After a two-year stint as chief critic at Variety, Scott Foundas has decided to leave the entertainment publication for a new role at Amazon Studios, the online retailer’s content-creation wing.
Foundas, who previously wrote for the Village Voice, will be taking on the role of film acquisitions and development executive.
“We are going to miss Scott tremendously,” said Claudia Eller, Variety co-editor-in-chief. “He has contributed significantly to Variety’s role as an authoritative voice in film criticism. He applied his smarts, insights and exquisite prose to every review he wrote, whether it was an obscure arthouse picture or big Hollywood blockbuster.”
Foundas will move from New York to Los Angeles to work at the burgeoning studio, with an upcoming slate that includes Spike Lee’s controversial comedy, Chiraq. Its original television output already boasts breakout hit Transparent, as well as a forthcoming show from Woody Allen.
Foundas has already tweeted his feelings on the new position:
Sad to be leaving my big, wonderful @Variety family, but very excited to be joining the team at @Amazon_Studios. http://t.co/2bUZJRSJnq
— Scott Foundas (@foundasonfilm) July 24, 2015