Citing fallout from the WGA strike, Warner Bros. TV, CBS Paramount Network TV, Universal Media Studios and 20th Century Fox TV have decided to follow the lead of ABC Studios by terminating a big batch of deals.
At 20th, about 15 pacts have been shed, while insiders describe the Warner Bros. cuts as less than a half-dozen so far. CBS Par has trimmed more than a half-dozen deals (though it has a much smaller roster from which to cut). No word yet on the extent of the NBC U cuts.
ABC Studios slashed nearly two dozen deals on Friday.
Agents around town began getting calls and letters from studio execs on Monday afternoon.
Among the scribes and producers cut from the CBS Par roster: Mark Johnson, John McNamara, Rene Echevarria, Barry Schindel, Jennifer Levin and the team of Sivert Glarum and Michael Jamin. Eye unit has also scrapped its pact with Hugh Jackman's company, which recently produced "Viva Laughlin."
PRODUCERS GUILD ANNOUNCES FILM NOMINATIONS
Opting for specialty fare, the Producers Guild of America has tapped Miramax's "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," Fox Searchlight's "Juno," Warner Bros.' "Michael Clayton," Miramax/Paramount Vantage's "No Country for Old Men and Vantage/Miramax's "There Will Be Blood" as the nominees for its top feature film award.
The winner of the PGA's Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year award will be announced Feb. 2 in ceremonies at the Beverly Hilton. The event isn't telecast, so it won't be picketed by the Writers Guild of America.
The PGA, which has more than 3,300 members, announced the noms Monday morning but did not disclose the names of the nominated producers. It will do so prior to the awards show.
All five of the nominated pics received WGA mentions last week for best screenplay. The DGA matched on four of the five nominees but opted for "Into the Wild" rather than "Juno."
The org overlooked both Golden Globe best picture winners, "Atonement" and "Sweeney Todd."
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