‘Bad Boys For Life’ Directors Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah Board Macro Television Studios’ ‘Cordoba’
Exclusive: Macro Television Studios has tapped Bad Boys For Life directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah to direct the pilot episode of its action-adventure drama Cordoba. The filmmaking duo also will serve as executive producers of the potential series, which is currently being shopped.
Cordoba revolves around Tariq Ibn Ziyad, a soldier in the Moorish army scarred by years of war, who rises up to conquer medieval Spain, creating one of the most advanced and diverse societies in the world. But, as enemies emerge on all sides he’s forced to make a choice; defend what he created or destroy it.
Run creators Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith will serve as showrunners and executive producers. Kevin Jordan will also executive produce along with Macro Television Studios’ Charles D. King and Marta Fernandez. Greta Talia Fuentes and Khalid Jordan will oversee for Macro Television Studios.
El Arbi and Fallah directed...
Cordoba revolves around Tariq Ibn Ziyad, a soldier in the Moorish army scarred by years of war, who rises up to conquer medieval Spain, creating one of the most advanced and diverse societies in the world. But, as enemies emerge on all sides he’s forced to make a choice; defend what he created or destroy it.
Run creators Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith will serve as showrunners and executive producers. Kevin Jordan will also executive produce along with Macro Television Studios’ Charles D. King and Marta Fernandez. Greta Talia Fuentes and Khalid Jordan will oversee for Macro Television Studios.
El Arbi and Fallah directed...
- 2/9/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO is developing a hip hop vampire drama from Macro Television Studios and the writing team of Leah Benavides Rodriguez and Carlito Rodriguez.
Currently titled “Thirst,” the series tells the story of a brilliant but cocky Atlanta rapper who thinks he’s found his way to stardom when he links up with hip-hop’s hottest group. But he has no idea they are hiding a terrifying secret: They are a family of vampires with roots going back centuries.
“Music has been integral to both our lives, and ‘Thirst’ is the perfect opportunity to blend genres, while exploring the intersection of fame, culture and what it means to be American,” Benavides Rodriguez and Rodriguez said in a joint statement. “We’re excited to bring it to life with Macro Television Studios and the rest of our dope team, and thrilled it has found its home at HBO.”
The series is based...
Currently titled “Thirst,” the series tells the story of a brilliant but cocky Atlanta rapper who thinks he’s found his way to stardom when he links up with hip-hop’s hottest group. But he has no idea they are hiding a terrifying secret: They are a family of vampires with roots going back centuries.
“Music has been integral to both our lives, and ‘Thirst’ is the perfect opportunity to blend genres, while exploring the intersection of fame, culture and what it means to be American,” Benavides Rodriguez and Rodriguez said in a joint statement. “We’re excited to bring it to life with Macro Television Studios and the rest of our dope team, and thrilled it has found its home at HBO.”
The series is based...
- 9/17/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
HBO has landed a drama project from a pair of former Empire writers that combines hip-hop and the supernatural.
The premium cable outlet is developing Thirst, from writers and showrunners Leah Benavides Rodriguez and Carlito Rodriguez. The drama also counts among its executive producers Malcolm Spellman and Nichelle Tramble Spellman, who previously worked on HBO’s scrapped Confederate alongside Game of Thrones’ David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
The show comes from MacRo Television Studios and is based on an original concept by former VH1 creative director Kevin Jordan, who has a first-look deal with the indie studio.
Thirst tells the story of a brilliant but ...
The premium cable outlet is developing Thirst, from writers and showrunners Leah Benavides Rodriguez and Carlito Rodriguez. The drama also counts among its executive producers Malcolm Spellman and Nichelle Tramble Spellman, who previously worked on HBO’s scrapped Confederate alongside Game of Thrones’ David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
The show comes from MacRo Television Studios and is based on an original concept by former VH1 creative director Kevin Jordan, who has a first-look deal with the indie studio.
Thirst tells the story of a brilliant but ...
- 9/17/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
HBO has landed a drama project from a pair of former Empire writers that combines hip-hop and the supernatural.
The premium cable outlet is developing Thirst, from writers and showrunners Leah Benavides Rodriguez and Carlito Rodriguez. The drama also counts among its executive producers Malcolm Spellman and Nichelle Tramble Spellman, who previously worked on HBO’s scrapped Confederate alongside Game of Thrones’ David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
The show comes from MacRo Television Studios and is based on an original concept by former VH1 creative director Kevin Jordan, who has a first-look deal with the indie studio.
Thirst tells the story of a brilliant but ...
