Online Distribution "Crooks" Hit Sundance

Wherever money and art collide, a few crooks are created as a byproduct of the chemical reaction. That's what a few dozen acclaimed filmmakers found out this week when Sundance notified them (via email) that they wouldn't be getting paid from the online distribution deal that Sundance had guided them into. The crooked company in the middle of all of this (as filmmaker Carson Mell told IndieWire) is Mediastile, an online distribution company run by Clive Davis' kid. The company has allegedly been stealing from Sundance filmmakers for years.

This story came to light when John Cooper, Director of Programming for the Sundance Film Festival, decided to finally pull off the bandage and advised the filmmakers that "Mediastile had failed to honor its commitments" and that "the Institute notified Mediastile that its contract with the Institute has been terminated, effective immediately". John tried to put some distance between himself and the crooks, however, by telling the filmmakers,"You and other filmmakers have your own separate contracts with Mediastile, and the Institute is not a party to those contracts."

It's reasonable for John to try to protect Sundance, but since John actually required filmmakers to enter into an exclusive deal with Mediastile (as reported by IndieWire) he may be as liable as anyone. But will the filmmakers get their due from Sundance? In the email John just happened to mention that he had retained "outside counsel" and that "the Institute's lawyers have been very forceful", statements that could be taken to suggest that unless the filmmakers themselves have counsel they should go looking elsewhere for their money.

Is anyone looking out for the filmmakers? Sundance will go on to screen films year after year. Clive Davis' kid will continue to (allegedly) prey on filmmakers. And the bright and shiny promise of online distribution will get a little bit darker. Carson Mell said of his experience with Mediastile,"Over the course of working with them, my opinion was first that they were incompetent and now that they're crooked." Before they take down the Mediastile site I thought I should at least post the resumes of the officers, just in case you happen to face them across a negotiating table someday:

Mitch Davis, Chief Executive Officer

The early part of Mitchell's career was spent in the television literary department at Creative Artists Agency, after which he co-founded Netgroupie, an internet/cable music television network. Netgroupie has morphed into NGTV, and is preparing for its national cable network launch.

Mitchell is also the founder and president of Tempest Entertainment, a concert production company which stages large scale events such as The Long Beach Grand Prix and the Hollywood Park Jazz Festival.

He earned an undergraduate degree from Brandeis University and a law degree from Cardozo School of Law in New York City. As the son of music mogul Clive Davis, Mitchell grew up with a strong awareness of and respect for the music industry.

As Mediastile's CEO, Mitchell is responsible for managing company operations and strategic development.

Jason Turner, President and Chairman

Jason's passion for media started early on in music, and by the age of 6 he was deemed a piano prodigy. After studying at Berklee College of Music and working as a sound engineer & programmer with many Grammy award-winning acts, he launched a successful nightclub in New York City in the early 90's. Jason then went on to pioneer the first pay per view concert, and maintains active work as music Producer.

In 2000, Jason co-founded Agnostic Media, Inc., premier creators of enterprise media asset management and media transformation solutions. As Chairman and CEO, he built strategic partnerships with giants such as Microsoft, Sun and Hewlett-Packard, and today continues to pioneer the vision for the company's new media technologies.

Jason also serves as Chairman for the legendary music magazine CREEM, playing an integral part in its much-anticipated relaunch and is a member of NARAS, the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (The Grammy's)

As President and Chairman of Mediastile, Jason is responsible for the company's vision, roadmap, and direction.

Marjorie Levy, President of Content Acquisition

Marjorie has spent more than fourteen years working in media production, marketing and distribution. Prior to joining Mediastile, Marjorie worked for Tartan Films in London. She served as a consultant for ExtremeSports UK and worked as a marketing director for BlackRock during their acquisition of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers.

Originally from New York, she traveled to London working for the Economist Intelligence Unit launching and producing their global products online.

Marjorie began working in television and news production in Los Angeles. She moved to California to serve as morning anchor on “Marketplace”, a National Public Radio financial news show and then worked as a producer for CNN. Later she became Vice President of Comedy Development for Warner Bros. Studios, developing half hour comedies for prime time television and for such cable networks as HBO and Showtime.

Marjorie graduated from Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences.

As President of Content Acquisition Marjorie is responsible for generating partnerships, plans for growth, managing deals and developing strategy.