Exclusive updated with additional details: Boomerang co-creator Ben Cory Jones has acquired the shopping rights to Brianna Peppins’ YA novel Briarcliff Prep for series development.
The project will be co-written by Jones and Peppins. Both will produce alongside Cultivate Entertainment Partners Sean Mik’ael Butler and Patrick Strøm.
Briarcliff Prep is a coming-of-age story set in a space where the expectations of gender and race collide, familial responsibilities are tested, and sisterhood may be a saving grace.
Per the book’s synopsis, “set at a luxe, aspirational Historically Black Boarding School inspired by the author’s alma mater Spelman College, Briarcliff Prep is a captivating celebration of the friends we choose, the family we protect, and the love we owe ourselves.”
The novel was published by Disney Hyperion in 2022. The sequel, Briarcliff Prep: Sophomore Year, will be published by Disney Hyperion in 2024.
Jones is a writer, director and producer best known...
The project will be co-written by Jones and Peppins. Both will produce alongside Cultivate Entertainment Partners Sean Mik’ael Butler and Patrick Strøm.
Briarcliff Prep is a coming-of-age story set in a space where the expectations of gender and race collide, familial responsibilities are tested, and sisterhood may be a saving grace.
Per the book’s synopsis, “set at a luxe, aspirational Historically Black Boarding School inspired by the author’s alma mater Spelman College, Briarcliff Prep is a captivating celebration of the friends we choose, the family we protect, and the love we owe ourselves.”
The novel was published by Disney Hyperion in 2022. The sequel, Briarcliff Prep: Sophomore Year, will be published by Disney Hyperion in 2024.
Jones is a writer, director and producer best known...
- 12/1/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Amazon Studios has secured rights to Aaron Foley’s debut novel Boys Come First, with plans to develop the property for television, tapping Chuck Hayward (Ted Lasso) to pen the pilot and exec produce the series.
Field Trip will produce the show, developed under their overall deal with Amazon Studios, with the company’s co-founders Will Graham and Hailey Wierengo also set to exec produce alongside their VP of Development, Stephanie Dietz. And Deadline understands that Hayward is also in discussions to serve as showrunner.
Related Story Amazon Studios Wins ‘The Pick Up’ Package In 7-Figure Deal; Eddie Murphy Eyeing Star Role & Tim Story To Direct Kevin Burrows-Matt Mider Spec Related Story 'Air' Premiere: Ben Affleck & Matt Damon Pay Tribute To The Late Erik Lomis, Who Played Key Role In Film's Theatrical Release Related Story 'Air' Review: Ben Affleck Directs An A-List Ensemble In Film About How...
Field Trip will produce the show, developed under their overall deal with Amazon Studios, with the company’s co-founders Will Graham and Hailey Wierengo also set to exec produce alongside their VP of Development, Stephanie Dietz. And Deadline understands that Hayward is also in discussions to serve as showrunner.
Related Story Amazon Studios Wins ‘The Pick Up’ Package In 7-Figure Deal; Eddie Murphy Eyeing Star Role & Tim Story To Direct Kevin Burrows-Matt Mider Spec Related Story 'Air' Premiere: Ben Affleck & Matt Damon Pay Tribute To The Late Erik Lomis, Who Played Key Role In Film's Theatrical Release Related Story 'Air' Review: Ben Affleck Directs An A-List Ensemble In Film About How...
- 3/30/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Four episodes into the new How I Met Your Father season on Hulu, the show has already featured plenty of exciting guest stars. From Meghan Trainer as Ramona to Michael McDonald as Warren, season 2 is stacked. We also can’t forget Neil Patrick Harris’ return as Barney Stinson. And How I Met Your Father Season 2 Episode 4’s big guest star was Eden Sher as Pathetic Deirdre.
[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers from How I Met Your Father Season 2 Episode 4, “Pathetic Deirdre.”]
Eden Sher as Pathetic Deirdre | Patrick Wymore/Hulu ‘How I Met Your Father’ Season 2 Episode 4 cast includes Eden Sher as Pathetic Deirdre
How I Met Your Father Season 2 Episode 4, “Pathetic Deirdre,” didn’t paint Sophie and Valentina in the most gracious light when they sought out their old college friend, Deirdre Stracke, played by Eden Sher.
After helping Ellen prepare for her first day at Goliath Market, Sophie and Valentina felt bad about themselves. They...
[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers from How I Met Your Father Season 2 Episode 4, “Pathetic Deirdre.”]
Eden Sher as Pathetic Deirdre | Patrick Wymore/Hulu ‘How I Met Your Father’ Season 2 Episode 4 cast includes Eden Sher as Pathetic Deirdre
How I Met Your Father Season 2 Episode 4, “Pathetic Deirdre,” didn’t paint Sophie and Valentina in the most gracious light when they sought out their old college friend, Deirdre Stracke, played by Eden Sher.
After helping Ellen prepare for her first day at Goliath Market, Sophie and Valentina felt bad about themselves. They...
- 2/14/2023
- by Sarah Little
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Exclusive: Stephanie Paige,, Tyshon Freeman,, and Yoel Kanchelov,, will star in Kareem Davis directorial debut film The First Classic.
This thriller follows Travis, as he investigates the origins of a mysterious woman who saved him from impending doom. As he gets closer to finding out who she is and what she’s capable of, he begins to lose to his sanity.
Davis also wrote the screenplay for The First Classic which is the first of four slated for production under Cherry Blossom Studios. The MD Group will serve as executive producer of the project, with William Clevinger (Cut Throat City), of The Big Picture Collective serving as producer and will represent Imperium Features’ films in the global marketplace.
Paige, Freeman, and Kanchelov are each repped by Michelle Davis of BrightRed Talent Agency.
This thriller follows Travis, as he investigates the origins of a mysterious woman who saved him from impending doom. As he gets closer to finding out who she is and what she’s capable of, he begins to lose to his sanity.
Davis also wrote the screenplay for The First Classic which is the first of four slated for production under Cherry Blossom Studios. The MD Group will serve as executive producer of the project, with William Clevinger (Cut Throat City), of The Big Picture Collective serving as producer and will represent Imperium Features’ films in the global marketplace.
Paige, Freeman, and Kanchelov are each repped by Michelle Davis of BrightRed Talent Agency.
- 8/26/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
There’s nothing like a good dance film to get your heart racing and your feet moving. And thanks to Netflix, there’s no shortage of great dance movies to choose from.
Whether you’re a fan of dance competitions or enjoy watching people bust a move, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Rejoice, Dance fans! We’ve compiled a list of the best dance movies streaming on Netflix.
So put on your dancing shoes and get ready to have some fun. These are the best dance movies on Netflix!
Step Sisters (2018)
“Step Sisters” is a dance movie with an important message. The film follows the story of Jamilah, a college student tasked with teaching a group of white sorority girls how to step.
She’s a student leader at Harvard Law School, the president of her sorority, the captain of her step dance crew, and a liaison...
Whether you’re a fan of dance competitions or enjoy watching people bust a move, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Rejoice, Dance fans! We’ve compiled a list of the best dance movies streaming on Netflix.
So put on your dancing shoes and get ready to have some fun. These are the best dance movies on Netflix!
Step Sisters (2018)
“Step Sisters” is a dance movie with an important message. The film follows the story of Jamilah, a college student tasked with teaching a group of white sorority girls how to step.
She’s a student leader at Harvard Law School, the president of her sorority, the captain of her step dance crew, and a liaison...
