Exclusive: “Plan to leave something behind so your name’ll live on / no matter what the game lives on,” says Nas on his 1999 album Nastradamus, and now the revered rapper is making some moves in a new game.
Chess to be precise. Chess at the highest level.
Nas has teamed up with Power Universe EP Mark Canton for a TV series based on the life and victories of Maurice Ashley, the first Black International Chess Grandmaster. In conjunction with Ordinary Angels producers Green Hummingbird Entertainment and producer Alexandra Renee-Scott, the plan is for an NYC-set eight-episode initial season depicting Ashley’s barrier breaking journey, I’ve learned
“I’m grateful to be part of bringing Maurice Ashley’s incredible life to the screen,” Nas said today of the project. “His story is one of greatness and his perseverance will continue to inspire the next generation of thinkers.” Former Columbia Pictures...
Chess to be precise. Chess at the highest level.
Nas has teamed up with Power Universe EP Mark Canton for a TV series based on the life and victories of Maurice Ashley, the first Black International Chess Grandmaster. In conjunction with Ordinary Angels producers Green Hummingbird Entertainment and producer Alexandra Renee-Scott, the plan is for an NYC-set eight-episode initial season depicting Ashley’s barrier breaking journey, I’ve learned
“I’m grateful to be part of bringing Maurice Ashley’s incredible life to the screen,” Nas said today of the project. “His story is one of greatness and his perseverance will continue to inspire the next generation of thinkers.” Former Columbia Pictures...
- 3/6/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Story Kitchen has partnered with Monomi Park to adapt the hit videogame franchise, Slime Rancher into a feature film.
Monomi Park’s flagship title, Slime Rancher was released into Early Access in 2016 with an official release following in 2017. It is one of the highest-rated games on Steam of all time with a 98% positive average score and has sold over 6 million copies across all platforms with over 15 million players worldwide. Slime Rancher 2 launched into Early Access on September 22, 2022 and sold over 300,000 copies in the first week.
The original game is a first-person sandbox experience where you play as Beatrix LeBeau, a plucky, young rancher who sets out for a life a thousand light years away from Earth…on the ‘Far, Far Range.’ Each day presents new challenges and risky opportunities, as you attempt to amass a fortune in the business of slime ranching.
Founded by John Wick writer/creator Derek Kolstad,...
Monomi Park’s flagship title, Slime Rancher was released into Early Access in 2016 with an official release following in 2017. It is one of the highest-rated games on Steam of all time with a 98% positive average score and has sold over 6 million copies across all platforms with over 15 million players worldwide. Slime Rancher 2 launched into Early Access on September 22, 2022 and sold over 300,000 copies in the first week.
The original game is a first-person sandbox experience where you play as Beatrix LeBeau, a plucky, young rancher who sets out for a life a thousand light years away from Earth…on the ‘Far, Far Range.’ Each day presents new challenges and risky opportunities, as you attempt to amass a fortune in the business of slime ranching.
Founded by John Wick writer/creator Derek Kolstad,...
- 8/17/2023
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Writers on strike worry about what artificial intelligence might do to their livelihood, but actors already know. Their work is based on voice and appearance, which AI clearly can replicate and manipulate — but the law around regulating AI is complicated.
SAG-AFTRA is pushing for informed consent and compensation in the union’s ongoing negotiations with the studios. The language the WGA has proposed in its own fight — and what the DGA has now enshrined — is framed around protection of job loss from AI, but that’s not enough for actors. The DGA currently has it in writing that AI is not a person and that producers must consult with a director before using AI. That’s still important to actors and a good start, but SAG-AFTRA will aim for broader protections specific to its members.
IndieWire talked to experts in AI filmmaking, visual effects, and publicity law to map...
SAG-AFTRA is pushing for informed consent and compensation in the union’s ongoing negotiations with the studios. The language the WGA has proposed in its own fight — and what the DGA has now enshrined — is framed around protection of job loss from AI, but that’s not enough for actors. The DGA currently has it in writing that AI is not a person and that producers must consult with a director before using AI. That’s still important to actors and a good start, but SAG-AFTRA will aim for broader protections specific to its members.
