Supergravity Pictures, which produces, markets and distributes feature-length films, has greenlit its next project. And while the company’s past efforts have showcased digital media stars, its latest, Rock Steady Row, holds the distinction of being helmed by 24-year-old first-time feature film director Trevor Stevens.
Rock Steady Row tells the story of a college freshman who “is compelled to take action against the reigning fraternities and ultimately the dean when his bike is stolen,” according to the company. Bomani J. Story, who conceived the film alongside Stevens, wrote the script. The team is heading into pre-production imminently, according to Supergravity.
“Imagine Kung Fu Hustle intermingled with A Fistul of Dollars and a sprinkling of PCU,” said Supergravity founder Max Benator in a statement. “That’s this film. And in Trevor’s hands, there’s no doubt it will be something special.”
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“The characters and world that Bomani and Trevor have created here just leap off the page,” added Supergravity founder Marc Hustvedt, (who, full disclosure, is also a co-founder of Tubefilter). “They are absolutely the kind of original new voices in film that we built this company to champion.”
Stevens, a recent graduate of Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film, came onto the radar of Mike Flavin, Supergravity’s director of development, thanks to a short film, Run (above), that was a Vimeo ‘Staff Pick’ in 2015. Stevens is also the director of Glazed and Confused, an ‘Official Selection’ at the Palm Springs International ShortFest in 2013.
“I’ve always wanted to make a spaghetti western in a modern day setting,” Stevens said. “This project is one that Bomani and I are very passionate about and are beyond grateful that Supergravity is giving us the opportunity bring to life.”
Supergravity says it will distribute the film via worldwide, demand-based, event theatrical screenings, alongside a direct-to-consumer digital release on VOD platforms such as iTunes. This is the same distribution strategy Supergravity has used to distribute previous films, including The Chosen, Man Up, and Premature. Also on deck for the company in 2016 is Gayby Baby and an as-yet-unnamed Ray William Johnson-hosted documentary.
