Kenny Ortega, the director of Disney Channel franchises High School Musical and Descendants, has returned to Paradigm for representation.
Previously at A3 Artists Agency, Ortega found his way back to the Hollywood talent agency by way of Paradigm partner and head of the New York office Jack Tantleff, and Paradigm managing partner Andrew Ruf.
Ortega’s film and TV directing and choreography work in the family and kids musical space includes 1992’s Newsies, the original Dirty Dancing, Hocus Pocus, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Pretty in Pink, Xanadu and the High School Musical franchise, for which he earned an Emmy for choreography.
He has directed and choreographed music videos, live TV and live concert performances for the likes of Miley Cyrus, Cher, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Barbara Streisand, Dianna Ross, Mick Jagger, Gloria Estefan, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, The Pointer Sisters, Kiss and The Jonas Brothers.
In 2019, Netflix plucked Ortega away from...
Previously at A3 Artists Agency, Ortega found his way back to the Hollywood talent agency by way of Paradigm partner and head of the New York office Jack Tantleff, and Paradigm managing partner Andrew Ruf.
Ortega’s film and TV directing and choreography work in the family and kids musical space includes 1992’s Newsies, the original Dirty Dancing, Hocus Pocus, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Pretty in Pink, Xanadu and the High School Musical franchise, for which he earned an Emmy for choreography.
He has directed and choreographed music videos, live TV and live concert performances for the likes of Miley Cyrus, Cher, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Barbara Streisand, Dianna Ross, Mick Jagger, Gloria Estefan, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, The Pointer Sisters, Kiss and The Jonas Brothers.
In 2019, Netflix plucked Ortega away from...
- 3/21/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paradigm Talent Agency has hired Chris Till as an agent in their theater literary and content division, Variety has learned exclusively.
The hiring brings Till back to Paradigm, as he previously worked at the agency early in his extensive entertainment career, as he now has over 20 years of industry experience. He previously spent over a decade at CAA before joining Verve in 2020 to help launch that agency’s New York office.
Till will be based in Paradigm’s New York office as well, with a focus on representing writers and directors across theatre, film and television.
“I’ve always thought of Chris as the one that got away,” said Paradigm partner and head of the New York office Jack Tantleff. “He started his career as a young agent at Paradigm, and I have watched as he built his business to become one of the truly bright stars in our industry.
The hiring brings Till back to Paradigm, as he previously worked at the agency early in his extensive entertainment career, as he now has over 20 years of industry experience. He previously spent over a decade at CAA before joining Verve in 2020 to help launch that agency’s New York office.
Till will be based in Paradigm’s New York office as well, with a focus on representing writers and directors across theatre, film and television.
“I’ve always thought of Chris as the one that got away,” said Paradigm partner and head of the New York office Jack Tantleff. “He started his career as a young agent at Paradigm, and I have watched as he built his business to become one of the truly bright stars in our industry.
- 9/12/2023
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
In a notable executive move, Paradigm Talent Agency is elevating fourteen agents to partner, the firm’s leaders told staff on Monday. The promotions bring the total number of partners to 15 at the company, which has about 100 employees.
Those partners, who’ll receive equity in the Sam Gores-founded agency, are as follows: Jim Dempsey (Talent), Bill Douglass (Literary Content), Sarah Fargo (Talent), Jennifer Good (Literary Content), Brett Hansen (Unscripted and Literary Content), Jennifer Millar (Talent), Jonathan Mills (Theatre and Content), Stephanie Ramsey (Talent), Mark Ross (Literary Content), Chris Schmidt (Talent), Zac Simmons (Literary Content), Jack Tantleff (Theatre and Content), Hannah Tenenbaum (Brand Partnerships), and Steve Wohl (Unscripted and International Content).
Gores stated of the promotions, “We have assembled an extraordinary group of creative, smart, experienced and energetic colleagues who will help guide Paradigm into the future.”
Paradigm Talent Agency, with offices in Los Angeles and New York, is the...
Those partners, who’ll receive equity in the Sam Gores-founded agency, are as follows: Jim Dempsey (Talent), Bill Douglass (Literary Content), Sarah Fargo (Talent), Jennifer Good (Literary Content), Brett Hansen (Unscripted and Literary Content), Jennifer Millar (Talent), Jonathan Mills (Theatre and Content), Stephanie Ramsey (Talent), Mark Ross (Literary Content), Chris Schmidt (Talent), Zac Simmons (Literary Content), Jack Tantleff (Theatre and Content), Hannah Tenenbaum (Brand Partnerships), and Steve Wohl (Unscripted and International Content).
Gores stated of the promotions, “We have assembled an extraordinary group of creative, smart, experienced and energetic colleagues who will help guide Paradigm into the future.”
Paradigm Talent Agency, with offices in Los Angeles and New York, is the...
- 4/24/2023
- by Erik Hayden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paradigm Talent Agency has named 14 new partners as the firm seeks to rebuild its stature in Hollywood.
Paradigm went through transformative struggles during the pandemic period that led to the company selling off its lucrative music and touring division to Casey Wasserman’s enterprise. In addition to cleaving off its music arm, the firm lost numerous agents and clients to layoffs and defections.
