Matthew Stillman

Last updated
Matthew Stillman
Born28 September 1967
London, England
Education University College School, London; Sussex University (UK)
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur and film producer
SpouseKate Driver

Matthew Stillman (born September 28, 1967) is a British entrepreneur , CEO and founder of 2020 Group (also known as 2020 Content) and film producer . [1] [2] [3] The group owns 20 companies in 16 countries, operating under seven brands. [1] [3]

Contents

Companies in the group have produced films such as Casino Royale , Mission Impossible 4 , Chronicles of Narnia and The Bourne Identity ; [4] music videos for Beyonce, Kanye West, David Bowie and Madonna.; [5] and commercials for clients including Adidas, [6] Google, [7] Guinness and Audi. [4]

In 2000, The Hollywood Reporter named Stillman in its International Power 50 list of the fifty "biggest power players" in global entertainment and media. [8]

Early life and education

Stillman grew up in Richmond, south-west London. [9] His father imported products from China, while his mother worked for Air France at Heathrow Airport. [9] He has two siblings. [9] He was educated at University College School, and the University of Sussex, where he studied politics, graduating in 1991. [10] [9]

Career

Early career

After unsuccessfully trying to break into the film industry in London, Stillman visited Prague in 1992 [11] [12] with a friend, Nick Spikings, [9] to explore the possibility of setting up a production company in the city. Beginning with "$500 and a typewriter" and renting an office at Barrandov Studios for $150 a month, [13] the two friends set up a company called Stillking. They then started a nightclub, Ubiquity, to provide cash flow over the company's first summer. [12]

Stillking

Stillman won Stillking's first business working on a music video for k.d. lang, [12] then produced a TV commercial for Dentsu. [13] More work on TV commercials followed. In 1994, Stillman chose an unknown Czech film student, Ivan Zachariáš, to make a film about UN peacekeepers for a 50th-anniversary commercial for the UN. The project marked a breakthrough for both Stillking and Zachariáš. [13]

By 1995, Stillking was working on around ninety commercials a year. [14] Film-makers were coming to Prague in large numbers, attracted by the combination of low costs, attractive locations and high production standards, [15] [16] and over the next decade the company thrived [17] and expanded. [18] Offices were in due course opened in Warsaw, London, Budapest (Pioneer Stillking), [14] Bucharest (Icon Stillking), [19] Milan, [20] Barcelona, Cape Town and Santiago de Chile. [21] [22] By 1999 the company was turning over around $20m a year [8] and by 2002 about $168m. [23]

In 1995, Stillking made its first network mini-series: The Ring , for NBC, starring Nastassja Kinski, was released in 1996. [24] The same year Stillking worked on its first feature film, Plunkett & Macleane (released 1999) with Working Title Films. [4] Stillking subsequently set up its own development arm for producing its own English-language films. [25]

The company has become one of Europe's most significant production entities, participating in over 150 film and TV projects, including Casino Royale, The Bourne Identity, Van Helsing , Red Sparrow , Wanted , Carnival Row and The Witcher . [26]

It has also continued to produce music videos, including work for Beyonce, Kanye West and Madonna; [5] and commercials for clients such as Guinness, Audi, Coca-Cola, Mercedes and Stella Artois. [4]

In 1997, the American heiress Elisabeth Goth purchased a minority stake in the company (reportedly 20 per cent) for an undisclosed sum. [8]

Stink

In 1997, Stillking combined with the production company Blink Ltd to create Stink, a London-based venture that produces TV commercials. [27] [28] Stink went on to receive numerous awards for its work, including more than 100 Cannes Lions, more than 50 D&AD pencils and the first ever Film Grand Prix for an interactive piece of work. [29] Its clients have included Honda, [30] Gucci, [31] Apple, [32] Nike [33] and Facebook. [7]

2020 Group

In 2014 the Stillking Films holding company was renamed 2020 Group. [34] The group, which is sometimes referred to as 2020 Content, [1] now has 20 daughter companies, in 16 countries, [3] and is one of the largest private companies involved in the production of content in advertising, film and television. Stillman is founder and CEO. [3] [2]

On The Corner Films

In 2017 Stillman became a director of On The Corner Films, [35] a company specializing in documentaries and factual entertainment, [36] with Asif Karpadia and James Gay Rees. [35] Its productions include Diego Maradona (2019). [37]

