Jay Rifkin
Encyclopedia
Jay Rifkin is a music and film producer.
Rifkin created the company Media Ventures with Hans Zimmer
, a childhood friend, whom he partnered with to produce and compose with. Media Ventures is a diverse entertainment group that includes music, new media, film and television. The partnership earned them numerous awards and nominations, including Academy Award nominations, for the film scores of Driving Miss Daisy
, Rain Man
and The Lion King
. After the success of The Lion King, Rifkin conceived and produced the gold-selling follow-up album Rhythm of the Pride Lands
.
Rifkin is also chairman of Media Revolution, an award-winning new media company, which he founded in 1977. Media Revolution is part of Cyberia Holdings, which Rifkin is also CEO of, and Hans Zimmer the vice-president. He is also a founder of the film production company Media Ventures Pictures, producer of the comedy Waiting...
Rifkin was the managing partner of Media Ventures through his company Mojo Music. In 1995 he started Mojo Records
, which became a joint venture with Universal Records
in 1996, and was subsequently sold to Zomba/BMG
in 2001.
Rifkin is currently chairman and CEO of China Youth Media Inc., a youth marketing and media company focused on China.
Rifkin created the company Media Ventures with Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer
Hans Florian Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer. He has composed music for over 100 films, including critically acclaimed film scores for The Lion King , Crimson Tide , The Thin Red Line , Gladiator , The Dark Knight and Inception .Zimmer spent the early part of his career in the...
, a childhood friend, whom he partnered with to produce and compose with. Media Ventures is a diverse entertainment group that includes music, new media, film and television. The partnership earned them numerous awards and nominations, including Academy Award nominations, for the film scores of Driving Miss Daisy
Driving Miss Daisy
Driving Miss Daisy is a 1989 American comedy-drama film adapted from the Alfred Uhry play of the same name. The film was directed by Bruce Beresford, with Morgan Freeman reprising his role as Hoke Colburn and Jessica Tandy playing Miss Daisy...
, Rain Man
Rain Man
Rain Man is a 1988 drama film written by Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass and directed by Barry Levinson. It tells the story of an abrasive and selfish yuppie, Charlie Babbitt, who discovers that his estranged father has died and bequeathed all of his multimillion-dollar estate to his other son,...
and The Lion King
The Lion King
The Lion King is a 1994 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the 32nd feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series...
. After the success of The Lion King, Rifkin conceived and produced the gold-selling follow-up album Rhythm of the Pride Lands
Rhythm of the Pride Lands
Rhythm of the Pride Lands is an audio CD released on February 28, 1995 by The Walt Disney Company, a "sequel" to the original motion picture soundtrack of the animated film The Lion King. The CD, was originally an independent project developed by Jay Rifkin and Lebo M and included songs and...
.
Rifkin is also chairman of Media Revolution, an award-winning new media company, which he founded in 1977. Media Revolution is part of Cyberia Holdings, which Rifkin is also CEO of, and Hans Zimmer the vice-president. He is also a founder of the film production company Media Ventures Pictures, producer of the comedy Waiting...
Rifkin was the managing partner of Media Ventures through his company Mojo Music. In 1995 he started Mojo Records
Mojo Records
Mojo Records was a California-based record label founded in 1995 by producer Jay Rifkin. It became a joint venture with Universal Music Group in 1996 and then sold to the Zomba Group in 2001, who placed it under their subsidiary Jive Records...
, which became a joint venture with Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
in 1996, and was subsequently sold to Zomba/BMG
Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Sony BMG Music Entertainment was a recorded music company, which was a 50–50 joint venture between the Sony Corporation of America and Bertelsmann AG...
in 2001.
Rifkin is currently chairman and CEO of China Youth Media Inc., a youth marketing and media company focused on China.
Work
Rifkin's work includes:- TargetTarget (1985 film)Target is a 1985 film directed by Arthur Penn. It stars Matt Dillon and Gene Hackman.-Plot:In Dallas, Walter Lloyd runs a lumber business. After checking out at the office, Walter stops by the local racetrack, where his college-age son Chris works repairing stock cars...
