Richard Saperstein (pictured),the former president of development and production for Artisan Pictures, hasjoined the Weinstein brothers as executive vice president and head ofproduction for Dimension Films.

He also assumes the title ofexecutive vice president of production for The Weinstein Company, and will workclosely with Harvey Weinstein on films being produced by The Weinstein Company,but his chief responsibility will be overseeing all creative aspects ofproduction and development for titles to be released by Dimension after Sept 30when the Weinsteins' exit from Disney is complete.

Based in Los Angeles,Saperstein will report directly to Bob Weinstein.

At Artisan, Sapersteinassembled a slate of films including The Punisher, Stage Beauty and Tonight He Comes (now at Sony with Will Smith attached to star).Before Artisan, he spent nine years at New Line Cinema where he rose to seniorexecutive vice president of worldwide production, second in command toproduction president Mike DeLuca.

He began his career as aliterary agent at ICM, representing talent such as Akiva Goldsman, JonTurteltaub and Steven Shainberg.

"Richardhas had an outstanding track record as a production executive and I amconfident that his talents will be a perfect fit for Dimension," said Bob Weinsteinin a statement. "I am thrilled that he is coming onboard and am certain that hewill play a key role in the success of our new venture."

Saperstein's appointment atDimension swells the executive ranks of the Weinsteins' new venture whichrecently signed Glen Basner as president of international, Colin Vaines asexecutive vice president of European production and development and MikeRudnitsky as senior executive vice president of domestic distribution.

Current Dimensionco-president Andrew Rona is expected to stay at the company until the Sept 30handover.