Exclusive: Cognition, the boutique talent management company founded in 2022 by former WME partner Brian DePersia, is expanding its ranks to include Alyssa Chulak as a manager.
Chulak previously spent five years working in the Talent and TV Literary departments at WME.
“I am thrilled to be working alongside Alyssa. Her thoughtfulness, curiosity, and work ethic are an ideal match for Cognition, and I feel fortunate to call her a colleague again,” said DePersia.
Cognition’s clients include Mahershala Ali, Caitriona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Tobias Menzies, Lee Pace, Jimmi Simpson, and Jodie Whittaker.
Chulak previously spent five years working in the Talent and TV Literary departments at WME.
“I am thrilled to be working alongside Alyssa. Her thoughtfulness, curiosity, and work ethic are an ideal match for Cognition, and I feel fortunate to call her a colleague again,” said DePersia.
Cognition’s clients include Mahershala Ali, Caitriona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Tobias Menzies, Lee Pace, Jimmi Simpson, and Jodie Whittaker.
- 1/10/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Lee Pace has signed with Brian DePersia’s Cognition for management.
Pace was recently seen in A24’s thriller Bodies Bodies Bodies that was directed by Halina Reijn and features Pete Davidson, Amandla Stenberg and Maria Bakalova.
He also stars in the Apple TV+ series Foundation as Brother Day, the current Emperor of the Galaxy. The second season of the series that is based on the Isaac Asimov novels of the same name was released this summer.
Pace’s other film credits include playing Thranduil the Elvenking in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy and appearing as the intergalactic villain Ronan the Accuser in Guardians of the Galaxy, a role he also reprised in Captain Marvel.
On the small screen, Pace is best known for his starring role in Bryan Fuller’s award-winning Pushing Daisies, which earned him Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor. He...
Pace was recently seen in A24’s thriller Bodies Bodies Bodies that was directed by Halina Reijn and features Pete Davidson, Amandla Stenberg and Maria Bakalova.
He also stars in the Apple TV+ series Foundation as Brother Day, the current Emperor of the Galaxy. The second season of the series that is based on the Isaac Asimov novels of the same name was released this summer.
Pace’s other film credits include playing Thranduil the Elvenking in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy and appearing as the intergalactic villain Ronan the Accuser in Guardians of the Galaxy, a role he also reprised in Captain Marvel.
On the small screen, Pace is best known for his starring role in Bryan Fuller’s award-winning Pushing Daisies, which earned him Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor. He...
- 11/28/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Actor Jimmi Simpson has taken on new representation, signing with Brian DePersia’s Cognition for management.
An Emmy and BAFTA nominee, Simpson is perhaps best known for starring roles on series like Westworld (HBO) and The Man Who Fell to Earth (Showtime), as well as roles in the acclaimed Apple TV+ drama series Pachinko, based on Min Jin Lee’s novel, and the fan-favorite Black Mirror episode “USS Callister.”
Simpson has also previously taken on sizable roles on such notable series as House of Cards, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. and Hap and Leonard. Notable film credits for the actor, who voices the android Drednok on Paramount+’s Star Trek: Prodigy, include David Fincher’s Zodiac, Shawn Levy’s Fox comedy Date Night, the romantic dramedy Hello I Must Be Going and the Foo Fighters-led horror comedy Studio 666.
An Emmy and BAFTA nominee, Simpson is perhaps best known for starring roles on series like Westworld (HBO) and The Man Who Fell to Earth (Showtime), as well as roles in the acclaimed Apple TV+ drama series Pachinko, based on Min Jin Lee’s novel, and the fan-favorite Black Mirror episode “USS Callister.”
Simpson has also previously taken on sizable roles on such notable series as House of Cards, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. and Hap and Leonard. Notable film credits for the actor, who voices the android Drednok on Paramount+’s Star Trek: Prodigy, include David Fincher’s Zodiac, Shawn Levy’s Fox comedy Date Night, the romantic dramedy Hello I Must Be Going and the Foo Fighters-led horror comedy Studio 666.
- 5/31/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jon Bernthal has signed with Cognition for representation. Bernthal joins a talented roster of clients which include two-time Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali; BAFTA & SAG Award nominee Caitriona Balfe; Emmy Award winner Tobias Menzies; and “Doctor Who” star Jodie Whittaker.
