Tag: Before The Door Pictures

Killer Films and Before The Door Pictures Team on IMPERIAL PALACE

Los Angeles, CA (November 2, 2011) – Killer Films and Before The Door Pictures are teaming up to produce IMPERIAL PALACE, a love-story written and to be directed by Victor Quinaz, as his sophomore effort. Killer Films’ Christine Vachon and Pam Koffler are producing with Before The Door’s Zachary Quinto, Neal Dodson, and Corey Moosa. The project is currently out to talent and is scheduled to start shooting in spring 2012.

IMPERIAL PALACE takes place six hours after Hurricane Katrina hits the gulf, and centers on the jaded manager of a Biloxi casino who must juggle the chaos that arises when FEMA sets up headquarters at his establishment bringing with it an old flame and an ensuing love triangle.

Quinto commented, “Christine Vachon is a mentor to us, and we feel very lucky to work with her and Killer on this project. We’re thrilled to take the momentum of Margin Call and our experience working with Victor on his first film to move into a second feature with him. He’s a truly original talent, and IMPERIAL PALACE is a perfect example of his unique, commercial voice.”

Vachon commented, “Killer is very excited to be working on this great project. It’s a thrill to be in business with Victor, Zachary and Neal. Quinaz has written the rare kind of film that puts its finger directly on the pulse of today’s America. The country experiences these tragedies, be they man-made or (in this case) levied by nature, which bring out both the best in communities and the worst in our government. Imperial Palace is a compelling story about the people who are caught in-between the human response of empathy and the social reaction of bureaucracy in the aftermath of such a tragedy.”

Before The Door Pictures’ financial thriller MARGIN CALL was released by Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate this past weekend to rave reviews by nearly every major film critic. The film, which was directed by JC Chandor, stars Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Demi Moore, and Stanley Tucci. It premiered at Sundance, played the Berlinale, and opened New Directors/New Films at MoMA this past spring.

BTD recently collaborated with Quinaz on his debut feature: an UNTITLED ENSEMBLE COMEDY that Quinaz directed and co-wrote with Anne Martemucci and Philip Quinaz. Anonymous Content’s Steve Golin and Richard Brown produced with BTD. They are currently in post-production on the project and plan for a festival premiere in 2012.

Quinaz is represented by Chad Hamilton/Anonymous Content.

ABOUT KILLER FILMS

The indie powerhouse, Killer Films, was founded by American movie producers, Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler in 1995. The company has produced a number of the most acclaimed American independent films over the past two decades including FAR FROM HEAVEN (nominated for four Academy Awards), BOYS DON’T CRY (Academy Award winner), ONE HOUR PHOTO, KIDS, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, HAPPINESS, VELVET GOLDMINE, SAFE, I SHOT ANDY WARHOL, CAMP, SWOON and I’M NOT THERE (Academy Award nominated) Most recently, Killer Films executive produced Todd Haynes’ five episode HBO mini-series “Mildred Pierce,” starting Kate Winslet and Guy Pearce and have just wrapped production on Ramin Bahrani’s new film starring Dennis Quaid and Zac Efron.

Killer’s movies have received multiple awards and nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the Emmy Awards, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the Independent Spirit Awards On the occasion of Killer’s 10th anniversary in 2005, the company was feted with a retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art. For her work on FAR FROM HEAVEN, Vachon was honored by the New York Film Critics Circle, and received the Producer of the Year Award from the National Board of Review.

ABOUT BTD

Before The Door Pictures was founded by Carnegie Mellon alumni and old friends Zachary Quinto, Neal Dodson, and Corey Moosa. The company recently completed principal photography on the company’s psychological thriller THE BANSHEE CHAPTER starring Ted Levine (SILENCE OF THE LAMBS), Katia Winter (ARENA, LEVEL PLAYING FIELD), and Michael McMillian (TRUE BLOOD). Interactive and transmedia director Blair Erickson wrote the screenplay and made his feature directorial debut on the project. In addition to MARGIN CALL, Quinto is also in theatres in WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER with Anna Faris. He is currently shooting Ryan Murphy’s AMERICAN HORROR STORY on FX, and is preparing to shoot the sequel to J.J. Abrams’ STAR TREK, starting in January. Dodson has an hour-long scripted series in development at TNT starring Kimberly Williams-Paisley and created by Shaun Cassidy. BTD’s graphic novels published with Archaia, LUCID and MR. MURDER IS DEAD, were released at San Diego Comic-Con, and are both widely available. BTD is also prepping a larger follow-up feature film with Chandor for the winter. There are additional projects in their television, film, comic book, and new media slate awaiting announcement later in 2011

