MWM (entertainment company)

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MWM
Company typePrivate
IndustryEntertainment
PredecessorOddLot Entertainment
Founded2015
FoundersGigi Pritzker, Clint Kisker [1]
Headquarters,
Area served
Worldwide
DivisionsMWM Studios; MWM Live; MWM Interactive; MWM Universe
Websitewww.madisonwellsmedia.com

MWM (formerly known as Madison Wells Media) is an American diversified entertainment company. Founded by Gigi Pritzker and Clint Kisker in 2015, MWM produces film, television, live theater, podcasts, and interactive experiences.[2][1]

History[edit]

Pritzker sought to "take advantage of a landscape that was rapidly changing and valuing 'content' in new ways," to "focus on storytellers in a way content never has before."[3] MWM intended to create films, theater productions, and VR experiences under one umbrella to "expand and grow the IP that was born in any one of those units" through cross-pollination.[3] Named after Madison and Wells Streets in Chicago, where Pritzker's great-grandfather sold newspapers when he was 12, MWM launched in November 2015.[4]

At the time of its founding, MWM operated under the banners of OddLot Entertainment (film and television), Reality One (interactive), and Relevant Live (theater). In 2017, to streamline its operations and increase flexibility across its multiple platforms, the divisions were brought together, and Reality One and Relevant Live were rebranded respectively as MWM Interactive and MWM Live. In November 2017, Oddlot was renamed MWM Studios.[5] MWM Universe, an IP-focused division of MWM that acquires and develops properties across media including film, TV, gaming, comics and books, was established in 2018 when they partnered with Chicago-based artist Hebru Brantley and his Angry Hero Productions to create fully immersive storyworlds.[6]

MWM Studios[edit]

MWM Studios, a division of MWM, teams with storytellers to produce feature films and television programming and develops, finances and arranges global distribution for its original content. The studio, led by Rachel Shane, CCO, and COO Adrian Alperovich,[1] has produced films such as the Golden Globe and Academy Award-nominated Hell or High Water and the Emmy Award-winning television series Genius.[7] Its adaptation of Jonathan Lethem's Motherless Brooklyn (written by, directed, and starring Edward Norton) was released in November, 2019.[8]

Filmography[edit]

MWM Universe[edit]

Established in 2018, the IP-focused division of the company, MWM Universe, acquires IP and builds out franchisable story worlds, acts as a strategic partner to MWM investment companies including Wonderstorm.[9]

Projects[edit]

Voyage To The Stars
The Dragon Prince
Nevermore Park

MWM Interactive[edit]

The interactive division, previously known as MWM Immersive, creates and publishes video games and produces virtual reality experiences.[10]

VR Projects[edit]

War Remains
Chained: A Victorian Nightmare
Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son
SoKrispy Daydreams

Game Titles[edit]

Creature in the Well

Mundaun

MWM Live[edit]

MWM Live is the live global entertainment division of MWM. It is led by executive producer Jamie Forshaw, formerly the VP of Production for Andrew Lloyd Weber's Really Useful Group.[11] MWM Live has developed and produced projects such as the Broadway musical, Hadestown, and Million Dollar Quartet, which inspired the CMT series Sun Records.[12]

Plays and musicals[edit]

Hadestown
The Inheritance
Million Dollar Quartet
Company (2021 revival)
Red Roses, Green Gold
Snapshots

Selected awards and nominations[edit]

Academy Awards[edit]

Title and year Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref.
Hell or High Water
2017
Best Picture Carla Hacken and Julie Yorn Nominated [13]
Best Supporting Actor Jeff Bridges Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Taylor Sheridan Nominated
Best Film Editing Jake Roberts Nominated
Drive
2012
Best Sound Editing Lon Bender and Victor Ray Ennis Nominated [14]
Rabbit Hole
2010
Best Actress Nicole Kidman Nominated

British Academy Film Awards[edit]

Title and year Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref.
Hell or High Water
2017
Best Actor in a Supporting Role Jeff Bridges Nominated [15]
Best Original Screenplay Taylor Sheridan Nominated
Best Cinematography Giles Nuttgens Nominated
Drive
2012
Best Film Drive Nominated [16]
Best Director Nicolas Winding Refn Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Carey Mulligan Nominated
Best Editing Matthew Newman Nominated

Emmy Awards[edit]

Title and year Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref.
Genius
2018
Outstanding Limited Series Genius: Picasso Nominated [17]
Outstanding Lead Actor in
a Limited Series or Movie
Antonio Banderas Nominated
Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited
Series or Movie
Mathias Herndl
(for "Chapter One")
Won
Genius
2017
Outstanding Limited Series Genius: Picasso Nominated
Outstanding Lead Actor in a
Limited Series or Movie
Geoffrey Rush Nominated
Outstanding Directing for a
Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special
Ron Howard Nominated

Golden Globe Awards[edit]

Title and year Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref.
Motherless Brooklyn
2019
Best Soundtrack for a Motion Picture n/a Nominated
Genius: Picasso
2018
Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series
or Motion Picture Made for Television
Antonio Banderas Nominated
Genius: Picasso
2017
Best Actor Miniseries or Television Film Geoffrey Rush Nominated
Hell or High Water
2016
Best Screenplay Taylor Sheridan Nominated
Drive
2012
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Albert Brooks Nominated
Best Director Nicolas Winding Refn Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay Hossein Amini Nominated
Best Cinematography Newton Thomas Sigel Nominated
Best Original Score Cliff Martinez Nominated

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Busch, Anita (November 28, 2017). "Gigi Pritzker & Clint Kisker Rename Company MWM, Pulling All Brands Under One Umbrella In New Company Strategy". Deadline. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  2. ^ "Madison Wells Media: Most Innovative Company". Fast Company. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Caprino, Kathy. "Cofounder Of One Of The Most Innovative Hollywood Firms Shares Her Vision". Forbes. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  4. ^ "Gigi Pritzker Finds New Paths". WSJ. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  5. ^ "'Genius' Producer Gigi Pritzker on New Company and Tougher Road for Women in Hollywood". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  6. ^ Busch, Anita (February 1, 2018). "MWM Pacts With Artist Hebru Brantley And His 'FlyBoy' IP For Upstart Universe Division, Hires Former Hulu Exec". Deadline. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  7. ^ Hipes, Patrick (February 27, 2018). "'Code Of Silence': Tina Mabry To Adapt Chicago PD Whistleblower Tale For MWM Studios". Deadline. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  8. ^ McNary, Dave (February 5, 2018). "Bruce Willis, Alec Baldwin Board Edward Norton's 'Motherless Brooklyn'". Variety. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  9. ^ "Lucasfilm's Diana Williams Joins Gigi Pritzker and Clint Kisker's MWM". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  10. ^ "MWM, developer behind VR installment Groundhog Day 2, rebrands as game publisher". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  11. ^ Lang, Brent (June 20, 2019). "Jamie Forshaw Tapped as Executive Producer of MWM Live (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  12. ^ Mehr, Bob. "'Million Dollar Quartet' renamed 'Sun Records'". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  13. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (January 24, 2017). "Oscars: 'La La Land' Ties Record With 14 Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  14. ^ "Oscar Nominations: Complete List". Variety. January 24, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  15. ^ Ritman, Alex (January 9, 2017). "BAFTA Awards: 'La La Land' Leads Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  16. ^ British Academy Film Awards
  17. ^ "Genius – Awards & Nominations". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 16, 2018.

External links[edit]