A bloody good trailer has dropped for the new horror comedy series from Blumhouse Television, 12 Deadly Days. The series will debut on YouTube Red on December 12th. Also: a new exclusive clip from Wives With Knives, acquisition details for Slasher.com, Wizard World's financial partnership with Bristol Investment Fund, Superstition details, and El Rey Network's new focus on "Strivers."
12 Deadly Days Trailer & Release Details: Press Release: "(Los Angeles, CA) -- December 6, 2016 -- YouTube and Emmy Award-winning Blumhouse Television today announced that they have partnered on a new half-hour horror-comedy series called “Deadly Days”. Over the course of a dozen interconnected tales, the residents of Saturn, CA find themselves terrorized by everything from killer carolers and lovelorn vampires to cursed fruitcakes and haunted Christmas trees. The series will debut exclusively on YouTube Red on December 12, 2016.
Blumhouse Television is serving as the studio on the series created by executive producers Chris Cullari and Jennifer Raite (as part of their first-look deal with Blumhouse) and produced by Dakota Pictures which is set in the cursed town of Saturn during the twelve days leading up to Christmas. Troy Miller of Dakota, Josh Miller, and Pat Casey also executive produced the series. Episodes in “Deadly Days” were directed by renowned genre talent like Joe Lynch, Joe Menendez, Eduardo Sanchez and Gregg Hale, and John Hyams as well as Miller. A huge cast of talented and well-known actors, such as Betty Gabriel (The Purge: Election Year), Kaitlin Doubleday (“Empire”), Dohn Norwood (“Hell on Wheels”), and Tom Lenk (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”), are featured in “12 Deadly Days” along with top YouTube creators including Anna Akana, Burnie Burns, Timothy DeLaGhetto, Brittany Furlan, Tre Melvin, Mikey Murphy, Eric Ochoa, Nikki Limo, Troy Pindell, Meghan Rienks, Jake Roper and Alexis Zall.
“We’re honored to be working with Blumhouse, the masters of horror, as we move into more genre programming for YouTube Red, and were excited to pair them with twelve of the best actor-creators on YouTube for ‘12 Deadly Days,” said Tim Shey, Head of Scripted Programming, YouTube Originals. “Viewers are going to be blown away by the storytelling, performances, and dark humor of this series, which is like nothing else out right now.”
Jeremy Gold and Marci Wiseman, Co-Presidents of Blumhouse Television said: “We are excited to start this new chapter of Blumhouse Television with ‘12 Deadly Days.’ Chris and Jennifer created a unique and original series that Troy and his team at Dakota along with Josh and Pat have helped bring to life. YouTube Red is the perfect home for such an irreverent and scary series and we can’t wait to share it with everyone."
Wiseman and Gold recently joined Blumhouse Television as Co-Presidents joining Jessica Rhoades, the long-time Head of Programming & Development. Blumhouse Television has quickly grown, winning two Emmy awards (The Normal Heart, The Jinx), two Peabody awards (The Jinx and How to Dance in Ohio), assembling a diverse slate of scripted and unscripted dark genre programming. Blumhouse is currently producing Sharp Objects starring Amy Adams based on Gillian Flynn’s bestselling novel and is serving as the studio for a limited series adaptation of journalist Gabriel Sherman's acclaimed reporting on Roger Ailes, shepherded by Academy Award winner Tom McCarthy. Blumhouse’s films, including the wildly successful The Purge, Insidious, Paranormal Activity and Ouija franchises, have grossed over $2 billion at the worldwide box-office.
This announcement also builds upon YouTube and Blumhouse’s partnership as Blumhouse previously partnered with YouTube Spaces to bring horror-inspired, virtual reality videos to YouTube fans this October.
YouTube Red is a paid membership that gives you an enhanced, uninterrupted experience across YouTube, YouTube Music, and YouTube Gaming. Members also get exclusive access to new Original series and movies from top YouTube creators. YouTube Red is currently available in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico, with plans for additional international expansion next year.
ABOUT YOUTUBE
Launched in May 2005, YouTube allows billions of people to discover, watch and share originally-created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube is a Google company."
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Exclusive: New Wives With Knives Clip: "If someone told the women featured on Wives With Knives to cut the men out of their lives, they took the advice literally. The series recounts real stories of women who stabbed their significant others, some of them fatally. The motivations for committing the crimes varied – many of the attackers reached their breaking points after years of sexual, emotional and physical abuse, while jealousy and greed were primary factors for others. The series features criminologist, behavioral analyst and attorney Dr. Casey Jordan, who sits down with each femme fatale for an emotional one on one interview.
http://www.investigationdiscovery.com/tv-shows/wives-with-knives/"
The new episode of Wives With Knives airs this Friday, December 9th on Investigation Discovery.
