Meet Thomas Pettinelli | Director of Development at Branded Pictures Entertainment, Producer, and Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Thomas Pettinelli and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thomas, how do you think about risk?
I like the idea of starting the interview with the question of risk. It’s a term with a certain connotation, but I’ve always had a bit of a different perspective on it. When I was younger, I got the stereotypical side eye when mentioning that I wanted to be a writer or producer or move to California to work in Hollywood. Not to fall into a cliché, but like many artists, I too had teachers who told me I could… and those that said I couldn’t. Not to mention the family members who encouraged the infamous “backup plan.” And therein lies the risk.

I look at my friends who are not in the entertainment industry, who I cherish dearly, and well, don’t they have worries too? Of one kind or another. Money problems. Relationship problems. Just plain existential, “what does it all mean?” problems.

So again, what really is the risk? I’m not ignorant to the fact that statistics are not on your side to make it in the arts, or to have sustained success. It’s somewhat comparable to being a professional athlete or getting into NASA. But on the other hand, what is the risk if Michael Jordan or Neil Armstrong decide to not follow their passions?

Would they be happier? Less stressed? Perhaps. Maybe not.

Simply put, life is a risky proposition altogether. In fact, I find it more difficult to understand those who work in entertainment and preach safe bets, proprietary algorithms and/or find themselves frustrated with producing content they’re not happy with for years. If you’re going to go for it, go for it all. Strive for the things that fulfill you and projects that affect audiences in ways you wish to share.

It was risk that started movies in the first place. Risk that built the studio system and that continues to bring us groundbreaking stories. When the industry reinvents itself, it can present tremendous opportunities to producers and artists who embrace it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ll fuse the story of my career with some additional shoutouts along the way. It started with my Dad, who brought me to Jurassic Park when I was two. I have no memory of this experience, but it’s always been fun to think that it impacted me on a subconscious level. I always loved getting lost in immersive worlds from Hook to Lord of The Rings. Blade Runner to Alien. 2001: A Space Odyssey to The Shining. The Nightmare Before Christmas to Batman Returns. Legend to Pan’s Labyrinth. These were my favorite films growing up. Yeah, there was no filter in my house. That led to poetry and writing imaginary worlds in high school and college.

I got my start professionally when fellow Emerson alumn Richard Arlook hired me as an intern. He taught me the ropes and etiquette of the agency/management world and he’s gone to bat for me every step of the way. For that I’m incredibly grateful.

Another shoutout to Professor Jim Macak (Emerson and Chapman) who helped me immensely along my journey. No one did more for budding writers. He organized monthly gatherings at the old Dupar’s in Studio City, held pitch competitions, and mentored countless students. He also helped connect me to my first assistant job by introducing me to Joshua Banta, then Director of Development at NBCUniversal.

As a writer, who initially had no interest in producing, I didn’t know how I was going to make a living, but development had an obvious appeal. You mean I get to work with writers and directors all day, reading constantly and immersing myself in story?!?!

It sounded like a dream come true. And it was. I love development with all its challenges to this day.

At NBCUniversal, my bosses Joshua and Gregory Noveck (our SVP) were more than just colleagues, they were incredible mentors as well. They opened my mind to the fact that there are many types of producers and, though rare, it is possible to write and come at it from the creative side.

I fell in love with the idea that I can empower artists and help elevate them in a collaborative way. I find great beauty in that, and now there’s an added passion to produce things as well as pursue my own writing projects.

After NBCUni, I joined J. Todd Harris (President) and Marc Marcum (VP) at Branded Pictures Entertainment where I received a crash course in every aspect of producing, from financing and budgeting to production and distribution. Few have had as much experience in this business as them, having launched or continued multiple franchises and having done over 50 films. Our company specializes in IP adaptations for film, TV, theatre, and new media. 13 films and (soon to be) 5 Broadway shows later, it’s been an absolute joy.

For Broadway, I worked on the opening runs of Doctor Zhivago: The Musical and American Psycho: The Musical and the successful off-Broadway production of Heathers: The Musical.

Recent BPE films include the Luke Wilson and Martin Sheen starrer 12 Mighty Orphans (Sony Pictures Classics), pandemic drive-in hit Followed, On Fire starring William H. Macy and Aaron Sorkin’s Oscar-nominated The Trial of the Chicago 7.

We have multiple stage shows on the horizon for the coming year –

Soul Train and Buena Vista Social Club are set to hit Broadway in 2024. In development is a show based on the life of the iconic Maya Angelou (Phenomenal Woman).

