ABOUT
The number 4.4.4 is a beacon of light for those that find it; a good luck charm; an “angelic” number charged with heightened energy to help guide through the shadows into the open space of possibility and wonder.
444 Pictures Company or (444), was formed to radiate this same shining inspiration. Our films provide audiences with an entertaining alternative to tackle difficult issues through authentic and creative exchanges. They are rewarded with exhilarating scares and cathartic releases, guided by the higher dimensions of our human nature. We are powerful content creators, focused on delivering memorable experiences above all.
444 is a global production company involved in the development and financing of creative content for feature film, TV series, and new media platforms. 444 began as an idea, rising from the vacuum fueled by the pandemic of 2020. We were motivated by the recognition that Hollywood’s classic appeal had been fortified by the new paradigm of streaming and premium video on demand. We exist to capitalize on this unstoppable momentum of online and on-demand streaming to bring the depth and thrill of cinema to all audiences. This is our opportunity to create a new age company to optimize our process and capitalize on market shifts that better serve streaming subscribers and theater goers worldwide. We create meaningful genre content that we love, while adhering to a disciplined, cost effective business model and leveraging new technologies and data analytics to enhance efficiency.
CRITERIA
We are a powerful content creators, focused on delivering memorable experiences for our viewership.
444 at its core is a director led organization, providing talented directors with the forum to wield a powerful voice and tackle issues and conversations that are important to society.
We are focused on the genres of Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Fantasy and aim to incorporate deeper themes and address challenging topics. Our films capture multiple elements including drama and comedy that help transport viewers on our journey.
We produce lower budget movies, with budgets up to $10M. We strive for balance, keenly aware that every creative decision has a financial impact on the outcome, and every financial decision has a creative impact. We have calibrated our production process to utilize data science, market research and our collective experiences to keep budgets lows and de-risk outcomes.
We are relationship-oriented and take pride in aligning our incentive structures with all of our constituents, including our talent, our production team, and our investors.
GENRES
Horror
Thriller
Science Fiction
Fantasy
BUDGETS
$1M to $5M
up to 2.0x for sequels
INVESTMENT TYPES
Project Development
Financial Investment
Co-investment
Restructuring
PRODUCTION
Director Led
Focus on diversity & inclusion
Unique scripts with underlying themes
TEAM
444 is differentiated by the unique perspective and capabilities of its founders who have have complimentary backgrounds in studio production, advertising and finance respectively.
KIRK PETRUCCELLI
ANTHONY LUKAS
JOSEPH LESKO
KIRK PETRUCCELLI
Founder & Partner
Kirk has accumulated three decades of success in Hollywood as a production designer, art director, producer, and screenwriter. Kirk has been involved in numerous feature films, working with award winning directors on projects including Moonfall (2021), Midway (2019), and Geostorm (2017). Kirk has also been involved with films including Finding Steve McQueen, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, The Patriot, Blade, and Anaconda.
As a production designer, Kirk has been in charge of the creative vision, preparation, and production of a variety of projects and budgets; taking the writer’s work, the directors’s vision, and the producer’s planning & synthesizing into a visual story.
Kirk utilizes this dynamic skill set to lead Creative and Production 444 Films.
ANTHONY LUKAS
Founder & Partner
Anthony brings 25 years of experience as a brand planner and strategist, working with companies such as Coca Cola, MSNBC, Showtime, Ford, Burton, Walmart, and Levis to name a few. His expertise in creating consumer experiences, utilizing content development, social media, licensing and product placement, provides Anthony with a high level of operational awareness on any active front. In addition, Anthony single-handedly negotiated and acquired the world-wide master license for PAN AM. He created the brands rationale, the brand direction and managed the product strategy which including the concept development and pitch of the PAN AM series on ABC, including initial development and final sublicense negotiation with Sony. PAN AM, starred Cristina Ricci and ran on ABC for 14 episodes.
JOSEPH LESKO
Founder & Partner
Joseph is a veteran financier and entrepreneur with 20 plus years of capital markets, investments and financial services experience at prominent firms including JP Morgan, Barclays Capital, AIG and most recently Arq Advisors. Joseph has worn many hats on Wall Street, including time spent as a research analyst, private banker and investment banker and brings an expertise in capital formation and deal structuring to lead 444’s content acquisition and investments. Joseph has previous experience financing films and has served as an executive producer on several pictures including the Son of the South (2020), the Collector 3 (TBD) and The Odds (TBD).
Joseph holds an MBA degree from New York University and a BS degree from Villanova University. He is a member of the Villanova Business School (VSB) Finance Department Advisory Council (FDAC) and the Parrish Art Museum Contemporary Circle (PCC) Leadership Committee.
Joseph lives in New York City. He is a lover of contemporary art and music and is an avid fitness enthusiast, dedicating time daily for HIIT, a strength workout or yoga.
PROJECTS
SUPERNATURAL THRILLER
— CURRENTLY IN PRE-PRODUCTION —