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Slasher.com Acquisition Details: Press Release: "Los Angeles, CA - MuchoMuchoMucho Productions, in association with Firefly Films, has inked a deal with ITN Distribution for the domestic release of Slasher.com. The latest feature from horror director Chip Gubera (Song of the Dead, Academy of Doom), Slasher.com puts a gruesome twist on the perils of modern dating.
The deal was negotiated between the producers, led by executive producer Debbie Kaplan, and ITN President Stuart Alson and Vice President Nicole Holland. ITN is planning a home video release in 2017.
Co-written by Gubera and Chelsea Andes, Slasher.com combines the time-honored tradition of young people facing unfathomable horrors in the wilderness with the everyday horror of meeting people online. Ben Kaplan (ADDicted, Wingman Inc) and Morgan Carter star as the hapless would-be couple, anchoring a cast supported by R.A. Mihailoff (Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, Hatchet II), Jewel Shepard (Return of the Living Dead) and Grammy winner Delious Kennedy.
The upcoming release follows a successful run on the indie film festival circuit. Slasher.com took home awards for Best Feature Film at the Bloody Horror International Film Festival in Ottawa, Best Horror Feature at the Hollywood Boulevard International Film Festival, and Best Screenplay at the Optical Theatre Film Festival in Rome. Jewel Shepard and R.A. Mihailoff were nominated for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor respectively at the Optical Theatre Film Festival.
At a time where online dating could prove fatal, Jack and Kristy decide they're ready to meet in person. Aiming for an adventurous first date, they plan a weekend getaway to the woodlands of rural Missouri. While discovering each other, they soon learn of the terrorizing horrors that the forest has in store.
Ahead of ITN's release, Slasher.com will continue to screen on the festival circuit, appearing next at the PDXtreme Film Fest in Portland."
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Wizard World's Financial Partnership with Bristol Investment Fund, Ltd.: Press Release: "LOS ANGELES, December 5, 2016 – Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) (the “Company”), a leading exhibitor in the pop-culture and comic con space, today announced that it has entered in to a definitive financing agreement with Bristol Investment Fund, Ltd. ("Bristol"), one of its largest shareholders and long term investors. The net proceeds of the offering will be used by the Company for the purpose of providing working capital for existing operations and for the creation of new vertical operating units.
Paul Kessler, a well-regarded financier, investor, and operator serves as both the portfolio manager of Bristol and the Chairman of Wizard World. Mr. Kessler stated: “I have been involved in the day-to-day operations of Wizard World since late spring with a focus on operations, strategy, internal controls, and governance. With the guidance of our external legal and financial advisors, which include Lucosky Brookman LLP, Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP, DLA Piper, Freeh Group International Solutions, LLC, Redwood Capital, and Brio Financial Group each of whom we acknowledge and to whom we express gratitude, we have made, and continue to make, progress in each of these areas. I believe we have assembled a highly-regarded and exceptionally qualified management team during this time of transition. The financing by Bristol provides a solid fiscal foundation enabling the Company to drive toward future success by focusing on the existing business as well as some new business extensions. We have great plans on the table for Wizard World.”
Wizard World is scheduled to produce 16 shows in 2017. John D. Maatta, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wizard World, stated: “The investment by Bristol ensures the Company’s ability to aggressively move forward into 2017, and beyond. The second half of 2016 was a reset and rebuilding period during which the Company moved aggressively to professionalize its operations and systems while containing costs and greatly enhancing the entertainment value at its shows. The Company is being actively converted from a “mom and pop” road show carnival culture into a significant live event and entertainment company. While continuing to revamp the existing business operations, the Company, during the first two quarters of 2017, plans to move into new vertical brand extensions designed and contemplated to compliment and grow the existing business. We have cut costs, restructured the executive roster, and re-imagined the core nature of the company. In a material break from the past, the Company is now operated professionally, by professionals in the entertainment space.”
Maatta continued: “With the new investment in the company comes the renewed commitment and continuing obligation that we all have to do everything that we can do as a company to enhance value for the shareholders, produce extraordinary events for the fans while respecting our employees and enhancing revenue and aggressively containing costs. It is a new and very positive day at WizardWorld.”
About Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD)
Wizard World, Inc. (www.wizardworld.com) produces comic, gaming and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, gaming, graphic novels, toys, sci-fi, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A's, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties, and more. Wizard World has also launched ComicConBox™ (www.comicconbox.com), a premium subscription-based monthly box service and Wizard World Rewards among its initiatives. Fans can interact with Wizard World on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve certain risks and uncertainties. The actual results or outcomes of Wizard World, Inc. may differ materially from those anticipated. Although Wizard World, Inc. believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any such assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, Wizard World, Inc. can provide no assurance that any of the forward-looking statements contained in this letter will prove to be accurate.
In light of the significant uncertainties and risks inherent in the forward-looking statements included in this letter, such information should not be regarded as a representation by Wizard World, Inc. that its objectives or plans will be achieved. Included in these uncertainties and risks are, among other things, fluctuations in operating results, general economic conditions, uncertainty regarding the results of certain legal proceedings and competition. Forward-looking statements consist of statements other than a recitation of historical fact and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "intend," "expect," "will," "anticipate," "estimate" or "continue" or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Because they are forward-looking, such statements should be evaluated in light of important risk factors and uncertainties. These risk factors and uncertainties are more fully described in Wizard World, Inc.'s most recent Annual and Quarterly Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading entitled "Risk Factors." Wizard World, Inc. does not undertake an obligation to update publicly any of its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law."
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Syfy's Superstition Series: Press Release: "LOS ANGELES (December 6, 2016) – Syfy has given a 13-episode direct-to-series order to SUPERSTITION, a supernatural genre series produced by XLrator Media and Mario Van Peebles’ newly launched TV production company MVPTV, which is set to begin production in early 2017 and air on Syfy later in the year.
XLrator Media’s Barry Gordon and MVPTV’s Mario Van Peebles will produce, and Van Peebles (“Roots,” “Bloodline,” “Hand of God,” “Empire,” “Lost”) will also write, direct and star in some of the episodes. Joel Anderson Thompson (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Boomtown,” “House M.D.”) has been tapped as showrunner and Laurence Andries (“Alias,” “Six Feet Under,” “Supernatural,” “The Pacific”) will executive produce. The dynamic writing team of Brusta Brown and John Mitchell Todd (“Defiance,” “Mech-X4”) have also boarded the series. XLrator Media holds international distribution and sales rights.
The series centers around the Mosley family, owners of the only funeral home in a fictitious town on the outskirts of New Orleans and keepers of the town’s dark secrets and history. Known for its haunted houses, elevated graveyards, odd townsfolk, and rich history of unusual phenomena, the town is also a “landing patch” for the world’s darkest manifestations of fear, guided into the world by an ancient, mysterious malefactor named The Dredge.
“SUPERSTITION is an intelligent, boundary-pushing genre series rich in supernatural lore and myths, featuring an eccentric family who has an unusual connection to an otherworldly plane, and the dark force that unleashes the demons, creatures, and monsters that haunt our nightmares. There is a voracious global audience always seeking the next well-crafted genre series as evidenced by the success of “American Horror Story,” “Stranger Things,” “Supernatural,” “True Blood,” “Six Feet Under” and others. SUPERSTITION is being produced and created by people who love and appreciate genre content. XLrator is proud to partner with Syfy and Mario Van Peebles on our first network television series,” said XLrator Media CEO Barry Gordon.
“The incredible things we used to do an independent film, we can now do in television. This is truly a golden era for exciting, provocative television,” said Mario Van Peebles.
“A town where all superstitions, myths, and legends are true offers a rich cultural, atmospheric and macabre playground for Mario Van Peebles, Barry Gordon, Joel Anderson Thompson and Laurence Andries to explore. We are excited to work with this terrific team and look forward to bringing this unique story to Syfy,” said Chris Regina, Senior Vice President, Syfy Programming.
Andries is repped by UTA, and Thompson, Brown, and Todd are repped by The Cartel."
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El Rey Network's "Strivers": "Austin, TX (December 5, 2016) – El Rey Network, influenced by the lives of core male viewers who have embraced its programming over the last three years, will expand its focus to include a surging audience it calls “Strivers.” “Strivers” represents the new working and middle-class male viewers who hold strong core beliefs about the importance of family, independence, hard work, craftsmanship, and legacy, which defy typical age and race metrics and speak more to the notion of “living by a code.” The network appeals to an audience of a sociographic class, rather than defining its audience by traditional age and race categories.