A sampling of our feature projects that I’m excited about include –

Rift, an adaptation of a critically acclaimed LGBTQ+ Icelandic film, Dance Dance Revolution, based on the pop culture video game phenomenon and Danny And The Dinosaur, a reimagining of the beloved children’s book with Legendary Entertainment.
In terms of my personal writing projects, I’m working on telling the true story of sports icon Barbara Williams, who was the first female coach in professional men’s sports. In the 70’s she broke new ground by fusing figure skating with hockey, She’s a pioneer who coached one of the greatest sports dynasties of all time in the New York Islanders, and still coaches’ youth to this day. I’m writing on our Followed sequel and cooking something up with animation director Angelo Hatgistavrou that we hope speaks to the Greek experience.
In truth, I’m busier than I’ve ever been.
To tie this back to the matter of risk. What a terrifying, horrifying and absolutely incredible time to work in entertainment! You want to make a musical? Make it on TikTok. Maybe it’ll be bigger than a show in a theatre on Broadway. You want to create the next iconic monster franchise? It might be lurking in a forum in the deepest recesses of the internet. Comedy Special? You can film yourself in a room for a year and put up a masterpiece in experimental art on Netflix or create a YouTube series that gets picked up by HBO. Comic Book? I recently met multiple comic book writers raising six figures on Patreon for their next franchise. VR, AR, The Metaverse? Just because folks don’t understand it doesn’t mean the future isn’t on our doorstep and a sandbox to play in. A number of directors I’ve spoken to want to create in that space. Just because the studios don’t know how to monetize it yet, doesn’t mean there isn’t a massive market waiting out there. There is no right or wrong. In the eternal words of Bob Dylan, “The Times They Are A-Changin.’”

I see all these mediums and technological advances feeding each other. They’re all entry points and tools. One could argue that for the first time in human history, artists, creators, and producers have access to massive audiences in various spaces and more options than ever to reach them.

So yes, there’s risk. But I look and see opportunity. So, wherever you live. Whatever device you’re on. Pull up a chair. Welcome to the show.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In terms of favorite spots in the city, I’d have to start with Priscilla’s coffee shop, which is an institution for writers and creatives in the Toluca Lake neighborhood. Paty’s is a mom-and-pop restaurant that reminds me of the diners back home, but is unmistakably Hollywood when you look at a wall full of headshots. My other favorite café GiorgiPorgi, which felt like you were stepping into Blade Runner, sadly closed. RIP.

Speaking of Blade Runner, sometimes I like to visit the Bradbury building for inspiration. I’ll make it a downtown day. Hit up Grand Central Market, The Last Bookstore and Little Tokyo. All favorite spots of mine. For some reason, it feels like that area can be terribly underrated.

For lunch, Yuko Kitchen in the Miracle Mile area is one of my favorite spots to write. Especially, when I look up and see anime playing in the background. For great Greek food, Papa Cristo’s is the spot. As a Greek, I can be incredibly picky, but their food is excellent and many a Sunday us Greeks will congregate there. Yamashiro is my favorite restaurant in the city. The food is delicious, the views stunning and it’s haunted, how can you go wrong!

Lastly, I find the nature in and around LA incredibly inspiring. Griffith Park, biking along the LA River, Point Dume in Malibu and Thousand Step beach in Laguna all have an energy about them and beauty that transports me.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that I want to recognize and dedicate my shoutout to. My colleagues at BPE, J. Todd Harris and Marc Marcum who I’ve worked with for over a decade now.

Matthew Brewbaker, Jason Kwon, and John Harris who I’ve started new ventures with as well!

My horror podcast collaborators Kyle Haley, Kurt Steinmuller, David Labovitch and Jasmine De La Fuente.

Shoutout to my wife Sarah Pettinelli who puts up with my sleepless nights to get it all done and my daughter Arwyn who brings me more joy than I could have ever imagined possible.

My parents and friends have been incredibly supportive as well. I want to give a special thanks to my Papou, Anthony Bellivan, who passed a couple of years ago at age 94. He was one of the most influential people in my life and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him. My Yiayia, Betty Bellivan, is 91 and still kicking. I treasure every day I have with her. I was lucky to have both sets of grandparents in my life and each of them influenced me in their own way.

Website: https://www.brandedpicturesentertainment.com/

Instagram: @TAPettinelli

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-pettinelli-a8b3262b/

Twitter: @TAPettinelli

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6702185/