Netflix Announces New Comedy Series Titled ‘Family Reunion,’ Starring Tia Mowry, Loretta Devine
Netflix has announced “Family Reunion,” a multi-generational live action comedy series. The series, which recently began production, stars Loretta Devine (“The Carmichael Show”) and Tia Mowry (“Sister, Sister”). Mowry will play Cocoa McKellan, a free-spirited mother who travels from the big city with her family to a small town for her family reunion and gets to know their extended clan. Devine will portray the loving but strict matriarch of the family, M’Dear, and Anthony Alabi (“Insecure”) plays Cocoa’s husband.
Rounding out the cast as the McKellan children are Talia Jackson as 14-year old Jade, Isaiah Russell-Bailey as 12-year old Shaka, Cameron J. “CJ” Wright as 10-year old Mazzi, and Jordyn James as 8-year old Ami. The show is executive produced and created by Meg DeLoatch (“Fuller House”) and directed by Eric Dean Seaton (“Modern Family”).
HBO Short Film Competition At ABFF Launches Call For Submissions
The 23rd annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) returns to Miami from June 12-16, 2019 and continues to showcase quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Film submissions are now open, with over $50,000 in cash and prizes being awarded at the festival’s Best of ABFF Awards presentation.
HBO® is the founding sponsor of the festival and is launching its 22nd consecutive short film competition today. Past winning directors of this competition include Ryan Coogler, Steven Caple, Jr., Solvan Naim, Kiel Adrian Scott, and Rashaad Ernesto Green, all of whom have gone on to direct studio films and network television episodes.
“As a founding sponsor, HBO has shared the American Black Film Festival’s mission to elevate the world of black film and to introduce and connect talented newcomers to the industry. Now more than ever, we want to continue elevating unique, bold and emerging talent,” said Dennis Williams, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility, HBO.
Festival attendees will have their choice of over seventy programs and events, including celebrity conversations, panels, master classes, spotlight screenings and hospitality lounges, in addition to screenings in four competitive categories: Narrative Features, Documentary Features, Web Series and Short Films. A distinguished panel of jurors, who will be announced at a later date, will determine the winners.
“The American Black Film Festival is thrilled to be partnered with HBO for the past 22 years. Together, we have identified many of today’s most prolific storytellers who have been instrumental in ushering a new generation of artists to the film and television industry. Our goal is to remain the most prominent pipeline of undiscovered talent in front of and behind the camera,” said Jeff Friday, CEO and Founder, ABFF Ventures.
Below is a brief description for each category. For complete submission criteria and eligibility visit www.abff.com/submissions.
COMPETITIVE CATEGORIES
– HBO® Short Film Competition: Regarded as one of the most prestigious short film showcases in the country, five filmmakers are selected as finalists and receive a trip to the festival in Miami Beach, Fla. (including airfare and hotel accommodations) for an opportunity to screen their short film at the American Black Film Festival in Miami. Films must have a maximum runtime of 20 minutes, inclusive of credits.
– Narrative Features: Films that tell a fictional story, event or narrative.
– Documentaries: Nonfiction films intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education, or creating and maintaining a historical record.
– Web Series: Short form narrative or documentary episodic television series.
NON-COMPETITIVE SHOWCASE CATEGORIES
– World Showcase: A non-competitive section for narrative and documentary feature films made by persons of African descent or depicting a multicultural experience.
– Emerging Directors: Narratives, documentaries, message-related videos and other content from directors of African descent.
– Social Impact Screenings: A showcase for films based on cause-related topics affecting communities of color. The 2019 Social Impact Screenings topic will be Fatherhood: The Foundation of the Black Family.
Festival passes are on sale now at www.abff.com, and offer five (5) different levels of access to festival events. Questions regarding registration may be directed to info@abffventures.com.
New Subscription-Video Service Zeus To Debut Comedies From Michael Blackson, DeStorm Power, And BlameItOnKway
Influencer-driven subscription video service Zeus is set to premiere three new original comedies this fall starring social-media stars DeStorm Power, BlameItOnKway and Michael Blackson.
