Banker Butan moves to Ignite as prexy, partner
Exec to map out biz strategy; Gul moves to creative exec
Butan, who also becomes a partner alongside chairman Michael Burns and president of production Leanna Creel, will be in charge of Ignite's business strategy and will work with Creel on developing and producing pics.
Ignite is a sister company to Burns' entertainment Website, the Hollywood Stock Exchange. Butan will report to Burns, who remains the principal shareholder in Ignite.
In addition, Ignite has named Ronnie Gul to the position of creative executive. Gul, who will report to Creel, will manage the company's development and submissions process.
Ignite makes around five indie pics per year, costing $5 million or less.
Among projects in development include dark comedy "The Lauren Schwartz Story: Saga of a Loser," a co-production with Bette Midler and Bonnie Bruckheimer's All Girl Prods., with Midler attached to star; and comedy "But I'm a Cheerleader," with Clea Duvall attached.
Completed pics include Morgan J. Freeman's "Desert Blue," starring Brendan Sexton III, Christina Ricci and Casey Affleck, to which Samuel Goldwyn Films has U.S. rights; and "Girl," starring Dominique Swain and Sean Patrick Flannery.
Butan served as executive producer on "Blue," "Girl" and Ignite's Jennifer Love Hewitt-starrer "The Suburbans," which has just wrapped shooting.