- 6/27/2022
- by Israr
- buddytv.com
MGM’s “Creed III” has partnered with the Georgia Film Academy (Gfa) to hire eight student interns to work on the boxing drama, which marks star Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut.
“On behalf of Michael and the filmmaking team for ‘Creed III,’ we are thrilled to welcome Georgia Film Academy students into our ‘Creed’ family,” said Elizabeth Raposo, president of Jordan’s Outlier Society. “We are inspired by the mission of the Gfa and believe that mentorship of the next generation of filmmakers is essential to the longevity of our business. Outlier Society believes in an inclusive, equitable and fun filmmaking environment and we are honored to have the next generation of young filmmakers join us on this journey.”
The new partnership furthers the goals of the Georgia Film Academy, established in 2015 to create pathways for the next generation of film industry professionals by gaining experience working on some...
“On behalf of Michael and the filmmaking team for ‘Creed III,’ we are thrilled to welcome Georgia Film Academy students into our ‘Creed’ family,” said Elizabeth Raposo, president of Jordan’s Outlier Society. “We are inspired by the mission of the Gfa and believe that mentorship of the next generation of filmmakers is essential to the longevity of our business. Outlier Society believes in an inclusive, equitable and fun filmmaking environment and we are honored to have the next generation of young filmmakers join us on this journey.”
The new partnership furthers the goals of the Georgia Film Academy, established in 2015 to create pathways for the next generation of film industry professionals by gaining experience working on some...
- 2/22/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Lyndon Smith (Parenthood), Zuri Reed (Flatbush Misdemeanors), Jake Austin Walker (12 Mighty Orphans), Antonio Cipriano (Jagged Little Pill) and Jordan Rodrigues (Light as a Feather) are set as series regulars opposite Lisette Alexis in National Treasure, Disney Branded Television’s TV series for Disney+ produced by ABC Signature.
The project, executive produced by the films’ producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Jon Turteltaub and writers Marianne and Cormac Wibberley, is an expansion of the National Treasure movie franchise told from the point of view of young heroine Jess (Alexis) — a DREAMer in search of answers about her family — who embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to uncover the truth about the past and save a lost Pan-American treasure.
The series, whose pilot episode is written by the Wibberleys and will be directed by Mira Nair, centers on Jess (Alexis), a Latina whose brilliant and resourceful mind loves a good mystery, and...
The project, executive produced by the films’ producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Jon Turteltaub and writers Marianne and Cormac Wibberley, is an expansion of the National Treasure movie franchise told from the point of view of young heroine Jess (Alexis) — a DREAMer in search of answers about her family — who embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to uncover the truth about the past and save a lost Pan-American treasure.
The series, whose pilot episode is written by the Wibberleys and will be directed by Mira Nair, centers on Jess (Alexis), a Latina whose brilliant and resourceful mind loves a good mystery, and...
- 1/12/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Dear White People alumna Nia Jervier is set for a recurring role on the upcoming second season of Lena Waithe’s popular BET series Twenties.
Created and written by Waithe, Twenties stars Jonica T. Gibbs as Hattie, a queer black girl who is chasing her dreams of being a screenwriter in Los Angeles alongside her two best friends, Marie and Nia, played by Christina Elmore (Insecure) and Gabrielle Graham (Possessor) respectively. While they live separate lives, the girls lean on each other for guidance as they navigate their twenties and test the limits of diversity, love and inclusion.
Season one guest stars included Jenifer Lewis, Sean “Big Sean” Anderson (debut role), Rick Fox, Vanessa Williams, Seth Green, Iman Shumpert, Kym Whitley, Chuey Martinez, Marsha Thomason, and Nazanin Mandi.
Twenties is Executive Produced by Lena Waithe, Susan Fales-Hill who also serves as co-showrunner, Rishi Rajani and Andrew Coles.
Jervier was...
Created and written by Waithe, Twenties stars Jonica T. Gibbs as Hattie, a queer black girl who is chasing her dreams of being a screenwriter in Los Angeles alongside her two best friends, Marie and Nia, played by Christina Elmore (Insecure) and Gabrielle Graham (Possessor) respectively. While they live separate lives, the girls lean on each other for guidance as they navigate their twenties and test the limits of diversity, love and inclusion.
Season one guest stars included Jenifer Lewis, Sean “Big Sean” Anderson (debut role), Rick Fox, Vanessa Williams, Seth Green, Iman Shumpert, Kym Whitley, Chuey Martinez, Marsha Thomason, and Nazanin Mandi.
Twenties is Executive Produced by Lena Waithe, Susan Fales-Hill who also serves as co-showrunner, Rishi Rajani and Andrew Coles.
Jervier was...
- 9/1/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Treehouse Pictures has set in motion what it’s describing as a diverse remake of 1991 coming-of-age comedy, Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, which is being written by Chuck Hayward with Bille Woodruff attached to direct. Hayward’s take is a present-day retelling centered on a black family.
Treehouse’s Justin Nappi and Juliet Berman are producing along with Oren Segal. Executive producers are Michael Phillips — also an Ep on the original — Juliana Maio and Tova Laiter.
The 1991 film, which was directed by Stephen Herek, starred Christina Applegate, Joanna Cassidy and Josh Charles. It follows Sue Ellen Crandell, a teenager who is forced to take charge of her four younger siblings when their mom leaves town and the wicked babysitter her mother hired suddenly dies. Despite the fact that the film wasn’t a huge success critically or commercially, it amassed a significant cult following.
“Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead...
Treehouse’s Justin Nappi and Juliet Berman are producing along with Oren Segal. Executive producers are Michael Phillips — also an Ep on the original — Juliana Maio and Tova Laiter.
The 1991 film, which was directed by Stephen Herek, starred Christina Applegate, Joanna Cassidy and Josh Charles. It follows Sue Ellen Crandell, a teenager who is forced to take charge of her four younger siblings when their mom leaves town and the wicked babysitter her mother hired suddenly dies. Despite the fact that the film wasn’t a huge success critically or commercially, it amassed a significant cult following.
“Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead...
- 5/21/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Veteran “So You Think You Can Dance” choreographer Christopher Scott leads the field with three nominations for the 2019 World Choreography Awards for his work on the reality competition show as well as the feature film “Zombies” and the digital short “Funraise the Musical.”
This year’s Choreo nominations, announced Tuesday, also spotlighted the dance work from the episodic TV shows “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Code Black” and “Disjointed.” Feature film nominees include Justin Peck for the Jennifer Lawrence thriller “Red Sparrow” and Rob Marshall and John DeLuca for “Mary Poppins Returns.”
The awards recognize choreography produced in 2018 in movies, TV, music video and digital media. Winners will be announced on November 11 at a ceremony at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.
The Next Frontier of Dance Governance Honor will be presented to Glorya Kaufman, for building the awareness of dance around the...
This year’s Choreo nominations, announced Tuesday, also spotlighted the dance work from the episodic TV shows “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Code Black” and “Disjointed.” Feature film nominees include Justin Peck for the Jennifer Lawrence thriller “Red Sparrow” and Rob Marshall and John DeLuca for “Mary Poppins Returns.”
The awards recognize choreography produced in 2018 in movies, TV, music video and digital media. Winners will be announced on November 11 at a ceremony at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.
The Next Frontier of Dance Governance Honor will be presented to Glorya Kaufman, for building the awareness of dance around the...
- 10/2/2019
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Sam Keeley, Gage Golightly, Cristina Rodlo, Jeremy Tardy and Nicholas Coombe are set to star in Paramount Network’s comedic drama 68 Whiskey from Imagine Television Studios, the TV arm of Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment, and CBS TV Studios. Production on the first 10-episode season begins this month with premiere scheduled for early 2020.
