Sycamore Pictures

Sycamore Pictures
Company typePrivate
IndustryMotion picture
Founded2011
FounderBen Nearn
Tom Rice
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
Key people
Ben Nearn
Tom Rice
ProductsFilm production
Websitesycamorepictures.com

Sycamore Pictures is an American production company founded by producers Ben Nearn and Tom Rice.

History

The company was formed in 2011 with a focus on producing films with a "more redemptive tone"[1] suitable for families. Nearn, formerly an investment banker who moved on to become COO and a minority investor in Cross Creek Pictures, maintains the company's Memphis offices; Rice, an independent film producer and writer, maintains the Los Angeles office.[1] The startup funds for Sycamore were raised by Nearn from investors both from the Memphis area and elsewhere, with a business model based on profit participation by actors, directors and creative personnel.[1] The company's first production, The Way Way Back, had its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013, where distribution rights were purchased for US$9.75 million,[2] reportedly the largest distribution deal made at the festival that year.[3] Begin Again (2014) has been described as "an old-fashioned, let’s-put-on-a-show movie musical disguised as an indie relationship drama" and as "that real rarity, a feel-good story of friendship — not sexual love — between a man and woman."[4] Merry Friggin' Christmas, scheduled for release in late 2014, features Robin Williams in the last movie he made before his death in 2014.[5]

Filmography

Year Film Director Other notes
2013 The Way, Way Back Nat Faxon and Jim Rash co-production with The Walsh Company and OddLot Entertainment; distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures; Sycamore's first film
Begin Again John Carney co-production with Exclusive Media, Black Label Media, Likely Story and Apatow Productions; distributed by The Weinstein Company
2014 A Merry Friggin' Christmas Tristram Shapeero distributed by Phase 4 Films and Entertainment One Films
2015 Mississippi Grind Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck co-production with Electric City Entertainment; distributed by A24, DirecTV (United States) and Annapurna International (international)
2016 The Hollars John Krasinski co-production with Groundswell Productions and Sunday Night Productions; distributed by Sony Pictures Classics
Collide Eran Creevy co-production with IM Global, DMG Entertainment, Silver Pictures, Hands-on Producers GmbH, 42 and Automatik Entertainment; distributed by Open Road Films (United States) and Universum Film (Germany)
2017 Speech & Debate Dan Harris distributed by Vertical Entertainment
Unicorn Store Brie Larson co-production with Rhea Films, The District, Rip Cord Productions, Hercules Film Fund and 51 Entertainment; distributed by Netflix
2020 Greyhound Aaron Schneider co-production with Sony Pictures Entertainment, Stage 6 Films, FilmNation Entertainment, Bron Creative, Zhengfu Pictures and Playtone; distributed by Apple TV+

References

  1. ^ a b c Beifuss, John (5 August 2013). "Memphis Commercial Appeal". Memphis-based 'Way Back' Producer Looks Forward. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  2. ^ Rucker, LaReeca (26 July 2013). "Jackson-born producer 'Way, Way' on his way". The Clarion Ledger.
  3. ^ Shaw, Lucas (28 January 2013). "Business Insider". How Fox Searchlight Made The Biggest Deal At Sundance: $9.75M On An Egg Sandwich. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  4. ^ "Movie Capsules: What's Showing". Memphis Commercial Appeal. August 29, 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  5. ^ Khatchatourian, Maane (August 16, 2014). "Robin Williams in 'A Merry Friggin' Christmas' Clip". Variety. Retrieved 17 September 2014.


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