Element Pictures Hires Pulse Films’ Lucas Ochoa, Silverprint’s Michael Dawson

Justin Kroll Senior Film ReporterEXCLUSIVE: The classic spaghetti western that helped launch Clint Eastwood’s career looks to be getting the TV treatment as We are hearing Mark Gordon Pictures is developing A Fistful of DollarsTV series. The company has acquired the rights to the film as well as the Akira Kurosawa’s 1961 samurai epic, Yojimbo, which the Eastwood film was based on.

Naman Ramachandran Sony Pictures Television has swooped for global distribution rights to documentary “Who You Gonna Call?” that chronicles the life of Grammy-winning musician Ray Parker Jr.

Boris Johnson in a hilarious spoof of one of the Prime Minister's Downing Street coronairus daily brieifings. The Little Britain comedian nailed the Prime Minister's floppy blond hair and stuttering delivery in a special prelude to tonight's Great British Bake Off series opener - Lucas' first as presenter.

Tom Grater International Film ReporterEXCLUSIVE: Yale Productions, Jordan Yale Levine and Jordan Beckerman’s New York-Based production company which has credits including the upcoming action thriller Red 48 with John Malkovich and Tyrese Gibson, has named Zola Glassman as Director of Development.Joining from 30WEST, Glassman will oversee the development slate and also seek new creative and financial opportunities for the indie banner.

Element Pictures, the Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning production banner behind Normal People, The Favourite, Lobster and Room, has bolstered its creative team with the hire of two executive producers working primarily in TV. Lucas Ochoa joins from Pulse Films, where he was the chief creative officer of the scripted division.

Peter White Television EditorElement Pictures, the production company behind Hulu and BBC drama Normal People, is ramping up its television activities with the hire of two executives.It has hired former Pulse Films exec Lucas Ochoa, who was Chief Creative Officer of its scripted division and Silverprint Pictures’ Michael Dawson. They will be based in London and will develop new projects as well as work across the existing slate.

Anthony D'Alessandro Editorial Director/Box Office EditorEXCLUSIVE: Denis O’Sullivan and Jeff Kalligheri’s Compelling Pictures have closed a deal to produce and finance a feature adaptation of Michael Connelly’s recent New York Times bestseller Fair Warning which is being seen as a potential franchise. Connelly will write the screen adaptation and produce alongside O’Sullivan and Kalligheri.

Ed Meza @edmezavarSwitzerland’s Cognito Films has re-teamed with German shingle Elemag Pictures on a human drama about a group of pit workers coming to terms with the closure of Germany’s last coal mine.“Once We Were Pitmen” accompanies five miners on a bittersweet journey against the backdrop of climate change, Germany’s energy transition away from fossil fuels and even gender identity.