👋 Meet the Founder: Ricky Reidling

I grew up in a small town in Georgia — a kid with big dreams and a deep love for storytelling. After meeting my husband in Atlanta, we made the move west so I could finally chase the dream I’d always carried: working in the entertainment industry.

Now, with over 20 years of experience in film and television, I’ve worn just about every hat — writer, director, producer, and actor. I’ve worked on numerous pilots and films, both in front of and behind the camera. And like many creatives, I’ve seen my share of projects that never made it past the cutting room floor. But rather than giving up, I created my own path.

In 2004, I wrote my first original pilot, BoysTown. I held auditions in Los Angeles, receiving over 1,000 headshots, and shot the pilot on a shoestring budget. Despite the odds, BoysTown gained a passionate fanbase and made its mark on the indie scene. Years later, a rebooted version caught the attention of Canadian cable network OUTtv, where it was picked up for two seasons. I had the privilege of writing, directing, and starring in the series — a career milestone I’ll never forget.

After relocating from L.A. to Palm Springs, I found a new spark of inspiration in the desert. I launched Some Kind of Wonderful, a heartfelt LGBTQ+ comedy that celebrates the beauty, chaos, and charm of this incredible city. The pilot screened at over 35 film festivals and won more than a dozen awards. We were ready to dive into a full season — until the pandemic paused production.

Now, I'm picking up where we left off — filming a brand-new pilot and building out the first season of Some Kind of Wonderful through Open Palm Productions. This company is more than just a production house — it’s a space to create bold, inclusive, joy-filled content that reflects real people, real stories, and the beauty of living authentically.