By CAROLYN GIARDINA
National Mobile Television (NMT), Seattle, and Unitel Video (ASE:UNV), headquartered in New York, announced May 11 that they had reached an agreement in principle for NMT to acquire the mobile TV production assets of Unitel Mobile Video, which maintains offices in Pittsburgh and Burbank, Calif.. The companies will proceed to negotiate a definitive purchase and sale agreement. The transaction is expected to close in June.
Unitel is the parent company of various entities that provide studio and mobile TV facilities, as well as postproduction and special effects services. Unitel CEO Barry Knepper explained that the proceeds from the sale of the mobile unit would be used to erase the majority of the company’s $40 million debt. He commented that the remaining debt would be "manageable." Knepper said the proceeds would also be used to invest in Unitel’s studio and postproduction divisions, which include Hollywood-based commercial post/effects facility Editel/LA.
He was hopeful that that these changes will aid Unitel’s "depressed" stock price. On May 12, the day following the NMT announcement, Unitel hovered around $2 a share. When asked if another Unitel deal might be in the offing, Knepper said Unitel was not in discussions with other potential buyers.
Acknowledging that the mobile unit was once the company’s most profitable unit, Knepper said that upgrading the trucks to component digital or HD-which may be required-was a costly proposition. "We didn’t feel we had the resources to do it," he explained. As for Unitel’s postproduction facilities, he said he would upgrade to HD when there is customer demand.
Director Jack Begert Joins Biscuit For His First Commercial Representation In U.S. & U.K.
Biscuit Filmworks has added filmmaker Jack Begert to its roster in the U.S. and U.K. This marks Begert’s first representation in advertising, building upon his acclaimed work in music video and film. He is best known for his striking aesthetic and surreal use of visual effects, displayed in his feature film debut Little Death, which won the NEXT Innovator Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The film stars David Schwimmer, Gaby Hoffman, Dominic Fike, and Talia Ryder, and was produced by Darren Aronofsky.
Miami-born and L.A.-based, the USC Film School graduate began his career in VFX and as an editor. Begert has worked with iconic musical artists including Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Flying Lotus, Childish Gambino, and Olivia Rodrigo, and has independently directed international campaigns for brands such as Apple, Converse, New Era, and Reebok.
Shawn Lacy, founding partner of Biscuit Filmworks, said of Begert, “We are such fans of his work--and of him as a creator, thinker, collaborator, and great guy.”
“My creative approach is often about trying to discover something unexpected in the filmmaking process,” said Begert. “Biscuit is a place where I can bring my own perspective to the work and still feel supported. That philosophy is clear from the talent they represent, and I’m excited to join their roster.”
“Jack’s work blew me away the moment I first saw it,” said Rupert Reynolds-Maclean, managing director at Biscuit Filmworks UK. “He is a modern young director who clearly cares deeply about both craft and the necessity for it in his storytelling. Everything always pushes the narrative forward. We’re looking forward to making great work together.”
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