The $3.99-per-month service, launched this past July, is geared around a diverse, millennial-targeted slate of premium content starring and produced by popular creators. Zeus was co-founded last year by a trio of top social-media personalities — DeStorm Power, Amanda Cerny and King Bach — and TV producer Lemuel Plummer, who serves as president and CEO.
Comedy series “Bad Escorts,” created by and starring DeStorm Power, hits Zeus on Oct. 20. Power plays a pizza-delivery man who, along with his also-struggling-to-make-ends-meet buddies form a male escort service, managed by their mutual friend Candice. After achieving a little success despite no proper training, the motley crew must learn to adapt to the unfamiliar world of male escorts.
Power, who also serves as co-president of Zeus, received a 2018 Emmy nomination for actor in a short-form comedy or drama series for the streaming service’s “Caught” season one, billed as a “hip-hopera.”
BlameItOnKway’s “Titi Do You Love Me?”, premiering Nov. 4, was created by and stars the social-media comedian (whose real name is Kwaylon Rogers) in his first Zeus original series. BlameItOnKway has nearly 4 million followers and counts Tyler Perry, Rihanna and Kylie Jenner among his fans.
BlameItOnKway made a cameo as his Titi alter-ego in Janet Jackson’s tribute to her brother Michael Jackson’s video “Remember The Time,” featuring her new single “Made for Now” — and now Titi is getting a show of her own. In “Titi Do You Love Me?” the self-proclaimed (and wholly delusional) queen of beauty, style and grace is now looking for her king to fill her life. Through a series of outrageous competitions for the seven-round elimination process, the selected bachelors do their best — or worst — to be the last man standing to claim Titi as their queen.
The third new show, “Dr. Blackson,” stars Ghanaian-born comedian-actor Michael Blackson (“Next Friday”) and premieres Nov. 10. Dr. Blackson is untrained, unlicensed and uncertified — but none of that matters to his roster of troubled clients. The “advice” series is an extension of Blackson’s popular “Advice Column” segments on his Instagram page, which has 3.3 million followers.
Previous Zeus original series that have already launched include “Caught” season two starring and written by DeStorm Power; “A Taste of Dance with Amanda Cerny”; “Your Best Life,” starring and produced by King Bach; “The Lab Ratz,” starring, written and produced by Ry Doon, Luke Flipp and Marlon Webb; and “The Scholarship,” starring Young Ezee and Natalie Odell.
Zeus is available on iOS and Android mobile phones and desktop computers at thezeusnetwork.com.
Watch the trailers for Zeus’ “Bad Escorts” and “Titi Do You Love Me?”
Source: Variety
Sneaker Culture Show From Lena Waithe Is Next for Jeffrey Katzenberg’s Quibi
Jeffrey Katzenberg’s Quibi is not wasting any time in adding to its roster of content.
The shortform video venture — which takes its name from “quick” and “bite” — has added unscripted offering You Ain’t Got These, from Emmy-winner Lena Waithe (Master of None).
The unscripted series is described as Waithe’s exploration of today’s fashion-forward sneaker culture. The series will highlight the subtext of race, politics, class, gender, creativity, commerce, addiction and self-expression that goes into every pair — all told through the lens of characters who define the unique subculture that is on the verge of going mainstream.
The series hails from unscripted production company Boardwalk Pictures (Netflix’s Chef’s Table, Last Chance U, Fearlessness and YouTube Premium’s Best Shot) with Waithe attached as an exec producer. Boardwalk Pictures’ Andrew Fried, Jordan Wynn and Dane Lillegard exec produce alongside Jonathan Hausfater and Andrew Coles.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Lena. She is a singular creative voice of her generation, and her passion for this subject is infectious,” Fried said. “Jeffrey Katzenberg has always has been at the forefront of whatever is next in the entertainment industry. Quibi presents the opportunity to tell stories and reach audiences in a unique way and we are excited to be among the first unscripted series on this new platform.”
For her part, Waithe is a self-professed sneaker-head. The Emmy-winning writer-actress, whose credits include Showtime’s The Chi and feature Ready Player One, has more than 100 pairs of sneakers and has made fun of her shoe obsession in a recent Nike commercial as part of the company’s “Shoe Therapy” campaign. (Watch that, below.) Waithe also famously got a pair of sneakers as a gift from her fiancée instead of a ring after proposing last year.
