Production company Arts & Sciences (A&S)–with bases of operation in West Hollywood, Calif., and Brooklyn, NY–has extended its reach by opening an office in London under the aegis of James Bland who had most recently served as EP and partner at Blink Productions in the U.K.
A&S London launches with a directorial roster consisting of Adam & Dave, Mike Warzin, Sean Meehan, Fiona McGee, Anthony Mandler, Shaniqwa & Raj, Alex Prager, Matt Lenski, and co-founder Matt Aselton.
A&S was formed back in 2010 by partners Aselton, Marc Marrie and Mal Ward. The latter said, “We’ve had our eye on London for a while and we wanted to do this in a very specific and thoughtful way. Fortunately for us, James Bland was willing to partner with some ambitious and somewhat idealistic Americans. Being open ten years, it’s a benchmark moment and we couldn’t be more excited to mark it by establishing our brand and directors in what is arguably one of the best markets in the world.”
Indeed the company is enthused over its prospects in the U.K. even in the midst of a global pandemic, the resulting economic uncertainty and in the shadow of Brexit. Bland said, “We are opening with a very refined and focused proposition; extremely talented directors that are committed to the market and want to collaborate with agencies on the best creative work. I’m thrilled to be leading the company in the UK and Europe, and we look forward to supporting great ideas with our elite production team.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs seeks bail, citing changed circumstances and new evidence
Sean "Diddy" Combs filed a new request for bail on Friday, saying changed circumstances, along with new evidence, mean the hip-hop mogul should be allowed to prepare for a May trial from outside jail.
Lawyers for Combs filed the request in Manhattan federal court, where his previous requests for bail have been rejected by two judges since his September arrest on racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges.
He has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years with help from a network of associates and employees, while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings.
He has been awaiting a May 5 trial at a federal detention facility in Brooklyn.
In their new court filing, lawyers for Combs say they are proposing a "far more robust" bail package that would subject the entertainer to strict around-the-clock security monitoring and near-total restrictions on his ability to contact anyone but his lawyers. But the amount of money they attach to the package remains $50 million, as they proposed before.
They also cite new evidence that they say "makes clear that the government's case is thin." That evidence, the lawyers said, refutes the government's claim that a March 2016 video showing Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend occurred during a coerced "freak off," a sexually driven event described in the indictment against Combs.
They wrote that the encounter was instead "a minutes-long glimpse into a complex but decade-long consensual relationship" between Combs and his then-girlfriend.
The lawyers argued that the jail conditions Combs is experiencing at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn violate his constitutional... Read More