Semi-Formal Promotes Two; Sam Newman Now Co-Head Of Film & TV

EXCLUSIVE: Semi-Formal Productions, the production company of Michael Showalter and Jordana Mollick, has announced two promotions: Sam Newman now serves as Co-Head of Film & TV, alongside Emily Crook, with Madolyn Tipton as Creative Executive, Film & TV.

The news comes following a successful opening weekend for Verity, Semi-Formal’s Showalter-helmed adaptation of the erotic thriller novel by Colleen Hoover, which has taken in over $61M worldwide.

“Sam and Madolyn have made incredible contributions to Semi-Formal and our ever expanding slate,” said Showalter and Mollick in a statement to Deadline. “They both bring tremendous creativity, care and dedication to everything they do and we look forward to all they’ll continue to accomplish as part of our team.”

With Semi-Formal for six years, Newman was previously Director of Development, Film & TV. He recently served as on-set producer for the company’s forthcoming Apple TV drama The Off Weeks, starring Ben Stiller, Jessica Chastain, and Richard Gere, and has also worked on their projects The Idea of You, Spoiler Alert, I Love That for You and The Dropout. Additionally overseeing Semi-Formal’s partnership with the Just for Laughs: New Comedy Writers program, Newman previously worked on the Biden 2020 Presidential Campaign. He began his career at ICM Partners after graduating from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.

Formerly Semi-Formal’s development coordinator, Tipton’s recent projects with the company include the Christmas comedy Oh. What. Fun. and Verity — both for Amazon MGM, where the company is under a multi-year first-look film deal. She served as an associate producer on the latter title, starring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson, and is currently working on their modern retelling of Serendipity for Amazon MGM and Miramax, which is in development. Prior to joining Semi-Formal, Tipton worked with stand-ups including Hasan Minhaj, Alyssa Limperis, and Moses Storm at management and production company Haven Entertainment.

In addition to aforementioned projects, Semi-Formal’s upcoming slate includes an untitled pop movie inspired by the classic Edmond Rostand play Cyrano de Bergerac.