Monday’s promotions make it clear that the new-model Paradigm will focus on film, TV, publishing and theater, representing actors, writers, directors and producers as well as packaging TV series and movie properties. Last September the company also launched Paradigm Media Entertainment, a division to represent local and national news anchors, meteorologists, sportscasters, producers and other news and host talent. Paradigm kickstarted its way into the TV news biz with the acquisition of three speciality agencies: Napoli Management Group, Two Twelve Management and 3 Kings Entertainment.
The...
Paradigm went through transformative struggles during the pandemic period that led to the company selling off its lucrative music and touring division to Casey Wasserman’s enterprise. In addition to cleaving off its music arm, the firm lost numerous agents and clients to layoffs and defections.
Monday’s promotions make it clear that the new-model Paradigm will focus on film, TV, publishing and theater, representing actors, writers, directors and producers as well as packaging TV series and movie properties. Last September the company also launched Paradigm Media Entertainment, a division to represent local and national news anchors, meteorologists, sportscasters, producers and other news and host talent. Paradigm kickstarted its way into the TV news biz with the acquisition of three speciality agencies: Napoli Management Group, Two Twelve Management and 3 Kings Entertainment.
The...
- 4/24/2023
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
Paradigm has elevated 14 agents to partners, establishing the largest new leadership group in the talent agency’s more than 35-year history. The new partners, who represent all sectors of one of the entertainment industry’s most significant independent agencies, will join managing partner Andrew Ruf as equity partners of the company.
“We have assembled an extraordinary group of creative, smart, experienced and energetic colleagues who will help guide Paradigm into the future,” founder and executive chairman Sam Gores said Monday after the promotions were announced during a staff meeting. “It gives me great pleasure to share a stake in the company with these leaders.”
The newly promoted partners are Jim Dempsey (Talent), Bill Douglass (Literary Content), Sarah Fargo (Talent), Jennifer Good (Literary Content), Brett Hansen (Unscripted and Literary Content), Jennifer Millar (Talent), Jonathan Mills (Theatre and Content), Stephanie Ramsey (Talent), Mark Ross (Literary Content), Chris Schmidt (Talent), Zac Simmons (Literary...
“We have assembled an extraordinary group of creative, smart, experienced and energetic colleagues who will help guide Paradigm into the future,” founder and executive chairman Sam Gores said Monday after the promotions were announced during a staff meeting. “It gives me great pleasure to share a stake in the company with these leaders.”
The newly promoted partners are Jim Dempsey (Talent), Bill Douglass (Literary Content), Sarah Fargo (Talent), Jennifer Good (Literary Content), Brett Hansen (Unscripted and Literary Content), Jennifer Millar (Talent), Jonathan Mills (Theatre and Content), Stephanie Ramsey (Talent), Mark Ross (Literary Content), Chris Schmidt (Talent), Zac Simmons (Literary...
- 4/24/2023
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Legendary filmmaker John Waters is stepping back to the director’s chair for the first time in 18 years, for an adaptation of his 2022 novel “Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance.” Waters — a pioneering independent filmmaker who catapulted to cinema infamy with bad taste masterpieces like 1972’s “Pink Flamingos” and 1981’s “Polyester” — will write and direct the project for Village Roadshow, with Steve Rabineau producing. It will be Waters’ first movie since 2004’s “A Dirty Shame.”
“‘Liarmouth’ is the craziest thing I’ve written in a while so maybe it’s fitting that my novel was shocking enough to jumpstart the engine of my film career,” the 76-year-old filmmaker said in a statement. “Thrilled to be back in the movie business, hopefully to spread demented joy to adventuresome moviegoers around the world.”
The novel follows three generations of women in the same family: Adora, who runs an unauthorized veterinarian practice on the Upper...
“‘Liarmouth’ is the craziest thing I’ve written in a while so maybe it’s fitting that my novel was shocking enough to jumpstart the engine of my film career,” the 76-year-old filmmaker said in a statement. “Thrilled to be back in the movie business, hopefully to spread demented joy to adventuresome moviegoers around the world.”
The novel follows three generations of women in the same family: Adora, who runs an unauthorized veterinarian practice on the Upper...
- 10/6/2022
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: In what marks a high-profile return to filmmaking for John Waters, Village Roadshow Pictures has optioned his new novel Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance. Waters will write the script and direct.
It will be Waters’ first time behind the camera since 2004’s A Dirty Shame. Steve Rabineau will produce alongside Village Roadshow Entertainment, which Steve Mosko revived as a producer and financier. Mosko and Waters hail from Baltimore.
Related: John Waters Career In Film Gallery: From ‘Pink Flamingos’, ‘Cry-Baby’, ‘Serial Mom’, ‘Hairspray’ & More
“Liarmouth is the craziest thing I’ve written in a while, so maybe it’s fitting that my novel was shocking enough to jumpstart the engine of my film career,” Waters said. “Thrilled to be back in the movie business, hopefully to spread demented joy to adventuresome moviegoers around the world.”
The novel follows Marsha Sprinkle, a suitcase thief, scammer and master of disguise. Dogs and children hate her.
