Latest News
HGTV Here We Come! - Two Television Series Announced
New Castle will begin production on two new television shows in April. They are geared towards the home improvement audience but put a twist on the normal HGTV formula.
The first series, iRock Your House, brings deserving homeowners and their favorite band together for a home makeover of a lifetime. Slated guests inlcude Bon Jovi, Jay-Z, John Legend and more. The first season will consist of 16 episodes filmed in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.
The second show, Home Disasters, takes nearly condemned houses and turns them into dream homes for single mothers. Both series begin production in April and will be aired weekly on HGTV starting in June.
New Production Facility Opens
New Castle's 20,000 square foot production facility opened this week with 35 foot ceilings and tons of room to grow. The other 30,000 square feet will be completed by April.
The new building is conveniently located less than an hour from New York City and Philadelphia. In addition to animation and gaming, New Castle will be shooting all of their feature film interiors on-site and begin production on two television series this Spring.
With New Castle's recent expansion, they are also establishing a division that funds projects filming in Pennsylvania or Michigan. For films that have most of their budget in place, they will also pre-fund tax credits under the existing state film incentive programs. New Castle became the first company to receive money under the new Michigan incentive program that started in April of 2008.
“With the economy in such a mess, we feel there's a definite need for film funding. If the project is packaged properly, we'll fund the entire project,” said Jason Weinstein, Director of Development at New Castle. “Another possibility is if filmmakers have at least 60% of their budget in place, our Tax Credit Division will pre-fund their tax credits. Either way, we want to make sure that films keep rolling,” said Weinstein.
Michigan Film Incentives Work
New Castle Entertainment is the first company to receive money under Michigan's new 42% film incentive program, started in April of last year. New Castle's film, 'Intent', was shot and edited exclusively in Michigan. Clint Eastwood also made his way to Michigan to shoot 'Gran Torino', in addition to many of Hollywood's elite. Under the incentive program, a total of 36 films were shot in Michigan in 2008.
“I think the program is outstanding. Anything that inspires creativity and artistic expression needs to be expanded,” said Eric Roberts, who starred in 'Intent' and 'The Steam Experiment', which filmed in Grand Rapids.
The Michigan hospitality also plays a part in Hollywood's love of the state. “The people here are easy going and very helpful. Everyone went out of their way to make our film a success,” said Tim Crockett - Director of 'Intent'.
Michigan currently offers the most generous film incentives in the country. “The film office and the treasury have both been amazing to work with. They helped us throughout the whole process. We have four more projects on the slate for this year and they're all coming to Michigan,” said T.V. Tran - Managing Partner at New Castle.
The state has hosted everyone from Will Ferrell and Jack Black to Drew Barrymore and Hillary Swank. For more information on Michigan film incentives, please visit www.MichiganFilmOffice.org.
New Castle Entertainment commits $25,000,000 to four films in 2010.
This week New Castle Entertainment announced their $25,000,000 commitment to produce four more films in 2010. The titles include Forsaken, Mr. Microphone, Slipknot and Chambers. The films range in budget from two to ten million dollars. New Castle has begun negotiations with headliners that include Michael Douglas, Will Ferrell, Jodie Foster and Kathy Bates.
New Castle is hiring in Pontiac and Livonia.
After a great experience shooting 'Intent' in Michigan, we are now accepting resumes for all crew and office positions to staff our upcoming facilities in Pontiac and Livonia. We are hiring Michigan residents only. Please send your resume to jobs@newcastlestudios.com and list which position you're applying for in the Subject line.
We're hiring for the following departments: G & E, Gaffers, Camera, Interns, PA's, Set Construction, Decorators, Executive Assistants, Marketing and Reception. Please do not call our LA office regarding these jobs. We are only accepting resumes via email at this time and we'll begin hiring people in March.
Writer, Tim Crockett, signs three-year, six picture deal with New Castle.
Writer turned Director, Tim Crockett, signed a three year deal with New Castle Entertainment today. The seven figure deal includes an option for Tim to direct up to six films that he wrote over the last year.
“We've read an amazing number of great scripts he wrote and everyone agreed that we had to bring him on board. He’s also one of the most humble and down to earth people we’ve ever met.” ... T.V. Tran – Managing Partner
“Eric Roberts told me on the set of Intent that talent trumps everything. Then a month later I’m a partner. I still can’t believe everything is happening so fast.” ... Tim Crockett – Writer/Director.
Vietnamese funding group, TRAN, signs on for $100,000,000 through 2012
New Castle Entertainment reached an agreement this week that will extend their relationship with Tran Financial through 2012. The partnership allows for New Castle to produce upwards of ten feature films over the next three years. The progressive agreement structure provides New Castle with twenty-five million dollars for 2010, thirty-five million dollars for 2011 and forty million dollars for 2012. |
