Cinipix, a vertically integrated production, acquisition and distribution company headed by CEO Todd Slater (Ray, Raze), announced today that it has joined forces with Patricia A Beninati and Michael K Anderson's Centerboro Productions to produce the sci-fi action film "Newcomers" and will send XCOR Aerospace's commercial spacecraft, the Lynx, into space to shoot exclusive footage for the film.
The Lynx will be piloted by former NASA Astronaut Col. Richard A. Searfoss on an expedition marking the first Hollywood involvement for a privately owned space company, as well as first-of-its kind brand integration.
Specific plot details are being kept under wraps, however "Newcomers" will tell the story of a former NASA Astronaut who saves the Earth from an alien invasion with help from the commercial space industry (XCOR Aerospace).
Beninati and Anderson adapted the screenplay from an original story and script by Beninati. Slater will produce alongside Executive Producer Mat Hayden. They join existing producers, James MacLean (Archetype Entertainment) and Jacob Silver, who originally developed the movie package with Beninati and Anderson.
Cinipix CEO Todd Slater said, "We knew we could approach this film in a new, non-traditional way and explore options that didn't exist just a few years ago. Partnering with a privately owned commercial space company for an interstellar sci-fi film is now very logical and doable so we wanted to move fast and create something special. We certainly know it will add a fantastic and thrilling realism to our scenes."
"Cinipix is one of the few companies approaching the film business in a really unique way," says Beninati. "It has created a one stop shop that allows the creative side of the industry to focus on what we do best which is create."
Andrew Nelson, COO of XCOR Aerospace, said, "We are delighted to have our Lynx spacecraft showcased in the film. We think that Newcomers will be a fantastic piece of entertainment for science fiction fans."
Producers are now talking to top directors with an eye toward starting principal photography in First Quarter 2014.
Centerboro Productions is a New York City-based entertainment company specializing in science fiction films, television and web content headed by the writing/production team of Patricia A. Beninati and Michael K. Anderson.
Wall Street Financiers Howard Silverman and
Neil Grossman recently formed Toast & Jam Holdings, LLC to invest in Cinipix as well as animation house Cosmic Toast Studios and rental company Cinirents, expanding the companies into a multifaceted studio and
Production Company.
Cinipix is a vertically integrated production, acquisition and distribution company set up to produce and fund multiple films per year as well as acquire and partner with third party producers offering post production, equity, and sales partnerships. Current Cinipix projects include the thriller/action film "Raze" (
Rachel Nichols, Zoe Bell), which will be released by
IFC Midnight in the US; and the action film "The Devil's Ink".
