New reporting says producer Chris Ferguson’s company Oddfellows has signed a first-look deal with Warner Bros., giving the studio early access to projects it develops and marking a closer tie between the indie horror outfit and Warner’s new specialty label, Clockwork. The deal matters because it strengthens Warner Bros.’ push into modestly budgeted theatrical films and brings in a producer with a recent track record on distinctive genre titles including “Longlegs”, “The Monkey” and “Backrooms”.

Oddfellows, founded in 2013, will produce lower-budget films for Clockwork, which is run by former Neon executive Christian Parkes, who previously worked with Ferguson on “Longlegs” and “The Monkey”. Warner Bros. will also use Oddfellows’ Vancouver studio for Ferguson-backed projects and for films referred from across the wider motion picture group, including Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema. In statements, Warner executives Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy said the partnership supports a broad theatrical slate and emerging film-makers, while director Osgood Perkins and “Backrooms” film-maker Kane Parsons credited Ferguson and his team with playing a major role in their films’ development and success.