Where independent film and literature unite.
Beach Reads produces film, television and literary content that engages the film and literary communities, offering a platform for filmmakers and writers to advance independent film and television projects together. With a focus on adaptations, we look for narrative content with a humanistic point of view that illuminates and uplifts.
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Big Beach Reads is currently developing projects for film and television with several rising voices in literature. In the past two years, we developed projects nominated for Critics' Choice, Golden Globe, Independent Spirit, DGA, and SAG Awards ("Out of My Mind," (Disney) and "Sorry, Baby" (A24)).
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Our Team:
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Halle Arbaugh
Co-founder, Producer
Halle Arbaugh co-founded Big Beach Reads alongside Big Beach Films in 2023, with the goal of identifying, amplifying, and uplifting voices in film, literature, television, and beyond. A survivor of sexual abuse and domestic violence while working in Hollywood, Halle founded Big Beach Reads with the goal of empowering writers and filmmakers, with a focus upon stories that uplift and evolve our world. After spending years working for and mentored by Oscar and Emmy-winning film & TV producers, reviewing scripts, books, and written materials while working in development for independent production companies The Weinstein Co. and Big Beach, Halle spearheaded Big Beach Reads during her tenure at the indie filmmaking company. Halle has worked on a diverse array of independent film and television projects and brings expertise as a writer, producer, and development executive. Most recently, she worked on Sorry, Baby (A24) and Out of My Mind (Disney) which both premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
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Business/ Legal:
Granderson Des Rochers, LLP
16 Madison Square West
12th Floor
New York, NY 10010​​​​
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Creative Executive/ Coordinator:
Sara Roberts
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Beach Reads is Born:​
Having worked as a writer, screenwriter, and producer, Halle noticed a flaw in the process by which books and written materials are adapted: mainly, top literary and talent agencies virtually control the channels by which authors can connect with filmmakers, filtering most content to firmly established "independent" giants, drastically limiting opportunities for funding options and adaptation deals for filmmakers and authors.
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This disempowers independent filmmakers, diminishing the impact of indie film and severely limiting income opportunities for most authors. In 2023, she assumed the role of Head of Books at Big Beach, launching Big Beach Reads with the goal of creating new channels for authors, journalists, and other writers to connect directly with screenwriters, producers, directors, and other filmmakers.
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With a focus upon literary adaptations, Big Beach Reads continues its mission: to uplift and engage audiences and illuminate rising voices in literature, film, and TV.
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For inquiries, email our team at: info@bigbeachreads.com
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Our Book Club: Not your typical Beach Read.
Beach Reads carefully curates a selection of books that explore great storytelling. We aim to create a conduit through which authors can connect with screenwriters, directors, producers and more to advance adaptations, cutting out the middle man to open streams of income to writers.
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Through our Book Club, we build readership, help authors reach audiences, and provoke inquiries into humanistic storytelling.