Larry MeistrichLarry Meistrich, Chairman & Founder
In 1990, at the age of 24, Larry Meistrich, with just $7,000, founded The Shooting Gallery (TSG). In his triple role as Founder, Chairman of the Board, and Executive Officer of TSG, Meistrich was hands-on producer and an integral part of the production of roughly 100 films, commercials and music videos including the Academy Award-winning “Sling Blade” and the Academy Award nominated “You Can Count on Me”. Meistrich made industry history when Thornton’s “Sling Blade” was purchased by Miramax for a price that broke all previous sale records in independent film.

Meistrich’s other well-known films include Cannes winner “Henry Fool,” Clive Owen’s breakout film “Croupier,” and “Belly.” His pictures have won the gamut of international awards including the Academy’s Oscar and include Golden Globes, SAG Award, DGA Award, Top Five category awards at Cannes, Sundance, Berlin. Actors and directors Meistrich has produced include Al Pacino, Laurence Fishburne, Spike Lee and Billy Bob Thornton.

i_ariAri Friedman, CEO
Ari Friedman is a technology-oriented entrepreneur with a varied and successful background that includes web ventures, real estate and finance.

Among his accomplishments was the creation of Homedelivery.com, a hyper-local e-commerce web site that experienced exponential growth prior to being sold to Delivery.com.

An accomplished drummer, Friedman also founded Chemical Music, a music label through which he produced artists, negotiated contracts, and assumed promotional responsibility for nationwide tours. He has also composed music for commercial and industrial films. A native New Yorker, Ari received a BA in Music from New York University and lives in New York.

Emily Gerson Saines, Partner

Emily Gerson Saines is the founder and president of Brookside Artist Management, one of the industry’s premiere boutique management firms whose clients include Hayden Panettiere, Cynthia Nixon, Kristen Bell, Famke Janssen, Eric Bogosian, Sebastian Stan, Emmanuelle Chriqui, and the Culkin family. Emily is a former vice president of the William Morris Agency, where she represented artists such as Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johanssen, and Robert Downey, Jr. Gerson Saines made her producing debut with the film “The Courage to Love,” starring Vanessa Williams. In 2010, she produced “Temple Grandin,” starring Claire Danes, David Strathairn, Catherine O’Hara, and Julia Ormond, which aired February 2010 on HBO and received 7 Emmy Awards including Outstanding Made for Television Movie.

Emily also co-founded of the Autism Coalition for Research and Education (A.C.R.E), the founding organization of Autism Speaks.  A.C.R.E raised millions of dollars for biomedical research, education, and increased awareness of Autism.

Jeff Silverstein, Chief Content Officer

Jeff Silverstein has had a career in development, design, and writing in virtually all media
– from feature film to interactive video to print. He has been with Nehst Studios since
its startup and runs access and development. He works with writers and producers on
developing all Nehst content as well as being an accomplished screenwriter.

Silverstein co-founded and was CEO of the seminal interactive design firm Fusion
Media, one of the pioneers in using videodiscs and CD-ROMs for marketing, learning
and transactional public exhibits. He produced and wrote award-winning programs for
clients such as Sony, AT&T, IBM and Citibank. He was recruited for IBM’s original
videodisc venture with Universal Pictures, Discovision. Jeff participated in Harvard Law
School’s Negotiation Program, the Stanford Publishing Program, studied directing and
Method acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and studied comedy with Danny and
Neil Simon. He earned a Masters in Mass Communication from Syracuse University’s
S.I. Newhouse School.

Laurie Pederson, President of Distribution

Laurie Pederson brings a combination of marketing, sales, management and production experience to the Nehst team.  Her extensive background in advertising, sales, promotions and production, combined with a broad knowledge of media and online marketing help Nehst effectively reach audiences and sell films.

Pederson became involved in film production in 2001 as a volunteer on a short film project in Sacramento, Ca.  She found her niche in that creative industry as a producer, developing over 20 film and digital video projects within an 8-year period (shorts, features and music videos), eventually branching out to include film festival and arts association management roles as well.

She assumed the role of Co-Director of the Sacramento Film & Music Festival from 2004-2009, developing the fledgling weekend event into a successful 10-day film and music extravaganza with professional industry elements.  During the same time, she founded the Capital Film Arts Alliance, a non-profit organization for independent filmmakers in Northern California.  Both have thrived under her guidance and management, and continue to be successful to this day.

Laurie is one of the success stories of the ‘access’ that Nehst promotes and is dedicated to.  She met studio head Larry Meistrich at the SFMF in 2007 and joined forces with Nehst soon after as a part-time contractor, quickly becoming project manager for film related events and activities. In 2009 she assumed full-time duties as president of distribution.

Fran Sienicki, Vice President of Production

Fran Sienicki has been managing operations for Nehst Studios since the early days of its startup. She has been with Nehst since its inception and brings substantial experience in organizing production, distribution project development and communications.

Fran has crewed on a number of independent productions including short films “In Passing” and “The Queen of Greenwich Village.” Fran also worked in an executive capacity for Nehst feature films “Lilith” and “Running America.”

 

Fran has a BA from George Washington University in DC.


Pitch Nehst - visit www.pitchnehst.com to share your idea, script or completed film with Larry Meistrich. Nehst is always in search of the next great script and it could be yours!  This website delivers represented or non-represented ideas directly to studio decision makers!

Filmmakers Bootcamps – Learn the film business from A-Z at Nehst’s Aspiring Filmmaker Bootcamps as Larry Meistrich shares successful methods for development, funding, financing, marketing, sales and distribution. The 3-day session ends with an intensive pitch workshop and opportunity to pitch YOUR best idea or script. If you’re looking for an honest critique and truly professional advice join Larry at his Filmmakers Bootcamps. Visitwww.filmboot.com for the next session in your city.

Screentest.biz This is the talent access system for Nehst Studios. We make roles in our projects exclusively available for casting on www.screentest.biz  There are also projects cast here from other producers at times. Actors may create a full profile at no charge. Actors are informed by email when a role matches their stated criteria. At that point they may choose to have their profile submitted to the project’s casting director. There is a nominal fee per role.

GI Pictures – Supporting military members and their families is an important part of Nehst Studios. Through GI Pictures Nehst helps servicemen and women develop a new set of skills within the film industry. Nehst is also open to any scripts and movie ideas created by military members and their immediate families, and is also seeking the same to crew and produce the projects. www.gipictures.com

Contact Us
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Phone: 877.286.7610
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