Methods of development, distribution and funding have changed drastically over the last 10 years. Listen in on how this new state of affairs in film and television is shaping the creative world today.
Brian Levy:
Brian Levy is the CEO and Founder of New School Media, LLC, a diversified, multi-platform management and production company specializing in managing the careers of filmmakers, screenwriters, novelists, and actors as well as producing feature films, television shows, and new media content. Prior to launching New School Media, Brian served as a studio executive at Dimension Films/The Weinstein Company before becoming a motion picture literary agent at International Creative Management (ICM). Brian has helped cultivate the careers of writers such as Michael Diliberti and Matthew Sullivan among many other great talents including award winning filmmaker Andrew Lau from Hong Kong and many others spanning the globe.
Russell Ackerman:
Russell Ackerman is a Producer who is currently in pre production on the film MIDNIGHT DELIVERY (Universal Pictures, starring Kevin Costner). From 2008-2013 Russell ran development for Guillermo del Toro's production company that had a first look deal with Universal Pictures. In this capacity, he oversaw the development and production of the hit film MAMA starring Jessica Chastain, (Universal Pictures, January 18, 2013) which was produced for $13M and grossed $147M world wide. Ackerman also oversaw the Neil Cross rewrite of AT THE MOUNTAIN OF MADNESS (Universal Pictures, Guillermo del Toro to direct, James Cameron to Produce) and coordinated the development and casting of PACIFIC RIM (Legendary Pictures/ WB, July 12, 2013).
Samantha Pickett :
Samantha Taylor Pickett is a producer and former production and development executive. She recently departed her Vice President of Production & Development post at Panorama Media to focus full time on producing innovative zeitgeist-capturing films, beginning with her inaugural project, XO, a youth driven, multi-media theatrical and digital experience.
Prior to joining Panorama in 2012, Samantha worked at Focus Features for nearly 5 years in Production and Acquisitions. While at Focus, Samantha supervised and served as the primary executive on many award winning films, including, Noah Baumbach's “Greenberg,” Lisa Cholodenko's “The Kids Are All Right,” Sofia Coppola's “Somewhere,” Gus Van Sant's “Promised Land,” and Dee Rees's “Pariah.” Samantha was also a production and acquisitions executive at Paramount Vantage and assisted acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann. Before making the leap into the film business at Creative Artists Agency, Samantha practiced corporate law at Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison in New York City. Samantha is a graduate of Cornell University and Rutgers University School of Law.
