Argonon links with Leftfield, Spoke alum for new ‘Americana’ factual prodco

Duck Dynasty

UK-based Argonon has unveiled its first US joint venture production outfit, after pairing up with a former Leftfield Pictures and Spoke Studios producer.

Rose Rock Entertainment is being launched with producer Joe Weinstock, who will lead the indie as CEO.

It will start business with offices on the West Coast and Oklahoma, focusing on delivering “cinematic Americana factual content, with a provocative, engaging and entertaining edge”.

Argonon said the prodco would focus on male-skewed factual, with the aim to create a wider slate of projects for US and global audiences.

Joe Weinstock

Weinstock joins from Wheelhouse Entertainment’s Spoke Studios where as co-president, responsible for Becoming for Disney+, River Of No Return for Discovery, and Assembly Required starring Tim Allen for History Channel.

He has also overseen and developed seven as-yet unannounced series at Spoke Studios for streamers and networks including Netflix and Hulu.

Prior to Spoke, Weinstock was SVP of development for Leftfield Pictures, where he developed a slate including Blue Collar Backers and Carspotting for Discovery, Wolves And Warriors for Animal Planet and Billy The Kid: New Evidence for National Geographic.

He has also worked for ITV Studios-owned Gurney Productions on A&E’s Duck Dynasty and was senior director of development for Discovery Channel, where he executive produced Blue Grass Boys, among others.

The indie becomes the ninth global label in the Argonon group and its first US joint venture, part of the company’s strategy to “turbo boost” its US growth, the company said.

Weinstock said the launch would give him the “creative licence to shine a light on heartland America and offer a window into extraordinary worlds.”

“As a creative storyteller, I am incredibly ambitious for Rose Rock; we’re passionate about creating unexpected and entertaining content, offering a platform for unheard voices and discovering never-seen-before characters, all captured through a cinematic documentary lens,” he added.

James Burstall, CEO of Argonon, added: “The launch of Rose Rock Entertainment will add rocket fuel to our US growth strategy with the opening of our third US headquarters and expansion of our West Coast hub, broadening our content ambitions and connectivity across the breadth of the US. As one of the last truly independent global superindies, we produce content across every genre and Rose Rock will further diversify our slate for networks, streamers and platforms across the globe.”

Rose Rock Entertainment becomes the ninth label in the group, joining Bandicoot Scotland, producers of The Masked Singer UK for ITV, and Leopard Pictures, which is behind Hard Cell for Netflix. The group also houses Windfall Films, BriteSpark Films, Like a Shot, Leopard USA, Studio Leo, and branded content arm Nemorin Film & Video.