You Ain’t Got These becomes the latest pickup for Katzenberg and Meg Whitman’s Quibi (formerly NewTV). The venture, for which Katzenberg has raised $1 billion in investment funding from major film studios and Alibaba, already counts scripted offerings from Guillermo del Toro (a “modern zombie story”), Antoine Fuqua (a “modern version of Dog Day Afternoon), Jason Blum (Fatal Attraction-like Wolves and Villagers) and an anthology from Sam Raimi and Van Toffler (50 States of Fear).
Katzenberg, for whom Quibi marks his follow-up role after selling DreamWorks Animation, tapped former HP chief Whitman to help run the business earlier this year. The company is expected to add hundreds of other employees and recently enlisted former The Hollywood Reporter co-president and chief creative officer Janice Min to oversee news content.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Dave Chappelle Weighs In On The Kanye West & Donald Trump White House Meeting
The Kanye West meeting at the White House was and continues to be a hot-button topic. Many of his friends, former associates, and fans have all come forward expressing their displeasure in Ye’s behavior in the Oval Office. One of his closest industry-friends, comedic legend Dave Chappelle, was on CNN recently to give his take on the matter. He explained why he believes Kanye is making the decision to support Trump and gives his opinion on the broader political landscape.
Check out the clip above.
Richard Pryor Documentary Coming to Paramount Network Tilted ‘I Am Richard Pryor’
“I Am Richard Pryor,” a look at a comedy legend who reinvented stand-up with his confessional style of humor, is being produced for Paramount Network. The film follows Richard Pryor as he rises from his impoverished childhood, growing up in a brothel run by his grandmother, to become the highest-paid performer in the entertainment industry. In addition to being a stand-up legend and a keen social critic of race in America, Pryor starred in “Stir Crazy,” “Silver Streak,” and other Hollywood blockbusters.
The film will be executive produced by Jennifer Lee Pryor, the late comic’s wife. It is being backed by filmmaker Derik Murray’s Network Entertainment and is part of the company’s “I Am” series. The documentaries look at celebrities such as Paul Walker, Heath Ledger, and Steve McQueen.
The Pryor film features interviews with comedians, filmmakers, writers, and collaborators including Lily Tomlin, Tiffany Haddish, Michael Epps, Howie Mandel, Sandra Bernhard, and Jimmie Walker. The documentary also includes footage from Pryor’s stand-up specials and appearances and sketches from the likes of “The Richard Pryor Show” and from Tomlin’s television specials.
“From very humble beginnings, my husband lifted himself up and propelled himself through an iconic comedy career during America’s rockiest years, tackling racism, transcending boundaries, finding himself and inspiring many,” said Jennifer Lee Pryor in a statement. “I am confident that Network Entertainment will produce an outstanding film about my husband that does him justice both as a cultural icon and as a man.”
“We are excited that Jennifer Pryor has entrusted us to tell Richard’s incredible yet complicated story,” says Murray in a statement. “We are honored to showcase Richard’s genius while delving deeper into the man whose work established him as one of comedy’s most beloved and courageous icons.”
Jesse James Miller is directing “I Am Richard Pryor” and, along with Murray and Lee Pryor, the documentary is executive produced by Paul Gertz and Kent Wingerak. Paramount Network’s Jon Slusser and Jaimee Kosanke also serve as executive producers. Network Entertainment is repped by UTA.
Source: Variety
Dave Chappelle And Colin Kaepernick Receive The W.E.B. Du Bois Medal Award At Harvard University
With powerful, poignant speeches from presenters and honorees alike, this year’s W.E.B. Du Bois Medal awards felt more like a gospel church service-cum-rock concert than an academic award ceremony.
Athlete and social activist Colin Kaepernick set the tone before an exhilarated crowd that included some 150 local high school students, declaring that people in positions of privilege and power have a “responsibility” to speak up for the powerless.