Illuminated Content

In 2018, in collaboration with Liev Schreiber, Stillman launched Illuminated Content, a Gotham-based venture to develop, produce and finance TV and movie projects. [3] In 2019 the company produced Human Capital , [38] [39] and announced a collaboration with David Carver to produce The Place I Belong, a biopic of the golfer Moe Norman. [40]

Other activities

Stillman is a member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta). [41] He is a member of Founders Forum, the community for global entrepreneurs, CEOs, and investors in the digital, media and technology sectors. [42]

Stillman was one of 1,280 British business leaders who signed a letter backing Britain Stronger In Europe on the eve of the UK's 2016 referendum on EU membership. [43]

In 2000 The Hollywood Reporter named Stillman in its International Power 50 list of the "biggest power players" in global entertainment and media. [8]

Filmography (selected)

Works for cinema involving Stillman's companies [44] [4] [45] [46] [47] [48] [19] [37] [49]
YearTitleCompany
2020 Radioactive Pioneer Stillking, Budapest
2020 Harry Haft Pioneer Stillking, Budapest
2020 Voyagers Icon Stillking, Bucharest
2020 Violence of Action Icon Stillking, Bucharest
2019 Human Capital Illuminated Content, New York
2019 Spider-Man: Far From Home Stillking Prague
2019 Diego Maradona On The Corner Films, London
2019 The King Pioneer Stillking, Budapest
2018 Ophelia Stillking Prague
2018 Red Sparrow Pioneer Stillking, Budapest
2018 Colette Pioneer Stillking, Budapest
2017 Interlude in Prague Stillking Prague
2017 Atomic Blonde Pioneer Stillking, Budapest
2016 Underworld: Blood Wars Stillking Prague
2016 Don't Breathe Pioneer Stillking, Budapest
2015 Child 44 Stillking Prague
2013 Snowpiercer Stillking Prague
2011 Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol Stillking Prague
2009 G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra Stillking Prague
2008 Wanted Stillking Prague
2008 Quantum of Solace Stillking Santiago de Chile
2008 The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Stillking Prague
2006 Casino Royale Stillking Prague
2006 The Illusionist Stillking Prague
2006 Last Holiday Stillking Prague
2006 Tristan + Isolde Stillking Prague
2005 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Stillking Prague
2005DoomStillking Prague
2005 Kinky Boots Stillking Miro, Milan
2005 Everything Is Illuminated Stillking Prague
2004 AVP: Alien vs. Predator Stillking Prague
2004 Van Helsing Stillking Prague
2004 The Prince and Me Stillking Prague
2004 EuroTrip Stillking Prague
2003 Shanghai Knights Stillking Prague
2002 xXx Stillking Prague
2002 The Bourne Identity Stillking Prague
2002 Bad Company Stillking Prague
2001 From Hell Stillking Prague
2000Mists of AvalonStillking Prague
2000 Dungeons & Dragons Stillking Prague
1999 The Idiot Returns Stillking Prague
1999 Plunkett & Macleane Stillking Prague
Works for television involving Stillman's companies [4] [44] [45] [47] [50]
YearTitleTypeCompany
2020 The North Water TV mini-seriesPioneer Stillking, Budapest
2019 Miracle Workers TV series – involved in 1 episodeStillking Prague
2019 The Witcher TV seriesStillking Prague
2019 Whiskey Cavalier TV series - 13 episodesStillking Prague
2019 Carnival Row TV series - 6 episodesStillking Prague
2019 Treadstone TV seriesPioneer Stillking, Budapest
2018 Das Boot TV series - 9 episodesStillking Prague
2018 The Romanoffs TV series - 1 episodeIcon Stillking, Bucharest
2017-2019 Knightfall TV series - 15 episodesStillking Prague
2017 Genius TV series - 10 episodesStillking Prague
2016-2017MarsTV series - 4 episodesPioneer Stillking, Budapest
2016-2017 Maigret TV series - 4 episodesPioneer Stillking, Budapest
2016SparkTV seriesStillking Prague
2015 Legends TV series – 10 episodesStillking Prague
2015 Sons of Liberty TV mini-seriesIcon Stillking, Bucharest
2014 Houdini TV movie & Mini-SeriesPioneer Stillking, Budapest
2013-2014 Crossing Lines TV series - 18 episodesStillking Prague
2013 Terapie TV series - 14 episodesStillking Prague
2012MissingTV series - 10 episodesStillking Prague
2009MasterworkTV series PilotStillking Prague
2009 The Philanthropist TV series - 2 episodesStillking Prague
2005RevelationsTV mini-series - 5 episodesStillking Prague
2005 Colditz TV movieStillking Prague
2002Young ArthurTV series PilotStillking Prague
1999 Passion's Way TV movieStillking Prague
1997 Into Thin Air: Death on Everest TV movieStillking Prague
1996The RingTV mini-series and movieStillking Prague