Written by The Brink co-creator Roberto Benabib based on the Israeli TV series Charlie Golf One, 68 Whiskey follows a multicultural mix of men and women deployed as Army medics to a forward operating base in Afghanistan nicknamed “The Orphanage.” Together, they endure a dangerous and Kafkaesque world that leads to self-destructive appetites, outrageous behavior, intense camaraderie and occasionally, a profound sense of purpose.
Written by The Brink co-creator Roberto Benabib based on the Israeli TV series Charlie Golf One, 68 Whiskey follows a multicultural mix of men and women deployed as Army medics to a forward operating base in Afghanistan nicknamed “The Orphanage.” Together, they endure a dangerous and Kafkaesque world that leads to self-destructive appetites, outrageous behavior, intense camaraderie and occasionally, a profound sense of purpose.
- 9/4/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Prolific creator-producer Lena Waithe has closed an overall deal with Amazon Studios. She has three series on the air, including the upcoming Amazon horror anthology Them.
Emmy winner Waithe is among the slew of A-list showrunners who have been shopping mega overall deals over the past seven months. Her Amazon pact is believed to be for two years and in the eight-figure range.
Under the agreement, Waithe, will executive produce Them and work with Amazon Studios to create and exec produce new original series to premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. She will develop shows through Waithe Hillman Grad, the company she founded with her creative partner Rishi Rajani.
“Lena is a powerhouse writer and producer who also has a gift for identifying exciting and authentic voices,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios. “Our upcoming series Them is the result of her rare ability to cultivate brilliant voices like...
Emmy winner Waithe is among the slew of A-list showrunners who have been shopping mega overall deals over the past seven months. Her Amazon pact is believed to be for two years and in the eight-figure range.
Under the agreement, Waithe, will executive produce Them and work with Amazon Studios to create and exec produce new original series to premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. She will develop shows through Waithe Hillman Grad, the company she founded with her creative partner Rishi Rajani.
“Lena is a powerhouse writer and producer who also has a gift for identifying exciting and authentic voices,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios. “Our upcoming series Them is the result of her rare ability to cultivate brilliant voices like...
- 7/27/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Own: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today that its anticipated new drama series David Makes Man from Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight) and Warner Horizon Scripted Television will premiere on Wednesday, August 14 at 10 p.m. Et/Pt following the network's critically acclaimed drama Queen Sugar (Wednesdays at 9 p.m. Et/Pt). The series premiere will be presented by Lexus with limited commercial interruption.
David Makes Man centers on a 14-year-old prodigy from the projects who is haunted by the death of his closest friend and relied on by his hardworking mother to find a way out of poverty. He must choose between the streets that raised him or the higher education that may offer him a way out. Set in South Florida, the series is inspired by events in McCraney's own life and explores childhood trauma and the power of imagination to survive. The drama stars Akili McDowell (The Astronaut Wives Club) as David,...
David Makes Man centers on a 14-year-old prodigy from the projects who is haunted by the death of his closest friend and relied on by his hardworking mother to find a way out of poverty. He must choose between the streets that raised him or the higher education that may offer him a way out. Set in South Florida, the series is inspired by events in McCraney's own life and explores childhood trauma and the power of imagination to survive. The drama stars Akili McDowell (The Astronaut Wives Club) as David,...
- 6/19/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Showtime has ordered a pilot for “How to Make Love to a Black Woman (Who May Be Working Through Some Sh*t), a half-hour comedy anthology series created by Casallina “Cathy” Kisakye. The show landed at the network through Emmy winner Lena Waithe’s first-look deal with Showtime. Kisakye, who will write the pilot, joins Waithe and Rishi Rajani as executive producers.
The multi-part episodes tell stories “about connection and rejection that explore our most harrowing – and harrowingly comic – sexual secrets,” according to Showtime.
“Cathy’s script is haunting, funny, and extremely vulnerable – it’s the kind of script that doesn’t come around very often,” said Waithe in a statement. “I’m honored that Cathy trusts me with such a special project. I can’t wait for the world to see it.”
Ugandan-born, Boston-raised Kisakye wrote on both seasons of Waithe’s “The Chi,” and is currently writing on Season 2 of “Homecoming.
The multi-part episodes tell stories “about connection and rejection that explore our most harrowing – and harrowingly comic – sexual secrets,” according to Showtime.
“Cathy’s script is haunting, funny, and extremely vulnerable – it’s the kind of script that doesn’t come around very often,” said Waithe in a statement. “I’m honored that Cathy trusts me with such a special project. I can’t wait for the world to see it.”
Ugandan-born, Boston-raised Kisakye wrote on both seasons of Waithe’s “The Chi,” and is currently writing on Season 2 of “Homecoming.
- 2/20/2019
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Kelly Jenrette, an Emmy nominee for her guest stint on Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, How to Get Away With Murder’s Matt McGorry, Sasha Compere (Miracle Workers), Gil Ozeri (Big Mouth), and Bernard David Jones (The Mayor) are set to co-star in Uncorked, the Netflix feature written and directed by Insecure Ep Prentice Penny.
The group joins previously announced stars Courtney B. Vance, Niecy Nash, and Mamoudou Athie in the pic which is loosely based on Penny’s family history.
Currently shooting in Memphis, Tennessee, and later in Paris, the film follows a young man who strives to become a master sommelier while dealing with his father’s expectations that he’ll take over the family barbecue business.
Datari Turner is producing alongside Chris Pollack of Forge Media, Mandalay Pictures’ Jason Michael Berman, Argent Pictures’ Jill Ahrens, Ryan Ahrens, and Ben Renzo, as well as Penny.
Mandalay...
The group joins previously announced stars Courtney B. Vance, Niecy Nash, and Mamoudou Athie in the pic which is loosely based on Penny’s family history.
Currently shooting in Memphis, Tennessee, and later in Paris, the film follows a young man who strives to become a master sommelier while dealing with his father’s expectations that he’ll take over the family barbecue business.
Datari Turner is producing alongside Chris Pollack of Forge Media, Mandalay Pictures’ Jason Michael Berman, Argent Pictures’ Jill Ahrens, Ryan Ahrens, and Ben Renzo, as well as Penny.
Mandalay...
- 12/7/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Own: Oprah Winfrey Network has added ten recurring and guest star cast members to the ensemble of its upcoming coming-of-age drama series David Makes Man, from Oscar-winning Moonlight co-writer Tarell Alvin McCraney and Warner Horizon Scripted Television. Lela Rochon (Training Day), Trace Lysette (Transparent), Liza Colon-Zayas (Proven Innocent), Juanita Jennings (Star), Lindsey Blackwell (Step Sisters), Solomon Valdez ([Bi]Polar), Teshi Thomas (The Good Place), and newcomers Nick Creegan, Kimaya Naomi and Logan Rozos have joined the series.
David Makes Man centers on David (McDowell), a 14-year-old prodigy from the projects who is haunted by the death of his closest friend and relied on by his hardworking mother to find a way out of poverty. He must choose between the streets that raised him or the higher education that may offer him a way out. Set in South Florida, the lyrical drama, inspired by events in McCraney’s own life, explores the...
David Makes Man centers on David (McDowell), a 14-year-old prodigy from the projects who is haunted by the death of his closest friend and relied on by his hardworking mother to find a way out of poverty. He must choose between the streets that raised him or the higher education that may offer him a way out. Set in South Florida, the lyrical drama, inspired by events in McCraney’s own life, explores the...