The premium cable outlet is developing Thirst, from writers and showrunners Leah Benavides Rodriguez and Carlito Rodriguez. The drama also counts among its executive producers Malcolm Spellman and Nichelle Tramble Spellman, who previously worked on HBO’s scrapped Confederate alongside Game of Thrones’ David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
The show comes from MacRo Television Studios and is based on an original concept by former VH1 creative director Kevin Jordan, who has a first-look deal with the indie studio.
Thirst tells the story of a brilliant but ...
- 9/17/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Macro TV Studio on Wednesday announced five new hires to help bolster the studio’s executive ranks. Macro TV studios President Marta Fernandez revealed the addition of Inga Dyer as senior vice president of business and legal affairs, Aisha Corpas Wynn as vice president of alternative programming, Ahmadou Seck and Khalid Jordan as directors of development and Ilayda Yigit (not pictured) as manager.
Fernandez, herself, joined as president of former WME partner Charles D. King’s TV studio just last year to help grow and oversee Macro’s TV slate, which includes “Gentefied,” “Dawn,” and the Michael B. Jordan-produced “Raising Dion” for Netflix. Allen Hughes is also directing a five-part docuseries on Tupac Shakur with the full cooperation of the late rapper’s estate.
“As Macro Television Studios continues to grow and expand, I am so excited to work alongside all of these truly talented individuals that further the...
Fernandez, herself, joined as president of former WME partner Charles D. King’s TV studio just last year to help grow and oversee Macro’s TV slate, which includes “Gentefied,” “Dawn,” and the Michael B. Jordan-produced “Raising Dion” for Netflix. Allen Hughes is also directing a five-part docuseries on Tupac Shakur with the full cooperation of the late rapper’s estate.
“As Macro Television Studios continues to grow and expand, I am so excited to work alongside all of these truly talented individuals that further the...
- 9/9/2020
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Top Hollywood agent Philip Sun, a partner at WME, is jumping ship and heading to Charles D. King’s Macro, where he will help launch a new management firm, M88, focused on amplifying the voices of diverse artists and creators.
Sun will lead the firm as president and managing partner, bringing clients such as Michael B. Jordan (who will continue to be repped by WME). The new management venture will be majority-owned by Macro, with the M standing for the multiplatform media company Macro and the 88 a reference to Sun’s Chinese heritage.
Macro will merge the management vertical it launched in January to represent filmmakers, actors, writers and multihyphenates with M88. Macro management partners Gaby Mena and Jelani Johnson will join forces with Sun at M88 as partners.
“I am truly thrilled to work directly with Phil again and to launch this new venture together,” King, who worked...
Sun will lead the firm as president and managing partner, bringing clients such as Michael B. Jordan (who will continue to be repped by WME). The new management venture will be majority-owned by Macro, with the M standing for the multiplatform media company Macro and the 88 a reference to Sun’s Chinese heritage.
Macro will merge the management vertical it launched in January to represent filmmakers, actors, writers and multihyphenates with M88. Macro management partners Gaby Mena and Jelani Johnson will join forces with Sun at M88 as partners.
“I am truly thrilled to work directly with Phil again and to launch this new venture together,” King, who worked...
- 8/24/2020
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
New York Times Bestseller Roxane Gay will adapt the screenplay of her graphic novel “The Banks” for Tko Studios and Macro, the company announced on Wednesday. The graphic novel was written by Gay and drawn by Ming Doyle (“The Kitchen”).
“The Banks” centers on three generations of female master thieves in Chicago who must mend their differences to embark on a heist of a lifetime and avenge a loved one taken too soon.
“I am thrilled to revisit the world of The Banks. Clara, Cora, and Celia Banks are fierce women with compelling stories that will really come alive on the silver screen,” Gay said in a statement to TheWrap. “I am also excited about partnering with Tko Studios, an amazing publisher to create comics with, and MacRo, a company that is a standard bearer for excellence with the films they make.”
Also Read: Kevin Jordan Inks First Look Deal...
“The Banks” centers on three generations of female master thieves in Chicago who must mend their differences to embark on a heist of a lifetime and avenge a loved one taken too soon.
“I am thrilled to revisit the world of The Banks. Clara, Cora, and Celia Banks are fierce women with compelling stories that will really come alive on the silver screen,” Gay said in a statement to TheWrap. “I am also excited about partnering with Tko Studios, an amazing publisher to create comics with, and MacRo, a company that is a standard bearer for excellence with the films they make.”
Also Read: Kevin Jordan Inks First Look Deal...
