2929 Entertainment
Encyclopedia
2929 Entertainment is a media company with holdings in film and television production, film distribution, theatrical exhibition, home entertainment, television, and syndication. Billionaires Todd Wagner
and Mark Cuban
founded and currently own the privately held company. Wagner serves as its CEO, and Kevin Parke
as its Executive Vice President.
, Star Search
, and Hogan's Heroes
. 2929 co-produced a newer version of Star Search
which premiered in January 2003 on CBS
. The original Star Search
was on air between 1983 and 1988.
In January 2006, the company experimented by releasing Steven Soderbergh
's Bubble
simultaneously in its Landmark Theaters chain, on the company's HDNet Movies
cable channel, and on DVD
through its Magnolia Home Entertainment division. The move was controversial since most films are released through different distribution channels on a staggered schedule, giving each channel an exclusive release window. Exhibitors were especially timorous, as many feared that they would eventually lose their exclusive release windows for more mainstream films.
: 2929 Productions and HDNet Films. 2929 Productions, headed by Marc Butan
, makes movies with budgets of $10 to $40 million. HDNet Films produces lower budget movies that are shot in high definition
. Notable films include:
Cuban and Wagner also own a minority stake in Lions Gate Entertainment
.
, a film distribution company that places 2929's and other company's films in theaters. Besides 2929's pictures, Magnolia has also released:
, which owns 58 theatres in 23 markets. The chain, which was founded by Kim Jorgensen
in 1974, primarily shows independent and foreign films.
. It is run by Randy Wells, the former head of home entertainment for Miramax.
, which Cuban co-founded in 2001 as an all-high definition
cable channel. HDNet Movies
, a companion channel, shows movies in high definition. 2929 also owns operates Rysher Entertainment, a television syndication distributor.
Todd Wagner
Todd R. Wagner co-founded Broadcast.com and now co-owns 2929 Entertainment with Mark Cuban, along with other entertainment properties and has also founded the Todd Wagner Foundation.- Early life :...
and Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban is an American business magnate and investor. He is the owner of the National Basketball Association's Dallas Mavericks, Landmark Theatres, and Magnolia Pictures, and the chairman of the HDTV cable network HDNet....
founded and currently own the privately held company. Wagner serves as its CEO, and Kevin Parke
Kevin Parke
Kevin W. Parke is an American lawyer and business executive. He is best-known as President of the Todd Wagner Foundation.-Biography:Parke attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Psychology. He received a J.D. degree from Southern...
as its Executive Vice President.
History
In February 2004, 2929 owned the syndication rights to several television shows including Sex and the CitySex and the City
Sex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
, Star Search
Star Search
Star Search is a television show that was produced from 1983-95, hosted by Ed McMahon, and created by Alfred Masini. A relaunch was produced in 2003-04. The show was originally filmed at the old Earl Carroll Theatre at 6230 Sunset Blvd...
, and Hogan's Heroes
Hogan's Heroes
Hogan's Heroes is an American television sitcom that ran for 168 episodes from September 17, 1965, to March 28, 1971, on the CBS network. The show was set in a German prisoner of war camp during the Second World War. Bob Crane had the starring role as Colonel Robert E...
. 2929 co-produced a newer version of Star Search
Star Search
Star Search is a television show that was produced from 1983-95, hosted by Ed McMahon, and created by Alfred Masini. A relaunch was produced in 2003-04. The show was originally filmed at the old Earl Carroll Theatre at 6230 Sunset Blvd...
which premiered in January 2003 on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
. The original Star Search
Star Search
Star Search is a television show that was produced from 1983-95, hosted by Ed McMahon, and created by Alfred Masini. A relaunch was produced in 2003-04. The show was originally filmed at the old Earl Carroll Theatre at 6230 Sunset Blvd...
was on air between 1983 and 1988.
In January 2006, the company experimented by releasing Steven Soderbergh
Steven Soderbergh
Steven Andrew Soderbergh is an American film producer, screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, and an Academy Award-winning film director. He is best known for directing commercial Hollywood films like Erin Brockovich, Traffic, and the remake of Ocean's Eleven, but he has also directed smaller less...
's Bubble
Bubble (film)
Bubble is a movie directed by Steven Soderbergh. It was shot on high-definition video and was made for a relatively small budget of $1.6 million. It also featured some unusual production aspects.In traditional terms, the movie has no script...
simultaneously in its Landmark Theaters chain, on the company's HDNet Movies
HDNet Movies
HDNet Movies is a high definition-only cable and satellite television channel dedicated entirely to movies. It is the sister channel of HDNet. Films shown vary in age and category, but all were either transferred from 35mm film to 1080i high definition or shot in the latter format. Many films...
cable channel, and on DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
through its Magnolia Home Entertainment division. The move was controversial since most films are released through different distribution channels on a staggered schedule, giving each channel an exclusive release window. Exhibitors were especially timorous, as many feared that they would eventually lose their exclusive release windows for more mainstream films.
Film and Television Production
The company produces films and television programs through two production companiesProduction company
A production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.- Tasks and functions :...
: 2929 Productions and HDNet Films. 2929 Productions, headed by Marc Butan
Marc Butan
Marc Butan is an American film producer who runs 2929 Productions, a production and financing arm of 2929 Entertainment formed in 2003.2929 Productions projects to date include Godsend starring Robert De Niro, Greg Kinnear and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Criminal starring John C...
, makes movies with budgets of $10 to $40 million. HDNet Films produces lower budget movies that are shot in high definition
High-definition video
High-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...