- 10/25/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Known for her role as Tasha in the popular Starz drama Power, Naturi Naughton has signed with Wme.
The actress got her start in the industry as a member of the R&B/pop group 3Lw and then went on to show off her Broadway chops when she played Little Inez in Hairspray.
For her feature film debut, she stepped into the role of rapper Lil’ Kim in Fox Searchlight’s Notorious which told the story about the life and death of hip-hop legend Notorious B.I.G. From there, she went on to add numerous credits to her name in both film and television including the remake of Fame, the Netflix comedy Step Sisters, the Warner Bros. feature Lottery Ticket as well as TV series such as The Playboy Club, The Client List, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia and Mad Men.
Naughton received two NAACP awards for her role in Power.
The actress got her start in the industry as a member of the R&B/pop group 3Lw and then went on to show off her Broadway chops when she played Little Inez in Hairspray.
For her feature film debut, she stepped into the role of rapper Lil’ Kim in Fox Searchlight’s Notorious which told the story about the life and death of hip-hop legend Notorious B.I.G. From there, she went on to add numerous credits to her name in both film and television including the remake of Fame, the Netflix comedy Step Sisters, the Warner Bros. feature Lottery Ticket as well as TV series such as The Playboy Club, The Client List, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia and Mad Men.
Naughton received two NAACP awards for her role in Power.
- 9/26/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Over 26 years after she had her breakthrough big screen appearance in Boomerang, Halle Berry is now going to put some serious spin on BET’s small screen sequel of sorts, and Lena Waithe is joining her.
The Oscar winner and the Emmy winner will be executive producers on the 10-episode half-hour Bet Networks and Paramount Television produced series, which is set to drop next year.
“I’m thrilled to team up with Lena on this project as she is without a doubt a leading voice of her generation and a trail blazer in her own right,” soon-to-be Bruised director Berry said in a statement Monday. “I’m truly excited to be a part of bringing this iconic and beloved film to the small screen.”
“This is less of a reboot and more of a continuation of the original story,” added Waithe. “There’s no point in trying to remake a classic,...
The Oscar winner and the Emmy winner will be executive producers on the 10-episode half-hour Bet Networks and Paramount Television produced series, which is set to drop next year.
“I’m thrilled to team up with Lena on this project as she is without a doubt a leading voice of her generation and a trail blazer in her own right,” soon-to-be Bruised director Berry said in a statement Monday. “I’m truly excited to be a part of bringing this iconic and beloved film to the small screen.”
“This is less of a reboot and more of a continuation of the original story,” added Waithe. “There’s no point in trying to remake a classic,...
- 9/24/2018
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Eden Sher has her own pilot at ABC, a spinoff from the long-running comedy The Middle. But she’s found time for a possible temp job at Cloud 9 Superstore.
Sher will be a guest star on an upcoming episode of the NBC Superstore comedy, playing Penny, a potential employee for the Cloud 9 department retailer. In the episode, Jonah and Garrett have taken over the hiring duties for seasonal employees. In the course of those duties, they discover Penny, an enthusiastic, quirky and fun young woman who knows – yes, knows – she’s the perfect addition to the Cloud 9 family.
The guest shot is not too far afield from Sher’s character on the ABC series The Middle, where she plays Sue Heck, the awkward daughter of Patricia Heaton.
No air date has been set for the Superstore episode. Sher is set to star in her own pilot, The Middle Spinoff,...
Sher will be a guest star on an upcoming episode of the NBC Superstore comedy, playing Penny, a potential employee for the Cloud 9 department retailer. In the episode, Jonah and Garrett have taken over the hiring duties for seasonal employees. In the course of those duties, they discover Penny, an enthusiastic, quirky and fun young woman who knows – yes, knows – she’s the perfect addition to the Cloud 9 family.
The guest shot is not too far afield from Sher’s character on the ABC series The Middle, where she plays Sue Heck, the awkward daughter of Patricia Heaton.
No air date has been set for the Superstore episode. Sher is set to star in her own pilot, The Middle Spinoff,...
- 9/10/2018
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
The Wire alum Chris Ashworth has booked a recurring role on the fifth season of Amazon’s drama series Bosch. Based on Michael Connelly’s best-selling novels, Bosch stars Titus Welliver as homicide Detective Harry Bosch, Jamie Hector as Jerry Edgar, Amy Aquino as Lt. Grace Billets, Madison Lintz as Maddie Bosch and Lance Reddickas Deputy Chief Irvin Irving. Ashworth will play Vardy, but no other details are being revealed. Known best as volatile Ukrainian thug Sergei Malatov, aka ‘The Russian’ in HBO’s The Wire, Ashworth was seen earlier this year as Miro in Amazon’s Sneaky Pete and in a guest role on CBS’ Elementary. Ashworth is repped by Hummel Entertainment.
Lyndon Smith (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) is set for a recurring role opposite Octavia Spencer and Lizzy Caplan in Apple’s thriller drama series Are You Sleeping, from the scripted drama venture of Chernin Entertainment and Endeavor Content and Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine.
Lyndon Smith (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) is set for a recurring role opposite Octavia Spencer and Lizzy Caplan in Apple’s thriller drama series Are You Sleeping, from the scripted drama venture of Chernin Entertainment and Endeavor Content and Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine.
- 8/21/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Hugh Dancy will join the previously announced Stockard Channing in this fall’s Roundabout Theatre production of Apologia, Alexi Kaye Campbell’s West End hit.
Also newly cast in the play is Megalyn Echikunwoke (of the upcoming feature Night School).
Performances of the play begin Thursday, September 27, with an official opening Tuesday, October 16. The limited engagement runs through December 16 at the Roundabout’s Off-Broadway Laura Pels Theatre.
Also announced for the cast today were Talene Monahon and John Tillinger. Daniel Aukin directs.
The production marks the New York debut of the play about a woman facing the repercussions of her past. Channing stars as Kristin Miller, a former radical activist and political protester turned art historian whose new memoir threatens to split her family apart.
Dancy, who will play the roles of Peter and Simon, starred as Will Graham on NBC’s Hannibal. He’s appeared on Broadway in Journey...
Also newly cast in the play is Megalyn Echikunwoke (of the upcoming feature Night School).
Performances of the play begin Thursday, September 27, with an official opening Tuesday, October 16. The limited engagement runs through December 16 at the Roundabout’s Off-Broadway Laura Pels Theatre.
Also announced for the cast today were Talene Monahon and John Tillinger. Daniel Aukin directs.
The production marks the New York debut of the play about a woman facing the repercussions of her past. Channing stars as Kristin Miller, a former radical activist and political protester turned art historian whose new memoir threatens to split her family apart.
Dancy, who will play the roles of Peter and Simon, starred as Will Graham on NBC’s Hannibal. He’s appeared on Broadway in Journey...
- 8/1/2018
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
In a competitive situation, Amazon Studios has landed horror event series Them, from executive producer Lena Waithe, and writer and executive producer Little Marvin. The project, from Vertigo Entertainment and Sony Pictures TV, has received a two-season straight-to-series order.
The first season of the anthology series is titled Them: Covenant.
Written by Little Marvin, the 1953-set Them: Covenant centers around Alfred and Lucky Emory, who decide to move their family from North Carolina to an all-white Los Angeles neighborhood. The family’s home on a tree lined, seemingly idyllic street becomes ground zero where malevolent forces both real and supernatural threaten to taunt, ravage and destroy them.
