Fierce Entertainment - Press Room

	'Orgy', 'Hell' on tap at Tribeca March 14, 2011 World preems of new Alex Gibney doc "Catching Hell" and Jason Sudeikis starrer "A Good Old Fashioned Orgy" are among the pics added to the sked of the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. "A Good Old Fashioned Orgy", directed and written by Peter Huyck and Alex Gregory. (USA) ? World Premiere, Narrative. Jason Sudeikis leads an ensemble cast of bright comic talents as Eric, a thirtysomething party animal famous among his close circle of friends for his lavish summer theme parties at his father's swanky Hamptons pad. But when members of the crew start settling down, and Eric's dad announces plans to sell the beach house, Eric decides it's time for one last party to go out with a proverbial bang--a good old fashioned orgy. With Lindsay Sloane, Lucy Punch, Leslie Bibb, Lake Bell, Tyler Labine, and Will Forte. A Samuel Goldwyn Films/SPWA release. The Tribeca Film Fest runs April 20-May 1, opening with Cameron Crowe's Elton John docu "Union".
	Finance Forum panel talks P&A March 11, 2011 The importance of marketing has been a recurring theme at this week's Film Finance Forum West, presented by Winston Baker in association with Variety. Across the board, bizzers agreed that while money is creeping back into the film financing market, the pressure's on to give investors security on loan repayments. Panelists, including Fierce Entertainment CEO Christopher Petzel and Harris Tulchin & Associates owner Harris Tulchin, agreed that producers should have extensive discussion with sources of potential P&A funds about marketing strategies, bringing their own ideas to the table. And the earlier in the process you can identify a business plan, the better. "Most producers struggle just to make the film", said 120dbfilms principal Peter M. Graham. "In an ideal world, they'd be working (on marketing strategy) before they make the film." The panel cautioned that no matter what the rollout strategy, the right P&A partner is key.
	Sony, Goldwyn Acquire Jason Sudeikis' 'Orgy' February 9, 2011 Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions and Samuel Goldwyn Films are getting together for A Good Old Fashioned Orgy, picking up the US distribution rights for the ensemble comedy. Goldwyn is eyeing a late summer release. SPWA also acquired rights for Australia and Canada. Essential Entertainment is handling international sales in Berlin. The film will be screening in the EFM market on Saturday and Sunday. Orgy stars Jason Sudeikis, Tyler Labine, Leslie Bibb, Will Forte, Lucy Punch, Lake Bell, Michelle Borth, Martin Starr, Nick Kroll, Lindsay Sloane and David Koechner. The film follows a close group of 30-somethings who spend every summer weekend throwing elaborate theme parties at their friend Eric's (Sudeikis) family home in the Hamptons. When Eric's dad decides to sell off their summer playground, the friends agree there is only one way to have the biggest and brashest send off party, a good old fashioned orgy. Pete Huyck and Alex Gregory co-directed and co-wrote the script. Endgame Entertainment's James D. Stern produced. Douglas Hansen, Ram Bergman, Brian R. Etting, George Parra and Christopher Petzel exec produced.
	Fierce acquires Laurie Woodrow's Trans-Pacific February 11, 2010 "Christopher Petzel's LA-based management and production company Fierce Entertainment, has strengthened its acquisitions, international sales amd representation business after acquiring Trans-Pacific Media. Laurie Woodrow, president of the privately held international consultants Trans-Pacific, will relocate to Fierce Entertainment's Hollywood offices and becomes senior vice-president of international. The new entity currently represents more than 15 of the top independent distributors in territories across Europe, Asia and Latin America, including DeaPlaneta in Spain and ZDF Enterprises in Germany." "In the process of growing Fierce Entertainment, we realised that Trans-Pacific's client base and business philosophy were complimentary to our own," Petzel said, "Laurie Woodrow is a talented, well respected industry veteran, and our shared vision will create new opportunities for our company." "I believe that the strength created by our combined industry knowledge and experience will be an asset to all our clients, and I am excited about the possibilities ahead," Woodrow added."
	Fierce Entertainment Steps up Acquisitions February 11, 2010 "Berlin- Los Angeles-based production and management outfit Fierce Entertainment is taking bigger steps into the aquisitions and distribution game. Fierce, which already handles development, financing, production and distribution in addition to representation, has aquired Trans-Pacific Media, a privately held international consulting business specializing in the acquisition of independent feature films and representation on international distributors and financiers." "Trans-Pacific president Laurie Woodrow, a 20-plus-year international buyers agent, will become Fierce's senior vp international and relocate to the company's offices in Hollywood. The new entity currently represents more than 15 independent distributors across Europe, Asia and Latin America, making it one of the largest repping companies in the independent marketplace."
