We’re looking forward to introducing you to Nuala Quinn-Barton. Check out our conversation below.
Nuala, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
A lot of writers come to me to get their films made and one of the most misunderstood things about the film business is that it isn’t primarily about art or talent — it’s about risk management and sales.
Here are some of the misconceptions I come across:-
People think “If the script is great, the money will come.” but in reality financing is only partially about the quality of the Script. Investors and distributors look at cast bankability, genre, budget level, and ROI models before anything else, and sadly a brilliant script without bankable names is often worth zero in the marketplace. Movies are products first, and art second.
Whilst creativity does matter, what really gets a film made is who ’is attached, the cast, director, and producer. Also how much can be pre-sold, and how well the deal is structured to minimize risk for investors.
The business is about selling those products with as little financial risk as possible —the art happens within that framework.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nuala Quinn-Barton, and I have spent my career as an executive, consultant, and producer in the visual and entertainment arts. I run Mania Entertainment LLC and its’ subsidiary, The Film Co-Operative. Through these companies, we specialize in acquiring intellectual properties at their earliest stages and packaging them with outstanding talent to create commercially viable and artistically compelling films.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of working closely with Hollywood executives and major studios in both the United States and Britain, as well as partners across the globe. Together, we bring extensive expertise in fundraising, film development and production, distribution management, talent management and acquisition, casting, marketing, brand strategy, post-production, and multicultural communications. My work has always been about bridging the creative and business sides of filmmaking.
We are also passionate about embracing the future of film through new technologies. By collaborating with innovative tech leaders such as CineLogic, The Third Floor, and Unreal Engine, we are able to leverage AI, pre-visualization, post-visualization, and virtual reality to cut traditional budgets nearly in half while maintaining world-class quality. I believe this is the future of filmmaking, and we are excited to be among those leading the way.
Our current slate of films includes:
A Natural Selection (From The Brooks Brothers) – A gripping thriller in the spirit of Panic Room, featuring an A-list cast.
Organism 46-B: The Unseen (By Ted Lazaris) – A chilling sci-fi horror creature feature based on true events, with top-tier talent, and franchise potential
Spawn of the Living Dead (From John A. Russo, co-creator of Night of the Living Dead) – A bold new chapter in one of horror’s most iconic franchises.
Dragonman the Adventures of luke Starr (From Ted Lazaris) – An outstanding Franchise with World Class Director and A-list Cast in the spirit of ‘The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe’ “Chronicles of Narnia’.
Also, many congratulations to my client Director Cody Knotts, on the completion of his film The Blithedale Romanc’ a Historical Classic by Nathaniel Hawthorne starring Emily Lapisardi.
We are committed to building films that balance creative excellence with commercial success. With strong global relationships, innovative partnerships, and a forward-looking vision, we are creating opportunities that benefit investors, filmmakers, and audiences alike.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I grew up in a simple yet rich environment on my uncle’s farm in Ireland, where peace and tranquility shaped my earliest experiences and gave me a deep sense of strength and resilience. Later, I continued my education in London, which broadened my perspective and exposed me to the wider world of culture and ideas. These contrasting influences — the grounded simplicity of rural life and the cosmopolitan energy of the city — continue to guide my work in film, where I strive to balance creativity with practicality, and vision with execution.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me something success never could, to truly value success.
When everything comes easily, it’s tempting to take achievement for granted. But when you’ve walked through loss, disappointment, or hardship, you come to understand that success is not just about the outcome — it’s about the persistence, the resilience, and the sacrifices it took to get there. Suffering gave me gratitude, perspective, and a deep respect for every milestone. It taught me that success is most meaningful when it’s earned through struggle.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked my closest friends what really matters to me, they would say family, truth, and values.
Growing up on my uncle’s farm, I learned early on that family is the first source of strength and belonging. Later, through education and career, I discovered that truth is the compass that keeps you grounded in a world full of shifting circumstances. And values — the principles you live by even when no one is watching — have been my anchor in both life and business. These three things guide every decision I make, and they remind me that true success is measured not just by what you achieve, but by how you achieve it.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I hope people tell about me when I’m gone is that I was someone who truly listened, who showed compassion, who worked hard, cared deeply, and always found a way to get things done. I want to be remembered not only for what I achieved, but for how I treated people along the way — with respect, empathy, and a commitment to making things better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thefilmco-op.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nualaqb/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nualaquinnbarton/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nualaquinn-barton/
Image Credits
Ted Lazaris, Ani Kyd Wolf, Evan Brooks, Nuala Quinn-Barton, Cody Knotts
Film Image Links:
Spawn of the Living Dead https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37255962/
DragonMan: https://dragonmanthemovie.com
Organism 46-B The Unseen: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36294852/
A Natural Selection: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21836390/
The Blithedale Romance: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32597286/
