Biography

Alison Lani is a film and television executive and producer who oversees development for veteran studio head, Rob Friedman, at his production shingle, Ascendant Entertainment [us]. Prior to Ascendant, Alison worked as a Creative Executive at Insurgent Media [us] and cut her teeth developing music video content at Moving Box Studios [us] for the Chainsmokers, Tiesto, and Galantis, among others.

Alison was raised on Chicago's South Side. While attending High School, she competed and placed at state-wide Speech Team and Contest Play tournaments. After earning her BFA at Ithaca College, Alison moved to Chicago to begin her career in their thriving theatre community and had the privilege of studying under Michael Gellman [The Second City] and Steve Scott [Goodman Theatre]. She began producing her own short-form content while performing in both regional and Chicago-based theaters, including Chicago Dramatists, Cleveland Playhouse, First Folio Theatre, Writers Theatre, Sierra Madre Playhouse, and the late, great Redmoon Theatre. But her favorite stage role to date is still Laura in the Cleveland Playhouse's production of "The Glass Menagerie," opposite Linda Purl.

Upon moving to Los Angeles, Alison tackled any position she could to learn the ins and outs of the industry from various perspectives. To date, she's worked in casting, talent management, development, and production. She landed her first feature film role as the nerdy female protagonist in the cult horror flick, "Hardhat", directed by David Worth ["Kickboxer", "Blood Sport"] and played the cagey Belinda Kowaleski on Sony's super-hero drama, "Powers", opposite Shartlo Copely, Susan Heyward, and Teri Wyble. But ultimately, Alison was drawn to creatively shepherding projects from behind the camera.