“Little Marvin’s script stayed with me for weeks after I read it,” said Waithe. “He’s written something that’s provocative and terrifying. The first season will speak to how frightening it was to be black in...
The first season of the anthology series is titled Them: Covenant.
Written by Little Marvin, the 1953-set Them: Covenant centers around Alfred and Lucky Emory, who decide to move their family from North Carolina to an all-white Los Angeles neighborhood. The family’s home on a tree lined, seemingly idyllic street becomes ground zero where malevolent forces both real and supernatural threaten to taunt, ravage and destroy them.
“Little Marvin’s script stayed with me for weeks after I read it,” said Waithe. “He’s written something that’s provocative and terrifying. The first season will speak to how frightening it was to be black in...
- 7/28/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Lena Waithe has signed a first-look deal with Showtime, the premium cabler announced Tuesday.
Under the deal, Waithe will develop comedy and drama projects for Showtime that she will both write and produce through her company Hillman Grad Productions.
“I have been a fan of Showtime for as long as I can remember,” said Waithe. “They make shows that most networks wouldn’t touch and they’ve never been afraid of taking risks. I look forward to introducing my Showtime family to fresh and exciting new voices. I want to make content that will challenge audiences and take them places they never thought TV could go. It’s going to be a fun ride.”
Waithe most recently created and executive produces the Showtime drama “The Chi,” which was renewed for a second season in January.
“We fell in love with Lena’s voice when we ordered her pilot for ‘The Chi’ three years ago,...
Under the deal, Waithe will develop comedy and drama projects for Showtime that she will both write and produce through her company Hillman Grad Productions.
“I have been a fan of Showtime for as long as I can remember,” said Waithe. “They make shows that most networks wouldn’t touch and they’ve never been afraid of taking risks. I look forward to introducing my Showtime family to fresh and exciting new voices. I want to make content that will challenge audiences and take them places they never thought TV could go. It’s going to be a fun ride.”
Waithe most recently created and executive produces the Showtime drama “The Chi,” which was renewed for a second season in January.
“We fell in love with Lena’s voice when we ordered her pilot for ‘The Chi’ three years ago,...
- 7/24/2018
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
The Chi creator Lena Waithe is expanding her relationship with the network that launched her first series, signing a first-look deal with Showtime. Under the pact, Waithe will work with Showtime on comedy and drama projects that she both writes and produces through her Hillman Grad Productions banner.
“We fell in love with Lena’s voice when we ordered her pilot for The Chi three years ago, and we have watched in awe at her powerful impact on our industry and our culture,” said Gary Levine, President of Programming, Showtime Networks. “Lena is a creative force of nature and we are delighted that the force will be with us as she makes Showtime her creative home.”
A champion for diversity in entertainment, the Emmy-winning Waithe is a triple threat as a producer, writer and actor. The Chi, which she created and executive produces, premiered in January as the biggest launch...
“We fell in love with Lena’s voice when we ordered her pilot for The Chi three years ago, and we have watched in awe at her powerful impact on our industry and our culture,” said Gary Levine, President of Programming, Showtime Networks. “Lena is a creative force of nature and we are delighted that the force will be with us as she makes Showtime her creative home.”
A champion for diversity in entertainment, the Emmy-winning Waithe is a triple threat as a producer, writer and actor. The Chi, which she created and executive produces, premiered in January as the biggest launch...
- 7/24/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Alanna Ubach is set for a recurring role on the second season of FX’s Snowfall, from creators John Singleton & Eric Amadio and Dave Andron. In the upcoming season, Snowfall continues its story about the infancy of the crack cocaine epidemic and its ultimate radical impact on the culture as we know it. Season 2 follows the ensemble of characters as they intersect and overlap within the mosaic of Los Angeles as we enter 1984, all of them working toward their ultimate goals of money, power and influence. Ubach plays Gabriella Elias, an educated, street-smart, wife and mother who is running the Chicano street gang La Fuerza while her shotcaller husband is in prison. Ubach, who most recently voiced the female lead Mama Imelda in Disney’s Oscar-winning Coco, is wrapping the fifth and final season of Bravo’s Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce. Ubach also recurs on AMC...
- 6/29/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix unveiled a brand image spot during Sunday’s Bet Awards telecast that highlights black artists who work for the streaming giant.
The spot dubbed “A Great Day in Hollywood” was inspired by the famed 1958 photograph “A Great Day in Harlem” featuring 57 jazz legends — including Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, and Count Basie — on the stairs of New York brownstone snapped by photographer Art Kane.
The Netflix spot from director Lacey Duke features 47 black writers, showrunners, actors, and producers. The plan for the spot and the image campaign stemmed from Netflix’s Strong Black Lead initiative designed to foster an “ongoing, intentional focus to talk authentically with the black audience.” A photo similar to “Great Day in Harlem” was taken earlier this month by photographer Kwaku Alston to commemorate the gathering.
The debut comes just two days after Netflix was rocked by the abrupt departure of corporate communications chief Jonathan Friedland...
The spot dubbed “A Great Day in Hollywood” was inspired by the famed 1958 photograph “A Great Day in Harlem” featuring 57 jazz legends — including Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, and Count Basie — on the stairs of New York brownstone snapped by photographer Art Kane.
The Netflix spot from director Lacey Duke features 47 black writers, showrunners, actors, and producers. The plan for the spot and the image campaign stemmed from Netflix’s Strong Black Lead initiative designed to foster an “ongoing, intentional focus to talk authentically with the black audience.” A photo similar to “Great Day in Harlem” was taken earlier this month by photographer Kwaku Alston to commemorate the gathering.
The debut comes just two days after Netflix was rocked by the abrupt departure of corporate communications chief Jonathan Friedland...
- 6/25/2018
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
As far as web series premises go, it doesn't get much simpler than "two friends sit on their front steps and talk about whatever happens to be on their minds." And yet, as Step Sisters proves, a great web series can have simple origins. Sharon Belle and Maddy Foley's chatty show is winning rave reviews from its viewers thanks to the skill and attention to detail of its co-stars.
The titular Step Sisters are not actual step sisters, or even regular sisters. They're just "sisters," in the platonic sense, who like to hang out on the steps in front of their house. Their topics of conversation range from pink eye to dentistry to (of course) Tinder. Oh, and they're Canadian; viewers may recognize Belle from her prominent role in the popular Canadian web series Carmilla.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
The titular Step Sisters are not actual step sisters, or even regular sisters. They're just "sisters," in the platonic sense, who like to hang out on the steps in front of their house. Their topics of conversation range from pink eye to dentistry to (of course) Tinder. Oh, and they're Canadian; viewers may recognize Belle from her prominent role in the popular Canadian web series Carmilla.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 5/18/2018
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
The film stars NBA legends Kyrie Irving, Shaquille O’Neal and Reggie Miller.
Manila-based distributor Rafaella Films International has acquired Philippines rights to basketball comedy Uncle Drew from Lionsgate.
Directed by Charles Stone III (Step Sisters), the film stars NBA legends Kyrie Irving, Shaquille O’Neal and Reggie Miller, along with Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish and Nick Kroll. It was produced by Temple Hill and PepsiCo’s Creators League Studios.
Rafaella Films will release the film theatrically day-and-date with its North American release on June 29.
“Our target audience already knows and loves the Uncle Drew character who has been an online sensation for years,...
Manila-based distributor Rafaella Films International has acquired Philippines rights to basketball comedy Uncle Drew from Lionsgate.
Directed by Charles Stone III (Step Sisters), the film stars NBA legends Kyrie Irving, Shaquille O’Neal and Reggie Miller, along with Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish and Nick Kroll. It was produced by Temple Hill and PepsiCo’s Creators League Studios.
