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From theindianentertainment.com ● Volume No: I-4 pickle● October 21-28, 2006 ● New Delhi● India Californian company bets on India Films WestHam Woos India The company will distribute Munir Ahmad produced film Dont's Stop Dreaming starring Suniel Shetty, Rishi Kapoor in the global market here is good news for movies in the global market,'' said Indian film producers look- Ron Lavery, head WestHam Films. ing for global distribution, This would strengthen and give Don't Stop especially to crack the US more access to Indian films in new Tmarket. WestHam Films, a territories. This will also be a big Dreaming California-based company is keen relief for independent film makers to push Indian films in the global in India who are on the look for ringing together estab- distribution network. dedicated sales agents for overseas lished stars and exciting WestHam has been hired by and domestic distribution. B newcomers from London-based Munir Ahmad, pro- While domestic companies like Bollywood and Britain, Don’t ducer of Don't Stop Dreaming (star- Yashraj, Adlabs, UTV, Eros are Stop Dreaming is a musical ring Suniel Shetty, Rishi Kapoor) for strengthening their global distribu- comedy overflowing with global distribution of the movie. tion network, the entry of players memorable characters, unfor- DSD will be screened for industry like WestHam is a clear trend of the gettable situations, heart professionals during American Film growing popularity of Indian cine- warming drama and amazing Market on November 6 at the ma in the overseas market. There is music. It is an English movie Culver Studios Ince Theatre. a possibility of new business mod- and the distribution company WestHam will also screen the els emerging out of this develop- is working out strategies to movie for Indian distributors at Goa ment as WestHam would look for dub the movie in Indian lan- during the International Film tie-up or partnerships with India guages. Set in modern day Festival of India on distribution companies. This Birmingham, the rocking story November 27, 2006. would also result in a win- revolves around the trials and ``Don't Stop Dreaming is win for Indian distributors, tribulations of a group of mis- very similar to Bend It Like as they could engage com- fits who come together to Bekham. It is multi-cultural panies like WestHam for form a band that attempts to and has got a global overseas distribution. change the face of music by appeal. WestHam sees Page two interview with creating a new sound that huge potential of Indian Ron Lavery fuses eastern and western vibes. The cool musical come- dy set to rock the world is "Indian cinema is already the biggest in the world. about hope, friendship and fol- lowing your dreams and has a It's just that the West is taking time to wake up to it. star cast that includes Rishi Indian cinema has already had ... almost Kapoor, Suniel Shetty, Richard Blackwood, Michelle Collins a century of catering to the Middle East, Russia, the and multi-million selling pop Asian diaspora'' star Taz from Stereo Nation. MIRA NAIR, Director of The Namesake at the Rome International Film Festival 1 pickle ● October 21-28 ● 2006 ● New Delhi● India India find a new sales agent in Ron Lavery Indian films are good Says Ron Lavery, head, WestHam Films, based in California. He is a known figure in the showbiz world. Ron chats with Pickle What is WestHam Films all about? tors in the months to come? WestHam Films has a revolution- I see myself working at three lev- ary approach to distribution of els. I would look for projects like independent films - in fact all DSD for worldwide distribution. entertainment media. Our people We are getting ready to produce a have a combined distribution new movie called The Novice star- experience measurable in decades ring Chuck Norris and Suniel - we are in day-to-day personal Shetty. At the third level, I would contact with buyers from all over be keen to work on co-produc- the world who always let us know tions with Indian partners on new what they are looking for. projects. All these three levels of We are always on the lookout projects excite me. I have a confi- for high quality independent pro- dent about Indian movies doing ductions to represent in the great in the global mart. domestic and international market. We have worked out several ways What's The Novice all about? to have a mutually beneficial rela- tionship between the producer It is an action comedy starring and the distributor. The story of Ron Shetty and Norris. Shetty works What is your take on Indian Films? well in the movie because he is a RON LAVERY started his career kick boxer. The film has lot of Indian films are great. It is new to in