Walter F. Parkes, a renowned filmmaker, came into this world on April 15, 1951, in the vibrant city of Bakersfield, California. His educational journey took him to the esteemed Yale University, where he rigorously pursued his academic endeavors, ultimately graduating cum laude in the year 1973.
Parkes' foray into the world of filmmaking commenced with the release of his inaugural project, The California Reich, which made its debut in 1975.
Walter Parkes embarked on a pivotal journey in 1982, crossing paths with Laurie MacDonald, a momentous encounter that would set the stage for a fruitful creative collaboration. In the following year, Parkes teamed up with Lawrence Lasker to craft the script for the critically acclaimed film WarGames, a project that garnered a prestigious Best Screenplay Oscar nomination in 1983. This remarkable achievement led to a lucrative deal with Paramount Pictures, although unfortunately, no films were produced as a direct result. Undeterred, Parkes continued to pursue his passion for filmmaking, and in 1985, he joined forces with Richard Shepherd to produce the comedy Volunteers. Two years later, Parkes reunited with Lasker to work on the 1987 film Project X, a project that would ultimately blossom into a long-term professional partnership, with Lasker serving as a full-time collaborator for a period of four years.
Parkes and Lasker, a dynamic duo of creative visionaries, continued their impressive trajectory of cinematic excellence with the critically acclaimed films True Believer, Awakenments, and Sneakers. Their remarkable run of success was marked by a series of bold and innovative storytelling endeavors that captivated audiences worldwide.
As their original contract with Paramount Pictures was set to expire, Parkes and Lasker embarked on a new chapter in their professional journey, seeking to secure a lucrative deal with the esteemed Columbia Pictures. This strategic move was a testament to their unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of their craft and exploring fresh opportunities for growth and collaboration.
In 1991, Parkes and Lasker partnered with acclaimed television producer Clyde Phillips to bring the TV show Eddie Dodd to life. This ambitious project showcased their versatility and adaptability as creative forces, as they successfully transitioned from the big screen to the small screen, bringing their unique brand of storytelling magic to the world of television.
In the year 1991, a significant change took place as Parkes and Lasker went their separate ways, thereby paving the way for Parkes to form a new partnership with MacDonald, who had previously departed Columbia Pictures to establish Aerial Pictures, a production company that secured a two-year deal with Columbia Pictures, but was later transferred to 20th Century Fox in 1993.
Under the banner of Aerial Pictures, the company's sole output was the relatively unknown television show, Birdland, which aired on ABC in the year 1994, marking the culmination of the company's brief but notable existence.
In the year 1993, a pivotal moment in the careers of two esteemed individuals, Laurie MacDonald and Walter F. Parkes, presented itself as they were approached by none other than the renowned filmmaker, Steven Spielberg, with an extraordinary offer to assume the reins of Amblin Entertainment. This development ultimately led to the conclusion of their tenure at Aerial Pictures.
Under Parkes' astute guidance, the production of several notable films ensued, including the popular family comedy Little Giants, the adrenaline-fueled disaster movie Twister, and the science fiction blockbuster Men in Black. Interestingly, the concept for Men in Black had its origins at Aerial Pictures, underscoring the significance of Parkes' role in nurturing the project from its inception to its eventual release.
In the year 1994, a pivotal moment in the entertainment industry unfolded as Parkes and MacDonald were extended an opportunity to spearhead the establishment of the renowned DreamWorks studio, subsequently assuming the esteemed roles of co-heads of film production, a position that would prove to be a defining chapter in their illustrious careers.
During their tenure at the helm of DreamWorks, Parkes demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, meticulously overseeing the production of a diverse array of films that would go on to captivate audiences worldwide. This impressive slate of releases included, among others, the thought-provoking thriller The Peacemaker, the cataclysmic disaster film Deep Impact, the critically acclaimed historical epic Gladiator, the chilling horror classic The Ring, and the beloved adaptation of Lemony Snicket's whimsical and darkly comedic novel series, A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Parkes and MacDonald, two accomplished individuals, embarked on a new venture in 2005, concurrently wrapping up production on several DreamWorks films. This marked the inception of Parkes/MacDonald Productions, a partnership that secured a deal with DreamWorks, allowing them to produce a diverse range of projects.
Their initial slate of films consisted of leftover projects that had originated at DreamWorks, as well as a highly anticipated adaptation of the classic tale, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, directed by the renowned Tim Burton.
In the year 2009, a significant partnership was formed between Parkes and MacDonald, teaming up with the esteemed production company, Image Nation.
This collaborative effort proved to be a groundbreaking venture, as it paved the way for a television deal with the renowned media conglomerate, NBCUniversal, in the year 2010.
As a result of this partnership, the duo made significant contributions to the world of entertainment, including their involvement in the highly successful "Men in Black" franchise, which consisted of two notable installments: Men in Black 3 and Men in Black: International.
Furthermore, their creative endeavors also extended to the horror genre, with the third installment in the "Ring" franchise, Rings, which sent chills down the spines of audiences worldwide.
In addition to their work on existing franchises, Parkes and MacDonald also brought original projects to life, including the critically acclaimed films Flight and Keeping Up with the Joneses, which showcased their versatility and range as producers.
As a result of their tireless efforts, Parkes and MacDonald solidified their position as a dynamic and influential duo in the world of entertainment, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.
In the year 2016, a pivotal moment in the evolution of innovative technology, Parkes embarked on a groundbreaking endeavor by co-founding and assuming the esteemed role of chairman at Dreamscape Immersive, a pioneering virtual reality studio. This visionary venture was undertaken in tandem with a distinguished group of individuals, including the astute Kevin Wall, the accomplished Caecilia Charbonnier, the ingenious Sylvain Chaugé, and the seasoned Ronald Menzel.
Parkes and MacDonald, the dynamic duo of the film industry, are busily engaged in the development of numerous exciting projects, with two of the most anticipated being "Gladiator 2", a highly anticipated sequel to the Academy Award-winning original, and "Barbie", a live-action adaptation of the beloved toy franchise, which promises to bring the iconic doll to life in a whole new way.
