Sony Pictures’ Culver City Lots Placed Under Operations Team

In a streamlining effort, Sony Pictures Entertainment is grouping the management of its two Culver City lots under a new three-member operations team.

Studio facilities executives Arnold Shupack, Jack Kindberg and Michael Kohut will make up the group, which oversees Sony Pictures Studios, the nearby Culver Studios and Sony Automated Studio Lighting Group. The group, which Shupack will head as president, will report to Sony Pictures Senior Vice President Kenneth S. Williams.

Sony has 60 acres and 38 sound stages between the two facilities.

Sony Pictures Studios, which houses the headquarters of its Columbia Tristar studios, is the former Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lot.

The historic Culver Studios, which Sony acquired for about $75 million in 1991 from Gannett Co., is the former David O. Selznick facility where much of “Gone With the Wind” was filmed.

Warner Bros. Television has promoted Andrew Horne to director of current programs. Separately, Trent Jones was named manager of network research.

Live Home Video has named Paul Hebron director of creative services.

MCA TV has named Dennis Grandcolas its Southwest region sales executive.

Producer Larry Estes has formed the independent production company Welb Film Pursuits.

Marisa Fermin has been named director of business and legal affairs for 20th Television’s domestic television division.

Mary Ellen Cataneo has been promoted to senior vice president of Sony Music Entertainment Communications, serving as press liaison.

Paul Kremen has joined Hollywood Records as a director of A&R; soundtracks.