Good Machine

Good Machine was an American independent film production, film distribution, and foreign sales company started in the early 1990s by its co-founders and producers, Ted Hope and James Schamus. David Linde joined as a partner in the late 1990s and also started the international sales company Good Machine International.[1] They sold the company to Universal Pictures,[2] where it was then merged with USA Films to create Focus Features.[3] Hope, along with the heads of production development and business affairs (Anthony Bregman, Anne Carey, and Diana Victor) then went on to form the independent production company This Is That Productions. Schamus and Linde became Co-Presidents of Focus Features.[4]

Good Machine
IndustryIndependent film
FateMerged with USA Films and Universal Focus
SuccessorFocus Features
Founded1991
FounderTed Hope
James Schamus
Defunct2002
Headquarters
United States
ProductsMotion pictures
OwnerVivendi (2001-2002)
ParentUniversal Studios (2001-2002)

In 2001, the Museum of Modern Art celebrated the tenth anniversary of Good Machine's work, commemorating their support of international and domestic filmmakers.[5]

Background

Good Machine was involved in production and/or distribution of a number of films, including Ang Lee's The Ice Storm and Ride with the Devil; Hal Hartley[6] projects such as Flirt (1995),[7] Edward Burns's The Brothers McMullen and Todd Solondz's Happiness.[8]

History

Launched in 1991 from a small loft space in lower Manhattan by writer/producer/Columbia professor James Schamus and his partner, Ted Hope, Good Machine produced many important independent films over the years, among them Safe (Todd Haynes, 1995) and The Wedding Banquet (Ang Lee, 1993). The company survived by doing line producing for hire and keeping overhead costs low. Many films were commercially successful thanks to centrist marketing strategies. David Linde joining in 1997 and creating the foreign sales company gave Schamus, Hope and Linde greater control of Good Machine’s products, increased financing sources, and provided information about what people in the marketplace wanted.[9]

Disbandment

In 2002, Good Machine was acquired by Universal Pictures.[10] James Schamus and David Linde remained with Universal, serving as Co-Presidents of Focus Features.[11]

Ted Hope chose to part with the company to form the This is that Corporation[12] (This Is That Productions) with Good Machine Director of Development Anne Carey, Director of Production Anthony Bregman, and Director of Business Affairs Diana Victor. Under the This Is That banner they produced films such as Adventureland, The Savages, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.[13]

Filmography

References
  1. McClintock, Pamela (9 September 2011). "James Schamus' Life on the Film Festival Circuit". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  2. Verrier, Richard (2002-05-03). "Universal Studios to Acquire Good Machine". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  3. "Universal buys Good Machine and merges it with USA Films". Screen. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  4. Anderson, Ariston (11 May 2016). "Locarno Film Fest to Honor Producer David Linde". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  5. "Museum of Modern Art celebrates Good Machine’s 10th anniversary," The Advocate (FEBRUARY 13 2001).
  6. "Good Machine [us]". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  7. 1965-, Macnab, Geoffrey (2013). FilmCraft. Producing. Swart, Sharon. Burlington, MA: Focal Press. ISBN 978-0240823744. OCLC 859154290.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. "Good Machine [us]". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  9. Hopewell, John (5 August 2016). "David Linde Talks About His Career, China, the Future of Film at Locarno". Variety. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  10. Verrier, Richard. "Universal Studios to Acquire Good Machine," Los Angeles Times (MAY 3, 2002).
  11. Anderson, Ariston (11 May 2016). "Locarno Film Fest to Honor Producer David Linde". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  12. Macaulay, Scott. "Indie Film is Alive," Filmmaker Magazine (Sep. 14, 2017).
  13. Pond, Steve. "Ted Hope, Anne Carey Shut Doors, Stay in Business," The Wrap (Sept. 28, 2010).
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