A Truly Independent Vision
COMPANY EXECUTIVE ROSTER Stephen Rollins began his entertainment career as an actor in 1989, while attending Mercer University in Atlanta, appearing in the John Hughes film “Career Opportunities” with Jennifer Connelly and the ABC television film “A Son’s Promise” with Ricky Schroeder. Joel is a native of Chicago, Illinois, where he practiced law and was house counsel for Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. for five years before relocating with his family to Southern California. He previously graduated from De Paul University and Chicago-Kent College of Law, a division of Illinois Institute of Technology, where he received his Doctorate of Law. While in California, he continued to practice law, was an instructor in law at University of San Fernando Valley College of Law, directed various business law seminars, was on the panel of arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association, and most recently acted as a mediator for the Superior Court of Los Angeles. Over the years, he has represented countless individuals, entities and associations, including those in the entertainment industry, while considered as an expert in dispute resolution. He is a member of the Illinois and California Bar Associations, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Joel joined Stephen to help develop Lightning Pictures LLC in 2003. Building upon a well established career as a business and entertainment law attorney, Joel brings a most extensive and varied background to LP’s daily operations, laying the foundation for a bright future for the company.
CEO Stephen Rollins
Writer/Producer/Director
In 1991, Stephen formed Magic Motions Entertainment, which produced small film projects for cable television. His first production was “Mikey Was Here”, a comedy short film distributed by Coe Films International, which was produced for $8,200 and sold for $94,000. In addition, the film was considered for a Best Live Action Short Film Oscar. In 1992, while appearing on the NBC television show “Heat of the Night”, Stephen received his first taste of directing.
Throughout the mid-to-late 90’s, in addition to working in vault services for Sony Pictures, Stephen established and built relationships with most of the major studios in the industry. Through these relationships, he was hired by other independent companies to develop their film projects and take to the studios for review and purchase. Stephen went on to appear in over 20 more films and television series, briefly starring in his own sitcom “Billy’s Magic” on the UPN. Stephen also served as a speaker at many film schools and institutions about film and television production.
In 2003, Stephen merged with now business partner Joel Ward to form Lightning Pictures LLC. As CEO, Producer, and Director, his considerable experience will be used to create our production slate, manage the LP LLC team, negotiate with distributors, and plan future strategies.
President & CFO Joel M. Ward
Legal/Business