Personal life

In 2004, Stillman married Katherine Driver, a manager and producer [51] who is sister of the actress Minnie Driver. They live in London. [52]

Stillman enjoys cycling and appreciates the clothes of designers such as Acne and John Pearse. [5] The fashion website Mr Porter includes him in its Style Council, a directory of "the world’s best-connected men". [53] Stillman is a director of the Czech cancer charity, the Pink Bubble Foundation. [54]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karlovy Vary International Film Festival</span> Annual film festival in the Czech Republic

The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is a film festival held annually in July in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. The Karlovy Vary Festival is one of the oldest in the world and has become Central and Eastern Europe's leading film event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liev Schreiber</span> American actor (born 1967)

Isaac Liev Schreiber is an American actor, director, screenwriter, and producer. He became known during the late 1990s and early 2000s after appearing in several independent films, and later mainstream Hollywood films. He has received numerous accolades including a Tony Award as well as nominations for nine Emmy Awards and five Golden Globe Awards.

<i>Kate & Leopold</i> 2001 romantic comedy film by James Mangold

Kate & Leopold is a 2001 American romantic comedy science fiction film that tells a story of a physicist by the name of Stuart, who accidentally pulls his great‑great‑grandfather, Leopold, through a time portal from 19th‑century New York to the present, where Leopold and Stuart's ex‑girlfriend, Kate, fall in love with each other.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick McCallum</span> American film producer

Richard McCallum is an American film producer. He is mostly known for his work on The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles as well as the Star Wars Special Editions and Prequel Trilogy. He is best known for his frequent collaborations with American filmmaker George Lucas, though he was also a long-time producer for British television playwright Dennis Potter, most notably on The Singing Detective.

<i>Doubt: A Parable</i> 2004 play by John Patrick Shanley

Doubt, A Parable is a dramatic stage play written by American playwright John Patrick Shanley. Originally staged off-Broadway at the Manhattan Theatre Club on November 23, 2004, the production transferred to the Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway in March 2005 and closed on July 2, 2006 after 525 performances and 25 previews. The play won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play.

<i>RKO 281</i> 1999 film by Benjamin Ross about the making of Citizen Kane (1941)

RKO 281 is a 1999 American historical drama television film directed by Benjamin Ross, written by John Logan, and starring Liev Schreiber, James Cromwell, Melanie Griffith, John Malkovich, Roy Scheider, and Liam Cunningham. The film depicts the troubled production behind the 1941 film Citizen Kane. The film's title is a reference to the original production number of Citizen Kane. It premiered on HBO on November 20, 1999.

Craig Michael Saavedra is an American film producer, director, and two time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer. He is married to cinematographer/director Joaquin Sedillo.

Matthew Steven Leutwyler, is an American screenplay writer, film director, and producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pablo Schreiber</span> Canadian-American actor

Pablo Tell Schreiber is a Canadian-American actor. He is best known for his stage work and for portraying Nick Sobotka on The Wire, William Lewis on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2013–2014), Mad Sweeney on the Starz series American Gods (2017–2020), and as George "Pornstache" Mendez on Orange Is the New Black (2013–2017), for which he received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. He stars as Master Chief in the Paramount+ live-action series Halo (2022–2024) which is based on the franchise of the same name.

<i>Goat Story</i> 2008 Czech animated fantasy film

Goat Story – The Old Prague Legends is a 2008 Czech animated fantasy comedy film produced and directed by Jan Tománek and written by Tománek with David Sláma. The first Czech-produced feature-length computer-animated film, it features animation by Art And Animation studios, and was released 19 May 2010 in the USA.

<i>City Dump: The Story of the 1951 CCNY Basketball Scandal</i> 1998 American film

City Dump: The Story of the 1951 CCNY Basketball Scandal is a 1998 American documentary film about the City College of New York basketball point-shaving scandal. It was produced by George Roy and Steven Hilliard Stern. It was made for HBO.

<i>Ray Donovan</i> American crime drama television series

Ray Donovan is an American crime drama television series created by Ann Biderman for Showtime. The twelve-episode first season premiered on June 30, 2013.

