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Clay Epstein is President of Film Mode Entertainment, a worldwide sales and production company he launched in March 2016 which aims to present 10-15 theatrical titles a year.Prior to founding Film Mode, Epstein spent several years at Arclight Films as Senior Vice President, Sales and Acquisitions. While there, he represented such feature films as Dog Eat Dog, Paper Planes, Predestination, and Last Knights.Before joining Arclight in 2012, Epstein worked at The Little Film Company where he served as Vice President, Sales and Acquisitions. He joined the company in 2002, where his responsibilities included film development, acquisition and distribution. While there, he helped grow the company into a leading boutique sales agency representing prestigious titles such as Academy Award nominees Tsotsi and The Last Station as well as Eye of The Storm.Epstein was previously a sales executive at First Look Studios, where he was solely responsible for all distribution of the company's 300-plus title library to Asia, ancillary and new media markets. He started his career at Kushner-Locke.
Clay Epstein has over twenty years of experience as an Entertainment Executive. Since launching his own company in 2016, he is the President and Owner of Film Mode Entertainment, a worldwide sales and distribution entity with a producer friendly initiative. In addition to bringing films to audiences around the globe, Clay executive produces many of the company's titles. As an Executive Producer, Clayis instrumental in working with filmmakers in the early stages of pre‐production to help build the financing, and creative elements to achieve these successes worldwide. To better help producers and directors who may be less experienced, Film Mode has an active consultancy division, offering producers expertise and guidance on financial models, marketing, and distribution strategies.Film Mode represents over 50 independent feature films worldwide, with a client base that spans the globe. Recent successes include BREACH starring Bruce Willis, AS THEY MADE US starring Dustin Hoffman, and Candice Bergan, CRYPTO starring Kurt Russel, LITTLE PINK HOUSE starring Catherine Keener, and MONSTROUS starring Christina Ricci.Prior to launching Film Mode, Clay was SVP Sales & Acquisitions at Arclight Films. He was instrumental in representing high profile films such as Paul Schrader 's DOG EAT DOG starring Nicolas Cage, and the Spirig brother's PREDESTINATION starring Ethan Hawke. Earlier in his career, Clay represented prestigious titles such as TSOTSI (2006, Academy Award Winner for Best Foreign Language,) and THELAST STATION (2010, Academy Award Nominee for Best Performance by an Actress.) Clay earned a BA in Fine Arts, from California State University, Northridge majoring in Film Production and minoring in Italian Language.In addition to his professional accomplishments, he holds the elected position of Chairman of Independent Film and Television Alliance. Clay is an instructor at UCLA Extension, and a frequent lecturer at film festivals worldwide., a member of PGA, FIND, BAFTA LA, and the Australian AcademyCinema Television Arts.
Clay Epstein, president of Film Mode Entertainment, has spent his life pushing the boundaries of what is possible for independent filmmakers. Epstein is inventive, always looking for that special "something" that makes a film stand out. In doing so, he has created a successful career in making films through Film Mode Entertainment and has become the co-chair of the Indedpent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) and American Film Market (AFM). Epstein gives us the latest forecast in domestic and international trends, where the independent film circuit is going, and what filmmakers should do to take advantage of both IFTA and AFM's services. The IFTA supports, protects, and advances the global independent film and TV industry. Their membership includes more than 140 companies from 23 countries. From independent production and distribution companies to sales agents and financiers, they are the only organization that unites the collective voice of Independents worldwide and ensures that they are well represented across all issues that impact the independent business. AFM includes acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world's press, and all those who provide services to the motion picture industry. This brings a place for everyone to converge to push forward those must-see films. Epstein is a wealth of knowledge about independent filmmaking and gives valuable tips and tricks to get yourself in the door. Host: Monica Gleberman Editor: Miranda Currier Social Media Graphic: Jojo -- Bio: Clay Epstein is the President