OUR CORE TEAM

Charles Walker, Jr., (organizer/executive vice-president)

Visionary Leader – Businessman – Community Activist

Dubbed “Champ” by colleagues and friends, Charles W. Walker, Jr. attacks business opportunities with a creativity, management acumen, and entrepreneurial leadership.  For more than a decade, he has garnered a reputation as a young visionary businessman through his development of successful marketing campaigns, and as a practitioner of ideas, whose work has been manifested in the entertainment, fashion and communications industries.  He is currently Executive Vice President of Fashion & Film Studios, Inc., President of Romar Oil Company, Inc. and CEO of Bright Ideas, a business development, lobbying and venture-investing firm.

 

While devoting his time and resources to community endeavors, Champ has served progressively in various entrepreneurial capacities. He has operated one of the largest minority owned staffing firms in the southeast and served as President and COO of the Walker Group, a family owned company that has holdings in the publishing, construction, restaurant and staffing industries. After a successful tenure at the Walker Group, he founded Crestech an IT Staffing and telecommunications firm and First Choice Supply an industrial parts distributor. As CEO and President of First Choice, Mr. Walker led the company from 250,000 to a $150,000,000 million dollar contract with a wastewater concern.  In addition, Mr. Walker was President of Romar Entertainment and Senior Vice President / Marketing and Business Development of  Romar Studios, Inc.  - the largest minority owned apparel manufacturer in the United States with over $100 million dollars in revenue.

Champ also harnessed his creativity into the “Heritage by Paris Walker “ clothing line, the first Afro-centric golf wear, which was distributed by a dozen department stores throughout the United States.  His popular slogan “We Don’t Play Polo” was published in newspapers across the country. He quickly became known as Hilfiger in the Hood and was credited with changing the way Ralph Lauren depicted his preppy label. With 10 years of experience in the record business.  Mr. Walker brokered a deal on behalf of Rugged.  In 2002, Champ conceptualized the “Don’t Vote, Don’t Complain” Campaign.  Prior to that he won a distinguished award for the jingle he created for KIA Motors America, Inc. In the 1990’s Champ successfully negotiated deals that catapulted several songs onto the airways, including the “Daisy Dukes.”  He also produced a singe called “Get on it dog on it”, the signature of Atlanta, Georgia radio D. J. Melissa Summers.

 In 2002 Charles Champ Walker was a congressional nominee and was selected as one of the nation’s young emerging 100 leaders.. His other interest includes Greenhood Industries LLC, an Environmental Management company, managing partner of King and Walker Publishing LLC, Author of the book Prep 101: The Battle for Class and Social Rank and Status, Chairman of AFI, Inc, Holding company for his apparel license business and clothing label Paris Walker lll, board member of Silver Star Capital, a Private Equity firm based in New York and partner in a Semi-Pro Sports team. Most recently, he founded GEDI Green Economy Diversity Initiative- a national advocacy group that serves as a voice to underserved and minority communities in the Olive Economy- a term that he coined that signifies the color of the Economy when people of color and the Green Economy meet.

He serves on several local and national boards to include the SCLC, Rainbow Push Coalition Steering committee, the Heritage Crest Foundation. In 1992, he created the First African American Crest, which is housed in the Smithsonian Museum. The Heritage Crest has been endorsed by the nation’s largest civil rights and religious organizations in the country.

 

DON POLK, (organizer/lead consultant)

