Megan Ellison

Margaret Elizabeth Ellison (born January 31, 1986) is an American film producer and entrepreneur. She is founder of Annapurna Pictures, established in 2011. She produced the films Zero Dark Thirty (2012), Her (2013), American Hustle (2013), and Phantom Thread (2017), all of which have earned her Oscar nominations. In 2014, she was included in the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world.[2]

Megan Ellison
Born
Margaret Elizabeth Ellison

(1986-01-31) January 31, 1986[1]
Alma materUniversity of Southern California
OccupationFilm producer
Years active2007–present
Parent(s)Larry Ellison
Barbara Boothe
FamilyDavid Ellison (brother)

Early life and education

Ellison was born in Santa Clara County, California, the daughter of billionaire Oracle Corporation chairman, Larry Ellison, and his ex-wife, Barbara Boothe Ellison. Her father is of Jewish and Italian descent.[3] She has a brother, film producer David Ellison.[4] Ellison graduated from Sacred Heart Preparatory in 2004[5] and attended film school at the University of Southern California for one year.[6]

Early work

Ellison landed her first film credit in 2005 as a boom operator for the short film When All Else Fails, a thriller written and directed by her brother David Ellison. Ellison then began to finance low-budget movies such as Waking Madison and Passion Play. The success of the Coen Brothers' True Grit in 2010, on which she worked as an executive producer, brought her attention and credibility and launched her career as a producer.

Career

Ellison started out in the film business in 2006 when she contacted Katherine Brooks, the writer and director of Loving Annabelle, about investing in the filmmaker's next movie. The duo made plans for Waking Madison, starring Elisabeth Shue, which told the story of a woman who tries to cure her multiple personality disorder by locking herself in a room without food for 30 days. Ellison financed the film that was reported to have a budget of $2 million. Principal photography took place in 2007. It screened at the Newport Beach Film Festival in 2011 and went straight to DVD in July of that year.[7]

Ellison provided some financing for more movies in 2008 and 2009. The first was Main Street starring Colin Firth. It received little attention at film festivals and failed to gain general release. Passion Play, also made in 2009, got a release but fared poorly at the box office despite a well-known cast of popular actors. However, her investment in the Coen brothers western remake True Grit paid off as that movie found major commercial and critical success when released at the end of 2010.[7]

After that, Ellison received access to much larger sums of money from her father for the production of more movies and partnered with Michael Benaroya to produce and cofinance the thriller Catch .44 starring Bruce Willis and Forest Whitaker, and John Hillcoat's Prohibition-era crime drama, Lawless. Around that same time, she began to collaborate with the Creative Artists Agency's film finance group headed by Roeg Sutherland and Micah Green.[7]

She has since founded Annapurna Pictures, a company that plans to take a so-called "Silicon Valley" approach to filmmaking by investing in original, daring movies made by prestigious directors and screenwriters. Believing that risk-averse Hollywood studios have largely abandoned sophisticated dramas, period pieces, and auteur cinema, Annapurna Productions has released Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master, a period drama about a cult that resembles Scientology, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Zero Dark Thirty, an action-thriller about the killing of Osama bin Laden from writer Mark Boal and director Kathryn Bigelow, who made the Oscar-winning movie, The Hurt Locker.[7]

In 2011 and 2012, it was reported that Ellison was working with Boal on developing a movie about WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange based on a New York Times Magazine article called "The Boy Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" by former New York Times executive editor Bill Keller.[8] Amid fierce competition in 2012 among movie studios to produce an Assange biopic,[9] Ellison and Annapurna eventually did not produce the movie, but DreamWorks released The Fifth Estate in 2013.[10]

In 2011, Ellison outbid Lionsgate for the rights to the Terminator franchise.[11] In January 2014, Ellison removed Annapurna Productions from the reboot of the Terminator franchise.[12]

In 2014, Ellison became the first woman and the fourth person to receive two Academy Award nominations for Best Picture in the same year, which she received for her work on Her and American Hustle.[13] In June 2014, Ellison optioned the screen rights for the memoir A House in the Sky, which tells the story of Amanda Lindhout and her capture by Somali rebels in 2011.[14]

Also in 2014, Ellison was included as part of The Advocate's annual "40 Under 40" list.[15]

