Scott Budnick

About Scott

• I went into college as a pre-med major and thought that I’d ultimately end up as a doctor treating kids with cancer.
• After getting first-hand experience on a movie set as an extra, I decided to switch directions and study business and film—I graduated with a major in management and marketing and a minor in film.
• I started my career working on films like “Road Trip” and “Old School” before being tapped by director Todd Phillips to start his new production company.
• While building my film career, I started getting involved with criminal justice reform issues after visiting a juvenile hall and learning about the experiences of incarcerated youth.
• I went on to produce The Hangover—the highest-grossing R-rated comedy in film history—as well as “Due Date,” “Project X,” and “The Hangover 2.”
• I realized my privilege as a movie producer could open doors to larger players in government and policy—I’d get us in the door and then give the floor to those affected by the criminal justice system.
• While making “The Hangover 3,” it became clear to me that I was now happier doing social justice work than I was making movies, so I decided to leave the movie business and start a nonprofit.
• I founded the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), a support and advocacy network for formerly incarcerated people and criminal justice reform advocates.