Magical Elves Founders Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz Departing Company

The founding duo of TV production company Magical Elves, Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz, are exiting the company, parent company Tinopolis Group said Wednesday.

Jane Lipsitz

Jane Lipsitz

The duo, which created such successful reality shows and Top Chef, Project Runway and Nailed It!, will depart the company they founded in 2001 to return to their “entrepreneurial roots” as independent producers, according to Tinopolis, which acquired the company in 2014. Magical Elves will remain within the Tinopolis portfolio.

Cutforth and Lipsitz will continue to work on the company's current shows, including Bravo's Top Chef and Project Runway, as well as Netflix's Nailed It and Sugar Rush, WE tv's Braxton Family Values; and Oxygen's Cold Justice, according to Tinopolis. 

Dan Cutforth

Dan Cutforth

"Dan and Jane’s creativity and professionalism have been their hallmark and those values will continue to be nurtured within Magical Elves through this transition and beyond,” said Tinopolis Group founder and chairman Ron Jones and CEO Arwel Rees.

Cutforth and Lipsitz added: “We’re proud to have created a culture of collaboration and risk-taking, so core to the success of the work we all do. As independent producers, we’re excited to continue telling stories that showcase extraordinary, creative people and innovative voices. We are grateful to Tinopolis for being great partners on every front, for their consideration in respecting our choice, and for working with us on a transition that puts our shows and talent first.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.