Team Downey, LLC is an American film and television production company founded by Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey that produces films using television properties. David Gambino is the president of production. Team Downey was based at Warner Bros. from its founding in 2010 to October 2016, when the company received a first look deal with Sonar Entertainment. It remains part of Warner Bros' "top priority projects" such as a live-action adaptation of Pinocchio, and an expanded media franchise shared universe based on Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011), in which Downey had starred with Jude Law, consisting of a third feature film and two Max streaming television series as of April 2022. The company's logo contains a sign with an illustration of two stick figures running. The first one is wearing a straitjacket with floating music notes and bubbles, and the second one chasing with a net and wearing a nurse outfit.

<i>Chuck</i> (film) 2016 American film

Chuck is a 2016 American biographical sports drama film directed by Philippe Falardeau and written by Jeff Feuerzeig, Jerry Stahl, Michael Cristofer and Liev Schreiber, who also stars in the title role. The cast includes Elisabeth Moss, Ron Perlman, Naomi Watts, Jim Gaffigan, Michael Rapaport, Pooch Hall, Morgan Spector, Jason Jones and Catherine Corcoran. The film depicts the life of heavyweight boxer Chuck Wepner and his 1975 title fight with the heavyweight champion, Muhammad Ali, which inspired Sylvester Stallone's character and screenplay for the 1976 film Rocky.

<i>Knightfall</i> (TV series) American TV series

Knightfall is a historical fiction drama television series created by Don Handfield and Richard Rayner for the History Channel. Filmed in the Czech Republic and Croatia, it premiered on December 6, 2017, in the United States. On August 13, 2018, History renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on March 25, 2019. In May 2020, it was announced that the series had been cancelled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stillking Films</span>

Stillking Films is a production company based in the Czech Republic.

<i>Human Capital</i> (2019 film) 2019 film directed by Marc Meyers

Human Capital is a 2019 American-Italian drama film directed by Marc Meyers. The screenplay by Oren Moverman is based on the 2004 Stephen Amidon novel of the same name, which was also adapted into the 2013 Italian film by Paolo Virzì. The film stars Liev Schreiber, Marisa Tomei, Peter Sarsgaard, Maya Hawke, Alex Wolff, Betty Gabriel, Aasif Mandvi, Paul Sparks and Fred Hechinger.

Ivan Zachariáš is a Czech film director. He is known for directing commercials. His work has won the Golden Lion six times at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

<i>Across the River and into the Trees</i> (film) 2022 film by Peter Flannery

Across the River and into the Trees is a 2022 war drama film directed by Paula Ortiz and adapted by Peter Flannery from the 1950 novel by Ernest Hemingway. It stars Liev Schreiber, Matilda De Angelis, Josh Hutcherson, Laura Morante, Massimo Popolizio, and Danny Huston. The film premiered at the Sun Valley Film Festival on 30 March 2022.

