Is True Indie Film Maverick Ray Price Dead? What happened to Maverick Ray Price?
by Mathelene
Updated Jul 24, 2023
Is True Indie Film Maverick Ray Price Dead?
Yes, true indie film maverick Ray Price passed away on July 16 from heart failure after a long battle with cancer. The news was confirmed by his long-term partner, Meg Madison. Price was a highly respected figure in the world of independent filmmaking, and his career had a significant impact on the industry.
Price's film journey began in 1972 when he managed the Rialto, a Berkeley storefront theater. He went on to co-found Renaissance Theaters with Allen Michaan, creating an independent art film chain in the Bay Area that became one of the largest in the region, peaking at 33 theaters. Under Price's leadership, Renaissance Theaters gained a reputation for innovative marketing strategies, often redesigning promotional materials to help struggling films find success.
One of Price's significant contributions was challenging the norms of arthouse cinema at the time. While most top distributors focused on established European and Asian auteurs, Renaissance Theaters programmed new American directors like Martin Scorsese and John Cassavetes, and also breathed new life into films from studio vaults.
In 1988, Price relocated to Los Angeles, where he played a pivotal role in the establishment of several distribution companies, including IRS Pictures and First Look Pictures. He also contributed to the theatrical arm of TriMark Entertainment, where he handled distribution and marketing for numerous independent films.
Price was known for being an early adopter of new technologies. He made history as the first producer to stream a new feature film online when, in 1995, he arranged for the internet streaming of the cult hit "Party Girl." In 1999, Price joined American Zoetrope, Francis Ford Coppola's indie film production company, where he supervised worldwide sales and marketing for films like Sofia Coppola's "The Virgin Suicides" and the "Jeepers Creepers" series.
Throughout his career, Price championed talented filmmakers at crucial points in their careers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. He supported directors like Tran Anh Hung, Gurinder Chadha, Carl Franklin, Allison Anders, and John Sayles, helping to promote their work and expand their reach. In 2001, Price partnered with Bert Manzari to assist in revitalizing Landmark Theatres, and he published Landmark's indie film magazine to raise awareness for films on the Landmark schedule.
At the time of his passing, Price was actively involved in promoting Rodrigo Reyes' documentary "Sansón and Me," which focused on the story of a 19-year-old undocumented immigrant facing a severe sentence. The film was supported by the Ford Foundation and was planned for both a theatrical release and a broadcast on PBS.
Ray Price's legacy in the independent film industry will be remembered for his visionary approach, rebellious spirit, and unwavering support for diverse voices in cinema. He leaves behind a lasting impact on the world of indie filmmaking, and his contributions will be fondly remembered by filmmakers and audiences alike.
What happened to Maverick Ray Price?
Maverick Ray Price, a prominent figure in indie filmmaking, passed away on July 16 from heart failure following a long battle with cancer. The news of his death was confirmed by his long-term partner, Meg Madison. Price was a highly respected producer and distributor known for his groundbreaking contributions to the independent film industry.
His film career began in 1972 when he took charge of managing the Rialto, a theater in Berkeley. Later, he co-founded Renaissance Theaters with Allen Michaan, establishing an independent art film chain in the Bay Area. Under Price's leadership, Renaissance Theaters gained prominence for its innovative marketing strategies, often redesigning promotional materials to boost the visibility of struggling films.
One of Price's notable achievements was challenging the prevailing norms in arthouse cinema. While most top distributors focused on established European and Asian directors, Renaissance Theaters took the bold step of programming works by emerging American filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and John Cassavetes. Additionally, the company revitalized films from studio vaults, giving them a second chance in the market.
In 1988, Price moved to Los Angeles, where he played a key role in establishing several distribution companies, including IRS Pictures and First Look Pictures. He also contributed to TriMark Entertainment's theatrical arm, where he handled distribution and marketing for various independent films.
Who was Maverick Ray Price?
Maverick Ray Price was a highly respected and influential figure in the world of indie filmmaking. He was a producer and distributor who played a crucial role in shaping the independent film industry over several decades. Price began his film career in 1972 when he managed the Rialto, a Berkeley storefront theater.