Bernthal recently starred in the HBO series We Own This City from creators David Simon and John Pelecanos and director Reinaldo Marcus Green. He also recently starred in Lena Dunham’s feature film Sharp Stick, alongside Kristine Froseth, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Taylour Paige. The film made its debut at the virtual Sundance Film Festival in January 2022.
Bernthal recently starred in King Richard from director Reinaldo Marcus Green, alongside Will Smith and Aunjanue Ellis. Bernthal played Serena and Venus Williams’ famed tennis coach Rick Macci.
Bernthal is also developing The Bottoms, a drama series he created, will star in, and co-write. In addition to his work on screen, Bernthal...
Bernthal recently starred in the HBO series We Own This City from creators David Simon and John Pelecanos and director Reinaldo Marcus Green. He also recently starred in Lena Dunham’s feature film Sharp Stick, alongside Kristine Froseth, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Taylour Paige. The film made its debut at the virtual Sundance Film Festival in January 2022.
Bernthal recently starred in King Richard from director Reinaldo Marcus Green, alongside Will Smith and Aunjanue Ellis. Bernthal played Serena and Venus Williams’ famed tennis coach Rick Macci.
Bernthal is also developing The Bottoms, a drama series he created, will star in, and co-write. In addition to his work on screen, Bernthal...
- 10/18/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Longtime WME agent-turned-manager Brian DePersia has signed his first three clients under his new Cognition banner: Mahershala Ali, Caitriona Balfe and Tobias Menzies.
All three were clients he repped at WME, and they will continue to be shared by that agency. Deadline revealed February 1 that DePersia was ending a WME run that started in 2000, and saw him become partner in 2016. His move to management is an amicable one and he starts his new business with formidable talent and more coming.
Two-time Academy Award winner Ali recently starred in and produced Swan Song for Apple and next stars opposite Julia Roberts in Sam Esmail’s Leave the World Behind for Netflix, as well as the iconic title role in Blade for Marvel. He is also set to star in The Plot, an adaptation of the Jean Korelitz bestseller for a limited series at Hulu/Onyx. Ali continues to be repped by WME and Sloane Offer.
All three were clients he repped at WME, and they will continue to be shared by that agency. Deadline revealed February 1 that DePersia was ending a WME run that started in 2000, and saw him become partner in 2016. His move to management is an amicable one and he starts his new business with formidable talent and more coming.
Two-time Academy Award winner Ali recently starred in and produced Swan Song for Apple and next stars opposite Julia Roberts in Sam Esmail’s Leave the World Behind for Netflix, as well as the iconic title role in Blade for Marvel. He is also set to star in The Plot, an adaptation of the Jean Korelitz bestseller for a limited series at Hulu/Onyx. Ali continues to be repped by WME and Sloane Offer.
- 2/16/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Brian DePersia, a partner at WME, is leaving to become a manager. He will launch Cognition, his own company.
At WME DePersia was on teams for many bright stars straddling both film and TV. They include Pedro Pascal, Kate Mara, Caitriona Balfe, Lizzy Caplan, Mahershala Ali, Peter Sarsgaard, Bobby Cannavale, Dylan O’Brien, Tessa Thompson, Julianna Margulies, Ben Schwartz, Tobias Menzies, Ted Danson, Maya Rudolph, Thomas Middleditch, and others.,
DePersia joined WME in 2000 and rose through the ranks, making partner in 2016. It isn’t immediately clear which clients DePersia will start his business with.
“Brian has our full support in making this move. He is an exceptional colleague, and we look forward to continuing to partner with him as he transitions into his new role,” said WME’s Talent Division Head Doug Lucterhand.
The transition will take place over the next several weeks.
At WME DePersia was on teams for many bright stars straddling both film and TV. They include Pedro Pascal, Kate Mara, Caitriona Balfe, Lizzy Caplan, Mahershala Ali, Peter Sarsgaard, Bobby Cannavale, Dylan O’Brien, Tessa Thompson, Julianna Margulies, Ben Schwartz, Tobias Menzies, Ted Danson, Maya Rudolph, Thomas Middleditch, and others.,
DePersia joined WME in 2000 and rose through the ranks, making partner in 2016. It isn’t immediately clear which clients DePersia will start his business with.
“Brian has our full support in making this move. He is an exceptional colleague, and we look forward to continuing to partner with him as he transitions into his new role,” said WME’s Talent Division Head Doug Lucterhand.
The transition will take place over the next several weeks.
- 2/2/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Jimmi Simpson will play a key role in “Unhinged,” Variety has learned.
