The producer behind a string of Hollywood blockbusters is teaming up with an Abu Dhabi film company.
Walter Parkes, an acclaimed studio head and writer, will develop, acquire and produce projects.
He will also teach and train Emirati talent who aspire to work in the film industry.
Mr Parkes's successes include the Oscar-winning Gladiator, the hit Men In Black series, and new release Flight, for which star Denzel Washington has been nominated for an Academy Award.
He and his producer wife, Laurie McDonald, are collaborating with Image Nation, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media, the publisher and owner of The National.
Mr Parkes said the deal, finalised last year, would give him the "tremendous opportunity" to work on developing material, even when it is smaller budget movies that studios no longer favour.
He added that he was excited about projects that are not your typical Hollywood fare, such as the surprise hit The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - about British retirees travelling to India and produced by Image Nation - as well as smaller Abu Dhabi productions such as a UAE-based judicial drama due out within the year.
During a visit to the capital this week ahead of a promotional tour in Japan for Flight - a drama about an alcoholic airline pilot who prevents a plane crash - Mr Parkes is running a series of seminars with local talent at the Image Nation offices.
He does not describe himself a mentor, rather an "old hand" who is happy to pass on his knowledge and expertise. He is looking for storytellers with idea who think they can become the next big thing.
Mohammed Al Mubarak, chairman of Image Nation, and Michale Garin, chief executive, described the collaboration as "extremely exciting times" for the company to expand on the global market, as well as foster and support growing local talent. A commemorative plaque marking the new partnership was unveiled at Image Nation yesterday.
[ jbell@thenational.ae ]
How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The five pillars of Islam
Empty Words
By Mario Levrero
(Coffee House Press)
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Sweet Tooth
Creator: Jim Mickle
Starring: Christian Convery, Nonso Anozie, Adeel Akhtar, Stefania LaVie Owen
Rating: 2.5/5
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
