Stept Studios has added Brendan Varni and Blake Greenbaum as executive producers while promoting EP David Brickel to managing director of production. They are all part of a growing Stept production team led by head of production Mac Hedges. The last two years have been a period of exponential growth for the company, with its team tripling in size to over 80 staffers in the past year.
Brickel will manage the director roster and commercial strategies, in addition to cultivating new relationships in all U.S. markets. After cutting his teeth in myriad on-set roles, Brickel realized his passion lay in partnering with talented right-brained individuals to make their visions a reality. Having developed a well-rounded knowledge of the business of making commercials and films, Brickel first joined the Stept team in 2020 as executive producer.
Varni brings to Stept years working at production companies such as First Media and Whitelist, focused on both short and long form video content. With a degree in Cinema & Television Arts from CSUN and a minor in African American History in South America, Brendan Brendan has a passion for story and unique voices.
As a writer and producer, Greenbaum has worked on nearly 100 commercials and music videos for artists and brands including Google, Samsung, Snapchat, Ariana Grande, Rosalía, Migos, A$AP Rocky, Nick Jonas, Zayn Malik, and Jack White. His music video work has been nominated for MTV VMAs and screened in competition at SXSW. Greenbaum was previously at PRETTYBIRD, serving as creative executive.
Stept Studios maintains bases of operation in Los Angeles and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More