Rafaella Films will release the film theatrically day-and-date with its North American release on June 29.
“Our target audience already knows and loves the Uncle Drew character who has been an online sensation for years,...
- 5/10/2018
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Producer Ellen Rakieten has teamed with Los Angeles Media Fund — the financing and production vehicle of Jeffrey Soros and Simon Horsman — to launch Very Tall Productions. The new company will develop, finance and produce unscripted and scripted content for television and digital platforms. Very Tall Productions will also produce documentaries and films as well as live events around the world.
Rakieten, who’s Very Tall Productions’ CEO, is the prolific 13-time Emmy winner who produced The Oprah Winfrey Show over two decades, The Marriage Ref with Jerry Seinfeld, the Jillian Michaels-starrer Losing it with Jillian, the Emmy-winning Food Network show Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, Welcome Back Potter (Hgtv), All About Sex (TLC), Zoe Saldana Presents My Hero (AOL), Joyride (Esquire), Car Matchmaker (Esquire/NBC Sports), and Undateable for NBC, latter based on a book co-written by Rakieten.
One of Very Tall Productions’ first projects is the multi-generational series,...
Rakieten, who’s Very Tall Productions’ CEO, is the prolific 13-time Emmy winner who produced The Oprah Winfrey Show over two decades, The Marriage Ref with Jerry Seinfeld, the Jillian Michaels-starrer Losing it with Jillian, the Emmy-winning Food Network show Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, Welcome Back Potter (Hgtv), All About Sex (TLC), Zoe Saldana Presents My Hero (AOL), Joyride (Esquire), Car Matchmaker (Esquire/NBC Sports), and Undateable for NBC, latter based on a book co-written by Rakieten.
One of Very Tall Productions’ first projects is the multi-generational series,...
- 5/3/2018
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
It's the moment you've all been waiting for! The full trailer has been released for the upcoming comedy Uncle Drew! The movie follows a team of elderly men who have the skills to whoop some ass on the basketball court!
The movie stars NBA stars Kyrie Irving and Shaquille O’Neal, as well as comedians Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish and Nick Kroll. The movie does look amusing and it should give audiences a few laughs. The movie follows a down-on-his-luck guy who puts together a basketball team of elderly men to enter a streetball tournament. Here's the synopsis:
After draining his life savings to enter a team in the Rucker Classic street ball tournament in Harlem, Dax (Lil Rel Howery) is dealt a series of unfortunate setbacks, including losing his team to his longtime rival (Nick Kroll). Desperate to win the tournament and the cash prize, Dax stumbles upon the man,...
The movie stars NBA stars Kyrie Irving and Shaquille O’Neal, as well as comedians Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish and Nick Kroll. The movie does look amusing and it should give audiences a few laughs. The movie follows a down-on-his-luck guy who puts together a basketball team of elderly men to enter a streetball tournament. Here's the synopsis:
After draining his life savings to enter a team in the Rucker Classic street ball tournament in Harlem, Dax (Lil Rel Howery) is dealt a series of unfortunate setbacks, including losing his team to his longtime rival (Nick Kroll). Desperate to win the tournament and the cash prize, Dax stumbles upon the man,...
- 4/27/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Exclusive: Tip “T.I.” Harris (Ant-Man) is attached to star in Glow Up, a music drama which he will also produce along with Robbie Brenner, producer of the Sundance award-winning film Burden, PepsiCo's Creators League, Kevin McKeon, and T.I.’s producing partner, Brian Sher. Music video director Justin Francis has signed on to direct the pic from a script by Chuck Hayward (Netflix’s Dear White People, Step Sisters). It follows the lives and struggles of an all-girl high…...
- 2/28/2018
- Deadline
Paul Thomas Anderson’s newest film, Phantom Thread is finally hitting more theaters, so the Cinemaholics have invited special guest Kimber Myers to help review it. Daniel Day-Lewis stars in what will apparently be his final film role ever (but hopefully not), along with Lesley Manville and Vicky Krieps, but does the pic deserve all of the Oscar hype it’s bound to get? The Cinemaholics discuss.
Also in this episode, the gang chat about Sundance, the impending Oscar nominations, and as always, they take some time to do a few Mini Reviews. Kimber starts us off with a rundown of Forever My Girl starring Jessica Rothe and Alex Roe, Jon tries his best to sum up his thoughts on 12 Strong starring Chris Helmsworth and Michael Shannon and Will digs into the new heist movie Den of Thieves starring Gerard Butler.
Also, Kimber gives a sneak peak of the new...
Also in this episode, the gang chat about Sundance, the impending Oscar nominations, and as always, they take some time to do a few Mini Reviews. Kimber starts us off with a rundown of Forever My Girl starring Jessica Rothe and Alex Roe, Jon tries his best to sum up his thoughts on 12 Strong starring Chris Helmsworth and Michael Shannon and Will digs into the new heist movie Den of Thieves starring Gerard Butler.
Also, Kimber gives a sneak peak of the new...
- 1/22/2018
- by Jon Negroni
- We Got This Covered
A feelgood narrative sits somewhat awkwardly alongside a topical yet disappointingly tepid story of race on campus
Before it was even released, there was swift pushback to the Netflix acquisition Step Sisters. Despite a formidable production team behind it that includes Dear White People writer Chuck Hayward and Master of None’s Lena Waithe, the premise struck the Twitter commentariat as trite and conservative: Jamilah, a college senior hoping to gain admission to Harvard Law School, is asked by a professor to rehabilitate a group of disgraced white sorority sisters by teaching them how to step, a style of percussive dance that has its roots in African foot dancing and black sorority life. If she can pull it off, and impart upon them lessons of unity and sisterhood, the sorority will be readmitted to campus (they were punished because a sister was caught having sex on school grounds) and Jamilah...
Before it was even released, there was swift pushback to the Netflix acquisition Step Sisters. Despite a formidable production team behind it that includes Dear White People writer Chuck Hayward and Master of None’s Lena Waithe, the premise struck the Twitter commentariat as trite and conservative: Jamilah, a college senior hoping to gain admission to Harvard Law School, is asked by a professor to rehabilitate a group of disgraced white sorority sisters by teaching them how to step, a style of percussive dance that has its roots in African foot dancing and black sorority life. If she can pull it off, and impart upon them lessons of unity and sisterhood, the sorority will be readmitted to campus (they were punished because a sister was caught having sex on school grounds) and Jamilah...
- 1/19/2018
- by Jake Nevins
- The Guardian - Film News
“Step Sisters” centers on Jamilah who is willing to do what it takes to achieve her goals. So far, she is the black sorority president, captain of the dance crew, student representative to the college dean, and she hopes to join Harvard Law School. Overall, she has achieved what a student at her age can consider as an on-going success in school. That’s until she is ordered by the school to help the white girls of the Sigma Beta Beta win the Steptacular dance competition. If she fails, her dreams to join the Ivy League university will come to naught,
Meet the Cast of New Netflix Movie “Step Sisters”...
Meet the Cast of New Netflix Movie “Step Sisters”...
- 1/5/2018
- by Nat Berman
- TVovermind.com
Imagine if Bring It On was combined with Pitch Perfect with a dash of The House Bunny. That is the vibe I get from the new trailer for Step Sisters. Overall this movie looks like it has quite a bit of potential. It was directed by Charles Stone III (Drumline) and choreographed by Aakomon Jones (Pitch Perfect) which will help. Here’s a synopsis for those that can’t watch the trailer:
Jamilah has her whole life figured out. She's the president of her black sorority, captain of their champion step dance crew, is student liaison to the college dean, and her next move is on to Harvard Law School. She's got it all, right? But when the hard-partying white girls from Sigma Beta Beta embarrass the school, Jamilah is ordered to come to the rescue. Her mission is to not only teach the rhythmically-challenged girls how to step dance,...