Don Polk has developed an organization that does business, around the globe, with a prestigious list of highly recognized retail brands and clients.  With more than 26 years of management and promotional marketing experience in the apparel manufacturing arena, Polk built his previously owned company (The Romar Group, Inc.) from the ground up into the industry’s largest African-American owned apparel and licensed product manufacturer and marketing organization developing and distributing both apparel and non-apparel products and brands.  Polk’s teams have created and managed marketing campaigns for companies such as Chevron, Coca-Cola, 3M, General Motors, InBev, National Football League, National Basketball League, State of California (to name a few), and have designed, developed and manufactured products for companies such as Carter, Hawley, Hale (The Broadway Stores), Cluett, Peabody (Alexander Julian/Gianfranco Ruffini), Bullock’s, Dillard’s Department Stores, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Sears, JC Penny, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Department of Water and Power, AEG/Staples Center, Filene’s, Filene’s Basement, Up Against The Wall, Dr. J’s, Suberbia (now Wal-Mart/Mexico), Liverpool and many more.  As a result of Polk’s tenacity and dedication to bring unsurpassed quality, customer service and leadership to clients in nations around the globe; they are building a world-class operation with a presence in the United States, Mexico and soon to be in the Caribbean and Brazil; with strategic contractor alliances in Pakistan, Korea, Brazil, Vietnam and Columbia.   From his first ventures while attending Boston University - producing t-shirts to manufacturing jeans and women's suits for major department stores, Polk laid the groundwork for fulfilling his vision of a business model that achieved fiscal success while also embracing a platform of social responsibility.  His prowess in building a business extends to building communities as well.  Through his dedication to effecting significant change in local communities and the world, he has been able to build a foundation for future minority business development.  According to Polk, "We recognize that we have a responsibility to help build economic prowess in our communities. One way to accomplish this is through employment and trading together."  Polk's desire to improve civil rights has also led to his involvement and leadership in a number of prominent organizations, including serving as a National Board member of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, a Board of Trustees member of the Los Angeles Bureau of Rainbow/PUSH, Chair, Rainbow/PUSH Entertainment and Media Group, a national member of the SCF Board of Trustees of the NAACP, a Corporate Roundtable Member of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, a member of the Board of Directors of the Urban Education Partnership and future Board member of Urban League.

 

DON E. GIBSON, (organizer/entertainment counsel/consultant)

Don Gibson has spent almost twenty years in senior leadership positions in the sports industry. He has served as Vice President and General Counsel, as well as Senior VP/Acting President of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., the licensing and marketing division of Major League Baseball, and as Chief Operating Officer of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. In each role, he revitalized the organization and produced record revenues, profits and market awareness. Don offers expertise in licensing, corporate partner- ship arrangements (including sponsorship), intellectual property development, management and protection, league structure and operation, and brand development. He maintains strong relationships with senior executives at all the professional sports leagues, sporting goods manufacturers, current and former athletes and coaches, corporate sponsors and consumer product manufacturers. Don left private law practice in Santa Monica, California in February 1989 to become Associate Counsel for the Office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball. Eighteen months later he was promoted to Vice President and General Counsel of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. (”MLBP”), the licensing and marketing division of Major League Baseball. Don was subsequently promoted to Senior Vice President/Acting President of MLBP, a position he held for two years. During that period he guided the division through the labor dispute that ended the 1994 season early and caused the cancellation of the World Series, and helped grow the division into a $3 billion business. Don revitalized the organization while creating new business partnerships and programs that generated tens of millions of dollars in new revenues, and restructured the organization. Following his 8-year tenure with Major League Baseball, Don became Chief Operating Officer of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame where he was responsible for all day-to-day administration of the institution, including management of the $103 million new Hall of Fame Riverfront development project. Don left his position as Chief Operating Officer of the Basketball Hall of Fame in the fall of 2000 to pursue entrepreneurial interests in Los Angeles, forming his own sports management agency, XL Sports, and subsequently becoming a principal and co-founder of Section 1, which produces sports and entertainment focused consumer products. In November 2007, Don joined the law firm Dreier Stein Kahan LLP based in Santa Monica, California, as a Partner, heading up the firm’s new sports law practice. He also simultaneously launched and became Chief Operating Officer of Dreier Sports Opportunities, a sports marketing and business development consulting firm. Don resigned from his roles with both Dreier entities in December 2008 to launch KAVI. In addition to his role with KAVI, Don is an attorney with the law firm TroyGould, which is based in the Century City area of Los Angeles. Don is Of Counsel to the firm and works in its Entertainment, Sports & Media department.