Later, he co-founded Renaissance Theaters with Allen Michaan, establishing an independent art film chain in the Bay Area. Under Price's leadership, Renaissance Theaters gained recognition for its innovative marketing approaches, often reworking promotional materials to give struggling films a better chance at success.
One of Price's significant contributions was his willingness to challenge conventional norms in arthouse cinema. While many top distributors focused on established European and Asian auteurs, Renaissance Theaters stood out by programming works from emerging American directors like Martin Scorsese and John Cassavetes. Additionally, the company breathed new life into films from studio vaults, re-releasing them to find new audiences.
In 1988, Price moved to Los Angeles, where he played a pivotal role in establishing several distribution companies, including IRS Pictures and First Look Pictures. He also contributed to the theatrical arm of TriMark Entertainment, where he handled distribution and marketing for various independent films.
Price was known for embracing new technologies ahead of his time. He made history in 1995 as the first producer to stream a new feature film online, arranging for the internet streaming of the cult hit "Party Girl." Subsequently, in 1999, Price joined Francis Ford Coppola's American Zoetrope, overseeing worldwide sales and marketing for notable films such as Sofia Coppola's "The Virgin Suicides" and the "Jeepers Creepers" series.
Throughout his career, Price was a tireless champion of talented filmmakers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. He supported directors like Tran Anh Hung, Gurinder Chadha, Carl Franklin, Allison Anders, and John Sayles, helping to elevate their work and expand their reach.
In 2001, Price partnered with Bert Manzari to help revive Landmark Theatres, and he published Landmark's indie film magazine to promote films on their schedule and raise awareness for their releases. At the time of his passing, Price was actively involved in promoting Rodrigo Reyes' documentary "Sansón and Me," which focused on the story of a 19-year-old undocumented immigrant facing a severe sentence.
The film received support from the Ford Foundation, and plans were in place for both a theatrical release and a broadcast on PBS. Maverick Ray Price's contributions to the independent film industry were substantial, leaving a lasting impact on filmmakers, distributors, and audiences alike. His dedication to showcasing diverse voices and innovative storytelling made him a true pioneer in indie filmmaking, and his legacy will be remembered fondly by the film community for years to come.
How did Maverick Ray Price Die?
Maverick Ray Price, the respected producer and distributor in indie filmmaking, died on July 16 from heart failure after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 75 years old at the time of his passing. The news of his death was confirmed by his long-term partner, Meg Madison.
Throughout his career, Ray Price made significant contributions to the independent film industry. He began his film journey in 1972, managing the Rialto, a theater in Berkeley. Later, he co-founded Renaissance Theaters with Allen Michaan, which became an independent art film chain in the Bay Area, growing to 33 theaters at its peak.
Under Price's leadership, Renaissance Theaters gained recognition for its innovative marketing strategies, often revamping promotional materials to support films that were struggling to find success in other markets. At the time of his passing, Price was actively involved in promoting Rodrigo Reyes' documentary "Sansón and Me," which focused on the story of a 19-year-old undocumented immigrant facing a severe sentence.
Ray Price's death on July 16, 2023, marked the end of an era for the independent film industry. His influential career, rebellious spirit, and unwavering support for diverse voices in cinema will be remembered and celebrated by filmmakers and audiences alike.
Is True Indie Film Maverick Ray Price Dead? - FAQs
Maverick Ray Price passed away on July 16 due to heart failure after a long battle with cancer. He was 75 years old at the time of his death.
Maverick Ray Price was a highly respected and influential producer and distributor in the world of indie filmmaking.
During his career, Price worked with various companies, including Renaissance Theaters, IRS Pictures, First Look Pictures, and American Zoetrope, the indie film production company founded by Francis Ford Coppola.
Price was a staunch advocate for emerging filmmakers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Maverick Ray Price's contributions were substantial in the independent film industry. He challenged traditional approaches to film distribution and marketing, and his support for diverse voices paved the way for more inclusive storytelling in cinema.