Exclusive: Former Rock the Bells and Paramount exec Rich Morris has been tapped for the newly created role of Senior Vice President of Content & Brands at Composition Media, the animation studio led by Hair Love producer Carl Reed.
Morris will be responsible for spearheading licensing and merchandising initiatives related to Composition Media’s wholly owned IP as well as its joint production ventures. Additionally, he will be tasked with recognizing potential collaborative opportunities, from both a traditional and non-traditional entertainment standpoint, helping to drive brand integrations into projects, and steering marketing efforts for the company and its portfolio.
Also joining the company are Issac “Ike” Reed, an avid researcher of transmedia and digital media, and illustrator and artist Anthony Piper, who will serve respectively as Creative Director and Senior Art Director.
The additions come on the heels of a busy year for the company. Most recently, it announced an anime...
Morris will be responsible for spearheading licensing and merchandising initiatives related to Composition Media’s wholly owned IP as well as its joint production ventures. Additionally, he will be tasked with recognizing potential collaborative opportunities, from both a traditional and non-traditional entertainment standpoint, helping to drive brand integrations into projects, and steering marketing efforts for the company and its portfolio.
Also joining the company are Issac “Ike” Reed, an avid researcher of transmedia and digital media, and illustrator and artist Anthony Piper, who will serve respectively as Creative Director and Senior Art Director.
The additions come on the heels of a busy year for the company. Most recently, it announced an anime...
- 10/27/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
People Of Culture Studios Forms Management Joint Venture With New Breed To Rep Asian Artists In U.S.
Exclusive: Labid Aziz’s People of Culture (PoC) Studios has formed a management joint venture with New Breed, Inc. The venture will represent New Breed’s international artists in the U.S.
New Breed primarily represents music artists from from Japan, Thailand, Philippines, Korea and U.S., and its new Jv with TV and film content house PoC Studios will also help artists from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and other countries across Asia and Africa to break into the States.
The partners are using the K-pop blueprint as inspiration, noting how the genre established itself in the U.S.
The first artist repped is Filipino singer Sheki (aka Sheki Arzaga), who is part of the AKB48 singers from across Asia. PoC teamed with her management last month for a performance at Sunset Boulevard famed dive bar Whiskey a Go Go and was the studio behind the music video for her single ‘Good For Ya.
New Breed primarily represents music artists from from Japan, Thailand, Philippines, Korea and U.S., and its new Jv with TV and film content house PoC Studios will also help artists from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and other countries across Asia and Africa to break into the States.
The partners are using the K-pop blueprint as inspiration, noting how the genre established itself in the U.S.
The first artist repped is Filipino singer Sheki (aka Sheki Arzaga), who is part of the AKB48 singers from across Asia. PoC teamed with her management last month for a performance at Sunset Boulevard famed dive bar Whiskey a Go Go and was the studio behind the music video for her single ‘Good For Ya.
- 10/26/2023
- by Jesse Whittock and Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Hiroshi Shinagawa, Japanese comedian, director, screenwriter, and one-half of the comedy duo “Shinagawa Shoji,” will direct zombie mockumentary feature Among the Dead, Bloody Disgusting has learned. It’s the first screenplay from the freshly-minted father/daughter duo, Andy Cosby and Charlie Danger, collectively known as Midnight Pizza.
This will also be the first project emanating from the co-production and co-financing venture between US-based People of Culture Studios and Japan’s Yoshimoto Kogyo Co.
Among the Dead is an English-language Paranormal Activity-style found footage zombie movie written by esteemed comic book creator, film producer, and screenwriter Andy Cosby and Charlie Danger Cosby, along with some help from Brian Caldirola, Patrick Hasson and Juan Carlos Saizarbitoria.
“As the rest of the world finds its equilibrium in the aftermath of an undead apocalypse, one emotionally unstable man abandons friends and family to go live among the few remaining zombies before they’re all gone.
This will also be the first project emanating from the co-production and co-financing venture between US-based People of Culture Studios and Japan’s Yoshimoto Kogyo Co.
