Bicoastal Chelsea Pictures has signed directing collective The Bear and hired executive producer Michel Waxman.
Founded by Austin filmmakers Berndt Mader and Ben Steinbauer, The Bear has been bringing its authentic, funny, and candid directorial style to brands since its founding a decade ago. Prior to joining the Chelsea roster, The Bear had been repping itself. Notable clients of The Bear include Whole Foods, Stubhub, Yeti, Alfa Romeo and Crate & Barrel.
Chelsea president/owner Lisa Mehling said of The Bear, “From the moment [Chelsea director] David Gordon Green introduced me to Berndt and Ben, I knew that The Bear was ready to take their ethos and aesthetic to the broader national market. As filmmakers, their approach and style is spot on with what agencies and brands are looking for.”
Mader and Steinbauer noted that they were drawn to the high caliber of Chelsea’s work and its directorial roster which includes Green, Lauren Greenfield, Alex Gibney, Bruce Hunt, Jack Cole, Nadav Kander, Amir Bar-Lev, Kyle Patrick Alvarez, Thomas Beug, Alan Poul, Gregory Jacobs, Matthias Zentner, Peyton Wilson and Erik Madigan Heck.
Waxman
As exec producer, Waxman will helm Chelsea’s L.A. office and serve alongside VP/EP Pat McGoldrick. Waxman began her career at Creative Management Partners, where she learned the ropes from a veritable who’s who of reps and executive producers while also building lasting relationships with clients. Waxman went on to form her own firm, MBW Represents, with Academy Films, Park Pictures and Rattling Stick, among others, on her roster. She most recently served as executive producer at Serial Pictures.
Waxman said she’s looking forward to fostering Chelsea’s “continued evolution as a leader, not just in advertising, but in all branded entertainment partnerships for our inspiring group of directors.”
Mehling cited Waxman’s “creative pedigree and her ability to support and grow directors” as making her part of "a dream team" in tandem with McGoldrick.
