Bob Johnson’s First Film Hits Theaters

July 26, 2007--A studio where blacks have the power to actually green-light movies is what Black Hollywood has been wanting for decades. BET founder and billionaire businessman Robert L. Johnson answered the call last year with the formation of Our Stories Films, which he formed with independent producers Bob and Harvey Weinstein in a transaction valued at $200 million. Johnson later named Tracey Edmonds as president and COO. This Friday, the studio will release nationwide its first film, Who's Your Caddy?, a comedy starring Big Boi, Faizon Love, Tamala Jones, Sherri Shepherd, James Avery and Terry Crews. Queen Latifah and her producing partner Shakim Compere, who brought the project to Our Stories, are executive producers on the film. The issue over the years has been one of power. The power to say yes or no to what gets made and what doesn't. Until the launch of Our Stories, that power has rested in the hands of non-blacks. The structure of Johnson's deal with the Weinsteins gives him and Edmonds complete creative autonomy to make the films they want, according to Edmonds. So with at least some green-light power in Tinseltown, African Americans will hopefully discover a broader, more nuanced representation of themselves on screen. Our Stories' objective is to release family-friendly comedies with African American leads in the $10 million to $15 million budget range. Many have probed, "Why just comedies?" It's a valid question. African Americans are more than just laughs. Yet it's also easy to comprehend the company’s business strategy. In recent years, comedies featuring African Americans have been some of industry’s most successful. From the Wayan’s brothers Scary Movie hits, the Barbershop franchise, Martin Lawrence's Big Momma's House franchise and the Tyler Perry films, urban comedies make money. Family-friendly films can also stock at Wal-Mart once they go to DVD. Plus, Johnson has never wavered about who he is first and foremost—a businessman. SOURCE OF THIS STORY