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Diane LaneFade to black at Cinespace StudiosCinespace Studios will close its Queens Quay facility by the Feb. 21 deadline imposed by the city after last-ditch proposals to the mayor's office failed to get a response. The closing comes despite Cinespace's repeated statements that it did not receive adequate notice to vacate the property. Cinespace president Steve Mirkopoulos said the company received written notice to vacate on Dec. 12, giving it slightly more than two months to leave. However, its lease with Toronto Economic Development Corporation, owner of the waterfront land, states that the month-to-month deal, dated March 2004, can only be terminated by 18 months written notice. "It's a very sad and trying day and we do this with a heavy heart," said Mirkopoulos. "We have to deal with our clients, we have to move on and that's what we're doing." Mirkopoulos said the waterfront studio, known as MT28, had one project, Saw IV, place a deposit to use the facility after the February deadline. Seven productions had placed a hold on the space. Currently, producers of Killshot, a thriller starring Diane Lane and Mickey Rourke, are reshooting scenes at the site and are expected to wrap shortly before the February deadline. Mirkopoulos said Cinespace will accommodate Killshot, then shift its infrastructure elsewhere. No jobs will be lost since employees will be reassigned, he said. Cinespace, like other members of the film industry, say this closing will hurt Toronto's already-suffering business. Last year was one of the worst on record and the current labour dispute between the actors and the producers is scaring off potential productions. Mirkopoulos said this could have been a banner year for Toronto's industry because similar labour unrest in the U.S. has producers pushing up projects and stockpiling features. But the city, he said, has hurt its potential for new business since no new space will be available to match the loss of 140,000 sq. ft. before the end of the year. That's when mega-studio Filmport is expected to be operating. Film commissioner Karen Thorne-Stone said she was not aware Cinespace had up to eight projects slated for MT28. "That would not have changed the circumstances," she said. "There is a lot of studio space in the city. We would like to work with each and every one of those projects to ensure we can accommodate them." TEDCO president Jeff Steiner maintains that Cinespace has had years to develop a long-term strategy since its lease was changed to month-to-month in 2004, such as building a studio on its own land on Eastern Ave. or accepting space in south Etobicoke. Dinerstein joins LakeshoreFormer Paramount Classics co-prexy David Dinerstein has joined Lakeshore Entertainment in the newly created position of prexy of worldwide marketing and distribution. Dinerstein will oversee the worldwide marketing and distribution of Lakeshore's film slate, as well as supervise the company's international operations. Until now, Lakeshore -- which is headed by chairman-CEO Tom Rosenberg and prexy Gary Lucchesi --has not had an executive to manage and participate in the domestic and international marketing and distribution strategies of its studio films. (Lakeshore has domestic output deals with MGM and Warner Bros., and works frequently with Lionsgate and Screen Gems.) Lakeshore VP of marketing Rob Burke will continue to oversee the international marketing of Lakeshore's independent pics. As a veteran of the indie film world -- besides Paramount Classics (now Par Vantage), he worked at Fox Searchlight and Miramax -- Dinerstein brings his wide-ranging relationships to Lakeshore, and will be counted on to forge new ones with cutting-edge directors. Later this week, he's heading to the Sundance Film Festival to scout for talent and projects for Lakeshore. Over the past year, Dinerstein has served as a consultant to the Yari Film Group, where he oversaw marketing and distribution for sleeper hit "The Illusionist." In 1998, Dinerstein launched Paramount Classics, Par's specialty film unit, where he was co-prexy for eight years, responsible for the acquisitions and co-productions of the company's slate. He also oversaw all phases of worldwide marketing and distribution, including creative advertising, publicity, promotion, research, marketing administration and distribution. At Par Classics, Dinerstein acquired pics such as "Hustle & Flow" and "Mad Hot Ballroom," and distribbed "The Virgin Suicides," "You Can Count on Me" and Sam Raimi's "The Gift." Prior to Par Classics, Dinerstein was one of the original architects of Fox Searchlight, working as senior VP of marketing. Pics for which he was responsible include Bertolucci's "Stealing Beauty," Al Pacino's "Looking for Richard" and Ang Lee's "The Ice Storm." Before Searchlight, Dinerstein worked as head of marketing for Miramax, where he was involved in films such as "Pulp Fiction," "The Piano," "Like Water for Chocolate" and "The Crying Game." Lakeshore's recent productions include "Crank," released by Lionsgate, "Underworld: Evolution," released by Screen Gems and "The Last Kiss," a DreamWorks/Paramount release. Upcoming productions include MGM's "Feast of Love," starring Morgan Freeman and directed by Robert Benton; Screen Gems' "Untraceable," starring Diane Lane; and "Midnight Meat Train," directed by Japanese helmer Ryuhei Kitamura, to be distribbed via Lionsgate. 'The Outsiders' to open Friday at East Bank Theatre in Bossier CityMembers of "The Outsiders" cast include (from left) Adler Birmingham, Kyle Smith, Tyler Krieg, Matt
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