“People live with this every single day and we expect them to thrive in situations where they’re just trying to survive,” said the NFL free agent who famously took a knee during pregame national anthems to protest racial injustice in America. “If we don’t, we become complicit. It is our duty to fight for them.”
Kaepernick was one of the eight laureates who received medals at Sanders Theatre on Thursday night. Others were comedian Dave Chappelle; writer and social critic Florence C. Ladd; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute President Shirley Ann Jackson; artist Kehinde Wiley; General Catalyst chairman and CEO Kenneth I. Chenault; philanthropist and Avid Partners founder Pamela J. Joyner; and human rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson.
The awards are bestowed by the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research for contributions to African and African-American history and culture.
Ladd, the former director of the Bunting Institute at Radcliffe, donned her medal, then pumped her fist in the air and told the cheering crowd: “A takeaway must be protest, protest, protest.”
Stevenson, M.P.P. ’85, J.D. ’85, L.L.D. ’15, who founded the Equal Justice Initiative, dedicated his award to “people who did so much more with so much less” and asked the audience to think of hope as “your superpower.” To the students, he made a more pointed request: “You’ve got to be willing to do uncomfortable things. You’ve got to be willing to do inconvenient things. Don’t ever think that your grades are a measure of your capacity.” Stevenson himself won a historic Supreme Court ruling that declared that mandatory sentences of life without parole for children 17 or younger are unconstitutional.
Moments of humor punctuated the call to resistance, particularly when presenter and incoming Dean of Social Science Lawrence D. Bobo recited parts of Chappelle’s famous skit “The Racial Draft.“ He called the comedian a “teller of uncomfortable truths.”
Chappelle, for his part, praised his parents, especially his mother, a professor of African-American studies. “She raised me well. I am not an uninformed person,” he said.
Chappelle said he was humbled to be on stage with his fellow honorees: “You all make me want to be better,” he said. He promised another comedy special and ended his speech with a quote from favorite writer James Baldwin’s book “The Fire Next Time.”
“God gave Noah the rainbow sign. No more water. The fire next time.”
Hutchins Center director Henry Louis Gates Jr., the Alphonse Fletcher Jr. University Professor, reflected on the critical nature of the honorees’ work in the fight for racial and social justice.
Colin Kaepernick applauds at end of ceremony. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
“When we recall the dramatic progress we’ve made in this country’s struggle for civil rights, it’s tempting to remember only our long arc of progress. But we find ourselves in a new nadir in our country’s race relations,” he said, quoting Du Bois, the first African-American to earn a Ph.D. at Harvard.
“Agitation is a necessary evil to tell of the ills of the suffering. Without it, many a nation has been lulled to false security and preened itself with virtues it did not possess.”
Source: The Harvard Gazette
Wu-Tang Clan Scripted Origin Series Ordered At Hulu
Hulu has given a straight-to-series order to a scripted drama that will explore the rise of the Wu-Tang Clan, Variety has learned.
“Wu-Tang: An American Saga,” which has received a 10-episode order, is inspired by “The Wu-Tang Manual” and “Tao of Wu”, and based on the true story of the Wu-Tang Clan. Set in early ’90s New York at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic, the show tracks the Clan’s formation. The group was a vision of Bobby Diggs, aka The RZA, who strives to unite a dozen young, black men that are torn between music and crime but eventually rise to become the unlikeliest of American success stories.
The series is created, written, and executive produced by Alex Tse–the writer of the “Superfly” remake–and The RZA. Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo will also executive produce via Imagine Television, with Wu-Tang member Method Man also executive producing. Fellow Wu-Tang members Ghostface Killa, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, GZA, as well as the Estate of Ol’ Dirty Bastard, will serve as consulting producers on the project. Creative executive James Seidman will oversee the project for Imagine.
“I’m delighted to be partnering with Hulu and Imagine to explore the vast story of the Wuniverse,” said The RZA. “Wu-Tang through our music has always strove to inspire as we entertain. This opportunity to continue the Wu – Saga in a 10-episode series will exponentially increase our inspirational style of entertainment. In the immortal words of ODB ‘Wu-Tang is for the Children.’”
