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“Jon Reiss is everything you want in a consultant. He speaks the language of filmmakers AND is an extremely astute businessperson and strategist. From my film’s world premiere at Telluride to its broadcast on PBS’s American Masters, Jon guided me down the daunting distribution trail every step of the way. He taught me how to expand my film's audience while also increasing revenue and recognition. Jon isn’t just a consultant - he’s a champion and true friend.”

Pamela Tom, Producer/Director Tyrus.

Work
Consultation and Strategy. Advised on entire release. 

Logline
Tyrus is a feature-length documentary directed by Pamela Tom about pioneering Chinese American artist Tyrus Wong who overcame a life of poverty, racism, and discrimination to become a renowned painter and Hollywood sketch artist.  The documentary reveals how the quiet beauty of Wong's eastern influenced paintings caught the eye of Walt Disney and became the inspiration for the classic animated feature Bambi (1942). For the next 25 years, Wong brought his artistry to Warner Brothers where his striking storyboards and set illustrations helped set the tone and drama for films such as Sands of Iwo Jima (1949), Rebel Without a Cause (1955), William Goldman's Harper (1966) and Sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch. Wong died at the age of 106 on December 30, 2016, the oldest-known living Chinese American artist at the time of his death.

Notable Release Aspects
Extensive festival run, educational distribution through Good Docs, PBS American Masters.