Win Passes To MARGIN CALL Screening In St. Louis

Hey kids! We’ve all heard the permeating bellows from our television about bank cards and the economy lately… Well,  WAMG says no more! We are giving you a chance to movie off of your couch and into cushy theater seat with our MARGIN CALL contest! I mean, why watch banking news when you can watch Kevin Spacey play a banker?

WAMG is giving away passes to the advanced screening of MARGIN CALL at 7pm at PLAZA FRONTENAC on October 17th!

MARGIN CALL opens in theaters October 21st.

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.

2. FILL OUT YOUR NAME AND E-MAIL ADDRESS BELOW. REAL FIRST NAME REQUIRED.

3. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: If you were an investment banker for 24 hours, what would you advise your clients, or yourself, to invest in? (FYI… the answer of peanut brittle has already been taken!)

WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THROUGH A RANDOM DRAWING OF QUALIFYING CONTESTANTS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PASSES WILL NOT BE SUBSTITUTED OR EXCHANGED.

ANYONE CAUGHT REPRINTING TICKETS FOR DISTRIBUTION WILL BE BANNED FROM OUR CONTESTS! DUPLICATE TICKETS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

Director J.C. Chandor’s timely and terrifying dramatic expose, MARGIN CALL tackles twenty-four hours on an investment bank trading floor; a day that brings layer upon layer of human and professional wrongdoing that jeopardizes the entire fabric of the banking system. An all-star ensemble cast, led by Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Zachary Quinto, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci and Jeremy Irons, propel this ominous day toward the abyss, preserving just enough pathos to allow us to ultimately recognize these bankers’ humanity.

Visit the film’s official site: http://www.margincallmovie.com/

“Like” the film on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/margincallmovie

Follow it on Twitter: @margincallmovie

MARGIN CALL opens in theaters October 21st

Zachary Quinto’s Before The Door Pictures Producing THE BANSHEE CHAPTER; Stars Ted Levine, Katia Winter, Michael McMillian

Albuquerque, NM (August 25, 2011) – Ted Levine (SHUTTER ISLAND, AMERICAN GANGSTER, THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS), Katia Winter (ARENA, LEVEL PLAYING FIELD, BARRY BROWN), and Michael McMillian (THE HILLS HAVE EYES 2) will star in the elevated horror feature THE BANSHEE CHAPTER. Interactive and transmedia director Blair Erickson wrote the screenplay and will make his feature directorial debut on the project.

Zachary Quinto’s (STAR TREK) production company, Before The Door Pictures (BTD) has partnered with Sunchaser Entertainment and German producer Christian Arnold-Beutel (THE LEDGE, FLYPAPER) to produce.  Sunchaser’s Stephanie Riggs and BTD’s Corey Moosa are serving as producers while Arnold-Beutel and BTD’s Quinto (Twitter: @ZacharyQuinto) , Neal Dodson and Sean Akers are executive producing. The project commences principal photography this week in New Mexico.

THE BANSHEE CHAPTER centers on a young, female journalist (Winter) who follows the mysterious trail of a missing friend (McMillian) that had been experimenting with mind-altering chemicals developed in secret government drug tests. Levine plays the role of a rogue counter-culture novelist with a penchant for substance abuse and firearms who leads the journalist into the mystery of dangerous chemical research. A fast-paced blend of fact and fiction, the film is based on real documents, actual test subject testimony, and uncovered secrets about programs run by the CIA.

Most recognized for the deep bass tone of his voice, Levine is one of the busiest actors in Hollywood.  His numerous film credits include WONDERLAND with Val Kilmer and Kate Bosworth, IRONWEED with Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep, BETRAYED with Debra Winger and Tom Berenger, HEAT with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, GEORGIA with Jennifer Jason Leigh and Mare Winningham, BULLET with Mickey Rourke, WILD, WILD WEST with Will Smith and Kevin Kline; Ivan Reitman’s EVOLUTION with David Duchovny and Julianne Moore, THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS with Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez, Jonathan Demme’s thriller THE TRUTH ABOUT CHARLIE with Mark Wahlberg and Thandie Newton; Jonathan Demme’s THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE with Denzel Washington and Meryl Streep, BIRTH opposite Nicole Kidman; the critically acclaimed MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA;  among many others. Levine is represented by Robbie Kass of Kass & Stokes Management.

