Creative Industry Law Group

Deal Inked by Creative Industry Law Group
Pressman, Djerassi team for 'Lies' pic

LONDON -- Producer Edward R. Pressman said Tuesday that he and Dale Djerassi have acquired film rights to "Lies Have Been Told," the one-man play about the late British newspaper mogul Robert Maxwell. Djerassi is one of the play's producers. No financial details were disclosed, but Pressman and Djerassi said that they were in London meeting with directors and screenwriters to develop a movie version of the play by Rod Beacham. "Lies" is running in the West End, starring Philip York. "Maxwell's story is 'Citizen Kane' meets 'Wall Street,' " Pressman said. The Hungarian-born newspaper owner had a colorful life with rumors of involvement in espionage and many boardroom battles before mysteriously disappearing overboard from his luxury yacht in the Canary Islands in 1991. Pressman's films include "Reversal of Fortune," "Wall Street" and "Thank You for Smoking," and Djerassi, who was represented in the negotiations by Lizbeth Hasse of Creative Industry Law Group, LLP, is known for producing and directing documentaries like "Oil on Ice."

Ray Bennett, Hollywood Reporter: June 28, 2006

Frigate Bay Films Acquires Rights to "Miles and Me"
A Story of Friendship, Jazz, and The Genius of Miles Davis

Los Angeles, Jan. 27, 2004 -- Frigate Bay Filmworks, Inc. announced today that it has purchased the rights to the book and screenplay "Miles and Me" by writer, poet and long-time Miles Davis confidant, Quincy Troupe. The screenplay tells the story of the relationship between the two men, while exploring the life and operatic death of Davis, considered by many to be the single most innovative influence in jazz history. Davis' life and music is a landmark of the 20th Century. "Miles music is the whole scope, passion, evolution, conflicts of the century," said Rudy Langlais, president of Frigate Bay. "Miles Davis was the 'birth of cool.'"

"The film is inspired by Fellini's "8 1/2" in its depiction of an artist of singular talent and legend, unyielding in his creative and personal life" said Langlais in his announcement of the project. "Miles rose to legendary heights, even as he faced the death of his greatest collaborator, Gil Evans (with whom he created 'Sketches of Spain') and his closest friend, novelist James Baldwin. And 'Miles and Me' is also the story of the great friendship that developed between Troupe and Davis."

It's a friendship that began 15 years ago when Langlais, then editor of Spin magazine, assigned Troupe to interview the jazz great for the magazine. That assignment led Troupe to a collaboration with Davis on his autobiography and to Troupe writing "Miles and Me," his recollections of his experiences with Davis during the writing of the autobiography. Troupe's screenplay tells the sweeping story of that tumultuous time with Davis (in the tradition of "Round Midnight"). Frigate Bay is currently looking for that right match of director and subject.

About the writer of "Miles and Me"

Quincy Troupe is the author of 14 books, including seven volumes of poetry, the latest of which is "Transcircularities." He was appointed California's first official poet laureate by Gov. Gray Davis. Troupe is the recipient of two American Book Awards. In 1991, Troupe received the prestigious Peabody Award in 1990 for co-producing and writing the radio series, "The Miles Davis Radio Project," broadcast in seven parts and aired on National Public Radio. Troupe edited "James Baldwin: The Legacy" and was the co-author with Davis of the best selling "Miles: The Autobiography." His second children's book, "Little Stevie," based on the life of Stevie Wonder, is scheduled for publication by Houghton-Mifflin in 2004.

About the producer of "Miles and Me"

Rudy Langlais has parlayed his literary background into a prolific and successful film career. Besides his stint as executive editor of Spin, Langlais was a top sports editor and writer at THE STAR-LEDGER, the largest newspaper in New Jersey and served as Senior Editor for The Village Voice. His film career began with Norman Mailer adapting legendary writer Henry Miller's landmark trilogy THE ROSY CRUCIFIXION, for 20th Century Fox and director Milos Forman (AMADEUS, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST) and adapting a story by Langlais about American gangsters in Cuba in the 1950s, for Universal Pictures.

Langlais has developed films with Quincy Jones, produced LOVE CRIMES, directed by Lizzie Borden, SUGAR HILL, starring Wesley Snipes, and THE HURRICANE, starring Denzel Washington, directed by Norman Jewison. For Showtime, Langlais produced WHO KILLED ATLANTA'S CHILDREN?, recounting his investigation for SPIN of the series of brutal slayings in Atlanta. and just completed REDEMPTION for 20th Century Fox and the FX Network, starring Jamie Foxx. He is currently developing several projects with Beacon Pictures.

The Frigate Bay/Troupe agreement was negotiated by Lizbeth Hasse of Creative Industry Law Group, San Francisco, on behalf of Frigate Bay and Victoria Cook of Frankfurt, Garbus, Klein and Selz, on behalf of Troupe.

For further information regarding the "Miles and Me" film project contact: Jules Feiler @ The Pitching Staff 212-585-0973.