MGM Acquires Film Made By 'Stargate' Stars, A Dog's Breakfast - News Options

[Arcady]

MGM has acquired the worldwide rights to A Dog's Breakfast, an original dark comedy shot by members of the cast and crew of Stargate Atlantis and Stargate SG-1 while on a production hiatus earlier this year. The film, which will be distributed for television and home video, marks the directorial debut for actor David Hewlett, who stars as Dr. Rodney McKay on Stargate Atlantis. Read on for the complete press release...

[Arcady]

Here's the complete press release from MGM:
MGM ACQUIRES WORLDWIDE RIGHTS TO HYSTERICAL DARK COMEDY A DOG'S BREAKFAST
Side-Splitting Independent Film Marks Directorial Debut For David Hewlett,
Star of Stargate Atlantis
LOS ANGELES, CA December 4, 2006 – Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) has acquired the worldwide rights to A Dog's Breakfast, an original dark comedy shot by members of the cast and crew of the hit science fiction/adventure series Stargate Atlantis and Stargate SG-1 while on a production hiatus earlier this year. The film, which will be distributed for television and home video, marks the directorial debut for actor David Hewlett, who stars as Dr. Rodney McKay on Stargate Atlantis.
"We are delighted to be working with David Hewlett and Kibble Productions on this hilarious comedy," said Charles Cohen, Executive Vice President, MGM. "A Dog's Breakfast is a film that Stargate fans, families and pet-lovers around the world will truly enjoy."
Hewlett recently premiered exclusive short clips from the film on the popular website Youtube.com and quickly garnered over 100,000 views. A Dog's Breakfast tells the story of Patrick (David Hewlett) and Marilyn (Kate Hewlett) who are siblings that have always driven each other a little crazy. When Marilyn brings home her new TV-star fianc?, Ryan (Paul McGillion), it seems to send Patrick over the edge. First he tries to drive a wedge between the happy couple, and then he reaches for sharper instruments. Every family has a few skeletons in the closet: A Dog's Breakfast is the mess Patrick makes when he tries to add another to his.
Hewlett added: "We are pleased that so many people from Stargate Atlantis and Stargate SG-1 were able to donate their time during hiatus and make this project come to life. We were able to put the entire film together for a tiny budget thanks to the generous and gracious support of the local production houses. It's exciting that MGM has agreed to distribute the film."
A Dog's Breakfast was shot in high definition on a budget of under $1 million. Principal photography began on Friday 13th, January 2006 at a house on beautiful Deer Lake in Vancouver BC during one of the wettest winters on record.
The film also stars Christopher Judge (Stargate SG-1), Rachel Luttrell (Stargate Atlantis), Amanda Byram (Swan), Mars the Dog, with writing by Hewlett and is produced by Jane Loughman, and John G. Lenic. MGM acquire all rights to distribute the film in any and all media including television, new media and home video. For more information on A Dog's Breakfast, please visit www.adogsbreakfastmovie.com.
About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,000 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc.,
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 110 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), Texas Pacific Group (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

[Dafmeister]

Is there any information as to when it will be released on DVD?
The new trailer is funny as hell, David Hewlett is just brilliant although the use of the toothbrush was quite horrible.

[Arcady]

Here's what Multichannel News had to say:

MGM Buys Rights to Flick Made By 'Stargate' Alums

Over their summer vacation, cast members of Sci Fi Channel's conjoined Stargate Atlantis and Stargate SG-1 shows borrowed some costumes and props from the set and put on a really cool stage show at David Hewlett's family barn in Iowa.

Ha ha, just kidding. Actually, during the Sci Fi shows' hiatus, Hewlett (Dr. Rodney McKay on Atlantis) wrote and directed a darkly comedic independent movie, A Dog's Breakfast, that he stars in with his sister, Kate Hewlett.

Also in the film: Christopher Judge (SG-1's Teal'c), Paul McGillion (Dr. Beckett on Atlantis) and Rachel Luttrell (Teyla on Atlantis), as well as Amanda Byram (The Swan) and Mars the Dog. It was shot in high definition for under $1 million, with the stars and Canadian production houses helping keep costs low.

With all that talent from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer shows, MGM basically had to buy the distribution rights. Which it did, with an eye toward TV and DVD releases.

A clip Hewlett posted on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpUJLMnr2NE) quickly drew 100,000 views.

No word from MGM yet on a possible Season 11 for SG-1, possibly distributed via broadband. Sci Fi declined to order another season for the record-breaking series, though it did renew Atlantis and recently said SG-1 star Amanda Tapping's Samantha Carter would cross over to Atlantis next season.


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See the new trailer on the official website for A Dog's Breakfast.

[Linz]

Let me just say that I was lucky enough to attend the screening David and Jane had a few weeks ago in Los Angeles and the movie is absolutely amazing and hilarious! I laughed 95% of the time (had to breathe afterall!) and I have a feeling even non-Stargate fans will get a kick out of it!

As soon as there is more news about a DVD release, it will be posted here or of course at the Official Movie Website!!!

Direct link for the trailer HERE

[Pitry]

Linz - I am officially jealous.
And yeah, the trailer is brilliant!

[More Cowbell!]

That is just plain awesome!

I know they made this movie on a shoestring budget, and most people were working for essentially free, only to get paid if the movie makes money. Well with MGM helping out, it looks like it just may make some money.
Again, just awesome!

This post has been edited by More Cowbell!: Dec 5th 2006, 6:48 PM

[Janos]

I finally got to see the trailer! My company blocks youtube from the internet. This is the first chance I've had to actually see the trailer! It looks awesome!

This was just posted today on the site Linz posted.

All you guys in London who want to see this, better jump on the ball quick!

It’s officially official!

A Dog’s Breakfast will be screened at 6:30pm on Thursday February 1st 2007 at the Odeon Covent Garden, 135 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8AH

The screening starts at 6:30pm sharp, so get there early (Doors open at 6pm)! We have to be cleared out by 8:30, so the sooner we’re all settled in the theatre, the more questions you can ask at the Q&A that follows the screaming… screening that is!

The evening will be attended by the lovely and talented Jane Loughman, John Lenic and two Hewletts: Kate and David. There are only 120 seats available, so make sure you book them and you book them fast! Tickets are as reasonable as we could make them at £10 plus a £1 booking fee. Wolf Events will be handling the sales, so keep an eye on www.wolfevents.com to get them before they’re dog-gone!

See you all in London!

D!,Jx & the mutt (who will again be vacationing with his girlfriend, instead of attending the screening like a good actor!)