Chicago Native is First to Win Best Short Film Honors on Sony Pictures' Crackle

    SAUSALITO, Calif., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Crackle, a Sony Pictures
 Entertainment Company, has named John Kramer the winner of its first short-
 film contest. Filmmakers across the country submitted their best work to
 the streaming entertainment network's Shorts channel with the hope of
 winning a development deal with Crackle Studios and a future pitch meeting
 with executives at Columbia Pictures to discuss their feature film ideas.
     John Kramer's short film Hit Men, which presents a unique take on the
 frenzy surrounding the upcoming 2008 elections, caught the eye of Crackle
 audiences as well as of the competition's impressive roster of judges. The
 distinguished judging panel of Columbia Pictures' production executives
 includes Elizabeth Cantillon (Executive Vice President, Production), Sam
 Dickerman (Senior Vice President, Production), Andrea Giannetti (Executive
 Vice President, Production), and Jonathan Kadin (Senior Vice President,
 Production) among several others.
     "Hit Men showcases Kramer's budding talent and makes clear why our
 relationship with Crackle works -- their access to up-and-coming filmmakers
 helps us to discover the broadest range of creative new voices," said Sean
 Carey, senior executive vice president, Sony Pictures.
     Since launching in July, Crackle offers video creators a chance at fame
 with contests across its many entertainment channels. Whether you're an
 aspiring comic, musician, filmmaker or animator, tomorrow's stars can find
 a contest and a channel to meet their passion. Contest prizes include
 development deals with Crackle Studios and pitch meetings with Hollywood
 executives. The Shorts channel offers regular competitions urging
 up-and-coming filmmakers to submit their short films for the shot of
 gaining access to two of Hollywood's hottest commodities -- development
 deals and pitch meetings.
     As a result of winning the Shorts contest, John will meet with Crackle
 executives to discuss his ideas for recurring webisodes/series on the
 streaming network and at a later date, will head to Los Angeles to pitch
 his feature-length ideas to Columbia Pictures' executives.
     John has been involved in both comedy and theater for much of his adult
 life and he has worked at Chicago's famed Second City Theater since
 graduating from college. During his tenure at Second City, he worked with
 then up-and-comers, and now stars, like Steven Colbert and Tina Fey. Today,
 it's John's chance to shine.
     "I've been writing short films for over 20 years, but I could never
 seem to break through that barrier," says John. "It's amazing what the
 Internet can do. With something like Crackle, I can upload my video and the
 next day, it will get millions of views. Plus, my teenage sons think this
 is the coolest thing their dad has done yet!"
     Check out John's prize-worthy video:
 http://crackle.com/c/Shorts/#id=2073262
     A fan of both the comedy and science fiction genres, John intends to
 continue making short (as well as longer) films and hopes to sell the
 screenplay he has been working on with a writing partner.
     For more compelling short films and the most entertaining videos
 available, check out http://www.Crackle.com.
     About Crackle
     Crackle, Inc., a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company, is a
 multi-platform video entertainment network and studio that distributes work
 from the hottest emerging talent on the web and beyond. Crackle's addictive
 channels and shows reach a global audience across the Internet, in the
 living room, and on devices including a broad range of Sony electronics.
 Crackle, in on-going collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment and
 other leading partners, discovers and promotes the stars of tomorrow. Visit
 Crackle's site at http://www.crackle.com.
 
 

SOURCE Crackle, Inc.