US star chasing film firm’s debt

• Published date: 26 April 2024
• Author: Shayne Currie
• Publication title: New Zealand Herald, The (Auckland, New Zealand)

The film production company’s boss claims a change of mind on a public funding agreement by the NZ Film Commission (NZFC) is to blame for the liquidation — but the NZFC says it “rejects that it is responsible in any way for the financial circumstances” of the company

American Iliza Shlesinger — who has featured in several Netflix comedy specials and alongside actors such as Mark Wahlberg in films — is among unsecured creditors owed $765,110 by Stripe Studios (Comedy) Ltd, according to the liquidator’s first report into the company.

Shlesinger is understood to be owed the vast majority of this money — well in excess of $600,000.

Her debts are “related to unpaid performance remuneration on a series being filmed by the company”, says liquidator Keaton Pronk.

A further two secured creditors have registered security interests of more than $1.5m against the company — $1,428,902 for Fulcrum Media Finance and $75,477 for Film Finances Inc, according to Pronk’s report.

Shlesinger was in New Zealand last year to film Iliza Shlesinger: This Tastes Funny, a 10-part unscripted travel series produced by Stripe Studios.

Stripe managing director Alex Breingan was listed as an executive producer on the project.

In a statement to the Herald yesterday, and in earlier court documents, Shlesinger has outlined her anguish about the situation.

In a court affidavit, she says of her unpaid fees: “We have not received a straightforward answer as to why the fee has not been paid. Instead we have been met with deflection ... delaying tactics and empty promises from Stripe Studios and Mr Breingan. It has reached a point where my patience has been exhausted.”

The show — which was filmed across New Zealand — has stalled in post-production and has not been screened.

Stripe Studios (Comedy) Ltd was placed into liquidation in March after a successful application to the High Court at Auckland by Shlesinger.

It is also one of 11 Stripe-related companies now in receivership, with Breingan refusing to engage with media, or make any public comment.

Another of the Stripe companies in receivership, Stripe Studios (Hoff) Ltd, is understood to owe money to legendary American actor David Hasselhoff after he also filmed a series here last year.

The liquidator’s report into Stripe Studios (Comedy) Ltd reveals differences between Breingan and the New Zealand Film Commission, with each party pointing the finger at the other for the financial troubles.

“The liquidators have interviewed the director in...