Park Pictures has brought Cody Ryder on board as executive producer for commercials and co-head of film and television. Ryder is Park’s first EP working in a dual capacity across the commercial and feature film divisions, bolstering the company’s ongoing and diversified growth.
Originally from Michigan, Ryder wrangled her way into her city’s local access television room as a tween and taught herself tape to tape editing. She went on to study film and anthropology at the University of Michigan and just out of college landed her first role in the industry as an account planner at an advertising agency in Detroit. After two years, she moved to Los Angeles to work in production, serving in the TV and branded content department at Plum Productions. There, she developed pitches and produced branded content until becoming a freelance line producer based out of New York. Ryder has been freelance ever since until she decided to join the ranks at Park in its Los Angeles office.
Ryder possesses a vast knowledge and a passion for producing impactful storytelling within both the film and commercial spaces. Highlight projects include the recently-released Kendrick Lamar short film, We Cry Together, and the “We Matter Too” PSA produced with Common’s Imagine Justice organization. She has worked with brand clients including Coca-Cola, Old Navy, Verizon, McDonald’s, Chevy, Reebok, Instagram, and Kia, to name a few; and artists like LCD Soundsystem, Haim, Brandi Carlisle, and Questlove. Her feature film work includes The Art of Self Defense, an official selection at SXSW; The Clovehitch Killer, an official selection at the Los Angeles Film Festival; and Other People, Cop Car and Robot and Frank, all official selections at Sundance.
As a frequent collaborator with the Park team over the last few years, she most recently worked as an producer on Savanah Leaf’s debut film Earth Mama, with A24 and Film4. Ryder produced the film alongside Park’s Sam Bisbee and Academy Films’ Shirley O’Connor and Medb Riordan. Executive producers of the film include Ben Coren, David Kimbangi, James Wilson, Simon Cooper, Jackie Bisbee, Lance Acord, Christine D’Souza Gelb, and Cameron Washington.
“Every collaboration I’ve had with Park Pictures has been more challenging and more rewarding than the last,” said Ryder. “Since I worked with Park Pictures on their very first feature, the film division has consistently produced outstanding, award-winning feature work and at the same time, the commercial roster has grown to be one of the most exciting in the business. Their approach to production is smart, bold, and fiercely creative, no matter what they are making. I’m excited to bring my experience in features, television, branded content, music videos, and commercials to support incredible storytelling in whatever form it takes.”
Sam Bisbee, head of film and television at Park Pictures, said, “Collaborating with Cody has always been an inspiring and amazing experience, from our very first feature film at Park Pictures, Robot and Frank, all the way to Savanah Leaf’s upcoming A24/Film4 film Earth Mama. I’m so excited to partner with her and have her as an official part of the Park team!”