 

Willie Gault, (organizer/business dev)

Willie Gault, a high profile celebrity with more than 25 years experience in sales, marketing, production, promotions, charities, capitol funding for investors and major corporations. He is an expert in sophisticated communications and business affairs, especially with high profile clients; has outstanding successes in building and maintaining relationships with major colleges, businesses and accounts and works heavily with a variety of major charities through out the country in the areas of fund raising and organization. 

 

As a star in both football and track at the collegiate level, Gault was part of a world record-setting 4 x 100 meter relay team, a 110 meter hurdler who would have gone to the 1980 Summer Olympics if the United States had not boycotted the event (he did attend the Olympic Boycott Games, where he won a bronze medal in the 100 meter race) and a bobsledder (he made the American Olympic team on one occasion). He was an All-American wide receiver in 1982. Willie Gault averaged almost 24 yards per kick return and scored 4 touchdowns in 78 attempts, including 3 in 1980.  Gault was drafted in 1983, played with the Bears until 1988 and then was traded to the Los Angeles Raiders (now Oakland Raiders). Gault was the prototypical "speed merchant", meaning his greatest asset was his pure straight-line swiftness. He was the primary long-pass threat on a team known as one of best defensive teams in history. In Super Bowl XX, Gault had four receptions for 129 yards, and four kickoff returns for 49 yards. He was also featured on the Super Bowl Shuffle.   Gault finished his 11 NFL seasons with 333 receptions for 6,635 yards. He also returned 9 punts for 60 yards, rushed for 154 yards, returned 45 kickoffs for 1,088 yards, and scored 45 touchdowns (44 receiving and 1 kickoff return).

 

SPORTS CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

 

UNIVERSITY of TENNESSEE

-          16 times All American Track and Field, University Tennessee

-          Football All American

-          US Summer Olympic Team, Track and Field

-          US Winter Olympic Team, Bobsled

-          National and World Championship Track and Field, 110m. Hurdles

-          World Record 4x 100 meters relay – 37.86 sec.

-          Gold Medalist

-          Bronze Medalist

 

 

PROFESSIONAL

-          12 years National Football League (NFL)

-          All Rookie Team

-          All Pro Team

-          Super Bowl Champion ’85 BEARS

-          3rd All Time NFL Average Per Catch

-          Masters world record, 100 meters, 200 meters, 4X100 meter relay

 

HONORS

-          Jim Thorpe Award

-          Greatest Athlete in the World, 1991

-          Super Stars Champion, 1989 & 1990

-          NFL Fasted Man

-          City of Hope, Man of the Year, 1999

 

Gault retired in the early 1990s and is pursuing an acting career in Hollywood. He portrayed Willie the Sweeper in the NBC series the Pretender. Willie also had an appearance on the comedy sitcom, Still Standing playing himself as the father of Tina's friend. He's had a few appearances on Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide playing himself alongside sportscaster Van Earl Wright and most recently was featured in the series finale. He also had a guest appearance on the CBS sitcom Still Standing as himself in 2004. On June 24, 2006, Gault set a world record of 10.72 seconds in the master's 100 meters, a division for athlete’s aged 45 to 49. On April 26, 2008, Gault (at age 47) set a new world record of 21.80 seconds in the M45-49 age group for 200m. 

 

In the world of business, Willie Gault is a sales and marketing executive and finance liaison for Fashion & Film Studios, Inc. – board member and partner.  Gault is also a Board Member/Marketing Director for AMERIDREAM Corporation, (Note: Over $440,000,000. given for down payment assistance for home buyers nationally) and responsible for the Finance and Marketing Committees.  He is the President / Owner, of IBS Capital Management, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, with over 260,000,000 under management.   Mr. Gault and his capital group’s portfolio include: Aloha Airlines, Boards of Directors; Piccadilly Restaurants, ERA Airlines, Boards of Directors; Conscious Enlightenment, Board of Directors; Conscious Enlightenment Publishing.  Gault manages to give back at every possible opportunity.   He is co-founder and President of Athletes for Life Foundation whereby over 90 superstar, hall of fame type athletes were assembled to help in the fight against heart disease.

