Episode Sixty-Three: A History of Distribution Part 1

What better way to learn about distribution then from someone who oversaw distribution and marketing at Paramount, one of the most prestigious studios in the world. Barry London headed up marketing campaigns for some of the largest films of the 80′s and 90′s including Raiders of the Lost Ark, Fatal Attraction, and Forrest Gump. Barry [...]

What better way to learn about distribution then from someone who oversaw distribution and marketing at Paramount, one of the most prestigious studios in the world. Barry London headed up marketing campaigns for some of the largest films of the 80′s and 90′s including Raiders of the Lost Ark, Fatal Attraction, and Forrest Gump. Barry sits down with us for a two part series and shares his experiences working at Paramount in various positions including Vice Chairman of Distribution.

Barry London- Former Vice Chairman of Distribution at Paramount

Barry London started at Paramount in distribution in 1971.  He was promoted to salesman in the Los Angeles Branch in 1972 and then transferred to Kansas City in 1973 as Kansas City/St. Louis Manager. In 1981, Barry was transferred to Los Angeles as Vice President Western Division, overseeing the six western branches and in 1983 he was transferred to New York as Vice President, General Sales Manager, overseeing all distribution activities in the U.S. and Canada.  Barry was promoted to President, Distribution, overseeing all distribution functions worldwide in 1984 and in 1985 he was promoted to President, Distribution and Marketing, adding marketing responsibilities, worldwide.  In 1988 Barry was named President, Motion Picture Group, overseeing all distribution, marketing, video and pay TV operations, worldwide and in 1993 he was named Vice Chairman, Motion Picture Group.  London left the executive position at Paramount in 1998 and took a production job there for two years.  After he left Paramount he became Chairman and CEO of startup Destination Films. He left Destination Films in 1993 and has been consulting since. Some of the films Barry was involved in at Paramount were the Star Trek movies, the Indiana Jones movies, Top Gun, Fatal Attraction, The Addams Family, Beverly Hills Cop, Ghost, The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games , Clear and Present Danger, Forrest Gump, and The Untouchables.

Jenna Edwards- Producer

Jenna Edwards began her film career in Minnesota where she was signed on as talent with Easter Hailey. Quickly after being signed Edwards was hired by the agency as a full time employee giving her a head-start on her Hollywood education. After two years of rising through the Minnesota film community Edwards made the move to Los Angeles.

Soon after Edwards moved to Los Angeles she was hired by Agent Jamie Ferrar. It was while Edwards was working for Ferrar that she developed an interest in the casting process, before long she had moved from talent agencies to working in casting with such industry leaders as Sally Steiner (Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Boy Meets World), Barbie Block (Jonas, Pepper Dennis) and Allison Jones (Super Bad, The Office). During this time Edwards was also able to gain valuable production experience working on shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Malcolm in the Middle, and working with studios like Disney, MTV, FOX and CBS.

After several years of successfully navigating her career through the Hollywood studio system Edwards made the leap to independent film with her first feature April Showers. After her success with April Showers Edwards formed Mattoid Entertainment with partners Jeremy McGovern and Andrew Robinson where they made, In the Darkness,  the first narrative feature to ever premiere on Hulu.com.  Most recently Edwards made her way back to Nebraska, where she shot April Showers, to team up with some new filmmakers on a comedy film called Trunk’d.

Mattoid Website