(1985) ( Sound((music)) / / Released / CBS Video ) - Rain ManRain ManRain Man is a 1988 drama film written by Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass and directed by Barry Levinson. It tells the story of an abrasive and selfish yuppie, Charlie Babbitt, who discovers that his estranged father has died and bequeathed all of his multimillion-dollar estate to his other son,...
- ( Music / 1988 / Released / MGM Distribution Company ) - Days of ThunderDays of ThunderDays of Thunder is a 1990 American auto racing film released by Paramount Pictures, produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Tony Scott. The cast includes Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Cary Elwes and Michael Rooker. The film also features appearances...
- ( Music / 1990 / Released / Paramount Pictures ) - Days of ThunderDays of ThunderDays of Thunder is a 1990 American auto racing film released by Paramount Pictures, produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Tony Scott. The cast includes Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Cary Elwes and Michael Rooker. The film also features appearances...
- ( Song((\"Show Me Heaven\")) / 1990 / Released / Paramount Pictures ) - Days of ThunderDays of ThunderDays of Thunder is a 1990 American auto racing film released by Paramount Pictures, produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Tony Scott. The cast includes Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Cary Elwes and Michael Rooker. The film also features appearances...
(1990) (score mixer) - Thelma & Louise (1991) (music recordist)
- BackdraftBackdraft (film)Backdraft is a 1991 action thriller film directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen. The film stars Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rebecca De Mornay, Donald Sutherland, and Robert De Niro. Jason Gedrick and J. T. Walsh co-star in the film...
(1991) (music scoring mixer) - Backdraft - ( Music / / Released / Universal Pictures Distribution )
- Regarding HenryRegarding HenryRegarding Henry is a 1991 American film drama starring Harrison Ford and Annette Bening, directed by Mike Nichols.The screenplay by J. J. Abrams focuses on a New York City lawyer who struggles to regain his memory and recover his speech and mobility after he survives a shooting.-Plot:Ambitious,...
(1991) (music scoring mixer) - The Power of OneThe Power of OneThe Power of One is a novel by Bryce Courtenay, first published in 1989. Set in South Africa during the 1930s and 1940s, it tells the story of an Anglo-African boy who, through the course of the story, acquires the nickname of Peekay. The Power of One is a novel by Bryce Courtenay, first published...
(1992) (music recordist) - The Power of One - ( Music / 1992 / Released / Warner Home Video )
- A League of Their OwnA League of Their OwnA League of Their Own is a 1992 American comedy-drama film that tells a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League . Directed by Penny Marshall, the film stars Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Tom Hanks, Madonna, and Rosie O'Donnell...
(1992) (music mixer) - Toys (1992) (score mixer) (score recordist)
- Toys - ( Sound Mixer / 1992 / Released / 20th Century Fox International )
- True RomanceTrue RomanceTrue Romance is a 1993 American romance crime film written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott. The film stars Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette with an ensemble cast consisting of Christopher Walken, Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, Chris Penn, Tom Sizemore, Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin...
(1993) (score mixer) (score recordist) ... aka Breakaway (Philippines: English title) - The Lion King (1994) (producer, song "Hakuna MatataHakuna Matata (song)"Hakuna Matata" is a song from Disney's 32nd animated feature Timon & Pumbaa. The song is based on Timon and Pumbaa's common catchphrase in the movie, Hakuna matata, which is a Swahili phrase. It is characterized by its simple 4/4 time, upbeat message and catchy lyrics.-Music:The musical score was...
") - Speed (1994/I) (music mixer) (music recordist)
- Speed - ( Sound Mixer / 1994 / Released / 20th Century Fox Home Video )
- Renaissance Man - ( Other / 1994 / Released / Buena Vista Pictures Distribution )
- Something to Talk AboutSomething to Talk About (film)Something to Talk About is a 1995 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Lasse Hallström, from a screenplay written by Callie Khouri. It stars Julia Roberts and Dennis Quaid as an estranged couple, Kyra Sedgwick as Roberts's sister, and Robert Duvall and Gena Rowlands as their parents. The...
