CA-based Mandalay Sports Entertainment and CO-based
ski/snowboard movie producer Warren Miller Films (WMF) have
formed a partnership for the development and distribution of
future projects. Plans for the initiative include
development of large as well as smaller budget features, in
addition to large format projects, TV programming, new media
content and expansion into the extreme sports market.
Mandalay will assist WMF in reviewing potential projects for
the partnership and will also make its assets available for
distribution of the material (Mandalay). The HOLLYWOOD
REPORTER's Greg Hernandez writes that the partnership was
"hatched out of" WMF's "desire to produce programming with
more of a dramatic narrative," while Mandalay Marketing Dir
Ken Stickney said that his company was "drawn by the
filmmakers' built-in fan base as well as its 'sensibilities
and attitude.'" Stickney: "This is kind of a shot into the
action-adventure extreme-gravity area for us with a really
incredible partner." Stickney also said that the first two
films under the deal -- "After the Fall" and "Fly Girl" --
are "scheduled to begin shooting before year's end."
Hernandez adds that the "collaboration is expected to
include" music, animation and live events, in addition to
films and TV programming (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 9/14).
