Several Changes in Warner Bros. Creative Departments

Warner Bros. Television completed putting in place a new creative management structure with a series of appointments and promotions. The changes were made in the departments handling development of new programming and current programming and were described by Warner Bros. as a reward for the dedication and accomplishments the executives have made. Clancy Collins White was named as senior vice president, drama development, and Stephanie Groves was named as senior vice president, current programming. Among programs developed by Collins White are “V” and the upcoming “Chase” from Jerry Bruckheimer Television. Before joining Warner Bros. Television, she worked at MGM Worldwide Television Group. Groves has been with Warner Bros. for 12 years, and has overseen day-to-day creative affairs on “Fringe,” “Supernatural,” “Human Target,” “One Tree Hill” and more. Other changes include the promotion of Lisa Roos to Vice President, Drama Development; Odetta Watkins to Vice President, Current Programming; and Christopher Mack to Vice President, Warner Bros. Writers’ Workshop, where he will oversee identifying new writing talent for its comedy and drama series. Matthew King has joined as Vice President, Drama Development, and Adrienne Turner has joined Vice President, Comedy Development. This is a Test Testronic Labs President Seth Hallen moderated a panel on the future of the digital supply chain at the Entertainment Supply Chain Academy Conference in Los Angeles on June 3. Panelists included representatives from Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, Deluxe Digital Studios, Technicolor Digital Content Delivery, Ascent Media, and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. They discussed skills, capabilities and lessons learned from the physical media supply chain that can be transferred to the new digital workflow, as well as collaborative strategies for building industry-wide efficiencies in digital distribution. Hallen’s Burbank-based company recently announced the opening of its digital entertainment test lab on July 1. The first of its kind facility can do quality control on content through every available digital outlet; including web portals, mobile devices, and broadcast-cable-VOD platforms. “This is just the latest step in a long-held commitment to help our clients distribute content that consistently surpasses consumer expectations,” Hallen said. “The (digital entertainment lab) is an innovative and much needed development that will enable our customers to confidently deliver digital content, regardless of how it is ultimately consumed.” Scholarships Available Applications are now being accepted for the J. Michael Brinkman Scholarships made available through the Hollywood Post Alliance, a trade group for post-production practitioners. Both students and working professionals interested in career advancement are eligible to apply. Scholarships awards include $1,000 to cover tuition or related costs; coverage for registration and expenses to attend the 2011 HPA Tech Retreat in February; up to $250 to nominating instructor of each of the students for books, materials or equipment; and a copy of the Avid Media Composer 4.0 software. Past winners have included students from California State University, Northridge, Los Angeles City College, University of Southern California, and the American Film Institute. Applicants should live in Southern California and have a strong interest in a career in post-production after finishing school, currently in the post production industry in a creative, business, technical or engineering role and looking to advance their career, or looking to cross over into a post production career. Deadline to apply is June 18 with winners to be announced by the end of July. For more information visit www.hpaonline.com or [email protected]. Publisher Adds Music Independent music publisher and production music library Black Toast Music in Chatsworth added 200 new titles to its collection. The material is available for search, audition, and downloads at the Black Toast website. Artists include Jonny Polonsky, Jill Freeman, Craicmore, The Talks, David Morgan, and Madeline West. “We’d like to encourage music supervisors from across all media —television, film, advertising, videogames, and corporate, to check out our exciting and diverse new material,” said founder and CEO Bob Mair. “Black Toast Music is a true and valuable resource for any project requiring the inclusion of fresh new songs from indie artists as well as high quality production music.” A Bigger Mouse House The City of Glendale approved last month the expansion of The Walt Disney Co. campus along San Fernando Road. The project will include a six-story office building and a landscaped area with palm trees and a shaded space for outdoor activities, the Glendale News-Press reported. The entertainment conglomerate plans to break ground in September on the project in which more than 1,200 employees will work, the paper reported. “This project will not only enable the physical transformation of the San Fernando Road corridor, but will also provide fiscal benefits that will contribute to the vitality [of the area],” Neil Jurgens, vice president of design and delivery for Disney, was quoted in the News-Press. Curiouser and Curiouser In other Disney-related news, the 3D film “Alice In Wonderland” surpassed the $1 billion mark in global box office at the end of May. “Alice” is one of only six films to reach that amount in ticket sales. It is also the third highest-grossing film in The Walt Disney Studio’s history, behind only “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” and “Finding Nemo.” “We feel incredibly fortunate to be able to showcase such an amazing 3D film,” said Rich Ross, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “Our marketing teams joined with our exhibition partners to find every opportunity to bring this creative masterpiece to fans around the world.” “Alice in Wonderland” was released on DVD and Blu-ray disc on June 1. Staff Reporter Mark Madler can be reached at (818) 316-3126 or by e-mail at [email protected].