EXCLUSIVE: Veteran producer Andrew Schneider has been tapped to lead Candle Entertainment, a division of Candle Studios, as EVP.
Schneider joins from Perfect Storm Entertainment, the production company of the Fast & Furious franchise’s Justin Lin, where he served as President. In his new role, Schneider will drive the expansion of the scripted film and TV business under Candle Entertainment, with a specific focus on the action, drama and thriller genres, and further tapping into a growing global co-production market. Companies operating under the division’s umbrella include Faraway Road Productions (Fauda, Hit & Run) and the Latin-focused Exile Content Studio (Vgly, La liberación).
Based in Los Angeles, Schneider will report to Candle Studios CEO Sarah Harden. Exile Executive Chairman Isaac Lee and Faraway Co-CEOs Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff will report to Schneider.
“Leveraging the strengths and track records of Faraway Road and Exile, with strong creative slates and local-market production capabilities in the Middle East, and Latin America, Candle Entertainment focuses on telling distinctive global stories. Andrew Schneider is an extraordinary producer and executive and having him lead this team is a game-changer,” said Harden in a statement to Deadline. “We see clear opportunities in the global marketplace for male-skewing shows and believe Andrew’s proven expertise will allow us to deliver a wider range of films and series that connect with large audiences across the world.”
During his six-plus years at Perfect Storm, Schneider oversaw and was integral to a diverse range of projects, from blockbusters like F9: The Fast Saga and Fast X, each of which grossed over $700 million worldwide, to intimate indies like Lin’s Last Days, which is coming off its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Schneider also oversaw Perfect Storm’s deals with Universal Television and Apple TV+ while focusing on international markets, having spearheaded co-productions across Indonesia, Thailand, and Korea.
“After admiring so much of the bold creative work from Candle companies, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to expand its focus on my favorite genres,” said Schneider. “I look forward to collaborating with the talented teams at Faraway Road, Exile, and other Candle divisions to create big, compelling stories that resonate with audiences around the world.”
Prior to his time at Perfect Storm, Schneider was Vice President of Television and Film Production at Free Association, where he shepherded high-profile projects including Comrade Detective for Amazon and Gorilla and the Bird for HBO. A graduate of the University of Southern California, he began his career at DreamWorks Animation and Fox21 Television Studios. A member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, he also serves on boards supporting ALS research and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
A next-generation media company founded by former Disney executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, who serve as Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs, Candle Media is the parent company behind Candle Studios, which is organized with three divisions: Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, Candle Entertainment, and Candle True Stories. The company is backed by investment capital from funds managed by Blackstone’s flagship private equity business.