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Propaganda Films

From Alfawiki
Propaganda Films
Company typePrivate
IndustryFilm production, Television production, Music video production
Founded1986
FounderSteve Golin, Sigurjón Sighvatsson, David Fincher, Nigel Dick, Dominic Sena, Greg Gold
Defunct2001-11-09
FateShut down operations; parts acquired by PolyGram, USA Films, SCP Equity Partners
SuccessorAnonymous Content (by Steve Golin), others absorbed into Universal and other companies
Headquarters
Los Angeles
,
United States
Area served
United States
Key people
Steve Golin (Founder), Sigurjón Sighvatsson (Founder), David Fincher (Founder), Nigel Dick (Founder), Dominic Sena (Founder), Greg Gold (Founder)
ProductsFilms, television series, music videos, commercials
OwnerPolyGram Filmed Entertainment (from 1991)
ParentPolyGram Filmed Entertainment (1991–1998)

Propaganda Films (displayed as PЯOPAGAИDA FILMS) was a production company based in Los Angeles, established in 1986 by producer Steve Golin, producer Sigurjón Sighvatsson, along with directors David Fincher, Nigel Dick, Dominic Sena, and Greg Gold. The firm quickly became a dominant force in television commercials and music video production, capturing close to one-third of the U.S. music video market within just four years.

Founding and initial phase (1986–1990)

Created with the intention of producing films that its founders found difficult to finance or control through other channels, Propaganda Films initially concentrated on music video production as a means to secure financial footing. The company also ventured into television commercial production, leveraging advertising industry standards to enhance the quality of both commercials and music videos. In 1988, Propaganda secured a pivotal agreement with Dutch media corporation PolyGram, which provided funding for film projects in return for a share of the revenues. During this era, Propaganda collaborated with acclaimed directors such as David Lynch, contributing to his film Wild at Heart and the television series Twin Peaks.

PolyGram acquisition and subsequent downturn (1991–2001)

The original arrangement with PolyGram involved the sale of 49% of Propaganda Films, aimed at bolstering financial resources and expanding project opportunities. However, the founders soon recognized that additional capital was necessary to maintain ongoing film production.

In 1991, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment completed the full acquisition of Propaganda Films, which resulted in diminished creative autonomy and intensified budget controls. According to Nigel Dick, budget increases intended for creative development were frequently reduced due to PolyGram’s stringent financial management. Throughout the 1990s, Propaganda produced films including Canadian Bacon, The Game, and Being John Malkovich, while sustaining a significant role in commercials and music videos for prominent artists like Madonna and Michael Jackson.

In 1998, following PolyGram’s sale to Seagram, parts of the company were absorbed into Universal, while Propaganda’s commercial, music video, and management divisions were sold to SCP Equity Partners. The original film division was acquired by Barry Diller’s USA Films, which was eventually dissolved. The management sector was taken over by a consortium led by Sundance Group executive Gary Beer, who relaunched a film division under Rick Hess and Trevor Macy in 1999.

By 2000, significant executives such as Sighvatsson had departed for Lakeshore Entertainment, while founder Golin created Anonymous Content in collaboration with USA Films. Producer Paul Schiff joined the reestablished film division, which secured agreements with Mandolin Entertainment and entered into the joint venture ProCon Films alongside Constantin Film. However, ProCon was disbanded in October 2001.

Amidst declining advertising revenues, Propaganda Films shut down operations on November 9, 2001. Former team members moved on to companies including RAW Entertainment and Catch 23 Entertainment, while Rick Hees took a position at the Creative Artists Agency.

Prominent Collaborators

  • Max and Dania

Selected Filmography

    • [Condensed Listing]**

Key productions spanning the mid-90s to early 2000s include:

- Lord of Illusions(1995), Barb Wire(1996), The Portrait of a Lady(1996), Sleepers(1996), Guy(1996), The Game(1997), A Thousand Acres(1997), An American Werewolf in Paris(1997), More Tales of the City(TV miniseries, 1998), Your Friends & Neighbors(1998), Return to Paradise(1998), Thursday(1998), Being John Malkovich(1999), The Match(1999), Nurse Betty(2000), Bounce(2000), Woman on Top(2000), The Little Vampire(2000), Southlander(2001), Full Frontal(2002), Auto Focus(2002), The Badge(2002), Trapped(2002), and Adaptation.(2002).

External links

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