- ( Sound Mixer / 1995 / Released / Warner Home Video ) - Man of the HouseMan of the House (1995 film)Man of the House is a 1995 comedy film starring Chevy Chase, Farrah Fawcett and Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Marking Thomas' motion picture debut, this Disney comedy is about a boy who must come to terms with his potential stepfather , a well-meaning lawyer who is unknowingly the subject of a manhunt...
(1995) (score mixer) - Nine MonthsNine MonthsNine Months is a 1995 romantic comedy film directed by Chris Columbus. It stars Hugh Grant, Julianne Moore, Tom Arnold, Joan Cusack, Jeff Goldblum, and Robin Williams. The movie is a US remake of the French movie Neuf mois and served as Grant's first US starring role. It was filmed on location in...
(1995) (score mixer) - Crimson TideCrimson Tide (film)The film has uncredited additional writing by Quentin Tarantino, much of it being the pop-culture reference-laden dialogue.The U.S. Navy objected to many of the elements in the script — particularly the aspect of mutiny on board a U.S. naval vessel — and as such, the film was produced...
- ( Music / 1995 / Released / Hollywood Pictures Home Video ) - AntzAntzAntz is a 1998 American computer animated action adventure film produced by DreamWorks Animation. It features the voices of well-known actors such as Woody Allen, Sharon Stone, Jennifer Lopez, Sylvester Stallone, Dan Aykroyd, Anne Bancroft, Gene Hackman, Christopher Walken, and Danny Glover as...
- ( Song((\"I Can See Clearly Now\")) / 1998 / Released / DreamWorks SKG ) - BASEketballBASEketballBASEketball is a 1998 American David Zucker comedy starring South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, along with Dian Bachar, Robert Vaughn, Ernest Borgnine, Yasmine Bleeth, and Jenny McCarthy...
(1998) (executive music producer) - King of the JungleKing of the Jungle (film)King of the Jungle is a 2000 drama film starring John Leguizamo, Rosie Perez, Julie Carmen, Cliff Gorman, Michael Rapaport, Marisa Tomei, and Rosario Dawson. It was written and directed by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld....
- ( Executive Producer / 2001 / Released / Urbanworld Films ) - The Lion King II: Simba's PrideThe Lion King II: Simba's PrideThe Lion King II: Simba's Pride is a 1998 American direct-to-video animated film released by Walt Disney Home Video on October 27, 1998. The film is the sequel to the 1994 Disney animated film The Lion King...
(1998) (music and lyrics, song "He Lives in YouHe Lives in You"He Lives in You" is a song written and performed by Lebo M and his South African Choir for the CD Rhythm of the Pride Lands. A shorter version of the song was used in the opening of The Lion King II. This song was co-written by Mark Mancina and Jay Rifkin...
") - The Lion King II: Simba's Pride - ( Songs / 1998 / Released / Walt Disney Home Video )
- Spirit: Stallion of the CimarronSpirit: Stallion of the CimarronSpirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is a 2002 American animated film that was released by DreamWorks. It follows the adventures of a young Kiger mustang stallion living in the 19th century wild west. The film, written by John Fusco and directed by Kelly Asbury and Lorna Cook, was nominated for the...
- ( Music Producer / 2002 / Released / DreamWorks SKG ) - Tears of the SunTears of the SunTears of the Sun is a 2003 American war film, depicting a United States Navy SEAL team rescue mission amidst a civil war in the West African country of Nigeria. Lt. A.K. Waters commands the team sent to rescue U.S. citizen Dr. Lena Fiore Kendricks from the civil war en route to her jungle hospital...
- ( Music Producer((Media Ventures)) / 2003 / Released / Sony Pictures Releasing ) - A League of Their OwnA League of Their OwnA League of Their Own is a 1992 American comedy-drama film that tells a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League . Directed by Penny Marshall, the film stars Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Tom Hanks, Madonna, and Rosie O'Donnell...
