Aiming to target the YouTube generation, Lakeshore Entertainment is launching Off the Dock as a full-service digital studio and has acquired comedy “Man Up,” starring Justin Chon and Kevin Wu.
“We are excited to blend Lakeshore’s knowledge and skills gained from its 20-year track record of traditional filmmaking and distribution with the new world of digital influencers,” said Lakeshore CFO Marc Reid. “We think each world can elevate the other.”
Off the Dock will finance, produce, acquire and distribute “digital influencer-led content.” The announcement comes on the heels of Lakeshore disclosing plans to expand its slate through a co-financing deal for 12 movies with Vine Alternative Investments Group.
“Man Up” is written, directed and stars Chon along with YouTube personality Wu, widely known as “KevJumba.” Kinetic Films produces “Man Up,” which follows a pair of 19-year-old buddies forced to prepare for the unexpected arrival of a baby fathered by Wu’s character.
Off the Dock is teaming with Supergravity Pictures, led by Marc Hustvedt and Max Benator, to distribute the film in North America on digital and other platforms. Lakeshore Intl. is handling global sales, which will launch sales at next month’s Mip TV in Cannes.
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“Justin and Kevin really pop onscreen together throughout the film,” Benator said. “Given both of their deeply connected audiences and the movie’s subject matter, ‘Man Up’ is the perfect film for the direct-to-consumer model.”
Lakeshore’s upcoming films include “American Pastoral,” helmed by and starring Ewan McGregor alongside Jennifer Connelly and Dakota Fanning, the fifth installment in the “Underworld” franchise and “The Boy,” a psychological thriller starring Lauren Cohan (“The Walking Dead”), which will be released theatrically in the U.S. through STX Entertainment.