- 8/12/2020
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Former VH1 creative director Kevin Jordan has signed a first look deal with MacRo Television Studios, the company announced on Thursday.
Under the pact, Jordan is developing two projects with MacRo, a supernatural drama “Thirst” and a period drama called “Cordoba.”
“Right now we’re in a creative renaissance of storytelling in television and film, at a point in history where audiences are demanding to see the many Black and Brown stories that have not been told before,” Jordan said in a statement to TheWrap. “This is a huge opportunity not just for me, but for the entertainment industry at large, and I’m looking forward to working with the brilliant minds at MacRo to bring these narratives to life.”
Also Read: River Road Entertainment Taps MacRo Producer Kim Roth as Chief Creative Officer
“One of the most important aspects of what we do at MacRo is to identify and...
Under the pact, Jordan is developing two projects with MacRo, a supernatural drama “Thirst” and a period drama called “Cordoba.”
“Right now we’re in a creative renaissance of storytelling in television and film, at a point in history where audiences are demanding to see the many Black and Brown stories that have not been told before,” Jordan said in a statement to TheWrap. “This is a huge opportunity not just for me, but for the entertainment industry at large, and I’m looking forward to working with the brilliant minds at MacRo to bring these narratives to life.”
Also Read: River Road Entertainment Taps MacRo Producer Kim Roth as Chief Creative Officer
“One of the most important aspects of what we do at MacRo is to identify and...
- 6/25/2020
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Former VH1 creative director Kevin Jordan is making the transition to producing, signing a first-look deal with MacRo Television Studios.
The ad industry veteran is developing two projects with the indie studio, a period drama called Cordoba and supernatural drama Thirst.
"Right now we're in a creative renaissance of storytelling in television and film, at a point in history where audiences are demanding to see the many Black and Brown stories that have not been told before," said Jordan. "This is a huge opportunity not just for me, but for the entertainment industry at large,...
The ad industry veteran is developing two projects with the indie studio, a period drama called Cordoba and supernatural drama Thirst.
"Right now we're in a creative renaissance of storytelling in television and film, at a point in history where audiences are demanding to see the many Black and Brown stories that have not been told before," said Jordan. "This is a huge opportunity not just for me, but for the entertainment industry at large,...
- 6/25/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Kevin Jordan has signed a first look deal with MacRo Television Studios, Variety has learned exclusively.
“Right now we’re in a creative renaissance of storytelling in television and film, at a point in history where audiences are demanding to see the many Black and Brown stories that have not been told before,” Jordan said. “This is a huge opportunity not just for me, but for the entertainment industry at large, and I’m looking forward to working with the brilliant minds at MacRo to bring these narratives to life.”
Two series are already being developed under the deal — “Thirst” and “Cordoba.” The first is about a brilliant but unknown Atlanta rapper who thinks he’s finally found a way to stardom when he is offered the chance to join The Lost Boys, one of hip-hop’s biggest acts.
But behind the velvet ropes, gold grills and palatial mansion facades,...
“Right now we’re in a creative renaissance of storytelling in television and film, at a point in history where audiences are demanding to see the many Black and Brown stories that have not been told before,” Jordan said. “This is a huge opportunity not just for me, but for the entertainment industry at large, and I’m looking forward to working with the brilliant minds at MacRo to bring these narratives to life.”
Two series are already being developed under the deal — “Thirst” and “Cordoba.” The first is about a brilliant but unknown Atlanta rapper who thinks he’s finally found a way to stardom when he is offered the chance to join The Lost Boys, one of hip-hop’s biggest acts.
But behind the velvet ropes, gold grills and palatial mansion facades,...
- 6/25/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Viacom has reached a settlement with a former VH1 exec who alleged he was racially discriminated against and fired in retaliation for complaining about it, according to a Tuesday court filing.
Kevin Jordan, a former brand creative director for VH1, in May 2019 sued Viacom claiming "white employees with no understanding of VH1's audience and programming" were hired for positions above him and he was denied staff and resources. Jordan also says he was fired in retaliation three months after complaining to human resources about the discrimination, which left zero black employees in vice president or higher roles ...
Kevin Jordan, a former brand creative director for VH1, in May 2019 sued Viacom claiming "white employees with no understanding of VH1's audience and programming" were hired for positions above him and he was denied staff and resources. Jordan also says he was fired in retaliation three months after complaining to human resources about the discrimination, which left zero black employees in vice president or higher roles ...