The Wu-Tang Clan has released five gold and platinum albums, selling 40 million albums worldwide. The group is often hailed as one of the most influential groups in the history of hip-hop with a unique sound and distinct image.
“I’ve been a fan of Wu-Tang since the mid-90’s and recognized quickly how significant Wu-Tang and The RZA were to the world of hip-hop music and culture,” Grazer said. “Over the years I’ve gotten to know RZA and it’s clear that he is the soul and storyteller of Wu-Tang. Working with RZA and Alex Tse on this series has been a highlight of my career and Hulu is the perfect partner to bring this story to a global audience.”
Source: Variety
Kevin Hart Inks First-Look Deal With Nickelodeon
Kevin Hart has signed a first-look deal with Nickelodeon.
Under the deal, Hart and his HartBeat Productions banner will develop and produce live-action, scripted kids content for the network. News of the deal comes less than two weeks after Awesomeness TV co-founder Brian Robbins was tapped to lead Nickelodeon after most recently serving as head of Paramount Pictures’ genre division, Paramount Players.
“For me, Nick has always represented everything fun about being a kid, and it’s still at the forefront today of kids’ and family entertainment,” Hart said. “I’ve been slimed at Kids’ Choice, won a lot of Orange Blimps and my kids are my very own built-in focus group, so I’m ready to dive in and make some next-level shows with Brian and everyone at Nickelodeon.”
No stranger to the Nickelodeon audience, in 2014 Hart won the Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Funny Star. In 2017, he took home awards in the categories of Favorite Villain and Most Wanted Pet for his role in the animated film “The Secret Life of Pets,” and another for BFFs for his role in “Central Intelligence” opposite Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
“I’m excited to inherit this terrific content deal with Kevin Hart just as I step into my new role at Nickelodeon,” Robbins said. “Kevin is an incredible talent whose appeal cuts across practically every age group and every member of the family. He knows how to create unforgettable characters, and I can’t wait for him and HartBeat Productions to focus their creativity on making great new content with us.”
This marks the latest building block of Hart’s growing media empire. The multi-hyphenate most recently starred in the film “Night School” alongside Tiffany Haddish, which opened at number one at the box office when it debuted and marked the biggest comedy opening weekend of 2018. In addition to numerous television and film projects he and HartBeat currently have in development, Hart also currently has a first-look film deal with Universal Studios. Other projects include “The Next Level” and “Hart of the City” on Comedy Central, and shows like “Cold as Balls” and “What the Fit” on the LOL Network, Hart’s streaming comedy platform that features his own content and that of other comedians.
Source: Variety
Brian Tyree Henry To Co-Star With Millie Bobby Brown In ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’
Brian Tyree Henry, who is coming off his Emmy-nominated performance in “Atlanta” Season 2, will star opposite Millie Bobby Brown in Legendary’s “Godzilla vs. Kong.”
Adam Wingard is directing with Henry also joining “Deadpool 2” star Julian Dennison.
Plot details are vague, but the film will feature the two titular classic monsters squaring off in some form. Details behind who Henry is playing are currently unknown, other than the fact that it will be a significant role.
The film is the fourth feature in the cinematic universe featuring the two famous creatures. The first installment of Legendary’s Monsterverse was 2014’s “Godzilla,” followed by 2017’s “Kong: Skull Island,” which grossed more than $565 million worldwide. A sequel to “Godzilla,” titled “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” with Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, and Brown, is now in production.
“Godzilla vs. Kong” is set to hit theaters May 22, 2020.
Henry’s star has continued to rise since his breakout role in the critically acclaimed FX series “Atlanta,” which earned him his second Emmy nomination. He garnered his first for his guest role on NBC’s hit “This Is Us.” His popularity in both TV roles led to a number of strong parts in movies, including “White Boy Rick,” the upcoming “Widows,” and “If Beale Street Could Talk.” He also lends his voice to Sony’s animated pic “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”
He is set to star in the reboot of “Child’s Play” and the Fox film “Woman in the Window” opposite Amy Adams. He also has the third season of “Atlanta” shooting next year.
He is repped by CAA, JWS Entertainment, Jill Fritzo PR, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein.
