ByNM Film NewsPublished on July 6, 2020 ShareTweet In a bold move to accelerate its vision of positive content creation and talent representation, Media & Entertainment company, Optimism Entertainment has acquired New Mexico production company, 8 Beat Films, founded by local filmmaker Keagan Karnes.
Optimism Entertainment, a Los Angeles–based international talent, literary management, and production company, has strengthened its ties to New Mexico through the acquisition of 8 Beat Films. The company, known for representing A-list creative talent, influencers, and athletes across film, television, music, publishing, live performance, lifestyle branding, and digital media, recently produced the upcoming feature Walking With Herb, starring Edward James Olmos, George Lopez, and Kathleen Quinlan, filmed in the southern part of the state.
It was during the making of Walking With Herb that Optimism Entertainment CEO — and New Mexico native — Brian Espinosa, along with President William Blaylock, began building on their extensive network of film and television collaborators by connecting with Keagan Karnes, a graduate of New Mexico State University’s Creative Media Institute. Karnes now joins the company as Creative Executive & Director of New Mexico Operations, where he will oversee the growth of the newly acquired Commercial & Branding division, develop intellectual properties from New Mexico–based creators, and report directly to CEO Espinosa at the Los Angeles headquarters.
“We are thrilled to welcome Keagan to our team of accomplished executives. His passion, drive, and strong work ethic perfectly reflect the type of talent we are proud to represent from the beautiful state of New Mexico. Throughout his career, Keagan has championed first-class storytelling, collaborating with some of the most talented creatives in the state to bring ambitious projects to life. We are confident he is the right person to build upon the incredible work Optimism Entertainment has done to establish our presence in New Mexico.”
— Brian Espinosa (CEO) & William Blaylock (President)
Karnes’ mission to showcase New Mexico creators, combined with his impressive track record in producing and directing high-quality branded and creative content, made him a natural fit for the company’s vision.
With this acquisition, Optimism Entertainment aims to open doors for local creatives who have long faced challenges in accessing the connections and industry infrastructure necessary to advance their careers. Optimism Entertainment New Mexico will now serve as a one-stop resource for the national and international entertainment industry to tap into the state’s exceptional roster of talent — providing opportunities that were once out of reach.