Good Machine
Good Machine Productions was an American independent film production, film distribution, and foreign sales company started in the early 1990 by its co-founders and producers, Ted Hope and James Schamus. David Linde joined as a partner in the late 1990s and also started the international sales company Good Machine International. They sold the company to Universal Pictures, where it was then merged with USA Films and Universal Focus to create Focus Features. Hope, along with the heads of production development and business affairs then went on to form the independent production company This Is That Productions. Schamus and Linde became co-presidents of Focus Features.
In 2001, the Museum of Modern Art celebrated the tenth anniversary of Good Machine's work, commemorating their support of international and domestic filmmakers.
Background
Good Machine was involved in production and/or distribution of a number of films, including Ang Lee's The Ice Storm and Ride with the Devil; Hal Hartley projects such as Flirt, Edward Burns's The Brothers McMullen, Todd Solondz's Happiness, and Todd Field’s In the Bedroom.
History
In 1997, it was announced that Good Machine would become the foreign sales agent of films produced and distributed by October Films, in order to acquire worldwide rights of the films. In 1998, it struck a deal with Universal. Previously, the company had a one-time production deal with 20th Century Fox, which was signed in 1996. It was dismantled in 2002, when it merged with Focus Features. In 2001, Good Machine struck a deal with Radar Pictures to finance and distribute their films for international releases. The deal was continued as Good Machine was absorbed into Focus.
Disbandment
In 2002, Good Machine was acquired by Universal Pictures. James Schamus and David Linde remained with Universal, serving as co-presidents of Focus Features.
Ted Hope chose to part with the company to form the This is that Corporation with Good Machine Director of Development Anne Carey, Director of Production Anthony Bregman, and Director of Business Affairs Diana Victor. Under the This Is That banner they produced films such as Adventureland, The Savages, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Filmography
The Hours and Times — US distributionKeep It for Yourself — co-produced with AllartsPushing Hands ― co-produced with Central Motion PicturesSimple Men — co-produced with Fine Line FeaturesThe Wedding Banquet ― co-produced with Central Motion PicturesEat Drink Man Woman ― co-produced with Central Motion PicturesWhat Happened Was — co-produced with Genre FilmsThe Brothers McMullen – co-produced with Videography Prods.Flirt Safe — co-produced with American Playhouse and Channel Four FilmsShe's the One — co-produced with Marlboro Road Gang Productions and South Fork PicturesWalking and Talking — co-produced with Channel Four Films, Zenith Productions, Pandora Film, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Makido Films, Electric, and TEAM Communications GroupArresting Gena – co-produced with Kardana/Swinsky FilmsThe Ice Storm The Myth of Fingerprints — Sony Pictures ClassicsOffice Killer — co-produced with Strand, Kardana/Swinsky Films, and Good FearThe Sticky Fingers of Time – co-produced with Crystal PicturesHappiness — Good Machine ReleasingNo Looking Back — co-produced with Polygram Filmed Entertainment Group, Marlboro Road Gang, and South Fork Pictures Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl — Good Machine InternationalBride of Chucky — Good Machine InternationalThe Last Days – Good Machine International; co-produced with October FilmsThe Naked Man – Good Machine InternationalThe Lifestyle — co-produced with Swinging T ProductionsRide with the Devil — co-produced with USA FilmsThe Muse – Good Machine International; co-produced with October FilmsTrick — co-produced with Fine Line FeaturesThree Seasons – Good Machine International; co-produced with October FilmsCherry Falls – Good Machine InternationalA Conversation with Gregory Peck – Good Machine InternationalThis Year's Love – Good Machine InternationalCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon — Good Machine International; co-produced with Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia, Asian Union Film & Entertainment, China Film Co-Productions Corporation, Edko Films, and Zoom Hunt ProductionsThe Tao of Steve — Sony Pictures ClassicsThe King Is Alive – Good Machine International; co-produced with Newmarket Capital GroupWalk the Talk – Good Machine InternationalBuffalo Soldiers — co-produced with FilmFour, Grosvenor Park Productions, and Odeon FilmHuman Nature — co-produced with StudioCanalIn the Bedroom — co-produced with Eastern Standard Film Company and GreeneStreet FilmsLovely & Amazing — co-produced with Blow Up PicturesThe Man Who Wasn't There — co-produced with Working Title Films, Gramercy Pictures, Mike Zoss Productions, and Constantin FilmSeries 7: The Contenders – Good Machine International; co-produced with Blow Up PicturesStorytelling — co-produced with Killer Films and New Line CinemaY tu mamá también — Good Machine InternationalAdaptation — co-produced with Columbia Pictures, Intermedia, and Propaganda FilmsThe Laramie Project — co-produced with HBO FilmsTalk to Her – co-produced with El DeseoAmerican Splendor — co-produced with Fine Line Features, Dark Horse Entertainment, and HBO FilmsHulk — co-produced with Universal Pictures, Marvel Enterprises, and Valhalla Motion PicturesLaurel Canyon – co-produced with Sony Pictures Classics