Break Media partners with New Regency Productions for "Prototype" -- a short film competition to discover the next wave of filmmakers

LOS ANGELES, June 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Break Media, digital media company and leader in male-targeted digital content creation and distribution, today announced the launch of "Prototype," an online film program in partnership with New Regency Productions, the studio behind "Fight Club" and "The Internship."  The program, which kicks off today, will utilize Break Media's vast digital platforms to discover up and coming directorial talent and connect them directly with Hollywood.  Eight promising filmmakers will be awarded $20,000 each to direct their own action, sci-fi or effects-driven short film. One of the eight finalists will win a coveted production deal with New Regency with the opportunity to develop their vision into a full-length feature. Filmmakers can visit www.BreakMedia.com/Prototype to submit a short film script, treatment for their full-length feature and directing sample to enter.

"Prototype is a way to discover and cultivate talent by providing them with the financing, distribution, and access to the entertainment industry that they wouldn't otherwise have," said Greg Siegel, SVP Entertainment Development, Break Media. "Our partnership with New Regency will help aspiring filmmakers break through to larger audiences than they have traditionally had online."

Eight filmmakers will be selected to receive $20,000 each and the guidance of creative executives from Break Media and New Regency to make a 5 – 10 minute short, which will be distributed to Break Media's web, mobile, YouTube and OTT platforms.  One filmmaker of the eight will be awarded a production deal with the opportunity to develop their short into a feature-length film, produced by New Regency Productions.  As selected by creative executives at Break Media and New Regency, the eight shorts will be revealed in the Fall with the winning short announcement to come in early 2014. 

"Digital platforms have proven to be a hub for exciting new intellectual property and talent," said David Manpearl, SVP of Production, New Regency. "We're excited to partner with Break Media, one of the leaders in digital entertainment content, to uncover and cultivate the future of our industry online."

Break Media is continuing to expand into feature-length entertainment and is currently in production on Higher Power, a high-octane, effects-driven sci-fi thriller. The project is being produced co-produced by Break Media and Lorenzo di Bonaventura (Transformers, GI Joe) and will be directed by Hollywood filmmaker and VFX specialist Matt Santoro (300, X-Men Origins: Wolverine) from a script by Julia Fair.

The official deadline for submissions is August 31, 2013. For rules and additional guidelines, please visit www.BreakMedia.com/Prototype. Like Prototype on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @PrototypeFilm.

About Break Media
Founded in 2004, Break Media is a Los Angeles based digital media company and the leader in male-targeted content creation and distribution.  The company reaches more than 70 million unique visitors per month across its digital properties, including the #1 comedy site Break.com and top men's lifestyle property MadeMan.com, and maintains a growing presence on emerging platforms with over two million YouTube subscribers and four million mobile app installs.  Break Media's internal production studio and programming team creates award winning branded entertainment programs and top original video content including Man at Arms, Speakeasy and Honest Trailers.  Break Media also recently announced its expansion into feature-length development and distribution, partnering with up and coming filmmakers, established producers and top film studios. 

Experts in understanding men, Break Media launched the Acumen insights portal in 2012, as well as industry leading annual study, The Acumen Report: The Definitive Guide to Men, which provides unparalleled insight into men's lifestyles and behaviors.

About New Regency
Founded in 1991 by renowned producer Arnon Milchan, New Regency Productions is actively engaged in entertaining the world via the production and distribution of motion pictures, television and sports through strategic alliances with media companies. Distributing its films through Twentieth Century Fox, Regency has produced many high-profile films over the years, including: Fight Club, Heat, JFK, Alvin and the Chipmunks, LA Confidential, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Under Siege, Free Willy, A Time To Kill, Devil's Advocate, Tin Cup, City of Angels, The Negotiator, Entrapment, Don't Say a Word, Unfaithful, Man on Fire, Jumper, Love & Other Drugs and The Internship. Upcoming films include, 12 Years A Slave and Runner, Runner with Fox and Noah with Paramount.  The distribution partnership with Fox extends to all media worldwide except international pay and free television. Regency self-distributes international television rights to multiple licensees. For more information, log onto http://www.newregency.com/

SOURCE Break Media