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May 23, 2006
Missing the malt whisky: Schamus' solo Focus
LA Times' Lorenza Muñoz tightens James Schamus' bowtie as he takes solo CEO rein of Focus Features. Muñoz quotes Schamus: "I know this seems like James' bar mitzvah, but it's not a big deal... It's not like David was the guy running the nuclear reactor in the back room and he left with the keys." ... Schamus' mandate is a broad one. In addition to overseeing the company's expanding foothold in the international financing and distribution arena, he and his team must develop and acquire enough material to ensure a continued slate of ambitious artistic movies, like last year's The Constant Gardener. Killer Films' producer Christine Vachon notes an important facet of Schamus' makeup: "When he and I worked together, he was always delighted to actually read the contracts... The deal is exciting to him." Of co-Focuser David Linde, now at Universal, Schamus reflects: "I will miss him at the end of the day — that late-night bull session when the sales suite is empty and a cigar or two comes out," he said, remembering how he and Linde would whip out a bottle of malt whiskey on many occasions to discuss the day's events. "That is when he will be missed."
Posted by Ray Pride at May 23, 2006 12:14 PM
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