“Strivers are important because they represent every race and region of the country and consume more hours of linear cable television each week than any other socioeconomic group. Additionally, Strivers are loyal to brands and spend large portions of their household incomes against consumer categories that are important to advertisers. We see appealing to Strivers as a huge opportunity for El Rey and its partners,” said El Rey Network president and general manager Daniel Tibbets.
Remaining true to its founding mission as “The People’s Network,” the lifestyle channel, established by maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, is steadily transforming into a global multi-platform brand that appeals to aspirational, independent-spirited, and culturally diverse viewers everywhere.
“El Rey Network launched in 2013 as a network targeting English-speaking Hispanic males. As our distribution grew it became apparent that our programming appeals to a much larger psychographic. We also learned major lessons from this last election cycle, where we saw large portions of the population who felt their voices weren’t represented in media. A closer look revealed that class and socioeconomics were the driving forces behind this disconnect,” said Tibbets. “So we made a strategic decision to focus the brand voice on the new working class and middle class where El Rey naturally serves a diverse group of males, which we've identified as ‘Strivers.’ The El Rey brand voice that’s aspirational, authentic and inclusive, offering hero/anti-hero stories with both strong male and female characters, inherently speaks to this audience.”
Skip Chaisson, El Rey’s Chief Creative Officer, has a deep understanding of this audience. “We make a conscious effort to respect our audience and identify what’s important for them – not only creatively, but holistically. We recognized the need to draw focus toward the health of men in the middle class, and, as a result, we recently launched Ride for Health.”
Ride for Health is an initiative aimed at Strivers who tend to view sickness as unnecessary downtime, forgo preventative checkups, and often wait until a severe medical crisis to finally see a doctor. ‘’The El Rey branded initiative Ride for Health creates integrated marketing opportunities for our affiliates and advertiser partners to address this problem on-air, online and in real-world experiential activations,” added Tibbets.
Working-class Strivers are the new middle class and are projected to become the “majority minority” by 2032, led by Latinos. They are a broad group coveted by TV networks and advertisers; representing nearly a third of all U.S. households and total U.S. consumer spending. Strivers are avid TV watchers; approximately 93% are cable/satellite subscribers and bundle buyers. Loyal to linear platforms while also embracing mobile technology, they are a passionate audience that loves action programming and live sports.
Strivers are united as a psychographic by their belief in making an honest living, excelling in their craft and leaving their mark. They work hard to provide for themselves and their families and to strive for a better life. They hold shared values, yet are fiercely driven by an independent spirit and the American ideal of living free. This sensibility has long been captured by the network’s slogan “Ride withEl Rey,” with its imagery of escapism and freedom.
Concurrently, this newly defined audience of Strivers is also culturally diverse, overlapping with El Rey’s original audience and mandate. In 2016, El Rey embarked on a diversity report looking at the current state of inclusion in the entertainment industry. Diversity unites and engages audiences and boosts viewership, contrary to many widely held Industry beliefs, and El Rey Network has continually pledged a commitment to diversity, both in its programming and within the company itself across four U.S. offices. The El Rey Network Diversity Report can be viewed here El Rey Network Diversity Report.
As it works to better serve its existing and growing audience of Strivers, El Rey plans to further develop its original programming across all platforms – linear, digital, social, brand integration and experiential – transitioning from a U.S. network to a global lifestyle brand. With its current original series’ as a foundation, this will include scripted series, movies, reality, competition, health/lifestyle, late-night and user-generated content, to be announced in the months ahead.
Please note: Sources for statistics above include the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Simmons Market Research Bureau, Pew Research Center, and Nielsen, among others.
About El Rey Network
El Rey Network is a 24-hour, English-language lifestyle network targeting "Strivers,” working and middle-class male viewers who hold strong core beliefs about the importance of family, independence, hard work, craftsmanship, and legacy. Founded by maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, and curated by Rodriguez and his artistic collective, the network features action-packed programming, relatable heroes and aspirational stories that embrace today’s America. El Rey’s slate is anchored by signature series including the original drama “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series,” the one-on-one interview program “El Rey Network Presents: The Director’s Chair,” and “Lucha Underground,” a lucha libre wrestling series produced by Mark Burnett. El Rey Network’s lineup also showcases a wide range of iconic feature films and television series including genre, action, and sci-fi/ horror. El Rey Network LLC is jointly owned by Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures, with a minority stake held by Univision Networks & Studios, Inc."