Black seeks talent through site, schools

First pick of future writing stars the prize

By CATHY MEILS

Black

PRAGUE -- For Black and Blu producer Todd Black, it could be back to the old Web for new talent.

He and partner Jason Blumenthal had a first-look deal with Web site Hollywoodlitsales.com last fall, but came to an amicable parting of the ways because "it wasn't working," Black told Daily Variety.

Now he says he's "in talking stages of forming a specific talent-based search site for all means of talent, not just scripts."

One way to get first pick of emerging talents could be hooking up with top-flight film programs at universities.

"We're going to try to forge a relationship with various film school writing programs, such as the Tisch School of the Arts," he said.

Black is currently in Prague as producer, along with Tim van Rellim, on Columbia's $40 million "A Knight's Tale."

The medieval jousting pic stars Heath Ledger, Rufus Sewell and Mark Addy.