He joins an impressive cast that includes Oscar-winner Russell Crowe and Caren Pistorius. Solstice Studios is producing the psychological thriller, which is currently filming in New Orleans.
“Unhinged” centers on a woman named Rachel (Pistorius), who leans on her horn at the wrong time, with the wrong driver (Crowe). According to the logline, “‘Road rage’ doesn’t begin to describe what he’s about to do to her and everyone she knows.”
Simpson is best known for his work on “House of Cards” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” as well as for his Emmy Award nominated turn on “Westworld.” He is currently starring opposite Sir Ben Kingsley and Jacki Weaver in “Perpetual Grace, Ltd” and recently finished production on Tate Taylor’s “Breaking News in Yuba County” alongside Allison Janney, Regina Hall, and Mila Kunis. Earlier...
He joins an impressive cast that includes Oscar-winner Russell Crowe and Caren Pistorius. Solstice Studios is producing the psychological thriller, which is currently filming in New Orleans.
“Unhinged” centers on a woman named Rachel (Pistorius), who leans on her horn at the wrong time, with the wrong driver (Crowe). According to the logline, “‘Road rage’ doesn’t begin to describe what he’s about to do to her and everyone she knows.”
Simpson is best known for his work on “House of Cards” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” as well as for his Emmy Award nominated turn on “Westworld.” He is currently starring opposite Sir Ben Kingsley and Jacki Weaver in “Perpetual Grace, Ltd” and recently finished production on Tate Taylor’s “Breaking News in Yuba County” alongside Allison Janney, Regina Hall, and Mila Kunis. Earlier...
- 7/17/2019
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Synchronicity Entertainment is announcing its arrival in genre films with three horror films with impressive pedigree in Cooties, Due Process and Smiley on its debut slate. Cooties is to star Elijah Wood, Due Process will star John Cusack, and Smiley is already completed and on demand, and was reviewed here. Peruse the press release below!
Los Angeles, California (October 30, 2012) – Synchronicity Entertainment, the new genre film production and international sales label launched by Lisa Wilson and Myles Nestel’s The Solution Entertainment Group has unveiled its debut slate of three new feature films including: the horror film Cooties from the co-creator of the Saw franchise and Insidious writer Leigh Whannell and Paranormal Activity 1 – 4 producer Steven Schneider; the thriller Due Process starring Golden Globe nominee John Cusack (High Fidelity); and the completed psychological thriller Smiley, it was announced today by Ruzanna Kegeyan, Synchronicity’s President of International Distribution.
Executive produced by...
Los Angeles, California (October 30, 2012) – Synchronicity Entertainment, the new genre film production and international sales label launched by Lisa Wilson and Myles Nestel’s The Solution Entertainment Group has unveiled its debut slate of three new feature films including: the horror film Cooties from the co-creator of the Saw franchise and Insidious writer Leigh Whannell and Paranormal Activity 1 – 4 producer Steven Schneider; the thriller Due Process starring Golden Globe nominee John Cusack (High Fidelity); and the completed psychological thriller Smiley, it was announced today by Ruzanna Kegeyan, Synchronicity’s President of International Distribution.
Executive produced by...
- 11/6/2012
- by Andy Greene
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Synchronicity Entertainment, the new genre film production and international sales label launched by Lisa Wilson and Myles Nestel.s The Solution Entertainment Group has unveiled its debut slate of three new feature films including: the horror film Cooties from the co-creator of the Saw franchise and Insidious writer Leigh Whannell and Paranormal Activity 1 . 4 producer Steven Schneider; the thriller Due Process starring Golden Globe nominee John Cusack (High Fidelity); and the completed psychological thriller Smiley, it was announced today by Ruzanna Kegeyan, Synchronicity.s President of International Distribution.
Executive produced by The Solution who is arranging the financing for two of the new films, Synchronicity is handling the international distribution rights for the slate and will introduce the films to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market.
Starring Elijah Wood, Cooties is produced by top horror film producer Steven Schneider, who is behind the hugely successful Paranormal Activity franchise including the latest installment,...
Executive produced by The Solution who is arranging the financing for two of the new films, Synchronicity is handling the international distribution rights for the slate and will introduce the films to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market.
Starring Elijah Wood, Cooties is produced by top horror film producer Steven Schneider, who is behind the hugely successful Paranormal Activity franchise including the latest installment,...
- 10/31/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
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