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Adam Ripp
Biography:
In 1992 Adam Ripp produced his first feature film, "Public Access," and was awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival. And in 1993 Adam developed the script "Writing Home" which was invited to the 1994 Sundance Screenwriters Lab.That same year Adam began outlining "Beat Cop," a character driven story about an idealistic young man who joins the LAPD and discovers his true heart of darkness. Adam conducted research into the inner workings of the LAPD by i... more
In 1992 Adam Ripp produced his first feature film, "Public Access," and was awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival. And in 1993 Adam developed the script "Writing Home" which was invited to the 1994 Sundance Screenwriters Lab.That same year Adam began outlining "Beat Cop," a character driven story about an idealistic young man who joins the LAPD and discovers his true heart of darkness. Adam conducted research into the inner workings of the LAPD by interviewing dozens of cops and going on countless ride-a-longs. By late 1993, it was clear to Adam that he had only scratched the surface of what life in the LAPD was all about. Adam knew that to capture the true essence of this world he would need to do something different. So he decided to fulfill his childhood dream to join the LAPD and become a cop. In April of 1994 Adam started his police training at the LAPD Academy. In January of 1995 he graduated near the top of his class and hit the streets. He volunteered for the most dangerous duties you can imagine: anti-gang task forces in South Central, Narcotics, Special Problems Unit, Vice and Patrol. Over time it became an intensely personal tale, and now after what has become an incredible 15-year journey, Adam and producer Rob Paris are currently packaging the film with Adam attached to direct.In 1995 Adam built a successful state-of-the-art post-production business, FSI, which he owned and operated until selling the company in 2001.Adam's first exposure to urban culture came when the Los Angeles Unified School District began busing kids from South Central into his elementary school in the Hollywood Hills. This early introduction to urban culture was the initial catalyst that led to his awareness of life in the hood and ultimately to writing, producing and directing the feature film "Gang Tapes," a coming of rage story about a young boy chronicling his descent into gang life with a stolen video camera. To achieve the realism that Adam envisioned for the film, he spent several months in Watts and South Central doing research and cast gang members and ex-gang members in all of the lead, supporting and extra roles. "Gang Tapes" was financed and distributed by Lions Gate Films and released in 2002. The New York Times praised "Gang Tapes" as "Engrossing" and Variety hailed the film as "Relentless and Potent with Excellent Performances," while Ain't It Cool News called it "A wonderfully conceived and brilliantly realized urban tale." Adam won the Best Director award for "Gang Tapes" at the DVD Premiere Awards. The San Francisco Black Film Festival awarded Adam with the prestigious Melvin Van Peebles award. "Gang Tapes" won Best Ensemble Cast at the New York Underground Film Festival. And Adam was nominated as Best Director at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles.In 2003 Adam consulted Judd Apatow as a Police Technical Advisor on a script about two motorcycle cops to star Will Ferrell and Jack Black.In 2004 Adam created "Hollywood Vice" for Fox Television, which he wrote, executive produced and directed. He also developed SWAT for TNT which he's producing with Jan De Bont. This film is based upon an original treatment written by Adam and tells the true story about the creation of the very first SWAT team. That same year Adam consulted as a Police Technical Advisor on the Wim Wenders film, "Land of Plenty."In 2005 Adam wrote the feature film "Scavenger" for Arnold Rifkin and Beacon Pictures. Adam is attached to produce and direct "Scavenger."In 2006 Adam created the scripted television series "Darius" for MTV, which he wrote and is attached to executive produce and direct. He also developed and executive produced the animated movie review series "The Cowboy Critic" for CinemaNow.comAdam kept himself busy in 2007 and 2008 as a producer on the following reality television series: "Inside American Jail" for TruTV, "Busted" for MTV, "Speeders" for TruTV, "Jail" for MyNetTV and "Speeders Fight Back" for TruTV. And as a writer and director Adam developed the horror film "The Curse" with OZLA Pictures. Adam also served as a creative consultant to Midway Games.Adam recently directed an episode of the scripted television series "Lost Tapes" for Animal Planet. In addition to "Beat Cop," Adam is currently developing a scripted television series he created which he's attached to write and executive produce entitled "APB" with Simon West and CBS Paramount Television. Adam is also developing the scripted television series "The Shift" with producer Dan Halsted which Adam is attached to write, executive produce and direct. And Adam is in development on several reality television series he created which he's attached to executive produce including "Back in the Game" with Reveille Productions, "X-Cops" with Fox Television, "Crazy Town" with PB&J Television and "Walk the Line" with 51 Minds Entertainment.Adam is a member of the Writers Guild of America and is represented by Creative Artists Agency and Underground Films Management.
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