Production facility Thunder Studios launches indie distribution division

Long Beach, California-based production facility Thunder Studios has announce its launch of 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 announced a joint venture with Pipeline Motion Picture Group 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.

Thunder Studios head of strategic partnerships Stephan Manpearl will lead 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 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, a music licensing department, and full-delivery, 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 are attending this year’s American Film Market, currently taking place at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and plan announce its initial slate of films and additional initiatives.

Thunder Studios is a full-­service independent production studio in Long Beach, California comprising 20 stages, a backlot, and ample parking. The Studio itself exceeds 150,000 square feet with the backlot totaling an additional 60,000 square feet. Thunder’s stages can accommodate all types and sizes of production including feature length films, television shows, music videos, commercials, still photography, along with the digital creator community.

Find out more about Thunder Studios at thunderstudios.com.