Anschutz Film Group Strengthens Production Ranks

Walden Media development executives promoted, Physical production head promoted, adds trio of vice presidents

In the development and production department, Jackie Levine has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Production and Evan Turner has been promoted to Vice President of Development and Production.  Levine and Turner will continue to report to the head of the department, Executive Vice President of Production Alex Schwartz. 

Since joining the company in 2004, Levine has overseen production on Bristol Bay Productions films Amazing Grace and The Great Buck Howard and the Walden Media films Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium and The Water Horse.  Prior to her current position at Anschutz Film Group, Levine has served as Senior Vice President at Cobalt Media Group and Vice President of Development at Michael Douglas’s Furthur Films.

Turner, who was most recently director of development at Walden Media, is a six year veteran of the company.  He was the production executive on Walden Media and New Line Cinema films Hoot and the upcoming Journey 3D, and is currently overseeing production on The Dark is Rising and Nim’s Island. 

Douglas Jones, who became head of Anschutz Film Group’s physical production department in 2006, has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Physical Production.  Jones oversees a team that includes Vice Presidents of Physical Production Mylan Stepanovich and Kimberly Rach and Vice President of Post Production Jonas Thaler. 

Jones has overseen production of films for Anschutz Film Group for over four years, including recent releases The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Hoot, and How to Eat Fried Worms.  He is in charge of overseeing physical production activities for the company’s entire slate of films, and is about to go in to production on the next installment in the Narnia series, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.   He brings an extensive background in production serving as a line producer for many years before joining the company.

Stepanovich has been with Anschutz Film Group since 2006.  During this time with the company he has overseen Journey 3D, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, and The Great Buck Howard.  Before taking the position he worked as a freelance production manager and financial controller on such films as Sin City, The Return, and Shark Boy and Lava Girl in 3D.

Rach joined Anschutz Film Group this fall. Her projects since joining the company are City of Ember, and Dark is Rising, the first project to go into production for Walden Media’s joint venture with Twentieth Century Fox.  Prior to joining the company, she was a freelance line producer and production manager. 

Thaler has worked in the film industry as a post production supervisor, editor, assistant editor, sound and music editor for more than two decades.  Before joining Anschutz Film Group he was post production supervisor on The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and represented New Line Cinema as post production supervisor on the Lord of the Rings trilogy.   

Recent releases from Anschutz Film Group include Bridge to Terabithia from Walden Media and Walt Disney Pictures, Amazing Grace from Bristol Bay Productions, Samuel Goldwyn Films and Roadside Attractions, and Charlotte’s Web from Walden Media, Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies.

About Anschutz Film Group
Anschutz Film Group (AFG) is the parent company to Bristol Bay Productions and Walden Media.  Bristol Bay Productions films offer compelling and positive messages that the entire family can enjoy while Walden Media concentrates on entertainment that sparks the imagination and curiosity of kids.  Anschutz Film Group is a subsidiary of The Anschutz Company, a privately owned investment and holding company with investments primarily in the areas of entertainment, media, telecommunications, natural resources, transportation, and real estate.

About Walden Media
Walden Media specializes in entertainment that sparks imagination and engages young people in the learning process. Producing both original works and adaptations of acclaimed children's literature, Walden Media projects are enhanced by comprehensive outreach and supplemental programs for teachers, librarians, after-school groups, and parents. Walden Media is a division of Anschutz Film Group.

About Bristol Bay Productions
Bristol Bay Productions finances and produces feature films in all genres—dramas, comedies, thrillers and action adventure—that tell uplifting stories appropriate for audiences of all ages.  Bristol Bay’s films come from a number of sources:  popular books that have engaged millions, as well as drawing upon the lives of influential people, timeless heroes, themes and events that inspire us all.  Because of their broad appeal, Bristol Bay’s films are rated G, PG and PG-13.