MUMBAI: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. (MGM) has named Becky Sloviter as Vice President of Production, it was announced today by Mary Parent, Chairperson, Worldwide Motion Picture Group at MGM.
Sloviter’s appointment continues the studio’s efforts to bolster its development, production and talent relations ranks under the direction of Parent, who joined MGM last week to implement its new strategy of building the studio’s development slate and theatrical production strength.
In making the announcement, Parent stated: "Becky is a superstar who I have been fortunate enough to work closely with over the past four years.
She has built strong relationships with many significant writers, directors and actors and her natural talents and skills are fully complemented by her true love of movies."
Sloviter rejoins Parent after having spent the past two years as an executive at Stuber/Parent Productions, based at Universal Pictures in Los Angeles. With Stuber/Parent since the company’s inception in 2006, Sloviter most recently produced Mentors, a comedy directed by David Wain which stars Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott and is currently in post-production.
At Stuber/Parent, Sloviter was responsible for overseeing the remake of Midnight, which Oscar(R)-winner Michael Arndt is adapting for Reese Witherspoon to star and co-produce. Other projects under her purview included The Devil in the Junior League as a vehicle for Jennifer Garner to star and co-produce and to be adapted by Kate Kondell, as well as What About Barb?, which Elizabeth Banks is attached to star and co-produce with Mark Perez writing the screenplay. She was also shepherding other projects at the company, working closely with such creative talent as Scott Z.
Burns, Michael Schur, Danny McBride & Ben Best, Mike LeSieur, Jessi Klein, Pete Huyck & Alex Gregory, among others.
Prior to Stuber/Parent, Sloviter worked for Universal Pictures.
On the other hand, MGM has named Cale Boyter as Executive Vice President, Production, it was announced today by Mary Parent, Chairperson, Worldwide Motion Picture Group at MGM.
The appointment represents a step in further building MGM in the theatrical business as the studio now focuses on assembling a team of executives with extensive backgrounds in development, production and talent relations. Boyter’s appointment marks the first senior hire of Parent, who joined MGM a week ago and is aggressively implementing a new strategy.
A veteran at New Line for the last 10 years, Boyter recently served as New Line’s Executive Vice President of Development. During his tenure, he worked on and executive produced some of New Line’s most successful films including "Elf," "Wedding Crashers" and "A History of Violence."
In making the announcement, Parent stated: "I’ve watched Cale from a far for some time now. His taste, passion and strong point of view as well
as his ability to recognize real talent and good movie ideas has consistently impressed me. Many people, including myself, have tried to hire Cale in the past, but the timing has never worked out. I couldn’t be more thrilled the timing is working out now and Cale’s able to be a part of this incredibly exciting studio."
Boyter stated: "I’m thrilled to be joining MGM at a time when the studio is poised for major growth. Working closely with Mary, we’ll look to identify movies that will work in the marketplace and look forward to building a great slate. Mary is definitely a force in the industry and one of the main reasons I decided to undertake this next challenge in my career. Both of us are focused on achieving major growth for MGM. We want it to work and we want to win."
After graduating from SMU in Texas, Boyter got his start in the entertainment business with Paradigm Talent Agency. He joined New Line in 1998 as an executive assistant and worked his way up the ranks to Executive Vice President. In this position, he also shepherd the 2008 New Line releases "Semi-Pro," "Pride & Glory" and "Journey 3D: To the Center of the Earth."
