Grammy-winning DJs and dance-pop duo The Chainsmokers have formed a new production company, setting their first feature film project at TriStar.
Drew Taggart and Alex Pall of The Chainsmokers have formed Kick the Habit Productions, under which they’ll develop and produce film, TV and digital projects.
Dan Marcus, a former digital media agent at UTA, has been named chief operating officer and president and will oversee development and production for the company. Adam Alpert, the duo’s manager and CEO of Disruptor Records, will serve as the new company’s CEO.
Kick the Habit’s first project is “Paris,” which is based on a pitch by Mickey Rapkin and inspired by The Chainsmokers’ song of the same name. Rapkin will also write the screenplay.
Taggart, Pall, and Marcus will produce under the Kick The Habit banner, with Entertainment 360. TriStar’s Nicole Brown and Nick Krishnamurthy will oversee the project for the studio.
“We are beyond thrilled to have launched Kick The Habit Productions as we continue to bridge the gap between our overall artistic vision, the entertainment industry as a whole and our fans. The age of being only a musician is over and we’re excited to go all-in on this venture to curate, produce and create meaningful projects,” Taggart and Pall said in a joint statement.
“Drew and Alex have a deep connection to their fans, not only through their music, but through what they stand for and represent: transcending preconceived limitations, pursuing one’s passion, entrepreneurialism, and a commitment to living an authentic life. They don’t just sing about these themes in their hit songs — it’s who they are,” said Marcus. “Kick The Habit provides a platform for these two artists to expand and evolve creatively.”
Rapkin is the author of the book series that became the “Pitch Perfect” movies and is a journalist whose work has been featured in such publications as Rolling Stone, GQ, The Wall Street Journal, and Elle, among others. He is also writing “Killer Choir,” a teen thriller for Entertainment 360, Scooter Braun Projects, and MRC.
The Chainsmokers and Kick The Habit are represented by CAA. Rapkin is represented by UTA and Management 360.