Team
Walter Josten – President
Walter Josten is one of a select group of producers in Hollywood who has been involved in nearly every aspect of film and television development, production, financing, distribution, and international sales, often in the traditional roles of producer or executive producer. He studied art, photography and film at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After college, Walter began his career as an artist and then, moving to Southern California, began making films in 1984. Walter co-founded Blue Rider Pictures in 1991, and together he and Blue Rider have been involved in developing, producing, distributing and helping to provide financing for over 180 film and television productions. Walter is recognized as an industry pioneer of independent film financing, being among the first to leverage tax incentives and one of the first to introduce the concept of bridge financing to the independent motion picture community. One of Walter’s favorite projects is UNCOMMON KINDNESS, co-produced and co-written by Walter, a documentary on Father Damien of Molokai narrated by Robin Williams, which won a CINE Golden Eagle Award in 1998. THE INCREDIBLE MRS. RITCHIE, starring James Caan and Gena Rowlands, garnered Walter a 2004 Emmy award. Walter also won a Telly Award with his son Patrick in 2007 for producing THE MOSS METHOD, a documentary on former NFL superstar, hall-of-famer and current ESPN studio analyst Randy Moss. Walter wrote and executive produced the film SILVER WOLF. This Family Channel Premiere won the prestigious Star Boy Award at the 18th Oulu International Children’s Film Festival, in Oulu, Finland.
“I feel lucky to have the opportunity to be involved in every aspect of the filmmaking process—from story idea to script and all the way through financing, production and distribution,” Josten remarked. One reason I enjoy my work so much is that it requires a mix of creative, financial and business skills. Every day I’m involved with the full range of creative professionals as well as lawyers, accountants, entrepreneurs and financiers.”
Patrick Josten – Business Affairs and Development
Patrick Josten has worked in the film industry with his father Walter since the age of 13, having been involved in many aspects of filmmaking behind the scenes and in front of the camera. Patrick is a producer, executive producer, associate producer on Hypnotic, Poker Face, Spinning Gold, The Tiger Rising, American Traitor, Twist, Force of Nature, Primal, Driven, Speed Kills, and Moss Method. Patrick attended Chapman University in Orange, California where he was a four year starter as quarterback, and received his BA in film and television. After pursuing and playing professional football, Patrick received a Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School and graduated on the Dean’s List. He worked in business affairs for Radar Pictures from 2014 to 2017, and returned to Blue Rider in late 2017.
Steve Mortensen – Investment Packaging
Steve Mortensen has been affiliated with Blue Rider since 2012. He is a successful business development veteran, financial analyst, and capitalization specialist with more than 30 years of hands-on experience in operational, managerial, and executive roles. Steve’s expertise includes early-stage projects, financial modeling, copywriting, strategic planning, investment packaging, marketing and sales. He is also proficient in information technologies and audio, video, and digital media production. Steve has developed hundreds of investment packages that helped clients raise from hundreds of thousands to many millions of dollars for their projects.