Thunder Studios, a full-service production facility today announces its foray into the independent film space by launching an independent film division. Through a suite of innovative marketing and production services, the company aims to support indie filmmakers on a global scale across a variety of distribution channels, including theatrical, VOD, cable and digital.
Thunder Studios also announces a joint venture with Pipeline Motion Picture Group (Pipeline MPG) to represent, sell and distribute film and television properties developed by the Studio as well as third party filmmakers to foreign markets. Pipeline MPG was founded in 2010 by industry veterans and movie enthusiasts Tai Truesdell and Farouk Hadef. With more than thirty years of combined experience, Truesdell and Hadef bring their extensive expertise in assessing and distributing independent properties into the international and domestic marketplace.
Stephan Manpearl, Thunder Studios head of strategic partnerships will head the new division, leveraging his 35 years of experience providing marketing services to more than 500 feature films. Manpearl has been at the forefront of managing and securing strategic alliances for the company and as part of the new division, will oversee all acquisition, marketing and distribution strategies working side by side with the Pipeline team, as well as Andrew Troy of Troy Entertainment, who also serves as Thunder Studios’ Head of Production with more than 15 years of hands-on experience in all aspects of production and post-production will work closely with Manpearl and Pipeline.
“Thunder Studios’ mission has always been to empower filmmakers, commercial directors and digital content creators who are looking to produce the highest quality content across multiple platforms. Thunder’s independent film division is a natural progression to further support these creators by not only provide them our facility and suite of post-production and marketing services, but also to help take their properties into the global marketplace,” said Rodric David, CEO of Thunder Studios.
Thunder Studios film division plans to acquire and distribute six to eight films independently produced projects per year, domestically and/or internationally. Its team is comprised of highly experienced traditional and digital marketing experts with a deep understanding of new media and how it can have a positive impact on the marketing of traditional programming that the Independent division will ultimately engage for distribution.
“Every year, there are thousands of orphan films that need good homes. Our team of experts aim to find the right platform for the right film and will work together to support talented filmmakers that meet our greenlight criteria,” said Manpearl. “Through Thunder’s independent film division we are able to offer all the tools and capabilities of a major studio, as well as the sensibilities and new media freshness of today’s marketplace.”
Thunder’s offering to filmmakers include the Studios’ 20 sound stages, post-production facilities, with VFX and VR capabilities, sound, music licensing department, and full-delivery, complete marketing services, among many others. Additionally, the division will be supported through its roster of influencer and digital talent that it currently works with as part Thunder’s digital media division.
Manpearl , Troy and Pipeline team will be attending this year’s American Film Market taking place November 4th‐11th at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and plan announce its initial slate of films and additional initiatives early next year.