 

Jack Maraffi, (creative/marketing)

Jack Maraffi began his career at major advertising agencies specializing in the product area. As Vice President of Compton Advertising he was responsible for over 50 million dollars in advertising for the international brands of Proctor & Gamble as well as Atlas Tire and “Live Better Electrically.” He supervised the Northeast area Milk Marketing Account (Everybody Needs Milk) through dealer programs, and national advertising.  He introduced the highly successful Harlequin Romance Novel line to the United States and supervised the 26-country advertising for Iberia Airlines, the Airline of Spain. Compton became Saatchi & Saatchi, the world’s largest ad agency at the time. As Senior Vice President for Ketchum, MacLeod & Grove, Jack supervised the worldwide marketing efforts of Japan Airlines, Westinghouse and Heinz. During his tenure, the agency added offices in seven countries and increased billings from 36 to 100 million dollars. On the corporate side Jack became Vice President Marketing for Cunard Line, the British company that pioneered cruising.  His responsibilities included profit and loss for the company’s cruise division as well as marketing the company’s resort properties in the Caribbean.  As Vice President, Marketing for Diner’s Club Jack oversaw worldwide budgets, including Olympic support programs and extensive direct marketing.  Jack then founded Kaufman & Maraffi Advertising in l980.  The company grew to over 30 million dollars in billings and was cited by Inc. Magazine as one of the 50 fastest growing companies in America.  The agency specialized in travel with such clients as American Express, Hilton Hotels, The Greek National Tourist Office, BritRail and two casino properties in Atlantic City; The Sands Hotel & Casino (Introduction) and The Showboat.  He handled the Cadillac limited edition Pierre Cardin automobile account.  Jack then sold the agency and assumed the position of consultant to Travelsavers, the world’s largest chain of independent travel agencies with sales of over 18 Billion dollars. He created an extensive marketing department and built and international network for the company (10 Countries). He serves on the Executive Board of Travelsavers. 

 

Terrence Coles, (creative /marketing)

Terrence Coles is a Digital Media expert with a wealth of experience including development of a comprehensive Interactive Advertising and Digital Content Management solution for large scale Media Companies and tier 1 Cable, IP & Wireless distribution including architecture, requirements, use cases & implementation roadmap. Mr. Coles was most recently a Digital Media Competency Lead for EMC Consulting focusing on business and technology consulting offering operational strategy, business process and systems, integration solutions to clients in the communications media& entertainment (CME) industry.  Mr. Coles has more than 15 years of media industry experience, spanning film, music, advertising and e-commerce and has spent the last ten years in the interactive and digital production areas, where he produced interactive television and interactive branded entertainment concepts including 8 years of mentorship at the American Film Institute’s Digital Content Lab. Prior to joining EMC Consulting, Mr. Coles served as Executive Vice President for NextMedium, a next-generation advertising marketplace platform company that launched the market’s first brand integration solution in conjunction with Nielsen Media Research. There he worked on the core platform architecture as well as negotiating agreements with advertisers and content producers.  In addition, Mr. Coles worked with a leading brand integration firm that represented top companies in their respective industry, such as Volkswagen, Beck’s Beer, Fuji Film, Kraft, LL Bean and Fender Musical Instruments. Prior to his most recent work in advertising and marketing, Mr. Coles served as SVP of Programming for Intertainer, a pioneering Video On Demand company with responsibilities for contract negotiations for content, advertising and e-commerce, in-house production activities, day-to-day programming and content acquisition/management. His work resulted in the licensing of content from over 75 providers including Sony, Warner Bros, Universal, NBC, National Geographic, PBS, Discovery and others to renowned service providers, such as Comcast, Qwest, Microsoft, etc.  In addition, Mr. Coles has held advertising sales and marketing positions for several media companies, including Katz Communications, Infinity Broadcasting, America Online and Lycos.

