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Tony Stopperan has a lot of titles, from screenwriter to producer to father of a 1-year-old son, Charlie.
But the one word that really defines Stopperan is storyteller.
“Original content is king in any platform,” says Stopperan, who runs a movie production business in Sarasota, House of John Productions. “Storytelling that’s new and original will always find a market.”
Stopperan’s first go-around in an executive producer role was with “The Lucky 6,” a full-length feature movie shot in Sarasota last year. The movie was part of a Ringling College of Art and Design feature film project. Ringling alumni and graduate students from Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory acted in the movie, which debuted at the 2014 Sarasota Film Festival. Written and directed by Ringling College digital filmmaking department head Bradley Battersby, the movie was part comedy, part drama about six tech startup employees who win a $120 million lottery jackpot.
Next up for Stopperan is “Paradise, FL.” It’s a movie about a young fisherman and the family he finds after a life tragedy. The movie, not affiliated with Ringling College, is in post-production and Stopperan has been talking to film festivals about showings.
Both movies, from writing to casting to editing, have combined lessons learned with a cool factor for Stopperan. “It’s hugely rewarding,” he says. “It’s exciting to create something from nothing.”
— Mark Gordon
Q&A
City of residence: Sarasota
Birthplace: Twin Falls, Idaho
Years on the Gulf Coast: Five
Marital status/children: Married to Jaime, 1-year-old son, Charlie
Alma mater: BA Trinity Western University; MFA Florida State University
Best place to network: Performing arts openings
Coolest business experience: Producing two feature films in under one year
The most important business lesson I’ve learned: People invest in people
One website that makes your job easier: LinkedIn
One community group you’re most involved with: Gulf Coast Leadership Institute
Favorite off-hours activity: Golf
Two people, dead or alive, you’d like to have dinner with: Harvey Weinstein and Ari Emanuel
Best award you ever received: Chosen to the Gulf Coast Leadership Institute
Most adventurous thing you’ve ever done: Ridden a bull
What’s at the top of your bucket list: Re-ride a bull for longer than two seconds
What new skill would you like to learn: Animation in Maya, or Cinema 4D
Who would play you in a movie about your life: I thought I would, but turns out Jon-Michael Miller did in my recently wrapped film Paradise, FL.
If I had a magic wand I’d: give it to my niece, so she'll stop asking me for one.
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