Home Entertainment
March 29, 2006
Warner Home Video Signs Agreement With Filmmakers Tony Krantz, John Shiban And Daniel Myrick For Three Films To Be Produced For DVD Under The New “Raw Feed” Brand
(March 29, 2006 - Burbank, CA) - Three filmmakers who brought you “24,” “The X-Files” and “The Blair Witch Project” have partnered with Warner Home Video (WHV) on a line of edgy new independent films to be released on DVD. Tony Krantz, John Shiban and Dan Myrick will each direct and produce the films under the brand name, “Raw Feed.”
The announcement of the multi-picture pact was made jointly today by the filmmakers and Jeff Baker, WHV’s Senior VP and General Manager for Theatrical Catalog. Also unique to this venture is that this is the first time WHV has gone outside of its own library product to develop and produce a line of movies such as Raw Feed.
Each film will also be made available in unrated versions with extensive and unique extra content—some of which will be embedded in the films themselves, or in the form of supplemental material. Certain Raw Feed films will be designed for multi-platform distribution, including theatrical release. Krantz, Shiban and Myrick will each direct one of the first three movies, in what the filmmakers and WHV hope will be an on-going series of films and related media product built around the brand, Raw Feed.
First up is "Rest Stop," about a young couple terrorized while on a cross-country trip, set to begin production April 3, and to be released in the fourth quarter of 2006. Written by John Shiban, "Rest Stop" will be Shiban’s feature film directing debut. The next two “Raw Feed” films will go into production later this year for release during the first half of 2007.
“We’re thrilled that Warner Home Video is building this label with us. They see the same thing: an opportunity to make unique and risky films that are a stylistic mash-up of the three genres of thriller, sci-fi and horror,” said Tony Krantz. “The blending of the artistic and storytelling sensibilities of ‘24’ (thriller), ‘The X-Files’ (sci-fi) and ‘The Blair Witch Project’ (horror) is the essence of Raw Feed. We’re truly excited and pleased to have Jeff and the WHV team as our partners. They saw the potential of this right from the start,” Krantz added.
Said Jeff Baker, “Tony, John and Dan are cutting-edge filmmakers with terrific energy, passion and vision. We’re excited to be working with them on these unique films that I think will resonate strongly with consumers.”
Tony Krantz, Executive Producer for the hit series “24,” has many other producing credits, including TV’s “Felicity” and Aaron Sorkin’s “Sports Night,” “The PJs,” starring Eddie Murphy, as well as the theatrical film, "Mulholland Drive." Krantz will be making his directorial debut with the second “Raw Feed” film.
Emmy-nominated writer-producer John Shiban served as an Executive Producer on Fox’s “The X-Files” as well as Co-Creator for the spin-off series “The Lone Gunmen.” Among his many writer-producer credits are UPN’s “Star Trek: Enterprise,” ABC’s “Threat Matrix” and USA Network’s “Frankenstein.” Currently, Shiban is serving as Co-Executive Producer of the WB’s hit series “Supernatural.”
Daniel Myrick is best known for co-creating "The Blair Witch Project" with his partners at Haxan Films, considered the most profitable independent movie of all time with a worldwide gross of over $250 million. Myrick’s other credits include "Curse of the Blair Witch," "Split Screen" and “The Strand” for television. He’s currently directing “Solstice,” a film now in production in New Orleans.
With operations in 90 international territories Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video’s film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.# # #