Alkemy X has signed director Glenn Holsten who comes aboard a company roster which includes helmers Robert Adamo, Kris Magyarits, Rob Markopoulos, John Romeo, Ira Rosensweig, Bex Schwartz and Scott Whitham.
Alkemy X executive producer Jim Huie recalled that he and Holsten “first collaborated in 2000 during the development phase of an IMAX film, and have remained friends and colleagues ever since. Years ago, as the category of ‘real people storytelling’ grew in popularity, I realized that Glenn’s heartwarming and affectionate documentary storytelling approach would translate well to the commercial arena. Glenn has the ability to immediately put the most guarded of subjects at ease and connect with them on an intimate level of uncompromised trust. When the cameras roll, Glenn makes his subjects feel in complete control in an otherwise intimidating film set comprised of the organized chaos that defines the production process. Through his feature film endeavors, Glenn has been a client of ours for years and I’m delighted that he’s welcomed our sales and production personnel into his commercial career.
Holsten pointed out that every film he’s made has in some way, been touched and made better by someone on the Alkemy X (formerly ShootersINC) team. “Over the years, I have worked with any number of strong and talented editors, colorists, sound mixers. They also have a remarkable staff behind the scenes in scheduling and administration–everyone cares about doing a first-rate job. Each experience here has made me a better director. I feel very, very lucky to have been in community with such a caring and supportive group of production pals, and can’t wait to see what new, wonderful things will come about now that I will be working more closely with the Alkemy X family.”
Holsten has directed more than a dozen full-length documentaries in his career, including Saints of 9/11 which debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival. Holsten’s documentary about global artist Lily Yeh, The Barefoot Artist, was filmed on four continents and had its theatrical premiere in New York and Los Angeles last fall. His most recent national broadcast on PBS, The Barnes Collection, follows Dr. Albert Barnes’ remarkable rise from a working-class neighborhood to the top of the modern art world. Holsten is currently in postproduction for another documentary about mental health set in a beauty parlor in Philadelphia, Hollywood Beauty Salon, which will be completed in early 2015.
