Angry Shih Tzu Productions

About Us

Whether you’re developing a script, shooting a feature, or pitching to a streamer, the "Shih Tzu" philosophy is simple: Focus the voice. Build the structure. Nail the execution.

We provide the "punch-up" that turns a good joke into a viral moment and the "network-eye" strategy that turns an indie pilot into a distributable asset. We’ve operated at the highest levels of the industry—from MTV and Starz to the Academy Awards—and we bring that same elite standard to every project we touch.

If you can see the project in your head, we’re the ones who help you build the thing you actually meant to make.

You are in good hands.

Sister company to Realize Studios and under The CPI umbrella, Angry Shih Tzu Productions specializes in comedy and having artists work at the highest levels creatively.

We don’t do "dreams." We do production. Most agencies sand down the edges to make things "safe." At Angry Shih Tzu, we sharpen them. We are a collective of network executives, award-winning filmmakers, VFX masters, and A-list comedians who know how to take a raw concept and give it the teeth it needs to survive in the real market.

The Pack

Mark Riccadonna

Mark Riccadonna | Director, Writer & Consultant

Mark Riccadonna is a seasoned comedian, writer, and director with over 18 years of professional experience across theatre, film, and television. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Mark has transitioned from a global stand-up career—including multiple tours for the USO and Armed Forces Entertainment—into a prolific producer and creative consultant.

His diverse portfolio includes a Dry Bar Comedy special, a long-running travel column for Today’s Man Magazine, and directing the award-winning pilot Radio Gods, which premiered at the New York Comedy Festival. Whether performing Off-Broadway or directing for the NYC Dream Up Festival, Mark is renowned for his clinical ability to read an audience and his "lovable" storytelling charisma.

As a driving force behind Angry Shih Tzu Productions, Mark specializes in "punching up" scripts and mentoring the next generation of artists to ensure their projects have the professional bite needed to succeed in the modern market.

Michel Grey

Michel Grey | Writer, Producer & Director

Michel Grey is an award-winning filmmaker and serial entrepreneur with a career spanning the film and music industries. Her feature debut, Days of Power, earned "Best Feature Film" at the Women’s International Film Festival, while her documentary, Beyond the Bombs, received the Artistic Spirit Award at the New Hope Film Festival.

A member of The Recording Academy (Grammys) and Film Independent, Michel’s work has been featured in Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Los Angeles Times. As a co-founder of Realize Records and Creative Partners International, Michel brings a wealth of experience in producing thought-provoking, cause-driven entertainment and navigating the complexities of independent distribution.

Doug Tubach

Doug Tubach | VFX Supervisor & Producer

With over 35 years in the entertainment industry, Doug Tubach is a veteran of both traditional production and high-end digital visual effects. After starting his career with HBO, Fox, and ABC, Doug transitioned into Digital Visual Effects, where he has spent the last 25 years collaborating as a Supervisor and Artist on major feature films—including several Academy Award-winning productions.

A graduate of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School, Doug’s unique perspective bridges the gap between classic filmmaking and cutting-edge technology, providing Angry Shih Tzu projects with a level of technical polish rarely seen in independent production.

Peter J. Demas

Peter J. Demas | Media Executive & Network Strategist

Peter J. Demas is a high-level television and media executive with a career defined by leadership roles at some of the world’s most influential cable networks. Most recently, Peter served as Vice President of Network Operations and Executive Director of Key Initiatives at Starz Entertainment. In these roles, he spearheaded brand positioning, strategic planning, and promotional campaign development for linear and digital distribution across multiple global platforms.

Before his tenure at Starz, Peter held senior leadership and marketing roles at MTV and VH1, serving as Vice President of Program Enterprises and Executive Producer of Home Entertainment. There, he managed production and worldwide distribution strategies for iconic music and television content.

Peter began his career on the front lines at CNN as a Director of Photography and Editor, a technical foundation that eventually led to his mastery of network strategy and operations. A graduate of Hofstra University, Peter provides Angry Shih Tzu clients with a "network-eye" view of production, ensuring their projects are built to meet the highest industry standards for distribution.