Thunder Studios Launches 'Thunder Funder', an Initiative Designed to Revolutionize Independent Filmmaking

LOS ANGELES, May 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Rodric David, Founder and CEO of Thunder Studios in Long Beach, CA, announced today the launch of Thunder Funder. This initiative was created to promote and further develop the independent film industry by investing $12,000,000 annually into selected projects.

Thunder Funder provides filmmakers with a full-service production and distribution program designed to maximize an independent film's commercial opportunities by granting access to the tools only available to big budget films. To create Thunder Funder, Rodric David enlisted some of the industry's most respected equipment and services companies. Pace Pictures (post production services), Red Digital Cinema (camera equipment), and Cassian Elwes of Elevated Film Sales (distribution), to compliment Thunder Studios' offering for Thunder Funder. 

Rodric David, CEO of Thunder Funder, states, "Most independent films suffer from a lack of resources, which ultimately impacts a film's overall production quality. The Thunder Funder initiative empowers the filmmaker with all the tools required to present audiences with a film that is truly the best it can be. I am excited to partner with independent filmmakers and reinvent how independent films are financed, made and distributed."

Indie filmmakers can now submit projects at www.ThunderFunder.com for review. Selected filmmakers will be notified of their acceptance into the initiative and the Thunder Funder team will partner with the selected filmmakers to create and implement the production plan. 

Rodric David adds, "I am grateful to Heath Ryan of Pace Pictures and Cassian Elwes of Elevated Film Sales for believing in the Thunder Funder mission. Partnering with reputable companies and talented content creators, we draw upon our collective experiences to ensure Thunder Funder's success."

Heath Ryan, CEO of Pace Pictures, states, "Rodric is a visionary. It didn't take much to quickly convince me to get involved with Thunder Funder. We are excited to start creating some great independent films."

About Thunder Funder
Launched by Thunder Studios founder and CEO, Rodric David, the Thunder Funder initiative is a program designed to support, develop and promote the production of high quality independent films. Thunder Studios' experience, facilities, and production resources are central to the success of the Thunder Funder initiative, which will allocate $12,000,000 annually to independent film projects.

For more information please visit: www.ThunderFunder.com

About Thunder Studios
Thunder Studios is a six-acre (150,000 sq. ft.) complex in Long Beach California located fifteen miles from Downtown Los Angeles that houses twenty (20) state-of-the-art stages. Thunder Studios accommodates the production of films, television series, Internet content and commercials. Thunder Studios full-service offering also features access to third party staging, equipment, and facility rentals geared to the production of commercial advertising, print advertising, music videos and film.

For more information please visit: www.ThunderStudios.com

About Pace Pictures
Pace Pictures is a full-service post-production facility, working with the major studios and independents alike. Its studios include six onsite picture editorial bays complimented by a state of the art color correction suite with digital 4K projection, a Dolby Certified sound mixing stage, ADR recording stage, and sound editorial bays. The onsite Thunder facilities are tied electronically to the Westwood production and post-production facility.  

For more information please visit www.PacePictures.com

About Cassian Elwes
Cassian Elwes is the CEO of Elevated Film Sales, Inc and is an accomplished independent film producer and agent who is widely regarded as one of the most influential people in the independent film industry. Cassian began his producing career with 1983's "Oxford Blues" starring Rob Lowe and Ally Sheedy and quickly went on to make another 29 films, including "Men at Work," with Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen, and "The Chase" with Sheen.

In 1995, Cassian joined William Morris. His first effort was the long stalled project "The English Patient" which won best picture that year. He quickly followed up with such indie hits as "Slingblade" and "The Apostle," both of which were nominated for multiple Oscars. "Monster's Ball" was their follow up, which won the Oscar for Halle Berry.

The Hollywood Reporter has said that Cassian was "involved in a virtual who's who of every great independent film of the last ten years with films such as "Thank You For Smoking," "Half Nelson," and "Frozen River" '(the last two of which garnered Oscar nominations for Ryan Gosling and Melissa Leo respectively).

Cassian most recently arranged the financing and produced the Oscar winning film "Dallas Buyers Club" starring Mathew McConaughey, Jared Leto and Jennifer Garner, the Oscar nominated film "All is Lost" starring Robert Redford, and "Lee Daniels' The Butler" starring Forrest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey.

Media Contact:
Adam Handelsman
SpecOps Communications
212.518.7721 x101
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SOURCE Thunder Studios