Description
Strategic innovator with over 25 years experience in media/entertainment, including motion pictures, television and live theatre. Proven team leader, as well as hands-on manager, focused on business development and creative product development for both startups and established enterprises. Motivated self-starter with the inquisitive drive to discover new voices and identify commercial ideas. Skilled negotiator with expertise in financing, talent, production, licensing and distribution deals, paired with insightful “people skills” and excellent communication skills. An open, approachable, collaborative and professional executive focused on effective problem solving for maximum results.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
DREAMLAKE ENTERPRISES, Los Angeles, CA Managing Partner / 2009 – current
A partnership of investors focused on developing and marketing high-end entertainment content and fashion industry merchandise. Responsible for all creative and business decisions, collaborating with partners using criteria-based investment and development methodologies.
Financed and Produced Broadway musical BONNIE & CLYDE Schoenfeld Theatre December 2011 (World Premiere La Jolla Playhouse 2009; Asolo Rep Theatre 2010). Financed and Produced A CHRISTMAS STORY – THE MUSICAL current National Tour November 2011 (World Premiere Kansas City Rep 2009; The 5th Avenue Theatre 2010). Acquired, developed business plan, and oversaw outsourced chemical development and marketing of high-end cosmetic line “PREMA”.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER / FINANCIER 2003 – 2009 Developed, raised financing and produced motion pictures as an independent producer (and in partnership
with CFP Productions at Paramount Studios, serving as their President 2003 – 2007).
Negotiated content development partnerships with game publishers Spark Unlimited and Midway Games to create game/movie franchises (including AREA 51).
Negotiated IP rights deals for 10 original screenplays and 6 published books, securing development/production financing from media companies, including Paramount and Universal. Raised $3M in equity financing, leading to production of NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU (Vivendi Entertainment 2009), a multi-story feature film. Served as Executive Producer, supervising line production staff, multiple directors and writers. Advised on artist contract negotiations and collective bargaining issues, tax incentives and rebates.
PHOENIX PICTURES, Culver City, CA Executive Consultant and Producer / 2000 – 2003 Led a team of young executives and staff developing and supervising media properties, reporting to
Chairman Mike Medavoy. Supervised production on-set for films shooting in Mexico (IN THE TIME OF BUTTERFLIES) and Australia (THE OUTSIDER), coordinating schedules, budgets and reporting to responsible executives at distributors including Showtime Networks. Developed properties for studios including MGM, Columbia Pictures and Walt Disney Studios, successfully securing and negotiating participation of A-list talent including Taylor Hackford, Phil Kaufman, John McTiernan, Ridley Scott.
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OVERBROOK ENTERTAINMENT, Universal City, CA Exec Vice-Pres / 1998 – 2000
Co-founded entertainment production company with actor Will Smith financed by Universal Pictures.
Hired and trained 5 development executives and staff assistants for the motion picture division. Acquired and developed scripts, books and remakes for Universal Pictures.
Financed and Produced Off-Broadway August Wilson’s JITNEY (World Premiere Second Stage Theatre 2000).
GREAT OAKS ENTERTAINMENT, Burbank, CA Senior Executive / 1996 – 1998 Co-founded entertainment production company with writer/director John Hughes and Ricardo Mestres,
financed by Walt Disney Company. Supervised development staff and served as creative management liaison between company and distributors on films for Walt Disney: 101 DALMATIONS 1996 and FLUBBER 1997; and 20th Century Fox: HOME ALONE 3 1997.
NEW DEAL PRODUCTIONS, Universal City, CA Partner and Producer / 1995 – 1996 Co-founded production company and music label with writer/director John Singleton, financed by
Universal Pictures. Hired and trained all executives and staff. Acquired and developed properties and supervised production on ROSEWOOD (Warner Bros 1997) and Executive Producer on WOO (New Line 1998).
CREATIVE ARTISTS AGENCY, Beverly Hills Motion Picture Literary Agent / 1987 – 1995 Represented over 30 writers and directors, including Ken Kwapis, Carl Reiner, Ron Bass, Oliver Stone,
Debbie Allen, Robert Townsend, among others. Responsibilities included all contract negotiations and solicitation of work, development of client material, sales, liaison with studios and financiers. Specialized in discovery and nurturing of new filmmakers, launching the careers of:
John Singleton : BOYZ ‘N THE HOOD / Columbia Pictures (2 Academy Award nominations for Writing and Directing).
Writer/Director Doug Liman : GETTING IN / Independent.
Writer/Directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly : DUMB & DUMBER / New Line.
YALE REPERTORY THEATRE, New Haven, CT Assoc. Managing Director / 1986 – 1987 Supervised all artistic and administrative staffing, operating budgets, union agreements, as well as
creative operations including auditions and staged readings. Supervised Company Manager and Administrative Director positions. Created industry-leading financial model for touring theatrical productions to Broadway, first applied to August Wilson’s Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning FENCES (Broadway Premiere: 46th Street Theatre 1987).
EDUCATION AND AFFILIATIONS
YALE UNIVERSITY, School of Drama, New Haven, CT
Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Administration/Producing
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, Department of Theatre, Kalamazoo, MI Bachelor of Science in Performing Arts and Scenic Design
WMU Presidential Scholar and College of Fine Arts Dean’s List Inducted into the WMU Outstanding Alumni Academy – 2002
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY, Heinz College of Public Policy, Pittsburgh, PA
Current member of Advisory Board – Masters degree program in Entertainment Industry Management.