Tightrope Pictures Inc. is a small B.C. based family production company formed in 2023 to
support the creation of “Up In the Spotlight”, an 8 episode half hour comedy series. The show
is based on the experiences of the creator, Atticus Cohen-Yelle, as a severely dyslexic actor in
a funky acting school full of quirky characters. It is a humorous, yet heartfelt, and deeply
authentic portrayal of what it feels like to move through the world as a person with a
difference. The main character, Quill’s, interactions with others in the acting school as they all
navigate life’s challenges make for a mesmerizing experience that anyone can relate to and
want to watch.


It is the biggest project to date of Tightrope Pictures and the most ambitious collaboration of
the Creator and his writing partner, Marianne Yelle. To enhance the enthusiasm for the project,
a self-funded Proof of Concept, was filmed in late 2023 and completed in June of 2024. The
energy level was high for the filming and many crew and cast shared their experiences as
‘people with a difference’ and for many, this was what drew them to the project. We are sure
that shared experiences and feelings within our projected audience will be what makes “Up in
the Spotlight” a hit with many individuals and age groups. At this time, Tightrope Pictures is
moving forward to enact this project and, in future, bring other creative ventures to life.

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Tightrope Pictures Team

Marianne Yelle
As well as collaborating with the Creator of Up In The Spotlight, in the writing department, Marianne Yelle is the Director of Tightrope Pictures Inc. and manages its day to day business operations and communications. Plans for more solo and collaborative writing projects in the future ensure that she will be kept busy for a long time to come.

Trevor Cohen
Trevor Cohen is the Executive Director of Tightrope Pictures Inc. and sourced funding for the Proof of Concept for Up In The Spotlight. He was also a key member of the on set creative team by providing special support to actors. He is very interested in making sets accessible for those with unique needs and creating safe and welcoming workplaces for all. He is looking out for and considering future projects to develop.

Atticus Cohen-Yelle
Atticus’ passion is acting and he has been performing on stage since he was 8 and in film since 14. He also loves to tell a great story and this is where ‘Up In The Spotlight’ all began. Despite struggling with severe dyslexia, by collaborating with a literacy partner, for writing scripts, he was able to bring his stories of his time in acting school to life. He hopes that these stories within a T.V. series can inspire other dyslexics to pursue their dreams too.

Creative Collaborators for Up in the Spotlight

JAMES MATTAGNE – PRODUCER (Proof of Concept)
James Mattagne is a film producer known for his versatile storytelling. With a background in both creative arts and business management, he has produced a diverse portfolio of over 25 projects ranging from Narrative features, compelling shorts, commercials for High-profile luxury brands, and Music videos for artists that are excelling in the industry. Many of his projects have screened both locally and internationally at festivals, winning multiple awards in various categories. James has coordinated with executives from Fortune Global 500 companies and multinationals across North America and Europe. His passion for storytelling and dedication to quality craftsmanship continue to drive him to push the boundaries of cinematic expression. As part of MTT Entertainment, James has also taken on the production role for a number of independent projects, of which ‘Up In The Spotlight’ was one. He was also the Producer for the Crazy 8s short film, Cuello, which was written and directed by Sebastian Ortiz Wilkins and completed in 8 days. His recent feature film, “Lowlifes’, under the banner of Front Street Pictures, can be viewed on Crave, Canada and Tubi (USA) and has been nominated for several production awards.

SEBASTIAN ORTIZ WILKINS – DIRECTOR (Proof of Concept)
Sebastian Ortiz Wilkins made his movie debut when he was only 14 years old, acting in Indie short films in his hometown of Quadalajara, Mexico. Since that time, he expanded his horizons by delving into writing and directing his own projects. A pivotal moment in his career came when he relocated to Vancouver, BC, earning a business degree at BCIT and evolving into working as a director and script supervisor within the industry. His list of accomplishments include receiving awards at the 2019 Mighty Asian Movie-Making Marathon and at the 2019 Los Angeles Independent Short Film Festival and notably served as a judge for the 2019 Berlin & Beyond Film Festival. In 2021, Sebastian was honoured to be selected as one of the directors for the Crazy 8’s Film Festival in Vancouver showcasing his film “Cuello”. Besides being part of the Creative Team behind ‘Up in the Spotlight’, the director’s filmography, at the young age of 25, includes more than 8 short films, 1 web series and numerous music videos.

BTS from Up in the Spotlight Proof of Concept Shoot

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