Gunpowder & Sky
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | January 2016 |
| Founders | Van Toffler, Floris Bauer |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California |
Area served | Global |
Key people | Van Toffler, Floris Bauer |
| Products |
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| Brands |
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| Website | gunpowdersky |
Gunpowder & Sky is a Los Angeles–based independent studio that produces feature films, series, short-form content, and podcasts. The company was founded in 2016 by Van Toffler and Floris Bauer. It runs DUST, a sci-fi streaming service featuring short films, series, and behind-the-scenes content, and ALTER, a horror brand that streams on selected TV platforms.
History
[edit]In January 2016, Van Toffler (former CEO of Viacom Media Networks Music Group), Floris Bauer (formerly global head of strategy at Dutch entertainment company Endemol, and Otter Media), formed Gunpowder & Sky as an independent studio.[1] The name "Gunpowder & Sky" comes from a lyric from the Aimee Mann song, "4th of July."[1]
In February 2016, Gunpowder & Sky, along with Comcast Ventures, invested in Cut, a creator of digital video content.[2]
In March 2016, Gunpowder & Sky invested in viral video producer Shareability.[3]
In September 2016, the company acquired independent film distribution company Filmbuff.[4]
In November 2016, Gunpowder & Sky launched DUST, a sci-fi streaming service featuring short films, series, and behind-the-scenes content.[5]
In January 2017, the company acquired production company Supergravity Pictures.[6]
In August 2018, Gunpowder & Sky launched DUSTx, a free streaming sci-fi service on Roku.[7]
In April 2020, Gunpowder & Sky formed a joint venture with talent manager and production company Circle of Confusion to produce sci-fi and horror projects.[8]
In March 2021, the company signed a two-year first-look deal with the WarnerMedia cable network to provide documentaries and docuseries from Gunpowder & Sky's library to HBO and HBO Max.[9]
In September 2021, the company announced the launch of the DUST Channel on streaming service Tubi.[10]
In May 2022, the company announced its horror brand ALTER was also launching as a free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel, on connected TV platforms including Samsung TV+, STIRR and Redbox.[11]
Business
[edit]Gunpowder & Sky is a production company that produces feature films, series, short-form content and podcasts. Notable productions include the feature films Her Smell (2018), Hearts Beat Loud (2018), The Little Hours (2017); documentaries Everybody's Everything (2019), Last Exit: Space (2022),[12] Sometimes When We Touch: The Reign, Ruin and Resurrection of Soft Rock (2023),[13] Sheryl (2022),[14] Call Me Miss Cleo;[15] series 50 States of Fright (2020);[16] and the DUST podcast (2019–2021).[17]
Brands
[edit]Gunpowder & Sky's main brands are the sci-fi channel DUST and the horror channel ALTER. The channels are available on a variety of paid and free streaming devices and services.[10][11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Spangler, Todd (January 13, 2016). "Van Toffler Launches Digital Studio Backed by Chernin Group, AT&T". Variety. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
- ^ "Viral Video Producer Cut Lands Funding Round From New Otter Media Venture". tubefilter.com. February 17, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ "Van Toffler's Gunpowder & Sky Invests in Viral-Video Studio Shareability". variety.com. March 9, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ Spangler, Todd (September 20, 2016). "Gunpowder & Sky Acquires FilmBuff Indie Film Distributor". variety.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ Nakamura, Reid (November 17, 2016). "Gunpowder & Sky Launches Sci-Fi Streaming Service, Dust". thewrap.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ Jarvey, Natalie (November 17, 2016). "Gunpowder & Sky Acquires Production Startup Supergravity Pictures". thewrap.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ Spangler, Todd (August 8, 2018). "Gunpowder & Sky to Launch DUSTx, Free Sci-Fi Streaming Channel on Roku". variety.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (April 28, 2020). "Gunpowder & Sky, Circle of Confusion Form Joint Venture To Produce Sci-Fi & Horror Projects". deadline.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ White, Peter (March 24, 2021). "Gunpowder & Sky Strikes First-Look Doc Deal With HBO Max & HBO". deadline.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ a b "Tubi launches sci-fi-centric DUST channel with Gunpowder & Sky". FOX 10 Phoenix. September 10, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ a b "Alter expands reach of horror brand with FAST channel launch". rapidtvnews.com. May 2, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ Lang, Brent (September 14, 2020). "Werner Herzog, Rudolph Herzog Team With Gunpowder & Sky on 'Last Exit: Space'". variety.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ Willman, Chris (December 12, 2022). "Soft-Rock Doc Series, 'Sometimes When We Touch,' Slated by Paramount+ for January". variety.com. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
- ^ Mier, Tomas (March 11, 2022). "'Really High Highs and Real Low Lows:' Showtime Announces Sheryl Crow Doc". rollingstone.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ Saad, Nardine (December 16, 2022). "What we learned from 'Call Me Miss Cleo' documentary about the infamous '90s TV psychic". latimes.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ Evangilista, Chris (April 3, 2020). "'50 States Of Fright' Trailer: Sam Raimi And Quibi Are Ready To Scare You". slashfilm.com. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
- ^ "Review: Find Out if Justice Becomes Vengeance in 'DUST: CHRYSALIS'". nerdsandbeyond.com. October 28, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2023.