Bill Mechanic, also credited as William M. Mechanic, is an American film producer. He is the chairman and CEO of Pandemonium Films.At present, he serves on the board of counselors for USC School of Cinematic Arts, and the Board of BFI Southbank (formerly known as the National Film Theatre) American Friends. He has also served on the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He has been honored with the Showman of the Year Award by the Producers Guild of America. He is in the Video Hall of Fame, and has received a Martini Shot Mentor award from Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards in 1999. He has served as an executive for Walt Disney Studios and Fox Filmed Entertainment.
Everybody is about basically the same kind of thing, caught in a spiral of stupid budgets, with everybody relying 100% on these big movies when the name of the game is not making the same thing all the time. You can't afford to have 12 blockbusters a year. The idea has gotten empty. We went from the point where $100m should be like touching scalding coals to the point where it's something you roast chestnuts on. [August 2005]
2
When you had Gone With the Wind, the system was much more controlled. Movies were 90% of the leisure-time activities. Movies are now probably 10%, so you're fighting a confluence of other media. Driving through not just the clutter of other movies, but the clutter of entertainment, concerts, music, cable, satellite, you name it.
3
For a start, evil out of the hands of innocence is always interesting. [on the recent popularity of child-monster in horror movies (2005)]
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Fact
1
Was president of worldwide home video distribution for The Walt Disney Company (1985-1993).
2
From 1985 to 1993, Mechanic was head of Buena Vista Home Video, a Disney subsidiary. During this time, Mechanic oversaw the record-breaking video releases of Disney titles such as Pinocchio (1940), Fantasia (1940), 101 Dalmatians (1961), The Little Mermaid (1989), and Beauty and the Beast (1991). By the time Mechanic left Disney, "Beauty and the Beast" had sold 20 million copies, more than any other video at the time.
3
Member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Executives Branch) [2002-2005]
4
CEO and Chairman of Fox Studios (1996-2000). He was allegedly fired because of Fight Club (1999) , which only made $37 million at the American box office.
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
2:22
2017
executive producer post-production
Your Perfect Angel
producer announced
Hacksaw Ridge
2016
producer - produced by
The 82nd Annual Academy Awards
2010
TV Special producer
Coraline
2009
producer
The New World
2005
executive producer
Dark Water
2005
producer
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
The First Vampire: Don't Fall for the Devil's Illusions
2004
Short project mentor
El gusano
2003
Short project mentor
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
The King's Daughter
2017
completed
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Elvis: The Great Performances - Center Stage, Volume One
1990
Video thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Stardust Hollywood - Sternenstaub und Götterwelten
2013
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Made in Hollywood
2011
Documentary
Himself
In the House with Peter Bart & Peter Guber
2011
TV Series
Himself - Guest
Entertainment Tonight
2010
TV Series
Himself
Analyzing 'Dark Water'
2005
Video documentary short
Himself
Beneath the Surface: The Making of 'Dark Water'
2005
Video documentary short
Himself
Dark Water: Extraordinary Ensemble
2005
Video documentary short
Himself
Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession
2004
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The Blockbuster Imperative
2003
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood
2001
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2010
AFI Award
AFI Awards, USA
Movie of the Year
Coraline (2009)
2009
BAFTA Children's Award
BAFTA Awards
Best Feature Film
Coraline (2009)
1999
Showmanship Award
Publicists Guild of America
Motion Picture
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2010
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Special Class Programs
The 82nd Annual Academy Awards (2010)
2010
PGA Award
PGA Awards
Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures
$8 Million