Among the Dead is an English-language Paranormal Activity-style found footage zombie movie written by esteemed comic book creator, film producer, and screenwriter Andy Cosby and Charlie Danger Cosby, along with some help from Brian Caldirola, Patrick Hasson and Juan Carlos Saizarbitoria.
“As the rest of the world finds its equilibrium in the aftermath of an undead apocalypse, one emotionally unstable man abandons friends and family to go live among the few remaining zombies before they’re all gone.
- 9/19/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Japanese comedian Shinagawa Hiroshi has been set as the director of “Among the Dead,” the first project flowing from the co-production and co-financing venture between U.S.-based People of Culture Studios and Japan’s Yoshimoto Kogyo.
The previously-announced project is an English-language, found footage zombie movie in which, following an apocalypse of the undead, one emotionally unstable man abandons friends and family to go live among the few remaining zombies before they’re all gone.
The screenplay was written by father/daughter duo, Andy Cosby and Charlie Danger Cosby, collectively known as Midnight Pizza. Other writing credits go to Brian Caldirola, Patrick Hasson and Juan Carlos Saizarbitoria.
Shinagawa is one-half of the comedy duo Shinagawa Shoji, alongside Tomoharu Shoji, and has a considerable acting filmography in his own right including “Deadman Inferno,” “One Third,” and “Drop.” Shinagawa additionally served as director, writer, and starred in the 2011 comedy-drama “Slapstick Brothers.
The previously-announced project is an English-language, found footage zombie movie in which, following an apocalypse of the undead, one emotionally unstable man abandons friends and family to go live among the few remaining zombies before they’re all gone.
The screenplay was written by father/daughter duo, Andy Cosby and Charlie Danger Cosby, collectively known as Midnight Pizza. Other writing credits go to Brian Caldirola, Patrick Hasson and Juan Carlos Saizarbitoria.
Shinagawa is one-half of the comedy duo Shinagawa Shoji, alongside Tomoharu Shoji, and has a considerable acting filmography in his own right including “Deadman Inferno,” “One Third,” and “Drop.” Shinagawa additionally served as director, writer, and starred in the 2011 comedy-drama “Slapstick Brothers.
- 9/19/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Black comic book publisher Black Sands Entertainment and Carl Reed’s Composition Media have entered into a multi-million dollar anime production deal, focused on “high-quality content that celebrates African heritage and empowers Black youth”. Their first project under the pact is an anime TV series adaptation of the comic Black Sands: The Seven Kingdoms.
Both companies will be investing in the production of the series, with Composition Media fully funding development.
Black Sands: The Seven Kingdoms is a geopolitical story that follows a young boy named Ausar whose life goal is to rule Kemet. This goal leads him on a journey to far-off lands in the ancient world. He deals with the complicated issues involving wars and ancient gods that seek his death. He is accompanied by his kinfolk Seth, Auset, and Nehbet as they travel the world.
Founded by Army veterans Manuel and Geiszel Godoy, Black Sands Entertainment...
Both companies will be investing in the production of the series, with Composition Media fully funding development.
Black Sands: The Seven Kingdoms is a geopolitical story that follows a young boy named Ausar whose life goal is to rule Kemet. This goal leads him on a journey to far-off lands in the ancient world. He deals with the complicated issues involving wars and ancient gods that seek his death. He is accompanied by his kinfolk Seth, Auset, and Nehbet as they travel the world.
Founded by Army veterans Manuel and Geiszel Godoy, Black Sands Entertainment...
- 6/8/2023
- by Denise Petski and Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
1497, the nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting South Asian filmmakers, has enlisted Mira Nair, Geeta Malik (India Sweets and Spices)and Minhal Baig (Hala) as mentors for its third Features Lab. Baig is returning after having also served as a mentor for last year’s lab, held virtually and in-person in New York.
