Eric Manes

Eric David Manes is a feature film and television writer and producer, owner of Swiss chocolate company Coco Suisse with his wife Marianne Manes, and a State of California Registered Investment Advisor.

Biography Manes produced the documentary Voices of Iraq, for which he funneled digital video cameras to hundreds of Iraqis in the midst of war. The Iraqis interviewed thousands of their compatriots. Within six months, the film was finished, marketed, and distributed for theatrical release in the United States. Because of its unparalleled intimacy and access to Iraqis, the footage was featured on This Week with George Stephanopoulos. Manes guided Voices of Iraq through its worldwide release and festival circuit, bringing it to Edinburgh, Melbourne, Locarno, and South Korea.

Manes produced the $60 million budgeted 3000 Miles to Graceland (starring Kevin Costner, Kurt Russell, Christian Slater and Courteney Cox) for Warner Bros. Manes also wrote and produced the feature film Campfire Tales (starring Amy Smart, James Marsden, Ron Livingston, and Christine Taylor) for New Line Cinema and the indie comedy Phat Beach (with "Entourage” creator Doug Ellin and starring Coolio).

His film and television screenplays include Warner Bros.’ Dodging Bullets for Will Smith and Halle Berry, Paramount’s The Brazilian, and 20th Century Fox’s Hindenburg for Jan de Bont. He created and executive produced “HRT” (starring Michael Rooker and Ernie Hudson) for CBS and Columbia TriStar and “Catch” for CBS. With Doug Liman, Manes reinvented “CHiPs” for NBC and Warner Bros. He also created the reality show “Mayor” for Columbia TriStar. In 2002, NBC/Studios USA signed Manes to an exclusive writing/producing contract. He wrote and executive produced "Witch Doctor", a TV pilot for Beacon TV and ABC television studios in 2008.

For CBS, he created and executive produced television pilots with Academy Award winning producer Mark Johnson. In 2000, Manes convinced MTV to gamble on a reality show where contestants film themselves while completing challenges in the world's most haunted locations. The result was MTV's Fear, MTV's second highest rated show in 2000 and 2001, which Manes created and executive produced.

Prior to this, Manes founded a post-production facility that American Cinematographer magazine noted for its innovative use of inexpensive, cutting edge, post-production technology to finish indie films.

Born in New York City, Manes studied business and philosophy at New York University and is a member of the Writers Guild of America.

Selected filmography Year Project Credit Studio/Network 2026 Ben writer, producer 2023 Women of Iran producer Moriah Media 2023 Children of Selvino producer Moriah Media 2023 Sinatra producer Moriah Media 2021 The Magic Knight writer Disney Pictures 2020 Emperor of a Thousand years writer Disney Pictures, Shanghai Media Group 2012 Sheriff Gus Skinner: Standing Tall executive producer A&E 2011 Misney Makes Them Pay creator, executive producer Booya Studios 2011 Ripper writer, producer Booya Studios, DirecTV, Panasonic 2008 Witch Doctor writer, executive producer ABC Studios 2008 Miracle Chasers writer, executive producer Columbia Tristar 2005 Dodging Bullets writer Warner Bros. 2004 Voices of Iraq producer Magnolia Pictures 2002 The Mayor creator, executive producer Columbia Tristar 2003 CHiPs writer, executive producer Warner Bros. 2002 Catch writer, executive producer CBS 2002 Beautiful People writer, executive producer USA Networks 2001 HRT writer, executive producer CBS, Columbia TriStar 2001 Inside Fear creator, executive producer MTV 2001 Faces of Fear creator, executive producer MTV 2000 MTV's Fear creator, executive producer MTV 2000 3000 Miles to Graceland writer, producer Warner Bros. 1998 They Come at Night producer indie 1997 Campfire Tales writer, producer New Line Cinema 1997 Lowball producer Cinequinon 1996 Phat Beach producer Orion Pictures 1995 Where Do Planes Sleep? producer Indie