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.
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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 |
History
editIn 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
editGunpowder & 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
editGunpowder & 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 Hollywood. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ White, Peter (March 24, 2021). "Gunpowder & Sky Strikes First-Look Doc Deal With HBO Max & HBO". Deadline Hollywood. 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.