The 2023 edition will move cross-country to Malibu for the first time, taking place Oct. 18 through 23, wherein a newly structured format each of the three Lab participants will be given a dedicated pod of experts — a filmmaker, a producer, a representative and a Lab alum — to help them with script development and career guidance. In addition, they will receive (along with seven other finalists) the latest version of software from Final Draft, which is returning as Lab sponsor.
1497 has assembled a team of industry figures descended from all eight officially recognized South Asian countries — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, The Maldives,...
The 2023 edition will move cross-country to Malibu for the first time, taking place Oct. 18 through 23, wherein a newly structured format each of the three Lab participants will be given a dedicated pod of experts — a filmmaker, a producer, a representative and a Lab alum — to help them with script development and career guidance. In addition, they will receive (along with seven other finalists) the latest version of software from Final Draft, which is returning as Lab sponsor.
1497 has assembled a team of industry figures descended from all eight officially recognized South Asian countries — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, The Maldives,...
- 4/12/2023
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Carl Reed, one of the producers of the Oscar-winning short “Hair Love,” and co-founder of Lion Forge Animation has launched Composition Media, an animation studio headquartered in St. Louis, Mo.for a global audience that highlights minority and underrepresented communities.
“I am incredibly excited to finally unveil our animation studio and showcase the incredible work our team has been pouring their hearts and souls into,” said Reed. “Our aim is to break the mold and elevate the art of animation by producing content that truly represents our audiences. But more than that, we want to push the boundaries of what animation can be. It’s time to move past the limitations of animation as just a genre and explore the limitless possibilities of this medium.”
Along with the studio’s launch, Composition Media is announcing its slate of animated features that includes “Bad Grandmas” (with Steve Harvey’s East 112), “Sky...
“I am incredibly excited to finally unveil our animation studio and showcase the incredible work our team has been pouring their hearts and souls into,” said Reed. “Our aim is to break the mold and elevate the art of animation by producing content that truly represents our audiences. But more than that, we want to push the boundaries of what animation can be. It’s time to move past the limitations of animation as just a genre and explore the limitless possibilities of this medium.”
Along with the studio’s launch, Composition Media is announcing its slate of animated features that includes “Bad Grandmas” (with Steve Harvey’s East 112), “Sky...
- 2/28/2023
- by Julia MacCary
- Variety Film + TV
People of Culture Studios, a company where Andrew Cosby – co-creator of the Syfy series Eureka, serves as chief creative officer, is teaming up with Japanese talent agency Yoshimoto Kogyo to produce and finance a found footage zombie mockumentary called Among the Dead. Cosby is producing the film alongside Wada Ryoichi, whose stage play Ghost in the Box is credited for inspiring the Japanese zombie comedy One Cut of the Dead (which was recently remade as the French film Final Cut).
Variety reports that Among the Dead begins as the world finds its equilibrium after an undead apocalypse. One emotionally unstable man abandons his friends and family to go live among the last remaining zombies before they are all gone. He hopes to better understand the zombies and document their final days, but his efforts become a document of his final days instead.
Cosby wrote the screenplay with Patrick Hasson and Juan Carlos Saizarbitoria.
Variety reports that Among the Dead begins as the world finds its equilibrium after an undead apocalypse. One emotionally unstable man abandons his friends and family to go live among the last remaining zombies before they are all gone. He hopes to better understand the zombies and document their final days, but his efforts become a document of his final days instead.
Cosby wrote the screenplay with Patrick Hasson and Juan Carlos Saizarbitoria.
- 12/1/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
U.S.-based People of Culture Studios (PoC Studios) has entered into a co-production and co-financing venture with major Japanese talent agency Yoshimoto Kogyo that will see the two companies produce “Among the Dead,” a zombie mockumentary film.
“Among The Dead” is a found footage title written by comic book creator, film producer, and screenwriter Andrew Cosby, who also serves as PoC’s chief creative officer, with Patrick Hasson and Juan Carlos Saizarbitoria. Executive producers are PoC founder Labid Aziz and Mike Ikeda.
