Magna Studios has officially launched, co-founded by industry veterans Marisa Clifford and Davud Karbassioun. This dynamic new venture is set to redefine the landscape of film production and entertainment, encompassing a wide array of projects including feature films, non-fiction, commercials, branded entertainment, and music content. After more than a year of groundwork and strategic planning, the team is ready to unveil their vision and upcoming projects, which promise to capture the attention of audiences and industry professionals alike.

The company has been meticulously crafted by Clifford, who previously co-founded Pulse Films and exited after its acquisition by Vice in early 2022, and Karbassioun, who held the position of global president at Pulse. They have been diligently establishing the foundation of Magna Studios across major hubs in London, New York, and Los Angeles. With a carefully curated roster of talent, a dedicated team of division leaders, and a robust production pipeline, they are poised to make a significant impact in the entertainment industry.

With a talented team in place, including a variety of high-profile projects, Clifford and Karbassioun are excited to officially launch Magna Studios. Among the projects is a feature film that premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and a highly anticipated documentary about the iconic band Oasis. These initiatives demonstrate the studio’s commitment to producing compelling content that resonates with audiences worldwide.

“What we accomplished at Pulse was create something genuinely exciting with a plethora of incredible people,” shares Clifford. “However, this venture allows us to explore new avenues, bringing together the best talents we’ve encountered throughout our careers in this industry to form a powerhouse team across our various divisions. We aim to sign the most exceptional talents available.”

In addition to Clifford and Karbassioun, the Magna team features other former executives from Pulse, including James Sorton (Managing Director of Commercials), Olly Calleja (SVP of Non-Fiction), Louis Mole (Creative Director of Non-Fiction), Sam Bridger (Head of Music Documentaries), and Tim O’Shea (Group Director of Commercial & Business Affairs). This strong leadership team brings a wealth of experience and creativity to the table, essential for driving the studio’s innovative projects forward.

Clifford emphasizes that Magna Studios is equipped with “significant capital,” having launched with substantial backing from Lumina, the investment platform founded by her fellow Pulse co-founder Thomas Benski, who also serves as Magna’s chairman. This financial support is crucial for the studio’s growth and ability to take bold creative risks.

“What sets our business apart is our access to financial resources,” she states. “Having the ability to invest capital upfront for intellectual property, development, and production is vital. When you are constantly navigating development deals with numerous networks, it can be an unnecessarily lengthy process.” This strategic approach empowers Magna Studios to streamline its operations and focus on delivering high-quality content.

Clifford notes that waiting for projects to be commissioned is not the strategy they wish to pursue at Magna Studios. Instead, they are committed to actively seeking out opportunities to innovate and create captivating content.

“It was essential for us to secure significant funding to invest in our projects and in the talented individuals we represent,” she adds. This proactive approach allows Magna Studios to maintain creative control, ensuring the quality and integrity of their productions.

The flagship project from Magna Studios is titled “Straight Circle,” marking the feature debut of Oscar Hudson, a London-based filmmaker. This dark comedy addresses the absurdities of war and was recently showcased at the European Film Market in Berlin. The film is also being produced in collaboration with acclaimed production company 2am, known for hits like “Past Lives” and “Babygirl,” and is currently in post-production.

“We assisted in developing, packaging, and producing the film, which is now in post-production,” Karbassioun explains. “I believe it’s a remarkable project. It presents a highly conceptual narrative from a filmmaker we’ve admired for years.” This film is just one of the many innovative projects Magna Studios is working on.

Hudson is part of a diverse and talented roster at Magna, which includes several directors who previously collaborated with Pulse. Notable names include Asif Kapadia and James Marsh, both of whom are Oscar winners and continue to thrive in the industry. Recently, they welcomed Brady Corbet into their fold, further enriching their creative team.

Corbet made headlines earlier this year during awards season when he candidly shared that he had yet to receive any earnings from his critically acclaimed feature “The Brutalist,” which ultimately secured three Oscars.

“I just directed three commercials in Portugal,” he told Marc Maron on the WTF podcast. “It’s the first time I’ve made any money in years.” This candidness highlights the financial challenges that many filmmakers face, even when their artistic work garners critical acclaim.

In an interesting twist, the commercials Corbet directed were for Bloomberg and were produced by Magna Studios. “I had to chase him for his invoice, and I received this amazing text from him saying, ‘This is my first paycheck,’” recalls Karbassioun. “Meanwhile, he’s at the Oscars, winning Best Director at the BAFTAs. It’s insane and illustrates a fundamental issue with the system.” This anecdote underscores the complexities of the entertainment industry and the need for innovative solutions.

Magna Studios is committed to providing such auteur filmmakers with essential income streams between their feature projects. Karbassioun mentions that Corbet is planning additional projects with them, indicating a fruitful collaboration ahead.

Branded entertainment is another key area of focus for Magna Studios. The company is collaborating with brands that embrace an entertainment mindset, moving away from traditional commercials and product placements to create more engaging and authentic content.

One of the exciting initiatives in the pipeline is a feature film that will feature a significant casting announcement in the lead role, primarily financed by a brand. This collaboration emphasizes the value of brand partnerships, which provide both marketing visibility and a tangible return on investment.

“They recognize the value from both a branding and relationship perspective, and they are invested in ensuring a commercial return on that investment,” Karbassioun explains. As Clifford notes, “It’s about discovering ways to finance opportunities, and brands are increasingly interested in funding projects.” This shift reflects the evolving landscape of film financing in the contemporary market.

Alongside the brand-funded feature, another major film is currently in development at Magna Studios. Additionally, it was announced earlier this year that Magna is working on a highly anticipated documentary chronicling the upcoming Oasis reunion tour. This project is being produced alongside Steven Knight, the creator of “Peaky Blinders.” Due to a plethora of NDAs, details about the film remain sparse, but its significance is undeniable.

“It’s an exciting project, sure to generate a lot of buzz and interest,” Karbassioun remarks, albeit cautiously. The anticipation surrounding the Oasis documentary showcases Magna Studios’ ambitions to produce high-profile content that resonates with music fans and film enthusiasts alike.

The Oasis documentary, which will be distributed by Sony Music Vision, is directed by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace. This collaboration takes Magna Studios back to its roots, as Southern and Lovelace previously directed the acclaimed LCD Soundsystem documentary, “Shut Up and Play the Hits,” which marked an early success for Pulse Films and paved the way for their involvement in both music documentaries and scripted films.

In many ways, Magna Studios embodies an accelerated evolution of Pulse Films. With their current operations spanning multiple genres, including branded, unscripted, and scripted content, they possess a diverse library of both established and emerging talent.

“It’s a funny experience to embark on this journey again,” Clifford reflects. “When we first did it, we were young and naïve, running around with boundless energy. Now, with this second venture, there are numerous expectations from ourselves and others regarding our direction and what makes this endeavor unique. However, we have also acquired a wealth of knowledge about the industry and its challenges.”

As she remarks, “We have truly enjoyed the challenge of building a leaner, smarter, and faster operation while scaling it quickly. Our focus is on profitability so we can seize financing opportunities and assemble an outstanding team of professionals.” This dedication to excellence positions Magna Studios as a formidable player in the ever-evolving entertainment landscape.