creative + commercial balance
Protecting artistry while maximizing returns.
integrated ecosystem
Seamless services across seven divisions.
global reach
Operating in the U.S. and Europe, with expansion underway.
proven leadership
A team of industry veterans and entrepreneurial innovators.
STORY. SCALE. LEGACY
From Detroit’s hustle to Hollywood’s spotlight, Gold Tree has grown into a global entertainment company — rooted in resilience, driven by vision, and built to last.
Gold Tree was founded on the belief that great stories deserve more than financing — they deserve a system that protects creativity while ensuring commercial success.
As a parent company, Gold Tree now spans seven divisions across film, television, post-production, horror, animation, podcasts, and international expansion. Each one operates independently yet strategically aligned, designed to balance creative ambition with financial discipline.
THE LEGACY
Gold Tree’s roots lie in the partnership between Tim Chonacas, a Detroit-born entrepreneur with a relentless drive, and William J. Immerman, a seasoned Hollywood executive whose career spanned 20th Century Fox, Crusader Entertainment, and Yari Film Group.
Together, they launched Gold Tree Films in 2018 and Gold Tree Studios in 2022. Despite the challenges of a global pandemic and the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, they built a post-production campus that set a new bar for independent facilities.
Bill’s passing in 2023 marked a turning point. In his honor, Tim expanded Gold Tree into a multi-division company — launching Animation GT, Gold Tree TV, Old Tree Films, Gold Tree Podcasts, and expanding internationally with Gold Tree Hellas in Athens.
Gold Tree is, and will always remain, a testament to the shared vision of its founders: pairing creativity with strategy to tell unforgettable stories.
In loving memory of our co-founder, William Immerman.
THE MODEL
THE VISION
Gold Tree operates as a fully integrated ecosystem, supporting projects from concept to completion.
-
Development & Financing – A disciplined, incentive-driven model that lowers risk while securing global reach.
-
Production & Post – In-house facilities at Gold Tree Studios deliver Dolby Atmos sound, color grading, VFX integration, and more.
-
Distribution & Growth – Partnerships with streamers, networks, and distributors worldwide ensure projects find their audience.
-
Ecosystem Advantage – With divisions spanning features, TV, horror, animation, podcasts, and international production, Gold Tree offers a 360° pipeline rarely matched in independent entertainment.
THE FOUNDERS
Matt is a polyglot software engineer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist with 20+ years of experience building compelling experiences. Focused on production pipeline and emerging technologies, he has expertise in encrypted election systems, smart contracts, healthcare, blockchain, finance, telecom, and more. Matt excels in distributed systems, cloud automation, cryptography, and full-stack development.
Matthew Wilhelm
Chief Technology Officer
CJ has over 25 years in global financing and institutional banking, specializing in central banks, sovereigns, and cross-border RTGS systems.
CJ O'Connor
Chief Strategy Officer
With over 15 years of experience in film production, Tim started as an intern at Emmett Furla Films and rose to President of Production and Development. He produced over 25 films, including Savage Salvation, Boss Level, and the Escape Plan series, working with top directors like Joe Carnahan and Stephen Frears. Tim’s expertise spans sourcing material, developing content, and working with renowned talent to bring high-profile projects to life.
Tim sullivan
Producer
Ginger Perkins is a seasoned film and theatre producer. Notable film credits include Refuge, The Game of Their Lives, and Children On Their Birthdays. She has worked as a producer, casting director, script consultant, and acting coach. Ginger’s extensive career spans the U.S. and the Edinburgh Fringe, where she produced award-winning plays. She also held leadership roles in marketing, fundraising, and education for the arts.
Ginger Perkins
Producer
Danielle Mallory, the GM of Gold Tree Studios and Associate Producer at Gold Tree Films, began her journey in theater at age 10. A passionate performer, she pursued advanced studies in scene and film, improv, and the Meisner Method. Her rich cultural background and diverse experiences have shaped her ability to excel in commercials, feature films, and challenging roles.
Danielle Chonacas
Head of Development
Brett is a pioneering filmmaker and innovator recognized for advancing immersive media and virtual reality in cinema. Known for directing The Lawnmower Man, the first VR-based feature film, Brett bridges storytelling and technology. His expertise in VR, 3D, and digital filmmaking makes him a leader in evolving media landscapes.He aims to shape the future of digital storytelling, blending creative vision with cutting-edge tech.
