Producers Kyle Mann and Michael Risley have launched development, production and financing company Drive Productions focused on elevated genre.

Mann and Risley are based in Los Angeles and Vancouver and say they have raised closed to $2m for development funds.

“The quality of the script is paramount, however there has been a dangerous decline in development financing for projects with unforeseen potential,” said Mann, whose latest comedy Teen Lust (pictured) premieres in Toronto.

“Drive is looking to invest in innovative pitches, books and scripts and is seeking to build relationships with distributors and talent agencies in order to help fill the development shortfall in the marketplace.” 

The development slate includes college-set comedy The Arrangement, dark comedy TV series Blackcomb, thriller Beyond The Stars and WWII thriller Undaunted.

The partners are in pre-production on psychological thrillers Backcountry and The Estate.

Mann’s credits include Wrecked. Risley produced Toronto 2011 selection Revolution #9, among others.