DreamWorks Taps Jane Evans as its New Head of Physical Production

DreamWorks has tapped Focus Features' Jane Evans as its executive vp physical production.

The move comes on the heels of DreamWorks' previous head of physical production Steve Molen exiting the company in April amid a slowdown that resulted in layoffs in his department.

Evans will start at DreamWorks in July, working on such projects as the Vince Vaughn comedy vehicle Starbuck and the big-screen adaptation of the Electronic Arts video game Need for Speed.

“Jane’s below-the-line credits coupled with her executive experience is invaluable to the studio as we look to move forward with our projects,” said DreamWorks president of production Holly Bario. “She is a seasoned executive with a fresh approach that will serve DreamWorks well."

Evans joined Focus Features in 2004 as senior vp physical production and oversaw physical production and postproduction on all in-house films. She is known for working with such auteurs as Ang Lee (Taking Woodstock), Joel and Ethan Coen (Burn After Reading, A Serious Man) and Gus Van Sant (Milk, the upcoming Promised Land).

At Focus, she spearheaded the Green Production Alliance, a program that encourages and supports an industry standard of sustainability strategies and resources, and helped develop the Green Production Guide. In 2009, Evans was honored with the Audubon Society's Rachel Carson Award.

Before Focus, she was senior vp physical production at Miramax Films.