the Film Industry in 1968. He chase and run. The film will be the market outside India. It has got was an Assistant Cameraman at shot at Texas and will target the a great potential in the global Elstree Studio working such tele- global market. mart. A Multi cultural theme of vision shows as “The Indian-led films like Don’t Stop Pathfinders”, “The Protector’s What are your distribution Dreaming has a great potential -- it and many others. With a single strengths? has music, young people and telephone number and not a modern in outlook. We have been friend in sight soon Ron was We have devised several ways to hired by Munir Ahmad, producer working with some Hollywood’s work closely with the producers of of DSD for worldwide distribution finest. In 1986, Ron produced his completed projects in order to of the film. We are working to first film titled, “Terror in Beverly maximize profits and maximize make it a world-wide hit. DSD will Hills” In 1990, Ron embarked on exposure for the picture and the be screened for the industry pro- an unexpected career in Film filmmakers - here in the US and all fessional at the AFM on November Distribution attending 14 over the world. WestHam has 6. We would be coming later to American Film Markets, 11 many contacts to sell movies in Goa during the International Film Cannes Film Festivals and 8 Germany, Japan and many other Festival of India on November 27. MIFEDS in Italy. Also Ron has countries. We act as professional We will move to London for fur- attended many film festivals in sales agent in the global distribu- ther market screenings. his role as acquisitions executive, tion of movies. I have acquired How do you see yourself working and has acquired over 50 films over 50 movies for global with Indian producers or distribu- distribution. Three Predictions by Pickle Overseas right owners of Film star Shahrukh Khan, in The Emergence of offshore Indian films will soon buy all probability is likely to suc- business, to provide subtitling 1 out theatres in foreign coun- 2 ceed, if he ventures into 3 and dubbing service of tries. This would give better floating a global distribution Indian films. Film producers control to screen Indian company for Indian films. will work closely with com- movies. This trend has He has the potential and panies engaged in subtitling already begun with a leading the brand to create an insti- services to work out simulta- South Indian overseas distrib- tution out of an individual. It neous release of a Hindi utor having remote in has to be debated whether movies and create subtitled Chennai to control theatres he will do on his own or join versions in French, German, (especially screening of South with one of the current dis- Spanish to release the movie Indian movies) in Malaysia tributors. on the same day. and Singapore. Hindi cinema overseas distributor is far behind in this initiative. 2 pickle ● October 21-28 ● 2006 ● New Delhi● India New revenue from film rentals of DVD Landmark Judgment Obtaining a license to rent film DVDs and VCDs from authorized copyright owners is now compulsory in India n a landmark Judgment which ly owned by the well-known south will have a far reaching impact Indian actress Shalini and her on the film rental business in brother Richard. India, Justice Reva Khetrapal on Rental business in India is largely ISeptember 1, 2006 passed orders run by small shops servicing the restraining the rental library rental requirements of the locality. Cinema Paradiso from renting out No licenses are paid to the copy- any cinematograph films, the copy- right owners. Says, Chander M. right of which belongs to any of Lall, counsel representing the the 9 leading Hollywood studios Hollywood studios, "Film Despite Cinema Paradiso currently has the fact that the copyright laws do rental operations in four major not permit unauthorized rental of Indian cities including Chennai, films, rental libraries are function- Hyderabad, Bangalore and ing all over the country without Kolkotta and had plans to open in any licenses or authorization of the other Indian cities including copyright owners. This is obvious- Mumbai and Delhi. The studios missioner office in each respective ly depriving the legitimate industry were perturbed by the wrong state to run a video library busi- of much needed revenues." claims made by Cinema Paradiso ness" The owner Mr. Santhosh In India, the home video market on its website claiming itself to be claimed that "This is in the form of comprises only 10% of the Rs the "First DVD store with all licens- license that all original libraries 8,000 crore film industry revenue es" when in fact no licenses had obtain for their functioning" as against the US, where it com- been obtained from the Studios.