Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Amazon.com Takes On the Movie Business

Amazon.com said Tuesday evening that it is launching a new online business, which looks to help find new talent and develop motion pictures from online submissions. According to Amazon.com, its new business--Amazon Studios--will award a total of $2.7 million in awards through monthly and annual prizes to top scripts and test movies submitted to the company's new online business. In addition, the firm said it has a first-look deal with Warner Bros. Pictures on projects submitted to the site. Judges on the movies and scripts are include Jack Epps, Jr., screenwriter and chair, Writing Division of the USC School of Cinematic Arts ("Top Gun"); Mark Gill, former President of Miramax and Warner Independent Pictures; screenwriter Mike Werb ("Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" and "Curious George"); and Michael Taylor, producer and chair, Production Division of the USC School of Cinematic Arts.