Tim Grohne launches sales company Primal Screen

Tim Grohne, former evp European operations at IM Global, is launching new London-based UK sales company Primal Screen ahead of the Cannes market.

Focusing on genre titles, Grohne’s slate includes Rise of the Appliances, a sci-fi comedy from writer director Rob Sprackling, writer of Gnomeo and Juliet and Mike Bassett: England Manager, noir-thriller LA Slasher and zombie feature The Wall.

“Filmmakers are fearful of their films being lost within over-crowded slates. My aim will be to focus greater attention on fewer films,” Grohne told ScreenDaily.

“Distributors are constantly trying to de-risk their acquisitions by finding projects with strong ideas and marketing hooks.

“All three films fit these criteria perfectly, in addition to which they are being made by enormously talented individuals. I believe that all three titles offer great value and a potential to generate real profits.”

Wales-set Rise of the Appliances, due to shoot later this summer, with producer Simon Sprackling currently in talks with UK cast, follows a dysfunctional family who survive a global uprising of domestic appliances by virtue of having had all of their electrical goods repossessed the day before.

“Rob [Sprackling] has already established himself as one of the UK and Hollywood’s most successful comedy screenwriters and his experience working with Studios and companies such as Henson’s and Aardman has given him the perfect platform from which to launch his career as a director,” said Grohne.

LA Slasher, a stylised neon-noir in which a number of celebrities are targeted by a mysterious killer, stars Mischa Barton, Danny Trejo, six-time WWE Champion Dave Bautista and Eric Roberts alongside Brooke Hogan, Drake Bell and Tori Black.

Currently in post-production and screening on promo in Cannes, the film marks the debut of UK director Martin Owen.

Primal Screen will also launch sales on The Wall - a zombie feature set in Berlin in which the infamous ‘wall’ has to be rebuilt in order to quarantine the city from an epidemic.

The film will be directed by Moritz Mohr and produced by Benjamin Munz of Rat Pack Productions, with principal photography set to shoot later in the year.

Industry vet Grohne joined Stuart Ford’s sales team at First Look International in 2007, prior to the company’s acquisition and re-branding as IM Global.

Headquartered in London, the exec covered major European territories and helped source projects including The Inbetweeners Movie and Welcome to the Punch.

He previously co-founded sales outfit Celsius Entertainment with Thierry Wase-Bailey and spent six years at agency The Creative Partnership.