From Stage to Screen: Steve Taylor’s Wildly Imaginative Leap into Family Filmmaking with "Sketch"

Angel, the film & TV platform curated by over one million members of the Angel Guild, announced today at CinemaCon that it has negotiated a deal with Wonder Project and UTA's Independent Film Group, and will be handling worldwide distribution rights for the feature film SKETCH. Angel will begin the film's roll out to theaters worldwide beginning August 6, 2025.

Starring Emmy Award-winning actor Tony Hale (Veep, Arrested Development) and D'Arcy Carden (The Good Place, Barry), Sketch is a wildly imaginative, heartwarming family adventure  film about a 10-year-old girl whose sketchbook drawings come to life-with chaotic and comical consequences. We are honored to chat with the film's producer Steve Taylor for this exclusive interview.

View the first look video HERE. 

Q: Steve, thanks for doing this interview with us. What prompted you to transition from music to producing movies? 

I studied both music and filmmaking in college, but when I graduated I decided it would be better to front a band in my twenties and become a filmmaker in my fifties than the reverse. I directed a lot of music videos for myself and other artists while I was a recording artist, then got into directing movies in the 2000s. I produced "Sketch" with Tony Hale for writer/director and longtime friend Seth Worley. 

Q: In your own words, what is "Sketch" about?

We've been calling it a cross between "Inside Out" and "Jurassic Park." Ten-year-old Amber is struggling with the recent death of her mother, so her dad (played by Tony Hale of "Arrested Development" and "Veep" fame) takes her to a counselor, who finds out Amber likes to draw. So she gives Amber a sketchbook and tells her to put all her feelings into that book. Amber dutifully starts filling the sketchbook with comically horrific monsters... which come to life and terrorize her small town. The movie is funny and thrilling and heartwarming and perfect for the whole family.

Q: What are some of the highlights in the making of this movie?

Alongside our adult leads Tony Hale and D'Arcy Carden (Janet in "The Good Place") we had three kid actors who were a total blast and delivered some of the best performances I've ever seen in actors that young. They got along great offscreen and formed a real bond - the kind that would have resulted in matching tattoos if they were older. 

Q: What is your favorite scene in the movie?

I can only name one? I've seen the movie dozens of times, but I still get choked up at the climactic scene, which is as emotionally satisfying as just about anything I've ever seen.  

Q: Why do you think our readers should watch this movie?

Because it's gonna be your favorite movie of the summer. Maybe any summer. You don't even have to take my word for it - check out our 100% Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Q: Do you have other projects you are currently working on?

I'm also producing the animated series "The Dead Sea Squirrels" for creator Mike Nawrocki (co-creator of "VeggieTales" and beloved voice of Larry The Cucumber), which is streaming now on Minno. Every episode also has a song, which Mike and I often co-write, that flashes back to biblical times. So we've got Matthew West as our singing Jesus, Mac Powell as John the Baptist, Ellie Holcomb as Mary, Bart Millard as Pilate, Katy Nichole as Mary Magdalene... and I'm our singing Apostle Paul. 

 

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