Robert Meyer Burnett and Mike Bawden Launch Imagination Connoisseur Media Unlimited; Debut Project ‘True Noir’ (EXCLUSIVE)

By Jack Dunn

According To The variety)  Producer Robert Meyer Burnett and marketing executive Mike Bawden have launched Imagination Connoisseur Media Unlimited, a production company for original genre content for dedicated fandoms.

The company’s debut project is “True Noir: The Assassination of Anton Cermak,” a six-and-a-half-hour audio drama based on the Max Allan Collins novel “True Detective.” The ten-episode series is set in Chicago in 1932 and follows the murder of the city’s mayor while attending a Franklin Roosevelt campaign rally in Miami, Fla.

Burnett, who directs and produces “True Noir,” describes it as “a cinematic audio drama, combining traditional storytelling with modern production techniques.” The cast features more than 25 voice actors, including Jeffrey Combs (“The Frighteners”), PJ Byrne (“The Wolf of Wall Street”), Jesse Spencer (“House”), Anthony LaPaglia (“Without a Trace”) and Katee Sackhoff (“Battlestar Galactica”).

Alexander Bornstein composed an original score for the series. Michael McDonald oversaw the sound design. “We’re focused on bringing new stories to genre markets and ensuring that original creators are key players in the ongoing development of their IPs,” Burnett said. “High production values and creative integrity are our cornerstones.”

“ICU’s mission is to collaborate with visionary creators to produce genre projects that resonate on a whole new level,” added Bawden.

Burnett’s producer credits include “Agent Cody Banks,” “The Hills Run Red,” “Let’s Get Physical Media with Burnett & Bastian” and a series of behind-the-scenes documentaries on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Bawden previously worked at Republic Pictures and Pepsico Foods International before launching Imagination Connoisseur Media Unlimited.