IndieWire talked to experts in AI filmmaking, visual effects, and publicity law to map...
- 7/11/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
DGA members have until June 23 to vote on the tentative agreement with the studios that passed early this month. Ratifying the deal is no slam dunk, and one line about A.I. could crater the whole thing.
“Employers may not use [generative AI] in connection with creative elements without consultation with the Director or other DGA-covered employees,” the tentative agreement reads. The use of the word “consultation” just hangs in the air.
Some directors guild members have called that language “weak” and “dangerous.” Probably most nervous are DGA members who are also in the still-striking writers guild, the WGA.
“The Matrix” director Lilly Wachowski said the DGA-amptp’s legalese “has a stink of deviousness.” “Law & Order: Svu” showrunner Warren Leight said on Twitter he’s been around long enough to know that taking the studio’s word on that whole “consultation” thing doesn’t mean much.
The trouble is, there is no single,...
“Employers may not use [generative AI] in connection with creative elements without consultation with the Director or other DGA-covered employees,” the tentative agreement reads. The use of the word “consultation” just hangs in the air.
Some directors guild members have called that language “weak” and “dangerous.” Probably most nervous are DGA members who are also in the still-striking writers guild, the WGA.
“The Matrix” director Lilly Wachowski said the DGA-amptp’s legalese “has a stink of deviousness.” “Law & Order: Svu” showrunner Warren Leight said on Twitter he’s been around long enough to know that taking the studio’s word on that whole “consultation” thing doesn’t mean much.
The trouble is, there is no single,...
- 6/16/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Exclusive: The viral gaming sensation Vampire Survivors is in the works for television. Story Kitchen is partnering with the game’s developer, poncle founder Luca Galante, to adapt the comedic gothic horror video game into a premium, animated television series.
In the game described as Vox Machina meets Castlevania, players control an automatically attacking character while fighting against continuous waves of monsters, with the goal being to survive the onslaught for as long as possible.
The game is set in 2021 in rural Italy. “There lived an evil person named Bisconte Draculó, whose many evil magics created a bad world filled with famine and suffering. It’s now up to the members of the Belpaese Family to end his reign of terror and return good food to the table,” reads the official description.
“There’s no place to hide -all you can do is try to survive a cursed night and...
In the game described as Vox Machina meets Castlevania, players control an automatically attacking character while fighting against continuous waves of monsters, with the goal being to survive the onslaught for as long as possible.
The game is set in 2021 in rural Italy. “There lived an evil person named Bisconte Draculó, whose many evil magics created a bad world filled with famine and suffering. It’s now up to the members of the Belpaese Family to end his reign of terror and return good food to the table,” reads the official description.
“There’s no place to hide -all you can do is try to survive a cursed night and...
- 4/28/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
“Floyd,” an original action feature centered around a Latino veteran described as “John Wick” meets “The Big Lebowski,” is currently in development.
Erik Olsen is writing the script and will produce the project with Navid Mcllhargey. Story Kitchen, a media company focused on world-building and untapped intellectual property rights, is on board to produce the project with Exile Content Studio.
The Los Angeles-set story will follow a former marine given the nickname Floyd by his corps. Marine vet William Brownlee will serve as a co-producer and consultant.
“From apprenticing for Erik and Navid 16-plus years ago at Silver Pictures/Dark Castle to becoming their creative partner, ‘Floyd’ is a dream come true,” said Mike Goldberg, co-founder of Story Kitchen. He is joined in the venture by prolific screenwriter and partner Derek Kolstad, creator of the “John Wick” franchise, and Dmitri M. Johnson, the film and TV producer who secured adaptive...
Erik Olsen is writing the script and will produce the project with Navid Mcllhargey. Story Kitchen, a media company focused on world-building and untapped intellectual property rights, is on board to produce the project with Exile Content Studio.