	Petzel forms Aura Partnership: Shingle aimed at projects $5-20 million November 3, 2009 Entertainment industry veteran Christopher Petzel has formed the Aura Film Partnership with an initial fund of $50 million, aimed at projects in the range of $5 million to $20 million. First production will be post-apocalyptic action-adventure "Tundra" where climate change and oil dependency have caused the breakdown of civilization. Kim Todd and Lindsay Moffat are producing with Nicholas Powell directing from a script by Michael Thoma ("The Wrong Man"). The film will begin production in February or March in Manitoba. Petzel is the CEO of Broadside Capital, which owns Fierce Entertainment, Showbizdata.com and sales agency Clandestine Service, which will handle Aura's pics. He was previously a member of the entertainment investment banking practice at Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin.
	Fujimura's Filosophia Forms Partnership with Petzel's Fierce September 26, 2007 "Christopher Petzel's Fierce Entertainment, which represents international distributors and financiers in Los Angeles among other things, has signed a new partnership with Japan's Filosophia Entertainment Alliance, whereby Fierce will represent Filosophia in tracking Japanese rights of projects around the world and Filosophia will represent Fierce in Japan."
	Jet Li, Statham to Star in Martial Arts Thriller for Lionsgate January 25, 2006 "Lionsgate President of international film sales Stephanie Denton brought the Fierce Entertainment project to the company and Lionsgate Films will commence sales at Berlin next month." "Steve Chasman, Fierce's Christopher Petzel and Jim Thompson are producing in association with Lionsgate."
	'Rogue' Pair at Lionsgate January 23, 2006 "Rogue is ambitious by Lionsgate's usual budget standards, but the company is looking to continue momentum created by such recent genre hits as "Saw II" and "Hostel". "Lionsgate international prexy Nick Meyer said the film will be a major title for the distributor at the Berlin Film Festival." "There is a large appetite in the international marketplace for them, " Meyer said. "We've made a big commitment but feel this film is franchisable and could be a big win for us. It will be one of our tentpoles for next year, and we're keeping the UK as well as the domestic rights as we grow our company."
	Li, Statham Face Off in 'Rogue' Film January 24, 2006 "The project, which was originally developed by Fierce Entertainment, was brought to Lionsgate by president of international film sales Stephanie Denton."
	Entertainment Finance Close-Up: Cash Register August 2002 Unsigned contracts, lack of communication and a sudden illness forced Natural Nylon Entertainment ... to shut down production when its $20 million in financing for "Cromwell and Fairfax", now titled "To Kill A King", fell apart in March ... ... But an emergency operation forced [IAC's Guy Collins] to the sidelines, bringing ... Fierce Entertainment ... to the forefront. Still the job was anything but easy ... ... In addition, [Dougray] Scott and [Rupert Everett] invested their own funds, and Petzel ... invested more than $80,000 of [his] own money to cover location fees, crew member's hotel rooms and props ... ... "It is unusual that a film shuts down mid-production then comes back up several weeks later, let alone with cast and crew completely intact", Petzel says. "We succeeded because of the perseverance and the kindness of strangers. It's getting tougher and tougher to put films together, expertise and creative problem solving (in financing) are now seen as invaluable."
	German Film Funds Under Fire - Tightening of Tax Benefits Could Further Damage Economy July 10, 2002 ... "It will now be interesting to see if the [German] finance minister's discussed changes will be implemented before the elections and whether or not they will serve as a platform to introduce some of the thoughts of the minister of culture", said Christopher Petzel...
	Nylon Fixes 'Cromwell' (aka To Kill A King) Snag - Brit Company Refinances, Goes Back To Work by Stuart Kemp April 8, 2002 "Natural Nylon Entertainment, the British production company formed by actors Jude Law, Ewan McGregor, Johnny Lee Miller, Sean Pertwee and Sadie Frost, has refinanced its $20 million production "Cromwell & Fairfax" (aka "To Kill A King") after the project stalled during its first week of shooting ... Christopher Petzel's Fierce Entertainment, which represents the investment in the film by German film fund Screenland Movieworld, has been working closely with producer (Kevin Loader) and Natural Nylon chief operating officer Tony Miller on the refinancing ... ... (Fierce Entertainment) have worked relentlessly over the past few crucial weeks to keep the film alive," Loader said. "It's no exaggeration to say that without them, this film would have fallen apart" ...
	Stars, Crew Take $3 Million in Deferments to Save Cromwell (aka To Kill A King) April 5, 2002 ... "Ten days to raise $20 million has got to be a record", said Peter Watson, chief executive of the sales company's parent, Recorded Picture Company.