<i>Ray Donovan: The Movie</i> 2022 American crima drama television film

Ray Donovan: The Movie is an American crime drama television film directed by David Hollander, who co-wrote it with Liev Schreiber. It is the follow-up to the seventh and final season of the television series of the same name, which aired its final episode in 2020. It centers on the title character, portrayed by Schreiber, and the relationships with his family, including brothers Terry, Bunchy and Daryll, played by Eddie Marsan, Dash Mihok and Pooch Hall, respectively.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Matthew Stillman – PROfounders Capital" . Retrieved 2020-03-12.
  2. 1 2 "Matthew Stillman". LinkedIn. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Liev Schreiber & Matthew Stillman Launch Illuminated Content From 'Ray Donovan's New Gotham Base". Deadline. 5 September 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Stillking Films". filmcommission.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  5. 1 2 3 "Style Council Members: Mr Matthew Stillman". Mr Porter. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  6. "Adidas 'Pogba III capsule collection' by Stink Studios". Campaign. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  7. 1 2 Sherwood, I-Hsien (24 February 2020). "This Week's Agency Moves". AdAge. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Cassidy, Kevin (7–13 November 2000). "International Power 50" (PDF). The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Membery, York (10 February 2001). "The Stillman Show" (PDF). FT Weekend Magazine, Financial Times. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  10. "Stillman - Borovan.cz". www.borovan.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  11. Helma, Ondrej (22 September 2000). "Prague Is Popular Spot For Filmmakers". Sandusky Register. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  12. 1 2 3 Johnstone, Chris (10 August 2009). "Boss of Prague-based Worldwide Film Production Company Matthew Stillman On How He Got Started In The Business And How It Has Changed". Radio Prague International. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  13. 1 2 3 Morais, Richard C (2 December 1996). "Go East" (PDF). Forbes. Vol. 158. pp. 80–82. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  14. 1 2 Holdsworth, Nick (19–25 October 1999). "Prague Spring" (PDF). The Hollywood Reporter. pp. 17–19. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  15. Szczepanik, Petr (2016). Curtin, Michael; Sanson, Kevin (eds.). "Transnational Crews and Postsocialist Precarity: Globalizing Screen Media Labor in Prague". Precarious Creativity: Global Media, Local Labor. University of California Press. JSTOR   10.1525/j.ctt1ffjn40.11.
  16. Holley, David (20 August 2000). "The Czech Connection". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  17. Meils, Cathy (17 February 2004). "Stillking Films Sees Profits Mushroom". Variety. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  18. Muraskin, Robert (4 July 1996). "In Budapest We'll Always Have Paris". Washington Post. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  19. 1 2 "Icon Films - Client & Contact Info | IMDbPro". pro.imdb.com. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  20. Miels, Cathy (17 December 2000). "Stillking Looks To Boost Biz". Variety. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  21. "Stillking Films - Contact". www.stillking.com. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  22. Schwinke, Theo (5 March 2009). "Stillking and Pioneer launch joint venture in Budapest". Screen Daily. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  23. Meils, Cathy (17 February 2004). "Stillking Films sees profits mushroom". Variety. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  24. "The Ring (1996)". IMDB. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  25. "Stillking To Produce Its Own Films". Premiere. July 2001. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  26. "Companies: With Stillking Films". IMDB. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  27. "STINK LIMITED - Overview (free company information from Companies House)". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  28. Campbell, Lisa (19 January 2001). "Blink splits from off-shoot Stink and loses Ivan Zacharias". Campaign. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  29. "The One Club / The One Show - Archive of Award Winners". www.oneclub.org. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  30. "Iceland Offers Dramatic Winter Visuals As Stink Films On Location For Honda". The Location Guide. 6 February 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  31. "Gucci - Première" . Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  32. "Jameson Irish Whiskey Launches Third Iteration of Campaign in the UK". AdWorld. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  33. "Nike - My Time Is Now". The FWA. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  34. "2020 GROUP (JERSEY) LIMITED - Overview (free company information from Companies House)". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  35. 1 2 "ON THE CORNER FILMS LIMITED - Officers (free information from Companies House)". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  36. "About Us – On the Corner" . Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  37. 1 2 "With On The Corner Films (Sorted by Popularity Ascending)". IMDb. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  38. Hipes, Patrick (18 October 2018). "Liev Schreiber & Alex Wolff To Star In 'Human Capital' Movie; Marc Meyers To Direct Oren Moverman Script". Deadline. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  39. "Liev Schreiber & Maya Hawke in First Trailer for 'Human Capital' Film". FirstShowing.net. Retrieved 2020-03-12.
  40. Bryson, Mark (15 August 2019). "Hollywood Insiders Sign On To Produce Story About Kitchener Golf Legend Moe Norman". The Record.
  41. Parfitt, Orlando (4 December 2019). "Bafta reveals new members for 2019". Screen Daily. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  42. "10 Years In Names". Founders Forum: 10 Years. 2015. p. 214. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  43. Sheffield, Hazel (22 June 2016). "EU referendum letter: 1280 business leaders sign letter backing Remain" . The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-05-12. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  44. 1 2 "Matthew Stillman". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on July 27, 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  45. 1 2 "With Stillking Films". IMDB. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  46. "Stillking Films: filmography". IMDB Pro.
  47. 1 2 "Matthew Stillman - Filmography". IMDB. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  48. Barraclough, Len (2 November 2017). "Hungarian Cast and Crew of 'Red Sparrow' Helped Spy Thriller Take Flight". Variety. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  49. "With Stillking Miro Film (Sorted by Popularity Ascending)". IMDb. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  50. Vojteková-Točíková, Zuzana (21 February 2019). "Slovak Tax Incentives Lure British and US TV Series to Shoot in Slovakia". Film New Europe. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  51. "Kate Driver". IMDb. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  52. Elliott, John. "Moving On". ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  53. "Style Council Members". Mr Porter. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  54. PinkBubble. "Jak pomáhat dětem s rakovinou | Volejte | Pink Bubble". Nadace PinkBubble (in Czech). Retrieved 2020-03-06.