Novel ‘Her’ Gets Film Adaptation, Docu ‘Heart Of A Dog’ Acquired

Harriet Lane’s novel Her is getting the film treatment. Jesse Peyronel (Siren) has been set to adapt and direct the psychological thriller about a struggling mother who encounters a sophisticated woman who thinks it is a chance meeting but is far from it. The story is told from both women’s alternating points of view, and a past grudge carefully unfurls into a riveting revenge drama. David A. Stern and D. Matt Geller are producing. Peyronel is currently writing the Fox International original pilot Collider, as well as a feature adaptation of the Image comic book Sheltered which he will also direct. The rights for Her were negotiated on behalf of Lane by Curtis Brown UK. Peyronel is represented by Verve, Industry Entertainment, Independent Talent Agency in the UK and attorney Judith Karfiol.

Abramorama and HBO Documentary Films have acquired Laurie Anderson’s Heart Of A Dog ahead of its Friday world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival. Written and directed by Anderson, the film centers on the artist-musician’s beloved rat terrier Lolabelle, who died in 2011. It then weaves together childhood memories, philosophical musings on issues like data collection, and tributes to the artists who inspired Anderson. Abramorama is handling all North American rights aside from U.S. television rights, which have been granted to HBO. Heart Of A Dog will see theatrical release in North America starting October 21st at Film Forum in New York, followed by a national release. In addition to Telluride, the film will screen in competition at the Venice Film Festival, and at Toronto, the New York Film Festival and San Sebastian. It will air on HBO sometime in 2016. The deals for the film were negotiated by Richard Abramowitz of Abramorama and HBO with Cinetic Media on behalf of the filmmakers.

Chapman Univeristy’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts has unveiled its faculty for the fall 2015 semester: Daniel Petrie will be teaching two screenwriting classes, and Donald Petrie will be teaching three directing classes. In addition, Movie Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs is returning to teach Motion Picture Publicity, former Relativity Media exec Russell Schwartz is teaching courses on marketing and distribution, Rachel Goldberg will teach several courses on film storytelling. Also joining is Castle Rock Entertainment principal Martin Shafer.