Sandy Climan

Creative Artists Agency senior executive Sandy Climan was hired Thursday as an executive vice president of MCA Inc., the first high-level departure from the agency since former Chairman Michael S. Ovitz announced in August that he is leaving to join Walt Disney Co. Climan's exit had been expected in the wake of the Ovitz departure, but the destination was a surprise to Hollywood executives.

Director Michael Mann is forming a new film and television company with former Creative Artists Agency and Universal Studios Inc. executive Sandy Climan. The two said that Forward Pass Inc. will produce as many as three films a year, along with TV programs and unspecified other entertainment ventures. Financing arrangements were not announced. Mann is director of the upcoming "Ali," starring Will Smith.

Director Michael Mann is forming a new film and television company with former Creative Artists Agency and Universal Studios Inc. executive Sandy Climan. The two said that Forward Pass Inc. will produce as many as three films a year, along with TV programs and unspecified other entertainment ventures. Financing arrangements were not announced. Mann is director of the upcoming "Ali," starring Will Smith.

Sandy Climan, a senior executive at Creative Artists Agency, said Thursday that he is leaving the talent firm. Sources said Climan has been approached by Michael Ovitz to join his new management venture, Artists Management Group, but that Climan is considering other options as well. In a statement released Thursday night, Climan said he expected to make an announcement soon.

Sandy Climan, a senior executive at Creative Artists Agency, said Thursday that he is leaving the talent firm. Sources said Climan has been approached by Michael Ovitz to join his new management venture, Artists Management Group, but that Climan is considering other options as well. In a statement released Thursday night, Climan said he expected to make an announcement soon.

The president and v-p of Robert Redford's Wildwood production company, Andy Meyer and Sarah Black, respectively, have defected to Norman Lear's Act III Communications, according to our sources. Meyer quietly moved his office to Act III before taking an extended Christmas vacation. Black will join him in early January, when a formal announcement is planned.

How many studio executives does it take to screw in a light bulb? Well, OK, we don't know the answer to that one. But we do know that no fewer than 21 execs, agents, publicists and other assorted retainers were advised the other day when a couple of "Rain Man" publicity photos of Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise were mailed to media types. See, we came across this one-paragraph United Artists letter, concerning some b&w shots of the two stars.

Universal Studios Inc., in another corporate realignment, on Monday said it will shift its home video unit so that it reports to Universal Pictures Chairman Casey Silver. The move to put home video under the film wing is in keeping with the way most studios operate. "It's about product line mentality," Silver said. "This is the industry norm." Before being bought by Seagram Co.

After 2 1/2 years, Howard Weitzman is leaving his post as one of the top executives at Universal Studios. The ousting of the former powerhouse entertainment lawyer is the second high-level casualty of the senior management team assembled at Universal under the three-year ownership of Seagram Co. Chief Executive Edgar Bronfman Jr. In April last year, former Universal Executive Vice President Sandy Climan was forced out and returned to his former employer, Creative Artists Agency.

Top MTV marketing executive John Shea is expected to disclose in the next few days that he is leaving to join Sega GameWorks, the fledging joint venture of interactive entertainment centers launched by video game maker Sega, DreamWorks SKG studio and entertainment giant MCA Inc. As senior vice president of marketing at the cable channel, Shea has supervised all of MTV's marketing programs. He joined the company in 1988 as director of promotions.

Creative Artists Agency senior executive Sandy Climan was hired Thursday as an executive vice president of MCA Inc., the first high-level departure from the agency since former Chairman Michael S. Ovitz announced in August that he is leaving to join Walt Disney Co. Climan's exit had been expected in the wake of the Ovitz departure, but the destination was a surprise to Hollywood executives.

MCA Inc. named James J. Klein, president and chief operating officer of toy marketer Applause Enterprises, to the new position of president of its Consumer Products Group. Klein has been at Applause--known for selling plush toys and other products licensed from the entertainment industry--since 1991. Klein will develop a strategy for MCA's retail consumer products business as well as overseeing licensing and merchandise activity. He will report to MCA Executive Vice President Sandy Climan.

Robert C. Byrd has been named president of IMODCO, a Los Angeles-based marine terminal company. He will have overall operating responsibilities, the company said. He replaces Bernard Frankel, who becomes chairman. Sandy Climan, president and chief operating officer of Wescom Productions, Hollywood, is leaving to become a production consultant and producer. No successor has been named. Wescom is the film production unit of the San Francisco Chronicle.