Swedish born actress Winter studied acting and film editing in London.  She found quick success working in British Television and Films including the UK drama UNMADE BEDS (2009), directed by award-winning Alexis Dos Santos and EVERYWHERE AND NOWHERE (2011) directed by Mejhad Huda.  Winter moved to the US in 2010 and immediately booked the lead female role in ARENA opposite Kellan Lutz (Twilight)  and Samuel L. Jackson.  She just finished shooting the lead role in the independent film HAPPY & BLEEDING alongside Matthew Settle (Gossip Girl). Winter resides in New York, but continues to work in London and Sweden.  She is represented by Innovative Artists and Schachter Entertainment in the states  and The BWH Agency in the UK. 

McMillian has been working steadily in film and television over the past few years, most notably on HBO’s smash hit, “True Blood” as the vampire-hating cult leader, Reverend Steve Newlin. McMillian starred in the 2004 critically acclaimed indie film, DORIAN BLUES as a young man struggling to come out of the closet to his conservative family, before moving on to leading roles in “What I like About You” opposite Amanda Bynes and TNT’s “Saved” with Tom Everett Scott. Other credits include “Veronica Mars,” THE HILLS HAVE EYES 2, “Big Love,” “CSI:NY,”  “The Mentalist,” “Firefly,” IMAGINE THAT and “Hot in Cleveland.” McMillian will next be seen in Showtime’s upcoming series, “House of Lies” opposite Don Cheadle. In 2009, McMillian co-wrote wrote and produced the award-winning short film, “Glock” and has recently filmed his directorial debut, the sci-fi short, “Charlie 13” which he also wrote. McMillian co-wrote the full length feature film, “The New Life,” with Kat Coiro, which is currently in development with Coiro attached to direct and is produced by Holly Weirsma. McMillian is also creator/writer of the graphic novel, “LUCID” for Archaia Entertainment and Before the Door Pictures and co-writer of the second “True Blood” comic book series, “True Blood: Tainted Love” for HBO and IDW.

BTD’s first feature, J.C. Chandor’s MARGIN CALL, premiered at Sundance in 2011, competed at The Berlinale, opened New Directors / New Films at MoMa to critical acclaim, and will be released domestically by Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate on October 21. The company is currently in post-production on their second film, an untitled romantic comedy from Victor Quinaz and Anna Martemucci’s PERIODS. Films, which wrapped in May. Quinto is producing an unscripted series for SyFy with RelativityREAL, starring photographer Tyler Shields.

Dodson has an hour-long scripted series in development at TNT starring Kimberly Williams-Paisley and created by Shaun Cassidy. BTD’s graphic novels published with Archaia, LUCID and MR. MURDER IS DEAD, were released at San Diego Comic-Con, and will both be widely available on October 11. BTD is also prepping a larger follow-up feature film with Chandor for the late fall. There are additional projects in their television, film, comic book, and new media slate awaiting announcement later in 2011.

As the Creative Director of Omnicom’s high-tech interactive agency “Millions of Us,” Erickson created break-through interactive stories, transmedia experiences, and live-action stories in virtual worlds, short films, and online communities. He wrote and directed an online alternate reality live-action thriller for the TERMINATOR franchise, created several 3-D virtual world experiences for Sony’s new Playstation Home, and directed the online live action with animated monsters for DreamWork’s MONSTERS VS. ALIENS. His diverse array of work for entertainment companies and clients include Warner Bros, Fox, SciFi Channel, E! Entertainment Television, Facebook, Activision, Ubisoft, Discovery, and DreamWorks.

Sunchaser Entertainment is currently in post-production of THE STANDBYS, a documentary about the ultimate underdogs, Broadway understudies and standbys. The company has produced works for Disney Creative Entertainment, HBO, multiple non-profit organizations and multi-million dollar research projects. The Manhattan-based Sunchaser is focused on narratives based on true stories as well as expanding the art of documentary storytelling.