Approach to production

Ellison has a particular taste in directors. Ellison's approach to working with critically acclaimed directors is purely focused on ensuring that their creative vision is met, and providing them with all the relevant resources. [16] Ellison is criticized by the film industry for being too ambitious and excessive with her budgets on films. With a proposed budget of $35 million, Paul Thomas Anderson's film The Master was initially denied by Universal and was deemed "too risky and rich for their blood." [17] Indiewire says, "With the project adrift, Ellison's Annapurna Pictures stepped in and with distribution by The Weinstein Company, funded and helped bring The Master to the screen for $35 million (though some reports suggest that number is closer to $40 million)."[17] With The Master making $28 million worldwide,[18] Ellison lost as much as $15 million on the project. Ellison is heavily involved with the production of the films she finances by being on the set and making sure everything goes as planned. Ellison was present for Zero Dark Thirty's production as it was brought to a halt because of sandstorms and had to abort a location due to an anti Pakistan riot in India.[6] Ellison's production style is holistically present and accommodating to directors' visions. Despite her wealth, Ellison does not approach film as an investment with high returns, but rather as an artistic medium pushing the boundaries of independent filmmaking.

Personal life

Ellison is openly lesbian.[19]

Annapurna Pictures

In 2011, Ellison founded the production company Annapurna Pictures, named for the Annapurna Circuit she hiked in Nepal in 2006.[20] It has produced the major films Spike Jonze's Her, Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty, and David O. Russell's American Hustle. Ellison's approach to filmmaking is regarded as one that follows Silicon Valley principles: investing large sums of money into prestigious teams that are attempting something risky.[21] Several executives, including two-year president Mark Weinstock, left Annapurna in 2018.[22] Annapurna is backed by Ellison's billionaire father.[23]

Women & film producers

Ellison is the first female producer to earn two different Academy Awards nominations for Best Picture in the same year. [16] In 2018, Ellison won the Woman in Motion Award at Cannes Music Festival. [24]

Filmography

As producer

Year Film Director Other notes
2010 Waking Madison Katherine Brooks
Main Street John Doyle
Passion Play Mitch Glazer Executive producer
True Grit[25] Joel and Ethan Coen
2011 Catch .44[26] Aaron Harvey
2012 Lawless[25] John Hillcoat
The Master[27] Paul Thomas Anderson Nominated—Gotham Award for Best Feature
Zero Dark Thirty[28] Kathryn Bigelow Nominated—Academy Award for Best Picture
Nominated—AACTA Award for Best Film
Nominated—BAFTA Award for Best Film
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama
Nominated—Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture
Killing Them Softly[29] Andrew Dominik Credited as executive producer
Spring Breakers Harmony Korine
The Grandmaster[30] Wong Kar-wai
2013 Her[31] Spike Jonze Nominated—Academy Award for Best Picture
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Nominated—Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture
American Hustle David O. Russell Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Nominated—Academy Award for Best Picture
Nominated—BAFTA Award for Best Film
Nominated—AACTA International Award for Best Film
Nominated—Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture
2014 Foxcatcher Bennett Miller Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama
Nominated—Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture
2015 Terminator Genisys Alan Taylor Executive producer
Joy David O. Russell Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
2016 Wiener-Dog Todd Solondz
Everybody Wants Some!! Richard Linklater
Sausage Party Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan
The Bad Batch Ana Lily Amirpour
20th Century Women Mike Mills Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture − Musical or Comedy
2017 What Remains of Edith Finch Ian Dallas Executive producer; a game published by Annapurna Interactive
Detroit Kathryn Bigelow
Downsizing Alexander Payne Executive producer
Phantom Thread[31] Paul Thomas Anderson Nominated—Academy Award for Best Picture
2018 The Ballad of Buster Scruggs Joel and Ethan Coen
The Sisters Brothers Jacques Audiard Executive producer
If Beale Street Could Talk Barry Jenkins Executive producer
Vice[31] Adam McKay Executive producer
2019 Wounds Babak Anvari Executive producer
Booksmart Olivia Wilde
Where'd You Go, Bernadette Richard Linklater Executive producer
Hustlers Lorene Scafaria Executive producer; credit only
Bombshell Jay Roach Executive producer; credit only[32]
2020 Kajillionaire Miranda July Executive producer
2022 Untitled Sesame Street musical Jonathan Krisel In post-production

