How It All Began
Cryptic Entertainment’s inception occurred in the spring of 1998 when the moniker was used by founder, Jeff Fitzpatrick, as the production entity of his first short film, Six Pennies & A Handgun. At the time, Jeff was focused solely on the creative aspects of the business, so operating an independent production company had yet to be any part of the overall plan.
In a sense, Cryptic existed only when projects were physically being filmed, promoted or screened. There was no office, no staff, nor was there any active, ongoing development of potential projects. However, if there was a short or spec commercial to be shot, or a pitch or treatment to be written, Cryptic Entertainment was always the production company of record.
Twenty years later, after several years working as a freelance producer for shorts and low budget features, as well as a stint production managing commercials, the experience gained and resulting skill sets dictated it was time to make it official.
In addition to providing a wide variety of production services, Cryptic Entertainment’s main function is serving as an independent film & television production company.
Meet the Founder
Jeff began his eclectic entertainment career as a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1993. After a few years and a handful of roles on film, television and stage, he yearned for a more consistent creative outlet. He began writing and completed his first feature length screenplay in 1996. And although it was never produced, it provided Jeff with exactly the outlet for which he was searching. In 1998, Jeff wrote, produced and starred in a 35mm short film entitled Six Pennies & A Handgun.
In 2001, after various production jobs, Jeff produced his first feature, The Flats, which premiered at the Seattle Int’l Film Festival and was subsequently acquired by IFC. Since then, he has produced, line produced or UPM’d several independent features including Unknown, Deceit and Shanghai Kiss. Jeff has also served as producer on several short films, including Day 73 with Sarah, written and directed by Brent Hanley (Frailty, Holes, Tales from the Crypt) and Fishing At Funerals written and directed by Ryan Hurst (Sons of Anarchy, Remember the Titans, Ladykillers).
Fate steered Jeff towards production managing commercials and promos for companies including Sedna Films and most recently Maggie Vision Productions, serving as their defacto L.A. production manager/service. In addition to regular P.M. duties, Jeff has also provided location and or casting services when needed.
For two decades, Jeff has done scores of budget & schedule breakdowns for films in development. The budgets have ranged from less than $50,000 to $30 million and beyond. The projects have been as small as a spec commercial and as large as an overseas action film based on a popular video game. Many have been produced for companies such as Constantin Film, Silverwood Films, Melee Entertainment and Eleven Eleven Films.
Currently, via Cryptic Entertainment, Jeff is pursuing his dream of finding great stories and developing them into classic independent films. Still a creative at heart, Jeff continues to work on his screenplays and has written & directed several shorts and spec commercials.
Jeff Fitzpatrick
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