The Trio Behind Reverie Realms Studios: Bringing Powerful Stories to Life
Jun. 11 2024, Published 3:00 a.m. ET
In a movie world full of unoriginal blockbusters and tired remakes, there's a special place for fresh, original stories: Reverie Realms Studios. This indie film company is led by the visionary team of Frank Cid, Woody Dorilus, and Joseph Wehle — three guys with a belief in the power of great storytelling to captivate audiences and spark meaningful conversations.
Where the Spark Was Lit
The seed for Reverie Realms was planted 10 years ago when Joseph and Woody had an idea for a film exploring a prisoner's final hour before execution, diving deep into heavy themes like faith, redemption, and the complexities of human morality. The concept was born from their own personal journeys grappling with spiritual questions.
Frank's background in high-stakes finance gives him a keen eye for finding opportunities to champion character-driven stories. His conviction that quality storytelling could rise above mainstream noise laid the groundwork for Reverie Realms' unique approach.
Woody’s love for storytelling, on the other hand, was ignited at a young age through writing short stories and poetry from the age of 13. However, it wasn't until he performed in his first play - a high school production of Romeo and Juliet - that his passion for entertainment fully grew.
Seeing how captivated the audience was by a group of teenagers bringing those iconic characters to life was a special moment. "I knew then that I wanted to make films that could captivate audiences just like I saw that night," Woody recalls.
This ability to transport audiences is what drives Woody, who won multiple global awards for creativity and originality with his acclaimed short film "Mirror Mirror." As he looks to the release of Reverie Realms' first feature "Final Hour" and beyond, his vision is for the studio to become "a premier destination making meaningful films with characters that linger - not just disposable content."
Woody's creative partner Joseph also cites his childhood love of movies, cultivated by watching classic films with his parents, as the spark for his storytelling passion. "It sort of lit a fire in me to one day bring my own stories to life," he says.
Like Woody, Joseph had to overcome youthful shyness about sharing his work before a pivotal high school experience boosted his confidence. "A wonderful English teacher believed in me more than I did myself and submitted my screenplay to the school paper," he recalls. "After that, I lost the fear of putting my work out there."
Uncharted Creative Waters
But what really sets Reverie Realms apart, is their commitment to storytelling excellence above all else. In an industry often driven by profits and formulas, Frank, Woody, and Joseph prioritize challenging narratives that spark thought-provoking conversations and defy conventions.
Their debut "Mirror Mirror" - a poignant look at self-reflection and the human condition - earned widespread critical praise and awards for its creativity and originality.
Balancing Art and Business
With Frank's investment banking experience and Woody's finance background, Reverie Realms possesses a unique capability to seamlessly navigate the business landscape of filmmaking. Their combined expertise allows them to harmonize artistic vision with investment management, a crucial balance in an industry often constrained by budgets.
An Ambitious Future Lies Ahead
Looking ahead, Reverie Realms envisions a future filled with diverse, richly nuanced stories and characters that defy archetypes. They've got an ambitious slate of thought-provoking films and shows aimed at captivating audiences worldwide in the pipeline, and they’re not stopping there.
With their collaborative, artist-focused approach, Frank, Woody, and Joseph imbue every Reverie Realms project with a sense of authenticity and passion. As they continue pushing the boundaries of storytelling, this trio remains dedicated to creating cinema that inspires audiences, challenges perspectives, and entertains in equal measure.
A Passion-Fueled Journey
Reverie Realms is far more than just a production house — it's a creative center fueled by an intense passion for storytelling that resonates on an emotional level. With their acclaimed debut "Mirror Mirror" and highly-anticipated upcoming "Final Hour", Frank, Woody, and Joseph are poised to redefine how stories are told and felt, one captivating story at a time.