and Owner of Film Mode Entertainment, a worldwide sales and distribution entity with a producer friendly initiative. In addition to representing worldwide rights, Clay executive produces many of the company's titles. In 2021, Film Mode launched a consulting division offering producers expertise and guidance on financial models, marketing, and distribution strategies. Film Mode has had recent successes with films such as CRYPTO starring Kurt Russel, LITTLE PINK HOUSE starring Catherine Keener and Mayim Bialik's directorial debut AS SICK AS THEY MADE US starring Dustin Hoffman, Candice Bergan, Dianna Agron and Simon Helberg. Prior to Film Mode, Clay was SVP Sales & Acquisitions at Arclight Films. He was instrumental in acquiring and representing high profile films such as Paul Schrader 's DOG EAT DOG starring Nicolas Cage, and the Spirig brother's PREDESTINATION starring Ethan Hawke. Earlier in his career, Clay represented prestigious titles such as TSOTSI (2006, Academy Award Winner for Best Foreign Language,) and THE LAST STATION (2010, Academy Award Nominee for Best Performance by an Actress.) Clay earned a BA in Fine Arts, from California State University, Northridge majoring in Film Production and minoring in Italian Language. In addition to his professional accomplishments, he holds the elected position of Chairman of Independent Film and Television Alliance. Clay is an instructor at UCLA Extension, and a frequent lecturer at film festivals worldwide., a member of PGA, FIND, BAFTA LA, and the Australian Academy Cinema Television Arts. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SilenceonSet and Instagram @SilenceonSetPod
Founder of Film Mode Entertainment, Clay Epstein stops by to discuss the importance of film distribution and what it takes to have your film sold to the big boys like Netflix or Amazon. Ever wonder what genres will get your movie on the big screen? Well, Epstein breaks it down as Mark even has a movie that is in the works. 08:12 – Guest Interview with Clay EpsteinFollow us on social mediaInstagram (@lets_get_into_it)Twitter (@LetsGetInto_Ent) A Jam Street Media Production. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
This week, the Grue-Crew take a look at a pair of films featuring offspring of famous Hollywood actors. The first film this week is BLOOD BOUND from director Richard LeMay, featuring a young woman targeted by a demonic cult looking to claim her soul. The second film is IO from director Jonathan Hubert, featuring a woman desperately searching for a way to survive on a desolate Earth after most of the population has fled to IO. Doc Rotten and Vanessa Thompson from Horror News Radio along with Jeff Mohr from Decades of Horror: The Classic Era and Rafe Telsch share their thoughts about this week's awesome collection of streaming horror films. Gruesome Magazine Podcast - Episode 051 BLOOD BOUND - IO BLOOD BOUND Every 25 years, it begins. Bound to an ancient pact, a family of unlimited power descends upon a small rural town to sacrifice four human lives, one being a member of their own family. This Rosemary’s Baby meets Drag Me to Hell thriller takes a dark look into how far the human spirit can take one soul in it’s most desperate hour. - IMDb Director: Richard LeMay Cast: Joseph Melendez (The Americans), Eden Brolin (Beyond), Rosa Arredondo (Roswell, New Mexico), Gerald McCullouch (C.S.I), and Cobra Kai’s Vanessa Rubio Release: Available on VOD January 15, 2019, from Clay Epstein’s Film Mode Entertainment. IO As a young scientist searches for a way to save a dying Earth, she finds a connection with a man who's racing to catch the last shuttle off the planet. - IMDb Director: Jonathan Helpert Cast: Margaret Qualley, Anthony Mackie, Danny Huston Release: Currently Available on NETFLIX
Pop Art Painter Jamie Roxx (www.JamieRoxx.us) welcomes the Cast & Crew of Blood Bound (2019 Horror | Thriller) to the Show! Richard LeMay (writer/director) - www.imdb.com/name/nm0501165 Eric Nelsen (Actor) - www.imdb.com/name/nm2235173 Joseph Melendez (Actor) - www.imdb.com/name/nm1645332 www.facebook.com/thedarkrite Joseph Melendez (“The Americans”), Eden Brolin (‘’Beyond’’), Rosa Arredondo (“Roswell, New Mexico”), Gerald McCullouch (“C.S.I”), and Cobra Kai’s Vanessa Rubio star in a new film from the director of Dementia 13, Blood Bound available on Demand January 15 from Clay Epstein’s Film Mode Entertainment. Synopsis : Every 25 years, it begins. Bound to an ancient pact, a family of unlimited power descends upon a small rural town to sacrifice four human lives, one being a member of their own family. This Rosemary’s Baby meets Drag Me to Hell thriller takes a dark look into how far the human spirit can take one soul in it’s most desperate hour.
