Television
Makeready's Triumphant Expansion: Forging a Powerhouse Collaboration with Fifth Season and Topic Studios
2024-10-30
In a strategic move that promises to reshape the entertainment landscape, Makeready, the production company led by industry veteran Brad Weston and Netflix alum Collin Creighton, has extended its overall deal with Fifth Season by an additional three years. Joining the powerhouse collaboration is Topic Studios, marking the start of a new multiyear joint venture between the two companies. This alliance will provide Makeready with the financial resources and development funds necessary to create a robust slate of premium television content, further solidifying its position as a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
Unlocking the Potential of Exceptional Storytelling
Expanding the Makeready Footprint
Makeready's extended partnership with Fifth Season has already yielded impressive results, with the production of films like the Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley-led "Killer Heat," which became Prime Video's top worldwide film for two consecutive weeks. The company has also found success with the Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning "A Thousand and One," the debut feature from director A.V. Rockwell. Upcoming projects include the A24 film "Opus," starring John Malkovich and Emmy winner Ayo Edebiri, as well as the Edgar-winning novel adaptation "She Rides Shotgun," directed by Nick Rowland and starring Taron Egerton, which Amazon has acquired internationally. Additionally, Makeready is developing the English-language remake of the Academy Award-winning "Another Round," with Chris Rock at the helm, and "Some Part of Her," a project steered by author, showrunner, and journalist Amy Chozick.Strengthening the Television Division
To further bolster its television presence, Makeready has brought on former Temple Hill executive Sydney Title to lead its television division. Title's impressive resume includes her work on projects such as the Hulu-ordered pilot "Downforce," written and executive produced by Emmy nominees Alec Berg and Adam Countee, with Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo also serving as an executive producer, and starring Eve Hewson and Murray Bartlett. Prior to Temple Hill, Title honed her skills in television development and production at Chernin Entertainment and Scooter Braun Projects, contributing to acclaimed series like "See" and "Truth Be Told" for Apple TV+, as well as "Dave" for FX.The Power of Collaboration
The partnership between Makeready, Fifth Season, and the newly added Topic Studios promises to be a game-changer in the industry. As Makeready's Brad Weston eloquently stated, "Since day one, our relationship with everyone at Fifth Season has just been wildly comfortable. It's like coming to work every day with your friends to make films and television." This synergy, coupled with the financial resources and infrastructure provided by both Fifth Season and Topic Studios, will enable Makeready to develop a robust slate of content, allowing the company to consistently produce high-quality films and television series.Embracing the Future of Entertainment
The industry leaders at the helm of this collaboration are equally enthusiastic about the potential it holds. Topic Studios' CEO Michael Bloom and COO Ian Stratford expressed their excitement about Makeready's incredible business and the team's brilliance, while Fifth Season's co-CEOs, Chris Rice and Graham Taylor, believe that Weston's Makeready is just getting started. They are confident that this partnership will yield even greater successes, particularly as the focus expands into the television realm with the addition of Sydney Title's expertise.A Diverse and Compelling Slate
The impressive slate of projects already in the works further underscores the depth and breadth of this collaboration. Fifth Season's upcoming releases include the Paul Rudd, Tim Robinson, and Kate Mara-led "Friendship," acquired by A24 out of TIFF; the James Madigan-directed "The Beast," starring Samuel L. Jackson and Joel Kinnaman; and the Stephen Chbosky-directed "Nonnas," which stars Vince Vaughn and was acquired by Netflix. On the television front, Fifth Season's output includes the Jason Momoa drama "Chief of War" for Apple TV+ and the Jessica Chastain-starrer "The Savant," directed by Matthew Heineman.Elevating the Industry
The collaboration between Makeready, Fifth Season, and Topic Studios is poised to have a profound impact on the entertainment industry. By combining their resources, expertise, and creative vision, they are positioned to elevate the quality and diversity of premium television content, setting a new standard for storytelling and captivating audiences worldwide.