 

Melissa Johnson, (creative/marketing) 

Entrepreneur and author Melissa D. Johnson is a Global Branding and Personal Transformation Strategist who has a keen understanding of the importance of branding in these changing times.  An innovative marketer with a proven track record of elevating the image of the world’s greatest brands, Johnson currently heads-up a forward thinking marketing group that authentically brands people, corporations, organizations and destinations with a patent-pending methodology called ID3™ innovation.  Johnson’s formula for authentic branding is a success essential that gives clients an edge and ability to navigate change and transition. As a global branding strategist, Johnson empowers by reinforcing the idea that change is a catalyst to unleash potential.  No matter if you are looking to land a job, build a business or sell a house, personal branding is the vehicle.  Her first title, Brand Me: Make Your Mark: Turn Passion into Profit (Ambassador Press) offers a 7-Step Brand Blue Print™ to package your passion into a profitable life.  The book’s empowerment message is designed to help anyone personally apply these steps successfully.  Johnson was groomed in the art of branding during her tenures at companies like Procter & Gamble, Victoria’s Secret and Nationwide.  Her expertise also includes coaching clients such as Time, Pepsi, Citi, Kraft, the National Football League and the National Basketball League.  Johnson’s work has also enabled her to develop partnerships with personalities such as Shania Twain, Jessica Simpson, Mary J. Blige, Common, Hill Harper, Carmelo Anthony as well as executives, politicians and pastors, giving her a proven platform to brand anyone. Johnson is also the producer and host of “Making the Brand” an online-web series giving her audience an insider’s view to the recipe behind the world’s most renown entrepreneurs, personalities and influential individuals making their mark.  In 2008, Johnson created a groundbreaking social platform and online community – “Brand Me Live”, in conjunction with Endavo Media to offer videos, user-generated content and branding tips, with interactive social media features.       Johnson travels the country speaking about personal and global branding and has been featured in national media including appearances on CNN and The Rosie O’Donnell Show as well as in features in The Wall Street Journal, Black Enterprise, Essence, Ebony, Monarch and InsideBrandedEntertainment.com.  Johnson has also been selected to be a featured keynote speaker at the 2009 Global Brand Summit to be held in Mumbai, India.

 

David Saunders (content/film development/production)

David Saunders has had a long and distinguished career in the motion picture and television industries both as an executive and as a producer spanning over 30 years. Most recently, he has been Executive Producer of “BODY LANGUAGE,” a television series that will premiere on The Showtime Networks in the spring of 2009 and is currently being licensed in many countries throughout the world.  He has also served as Executive Producer of “chromiumblue.com” and “RED SHOE DIARIES,” both original dramatic series for Showtime, “FORTY DEUCE,” a four-hour reality series for Bravo and four theatrical feature films: “BABY GENIUSES II,” “FEAR.COM,” and “EXTREME OPS.” From 1993-1997, Saunders served as the President of Triumph Films, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company. Triumph, one of the three production divisions at Sony (along with Columbia and Tri-Star), specialized in films with budgets under $15 million. Under Saunders’ supervision, Triumph produced and distributed the following films: “BABY GENIUSES” starring Kathleen Turner, Christopher Lloyd, Peter MacNicol and Kim Cattrall, directed by Bob Clark; “IN GOD’S HANDS” directed by Zalman King; “MASTERMINDS” starring Patrick Stewart, Vincent Kartheiser and Brenda Fricker; “THE ASSIGNMENT” starring Aidan Quinn, Donald Sutherland and Ben Kingsley; “BLISS” starring Craig Sheffer, Sheryl Lee and Terence Stamp; “TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES” starring Vincent Gallo, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Pollak, Mykelti Williamson, Martin Sheen and Rod Steiger, directed by Kiefer Sutherland; “SCREAMERS” starring Peter Weller, Jennifer Rubin and Roy Dupuis; “SOLO” starring Mario Van Peebles, Adrian Brody and Barry Corbin; “ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS” starring Cary Elwes, Roger Rhees and Tracy Ullman, directed by Mel Brooks; “TO GILLIAN ON HER 37th BIRTHDAY” starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Peter Gallagher, Kathy Baker and Claire Danes, written and produced by David E. Kelley; “MAGIC IN THE WATER” starring Mark Harmon, Harley Jane Kozak and Joshua Jackson; “NINA TAKES A LOVER” starring Laura San Giacomo and Paul Rhys; “JURY DUTY” starring Pauly Shore, Stanley Tucci, Shelley Winters and Tia Carrera; “BRAINSCAN” starring Edward Furlong and Frank Langella, direct; “SIDEKICKS” starring Chuck Norris, Beau Bridges and Joe Piscopo; and “ESCAPE FROM ABSOLOM” starring Ray Liotta.  Saunders also served as Executive Producer on five of these films. Prior to Triumph, Saunders served as President of the Guber-Peters Entertainment Company. During his tenure, the company produced “SINGLE WHITE FEMALE” starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh, which was Sony’s most profitable film in 1992. 

