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Pinhead, the ultra-demon from the Hellraiser film series (now in release is Hellraiser IV: Bloodline ) and the lead character in Female Perversions, played like fire and ice by Tilda Swinton, have only two things in common: Both eventually get what they deserve; and, both are being sold by Trans-Atlantic Entertainment (TAE), under the watchful eye of President and CEO, Paul Rich. Born of New World Entertainment, Trans-Atlantic started with the Hellraiser franchise (and Children of the Corn ) in its library, but Female Perversions is an example of specialized product that was nurtured by TAE who produced the Sundance '96 satisfier with Map Films and partially financed the picture along with October Films. Aside from the initial shock of seeing the pin-head-in-a-box display on one wall of the AFM suite and Female Perversions and Angela posters on other walls, you get the sense that TAE is in business for the long haul and is ready to take full advantage of its soon to be proven relationship with Cineville Productions, with whom TAE produced the thrillers Casualties by director Alex Graves and starring Marcia Gay Harden (to be released by Miramax in July), and Murder in Mind, starring Nigel Hawthorne and Mary Louise Parker, now in pre-production.
Rich says TAE is interested in all types of well-packaged projects (except exploitation) with an emphasis on good casts and directors. He admits a penchant for first-time directors with lots of passion to bring their visions to the screen. At the same time, though Rich makes TAE available for production financing, he doesn't want to be involved in the development process. TAE takes seriously packages that include a tight script, realistic budget, attached director (or star if the director is a first-timer) and a domestic distribution deal in place. Sure, that's asking for a lot, but TAE has been building an impressive track record that is sure to benefit the producer who lands a deal with them.
Female Perversions is a good start, according to Rich. As TAE grows, it will be looking for quality dramatic pictures and higher budget actioners in order to move slowly away from Hellraiser, as the franchise loses its bite. Rich uses baseball metaphors to explain success in his business. "Every film we do has a breakout potential. If we go to the plate 15 times in two to three years, we'll probably hit lots of singles and doubles, but maybe we'll hit a home run soon. We're a good hitter and we consistently make solid contact with the ball. With the diversity of pictures we've got either completed or in production, we've got a chance to get a breakout."
The AFM was good to TAE, allowing it to close a number of multi-picture deals, including one to Spain's Cine Company for Casualties, Murder in Mind and Hellraiser IV. It also closed a six-picture agreement with Film Center for Turkey and an eight picture deal with Showtime/Encore for Australia. TAE's production partner Cineville has taken Casualties and Murder in Mind for Germany, and Lucky Red picked up the latter film for Italy. TAE's other 1996 Sundance performer, Nothing to Lose, starring Adrien Brody (King of the Hill, Angels in the Outfield ) and directed by Eric Bross, also stirred up buyer interest. Angela, a film by Rebecca Miller, was an award winner at the 1995 Sundance festival.
TAE is recently web-savvy. Rich hopes that in a few years, international buyers will have the capacity to access the Internet, buy films via email and take digital delivery of the film. In the more recent future, Rich thinks Internet connections will at least make it easier for his buyers in England, France, Germany and Switzerland, for example, to sample TAE's product, keep in touch with acquisitions and sales and, save postage! Visitors to the site now have the opportunity to view the over 300 titles in TAE's extensive library consisting of films in all genres, including Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Sports and Suspense/Thriller. You can also check out "Featured Product" at the TAE site, where you'll learn more about Angela, Hellraiser IV, Female Perversions, The Mary Pickford Library (including many silent, feature and short films starring or featuring the beloved star) that TAE acquired last year, and The Extremists, a 62 episode series featuring sports thrillseekers of every make and model. In "Coming Soon" you can check out the latest text based information about Casualties and Murder in Mind and Nothing to Lose. A section called "Sales Market" is under construction. The best thing about TAE's website is that it's fast! It's not loaded down with tons of time-consuming graphics that take an infinity to appear. Check out the site at http://www.transatlanticent.com and be sure to email Paul Rich to give him feedback on his web presence. Remember, this guy is a solid hitter with a refined swing. When the next TAE backed release goes sailing out of the box office ballpark, remember that Rich said it wasn't a matter of if . . . just a matter of when.
