BMG moves into film and TV, set to launch docos on Joan Jett, T-Rex, Trojan Records

Record label and music publisher BMG’s new film and TV unit, based in Los Angeles, under SVP Justus Haerder had been working very quietly on a number of projects since 2014.

These include feature-length documentaries, narrative features, concert films, scripted and unscripted series, both long and short-form.

Their original strategy was to launch the unit with a big bang when at least half a dozen were ready for the market.

But that strategy fell over when the Sundance Film Festival chose its first project, Bad Reputation, to make its world premiere.

“That kindda blows the lid off of that (silence), but we are incredibly excited and proud,” shrugs Haerder.

BMG executive-produced and financed Bad Reputation, about the life and times of the leather-bound Joan Jett.

It traces her co-founding the pioneering all-female rock band The Runaways to meeting management and collaborator Kenny Laguna who launched her solo career with her cover of ‘I Love Rock And Roll’ and the formation of her band The Blackhearts.

It was directed by veteran music video maker Kevin Kerslake whose work included As I AM: The Life and Times of DJ AM and Nirvana Live! Tonight! Sold Out!

Coming up are documentaries on Marc Bolan & T-Rex called Children Of The Revolution (which will come with a tribute album), the influential reggae label Trojan Records (working title: Rudeboy) and a look at the legendary concert promoters and agents who changed the American touring industry (working title: The Show’s The Thing).

BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch said in a statement, “Be in no doubt: This is a strategic move.

“From YouTube to the rise of the music documentary to the increasing emphasis of Spotify and Apple Music on video content, technology is transforming music into a visual medium.

“These are early days, but increasingly we expect video content to develop into a formidable addition to BMG’s strategic offering to artists and songwriters alongside music publishing and recordings.”