. Notable films include:
- Star SearchStar SearchStar Search is a television show that was produced from 1983-95, hosted by Ed McMahon, and created by Alfred Masini. A relaunch was produced in 2003-04. The show was originally filmed at the old Earl Carroll Theatre at 6230 Sunset Blvd...
(2002 - 2929 Productions) - The JacketThe JacketThe Jacket is a 2005 psychological thriller film directed by John Maybury that is partly based on the Jack London novel of the same name, released in the US as The Star Rover. Massy Tadjedin wrote the screenplay based on a story by Tom Bleecker and Marc Rocco...
(2005 - 2929 Productions) - Enron: The Smartest Guys in the RoomEnron: The Smartest Guys in the RoomEnron: The Smartest Guys in the Room is a 2005 documentary film based on the best-selling 2003 book of the same name by Fortune reporters Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind, a study of one of the largest business scandals in American history...
(2005 - HDNet Films) - Good Night, and Good Luck (2005 - 2929 Productions)
- Black ChristmasBlack Christmas (2006 film)Black Christmas is 2006 American Slasher film and a remake of the 1974 horror slasher film of the same name. It was written and directed by Glen Morgan and stars Katie Cassidy, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Lacey Chabert, Crystal Lowe, Michelle Trachtenberg , Oliver Hudson, Kristen Cloke, and Andrea...
(2006 - 2929 Productions) - Akeelah and the BeeAkeelah and the BeeAkeelah and the Bee is a 2006 American drama film written and directed by Doug Atchison. It tells the story of Akeelah Anderson, portrayed by Keke Palmer, an 11-year-old girl who participates in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, her mother, portrayed by Angela Bassett, schoolmates, and also her...
(2006 - 2929 Productions) - BubbleBubble (film)Bubble is a movie directed by Steven Soderbergh. It was shot on high-definition video and was made for a relatively small budget of $1.6 million. It also featured some unusual production aspects.In traditional terms, the movie has no script...
(2006 - HDNet Films) - TuristasTuristasTuristas is a 2006 American thriller film directed and produced by John Stockwell. In some regions of the world, such as France, the Republic of Ireland, Malta and the UK, the film has been released under the alternative title Paradise Lost.-Plot:Three young American tourists, Alex , his sister...
(2006 - 2929 Productions) - The Life Before Her Eyes (2007 - 2929 Productions)
- We Own the NightWe Own the NightWe Own the Night is a 2007 American crime drama film written and directed by James Gray and starring Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes and Robert Duvall. It is the third film directed by Gray, and the second film to feature Phoenix and Wahlberg together, the first being The Yards...
(2007 - 2929 Productions) - The Road (2009)
- A Forest of Mirrors (2012 - 2929 Productions)
Cuban and Wagner also own a minority stake in Lions Gate Entertainment
Lions Gate Entertainment
Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation is a North American entertainment company. The company was formed in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1997, and is headquartered in Santa Monica, California...
.
Film Distribution
2929 owns Magnolia PicturesMagnolia Pictures
Magnolia Pictures is an American film distributor, and is a holding of 2929 Entertainment, owned by Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban. Magnolia was formed in 2001 by Bill Banowsky and Eamonn Bowles, and specializes in both foreign and independent films....
, a film distribution company that places 2929's and other company's films in theaters. Besides 2929's pictures, Magnolia has also released:
- The Lost City (2006)
- The World's Fastest IndianThe World's Fastest IndianThe World's Fastest Indian is a 2005 New Zealand biographical film based on the Invercargill, New Zealand speed bike racer Burt Munro and his highly modified Indian Scout motorcycle...
(2005) - Control Room (2004)
- Capturing the FriedmansCapturing the FriedmansCapturing the Friedmans is a documentary film directed by Andrew Jarecki. It focuses on the 1980s investigation of Arnold and Jesse Friedman for child molestation...
(2003)
Theatrical Exhibition
On September 24, 2003, 2929 bought Landmark Theatre CorporationLandmark Theatres
Landmark Theatres is the largest art house movie theater chain in the United States. It is owned by Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner through their 2929 Entertainment. The chain shows mostly first run independent, foreign film, and restored classics though some Landmark theaters also show more mainstream...
, which owns 58 theatres in 23 markets. The chain, which was founded by Kim Jorgensen
Kim Jorgensen
Kim M. Jorgensen is a film director and the owner of Landmark Films. Jorgensen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was the founder and president of an art house movie theater chain in the United States named Landmark Theaters until 1989 when he sold them...
in 1974, primarily shows independent and foreign films.
Home Entertainment
In November 2005 the company created Magnolia Home Entertainment to release its films over home videoHome video
Home video is a blanket term used for pre-recorded media that is either sold or rented/hired for home cinema entertainment. The term originates from the VHS/Betamax era but has carried over into current optical disc formats like DVD and Blu-ray Disc and, to a lesser extent, into methods of digital...
. It is run by Randy Wells, the former head of home entertainment for Miramax.
Television
2929 holds a significant interest in HDNetHDNet
HDNet is a men's interest television channel in the United States, broadcasting exclusively in high-definition format and available via cable and satellite television...
, which Cuban co-founded in 2001 as an all-high definition
High-definition video
High-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...
cable channel. HDNet Movies
HDNet Movies
HDNet Movies is a high definition-only cable and satellite television channel dedicated entirely to movies. It is the sister channel of HDNet. Films shown vary in age and category, but all were either transferred from 35mm film to 1080i high definition or shot in the latter format. Many films...
, a companion channel, shows movies in high definition. 2929 also owns operates Rysher Entertainment, a television syndication distributor.