ILLUMINARY PICTURES gathered decades of industry experience to nurture and develop film and television material with commercial appeal. As a production company, we are dedicated to working with established writers, directors, and actors to deliver stories with an inspiring message that lingers long past the credits. We strive to offer an experience that correctly reflects our society, with a profound relevance to the individual, and we pursue each project with the most up-to-date, modern technology our society has to offer.
Biographies
Masiela Lusha
Founder
Masiela Lusha founded ILLUMINARY PICTURES in 2008. Her vision for ILLUMINARY is to create a global media conglomerate focused on providing quality entertainment for all generations.
Masiela was named the youngest author in the world to publish a book of poetry at the age of 12. In her acting career Masiela has risen from the lead as Carmen Lopez on the recently syndicated ABC series "George Lopez" to star in such films as Pathe's "Time of the Comet," and Sony Picture's action-thriller, "Blood: The Last Vampire," both scheduled for international release in 2008 and 2009. She also received two consecutive Young Artist Awards for Best Actress in comedy and drama for her portrayal as Carmen Lopez.
Masiela was born in Tirana, the capital city of Albania. Her family moved to Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria. Masiela settlled in Michigan when she was seven years old with English as her fourth language.
At the age of 16, Masiela was offered the role of Carmen on ABC's "George Lopez," and graduated from high school that same year. At the age of 18 she became a junior at UCLA earning a degree in Creative Writing while working full time on the show. In 2008, she began pursing a law degree at UCLA School of Law.
In 1997, Masiela became the youngest author in the world to publish and illustrate a book in two languages. A distinguished author, she published "Inner thoughts" and a second book, "Drinking the Moon." She wrote two more books "Amore Celeste: The Complete Collection," and her first novel, "The Besa." Masiela also translated into English several poems by Mother Theresa.
While working for Warner Brothers and ABC, Masiela starred in a diverse genre of features, including "My Father's Euology" and a regular voice-over for "Clifford's Puppy Days." She also starred in "Muertas", a film entirely in spanish. Masiela's dialogue was entirely in Spanish. Despite the language barrier, Masiela was thrilled with the challenge.
Masiela co-starred in the live-action anime, "Blood: The Last Vampire," filmed in Argentina and China for Sony Pictures and Edko. Days after wrapping, she flew to the Balkans to film the period piece "Time of the Comet," in which she portrayed Saint Agnes. The film was entirely written in Albanian and Masiela had to speak in a particular rural dialect.
Three important aspects of Masiela's life are 1736 Family Crisis Center based in Los Angeles, UNICEF, and her own 501(c)3 Children of the World Foundation. For Children of the World, she plans to start close to home in southern California where she donated ten acres of land for the cause. Other chapters will develop across the United States and eventually expand in other parts of the world. Her fans have been very supportive of her causes. Says Masiela, "My passion is to entertain the world with hope and humanity. I believe every one of us strives to be a better person; and if I am to contribute only one thing of myself, it would be compassion."
Masiela's goal for ILLUMINARY is to produce high-concept, commercial entertainment that can impact culture and humanity on a global scale.
Gary Mehlman
Producer
Gary Mehlman is a graduate of Syracuse University and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the New England School of Law. He than spent 2 years in France studying International Law at the University of Paris. For more than 30 years, Gary has been actively involved with the development, production, marketing, and distribution of motion pictures, both with major studios, as well as independent production companies.
After successfully completing his first film, which starred Richard Pryor and Zalman King, Gary went on to coordinate the rapidly growing film and television activities of Brut Productions, a subsidiary of Faberge. When the company moved its offices from New York to Los Angeles, he became responsible for the company's creative and business affairs. During Gary's tenure, Brut successfully produced several major films, most notably A TOUCH OF CLASS, which starred George Segal and Glenda Jackson, and NIGHT WATCH, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Laurence Harvey.
As a highly sought after creative talent, Gary was offered an in-house production deal at Columbia Pictures. While at Columbia, he developed numerous film projects on which he collaborated with several A-list writers and directors.
Accepting an offer to move his production company from Columbia to Universal, Gary developed several film properties for Universal. He collaborated with Academy Award Winners, Stirling Silliphant and the legendary writer/ director/ producer Carl Foreman (HIGH NOON, GUNS OF NAVARONE, BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, BORN FREE), who ultimately became his partner on a number of film projects.
Leaving Universal, Gary went on to be the head of Anthony Quinn's production company, QUI, Inc., where he developed, packaged, and produced three modestly budgeted, yet high quality motion pictures, MYSTIQUE, A TEXAS LEGEND, and MALIBU BIKINI SHOP.
Gary returned to Columbia Pictures to develop and produce THE YELLOW JERSEY, slated to star Dustin Hoffman, and directed by Michael Cimino. In 1986, Gary spent two months in France filming the world famous cycling race, THE TOUR DE FRANCE, in preparation for the film.
Always in pursuit of viable character driven franchise product, Gary founded and became President of Longstocking Industries, an entertainment company specializing in family entertainment. One of his most successful projects was the Columbia film, THE NEW ADVENTURES OF PIPPI LONGSTOCKING, which has been hailed as a children's classic. Gary continued his association with Columbia Pictures, producing the critically acclaimed MEN OF RESPECT, starring John Turturro, Stanley Tucci, Dennis Farina, Rod Steiger and Peter Boyle.
He moved on to become VP of Production for Viacom Pictures, where he oversaw the management and control of Viacom's entire production slate of 6-8 films per year. After leaving Viacom, he produced the financially successful EYES OF THE BEHOLDER, which starred Joanna Pacula, for Mark Damons Vision International.
From 1994-1998, Gary was based at Sony Studios, where he had a first-look production deal with Columbia Pictures. Among the films he developed while at Sony is OUTRAGED, which was written by Douglas Day Stewart, whose screenplay for OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN received an Oscar nomination.
Gary is also partnered in Imageries Entertainment on a number of genre films (including a contemporary version of FRANKENSTEIN and a remake of the cult classic TROLL with writer/ director, John Carl Buechler, who has his own effects company, MMI Inc.(Magical Media Industries).
In 2002, Gary was an Executive Producer on the $25M family film, MEE-SHEE-THE WATER GIANT, starring Bruce Greenwood and directed by John Henderson. The film was shot in New Zealand, The Jim Henson Creature Shop, created the state of the art special effects.
In 2005-2006, Gary produced CAPTIVITY, a psychological thriller written by Larry Cohen (PHONE BOOTH, CELLULAR) and directed by the two-time Academy Award nominee, Roland Joffe (KILLING FIELDS, THE MISSION), which starred Elisha Cuthbert. The $17M Russian- American co-production was filmed in Moscow and New York, and was distributed by Lions Gate in July 2007.
As Executive Producer, Gary recently completed filming BRIDGE TO NOWHERE, staring Ving Rhames, Danny Masterson and Bijou Phillips and directed by Blaire Underwood.
Gary is currently in the process of casting, THE AU PAIR, a suspense thriller in the mode of THE STRANGERS, which was written and will be directed by Eric Chambers, and BLACK ICE, written by Nick Santora, to be directed by Bobby Roth.
He is now in pre-production on HEMINGWAY: THE END OF SOMETHING which was written and will be directed by Curt Faudon. Gary will produce along with Curt and Heyward Collins. The start date for this $50 million epic is January 4, 2008.
In recognition of his achievements, Gary was elected into the Motion Picture Academy Arts and Sciences, and has been an active member in the Producers Branch since 1984.