References

  1. "California Births, 1905–1995". Familytreelegends.com. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
  2. "The 100 Most Influential People – Pioneers: Megan Ellison". TIME.com. April 23, 2014. Retrieved 2014-04-26.
  3. Matthew Symonds, Larry Ellison. Software: An Intimate Portrait of Larry Ellison and Oracle Simon and Schuster, 2004. pp332-333
  4. Software: An Intimate Portrait of Larry Ellison and Oracle Simon and Schuster, 2004. pp332-333
  5. "Stanford provost speaks at Sacred Heart". The Almanac News. June 16, 2004. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  6. Grigoriadis, Vanessa (2012-03-21). "The Life of Megan Ellison, the 27-Year-Old Mega-Producer Who's on Pace to Run Hollywood". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
  7. Michael Cieply and Brooks Barnes (August 28, 2011). "Silicon Valley Scion Tackles Hollywood". New York Times. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  8. Mike Fleming Jr. (2011-02-02). "Locker's Mark Boal At Center Of WikiLeaks Film Deal As Other Julian Assange Movies Mobilize". Deadline Hollywood.
  9. Carlson, Erin (6 July 2012). "Studios Rushing to Produce Julian Assange Movie". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  10. Watercutter, Angela (17 October 2013). "The Fifth Estate Proves How Hard It Is to Make a Movie About the Internet". Wired. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  11. Danny Leigh, "Megan Ellison: the billionaire heiress out to save the movies", "The Guardian", 8 July 2011.
  12. McWeeny, Drew (January 23, 2014). "Megan Ellison removes Annapurna Pictures from the 'Terminator: Genesis' reboot". Hitflix.com. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  13. "Oscar Nominations: Megan Ellison First Woman to Score 2 Best Picture Nods in Same Year". TheWrap. 2014-01-16. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
  14. Jordan Zakarin (25 June 2014). "Rooney Mara to Star in 'A House in the Sky' for Megan Ellison's Annapurna". The Wrap. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  15. "40 Under 40: Megan Ellison Makes Movies You Talk About, The Advocate, 20 August 2014.
  16. "Megan Ellison: Hollywood's latest player". Financial Times. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  17. "Megan Ellison Hates Harvey Weinstein & More: 7 Highlights From The Juicy Vanity Fair Profile On The Annapurna Scion". Indiewire. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  18. "The Master". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  19. Garrahan, Matthew (February 21, 2014). "Megan Ellison: Hollywood's latest player". Financial Times. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  20. "The Life of Megan Ellison, the 27-Year-Old Mega-Producer Who's on Pace to Run Hollywood". Vanity Fair. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  21. "As Annapurna Stumbles, Billionaire Larry Ellison Exerts Control". Variety. 10 October 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  22. "Marc Weinstock To Leave Annapurna After Two Years As President". Deadline. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  23. "Megan Ellison: Hollywood's latest player". Financial Times. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  24. "Cannes: Megan Ellison Speaks Out for Women Filmmakers at Kering Gala". Variety. 18 May 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  25. Kit, Borys (December 13, 2010). "Jessica Chastain to Star in 'The Wettest County'". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  26. Kay, Jeremy (May 15, 2011). "Anchor Bay takes Annapurna, Benaroya, Emmett's Catch .44". screendaily.com. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  27. Cieply, Michael (April 18, 2012). "Filmmaker's Newest Work Is About ... Something". The New York Times. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  28. Sperling, Nicole (October 11, 2018). "What Happens Next for Megan Ellison's Embattled Annapurna Pictures?". vanityfair.com. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  29. Kaufman, Amy (November 29, 2012). "Brad Pitt's 'Killing Them Softly' poised for soft box office debut". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  30. Lee, Maggie (January 8, 2013). "Film Review: The Grandmaster". variety.com. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  31. Thompson, Anne (October 10, 2018). "Annapurna's Stunning Shakeup: What the Hell Is Megan Ellison Doing?". indiewire.com. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  32. Hammond, Pete (October 14, 2019). "'Bombshell' Explodes Into Oscar Race As Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman & Margot Robbie Unveil The Fox News Roger Ailes Story". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
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