24.01.19
Alexei Boltho & Rhodri Thomas launch
production company RAY Pictures
Backed by Endeavor Content and MediaNet Partners
the company will develop, finance and produce premium
content across all platforms
The former Ink Factory partners, Alexei Boltho and Rhodri Thomas, have launched their new production company RAY Pictures, it was announced today. Based in London and Los Angeles, RAY is backed by Endeavor Content and MediaNet Partners.
Long-time colleagues, Boltho and Thomas conceived the company whilst at The Ink Factory, where they were central to the creative and commercial success of The Night Manager, as well as Ang Lee’s Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk and the upcoming film, Fighting With My Family.
At RAY they will develop, finance and produce work across multiple platforms, focusing on premium scripted drama. Said Thomas and Boltho:“We love bold material and believe that, now more than ever, popular entertainment needs to be both provocative and relevant to stand out. To date we’re fortunate to have worked with some truly gifted artists. Our mission at RAY is to empower such voices to do what they do best - to tell stories that surprise and move us. We are delighted to be teaming up with Endeavor Content and MediaNet Partners, whose reach and resources are the perfect complement to us
as we grow our team and slate.”
“Alexei and Rhodri are the next generation of great British producers. They have an unrelenting passion to develop and curate series and films that travel. We are thrilled to help build this next chapter with them at Endeavor Content” Said Endeavor Content Co-Presidents Chris Rice and Graham Taylor.
Said Juan Aguerrevere, partner at MediaNet:“We have a passion for backing talent and we are very proud to be supporting Alexei and Rhodri and their bold vision for the future. To be supporting them as we partner with our friends at Endeavor Content makes today very special to us.”
The company’s first projects include a feature film adaptation of John Boyne’s acclaimed novel, A Ladder to the Sky, with filmmakers to be announced shortly, and a Tokyo-set television series, Occupied City, written by Ben Hervey (Taboo) from the novel by David Peace. Currently casting is the feature film, Aquarium, adapted from David Vann’s book by Marnie Dickens (Gold Digger), to be directed by debut feature director Lauren Caris Cohan and starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw.
Thomas was most recently a partner and President of Production at The Ink Factory, where he was co-executive producer of The Night Manager and produced Ang Lee’s convention-defying film, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk. He is also Executive Producer of Fighting with my Family, which premieres at Sundance, amongst several other films. Previously Thomas was Vice President, Production and Development at The Weinstein Company, where he spearheaded the acquisition from script of the multi Academy Award winning film, The King’s Speech. Prior to The Weinstein Company, Thomas was a development executive and script editor at BBC Films, where he first worked with Alexei Boltho.
Boltho was most recently a partner and Chief Commercial Officer at The Ink Factory. During his time there he executive produced The Night Manager alongside Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, Fighting with my Family, Message from the King, Our Kind of Traitor and A Most Wanted Man. Boltho played a pivotal role in the initial equity fundraise which launched The Ink Factory. Prior to this Boltho worked at BBC Films for seven years and then at Paramount Pictures International overseeing international co-production and acquisitions. There, he acquired and co-produced local language films for distribution in Europe, Japan, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand, in particular the Spanish box office smash CELDA 211 which became Paramount’s biggest ever release in the territory and won seven Goya awards.
About MediaNet Partners:
MediaNet Partners is a private asset management firm that operates mainly in Latin America. The company focuses on investing in companies with distinctive talent in the media and entertainment industry. Its portfolio of companies and interests include radio stations, newspapers, film and TV production companies, film studios, and sports ventures. Lantica Media, with operating unit Pinewood Dominican Republic, counts as its flagship company. MediaNet is one of seven portfolios comprising the business conglomerate INICIA.
About Endeavor Content:
Endeavor Content specialises in development, financing, sales, and advisory services for premium television properties, documentaries, and feature films. Its primary goal is to empower artists and content creators by providing them with more ownership and creative freedom as they navigate the media landscape. Endeavor Content is a division of Endeavor, a global leader in sports, entertainment, and fashion operating in more than 30 countries.
