MPTF’s John Wells Fundraising Residential Care – Generates 50,750,000 for diversification

In today’s Film News Roundup, MPTF raised 750,000; IATSE hires a trio of epidemiologists; Looks for “bloody nose, empty pockets” and “flip side” homes; And the CAA Moebius Screening Series goes virtual.

The goal of the fundraiser

The Motion Picture and Television Fund has met its target of 7 50,750,000 from its May 15 fundraiser event, doubling the ও 250,000 pledged by the John and Marilyn Wells Family Foundation.

The funds are being used to help reduce the cost of personal protective equipment and food for caregivers at a skilled nursing home in Woodland Hills, California, where six residents died of COVID-19 last month. John Wells, author-producer of “ER” and “West Wing”, is a member of the MPTF Board of Governors.

The event was hosted by Howie Nicole Brown and Tom Bergern, which streamed live on the MPTF’s YouTube page. It includes pre-recorded categories of stars such as George Clooney, Pierce Brosnan, Jody Foster, Hugh Jackman and Allison Jenny.

“We are incredibly grateful to John Wells,” said Bob Justice, President-CEO of MPTF.

Bichikar said the funds would help offset the cost of setting up wings and providing personal protective equipment. The MPTF facilities, which were placed under strict quarantine on March 9, are now 36 days without a positive test from one of the 250 residents and 18 days without a positive test from one of the carers. The trial said the MPTF had conducted more than 1,400 tests as of Monday and another 200 were scheduled for the weekend.

IATSE haircuts

The IATSE has hired a team of three epidemiologists to consult the union on the best practices for recreational workers to return to work safely.

Matthew de Loeb, International President of IATSE, said: “We want everyone to get back to work as soon as possible, but we need to do it right. We are working with these epidemiologists and employers to create standards that apply across the United States and Canadian boards, so no production or staff is left behind. “

Among the epidemiologists is David H. Wegman, Emeritus Professor of Work Environment at Lowell University, Massachusetts, and Adjunct Professor at the Harvard School of Public Health; Letia Davis, director of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Occupational Health Surveillance Program; And Gravity R. Wagner, professor of environmental health at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.

Acquisition

Utopia has won North American rights to the documentary “Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets” by Bill and Turner Ross, one of the few films selected for both the Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals this year.

The film focuses on the final 18 hours of operation at the Las Vegas dive bar. The film will begin with a limited preview screening limited to May 30. During the National Dive Bar Day on July 7, the relief fund will direct a special one-day virtual screenplay for the film, benefiting from the USBG Foundation’s Emergency Emergency Assistance Program COVD-19.

“Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets” Motion Picture Production, presented by Concordia Studios in collaboration with XTR, contracts with the Department of Synetic Utopia. Cinemafil is managing the international sales of the film. The news was first reported by Induir.

****

Freestyle Digital Media has acquired the rights to the Australian comedy “The Flip Side” in the United States and has set a June 9 release date for DVD and VOD.

The film, made in Adelaide, South Australia, tells the story of a resurgence of fighting when his life was in turmoil when Eddie Izzard played a British film star who tempted him again. What should be a fun break comes down to weird, bitter revisions and horrible behaviors.

“The Flip Side” was written by Marion Pylosky and Lee Sellar, and also directed and produced by Pylosky. Will co-produce with Sue Murray and David Willing and star Emily Taheny and Vanessa Guide.

Screening series

The Creative Artists Agency will host a virtual show of its fifth CAA Mobius Screening Series every day on May 20-21 from 6:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

The event featured Los Angeles-based undergraduate student filmmakers from the American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory, School of Film / Video of Calarts, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, and USC School of Cinematic Arts. CAA agents will act as advisors to the filmmakers.

There are several notable alumni of the Mobius series, such as Dubais Ashang, who will make his directorial debut with Andrea Ricebaro starrer “Gichi”; Max Barbaco, the most managed “Palm Springs” sold Neon and Hulu to Sundance this year in a record-breaking deal; CAA client Hao Zheng, who won silver at the 2019 Student Academy Awards; And Chris Winterbauer, who debuted his feature with “WYRM” on the Sundance-selected short form of the same name.

The event was conceived in 2015 by then-trainees and now CAA motion picture agents Christina Chow, Zach Kaplan and Pete Stein plus Lingy Park, each of whom has continued their involvement.