It will be Waters’ first time behind the camera since 2004’s A Dirty Shame. Steve Rabineau will produce alongside Village Roadshow Entertainment, which Steve Mosko revived as a producer and financier. Mosko and Waters hail from Baltimore.
Related: John Waters Career In Film Gallery: From ‘Pink Flamingos’, ‘Cry-Baby’, ‘Serial Mom’, ‘Hairspray’ & More
“Liarmouth is the craziest thing I’ve written in a while, so maybe it’s fitting that my novel was shocking enough to jumpstart the engine of my film career,” Waters said. “Thrilled to be back in the movie business, hopefully to spread demented joy to adventuresome moviegoers around the world.”
The novel follows Marsha Sprinkle, a suitcase thief, scammer and master of disguise. Dogs and children hate her.
- 10/6/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Rand Holston is leaving Paradigm to form his own management company. All of his clients are coming with him to Rand Holston Management. The exit is amicable. Holston spent 10 years at Paradigm, this after spending 28 years at CAA. Holston’s last day will be September 30.
Holston’s client list includes the prolific author/screenwriter Stephen King; James Ivory (the Oscar-winning scribe of Call Me By Your Name is adapting for Fremantle a TV version of the French best seller The End Of Eddy by Edouard Louis); Jordan Kerner ( in post on Clifford The Big Red Dog for Paramount) ; Issa López, whom he’ll co-rep with Gaby Mena...
Holston’s client list includes the prolific author/screenwriter Stephen King; James Ivory (the Oscar-winning scribe of Call Me By Your Name is adapting for Fremantle a TV version of the French best seller The End Of Eddy by Edouard Louis); Jordan Kerner ( in post on Clifford The Big Red Dog for Paramount) ; Issa López, whom he’ll co-rep with Gaby Mena...
- 9/20/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Paradigm is undergoing a high-level restructuring.
Variety has learned exclusively that the agency has promoted longtime agents Scott Henderson, Scott Metzger, Andrew Ruf, and recently hired chief marketing officer Lori Feldman to managing partners. Sam Gores remains CEO while Greg Bestick remains president and Marty Diamond continues to head up Paradigm’s music division.
According to sources, the moves have been in the works for months now. They are meant to streamline Paradigm administrative operations, with younger Paradigm agents also being given the chance to step up into larger admin roles in addition to their other duties.
“As we grow to more than 700 employees worldwide, we’re focused on streamlining decision-making, opening up leadership opportunities for rising agents, and freeing many of our senior agents from management responsibility so they can focus on artist representation and business development,” said Paradigm founder & CEO Gores. “We’re taking advantage of the intelligent,...
Variety has learned exclusively that the agency has promoted longtime agents Scott Henderson, Scott Metzger, Andrew Ruf, and recently hired chief marketing officer Lori Feldman to managing partners. Sam Gores remains CEO while Greg Bestick remains president and Marty Diamond continues to head up Paradigm’s music division.
According to sources, the moves have been in the works for months now. They are meant to streamline Paradigm administrative operations, with younger Paradigm agents also being given the chance to step up into larger admin roles in addition to their other duties.
“As we grow to more than 700 employees worldwide, we’re focused on streamlining decision-making, opening up leadership opportunities for rising agents, and freeing many of our senior agents from management responsibility so they can focus on artist representation and business development,” said Paradigm founder & CEO Gores. “We’re taking advantage of the intelligent,...
- 1/15/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Second Update, 7:29 a.m. with link to Today show appearance.
Update, 5:25 a.m. with more information below:
The musical that poignantly poses the question “Who will love me as I am?” got its answer last night: Very few.
Tough business.
Side Show, the $8 million reboot of a 1997 flop about freak-show legends Daisy and Violet Hilton, helmed in his Broadway debut by Dreamgirls and Gods And Monsters director Bill Condon, will fold after the Sunday, January 4 matinee, the producers announced this morning. The original production also closed on January 4 — 1998, after 91 performances, a record the new version will not match. After successful tryouts at the La Jolla Playhouse in California and the Kennedy Center last summer, the heavily revised show opened November 16 at the Jujamcyn-owned St. James Theatre to several glowing reviews, including a rave from the New York Times’ Charles Isherwood:
“Being a freak is virtually the new normal,...
Update, 5:25 a.m. with more information below:
The musical that poignantly poses the question “Who will love me as I am?” got its answer last night: Very few.
Tough business.
Side Show, the $8 million reboot of a 1997 flop about freak-show legends Daisy and Violet Hilton, helmed in his Broadway debut by Dreamgirls and Gods And Monsters director Bill Condon, will fold after the Sunday, January 4 matinee, the producers announced this morning. The original production also closed on January 4 — 1998, after 91 performances, a record the new version will not match. After successful tryouts at the La Jolla Playhouse in California and the Kennedy Center last summer, the heavily revised show opened November 16 at the Jujamcyn-owned St. James Theatre to several glowing reviews, including a rave from the New York Times’ Charles Isherwood:
“Being a freak is virtually the new normal,...
- 12/12/2014
- by Jeremy Gerard
- Deadline
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