Jamilah has her whole life figured out. She's the president of her black sorority, captain of their champion step dance crew, is student liaison to the college dean, and her next move is on to Harvard Law School. She's got it all, right? But when the hard-partying white girls from Sigma Beta Beta embarrass the school, Jamilah is ordered to come to the rescue. Her mission is to not only teach the rhythmically-challenged girls how to step dance,...
- 1/3/2018
- by Tommy Wiliams
- GeekTyrant
"White people steppin'?!" "I know..." Netflix has unveiled a trailer for an indie comedy titled Step Sisters, a fictionalized feature about a step dancing competition and a sorority. Megalyn Echikunwoke stars as a top-of-the-class woman at a university who is tasked with teaching her "misbehaving, mostly white sorority how to step" but gets into all kinds of trouble when she instead decides to train her rival sorority house to get ready for the competition. The cast includes Matt McGorry, Naturi Naughton, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Marque Richardson, Eden Sher, Lyndon Smith, Gage Golightly, Nia Jervier, and Alessandra Torresani. Unfortunately, this looks pretty terrible, even though there seems to be good intentions behind it. I would recommend just watching the documentary Step instead, about actual step dancers. Have fun. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Charles Stone III's Step Sisters, direct from YouTube: Jamilah Bishop (Megalyn Echikunwoke) seems to...
- 1/3/2018
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Virtually every club sport has received its own competitive comedy movie: football, cheerleading, dodgeball. Hell, even competitive a capella has gotten its time to shine — and Pitch Perfect 3‘s recent release is there to remind you that singing covers of songs will always be cool. Stepping is no exception, having received the motion picture treatment since the […]
The post ‘Step Sisters’ Trailer: Netflix Brings It On In Competitive Sorority Comedy appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Step Sisters’ Trailer: Netflix Brings It On In Competitive Sorority Comedy appeared first on /Film.
- 1/2/2018
- by Hoai-Tran Bui
- Slash Film
For Lena Waithe, slowing down is not an option.
Coming off her 2017 Emmy win for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for the Master of None episode “Thanksgiving,” Waithe feels like she still has a lot to prove. “I was very blessed to be nominated and receive an award from an industry that I respect a lot. But my hustle doesn’t stop. I don’t rest on that,” she tells Et of the many upcoming projects she has coming up, including Step Sisters, about the president of a black sorority who is forced to help repair the reputation of a white sorority by teaching them how to step, on which she’s a producer, and a supporting role in Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One. “I’m still out here grinding -- you know, I got things in the pot.”
That pot also happens to contain her highly anticipated Showtime series, The Chi, which she created...
Coming off her 2017 Emmy win for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for the Master of None episode “Thanksgiving,” Waithe feels like she still has a lot to prove. “I was very blessed to be nominated and receive an award from an industry that I respect a lot. But my hustle doesn’t stop. I don’t rest on that,” she tells Et of the many upcoming projects she has coming up, including Step Sisters, about the president of a black sorority who is forced to help repair the reputation of a white sorority by teaching them how to step, on which she’s a producer, and a supporting role in Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One. “I’m still out here grinding -- you know, I got things in the pot.”
That pot also happens to contain her highly anticipated Showtime series, The Chi, which she created...
- 12/14/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
Exclusive: Netflix has acquired worldwide rights to Step Sisters, the Charles Stone III-directed sorority comedy that had been in the works at Broad Green Pictures. That company had planned a March theatrical release for the pic, but in August said it was shuttering its production division, with about 50 development projects being kicked back to filmmakers to be set up elsewhere. Step Sisters, penned by Dear White People‘s Chuck Hayward, was one of those, after Broad…...
- 11/9/2017
- Deadline
Broad Green: How Wall Street Wealth, A-List Talent, and Brash Decisions Made an Indie Player Implode
It takes guts to join the indie distribution fray, especially when the market is challenged by big buyers like Netflix and Amazon Studios (which, along with Annapurna, is optimistically taking over its own theatrical distribution) and television is chasing down the hottest indie talent. Even one-time high-flyer The Weinstein Co., which once knew better than anyone how to play the indie game, is evolving to survive during these changing times.
When Wall Street billionaires Gabriel Hammond, 38, and his brother, Daniel, 34, launched independent producer-distributor Broad Green Pictures three summers ago, Hollywood was skeptical. It was a strange time to reinvent a dying economic model.
Now, after trying to use arcane algorithms to determine what movies to make, Gabriel has decided to pull the plug on production. The breaking point was the July 14 release of John Leonetti’s “Wish Upon,” which grossed $13.2 million on a $12 million budget. (Theaters return about half of the take to the distributor,...
When Wall Street billionaires Gabriel Hammond, 38, and his brother, Daniel, 34, launched independent producer-distributor Broad Green Pictures three summers ago, Hollywood was skeptical. It was a strange time to reinvent a dying economic model.
Now, after trying to use arcane algorithms to determine what movies to make, Gabriel has decided to pull the plug on production. The breaking point was the July 14 release of John Leonetti’s “Wish Upon,” which grossed $13.2 million on a $12 million budget. (Theaters return about half of the take to the distributor,...
- 8/2/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Broad Green: How Wall Street Wealth, A-List Talent, and Brash Decisions Made an Indie Player Implode
It takes guts to join the indie distribution fray, especially when the market is challenged by big buyers like Netflix and Amazon Studios (which, along with Annapurna, is optimistically taking over its own theatrical distribution) and television is chasing down the hottest indie talent. Even one-time high-flyer The Weinstein Co., which once knew better than anyone how to play the indie game, is evolving to survive during these changing times.
When Wall Street billionaires Gabriel Hammond, 38, and his brother, Daniel, 34, launched independent producer-distributor Broad Green Pictures three summers ago, Hollywood was skeptical. It was a strange time to reinvent a dying economic model.
Now, after trying to use arcane algorithms to determine what movies to make, Gabriel has decided to pull the plug on production. The breaking point was the July 14 release of John Leonetti’s “Wish Upon,” which grossed $13.2 million on a $12 million budget. (Theaters return about half of the take to the distributor,...
When Wall Street billionaires Gabriel Hammond, 38, and his brother, Daniel, 34, launched independent producer-distributor Broad Green Pictures three summers ago, Hollywood was skeptical. It was a strange time to reinvent a dying economic model.
Now, after trying to use arcane algorithms to determine what movies to make, Gabriel has decided to pull the plug on production. The breaking point was the July 14 release of John Leonetti’s “Wish Upon,” which grossed $13.2 million on a $12 million budget. (Theaters return about half of the take to the distributor,...
- 8/2/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
David Garrett to show footage in Cannes; film currently in post.
Mister Smith Entertainment has acquired international sales rights in the run-up to Cannes to Don’t Make Me Over.
Dave Wooley and David Heilbroner are directing the documentary about the legendary singer who broke racial and gender barriers and rose from her roots in New Jersey gospel choirs to attain global superstardom.
Wooley also wrote the screenplay and is a music industry entrepreneur who has produced and directed television and tours and concerts for Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Bb King, James Brown, and Queen Latifah.
