William Shockley and Tom Brady launch Thunderbird Pictures

EXCLUSIVE: Veteran producers William Shockley and Tom Brady join forces with Allen Gilmer and Riki Rushing to form Thunderbird Pictures, a new production company that will have offices in both Los Angeles and Austin, TX.

Thunderbird’s launch was teased at last month’s SXSW, where the company was the official awards sponsor of the inaugural Thunderbird Rising Awards, which presented awards to new directors Paris Zarcilla (Angry Mercy) and Brittany Snow (parachute). The quartet is joined on banner by head of casting, Tiiu Loigu; Business Development Manager, Jason Chilton; production manager Robert Abdou; and CFO Aldo Waker.

Among Thunderbird’s first films, the drama was directed by Miguel Bardem Castro’s daughter (e.g Alina from Cuba) starring James Franco and Ana Villafane, produced with Mankind Entertainment and now in post-production; the follow-up documentation daughter of the revolution, directed by Thaddeus Matula, which is currently in production; and the Shockley helmet last dollar, A period western inspired by European films, filming begins on May 8.

“I met Allen Gilmer while performing dead in texas, of which Allen was an EP. Allen and I shared similar stories, with the common theme being a desire to shape our destinies as filmmakers,” Shockley told Deadline. “Our goals were similar; to produce masterful films, manage distribution and optimize sales with transparency. Thunderbird Pictures was born with this credo in mind. We teamed up with Tom Brady, and our alliance with UTA Independent Film Group strengthened our efforts.”

“At Thunderbird, we look forward to channeling our uniquely diverse and proven experience, championing new voices and creating thought-provoking yet exciting films that people want to see,” added Brady, who is not related to the legendary NFL star. can be confused. with the same name.

A 30-year veteran of the LA film industry as an actor, writer, producer and director who has appeared in Paul Verhoeven’s films RoboCop And show girlsShockley is best known for his six-year role as Hank Lawson on the popular CBS series Dr. Quinn, medicine woman. He also directed the award-winning short film Common threads and has produced and written numerous indie films.

Based in LA, Brady is a writer, director, producer and showrunner whose films include writing and co-producing lead actor Rob Schneider. The animaland co-wrote and directed Disney’s The pretty girl, also with Schneider. He also directed sports comedies The return and executive produced Sean Patrick Flanery’s directorial debut Frank and Penelopewith Kevin Dillon, Caylee Cowan, Billy Budinich, Lin Shaye and Donna D’Errico, and the award-winning documentary Sir. Fish: Cartoons from the Deep. Brady’s TV credits include The critic, The Simpsons, renovation, Sports night, men who misbehave, Good feeling And chosen.

Austin, TX’s Gilmer Executive produced the SXSW premiere Before the music dies before moving on to EP, the indie action player dead in texasalso produce and sell Frank and Penelope.

Additionally, Austin, TX-based Rushing dead in texasproduced exec titles including Radley, Frank and Penelope And QT8: The first eighta documentary about filmmaker Quentin Tarantino.