Amplify Pictures appoints new scripted series executive

Amplify Pictures, the independent studio that develops, finances and produces award-winning, commercially driven scripted series, documentary projects and theatrical productions, has expanded its executive ranks and hired Luke Esselen as Scripted Series Executive, it was announced today by Rachel Eggebeen, Amplify Pictures’ Chief Content Officer.

Esselen has held senior positions at Picturestart and Quibi, and previously worked at CAA as a talent agent. In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing Amplify Pictures’ current slate of scripted projects as well as expanding their scripted slate with globally commercial projects, with an emphasis on ongoing series and franchise creation. Esselen’s knowledge and background working across various facets of the industry makes him uniquely qualified to lead Amplify Pictures’ push into scripted indie TV and to work with top tier talent.

Esselen will be based in Los Angeles and will report to Eggebeen, who is based in Amsterdam and oversees Amplify Pictures’ content slate, which includes the Emmy-winning docu-series 100 Foot Wave, broadcast on HBO; Bollywood Dance U, the electrifying new docu-series that follows the high-stakes world of competitive collegiate Bollywood Fusion dance, directed by Smriti Mundhra (Indian Matchmaking); and Game Changers, which explores the backstories behind the video games that changed our world, which debuted earlier this month on Max.

"I'm thrilled to join the incredible team at Amplify Pictures and to be a part of their bold movement to redefine television. In this ever-changing landscape, their commitment to investing in innovative storytelling and empowering creators is exactly where I believe this industry should be headed. I look forward to collaborating with the exceptional team that's already in place,” said Esselen.

“Amplify Pictures is about originating new financing models for television, being nimble, and creating a fun home for the top talent in the world. Having Luke join us at this key moment in our growth is immensely exciting as Luke is the full package - an entrepreneurial mindset, great taste in talent and material, and a leader.  He will be an essential element in Amplify's next phase of growth as we build on our success in indie TV,” added Eggebeen. 

Before joining Amplify Pictures, Esselen served as Vice President of Television at Picturestart where he oversaw a slate of projects in development at a wide array of studios and streamers. Prior to Picturestart, Luke was an early hire and Senior Content Lead at Quibi where he developed and launched such series as Most Dangerous Game, Dummy, Reno911!, The Fugitive and Die Hart. He began his career at CAA and Mosaic. Luke later returned to CAA as an Agent in the Motion Picture Department. In 2016, he departed talent representation for development at Funny Or Die.

ABOUT AMPLIFY PICTURES

Amplify Pictures is the pioneering independent studio that develops, finances and produces award-winning, commercially driven scripted series, documentary projects and theatrical productions, including HBO’s Emmy-winning 100 Foot Wave. Founded in 2018 by Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe-winning producer and Amazon Studios co-founder Joe Lewis (Fleabag, Transparent), Amplify Pictures is helmed by CEO Lewis alongside founding partners Rachel Eggebeen, Chief Content Officer, and Colin King Miller, Chief Operating Officer.

Their unique business model focuses on investing in diverse, creator-driven, independently produced series and providing a platform for original global franchises. By partnering with creators and sharing a project’s success - as well as the willingness to greenlight without a distributor or broadcast partner - the company is revolutionizing the traditional television process. With offices in Los Angeles, New York and Amsterdam, Amplify Pictures is capitalizing on the demand for global content and creator friendly financing.

The second season of Amplify Pictures’ hit series 100 Foot Wave received six Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series and took home its second  Emmy for Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program. The first season of 100 Foot Wave also won an Emmy for Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program as well as a PGA Award for Outstanding Sports Program. Season three of the big wave docuseries will air on HBO in the coming months.

Amplify Pictures’ production slate also includes Bollywood Dance U, the electrifying new docu-series that follows the high-stakes world of competitive collegiate Bollywood Fusion dance, directed by Smriti Mundhra (Indian Matchmaking) and Game Changers, which explores the backstories behind the video games that changed our world, streaming on Max

Amplify Pictures has recently expanded their theater production division and was a co-producer on Gutenberg! The Musical!, starring Grammy award-winners Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells, which was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and marks the first Tony Award nomination for Amplify Pictures. Directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers, the show completed a limited engagement on Broadway in January 2024. Amplify CEO Joe Lewis previously won a Tony Award for co-producing A Strange Loop in 2022.  The first season of Amplify Pictures' new podcast, Pretty Sure I Can Fly, hosted by Johnny Knoxville and Elna Baker, is out now and produced alongside SmartLess Media and Campside Media.