Seed Media Arts is expanding and moving their headquarters to Los Angeles.
This originally Chicago-based company founded in 2011 by Roy Skillicorn has recently partnered with Los Angeles based Executive Producer Brad Johnson.
As Johnson expands Seed to Los Angeles, Roy Skillicorn and Nathan Skillicorn are continuing in Chicago as the midwest representation.
“Chicago is where my heart is and where I have made a successful living in production for 25+ years. I owe it all to Chicago,” says Skillicorn.
Skillicorn founded Backyard Productions with Chicago photographer Tony D’Orio in 1988 while still a “rep” for PIXAR, Colossal Pictures and HKM Productions — all start-ups he recognized as future superstar companies. He found, promoted, and secured for each of them their very first commercials, representing each company for over a decade.
Under Skillicorn’s leadership and marketing savvy, Backyard became a $50M/yr entity that was not only considered one of the top international production companies by the trades, but the only one to ever spring forth from a secondary market like Chicago.
When Skillicorn stepped away from Backyard, it wasn’t long before he was asked to return. In 2018, the new owner, Kevin Allodi, reached out to Skillicorn and he returned to the company that he founded and managed for 20+ years. His task was to restore the company to its original prominence.
“When I shared my vision of next steps for Backyard, I told Kevin, this new Backyard won’t be fenced…it’s time to unleash the dogs,” said Skillicorn.
He immediately began by signing strong directorial talent to the roster, secured fresh and effective representation in both the East Coast and Midwest territories, directed a restructuring of overhead, and successfully reclaimed Backyard’s respected brand identity.
After three effective years of rebuilding Backyard, Skillicorn is ready to focus all his energy into Seed, his award winning and creative production company. Roy tapped Brad Johnson to help lead these efforts. Johnson was a natural fit for this partnership, as the two have collaborated over the past 10 years on some of Seed’s largest projects, including multi-city, multi-day, shoots for multiple clients.
Together, they have fine-tuned the directorial roster, formalized an impressive strategy that expands Seed’s capabilities to form a contemporary, full service, 360, production entity.
Seed has cultivated numerous LA, NYC, and European client and talent relationships. With this expansion the company continues the production of inspired creative projects, with both moderately small to million-dollar budgets.
“Brad’s grounded work ethic, extensive experience while being so remarkably young in his career, almost guarantees his future notoriety, making Brad the kind of person any creative will enjoy working with,” suggests Skillicorn. He adds, “His discerning eye, his confidence in making good and fast decisions, his manner of communicating and his well-crafted leadership skills are totally in line with my own ideals and perspectives. I couldn’t be happier about this partnership. He brings a new vibrancy to Seed.”
In describing his move to Seed, Johnson shares, “I’m ready to go all in and build something special. Roy has opened many doors for me in the past, but this partnership is the most exciting of all. I am looking forward to bringing my experience and expertise to the Seed family as we strive to produce incredible content.”
With offices in Chicago and LA, Seed produces exceptional visual commercial content created by distinctive filmmakers, by connecting them to brands.
Clients who are looking for the benefit of a savvy production team with a fresh approach to achieving unique imagery, a pragmatically streamlined production process and a memorable experience, will be drawn to the freshly energized spirit of Seed.
For more information call Roy at 312-925-3679 or visit the Seed website.
