- Motion Picture Corporation of America
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Motion Picture Corporation of America Industry Motion pictures Founded 1986 Headquarters Century City, Los Angeles, California, United States Key people Brad Krevoy Products Motion pictures Parent Independent (1986-1996, 1998-present)
Orion Pictures (1996-1998)Website http://www.mpcafilm.com/ Motion Picture Corporation of America (“MPCA”) is an American film production company founded by Brad Krevoy in 1986 to focus on producing, acquiring, and distributing commercial motion picture and television productions.
Contents
History
Since its inception, MPCA has produced, acquired, and distributed over 100 movies, including more than 20 major studio theatrical releases. MPCA is best known for its ability to produce commercial feature comedies, including Dumb and Dumber (the Farrelly Brothers’ first feature film starring Jim Carrey, which generated gross worldwide box office of $250 million), Kingpin (starring Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid, and Bill Murray), Beverly Hills Ninja (starring Chris Farley), and Disney’s Jungle 2 Jungle (starring Tim Allen).
Its motion picture and television projects have grossed more than $800 million worldwide in all media.
Acquisition by Orion Pictures
In July 1996, MPCA and its motion picture library were acquired by John Kluge’s Metromedia International Group and operated as part of Metromedia’s Orion Pictures Corporation. Krevoy managed Orion Pictures’ production, acquisition, and distribution of motion picture and television programming. Under this new management, Krevoy oversaw the distribution of Golden Globe and Academy Award-nominated films: Ulee's Gold starring Peter Fonda and Prisoner of the Mountains directed by and starring Sergei Bodrov.
In July 1997, Orion was sold to MGM/UA, whereupon MPCA’s management separated from Orion/MGM and exercised its option to reacquire the MPCA name and certain of its key former employees to rebuild the company as an independent entity.
Reorganization
Since its reorganization in January 1998, MPCA has produced over 20 motion pictures, acquired a library of nearly 200 motion pictures, and negotiated extremely favorable financing and studio distribution arrangements. MPCA’s productions include: A Love Song for Bobby Long starring Scarlett Johansson and John Travolta for Lionsgate; the supernatural thriller Stephen King’s Riding the Bullet starring Jonathan Jackson, Erika Christensen, David Arquette, and Barbara Hershey for USA Network and Lionsgate; the action films Second in Command and The Hard Corps, both starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and produced for Sony Pictures/Screen Gems; and the family film, Moondance Alexander, starring Don Johnson, Lori Loughlin, and Kay Panabaker, which was released by Fox Faith.
Brad Krevoy also co-produced the 1999 Peabody Award-winning and Emmy-nominated ABC television musical Annie for ABC’s Wonderful World of Disney (the series’ highest-rated offering of 1999, directed by Chicago’s Rob Marshall); the critically acclaimed STARZ! Pictures premiere Joe and Max based on the true story of champion boxers Joe Louis and Max Schmeling, starring Til Schweiger, Leonard Roberts, Richard Roundtree, David Paymer, and Peta Wilson, directed by Steve James (Hoop Dreams).
MPCA Today
MPCA’s recent releases include Taking Chance starring Kevin Bacon for HBO Films, based on the heartwarming story of military escort Lt. Col. Michael Strobl’s journey across America to bring fallen soldier PFC Chance Phelps to rest with his family; Linewatch, a hard-hitting action film starring Cuba Gooding Jr. as a New Mexico Border Patrol Agent for Sony Pictures/Screen Gems; and the sci-fi action thriller Hardwired, also starring Cuba Gooding, Jr., as well as Val Kilmer.
MPCA is currently in development on the big-budget English-language remake of the enormously successful Japanese motion picture Yomigaeri for DreamWorks, which is entitled Rainbow Bridge and being written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter William Nicholson (Gladiator). MPCA is also in pre-production on the horror films Deadfall, Mothman, and Witchville, as well as the underground fighting thriller Fury.
Company Specialties
MPCA has established itself as an important supplier in three market niches:
- the studio-distributed, star-powered theatrical feature film—especially comedies—produced at a lower cost than studio pictures;
- foreign language film remakes and branded properties such as Rainbow Bridge and, Jungle 2 Jungle, which was based on the hit French comedy Un indien dans la ville (An Indian in the city), and Stephen King’s Riding the Bullet, among others; and
- high-quality made-for-television and video feature films for such outlets as HBO, Starz Encore, Sony Pictures, Sci-Fi Channel and Blockbuster, featuring a recognizable cast at moderate budgets.
In addition, MPCA has produced theatrical releases for MGM, Sony, Miramax/ Disney, Fox, Orion and New Line, and has had a “first-look” deal with Paramount Pictures and MGM.
External links
Categories:- Companies established in 1986
- Entertainment companies of the United States
- Film production companies of the United States
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