3RD UPDATE: Well, this is a fast-moving story... Lionsgate is going to greatly expand, according to a new plan for the studio about to be put into effect. Multiple sources tell me that Joe Drake is about to launch the attempt to make Lionsgate a major studio and it'll involve more hirings than firings. 
(And maybe no firings at all...) I'm hearing that Alli Shearmur, the co-prez of production at Paramount Pictures until January 2007, may be brought in to run the studio or part of it. Also, Lisa Ellzey, the 20th Century Fox SVP who left a year ago, may become a senior exec. Also Wolfgang Hammer, who spent two years with the film group at showbiz financing/sales MRC (Media Rights Capital), may become a Lionsgate VP.
Drake is "recruiting heavily and making massive offers to people," one insider informs me. "Joe needs to grow the company now. Bigger and better movies, all genres, cost-effective but high quality with potential for real earnings. He'll invite filmmakers to use the infrastructure and knock it out of the park creatively and financially." This could be great news for the film industry to have another real buyer.
Drake, the one-time head of Lionsgate's international distribution unit, founded independent production and distribution company Mandate Pictures and then sold the company to film studio operator Lionsgate in September 2007. Drake then became co-chief operating officer and president of Lionsgate's motion picture group as well remained chief executive of Mandate. Everyone's been expecting Drake to start putting his stamp on Jon Feltheimer's Lionsgate, so that's supposed to start in the next weeks.
Already, he's upset horror fans. I reported a month ago that the studio's phones and email accounts were jammed with angry fans making a stink because Drake appears to be dumping all of ex-prez Peter Block's "hard" R-rated movies in favor of more mainstream-friendly Tyler Perry pics even though Lionsgate has made big bucks off the scare genre.
Certainly bringing Shearmur and others on board indicates Lionsgate is looking to move up to the next level. Whether the studio's fans will follow is another story. See my previous, Furious Horror Film Fans Target Lionsgate.
GOD I hope so, that place is so bloated with people who think they’ll never be fired so why bother to do their jobs it makes the local government look like a revolving door.
Their idea of production is how many cheap shows can we make and not care about our cast and crew? Management needs to be aware that green lighting a show isn’t the end of the production process, it is the begininng.
Comment by Former Lions Gate Employee — July 18, 2008 @ 7:55 pm
i hope so too - as long as he does not hire the bozo team of sackman and urman from thinkbankrupt films. Lionsgate is a winner and my sense is that Joe will hire the balding yutz and screamer as they both are friends
Comment by ingridlevin — July 18, 2008 @ 9:07 pm
This is bigger news then when we had to get press for the name change from Lions Gate to Lionsgate.I want to see proof - not just more Tyler and more horror
Comment by russell — July 18, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
Ali Shearmur - a recipe for disaster. There are only so many studios you can go to, Ali…
Comment by jj — July 18, 2008 @ 11:18 pm
Drake better take a page out of New Line’s book and realize where his bread is really buttered. Ignoring your base and reaching too far can have disastrous effects.
Comment by Jack Burton — July 19, 2008 @ 12:28 am
I know horror is the red-headed stepchild of studio executives, and making and releasing horror films won’t get you an invite to the next big “Save The Polar Bear” fund-raiser a Leo DiCaprio’s house, but you can’t deny that they make money. They can make a lot of money.
My advice, don’t be afraid of horror, especially when it can help pay for the more “mainstream” productions. In fact, I’d use the low budget horror genre as a way to develop new talent with relatively little risk.
I would also advise to break the cycle of screwing everybody, not only because it pisses so many people off, but because it’s starting to scare away investment money, and that’s more terrifying than any horror flick.
By being the seemingly only “honest partner” in Hollywood, Lionsgate could woo over all the dissatisfied investors and independent producers, and really put a dent into the studio system.
Comment by Furious D — July 19, 2008 @ 6:04 am
Does this mean they’ll FINALLY stop making Dane Cook movies?
I hope so.
Comment by Moses — July 19, 2008 @ 11:54 am
This reminds me so much of New Line which had great success in the horror genre before shitbags took over and went “legit” and bankrupted the damn place. Lions Gate built itself as a brand and now this Drake shit comes waddling in, thinking that totally changing the company (and bankrupting it in the process - just you wait) is “proof” of what a big dick he has. We’ll see how big it is when he puts everyone there out of a job.
Comment by Crystal Diane Stevens — July 19, 2008 @ 2:16 pm
Doesn’t matter. LGF doesn’t have good cash flow, they’re always in debt, and they’re just making the place look all pretty so Felt can unload the place for 2bn, twice it’s current worth.
They graduated from the Harry Sloan school.
Comment by RobertNotSoWise — July 19, 2008 @ 3:44 pm
What do you mean you can’t deny horror films make money? Tell that to the accountants on “The Mist,” “The Hitcher,” “The Reaping,” “The Hills Have Eyes 2,” “The Ruins,” and “Dead Silence.” Or do you just mean PG-13 horror movies are guaranteed to make money?
Go home, silly fanboy. Come back when you agree to know what you’re talking about.
Comment by Arthur B. — July 19, 2008 @ 3:47 pm
Arthur, I’m sure he was referring to horror movies in general and not every single horror movie ever made. Quit the hissy fit. Anyone can pull a few flops out of thin air and say the entire genre is a disaster but it wouldn’t make them look too intelligent. You remind me of Jerry Stiller on King of Queens. How’s Carrie?
Comment by Crystal Diane Stevens — July 20, 2008 @ 12:23 pm
Ali Shearmer, now that’s a real class act. Gotta agree with JJ, that’s a recipe for disaster.
Comment by quando — July 20, 2008 @ 10:30 pm
MORE hirings? They’re so bloated at the top now Lionsgate is ready to topple.
Maybe not firings enmasse but some serious pruning is in order, especially within the television department. So many people running the place and no one working as assistants, willingly.
Comment by oh god — July 21, 2008 @ 8:56 am
Gosh, Ali Shearmer , she’s such a great girl. Smart, even tempered, a real treasure, what a great choice.
Comment by Olly — July 21, 2008 @ 11:05 am
LOL. Olly’s comment is a riot.
Comment by jj — July 21, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
Thanks JJ , we agree, as intended
Comment by Olly — July 21, 2008 @ 3:07 pm