We talk about The Harrowing with writer-director Jon Keeyes, Actors Matthew Tompkins & Arianne MartinThis episode is sponsored by Deadly Grounds Coffee "Its good to get a little Deadly" https://deadlygroundscoffee.comThe Harrowing, from director Jon Keeyes (American Nightmare) and starring genre icons Michael Ironside (Total Recall, Starship Troopers) and Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy, G.I Joe: The Rise of Cobra), premieres on VOD Christmas day from Film Mode Entertainment.Haunted by the ritualistic killing of his best friend, a vice detective (Matthew Tompkins, Sicario) determined to discover the truth goes undercover into a forensic hospital and is plunged into his own personal hell where demons might be real.Jon Keeyes, writer and director of the film, says “We've carefully crafted an intelligent, suspenseful, tense thriller that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats while driving them down a road of psychological twists and turns. Right out of the gate, we pull them in with an explosive opening sequence and then keep them guessing as the mystery unfolds until we blow their minds in the final moments. Being able to construct such an intricate puzzle like this - that is both entertaining and thought-provoking - has been a joy."Matthew Tompkins, Producer: "The Harrowing is carefully constructed to be a powerful synergy of elements that make it one of those rare 'elevated' genre films with true crossover appeal to a wide variety of hardcore fans...The film is a potent mix of horror and supernatural elements that underpin a very smart, disturbing, and complicated psychological thriller...the idea of being able to drive the narrative utilizing all of these things, to truly pull that off, from both a commercial and artistic perspective, was a fantastic opportunity for us as Filmmakers."In addition to Ironside, Vosloo, and Tompkins, the dynamic ensemble cast also includes ‘’The Haunting of Hill House’’’s Arianne Martin and Damon Carney (Hellraiser : Judgement).Available on VOD and on Demand December 25, 2018 from Clay Epstein’s Film Mode Entertainment.Find out more at https://wicked-horror-show.pinecast.coSend us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/wicked-horror-show/384cc1f5-f012-4bc1-b0d5-1242f1bbaacf
This week, things are not always what they seem. The grue-crew dive into a Yuletide anthology film and head to the psych ward for some demonic mumbo-jumbo. The first film this week is ALL THE CREATURES WERE STIRRING from directors David Ian McKendry and Rebekah McKendry, featuring a variety of horrific tales for the holiday season. The second film is THE HARROWING from director Jon Keeyes, featuring a rogue detective on the hunt for a demonic secret tucked deep inside an asylum. Doc Rotten and Vanessa Thompson from Horror News Radio along with Jeff Mohr from Decades of Horror: The Classic Era share their thoughts about this week's awesome collection of streaming horror films. Gruesome Magazine Podcast - Episode 048 ALL THE CREATURES WERE STIRRING - THE HARROWING All The Creatures Were Stirring When an awkward date on Christmas Eve leads a couple into a strange theater, they're treated to a bizarre and frightening collection of Christmas stories, featuring a wide ensemble of characters doing their best to avoid the horrors of the holidays. From boring office parties and last-minute shopping to vengeful stalkers and immortal demons, there's plenty out there to fear this holiday season. "A Christmas horror anthology? I loved it. I had so much fun watching this!" - Vanessa "I liked this. I liked anthologies in general and the trouble with anthologies most of the time is that they’re uneven. … This one, at least for me, 4 out of 5 are thumbs up and the fifth one, I really liked the idea, but I wanted to see a lot more." - Jeff "It certainly is successful for what it is, what it sets out to do. I really like the tone and the feel and the execution of the interstitials, the little theater scenes. … Of course, as much Maria Olsen as you can put into your film, do it!" - Doc Director: David Ian McKendry, Rebekah McKendry Cast: Graham Skipper, Matt Long, Megan Duffy, Constance Wu Release: Currently available on SHUDDER The Harrowing Haunted by the ritualistic killing of his best friend, a vice detective determined to discover the truth goes undercover into a forensic hospital and is plunged into his own personal Hell where demons might be real. "It does a really good job at keeping you unsure as to what’s going on because you get two stories here and you have to decide who’s telling the truth and who’s not." - Vanessa "This is a really complicated character to play and … I thought Matthew Tompkins did a really good job. I was impressed with what he did." - Jeff "It’s a solid entry. It’s an impressive introduction to a new director (Jon Keeyes). It will be interesting to see what he does next." - Doc Director: Jon Keeyes Cast: Matthew Thompkins, Arnold Vosloo, Michael Ironside Release: Available on VOD and on Demand December 25, 2018 from Clay Epstein’s Film Mode Entertainment.
