Dimension, Loud team up
Miramax banner makes move into urban market
Loud was formed earlier this year by former Maverick Films prexy Ron Rotholz and Loud Records partners Steven Rifkind, Jonathan Rifkind and Rich Isaacson.
Loud Records' roster includes Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, Grammy-nominated Big Punisher, Funkmaster Flex, Raekwon, dead prez and Inspectah Deck.
"It's great to be in business with such creative, entrepreneurial producers as Loud Films," said Dimension co-chairman Bob Weinstein. "Loud has blazed a trail in music, and we look forward to doing the same with them in film."
Rotholz, now an independent producer, is in post-production on James Toback's "Black and White" starring Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr. and Wu-Tang members.
Rotholz has produced films for David Mamet, Abel Ferrara, Michael Moore and Phil Joanou. He also worked on Hype Williams' urban crime drama "Belly" starring hip-hop artists Nas, DMX, Method Man and T-Boz of TLC.
"This deal will allow us to draw upon the enormous popularity of hip-hop music and culture and use the expertise of our partners to identify areas of street culture that can be bridged to an international film audience," Rotholtz said.
In addition to Loud Records, Steve Rifkind and his partners own and operate the street marketing company SRC, whose clients include Levi's, Starter and Nike. The advertising conglomerate Interpublic recently acquired a 20% stake in SRC.
Dimension prexy Cary Granat and Miramax veepee for business and legal affairs Brian Burkin repped Dimension on the deal. Loud Films was repped by Scott Lambert of the William Morris Agency.
