David Linde's recently launched Lava Bear Films has named Zachary Studin vice president of production and promoted Jennifer Semler to director of production, the film production and financing company said on Thursday.
Linde, Universal Pictures' former co-chairman, has partnered with Reliance Entertainment on the venture.
Also read: David Linde Closes Funding with Reliance on New Production Company
Studin will scout new projects and manage the company's development and production slate, while Semler will coordinate post production of all the company’s films. Studin and Semler will report to Tory Metzger, Lava Bear’s head of production.
Studin joins Lava Bear following his three years with Lionsgate Films as director of development. Additionally, Studin has worked at Paramount Pictures as the executive assistant to the co-president of production as well as assistant to producer Scott Rudin.
Semler started with Linde as his executive assistant when he was running Universal Pictures. In 2010, prior to the founding of Lava Bear, Semler worked closely with Linde on films he produced such as "Biutiful" and "Heroes of Nanking."