundtables designed to help them move their series and features to the next stage. These sessions offered pragmatic and practical advice around pitching, working with partners, securing and managing financing, accessing VFX and post-production needs, and much more.
Notable advisors, mentors and speakers from the industry participated in the first annual PGA Create lab, including: Stephanie Allain (Homegrown Pictures); Corrine Aquino (Artists First); Anne Carey (Archer Gray); Elsie Choi (Rideback); DMA (Planet DMA); Mike Farah (Funny or Die); Lizzie Friedman (Priority Pictures); Donna Gigliotti (Hidden Figures); Sarah Green (Brace Cove Productions); David Hinojosa (2AM); Mel Jones (Really Love); Courtney A. Kemp (End of Episode); Alyssa Lanz (United Talent Agency); Tonya Lewis Lee (She’s Gotta Have It); Dan Lin (Rideback); Melvin Mar (The Detective Agency); Lori McCreary (Madam Secretary); Maurício Mota (Wise Entertainment); Ravi Nandan (A24); Benjamin Odell (3Pas); Tommy Oliver (Confluential Films); Theresa Page (Ley Line Entertainment); Tara Roy (STARZ); Robert Salerno (Artina Films); Peter Saraf (Nuclear Family); Shrihari Sathe (DIALECTIC); Gene Stein (Narcos); Mary Jane Skalski (American Animals); Shelby Stone (ID8 Multimedia); Gregory Trattner (Film Finances); Pam Veasey (Long Slow Exhale); Shana Waterman (One Race TV); and Philipp Wolf (DNEG).
PGA Create was developed through the PGA One Guild initiative, which supports inclusive membership, employment, content, and authentic depictions. Spearheading One Guild are chairs Tonya Lewis Lee and Lori McCreary. The PGA Create program is a reimagining of the longstanding Power of Diversity Master Workshop, which concluded its 18th edition in 2020.
The partnership with the Producers Guild was negotiated by UTA Marketing, which represents Google.
Avid completes acquisition of Wolftech
Avid®, known for software solutions for professional media production, has completed the acquisition of Wolftech Broadcast Solutions, a leader in cloud-based multiplatform news planning, production and publishing solutions.
The acquisition enables Avid to combine its digital-first, end-to-end media solution with Wolftech’s expertise in story-centric workflow management. News organizations will be able to increase efficiency and accelerate story delivery through enhanced remote collaboration and multiplatform amplification.
Avid CEO Wellford Dillard stated, “Wolftech is unquestionably on the leading edge of where the industry is going, and this acquisition demonstrates Avid’s commitment to transform news, sports, and live production workflows. We are delighted to welcome Wolftech into the Avid family.”
Wolftech CEO Arne Berven added, “We were focused on finding a partner that could accelerate the adoption of our platform globally. We explored a number of possibilities, but when we talked to Avid, we knew it was the right match.”
The closing of the acquisition follows Avid’s announcement on October 7 that the company had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Wolftech.
With this acquisition, Avid deepens the integration between the two toolsets while continuing to embrace an open approach in partnering with a wide range of media production tools and newsroom systems. Existing Wolftech customers will benefit from Avid’s global scale for customer support and professional services.
Ian Axton, head of production operations for ITV News, said, “As a customer of both Avid and Wolftech we’re excited about the benefits this acquisition will bring to our users and our business. Wolftech has transformed... Read More