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Amy's experience in the entertainment Industry spans major studios, independent financiers, and producing. Collectively, the films she has supervised and/or produced have grossed nearly $2 billion in worldwide box office. Before starting Gidden Media, Baer served as President & CEO of CBS Films, launching the division for CBS Corp. In 2012, Baer raised a 7-figure development fund and launched Gidden Media, a content incubation and production company. Its first film was the romantic drama MARY SHELLEY, starring Elle Fanning. Amy spent the previous 17 years at Sony Pictures Entertainment, where she oversaw such hit films as MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING, Oscar nominated ADAPTATION, S.W.A.T., SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE, and THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, which earned Will Smith an Oscar nomination. She also developed the 2011 Oscar-nominated Sony hit MONEYBALL starring Brad Pitt. Full Bio »
In this Executive Hour webcast, the Writers' Room welcomes the President of Gidden Media, billion dollar producer & executive Amy Baer! Amy's experience in the entertainment Industry spans major studios, independent financiers, and producing. Collectively, the films she has supervised and/or produced have grossed nearly $2 billion in worldwide box office.
Before starting Gidden Media, Baer served as President & CEO of CBS Films, launching the division for CBS Corp. In 2012, Baer raised a 7-figure development fund and launched Gidden Media, a content incubation and production company. Its first film was the romantic drama MARY SHELLEY, starring Elle Fanning.
Amy spent the previous 17 years at Sony Pictures Entertainment, where she oversaw such hit films as MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING, Oscar nominated ADAPTATION, S.W.A.T., SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE, and THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, which earned Will Smith an Oscar nomination. She also developed the 2011 Oscar-nominated Sony hit MONEYBALL starring Brad Pitt.
Amy became Board President of Women in Film in June 2018, stepping into the role at a critical juncture in Hollywood. During this webcast, Amy talks about the changing landscape of development and production in the industry, including what helps get a film made, the genres that she chooses to focus on, stories from developing MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING and other Sony classics, and how writers can gain momentum in a highly competitive business!
The Executive Hour
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"Thank you Amy and Jason...this was really interesting and informative." - Brian W.
"Thank you Stage 32. You guys are amazing!!!" - Martine M.
"The Hour blew right by! Thank you Amy!" - Ryan H.
"Thank you Amy for sharing your amazing story in the film business." - Debbie
"Thank you! Such a great conversation." - Nina R.
"Yes! She is generous with her knowledge. Many thanks!" - Janice D.
We’re back in the Writers’ Room for the Executive Hour with special guest Christian Sosa (Roosevelt Film Lab). Prepare to delve into Christian’s captivating journey and wealth of experience, as he generously imparts invaluable advice, all while eagerly responding to the burning questions YOU bring to the table. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to gain insights and inspiration from a seasoned professional in the industry!
During this Executive Hour we welcome special guest AKEELAH AND THE BEE and BRIAN BANKS filmmaker Doug Atchison! AKEELAH AND THE BEE was released by Lionsgate and starred Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett, and Keke Palmer. His script for AKEELAH has recently been adapted into a stage play which is being performed around the country. Doug wrote the screenplay for BRIAN BANKS, which was produced by previous Writers' Room guest Amy Baer, released in August of 2019, and for which Doug won the 2019 Humanitas Prize. The film was directed by Tom Shadyac and stars Greg Kinnear, Aldis Hodge, and Morgan Freeman.During this webcast Doug discusses writing AKEELAH, working as an independent writer/director, how he gets hired for screenwriting assignments, what most writers struggle with when writing a screenplay and how to approach writing a true story!
We're back in the Writers' Room at 4pm (Pacific) for the Executive Hour Webcast with Paramount+ Creative Executive Aaron Kerman. Aaron is a Development Executive in the Originals Content Development division of the recently launched Paramount+. He has worked on series including THE GOOD FIGHT, THE TWILIGHT ZONE, STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, GUILTY PARTY, and WHY WOMEN KILL, among many others. Aaron has been at CBS Studios for the last three years. Prior to this, he was at WME for two years, working directly with the heads of TV and Talent. His is a graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
We're excited to bring you another riveting Executive Hour with the Senior Vice President of Development at The Wolper Organization, Kevin Nicklaus! The Wolper Organization has a first-look deal with Warner Bros. which covers all divisions, including HBO, HBO Max, Warner Bros. features, and more. Kevin has been integral to the early development and sales of "BATES MOTEL" for A&E, the 2016 Emmy-nominated "ROOTS" for History, STEPHEN KING'S SALEM'S LOT for TNT, THE MISTS OF AVALON for TNT, HELTER SKELTER for CBS, THE BAD SEED for Lifetime and more. The Wolper Organization has been responsible for over 500 films, which have won more than 150 awards, including two Oscars, 50 Emmys, seven Golden Globes, five Peabody’s. During the conversation we discussed developing "BATES MOTEL", how Kevin finds new material, what writers can be doing to break out in this market, and much more!
We’re back in the Writers’ Room for the Executive Hour with special guest Mark Simon. Prepare to delve into Mark’s captivating journey and wealth of experience, as he generously imparts invaluable advice, all while eagerly responding to the burning questions YOU bring to the table. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to gain insights and inspiration from a seasoned professional in the industry!
We're back in the Writers' Room for The Executive Hour Webcast with Barry Schindel. Barry Schindel is an Emmy-nominated executive producer and writer with credits on some of the most well-known television series in broadcast, including LAW & ORDER, CASTLE, TRAINING DAY, NUMB3RS, INTELLIGENCE, UNFORGETTABLE, and CRIMINAL MINDS: SUSPECT BEHAVIOR.