We had the opportunity to catch up with Courtney Solomon of After Dark Films and Cinelou Films from our Hollywood Production Center location…
Hi Courtney, tell us about yourself.
I am a producer, writer and director.
What does After Dark Films and Cinelou Films do, and how did it get established?
I started my first production company in 1995 called Sweetpea Entertainment. In 2000 Sweetpea released DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, which I produced and directed. Then in 2005 myself and Allan Zeman founded the production company, After Dark Films. I wrote and directed our first release, AN AMERICAN HAUNTING, starring Sissy Spacek and Donald Sutherland.
My other company and new business venture is called Cinelou Films, which my partner, Mark Canton and I started this year. We completed our first film, CAKE, earlier this year starring Jennifer Aniston and we are excited to announce that it will have its world premiere in Toronto at the Toronto Film Festival next month.
Please describe the industry you’re in.
The industry I am in is very interesting and fast paced. We take scripts that we get from reputable agencies and package them from the ground up. Sometimes they may come to us with a director or A-list star already attached and then we start casting other roles, we start looking at the budget, where we can shoot it, when we can start, etc.
How did you get to where you are now?
I work really hard and succeeding is a promise I made to myself. I’m extremely passionate about what I do and I love filmmaking. I love directing, it will always be a love of mine. And when I’m producing, I’m still a filmmaker. I’m always on set and hand-ons with the director and crew, as well as the cast.
How did you get involved with the entertainment industry?
My mom, Fran Solomon, was in the business in Toronto. I grew up on movie sets and truly loved the world of filmmaking.
What other films have you worked on in the past?
Directed DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, GETAWAY, wrote and directed AN AMERICAN HAUNTING.
You have accomplished so much in your career, what makes you so driven to succeed?
I just think it’s either within somebody or not within somebody, that’s a personal choice.
If there is one person to thank for your success who would it be and why?
My mother, Fran Solomon.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Filmmaking / directing. I also love seeing the final product after putting so much time and energy into it. It’s a great feeling.
What’s in the future for After Dark Films and Cinelou Films?
Cinelou Films is my main focus now. After our first film, CAKE, premieres in Toronto, we will get ready to move forward and start production on our next film, an Iraq war drama called YELLOW BIRDS starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Tye Sheridan and Will Poulter. We are in talks on a few other wonderful projects that I am very excited about and will be able to share soon
Thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to interview with us, Courtney!