Its story is set as the world finds its equilibrium after an undead apocalypse. One emotionally unstable man abandons his friends and family to go live among the last remaining zombies before they are all gone. He hopes to better understand the zombies and document their final days, but his efforts become a document of his final days instead.
Production is by Cosby and Wada Ryoichi, a...
“Among The Dead” is a found footage title written by comic book creator, film producer, and screenwriter Andrew Cosby, who also serves as PoC’s chief creative officer, with Patrick Hasson and Juan Carlos Saizarbitoria. Executive producers are PoC founder Labid Aziz and Mike Ikeda.
Its story is set as the world finds its equilibrium after an undead apocalypse. One emotionally unstable man abandons his friends and family to go live among the last remaining zombies before they are all gone. He hopes to better understand the zombies and document their final days, but his efforts become a document of his final days instead.
Production is by Cosby and Wada Ryoichi, a...
- 12/1/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Labid Aziz’s People of Culture Studios has entered into a joint venture with Adel Nur’s management and production company Atomik Content to co-manage talent and develop, produce and distribute features, TV series and hybrid projects with a focus on elevated action films.
The first talent signed through the Jv is Professional Fighters League Founder & President Ray Sefo, who will work with other Mma fighters and Hollywood talent to create and develop ensemble and elevated action-thrillers in the sub-15M budget range.
Ray Sefo
Sefo is a semi-retired New Zealand kickboxer, boxer, mixed martial artist, fight promoter and actor who founded the mixed martial arts league Pfl in 2018. The six-time Muay Thai World Champion and eight-time K-1 World Grand Prix Finals tournament participant has been acting since 1995 and made his professional wrestling debut at Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2012 in Japan, where he and his tag team partner Hiromi Amada were...
The first talent signed through the Jv is Professional Fighters League Founder & President Ray Sefo, who will work with other Mma fighters and Hollywood talent to create and develop ensemble and elevated action-thrillers in the sub-15M budget range.
Ray Sefo
Sefo is a semi-retired New Zealand kickboxer, boxer, mixed martial artist, fight promoter and actor who founded the mixed martial arts league Pfl in 2018. The six-time Muay Thai World Champion and eight-time K-1 World Grand Prix Finals tournament participant has been acting since 1995 and made his professional wrestling debut at Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2012 in Japan, where he and his tag team partner Hiromi Amada were...
- 11/18/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Labid Aziz’s People of Culture Studios is partnering with Man of Action Entertainment (Ben 10), Creation Station and Composition Media to produce the 3D animated family feature Sky & Luna, based on the original IP from Creation Station.
The film centers on the lonely 11-year old Sky, who has finally found a new best friend who is totally out of this world… literally. Luna is a shapeshifting alien sent to earth to study humankind. Instead, she ends up hunted by a top-secret government organization tasked with eradicating extraterrestrial threats — an organization run by Sky’s own mother.
Sky & Luna is the first feature being made in a slate partnership deal between PoC Studios and Composition Media. Man of Action’s Duncan Rouleau will serve as its director. Patricia Villetto wrote the script, which is based on a story by Creation Station and Man of Action. Oscar winner Carl Reed (Hair...
The film centers on the lonely 11-year old Sky, who has finally found a new best friend who is totally out of this world… literally. Luna is a shapeshifting alien sent to earth to study humankind. Instead, she ends up hunted by a top-secret government organization tasked with eradicating extraterrestrial threats — an organization run by Sky’s own mother.
Sky & Luna is the first feature being made in a slate partnership deal between PoC Studios and Composition Media. Man of Action’s Duncan Rouleau will serve as its director. Patricia Villetto wrote the script, which is based on a story by Creation Station and Man of Action. Oscar winner Carl Reed (Hair...
- 10/12/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Labid Aziz’s People of Culture Studios (PoC Studios), has picked up North American distribution rights to Kim Bass’s comedy A Snowy Day in Oakland, and will open the film nationwide in theaters over the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday weekend, Jan. 13, 2023. The movie is the debut theatrical release for PoC Studios.