Brett Leonard
Head of Future Technologies
Anthony Shafer is an award-winning VFX Supervisor and Head of Post known for groundbreaking work on Harry Potter (earning acclaim for Harry’s Patronus), Transformers, Star Wars, and Pirates of the Caribbean. He also orchestrated Michael Jackson’s hologram performance, created the 19 Crimes “talking” wine bottle, and pioneered VR medical solutions. Beyond film, he founded a video game studio as Creative Director as well as a blockchain based charity organization/collaborative art project, continuing to push the boundaries of digital storytelling.
anthony shafer
Head of Production & VFX Supervisor
Jon, a seasoned 1st AD and producer, began his career in LA, co-founding Untouchable Films, a film finance company in Beverly Hills. Returning to San Francisco, he worked with indie producers and major studios, including HBO, eventually establishing JP Production Rentals to fill local equipment needs. Over his 17-year career, Jon has led commercial productions for clients like Clorox, Porsche, and Oracle.
Jon Perlstein
Head of Physical Production
Andy leads branding, design, web development, and production management across film, TV, and animation projects. With deep roots in collaborative production and blockchain-based media, she excels in innovation, storytelling, and fostering human connection through digital and live experiences. Andy excels in high-pressure environments showing goal-driven leadership and guiding teams to success in dynamic projects.
Andy Jane Armstrong
Creative Operations Manager
At Gold Tree Studios, we believe in the perfect blend of artistry and technology. From pre-production planning to the final delivery, we collaborate with our clients at every step, ensuring a seamless process and a final product that’s polished to perfection. Our commitment to innovation and quality drives us to continually push the boundaries of what’s possible in post-production.
Joshua shelton
Creative Director
Originally from Michigan, Nick Price is a Director of Photography based in Los Angeles, pursuing a passion for narrative filmmaking. Inspired by cinematic storytelling from a young age, Nick found comfort in films during challenging times and embraced the adventures they offered. What began as recreating scenes with Legos evolved into a lifelong journey with a video camera.
nick price
Director of Photography
Joseph Simon is the Head of Legal at Gold Tree Studios, known for his honest and creative approach. With over 25 years of legal experience, he specializes in complex matters like mass tort litigation, achieving tens of millions in recoveries for clients. Notably, he won a pro bono case that gained national attention, leading to a New York Times feature and a film in development. He brings the same vigor and creativity to his work at Gold Tree Studios.
Joseph Simon
In-House Counsel
FUTURE IN FOCUS
Gold Tree’s story is one of persistence, reinvention, and expansion. What began as a single film division has evolved into a global entertainment company with deep roots in heritage and bold eyes on the horizon.
By combining disciplined strategy with creative daring, Gold Tree has built a foundation strong enough to support continuous growth — across film, TV, post-production, horror, animation, podcasts, and international markets.
As we look forward, our mission remains the same: to deliver stories worth telling, productions worth remembering.
the team
TIM CHONACAS
co-founder & ceo
Chonacas has been a visionary entrepreneur from a young age, long before his move to Los Angeles. Raised in Detroit, Michigan, he began his creative journey excelling in illustration and graphic design. His passion evolved into photography, where his unique ability to capture beauty earned him awards, scholarships, and recognition in the arts.
Growing up in a large, low income family, Chonacas understood the challenges of pursuing a career in the arts. Turning down scholarships and other opportunities, he chose to dedicate himself entirely to mastering business. His relentless pursuit of knowledge quickly yielded results, becoming a respected luxury motorsports salesman. This success allowed him to acquire a chain of tanning salons, which later expanded into real estate, flipping houses independently without the aid of banks or investors. With financial independence and a wealth of business acumen, Chonacas sold his businesses to return to his first love…art.
Entering the independent film world in 2008, Chonacas founded Untouchable Films, initially raising production financing for several prominent companies. His extensive industry network and sharp negotiation skills led him to produce his own films, establishing Untouchable as a well known independent production company with a current slate of 55 feature films.
In 2016, Chonacas’ reputation caught the attention of industry leaders, landing him the role of managing a $15 million film fund on the Paramount Pictures Studio lot, a major success that propelled him to launch his own fund.
