Jason Seagraves Leaves Cavalry Media as SVP Development; Management and production company in financial distress

EXCLUSIVE: We have learned from sources that Jason Seagraves has left Cavalry Media as SVP of Development.

Seagraves is the second executive to leave the management and production company, following co-founder Dana Brunetti, who we first reported on.

From what I understand, Seagraves has given both Brunetti and Cavalry Media co-founder Keegan Rosenberger permission to step into production roles on his projects, including the teen drama series engine heads set up at Amazon Studios with John A. Norris as showrunner.

engine heads is an ensemble drama set in a working-class town trying to reinvent itself. The show follows as residents navigate the hierarchy and rules of high school while others run away from a dark past in search of new beginnings.

Prior to Cavalry Media, Seagraves was VP of production and development at Cross Creek Pictures. There he directed films such as the Oscar nominated film Denzel Washington Roman J. Israel, Esq. and the award was praised Black mass with Johnny Depp. He served as producer and co-producer on titles such as the Gerard Butler title the disappearance the tom cruise photo American made and the Oscar nominee metal saw burr.

After Brunetti’s departure, Deadline learned in detail that Cavalry Media is struggling financially: They haven’t paid their employees for the last four pay periods, some of them since the summer. Third-party vendors and talent also owe money. The Cavalry eliminated medical insurance from its 14-strong workforce on Nov. 1. During the Amazon premiere, rumors circulated that Cavalry Media was going bankrupt Daisy Jones and the Six Thursday night from those we spoke to.

Rosenberger told Deadline yesterday that “the company is not in dire financial straits,” they’re about to make a major audio podcast acquisition, and they have nearly $3 million of their seed capital remaining — the latter of which is very confusing and worrying details for those left unpaid because they had to draw on their savings or borrow money to make ends meet. Rosenberger does not receive a salary, it is said. He has always overseen Cavalry Media’s finances. As we informed you yesterday, employees are filing wage claims against Cavalry Media and are asking for an attorney. They remain in limbo: Cavalry Media has not filed for bankruptcy or let them go. They have since been legally advised to stay with the company to keep the pay clock ticking. They are also trying to get their projects out of the company. However, expect even more exits.