The Team
The Search Engine team, is one of storytellers that have a passion for filmmaking, with a focus on low budget / high return opportunities.
Todd Luongo
Born and raised in the Boston area, Todd Luongo earned his B.S. degree at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts before moving to Silicon Valley to launch a career in enterprise technology. It was his technology career that later brought him to Washington, DC. Luongo continued to thrive in the technology arena, while also successfully pursuing a number of other entrepreneurial pursuits from real estate to consumer apps to experiential, themed restaurant and bars located across the country including New York City and Washington, DC.
However, amidst all of his other business pursuits, Todd never forgot or stopped pursuing his lifelong passion for the arts. Luongo wrote and performed stand-up comedy extensively for some time at many venues including the prestigious DC Improv. Luongo has also written several feature length and short film screenplays.
Several of which have won and placed in prestigious, amateur screenwriting competitions. It was the notoriety from this contest success that brought Todd to the attention of Hollywood based representation who signed Luongo and represented his works to all the major studios.
Todd has recently partnered with his co-producers to form Search Engine Productions, LLC to begin pre-production on his “Search Engine” comedy feature script.
Todd still maintains a home in the historic “Old Town” neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia just outside of Washington, DC. Old Town’s eclectic vibe along with its 18th and 19th century townhomes, quaint shops, restaurants, cobblestone streets and brick sidewalks are the inspiration for the setting of “Search Engine”.
Franco Sama
Independent feature film producer Franco Sama boasts a remarkable and extensive history in public speaking, public relations and a decade of independent film development, production and financing.
Sama has executive produced an impressive array of over twenty (20) independent feature films including most notably, “Guns, Girls and Gambling” starring Academy Award Winner Gary Oldman, Christian Slater and Dane Cook which is quickly becoming a cult favorite, was released into theatres in 2012 and acquired distribution from Universal Home Video.
Other films Sama has produced include; “Black Limousine” starring David Arquette and Vivica Fox and “Tooth and Nail” starring Michael Madsen and Vinnie Jones.
In 2016, Sama executive produced the highly lauded WWI action thriller titled
“Game of Aces” starring heartthrob and former “American Pie” star Chris Klein alongside “Transformers” Victoria Summer (Transformers: Age of Distinction”) and “Valkyrie’s” Werner Daehn.
His shingle “Samaco Films, LLC” is currently financing and producing a slate of several independent feature films, including three psychological thrillers “Stockholm”, Séance, and “Alexis Colette”, as well as a poignant heart-warming tear jerker titled “Take My Wife, Please” all of which are projected to begin principle photography before the fall of 2019.
Samaco Films, LLC, which is now permanently headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, has secured multiple co-production deals with several prominent production companies throughout the Los Angeles area and the United States and enjoys direct access to private equity and debt funding for feature films.
Additionally, Sama serves on the Board of Directors for the Non-Profit organization “New Filmmakers, L.A.” where is also the Chairman of the Marketing Committee.
Ron Newcomb
Ron has written and directed award winning short and feature-length independent films. He organized and co-leads the DMV Producers Association, as well as being involved in other film groups. Under his Opening Act Production, LLC team, Ron developed the feature film, The Fellows Hip: Rise of the Gamers, a coming-of-age story about how a group of four friends learn there’s a little bit of geek and hero in all of us. Since its debut in 2013, TFH has been distributed internationally and has been dubbed in several foreign languages. Ron also produced, Made in the USA: A 30 Day Journey, which is a documentary that explores what the brand “Made in the USA” really means these days. Ron’s innovative transmedia concept, along with his strong IP of The Rangers will create a new, dynamic and lucrative model for independent filmmaking.