By 2018, Chonacas co-founded Gold Tree Films alongside his longtime attorney and producing partner, William J. Immerman. Their partnership secured sought after productions with A-list talent, along with $50 million in equity financing through Bank & Trust. Though the COVID-19 pandemic halted the financing, Chonacas persevered, pushing the company forward.
In 2022, Chonacas launched Gold Tree Studios with Immerman as COO, establishing its flagship location on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. The cutting edge facility set a new standard for post-production services. Despite industry strikes, Chonacas kept the studio afloat and expanded to Buffalo, NY, and Vancouver Island, Canada.
Following Immerman’s unexpected passing in 2023, Chonacas honored their shared vision by founding Animation GT, a subsidiary of Gold Tree dedicated to full spectrum film and TV animation. The company secured partnerships with top industry leaders and acquired multiple high-profile IPs.
Now in 2025, Chonacas has secured $1 billion in financing from Malka Equities, becoming their exclusive partner for Film, TV, and Animation. The funding will fuel a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem offering production facilities, equipment rentals, and tax-incentivized properties.
WILLIAM J. IMMERMAN
co-founder
Immerman (1944–2023) was a renowned attorney, producer, and executive in the film industry, remembered for his immense contributions to cinema. He also practiced law specializing in representing sales agents, producers, financiers, and distributors, negotiating complex financing deals, and serving as production and distribution counsel.
Previously, Immerman served as president of production at RSVP Entertainment, an independent motion picture production company partially owned by Salem Productions, his independent film production and consulting company. Through Salem Productions, Immerman provided production and business affairs services to film production and distribution companies. He also served as senior executive vice president and COO of Yari Film Group, an independent film production, distribution, and finance company. Before that, he was senior executive vice president and COO of Crusader Entertainment, an Anschutz Film Group company. At Crusader, he was an executive producer of Ray, the biopic of Ray Charles starring Jamie Foxx, which received six Academy Award nominations and won two Oscars.
Immerman earned his B.S. from the University of Wisconsin and his J.D. from Stanford Law School. He also served as an officer in the United States Army Reserve, attaining the rank of Captain. His career began as a Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, after which he entered the motion picture industry with American International Pictures (AIP) as Associate Counsel. At AIP, he held several positions, including Director of Business Affairs, Executive Assistant to the Chairman, Vice President of Business Affairs, and Production Executive. He was also a member of the production committee with greenlight authority on all projects.
Immerman later joined 20th Century Fox as Vice President of Business Affairs, where he served as chief negotiator for talent, production, and distribution and represented Fox on the boards of the Motion Picture Association of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. He was later promoted to Senior Executive Vice President of Fox’s film division, where he played a pivotal role in approving iconic projects like Star Wars, Young Frankenstein, The Omen, and Silver Streak.
After leaving Fox, Immerman entered into an exclusive production deal with Warner Bros. and later became Executive Producer of Highpoint, one of the first films to benefit from Canadian tax incentives. He then founded Cinema Group, the first motion picture startup to raise funds through both a private placement and an IPO. As Chairman of the Board and President of Cinema Group, he oversaw the production and co-financing of films including Staying Alive, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and Flashdance.
Immerman’s prolific career included producing or executive producing numerous films, such as Swimming Upstream, Danny Deckchair, Sound of Thunder, Sahara, What Doesn’t Kill You, The Maiden Heist, Where the Red Fern Grows, Nothing But the Truth, The Barber, Papa: Hemingway in Cuba, Bitter Harvest, Mr. Hockey: The Gordie Howe Story, Before We Go, and The Hurricane Heist.
He served on the National Advisory Board of the Sundance Film Festival and the National Advisory Board of the DeSantis Center for Motion Picture Industry Studies at Florida Atlantic University. He was a member of the Screen Actors Guild/AFTRA, served as a director of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, and was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In 2010, he was honored with the Louis B. Mayer Award from the UCLA Anderson School of Management as the Outstanding Motion Picture Business Executive of the Year.
William Immerman’s legacy lives on through his monumental achievements and contributions to the film industry, inspiring generations of filmmakers and executives. Gold Tree will always remember him and his legendary foresight, continuing to break new barriers throughout the industry.
