Innovative Studio Reimagines Traditional Model with Today’s Leading Digital Creators on the back of recent investment by PETRA Group
KUALA LUMPUR – July 23, 2021: Creator+, a next-generation content studio and distribution platform for digital-first storytellers and creators, announced they will finance and produce its first feature length film JANE.
Starring Madelaine Petsch (Riverdale), who is also producing, and in the lead role as Olivia, the film also features 5x Grammy-nominated singer songwriter, pop-infused R&B sensation Chlöe Bailey (part of the sister duo Chloe X Halle), playing the role of Izzy, and Melissa Leo as Principal Rhodes, who won an Oscar for the Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for The Fighter.
Written by Sabrina Jaglom and Rishi Rajani, and with Jaglom set to make her directorial debut, the film centres on a seemingly perfect high school senior, Olivia, who struggles with grief from the recent loss of a friend.
When she gets deferred from her dream college, she begins to spiral and experiences a series of increasingly frightening panic attacks. In an attempt to regain some sense of control, she embarks on a social media-fueled rampage against those that stand in the way of her success but, as things escalate, she is forced to confront – and ultimately embrace – her darkest impulses in order to get ahead.
Production will begin at the end of July in Albuquerque, New Mexico and also features Ian Owens (Shrill) as Mr. Richardson; Kerri Medders (SEAL Team, Alexa & Katie) as Josa; model Chloe Yu as Jane, and Nina Bloomgarden (Fatherhood) as Camille to round out the ensemble cast.
Debbie Liebling will produce (Hulu’s PEN15; 65; Plus One) alongside producer and Creator+ Head of Production Nick Phillips (Gunpowder & Sky's Alt; Facebook Watch’s The Real Bros of Simi Valley) and Creator+ Head of Content Studio Adam Wescott (YouTube Original’s This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous) and Petsch.
“Creator+ is reimagining how stories are developed and told through the eyes of Gen Z. We’re thrilled to partner with Madelaine who perfectly blends the worlds of traditional entertainment with a large online presence to tell great stories,” said Adam Wescott, Head of Content Studio, Creator+.
Shepherding today’s digital sensations, the vertically integrated Creator+ provides financing, development, in-house production, distribution, marketing, ecommerce and film-related merchandise, operations and community capabilities for talent, monetizing through their existing audience and beyond, across mobile, web and connected-TV.
“I would like to congratulate Madelaine, alongside Adam and Nick from Creator+, and the entire team behind JANE. I am sure it will be a great success and I cannot wait to see the final cut,” said Datuk (Dr) Vinod Sekhar, Chairman and Chief Executive of the PETRA Group, who also sits on the Board of Creator+.
“We are firm believers in what Creator+ are doing and are elated that this film has brought to reality the vision behind the platform while touching on an important subject of mental health through this production. We look forward to PETRA Studios in Kuala Lumpur and PETRA Films in Hong Kong working together with Creator+ in the near future” he added. Early this year, Creator+ raised $12 million in funding, led by Malaysia’s PETRA Group.
Creator+ creates a new pathway for the future of storytelling; a place where they can take artistic risks and create projects based on their creative vision and passion and participate in the backend as equal partners. Ultimately, creators have unprecedented equity in their projects and a seat at the table.