Filmmakers Jim Cummings, PJ McCabe, and Thomas Cross have launched a new independent production studio called Cool & Happy Limited, with Cummings and McCabe serving as chief creatives and Cross heading up production. The team has been working together for eight years, starting with shorts and moving on to three feature films: “Thunder Road,” “The Wolf of Snow Hollow,” and “The Beta Test.” The challenges of the COVID pandemic and Hollywood labor strikes made them realize the importance of working with people they actually enjoy being around, especially in an industry where it’s increasingly difficult to break through.
Their focus at Cool & Happy is on creating “unsanitized, well-crafted movies for cinema fanatics,” with the ability to self-finance and self-distribute seen as a key advantage in the future of filmmaking. They plan to continue pursuing larger projects while also making smaller films to keep the lights on, believing that many production companies rely too heavily on services rather than creating content directly for their audience. Cummings emphasizes the importance of staying lean and avoiding the need to conform to traditional industry standards.
Cool & Happy is already making waves, premiering their short comedy film “The Last Brunch” at SXSW and aiming to secure festival slots for another short film later in the year. The studio’s approach of creating unique and well-crafted content directly for audiences sets them apart in an industry that can often be more focused on commercial success than artistic integrity. Their ability to finance and distribute independently gives them the freedom to take creative risks and connect more directly with their audience.
The team’s experience in creating successful films like “Thunder Road” and “The Wolf of Snow Hollow” gives them a strong foundation to build on with Cool & Happy. Their commitment to making films that are both entertaining and thought-provoking, while also being financially sustainable, reflects their belief in the power of independent filmmaking. By keeping their team small and focused on creating quality content, they aim to continue making an impact in the industry and providing audiences with films that resonate on a deeper level.
Cummings, McCabe, and Cross’s dedication to their craft and their vision for Cool & Happy as a hub for innovative and original storytelling positions them as key players in the independent film scene. Their ability to navigate the challenges of the industry while staying true to their creative instincts sets them apart from traditional production companies. With a roster of talented filmmakers and a commitment to producing content that challenges and entertains, Cool & Happy is poised to make a lasting impact on the world of independent cinema.
