Relativity Management hasteamed up with Jason Todd Ipson's Asgaard Entertainment to produce Ipson'sdirectorial debut The First Vampire.

Asgaard associates JulioBove and Cari-Esta Albert will produce the project with Relativity's RyanKavanaugh serving as executive producer.

The film is currently beingcast by Kate Dowd in London and the film is scheduled to begin filming in thefirst quarter of 2005 in Europe.

Based on Ipson's NationalSloan Scholarship-winning USC short film, the story traces the origins of theWestern Vampire Legend to 14th century Scandinavia, where a Viking fleet isdrained of blood by a horrific force.

"We are very excited to beteaming with Jason on this project," Kavanaugh said in a statement. "When wesaw his short and met with him, we knew immediately that he has the talent andskills necessary to become a major director. His passion and vision for TheFirst Vampire will resonate stronglyon the screen."

"Relativity gets it," Ipsonadded. "The energy and excitement that they approach their projects and clientswith make them exactly the type of company Asgaard wants to be in businesswith, and we look forward to many future collaborations."

Asgaard Entertainment is afilm production and finance company founded by former surgeon Ipson and fellowUSC alumni Peter Stark and Sean Womack.

Ipson is represented byWilliam Morris Agency, and Asgaard is represented by WMA's finance andpackaging department.

Relativity represents thecareer interests of directors, producers and writers in addition to suchproduction companies as Mark Canton's Atmosphere Entertainment, StevenSoderbergh and George Clooney's Section Eight Productions and Exception WildBunch.

Topics