Mister Smith CEO David Garrett will unveil footage to Don’t Make Me Over on the Croisette. The project is currently in post and features untold stories from former Us President Bill Clinton, Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach, Clive Davis, Gladys Knight, Cissy Houston, Smokey Robinson, and others.
The film will feature such Warwick hits as Walk On By, Do You Know...
Mister Smith Entertainment has acquired international sales rights in the run-up to Cannes to Don’t Make Me Over.
Dave Wooley and David Heilbroner are directing the documentary about the legendary singer who broke racial and gender barriers and rose from her roots in New Jersey gospel choirs to attain global superstardom.
Wooley also wrote the screenplay and is a music industry entrepreneur who has produced and directed television and tours and concerts for Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Bb King, James Brown, and Queen Latifah.
Mister Smith CEO David Garrett will unveil footage to Don’t Make Me Over on the Croisette. The project is currently in post and features untold stories from former Us President Bill Clinton, Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach, Clive Davis, Gladys Knight, Cissy Houston, Smokey Robinson, and others.
The film will feature such Warwick hits as Walk On By, Do You Know...
- 4/28/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Alchemy Entertainment has signed Power star Naturi Naughton and young actor Montana Jordan. Naughton has played the lead role of Tasha St. Patrick in Starz’s hit series Power since the first season, winning the 2017 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for season 3. The fourth season will air this summer. She also has the feature Step Sisters coming out later this year. Naughton’s other credits include the role of Lil' Kim in Fox…...
- 4/6/2017
- Deadline TV
It was baffling when distributor Broad Green Pictures pulled Lucy Walker’s “Untitled Buena Vista Social Club Documentary” from the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, the same day as its intended premiere, with a press release that said the “post production process has taken longer than expected.”
Nearly a month later, Broad Green has made no further comment on the film’s status, but its homepage still boasts that “Lucy Walker’s Buena Vista Social Club documentary will have it’s [sic] official world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival!”
That disconnect (and typo) could be a matter of sloppy site maintenance, but multiple IndieWire interviews with people familiar with Walker’s film and Broad Green suggest more complex issues dog the three-year-old would-be studio. (Walker declined to comment for this article; Broad Green executives didn’t respond to requests for comment.)
Read More: Lucy Walker’s Buena Vista Social Club Documentary Pulled From Sundance
Walker,...
Nearly a month later, Broad Green has made no further comment on the film’s status, but its homepage still boasts that “Lucy Walker’s Buena Vista Social Club documentary will have it’s [sic] official world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival!”
That disconnect (and typo) could be a matter of sloppy site maintenance, but multiple IndieWire interviews with people familiar with Walker’s film and Broad Green suggest more complex issues dog the three-year-old would-be studio. (Walker declined to comment for this article; Broad Green executives didn’t respond to requests for comment.)
Read More: Lucy Walker’s Buena Vista Social Club Documentary Pulled From Sundance
Walker,...
- 2/17/2017
- by Anne Thompson and Graham Winfrey
- Thompson on Hollywood
It was baffling when distributor Broad Green Pictures pulled Lucy Walker’s “Untitled Buena Vista Social Club Documentary” from the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, the same day as its intended premiere, with a press release that said the “post production process has taken longer than expected.” Nearly a month later, Broad Green has made no further comment on the film’s status, but its homepage still boasts that “Lucy Walker’s Buena Vista Social Club documentary will have it’s [sic] official world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival!”
That disconnect (and typo) could be a matter of sloppy site maintenance, but multiple IndieWire interviews with people familiar with Walker’s film and Broad Green suggest more complex issues dog the three-year-old would-be studio. (Walker declined to comment for this article; Broad Green executives didn’t respond to requests for comment.)
See MoreLucy Walker’s Buena Vista Social Club Documentary Pulled From Sundance
Walker,...
That disconnect (and typo) could be a matter of sloppy site maintenance, but multiple IndieWire interviews with people familiar with Walker’s film and Broad Green suggest more complex issues dog the three-year-old would-be studio. (Walker declined to comment for this article; Broad Green executives didn’t respond to requests for comment.)
See MoreLucy Walker’s Buena Vista Social Club Documentary Pulled From Sundance
Walker,...
- 2/17/2017
- by Anne Thompson and Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
Charles Stone III directs the sorority/stepping dramedy “Step Sisters,” for Broad Green Pictures, which is produced by Matt Alvarez (“Straight Outta Compton”), Lena Waithe (“Dear White People” and who is developing her own series for Showtime) and Benjamin Cory Jones (“Hand… Continue Reading →...
- 12/17/2016
- by shadowandact
- ShadowAndAct
Broad Green Pictures has just dated is comedy Step Sisters from Drumline director Charles Stone, III for March 31, 2017. The comedy is about an ambitious college senior struggling to teach a hard-partying rival sorority how to step dance. Cultures clash and sisterhood prevails as everyone steps out of their comfort zones. The film, written by Chuck Hayward, stars Megalyn Echikunwoke, Eden Sher, Lyndon Smith, with Matt McGorry and Naturi Naughton. It was written by Chuck…...
- 12/16/2016
- Deadline
Broad Green Pictures said today its sorority comedy Step Sisters will open on March 31. The pic is directed by Drumline‘s Charles Stone III and follows an ambitious college senior struggling to teach a hard-partying rival sorority how to step dance. Step Sisters stars Alessandra Torresani, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Eden Sher, Lyndon Smith, with Matt McGorry and Naturi Naughton and was written by Chuck Hayward. Broad Green is making a go at releasing more mainstream fare after…...
- 12/16/2016
- Deadline
The 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival will present Mahershala Ali with the Breakthrough Performance Award on January 2 for his role in Moonlight at its annual Film Awards Gala.
Ali earned Golden Globe and SAG nominations last week for the role and is the awards season frontrunner.
The actor, who also appears in Hidden Figures, was voted best supporting actor recently by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, New York Film Critics Circle and Broadcast Film Critics Association.
Broad Green Pictures will release the sorority comedy Step Sisters from Drumline director Charles Stone III on March 31. Megalyn Echikunwoke, Eden Sher, Lyndon Smith, with Matt McGorry and Naturi Naughton star.Katia Winter and newcomer Ashley Jones will star in the horror-thriller Unwanted for Screen Gems. Eduardo Rodriguez directs from a screenplay by Andrew Wong. Luis Guerrero and Chris Lemos of Vital Pictures produce with Kacie Lehner. ...
Ali earned Golden Globe and SAG nominations last week for the role and is the awards season frontrunner.
The actor, who also appears in Hidden Figures, was voted best supporting actor recently by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, New York Film Critics Circle and Broadcast Film Critics Association.
Broad Green Pictures will release the sorority comedy Step Sisters from Drumline director Charles Stone III on March 31. Megalyn Echikunwoke, Eden Sher, Lyndon Smith, with Matt McGorry and Naturi Naughton star.Katia Winter and newcomer Ashley Jones will star in the horror-thriller Unwanted for Screen Gems. Eduardo Rodriguez directs from a screenplay by Andrew Wong. Luis Guerrero and Chris Lemos of Vital Pictures produce with Kacie Lehner. ...
- 12/16/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Nia Jervier (Step Sisters, Dear White People movie) and Wyatt Nash (The Bridge, Pretty Little Liars) have booked recurring roles in Dear White People, Netflix's half-hour comedy series based on Justin Simien's acclaimed debut indie feature. Set among a diverse group of students of color as they navigate a predominantly white Ivy League college where racial tensions often are swept under the rug, Dear White People is a sendup of "post-racial" America that also weaves a…...
- 9/7/2016
- Deadline TV
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