NBCU’s Erica Forstadt Upped To SVP Entertainment Unscripted Current Production

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaCanvas Media Studios and MarVista Entertainment have hammers out a six-film slate deal that will be focused on identifying diverse, first-time and up-and- coming writers and directors.The agreement will involve fully financed completed titles with a pre-buy distribution commitment from MarVista Entertainment, which will also oversee global distribution for all films produced under the partnership.Canvas, a​ venture capital-backed​ ​content​ ​company, is led by David Tochterman, an industry vet with stints at Overbrook Entertainment and the Carsey Werner Company. MarVista Entertainment, a division of Fox Entertainment, averages 80 new movies per year.MarVista’s recent projects include the Amazon Prime Video release “Christmas Is Canceled” starring Hayley Orrantia, Dermot Mulroney, and Janel Parrish; “Stay Awake,” starring Chrissy Metz; and the IFC release “Hunter Hunter,” starring Devon Sawa, Nick Stahl, and Camille Sullivan.

Veteran communications executive Michael Fabiani has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Communications, Paramount Media Networks and MTV Entertainment Studios.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has solidified its cast for the upcoming fifth and final season. Kelly Bishop (Gilmore Girls) will return as a guest star, reprising her role as matchmaker Benedetta, and Alfie Fuller and Jason Ralph, who recurred in Season 4, have been promoted to series regulars for Season 5. Additionally, Peter Friedman (Succession), Chloë Kerwin (Asleep in My Palm), Austin Basis (Supernatural), Josh Grisetti (Nurse Jackie), Michael Cyril Creighton (Only Murders in the Building), Eddie Kaye Thomas (American Dad!) and Lucas Kavner (The Jim Jefferies Show) join in recurring roles.

EXCUSIVE: Greenwich Entertainment said Monday that it has acquired North American distribution rights to Accepted, the feature documentary from The Disunited States of America helmer Dan Chen that played at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterNBCUniversal Television and Streaming has promoted Orit Blankrot to senior vice president of entertainment business and legal affairs, Variety has learned exclusively.In her new role, Blankrot, who most recently served as vice president of entertainment business and legal affairs for NBCU’s TV and streaming arm, has increased oversight of business and legal affairs for NBCUniversal’s syndication studios. This includes Stamford (Conn.) Media Center’s first-run programming, E! News and co-productions for distribution on both internal and external platforms.As SVP of the department, she will report to Inge Van Herle, the head of entertainment business and legal affairs for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterAfrican American-founded, faith-based channel Impact Network is making a big push into entertainment and lifestyle content with the ramping up of its Saturday programming slate, the hiring of a new chief creative officer and executive producer of original content, and the launch of a 6,000-foot production facility in Detroit with a music division, Variety has learned exclusively.The privately owned Impact Network has a reach of 80 million homes and distribution deals with DirecTV, Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, Verizon Fios, Frontier, Cable Bahamas, Cox and Altice USA. Founder and CEO Bishop Wayne T.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorFilmLA has reported a strong first quarter as on-location film production in the LA region recorded 9,832 shoot days. The last time filming numbers were that high was in 2016, which reported 9,725 shoot days.“The potential for another COVID-related cutback had us eyeing the first quarter with concern,” recalled FilmLA President Paul Audley.

The NBA’s Golden State Warriors today announced the launch of Golden State Entertainment, a new affiliate company that will create original content rooted in the worlds of sports and entertainment.

Michelle Pfeiffer is in awe of Dakota Fanning. The 63-year-old actress met the budding actress when she was just 6 years old as co-stars on , and some two decades later they've come full circle on .While at the red carpet premiere for the Showtime scripted anthology series, Pfeiffer recalled to ET's Nischelle Turner about meeting Fanning as a little girl when they teamed up for the 2001 melodrama film, which also starred Sean Penn.«She turned seven on and I bought her a Barbie Winnebago,» Pfeiffer recalled.

EXCLUSIVE: Kyle Chalmers has joined Fox Entertainment as VP, Drama Programming and Development. Chalmers, who comes from Blumhouse Television, is the first hire for Brooke Bowman, Fox Entertainment’s EVP, Drama Programming and Development, since she took the reins of the network’s drama department in December.

Wilson Chapman editorFrancis “Fran” La Maina, who served as president and chief operating officer of Dick Clark Productions, died Saturday in Burbank, Calif., his representative Cheryl J. Kagan confirmed to Variety. He was 82.“Fran was my soulmate,” his domestic partner Carla Patterson said in a statement.

Back to basics. Simon Cowell is now free of his facial fillers, which his 8-year-old son, Eric, must be happy to see.

“Emily in Paris” stars Collins as the titular character, an American who lands a dream job doing the social media strategy for a luxury marketing company in Paris. Season 2, which dropped on the streamer in December, saw Emily “getting better at navigating the city but still struggling with the idiosyncrasies of French life,” per a logline from Netflix.In January, the show was renewed for Seasons 3 and 4.

EXCLUSIVE: Ben Holtzman, Sammy Lopez and Fiona Howe Rudin announced today the launch of P3 Productions, describing the new venture as an artist-driven producing team dedicated to building productions from the ground level to uplift new voices and communities.

Keeping score. Hope Solo has been through plenty of highs and lows — both personal and professional — since beginning her U.S. soccer career.