Robert Rippberger Shutters Ascent Studios; Announces New Partners For Rebranded White Lightning Studios

(Robert Rippberger photo by Tobias Deml, Kelly Lynn Reiter photo by Natasha Anderson, Jason Brown photo by Dajuan Jones)

Acclaimed filmmaker Robert Rippberger expands film production in North Carolina with the launch of White Lightning Studios, a newly envisioned creative space with broad production resources throughout the Triangle Region of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. The studio channels a deep connection to the region’s local roots as reflected in its name — a nod to North Carolina’s famous moonshine heritage.

Joining Rippberger’s new venture as partners include North Carolina native producer and actress Kelly Lynn Reiter (Deadlock, Laws of Man, The Cut), Roger Goff (The Locksmith, Man Down), who will serve as general counsel, and former NFL star and philanthropist, Jason Brown. Brown’s 1,000-acre operation ‘First Fruit Farms’—which is dedicated in part to feeding the hungry—will be integrated into the studio’s expansive network of filming locations. 

White Lightning Studios newly formed Board of Directors includes former Universal Studios Hollywood Senior Executive and current CEO/producer of Willow Creek Pictures Michelle Chubarov McIntosh (Last Knights), producer Scott Rosenfelt (Home Alone, Mystic Pizza, Teen Wolf), producer Dave Lugo (Last Survivors, Infamous), New York studio mogul Anthony Argento, and showrunner Rebecca Graham Forde.

“White Lightning Studios footprint is now throughout the Triangle Region as a direct result of evolving technology and demands in production,” says Rippberger. “Nowhere else will you be able to get as much production value with as good of a state tax incentive. This is a studio team of professionals whose expertise is bringing TV, film, commercials, and music videos to life… with a bit of Southern charm.”

The first production lined up at White Lightning Studios will be the Rippberger-directed drama-comedy ‘A Good Fight’; written by Pierce Gardner (Dan in Real Life) and produced by Justin Shaner and Fernando H. Rojas of Miami’s Sobe Brooke Studios. A Good Fight follows a successful small-town businessman whose interview with an intrusive college newspaper reporter spins out of control - and turns both their lives around.  Tonally akin to It’s a Wonderful Life, the film is a heartfelt comedy about a man trying to do the right thing.

White Lightning’s opening further cements North Carolina's growing reputation as a prime destination for filmmaking, offering productions access to North Carolina's competitive 25% tax rebate for qualifying expenses through the state’s Film and Entertainment Grant.

Robert Rippberger recently directed the Frankie Muniz led sci-fi/thriller Renner also filmed in North Carolina, which is set to release early 2025. He previously directed the Booboo Stewart led horror/thriller Those Who Walk Away, and the award-winning drama Strive starring Danny Glover. Rippberger recently produced the documentary How To Build a Truth Engine, executive produced by George Clooney and Grant Heslov, which had its world premiere at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival. Rippberger was also lead producer on the 2023 stop-motion animated film The Inventor directed by Academy Award® nominee Jim Capobianco (Ratatouille), starring Daisy Ridley, Stephen Fry, Marion Cotillard, and Matt Berry. Rippberger is repped by Established Artists and Millennial PR.

More info https://whitelightningstudio.com/