Charles E. Sellier Jr. was a renowned producer, writer, and director in the independent film industry. He founded and presided over Grizzly Adams Productions, Inc., and was known for his innovative marketing techniques, including market testing and "four-walling," which allowed him to keep all the profits from his films.
Sellier's success rate in the domestic theatrical market was an impressive 52%, far surpassing the average of major studios at the time. He was praised by industry professionals, including Joel Kotkin, who wrote in the Washington Post, "Today, Charles Sellier is the first of a series of new family filmmakers that is hitting Hollywood right where it hurts--the box office."
Sellier's films were consistently successful, with nine of his productions appearing on Variety's list of top 50 films in 1981. These included "In Search of Noah's Ark," "Beyond and Back," "The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams," and others.
In addition to his work in film, Sellier also produced television programming, including the popular series "The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams," which aired on NBC from 1977 to 1979. The show was an instant success, beating out the popular "The Bionic Woman" in just six weeks.
Sellier's innovative approach to audience preference studies also earned him recognition in the television industry. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on the television film "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" in 1980.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Sellier continued to produce successful films and television shows, including the "Desperado" series and the specials "Ancient Secrets of the Bible" and "Miracles and Other Wonders."
In the 2000s, Sellier turned his attention to writing and producing investigative documentaries for television and DVD. His final film, "Friends for Life," was released in 2006 and received over 30 independent film awards.
Throughout his career, Sellier authored several best-selling books, including "The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams," "Hangar 18," and "The Lincoln Conspiracy."
Sellier was a passionate and innovative filmmaker who was respected by his peers and mentored many who had the pleasure of working with him. He is survived by his wife, Julie Magnuson, and his son, William Sellier.