The Los Angeles-set story will follow a former marine given the nickname Floyd by his corps. Marine vet William Brownlee will serve as a co-producer and consultant.
“From apprenticing for Erik and Navid 16-plus years ago at Silver Pictures/Dark Castle to becoming their creative partner, ‘Floyd’ is a dream come true,” said Mike Goldberg, co-founder of Story Kitchen. He is joined in the venture by prolific screenwriter and partner Derek Kolstad, creator of the “John Wick” franchise, and Dmitri M. Johnson, the film and TV producer who secured adaptive...
- 4/17/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Derek Kolstad, the writer and creator of the “John Wick” action franchise, Dmitri M. Johnson, a producer on “Sonic the Hedgehog,” and Mike Goldberg, a partner with agency APA, have together launched a new media company called Story Kitchen focused on franchise building.
Story Kitchen will be focused on the creation and amplification of what it refers to as “World-Building Action” and “Non-Traditional Intellectual Property.” The company even proudly boasts that it aims to be the “Shakespearean leader” in the genres of “Gun-Fu,” the stylized brand of action movies that “John Wick” helped popularize, as well as the worlds of “Popcorn-Fu” and “Controller-Fu,” with a focus on genre or video game stories.
Dan Jevons, Tim Stevenson and Howard Bliss, previously of Johnson’s company dj2, will be joining the new company in senior leadership roles.
Also Read:
John Wick Spinoff Series ‘The Continental’ to Stream on Peacock in 2023
Goldberg, who...
Story Kitchen will be focused on the creation and amplification of what it refers to as “World-Building Action” and “Non-Traditional Intellectual Property.” The company even proudly boasts that it aims to be the “Shakespearean leader” in the genres of “Gun-Fu,” the stylized brand of action movies that “John Wick” helped popularize, as well as the worlds of “Popcorn-Fu” and “Controller-Fu,” with a focus on genre or video game stories.
Dan Jevons, Tim Stevenson and Howard Bliss, previously of Johnson’s company dj2, will be joining the new company in senior leadership roles.
Also Read:
John Wick Spinoff Series ‘The Continental’ to Stream on Peacock in 2023
Goldberg, who...
- 10/7/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Derek Kolstad and Dmitri M. Johnson are teaming to launch the media company Story Kitchen, with APA partner Mike Goldberg exiting the agency to join the duo as a co-founder of the new company.
Goldberg previously represented Kolstad and Johnson’s dj2 Entertainment during his time at APA. Goldberg’s clients are expected to stay with the agency. In addition, Dan Jevons, Tim Stevenson and Howard Bliss of dj2 will be joining Story Kitchen in senior leadership roles. All current dj2 projects will continue to be handled by Johnson and dj2, with new projects being handled by Story Kitchen.
According to Story Kitchen, the company will focus on “the creation -and amplification- of ‘World-Building Action’ and ‘Non-Traditional Intellectual Property’. If all the world’s a stage, Story Kitchen aims to be the Shakespearean leader in Gun-Fu, Popcorn-Fu and Controller-Fu.”
“After having spent the last several years working together and admiring one another’s storytelling chops,...
Goldberg previously represented Kolstad and Johnson’s dj2 Entertainment during his time at APA. Goldberg’s clients are expected to stay with the agency. In addition, Dan Jevons, Tim Stevenson and Howard Bliss of dj2 will be joining Story Kitchen in senior leadership roles. All current dj2 projects will continue to be handled by Johnson and dj2, with new projects being handled by Story Kitchen.
According to Story Kitchen, the company will focus on “the creation -and amplification- of ‘World-Building Action’ and ‘Non-Traditional Intellectual Property’. If all the world’s a stage, Story Kitchen aims to be the Shakespearean leader in Gun-Fu, Popcorn-Fu and Controller-Fu.”
“After having spent the last several years working together and admiring one another’s storytelling chops,...
- 10/7/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
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