'Independent' stars Tilly, Slotnick

Louthan directing, producing comedy

By DAVE MCNARY

Production has begun on Guy Louthan's "The Independent," a behind-the-scenes comedy set in the world of indie film starring Jennifer Tilly and "Nip/Tuck's" Joey Slotnick.

Louthan's directing and producing from a screenplay he co-authored with Neil Monaghan. Drew Katz is exec producing.

"The Independent" centers on a producer who's given the chance to realize his dream project of filming an adaptation of an obscure Victorian novel, "The Tides of Reason." The producer agrees to the demands of his illegitimate financiers that the production be filmed entirely in Romania to take advantage of a suspicious tax deal. 

Film also stars Brit thesps Jason Flemyng ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"), Nicolas Le Prevost ("Shakespeare in Love"), Joe Shaw ("M.I.T. Murder Investigation Team") and Steve Nicholson ("Spooks").

Louthan's previous credits include producing "The Half Life of Timothy Berzin," and Rouge Pictures' "Seed of Chucky." His Highland Films banner has focused primarily on international film and television financing, employing tax incentives, subsidies and soft money structures available to qualifying U.S. and European co-productions.