Big Block has extended its reach with a major expansion to New York City and the creation of two new divisions dedicated to multi-screen content: Big Block Live and Big Block Entertainment Group/BBEG. Through Big Block Live, the studio will continue to specialize in branded content, live action production and design for commercials, broadcast, interactive and mobile platforms, while serving as a local interface for Big Block Design Group/BBDG and the studio’s VFX, DI (digital intermediate) and finishing services in Santa Monica. Big Block Live will also sign and represent its own roster of directorial talent. Big Block Entertainment Group is producing live theater for Broadway and other stages, feature films and television. Big Block Entertainment Group represents the most significant creative and financial evolution of the Big Block brand since its inception. The group will acquire the rights for the properties they will develop and will also co-finance their production partnerships.
Big Block Live will be headed by executive producer Mary Crosse, who was most recently executive producer at Click 3X, where she launched a live action division for branded content and established its first roster of directors. Prior to that she was executive producer at Lucky Branded Entertainment, a hybrid agency and film production company. She has more than a decade of experience at such top agencies as Draftfcb, Publicis, Havas and mcgarrybowen, producing work across the integrated space for global brands like Chase, Chevron, Del Monte, Disney, Kraft, The Wall Street Journal, Charles Schwab, Dos Equis, Intel and Jaguar. Crosse has spoken at SXSW Film 2012, Internet Week 2012, Social Media Week 2012 and 2013, Creative Week 2013 and ad:tech 2011.
Theatrical and feature film production at Big Block Entertainment Group is spearheaded by noted Broadway theater and film producer Scott Prisand. Big Block Entertainment Group recently revived Inappropriate, the critically acclaimed off-Broadway musical based on the journal entries and poetry of teenagers. The play is now at the Odyssey Theater in Los Angeles, with an eye to open in London next year. Big Block Entertainment Group has also acquired the stage rights to the musical version of Heathers, running now in Los Angeles and targeting a New York debut this spring. On the feature film front, Big Block Entertainment Group recently financed and began production on Ride, starring Helen Hunt, who also wrote and directed.
Among Prisand’s Broadway credits are Grace, Rock of Ages, Legally Blonde, Brooklyn and Broadway Dreams, as well as the feature films Rock of Ages, Jewtopia, Nic and Tristan Go Mega Dega, Beware the Gonzo, Barry Munday, Sympathy for Delicious and Hesher.
Working alongside Prisand on Inappropriate and Heathers is Broadway producer Jamie Bendell, who also worked with Prisand on Grace. Bendell, a singer and songwriter with multiple music releases, brings to