Independent entertainment distributor Union Station Media (USM), based in Los Angeles, Calif., launched in May 2006. The company releases films theatrically and for DVD, television, VOD cable and electronic download markets.
The company is a joint venture between Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution, Canada’s largest independent film distributor, and Australia’s Arclight Films, a leading producer and distributor of theatrical movies.
Helmed by veteran entertainment industry executive Paul Gardner, USM currently plans a schedule of 12-18 titles annually, with five to six films being released theatrically. DVD releases are distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment.
Initial titles on the new imprint include The Sisters, starring Maria Bello, Mary Stuart Masterson, Erika Christensen, Eric McCormack and Chris O’Donnell; Deck Dogz, a teen feature starring skateboarding superstar Tony Hawk; the documentary Dan Aykroyd Unplugged on UFOs; and Beowulf and Grendel, an epic film based on the famous poem, starring Phantom of the Opera’s Gerard Butler.
Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. is a leading vertically integrated broadcaster, creator and distributor of filmed entertainment. The company's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (trading symbols AAC.A, AAC.B) and on NASDAQ (trading symbol AACB).
Arclight Films is an Australian-based international sales company also involved in co-production and financing.
Paul Gardner — President
Paul Gardner, president of Union Station Media (USM), has more than 20 years of senior management experience in the entertainment industry. Prior to joining USM, Gardner spent three years as an acquisitions executive for Lionsgate Entertainment, a premier independent producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content.
In that capacity, he spearheaded the acquisition of several top-performing films, including the award-winning Standing in the Shadows of Motown, the hit surfing film Step into Liquid and Quicksand, starring Michael Keaton and Michael Caine.
Prior to that, Gardner spent five years at Artisan Entertainment, which was acquired by Lionsgate in 2003, serving as vice president to the office of the president.
While at Artisan, he negotiated an output agreement with Alliance Atlantis Communications for the distribution of Artisan’s programming in Canada, as well as the acquisition of the lucrative Recorded Pictures library which included Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor.
Barbara Javitz — Senior Vice President of Operations
Barbara Javitz has worked in the independent film and home entertainment industries for more than 30 years. In various capacities, she has overseen operations, marketing, acquisitions (including several film libraries), production – including 30 direct-to-video films, as well as the special features for numerous DVD releases – and post-production.
Prior to being named senior vice president of operations for Union Station Media (USM), Javitz spent four years at DEJ Productions, most recently as director of operations.
Prior to that, she spent three years as a consultant in the financing/production and distribution of independent films.
From 1994 to 1998, Javitz was vice president of acquisitions for Republic Pictures. She has also held senior management positions at Prism Entertainment and Media Home Entertainment.
Prior to transitioning to the home entertainment sector, Javitz was an acquisitions and production executive with several independent theatrical film companies, overseeing distribution and marketing.
Deborah Katz — Brand Manager
Prior to being named brand manager for Union Station Media (USM), Deborah Katz spent two years as distribution coordinator for Dream Entertainment, an international sales company for all media. In that capacity, she oversaw delivery and post production, as well as some territories for international sales.
Prior to that, Katz was director of operations for the Blum Group, also an international sales company, where she oversaw all aspects of running a boutique distribution firm.
