Biographie
John Saviano is a veteran of the independent film business. John began his career in account management with Grey Advertising in New York. Upon leaving Grey, he formed his own video production company, which he owned and operated for three years. He entered the world of film production after relocating to Los Angeles where he worked on several feature films in various production capacities, as well as the television series "Moonlighting." Shortly thereafter, Saviano began Line Producing on a series of television movies and specials including "Stompin' at the Savoy," "With a Vengeance," "MTV: Give Me Back My Life," "The Unnaturals" and "Between Cars."
Saviano made the move to producing feature films in 1995 when he served as Executive Producer on Fine Line Features' true crime drama "Normal Life," Shot in Chicago and directed by John McNaughton, "Normal Life" featured Ashley Judd and Luke Perry. Besides producing duties, Saviano also Music and Post Supervised the film, delivering his first feature effort on time and under budget, a trend that still continues. This film was a critical success following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 1996.
Saviano next completed work on MDP Worldwide's production of "Liar," by the writer-director team of Josh and Jonas Pate. Shot in Charleston, South Carolina, "Liar" stars Tim Roth, Chris Penn, Michael Rooker, Renee Zellweger, Rosanna Arquette and Ellen Burstyn. Picked up for distribution by MGM under "Deceiver," the film made its theatrical debut in February of 1998.
Since that time Saviano has completed more than six films in Los Angeles as Producer and/or Co-Producer including - Kushner-Locke's coming-of-age teen-angst dramedy "Girl" directed by Jonathon Kahn and starring Dominique Swain and Sean Patrick Flanery which aired on Cinemax. "The Suburbans," a musical comedy produced by MPCA, Ignite Entertainment and Ben Stiller's Red Hour Films from writer-director-actor Donny Ward, also starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, Stiller, Amy Brenneman, Will Ferrel, Craig Bierko and Robert Loggia. The film was released by Tri-Star in October of 1999; "Lucky 13," a romantic comedy directed by first-timer Chris Hall starring Harland Williams (Disney's "Rocketman"), Brad Hunt, and Lauren Graham ("Gilmore Girls"); "Beyond the City Limits," a quirky drama directed by GiGi Gaston and starring Nastasja Kinski, Todd Field ("In the Bedroom"), Steve Harris, Jennifer Esposito and Allyson Hannigan; "Sin", an independently financed drama starring Gary Oldman and Ving Rhames, directed by Michael Stevens ("Bad City Blues"), and "Wicked Prayer," the fourth installment of "The Crow" franchise starring Edward Furlong, Tara Reid, Dennis Hopper, David Boreanaz, and UFC champion fighter Tito Ortiz.
As the nature of independent film changed, Saviano changed as well making four movies for under $1 million dollars each in the last 16 months. Each of these films was completed on time and in budget, and each is in various states of the finishing and delivery process. From cop thriller ("Venice Underground") to romantic comedy ("Partner(s)") to World War II period piece complete with digital effects and flying B-24 bombers ("Beautiful Dreamer") to serious dramatic work ("Bondage"), to gritty urban drama ("On the Doll"), Saviano employed all his experience and passion for filmmaking into these difficult but satisfying endeavors.
Rounding out Saviano's production experience is his background working in development, with an eye for material and a commitment to moving projects through to production. Saviano served as a Director of Development for Richard Maynard Productions at Hearst Entertainment where he was responsible for putting 20 hours of television and cable into development. Subsequently he was promoted to VP, Production.
In 2001 Saviano financed and formed Old School Pictures, LLC, working with writer/directors Lem Dobbs, Frank Military, Larry Golin, Luka Pecel, Christopher Harwood, Mark Pavia, and Jordan Hawley on developing projects for various mediums.
Saviano has excellent relationships with production crews in New York, Chicago, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Nevada, the Southern United States (Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia, Florida) and Los Angeles, as well as access to nationally known talent. His experience provides the leadership to ensure a creatively successful and economical production.
