Mischa Meyer Signs with Group Thrpy

Production company Group Thrpy has produced Mischa Meyer’s new cinematic short entitled 'In the Shadow of Palms'; an intimate portrait of three lives on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Following their creative partnering on the film, completed earlier this year, Meyer signed on to Group Thrpy’s roster in tandem with the company’s official launch. 

In a waking dream set in the City of Angels, a father, mother, and son each tell their individual stories of struggle and perseverance in an unforgiving landscape and the inspiring ways they find hope. Related through a sort of rhythmic, visual poem, “In the Shadow of Palms” introduces the audience to Gregory Boomer Browning, a clown dancer from Watts. With a gang-affiliated past, he sits on the steps of his burned-down childhood home and explains to viewers that dancing saved his life. Now he works with youth, including his own son, to help them gain a more positive outlook on life. 

Amber Angel Contreras, a single mother living in Montebello, raises her newborn while helping female gang members escape street life. She does all of this while working to break her own family’s generational cycle of violence. 

Lastly, Philip Svirshch, a circus kid from Russian and Ukrainian parents, relays how he fell in love with breakdancing and began making his money performing on the boardwalk of Venice Beach, winning Red Bull Championships, and modeling for Louis Vuitton. All the while, he inspires young people to follow their passion. 

Meyer said, “I’m hoping this film can open people’s eyes to what many people on the outskirts of America's cities are experiencing from a young age. I’ve found some of the best humans I’ve ever met in these forgotten places; people who’ve become like family. People that inspire me. This film is dedicated to them.” 

The autodidactic Meyer is an award-winning director, editor, and photographer who has worked his way up the ranks, through practically every imaginable role in production and post. He is driven by his love for cinema and a deep curiosity for exploring new territories. Raised in Germany, films guided him toward understanding people and places, granting various perspectives unavailable to him from his humble corner of the world. Moving first to Berlin for greater filmmaking opportunities, then to New York and Los Angeles, Meyer worked as an editor for many years at top editorial houses, collaborating closely with some of the most renowned directors in the business, and forming the foundation for his own directing career. 

Meyer has earned multiple gold, silver, and bronze Clios for his film “Love Says” for Grammy-nominated poet Sekou Andrews. In 2018, he wrote, produced, and directed his first short, “Ant,” capturing the attention of multiple Academy Award-qualifying film festivals and earning accolades including a Silver Cannes Young Director Award. He has also helmed ads for Mercedes Benz G-Class and Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn’s non-profit organization, CORE.    

“Mischa is a rare breed, gifted in multiple creative areas, with each one complementing the other,” said Shelby Ross, Founder/Managing Partner of Group Thrpy. “His editing background in particular means he knows what’s needed and how scenes connect. His sensibility for timing dictates so much of how he directs on set; from acting to camera movement, he can spot the magic moments as they happen. We’re thrilled to have him on our roster and for the opportunity to create great work like “In the Shadow of Palms” with him.”

“I’m so happy to join Group Thrpy,” added Meyer. “Shelby really champions directors and knows how to hustle for the best possible outcomes. I know we’re going to make meaningful human-driven stories. I’m very excited about this next step in my creative journey.” 

Group Thrpy is currently working with Meyer to develop the feature-length version of “In the Shadow of Palms,” which will follow Browning and his son’s story more in-depth and in a narrative format. As one of its rostered directors, Group Thrpy is simultaneously nurturing and evolving his directing career in the commercial space, with opportunities such as his soon-to-release spot for running clothing and shoe company, ON, featuring Olympian sprinter Alexandra Burghardt.