Written and directed by Kim Bass, A Snowy Day in Oakland follows an upscale psychologist from San Francisco who decides to end a stalled romance with her longtime, high-profile, psychiatrist, boyfriend/business partner. She moves on with her life by opening her own private practice in a vacant, street-front office space in the middle of a small, commercial block located across the bay in Oakland, turning the predominately African-American and psychologically ignored neighborhood on its emotional ear.
The movie stars Nicole Ari Parker (Boogie Nights), Loretta Devine (Crash), Kimberly Elise (The Manchurian Candidate), Deon Cole (Black-ish...
Written and directed by Kim Bass, A Snowy Day in Oakland follows an upscale psychologist from San Francisco who decides to end a stalled romance with her longtime, high-profile, psychiatrist, boyfriend/business partner. She moves on with her life by opening her own private practice in a vacant, street-front office space in the middle of a small, commercial block located across the bay in Oakland, turning the predominately African-American and psychologically ignored neighborhood on its emotional ear.
The movie stars Nicole Ari Parker (Boogie Nights), Loretta Devine (Crash), Kimberly Elise (The Manchurian Candidate), Deon Cole (Black-ish...
- 10/6/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Former Wayfarer COO/CFO Labid Aziz is launching LA-based film and TV company PoC Studios with a slate of projects including Tokyo-set TV series Tokyo Undernight, written by Oscar-winner Ron Bass (Rain Man)
Aziz, who is in Cannes this week to help launch the company, has founded the firm with sovereign wealth fund advisor and college basketball player V. Marbue Dennis II. Both men will serve as Co-Chief Executive Officers with comic book creator, writer and producer Andrew Cosby, known for co-creating TV series Eureka and producing action movie Two Guns, joining as Chief Creative Officer.
The new company says it will provide support from development through production and distribution. It is aiming to work on projects with a diverse bent and commercial and global appeal.
PoC has already agreed to collaborate with companies including Rogue Wave Entertainment, 62 Brands, Northstar Thailand Studio and Jeff Gomez’s Starlight Runner Entertainment...
Aziz, who is in Cannes this week to help launch the company, has founded the firm with sovereign wealth fund advisor and college basketball player V. Marbue Dennis II. Both men will serve as Co-Chief Executive Officers with comic book creator, writer and producer Andrew Cosby, known for co-creating TV series Eureka and producing action movie Two Guns, joining as Chief Creative Officer.
The new company says it will provide support from development through production and distribution. It is aiming to work on projects with a diverse bent and commercial and global appeal.
PoC has already agreed to collaborate with companies including Rogue Wave Entertainment, 62 Brands, Northstar Thailand Studio and Jeff Gomez’s Starlight Runner Entertainment...
- 7/9/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Labid Aziz has joined Wayfarer Studios as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer based in the Los Angeles office. The former Starzione executive is charged with the operational and financial health of the newly established company including development and oversight of corporate strategy, governance and growth along with oversight and management of all company investments.
“Labid’s knowledge within film, television, technology, media, and finance has already proven to be instrumental in forging Wayfarer Studios’ path into 2021 and beyond. His strategic and sound approach paired with his passion for social good perfectly complement our mission to create sincere and purpose driven content. We are so thrilled to have Labid helming our operational and financial initiatives as we rapidly grow our company portfolio with an extensive pipeline of new projects ahead. Labid also brings an tremendous heart, energy and enthusiasm to all that he does and I am so...
“Labid’s knowledge within film, television, technology, media, and finance has already proven to be instrumental in forging Wayfarer Studios’ path into 2021 and beyond. His strategic and sound approach paired with his passion for social good perfectly complement our mission to create sincere and purpose driven content. We are so thrilled to have Labid helming our operational and financial initiatives as we rapidly grow our company portfolio with an extensive pipeline of new projects ahead. Labid also brings an tremendous heart, energy and enthusiasm to all that he does and I am so...
- 12/22/2020
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
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