Pop Art Painter Jamie Roxx (www.JamieRoxx.us) welcomes Royce Gorsuch (Writer, Director: Mad Genius (2017) Sci-Fi) to the Show! www.themadgeniusproject.com The Matrix meets Mr Robot in the most captivating and topical science fiction film of the year, MAD GENIUS, available on VOD July 3 from Film Mode Entertainment. Mad genius and hacker, Mason Wells (Chris Mason, ''Pretty Little Liars : The Perfectionists'') has a mission to “hack the human mind” in order to save humanity, but first must reconcile his multiple alter egos. His most threatening alter ego, Finn (Scott Mechlowicz, Euro Trip) pushes Mason to do whatever is necessary to accomplish their mission including theft, bribery and intimidation. As their mission reaches the brink of danger, they become hunted by a nihilistic madman named Eden after they steal his technology and discover that he is working on the exact same project that they are. Ultimately, Mason discovers the only way to defeat Eden may be the ultimate hack, one he never thought imaginable.
Pop Art Painter Jamie Roxx (www.JamieRoxx.us) welcomes Faran Tahir (Actor: Mad Genius (2017) Sci-Fi) to the Show! www.themadgeniusproject.comwww.facebook.com/OfficialFaranTahir The Matrix meets Mr Robot in the most captivating and topical science fiction film of the year, MAD GENIUS, available on VOD July 3 from Film Mode Entertainment. Mad genius and hacker, Mason Wells (Chris Mason, ''Pretty Little Liars : The Perfectionists'') has a mission to “hack the human mind” in order to save humanity, but first must reconcile his multiple alter egos. His most threatening alter ego, Finn (Scott Mechlowicz, Euro Trip) pushes Mason to do whatever is necessary to accomplish their mission including theft, bribery and intimidation. As their mission reaches the brink of danger, they become hunted by a nihilistic madman named Eden after they steal his technology and discover that he is working on the exact same project that they are. Ultimately, Mason discovers the only way to defeat Eden may be the ultimate hack, one he never thought imaginable.
well-known actor Faran Tahir, whose many films include STAR TREK, IRON MAN, ELYSIUM, CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR, ESCAPE PLAN and THE JUNGLE BOOK, doing press for his unique new sci-fi thriller MAD GENIUS (Screener included below), released this July.Faran Tahir has worked with some of the biggest stars in the world on some of the biggest studio films in recent history - including J.J Abrams' STAR TREK with Leonard Nimoy and Chris Pine, IRON MAN with ROBERT DOWNEY Jr, ESCAPE PLAN with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, and CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR with Tom Hanks and Amy Adams.On TV, he is known for playing 'Mallick' on SyFy's 12 MONKEYS, and prior to that, Captain Nemo on ONCE UPON A TIME, Jamil on PRISON BREAK, and as The Commander on The CW's SUPERGIRL.MAD GENIUS, out 7/3 from Film Mode Entertainment, is a sci-fi thriller that about a young man that wants to hack into the human mind to change society. Faran plays his adversary, Eden.
Join VoiceAmerica as we Broadcast LIVE form the American Film Market! The business of independent motion picture production and distribution – a truly collaborative process – reaches its peak every year at the American Film Market. Over 8,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, seminars, networking and parties. Participants come from over 80 countries and include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world's press all those who provide services to the motion picture industry.
Just Shoot It: A Podcast about Filmmaking, Screenwriting and Directing
Today we talk with Clay Epstein, the president and founder of Film Mode Entertainment, to talk all things distribution, but not after catching up with our friend Jumai Yusuf to see what she’s been up to and how she’s navigating film school during the pandemic. Check out the trailer for Stage Mother: http://www.filmmodeentertainment.com/film/6ba9924a-cd48-e811-948d-0e563b5fb261 Unpaid Endorsements: Oren: Blender, and Maury's Bagels Matt: The Imagineering Docuseries on Disney+ Clay: Microsoft Surface phone, an attachable monitor for your laptop, exploring the world of vinyls Contribute to the Just Shoot It Patreon and help support the show. Send feedback or questions to @justshootitpod or justshootitpod@gmail.com. Follow Matt on twitter and instagram. Follow Oren on twitter and instagram. Wanna be on the show? Call us with a question at (262) 6-SHOOT-1, and we’ll air your voicemail on the show. Show your support: rate and review us on iTunes. apple.co/2fl9ojy See who our guests are a week early on our instagram @JustshootItPod Music was provided by the free music archive and by Jahzzar. Each week on Just Shoot It we interview your directors, screenwriters, editors, cinematographers, and actors, and learn how they became successful, working content creators. We’ll share tips and stories of how people in the entertainment industry forced their ways into sustainable careers. We’re all about getting off your butt and making your own videos. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands