Our Origin Story
Grandma Shirley Productions first began over Spanish Lattes at Urth Cafe on Melrose Ave. back in 2005. Founders, Erin Fredman and Philip Hall, were two Hollywood Development Execs struggling to get through their stacks of scripts for the “weekend read“ after a night of 20-something debauchery, when one turned to the other and said, “one day we’re gonna have our own company focused on telling fresh, fantastic stories that make people laugh, love and cry… but mostly laugh.” And in that crowded, bougie, overpriced coffee shop, GSP was conceived.
Since Oprah was championing “The Secret” at the time, they decided to put it “out into the universe” and even come up with the name for their future endeavor — Grandma Shirley Productions — because they both (like so many other American Jews born in the 80’s) had grandmas named Shirley/Shirlee whom they loved dearly.
CUT TO:
Thirteen years later, after individual careers in writing, production, development and marketing, Erin found herself visiting Philip in San Francisco. And it was on the roof of his Alamo Square condo where they smoked a joint (when in Rome, right?) and pondered “what’s next?” that he lobbed an idea her way...
Philip (and his husband) had just spent a weekend babysitting their toddler nephews in their not-so-kid-friendly condo and it turned their life upside down! Those 48-hours of shenanigans inspired the idea for a big family comedy in the vein of THE BIRDCAGE meets ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING.
That was all Erin needed to hear when she responded with an emphatic “hell yes!” and upon remembering their conversation from over a decade earlier, GSP was formally launched with GUNCLE WEEKEND (This generation’s UNCLE BUCK!) as its very first project.
“Thank you, Oprah!”
GSP currently has a robust slate of Film, TV and Digital projects in various stages of development around town and continues to partner with optimistic, and transparent creatives with excellent taste who believe in the healing power of cinematic storytelling.