Based in Germany, Christian Arnold-Beutel executive produced the Sundance hit THE LEDGE with Liv Tyler, Charlie Hunnam, Terence Howard, Patrick Wilson; IRONCLAD with Paul Giamatti, James Purefoy, Brian Cox and Kate Mara; the upcoming FLYPAPER with Patrick Dempsey and Ashley Judd; and SUPER HYBRID with Oded Fehr.

Anonymous Content Joins Before the Door/Periods Collaboration

New York, NY (May 10, 2011) – On the heels of their success with JC Chandor’s MARGIN CALL, Zachary Quinto’s Before The Door Pictures (Twitter: @beforethedoor) has announced the company’s second feature project, an “untitled found-footage” romantic comedy. Quinto (Twitter: @ZacharyQuinto) and producing partners Neal Dodson (Twitter: @nealdodson) and Corey Moosa commence principal photography on the film this week in New York.

Longtime Before The Door collaborator Victor Quinaz (Twitter: @VictorQuinaz) is directing and keeping the details of the project including the title and general synopsis under wraps. Anonymous Content‘s Steve Golin and Richard Brown are also producing, with Anonymous co-financing along with their partner Fred Schaufeld, who will serve as an executive producer. Written by Quinaz, Anna Martemucci, and Philip Quinaz, the film mixes scripted and improv comedy and utilizes an ensemble of actors and comedians from the Periods Films (Twitter:@PERIODSfilms) web shorts that have been featured on Huffington Post, Funny or Die, and numerous other online comedy outlets.

Quinto commented, “As we continue to build our company on the foundation of belief in independent film and first-time writer directors – it is a tremendous honor to be supported by collaborators with as much integrity and expertise as Steve Golin and Richard Brown.”

“Zachary brought us this project a few weeks ago and it took about 2 minutes to recognize it was a terrific idea. We’re excited to be in business with Before The Door on what promises to be an original and very funny debut feature from the extremely talented Victor Quinaz,” said Anonymous’ Richard Brown.

Before The Door has previously collaborated with Periods on a comedy short film series called BEFORE AFTER. Victor Quinaz and Martemucci both have other feature projects in development with Quinto’s team, including Quinaz’s MR MURDER IS DEAD, an original graphic novel that will be released through Archaia at Comic-Con in July.

MARGIN CALL, Before The Door’s first feature, premiered at Sundance, competed at The Berlinale, and opened New Directors/New Films at MoMA to critical acclaim. It is being released domestically by Roadside Attractions in the fall of 2011. Quinto recently announced an unscripted series with SyFy and RelativityREAL, starring photographer Tyler Shields. Before The Door’s feature, television, comic book, and new media slate has a number of projects ready to move forward in 2011 and 2012 with more projects to be announced in the coming months.

Anonymous Content was established in 1999 as an innovative management and production company focused on producing feature films, television programs, state-of-the-art commercials, music videos and brand integrated programming. The multifaceted company carved out a unique position in the entertainment industry and has a distinguished reputation and proven track record of success. The company is a pioneering force in the industry and leverages its unrivaled reach and access to talent to create and produce innovative content across all its divisions: Film, Integrated, Commercials, Music Video, Television, and Talent.

Anonymous Content (Twitter: @AnonContent) has developed a reputation for cultivating artistic freedom while maintaining a commercial sensibility. The company is known for producing adventurous, director-driven work, such as BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, and BABEL, all of which received numerous accolades, including Academy Award and Golden Globe wins and nominations. It has also had its share of commercial and mainstream successes, such as NURSE BETTY and 50 FIRST DATES. The company also has a track record in television, including THE L WORD for Showtime, and more recently, THE LAZARUS EFFECT for HBO.

Currently awaiting release in early May is THE BEAVER, directed by and starring Jodie Foster, opposite Mel Gibson for Summit Entertainment and Participant Media. In post-production is the feel-good movie EVERYBODY LOVES WHALES, co-produced with Working Title Films for Universal; directed by Ken Kwapis and starring Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski, Kristen Bell and Ted Danson. Anonymous Content is also prepping SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD, written and to be directed by Lorene Scafaria, starring Steve Carell and Keira Knightley. It is being co-produced with Indian Paintbrush for Mandate Pictures.