warner bros discovery hired filmmaker Braintrust to help plan and run the show for its cable television channel, Turner Classic Movies, after management turmoil raised fans’ concerns about the station’s future. are convening.
‘Jaws’ director Steven Spielberg, ‘Goodfellas’ director Martin Scorsese and ‘Boogie Nights’ director Paul Thomas Anderson have officially signed on to provide input to TCM, the company and the filmmakers said Wednesday. announced to The filmmakers are working closely with Warner Bros. Film Group chiefs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdi, according to the company, following a series of job cuts and a management shake-up at TCM. He will oversee curation and programming.
“We’ve already started brainstorming ideas with Mike and Pam. Both are true film enthusiasts and share the passion and respect for classic cinema that characterizes the TCM community,” said the three filmmakers. said in a joint statement Wednesday. “Initiated by David Zaslav, this unique arrangement reflects his commitment to honoring TCM’s legacy while also including us in curating and programming.”
The filmmaker’s participation comes after Warner Bros. Discovery employees faced layoffs last week, especially across the cable network’s portfolio.
As part of that, there was a major transformation of TCM, which was perceived as a venue for preserving classic films and curated line-ups enhanced by guest star introductions. The change caused concern among moviegoers and film preservationists, who expressed their anguish on social media.
The filmmakers also applauded longtime programming chief Charles Tavesh for staying with the network, who was originally scheduled to leave as part of the restructuring.
David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Anjali Sundaram | CNBC
Last week, the filmmakers said in a statement that Zaslav reached out and reassured them that they were committed to working with the company for the future of TCM.
Since the Warner Bros. Discovery merger in 2022, the company has taken a number of cost-cutting measures, including job cuts and reduced content spending.
In the months leading up to layoffs and transfers at networks including TCM, Zaslav and Spielberg discussed TCM’s future, according to people familiar with the matter. Mr. Zaslav also began a dialogue last week with Mr. Spielberg, Mr. Scorsese and Mr. Anderson.
According to media reports, Spielberg and Anderson joined Zaslav in a panel discussion on film preservation efforts at the TCM Classic Film Festival in April.
Warner Bros. Discovery and its film directors recently touted the company’s increased investment in TCM.
“TCM is a cultural treasure and WBD is fully committed to protecting, supporting and investing in it for the future. Content investment in TCM has increased by 30% this year and we will continue to do so in the years to come.” We plan to strengthen it,” a company spokesperson said. in a statement. “That said, TCM is no stranger to real pressures on the entire linear ecosystem, but we are staying true to the network’s mission to broadcast more titles, drive content investment, and preserve content. We have taken steps to keep it going, and to protect film culture.”
The increased investment will go towards licensing new films and introducing a broader roster to the network, the people said.