LOS ANGELES, CA – February 21, 2013 – Following a jubilant debut at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and a competitive
pursuit by distributors, Roadside Attractions acquired U.S. rights, while Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) acquired International rights, to comic charmer IN A WORLD…, written and directed by Lake Bell. Roadside Attractions is planning a summer 2013 release for the film. The film premiered to rave reviews in Sundance’s prestigious Dramatic Competition category and garnered Bell the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award, whose past recipients include Christopher Nolan for Memento as well Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini for Winter’s Bone.
Writer/director Lake Bell (IT’S COMPLICATED, WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS) stars alongside Rob Corddry and Ken Marino, two of her co-stars on Adult Swim’s Emmy award-winning CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, as well as Demetri Martin, Fred Melamed, Michaela Watkins, Nick Offerman, Tig Notaro and Alexandra Holden. The film was produced by Eddie Vaisman and Mark Roberts of 3311 Productions alongside Jett Steiger and Bell. Ross Jacobson and Sean O’Grady of 3311 Productions served as executive producers.“In a world…where everyone loves a good laugh, Lake’s film represents the introduction of a major new comedic voice – a 21st Century Carole Lombard,” said Roadside Co-President Howard Cohen. “We think audiences around the country are going to love it as much as we and the audiences at Sundance did.”
“I’ve already been spoiled with my unforgettable experience at Sundance, but now, to be working with Roadside as well as Sony to release the film is an embarrassment of riches,” stated Lake Bell. “I’m so honored they share my enthusiasm.”
IN A WORLD… takes a hilarious look at the cutthroat culture of movie trailer voice-over artists. Carol Solomon (Bell), a young female voice coach, joins the all-male race to land the white-hot new trailer of a blockbuster trilogy, and with it lay claim to the legendary trailer catchphrase “In a world…” In doing so, she must battle ingrained industry sexism, ridiculously self-important competitors and even her own father, Sam Sotto (Fred Melamed), a legendary voice-over artist who can’t bring himself to recognize his daughter’s talent.
The U.S. deal was brokered by Roadside Attractions’ Co-President Howard Cohen and the International deal by SPWA’s EVP of Business Affairs, Michael Helfand, SVP of Acquisitions, Joe Matukewicz, and VP of Business Development, Jon Freedberg. UTA Independent Film Group negotiated the deal on behalf of production.



Roadside exec, you think audiences around the country will love this movie about voice over artists as much as you? I think the odds of that, frankly, are astronomical. Nobody between L.A. and N.Y. has the least bit of interest in voiceover artists, and probably only about 8 people do in N.Y. Your best returns will come in Los Angeles, where up to 35 or 40 folks will storm the Sunset Five to see the film.
Because when audiences choose a movie they only choose movies of occupations that they know. Great point, TR. Only soldiers go to war movies, only spies go to spy movies, and when Little Miss Sunshine made money it was only the beauty pageant crowd who found those characters relatable and the film funny.
What the Roadside executive said was that it was funny and that audiences love it. He didn’t claim there was an untapped voiceover fan audience.
And also — the film didn’t cost enough (nor did Roadside likely spend enough to acquire it) for it to need to be beloved by everyone. It’s a niche film AND THAT’S OKAY.
TR – you must have a great time watching all those hilarious movies you relate to about out of work, bitchy screenwriters (or snarky internet hounds).
ZING!
“Inside show biz” movies never do well, idiot. Name two that have? I dare you. “The Player” doesn’t count, because it was only a hit to people who work in the business. I’m sure Bell’s movie will do well with voiceover artists.
The movie is utterly delightful and the world of voice over is just the backdrop. There’s a great father-daughter story at the core. To dismiss it before you’ve seen it or have learned anything about it is ignorant, petty, and cowardly. Lake deserves nothing but praise and plaudits for making such a unique and offbeat film.
congrats Lake! you deserve it girl!
That’s right, because no one between NYC and LA liked and/or watched Entourage, The Player, Swingers, or Tootsie. That’s like saying you have to be a doctor to watch MASH or an outlaw biker to watch Sons of Anarchy.
Have no idea if the movie is any good or will do any business. And no doubt they got this at a price. I admire that it takes place in a world we haven’t seen before, but with no stars and set in an odd choice world, it certainly is possible it will come and go in a blink. The good news is we’ll see in a few months.
No hotter woman in film or television today than Lake.
Looking forward to this.
There’s already a buzz about this film amoungst the young and hip that are NOT working in the industry. I heard about it on a social site.