Interesting news via Pitchfork Media: Beastie Boy Adam Yauch has launched Oscilloscope Pictures, a new independent distributor, with former Think Film V.P. David Fenkel and former Think employee Dan Berger. The Pitchfork article quotes this Reuters/Hollywood Reporter piece, which gives more details.

From the Gregg Goldstein piece:

Yauch and Fenkel plan to acquire narrative and documentary features from festivals for release in the U.S. and provide funds to complete and release unfinished films.

The pair, who worked on Yauch’s Beastie Boys documentary “Awesome! I F***in’ Shot That!” at ThinkFilm, will oversee postproduction and marketing work at Oscilloscope Laboratories’ downtown Manhattan production space. Fenkel’s fellow ThinkFilm alumni Dan Berger is joining them in the venture.

“We’re kind of winging it,” said Yauch. He plans to release two to 10 films in the first year. Without any outside financial backing for the self-financed venture, he hopes to make deals in which the filmmakers share the risk.

OP will handle its own theatrical distribution and control all marketing materials in-house but likely will partner with an outside distribution company for home video releases.

Its first theatrical release, set to be announced within the next month, will hit theaters by the summer.

Fenkel said many of the company’s marketing campaigns will incorporate an indie music-style, DIY approach in keeping with the Beastie Boys’ way of connecting with fans.