- ( Music / 2003 / Released / Sony Pictures Releasing ) - Waiting... - ( Producer / 2005 / Released / Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. )
- Herzog in Wonderland - ( Producer / / In-Production / )
- True RomanceTrue RomanceTrue Romance is a 1993 American romance crime film written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott. The film stars Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette with an ensemble cast consisting of Christopher Walken, Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, Chris Penn, Tom Sizemore, Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin...
- ( Sound Mixer / / Released / Morgan Creek International ) - Regarding HenryRegarding HenryRegarding Henry is a 1991 American film drama starring Harrison Ford and Annette Bening, directed by Mike Nichols.The screenplay by J. J. Abrams focuses on a New York City lawyer who struggles to regain his memory and recover his speech and mobility after he survives a shooting.-Plot:Ambitious,...
- ( Music / / Released / Paramount Pictures ) - Radio Flyer - ( Music / / Released / Sony Pictures Releasing )
- Pterodactyl Woman From Beverly Hills - ( Executive Producer / / Released / Troma Team Video )
- Pacific Heights - ( Music / / Released / 20th Century Fox International )
- Monkey TroubleMonkey TroubleMonkey Trouble is a 1994 family film directed by Franco Amurri starring Thora Birch.-Plot:Nine-year-old Eva Gregory longs for a pet to call her own, but her mother does not think she is responsible enough, and her stepfather is allergic to fur...
- ( Music Producer / / Released / New Line Home Entertainment ) - Man 2 Man - ( Music / / Released / Walt Disney Home Video )
- Incident at Loch NessIncident at Loch NessIncident at Loch Ness is a mockumentary starring, produced by and written by, Werner Herzog and Zak Penn. The small cast film follows Herzog and his crew while working on the production of an abandoned movie project on the Loch Ness Monster entitled Enigma of Loch Ness...
- ( Executive Producer / / Released / Eden Rock Media ) - I'll Do AnythingI'll Do AnythingI'll Do Anything is a 1994 American dramedy film written and directed by James L. Brooks. Its primary plot concerns a down-on-his-luck actor who suddenly finds himself the sole caretaker of his six-year-old daughter.-Synopsis:...
- ( Music / / Released / Sony Pictures Releasing ) - Drop ZoneDrop zoneA drop zone is a place where parachutists or parachuted supplies land. It can be an area targeted for landing by paratroopers, or a base from which recreational parachutists and skydivers take off in aircraft and land under parachutes...
- ( Music / / Released / Paramount Pictures ) - Driving Miss DaisyDriving Miss DaisyDriving Miss Daisy is a 1989 American comedy-drama film adapted from the Alfred Uhry play of the same name. The film was directed by Bruce Beresford, with Morgan Freeman reprising his role as Hoke Colburn and Jessica Tandy playing Miss Daisy...
- ( Music / / Released / Warner Bros. Pictures International ) - Cool RunningsCool RunningsCool Runnings is a 1993 comedy film directed by Jon Turteltaub. It is loosely based on the true story of the Jamaica national bobsled team's debut in the bobsleigh competition of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. It stars Leon Robinson, Doug E. Doug, Malik Yoba, and Rawle D...
- ( Music / / Released / Walt Disney Home Video ) - Calendar Girl - ( Music / / Released / Sony Pictures Releasing )
- Calendar Girl - ( Song((\"Cry For You\")) / / Released / Sony Pictures Releasing )
- Calendar Girl - ( Song / / Released / Sony Pictures Releasing )
- Black Rain - ( Music / / Released / Paramount Pictures )
- Black Rain - ( Song((\"Living on the Edge of the Night\")) by Jay Rifkin/ / Released / Paramount Pictures )
- Bird on a WireBird on a Wire (film)Bird on a Wire is a 1990 feature film starring Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn, directed by John Badham, and shot mainly in British Columbia, Canada. The title refers to the Leonard Cohen song "Bird on the Wire"...
- ( Music / / Released / Universal Pictures Distribution ) - FreakonomicsFreakonomicsFreakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything is a 2005 non-fiction book by University of Chicago economist Steven Levitt and New York Times journalist Stephen J. Dubner. The book has been described as melding pop culture with economics, but has also been described as...
- ( Executive Producer / 2010 / Released / Magnolia Pictures )