Global Courant
EXCLUSIVE: Utkarsh Ambudkar (Ghosts) is attached to co-star in the dramedy The Book Of Jobs, which Concourse Media is handling for world sales.
Tom Nunan, founder of Bull’s Eye Entertainment and executive producer of Best Picture Oscar winner Crash, and The Illusionist, has started prep on the movie, which is due to start production next month in California and Oklahoma. The film was granted a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement in August.
Described as a rite of passage film, the story follows a girl growing up in Silicon Valley in the shadow of Steve Jobs’ triumphant return to Apple, and his outsized influence on her imagination, ambitions and relationships. Ambudkar co-stars as ‘Mr. Shine’, an off-beat mentor who guides the obsessive millennial. Additional casting is being signed up.
The movie will mark the feature debut of Kayci Lacob who writes, directs and produces alongside Nunan.
The producers are working with Tava Sofsky of The Cherokee Nation Film Office, having earned an incentive through their programs. Sara E. White (The Idol) serves as executive producer, and Shasta Spahn (Yellowjackets) has signed on as director of photography. Talia Bella and Randy Wayne, co-founders and owners of Rebellium Films, provide production services and consultancy in Oklahoma.
Matthew Shreder is executive producing with Concourse Media representing worldwide rights. Lily Trotter of Lily Trotter Casting, is handling casting.
Actor, rapper, and singer Ambudkar is best known for series including CBS’s Ghosts and Hulu’s The Dropout, and movies such as Brittany Runs A Marathon and Free Guy.
Lacob stated: “Sofia Coppola and Greta Gerwig are brilliant role models of mine, both personifying the kind of filmmaker and storyteller I one day aim to be. My debut film seeks to explore the intense experiences I had, growing up in and around the San Francisco Bay Area, when Silicon Valley and the tech world seemed to be very much at the center of the universe. The Book Of Jobs is a very personal story to me, and as a fan of any movie or TV series about obsessive personalities, I hope everyone will be both illuminated and entertained.”
Nunan added: “I’m thrilled to be introducing the world to Kayci Lacob and her thoroughly original vision of life in Silicon Valley, as “the Age of the Millennial” came to life. It’s a privilege to get to support such a dynamic, fresh voice.”
Gersh, 3Arts and Jackoway/Austen/Tyerman/Wertheimer/Mandelbaum/Morris/Bernstein/Trattner & Klein made Ambudkar’s deal; CAA brokered White’s deal; UTA brokered Spahn’s deal. The Book Of Jobs is repped by law firm Lewis/Brisbois.