Tony Sokol Dec 13, 2019
Danny Aiello recorded big band music and was a favorite of directors Spike Lee and Woody Allen
Veteran film actor Danny Aiello, best known for his roles in Do The Right Thing, and Moonstruck, died at the age of 86, according to Variety. Aiello was being treated for a sudden illness at a medical facility in New Jersey.
Aiello's work as the jilted lover in Norman Jewison's hit comedy Moonstruck supported Cher's Best Actress and Olympia Dukakis's Best Supporting Actress Oscar wins. Aiello was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Sal, the pizza joint owner, in Spike Lee's 1989 film Do the Right Thing. Lee first offered the role to Robert De Niro.
Daniel Louis Aiello Jr. was born June 20, 1933, in Manhattan. Aiello's family moved to the South Bronx when he was seven after his father deserted his wife, who lost her eyesight,...
Danny Aiello recorded big band music and was a favorite of directors Spike Lee and Woody Allen
Veteran film actor Danny Aiello, best known for his roles in Do The Right Thing, and Moonstruck, died at the age of 86, according to Variety. Aiello was being treated for a sudden illness at a medical facility in New Jersey.
Aiello's work as the jilted lover in Norman Jewison's hit comedy Moonstruck supported Cher's Best Actress and Olympia Dukakis's Best Supporting Actress Oscar wins. Aiello was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Sal, the pizza joint owner, in Spike Lee's 1989 film Do the Right Thing. Lee first offered the role to Robert De Niro.
Daniel Louis Aiello Jr. was born June 20, 1933, in Manhattan. Aiello's family moved to the South Bronx when he was seven after his father deserted his wife, who lost her eyesight,...
- 12/13/2019
- Den of Geek
Amy Hopper’s “Parents Inc.” took honors for best film at the sixth annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Thursday night, in ceremonies held at the Sony Pictures lot.
Other winners were Carl Hansen, director for “I/O”; Nicole Evans, best actor for “Human Helper”; and “The Vanished,” which took home the awareness award, accepted by Melanie Waldman.
The program was hosted by Nic Novicki, who founded the Film Challenge to empower filmmakers (with or without disabilities) to tell unique stories while providing opportunities for inclusion and representation for people with disabilities (or Pwd). Novicki reminded the enthusiastic audience that Pwd represent about 20% of the population, but only account for 3% of onscreen depictions.
Participating teams had 55 hours to write, shoot and edit a three-to-five-minute short based on an assigned genre. This year, the genre was sci-fi. Their productions were created on the weekend of April 5-7, with more than 200 people with...
Other winners were Carl Hansen, director for “I/O”; Nicole Evans, best actor for “Human Helper”; and “The Vanished,” which took home the awareness award, accepted by Melanie Waldman.
The program was hosted by Nic Novicki, who founded the Film Challenge to empower filmmakers (with or without disabilities) to tell unique stories while providing opportunities for inclusion and representation for people with disabilities (or Pwd). Novicki reminded the enthusiastic audience that Pwd represent about 20% of the population, but only account for 3% of onscreen depictions.
Participating teams had 55 hours to write, shoot and edit a three-to-five-minute short based on an assigned genre. This year, the genre was sci-fi. Their productions were created on the weekend of April 5-7, with more than 200 people with...
- 5/10/2019
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
After an extensive search, VH1 has appointed veteran graphic designer and ad industry executive Kevin Jordan as Creative Director for the network. Based at Viacom’s New York City headquarters, Jordan is the latest senior management hire for new VH1 president Chris McCarthy. He will be charged with overseeing the brand voice and visual identity of the channel. He’ll head a team of writers, producers and designers as the network prepares to launch several high profile…...
- 8/25/2016
- Deadline TV
‘Dracula’ 1931 actress Carla Laemmle dead at 104 (photo: Carla Laemmle ca. 1930) Carla Laemmle, a bit player in a handful of silent movies and at the dawn of the sound era — e.g., the horror classics The Phantom of the Opera (1925) and Dracula (1931) — and a niece of Universal Studios co-founder Carl Laemmle, died on June 12, 2014, at her Los Angeles home. Laemmle, who had reportedly been in good health, was 104 years old. Born Rebekah Isabelle Laemmle on October 20, 1909, in Chicago, Carla Laemmle was less known for her movie work than for having survived most of her contemporaries and for her family connection to the Universal mogul — her father, Joseph Laemmle, was Carl’s brother. ‘Dracula’ actress was a member of Carl Laemmle’s ‘very large faemmle’ "Uncle Carl Laemmle, Has a very large faemmle," once half-joked poet Ogden Nash, in reference to Laemmle’s penchant for hiring family members. As Laemmle’s niece,...
- 6/13/2014
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
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