DAILY NEWS: Gunn-ing for Artisan; Miramax Taking Talk Option

by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE

>> Patrick Gunn Nails Top Exec Spot at Artisan

Six-year October Films staffer Patrick Gunn is leaving his job as a VP at USA
Films for a Sr. VP post at Artisan Entertainment. In a conversation with
indieWIRE yesterday from his USA Films office, Gunn indicated that he will
continue working at the former-October through the end of the month before
moving to Artisan.

In his new role at Artisan, Gunn explained that he will be involved with the
company's expansion into many new areas, including television, opportunities
on the international front, and the Internet. He will also be a part of the
company's acquisition and production slate.

"I think it is a really exciting company right now and an exciting time,"
Gunn said of his new home, "I feel a certain energy when (I) walk into the
office at Artisan."

The 31-year old Gunn began at October six years ago as an intern, joining
the indie distributor when it had only eight employees. An MBA graduate,
he eventually served as October's Director of Business Affairs. He headed
the company's Rogue Pictures division with Matt Wall and served as the
Vice-President of Acquisitions, Production and Ancillary Distribution.

Discussing Artisan's interest in exploring the Internet, Gunn explained,
"They are at least aware of the potential of the Internet, and (they are)
beginning to use it in ways that other distributors haven't." The exec
intends to start at Artisan after the Labor Day holiday and hit the
ground running at next month's Toronto Film Festival.

>> Talk Magazine Fuels First Project to Miramax

Tina Brown's new publishing effort, Talk Magazine, has optioned its first
story to Miramax Films, which owns the magazine in conjunction with Hearst.
The article, entitled "The Last Safari," is described by Miramax as "a
first-person account of the hostage-taking of tourist in Uganda by Hutu
rebels."

Former New Yorker Magazine Editor Tina Brown joined Vogue Publisher Ron
Galotti last year to form what was then labeled a new Miramax "division."
Hearst later came on board as a partner and the outlet has been a
earmarked as a pipeline for new material that Miramax would develop
into film and television projects. The "Last Safari" option marks
the first such arrangement.

The article was written by safari guide Mark Ross and published in the
debut issue of Talk Magazine. Ross, a photographer and guide, lives in
Kenya.

[For more information about Talk Magazine, visit their website at:
http://www.talkmagazine.com.