SOCKET FILMS HAS LAUNCHED
New York, Santa Monica, Dallas – (April 2007) – Industry veteran Steve Johnson has opened Socket Films, a new commercial production company based in New York, Santa Monica and Dallas. Socket Films’ directorial roster includes an incredibly diverse line-up of talents including: Directors Buddy Cone, Bobby Sheehan and Alexander von David. The company has also added Director Michael Grasso, as well as Director Shaun Conrad – both formerly of Snug.
“With Socket, we are very concerned with the development of our directors’ careers,” explains Steve Johnson. “We’re willing to take chances in order to give our directors the opportunities they need to move their careers in positive directions. I’ve known many of these directors for years, and I trust them and their talent. They have chosen me and Socket, as much as we have chosen them.”
Another key decision to join Socket Films came from Director Michael Grasso, formerly of Snug. According to Grasso, it was the right opportunity at just the right time. Not only does this change enable Grasso to return his entire focus to his directorial career, it also will provide him the chance to provide the type of service they want to clients. “Steve has been there as a Director, so he really understands how we approach a project, as well as what the needs of the clients’ are.” For Grasso, turning over company management responsibilities has enabled him to focus on developing long-form projects including television shows and feature films with his brother Joe Grasso.
“The old model of the production company is not going to work anymore” adds Director Bobby Sheehan. “Steve knows that it is a great advantage to have directors who work in different formats, as this business continues to change and evolve, and he is very supportive of that. I consider myself a filmmaker, because I work in commercials, as well as television and feature films.”
For Director Buddy Cone, it was Steve Johnson’s reputation and work history in the commercial industry that persuaded him to join Socket Films’ directorial roster. “Steve is one of the most upstanding, truly honorable people I’ve ever worked with,” comments Cone. “Not only is he honest and straightforward, he has a great deal of integrity and is one of the hardest working people in the business – approaching each project, whether it is big or small, in the most creative way in order to get the job done to the best ability.”
According to Johnson, the goals for Socket Films within the first year are simple: to build a stellar directorial roster; he will most likely add three more directors to the Socket Films line-up. He will also complete his proactive national sales team, which is already bringing in an impressive number of projects. “We have carefully put together a great group at Socket,” concludes Johnson. “With the board flow we already have here, I know this is going to be the year that we prove just what we can do.”
Socket films is represented by PGM Artists
