Gunpowder & Sky is a Los Angeles–based independent studio that produces feature films, series, short-form content, and podcasts. The company was founded in 2016 by
Van Toffler and Floris Bauer. It runs DUST, a sci-fi streaming service featuring short films, series, and behind-the-scenes content, and ALTER, a horror brand that streams on selected TV platforms.
History
In January 2016, Van Toffler (former CEO of
Viacom Media Networks Music Group), Floris Bauer (formerly global head of strategy at Dutch entertainment company
Endemol, and
Otter Media), formed Gunpowder & Sky as an independent studio.
The name "Gunpowder & Sky" comes from a lyric from the
Aimee Mann
Aimee Elizabeth Mann (born September 8, 1960) is an American singer-songwriter. Over the course of four decades, she has released ten studio albums as a solo artist. She is noted for her sardonic and literate lyrics about dark subjects, often d ...
song, "4th of July."
[
In February 2016, Gunpowder & Sky, along with Comcast Ventures, invested in Cut, a creator of digital video content.
In March 2016, Gunpowder & Sky invested in viral video producer Shareability.
In September 2016, the company acquired independent film distribution company Filmbuff.
In November 2016, Gunpowder & Sky launched DUST, a sci-fi streaming service featuring short films, series, and behind-the-scenes content.
In January 2017, the company acquired production company Supergravity Pictures.
In August 2018, Gunpowder & Sky launched DUSTx, a free streaming sci-fi service on ]Roku
Roku ( ) is a brand of consumer electronics that includes streaming players, smart TVs (and their operating systems), as well as a free TV streaming service. The brand is owned by Roku, Inc., an American company.
As of 2024, Roku is the U ...
.
In April 2020, Gunpowder & Sky formed a joint venture with talent manager and production company Circle of Confusion to produce sci-fi and horror projects.
In March 2021, the company signed a two-year first-look deal with the WarnerMedia
Warner Media, LLC (Trade name, doing business as WarnerMedia) was an American multinational corporation, multinational mass media and show business, entertainment conglomerate (company), conglomerate owned by AT&T. It was headquartered at the 30 ...
cable network to provide documentaries and docuseries from Gunpowder & Sky's library to HBO
Home Box Office (HBO) is an American pay television service, which is the flagship property of namesake parent-subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is based a ...
and HBO Max.
In September 2021, the company announced the launch of the DUST Channel on streaming service Tubi.
In May 2022, the company announced its horror brand ALTER was also launching as a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel, on connected TV platforms including Samsung TV Plus, STIRR and Redbox.
Business
Gunpowder & Sky is a production company that produces feature films, series, short-form content and podcasts. Notable productions include the feature films '' Her Smell'' (2018), '' Hearts Beat Loud'' (2018), '' The Little Hours'' (2017); documentaries ''Everybody's Everything'' (2019), ''Last Exit: Space'' (2022), ''Sometimes When We Touch: The Reign, Ruin and Resurrection of Soft Rock'' (2023), ''Sheryl'' (2022), ''Call Me Miss Cleo''; series '' 50 States of Fright'' (2020); and the DUST podcast (2019–2021).
Brands
Gunpowder & Sky's main brands are the sci-fi channel DUST and the horror channel ALTER. The channels are available on a variety of paid and free streaming devices and services.[
]
References
External links
Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gunpowder and Sky
Film production companies of the United States
Entertainment companies based in California
Companies based in Los Angeles
Entertainment companies established in 2016
American companies established in 2016
2016 establishments in California