Media Res Studio

Media Res is a motion picture and television studio focused on developing, producing, and financing premium content for a global audience. The company operates as an independent studio, enabling it to partner with a wide array of creative artists, networks, and streaming services. Its business model involves using a development fund to commission scripts and option material, as well as a separate fund to finance the production of its in-house slate and select projects from external producers. This structure allows Media Res to maintain creative control while collaborating with major distributors like Apple TV+, HBO, and Amazon Prime Video.

The studio was established in 2017 by Michael Ellenberg, a seasoned entertainment industry executive. Ellenberg's career trajectory provided a robust foundation for Media Res. After earning a B.A. from Dartmouth College and a J.D. from NYU School of Law, he opted out of taking the bar exam to pursue a passion for film. His journey in Hollywood included roles at Scott Rudin Productions and as a senior vice president at Ridley and Tony Scott's Scott Free Productions, where he produced films like "Prometheus" and "Robin Hood". A pivotal move to television came in 2011 when he joined HBO as head of drama. During his tenure, he was instrumental in developing and overseeing celebrated series such as "Game of Thrones," "Westworld," "True Detective," and "Big Little Lies". Ellenberg founded Media Res to create the character-driven, ambitious shows he sought during his time at the cable giant.

Media Res has curated a slate of critically recognized projects. Its portfolio includes the Emmy-winning drama "The Morning Show" for Apple TV+, starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, and the Peabody Award-winning series "Pachinko," an adaptation of the international bestselling novel. Other notable productions are the climate change anthology "Extrapolations" also for Apple TV+, the HBO limited series "Scenes from a Marriage" with Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac, and Boots Riley's absurdist comedy "I'm A Virgo" for Amazon. In early 2024, Media Res secured a strategic investment from RedBird IMI, a joint venture between RedBird Capital Partners and International Media Investments, to fuel its growth and expand its strategic partnerships. The deal also brought Jeff Zucker, CEO of RedBird IMI, onto the company's board. Keywords: Michael Ellenberg, television studio, motion picture production, premium content, content financing, The Morning Show, Pachinko, Apple TV+ producer, HBO producer, independent studio, film finance, TV development, script development, creative artist partnerships, streaming content producer, RedBird IMI, Jeff Zucker, prestige television, Extrapolations, Scenes from a Marriage, I'm a Virgo