Peter Billingsley, a noted producer, director and former child actor, has joined the directorial roster of Committee LA, the hybrid production company/creative content development studio led by directors Frank Samuel and Jeff Reed, and EP Lauren Bayer.
Billingsley, whose work as a director includes the 2009 comedy Couples Retreat starring Jason Bateman and Vince Vaughn and more recently the TBS series Sullivan & Son, for which Billingsley directed six episodes over its three season run, is currently co-creator/executive producer/showrunner for the new series Undeniable with Joe Buck. The show, which premiered November 18 on DirecTV’s Audience Network, features in-depth interviews with some of the biggest names in sports including Derek Jeter, Michael Phelps, and Abby Wambach.
No newcomer to the ad world, Billingsley began his prolific career as a child actor working on numerous commercials before he landed the role he is perhaps best remembered for–Ralphie in the perennial Christmas classic A Christmas Story (1983). More recently he’s focused on working behind the camera as both a director, and a producer/executive producer on a wide range of films including the blockbuster Iron Man (2008), The Break-Up (2006), Four Christmas (2008) and the Emmy-nominated series Dinner For Five, which aired for four seasons starting in 2001 on IFC.
“I’ve known Frank [Samuel] for many years and his vision for Committee LA as a company that approaches content creation differently is indicative of changes within the entire creative industry–-whether entertainment or advertising,” Billingsley said. “A lot of brands know who they are, who their consumers are and how to talk to them. What they really need are smart creative partners to come up with a strategy and to execute it efficiently in a way that elevates the concept. That’s what Committee LA does so well.”
For Samuel, bringing Billingsley aboard represents another step forward in the evolution of Committee LA. Back in September, the company added DGA Award-winning director David Cornell to its roster.
“Peter is an enormously talented filmmaker, producer and actor with an immense understanding of branding and real-world experience making creative content people want to see.” Samuel said, citing Billingsley’s “sure hand with comedy, dialogue and ability to collaborate.”
