Duo set for sales banners

Smith, Kamp to form companies Metropolis, Timeless

By DAVE MCNARY

International film vets Tim Smith of Prescience and Ralph Kamp of Odyssey have launched a joint venture in the form of two new companies -- Metropolis Intl. Sales and Timeless Films.

Metropolis Intl. represents Prescience's first foray into the global sales arena, where it will handle all genres except family and children, which Timeless will continue to handle.

Under the joint venture, both Timeless and Metropolis will be spearheaded by Kamp and underwritten by Prescience. Former Odyssey exec James Scott has been tapped head of sales for Metropolis, while Sarah Arnott will be senior VP of productions and acquisitions for Timeless.

Move comes four years after Smith co-founded Prescience with Paul Brett. Since then it's financed Julian Fellowes' "From Time to Time," Oliver Parker's "Dorian Gray," Bernard Rose's "Mr. Nice," Daniel Barber's "Harry Brown," Tony Goldwyn's "Betty Anne Waters" plus Parker and Barnaby Thompson's "St. Trinians: The Legend of Fritton's Gold."

"We want to differentiate the family product from other genres and create brand recognition for distributors and ultimately, audiences," Kamp said. Metropolis titles include Ian Dury biopic "Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll," starring Andy Serkis, Olivia Williams and Ray Winstone, which is now in post-production.

Timeless' slate includes "Vicky the Viking," from Michael Herbig; and "Animals United," a 3-D animated production from Constantin Film.