What effect will the change in SAG’s leadership have on next year’s negotiations for a new spot contract with actors? That query is being bandied about in commercialmaking circles. Last week, veteran actor William Daniels upset incumbent Richard Masur in the election for SAG president. Daniels ran on a platform calling for the union to take a tougher line in contractual talks….Director Jason Farrand has joined bicoastal Straw Dogs….The directorial team of Martin Cannellakis and Brian Aldrich, a.k.a. Marty+Brian, is breaking up so that each can helm spots individually. The two directors continue to be represented by bicoastal Coppos Films….Director Spencer Antle is currently talking with several production companies since leaving now defunct Fahrenheit Films. In the meantime, he is running jobs through his own Venice, Calif.-based company, Exile….Director J.C. Barros is coming aboard Culver City, Calif.-headquartered Gas.Food & Lodging for commercial and music video representation….Producer Gary Grossman has been promoted to head of broadcast production at Merkley Newman Harty, New York…. Santa Monica-based commercial music house Ear to Ear is launching a sound design division. The new venture opens with sound designer Matthew Schoenfeld….
HBO Inks Two-Year First-Look Deal With Sharon Horgan and Her Production Company Merman
HBO has signed a two-year first-look television deal with BAFTA-winning and Emmy®-nominated actor, writer, and producer Sharon Horgan (“Bad Sisters,” “Catastrophe”) and her multi award-winning production company Merman. HBO has also given a straight-to-series order for a new original comedy series, the first project under this deal, from Horgan and produced by Merman, with Horgan serving as writer, star, and executive producer.
This comedy series follows a 50-year-old divorcee’s search for sex and love while juggling caring for her ailing parents and parenting her should-be grown up son.
Amy Gravitt, executive VP, HBO & Max Comedy Programming, said, “We’re thrilled to be reunited with Sharon. Her willingness to offer up her own experiences through the characters she creates makes us all feel a little less lonely, that is what sets her comedy apart so brilliantly. She also has such a sharp eye for material and a strong desire to shepherd other people’s stories, we’re looking forward to the new talent she will bring into the fold.”
Horgan said, “I’m so happy to once again be working with Casey [Bloys], Amy, Francesca [Orsi] and the team at HBO, and really excited that Merman get to continue to tell stories for a company that’s been home to some of the most iconic television shows ever created.”
Horgan has created and starred in such series as “Pulling,” “Catastrophe,” “Motherland,” “Amandaland” and BAFTA and Peabody winning series “Bad Sisters,” which recently released its second season. She received Emmy® nominations for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (“Catastrophe”), Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (“Bad... Read More