He has also held several key management positions in both the production and business areas of the motion picture industry. He was co-founder, President and Chief Operating Officer of Vision p.d.g., where he was responsible for the production of such films as “WILD ORCHID” starring Mickey Rourke, Jacqueline Bisset and Carré Otis, directed by Zalman King; “HIGH SPIRITS” starring Liam Neeson, Daryl Hannah, Peter O’Toole, Steve Gutenberg, Beverly D’Angelo and Jennifer Tilly, directed by Neil Jordan; “DARK ANGEL” starring Dolph Lundgren; and “BAT 21” starring Gene Hackman and Danny Glover.  Saunders was also Executive Vice President of Production for New World Pictures with particular emphasis on international co-production and was directly responsible for the production of the original “HELLRAISER” film and served as its Executive Producer. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Production for Twentieth Century Fox, where he played a key role in supervising the production of such hits as “ROMANCING THE STONE”, “BACHELOR PARTY” andREVENGE OF THE NERDS.”  He also served as Executive Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs for CBS Theatrical Films and Polygram Pictures.  He is a member of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences and was a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Zalman King and David Saunders have been working together in the motion picture and television industries for over 20 years.  They began their association with the film “WILD ORCHID” that starred Mickey Rourke, Jacqueline Bisset and Carre’ Otis and grossed more than $110,000,000 worldwide.  They followed that with a sequel, “WILD ORCHID II,” that earned more than $60,000,000.    The duo then turned to television where they created and produced “RED SHOE DIARIES” which ran on Showtime for more than 10 years as well as in most countries in the world.  Sixty-six episodes were produced and helped launch the acting carriers of David Duchovny (“X FILES,” “CALIFORNICATION”), Ally Sheedy (“SHORT CIRCUIT,” “ST. ELMO’S FIRE,” “WAR GAMES”), Steven Bauer (“TRAFFIC,” SCARFACE”), Arnold Vosloo (“THE MUMMY,” “DARKMAN”), Adewale (“THE BOURNE IDENTIY,” “OZ”), Lydie Dernier (“ACAPULCO H.E.A.T,” “TARZAN”) Sheryl Lee (“TWIN PEAKS”) as well as such international stars as Tchecky Karyo and Arielle Dombasle. The Zalman King Company has also produced the following films and television series: “BOCA” starring Rae Dawn Chong (“COMMANDO” opposite Arnold Schwartzeneger, “THE COLOR PURPLE”), Martin Sheen (THE WEST WING,” “APOCOLYPSE NOW,” “WALL STREET”), Martin Kemp (“HIGHLANDER,””EASTENDERS”) and Brazilian star Tarcisio Meira,   “LAKE CONSEQUENCE” starring Billy Zane (“TITANIC,” “THE PHANTOM”) and Joan Severance (“THE LAST SEDUCTION II,” “LOVE BOAT”).“WOMEN OF THE NIGHT” starring Seymour Cassell (“THE ROYAL TANNENBAUMS,” “RUSHMORE”), Sally Kellerman (“MASH,” “BREWSTER MCCLOUD”) and James Farentino (“DYNASTY,” “MELROSE PLACE”).“BLUE MOVIE BLUE” STARRING Nina Siemaszko (“WEST WING”), Tom Skerritt (“TOP GUN,” ”ALIEN,” “A RIVER RUNDS THROUGH IT”), Robert Davi (“DIE HARD”) and Gloria Reuben (“ER”).“A PLACE CALLED TRUTH” starring Audie Englund (“DELATA OF VENUS”), Chris Browning (“TERMINATOR:SALVATION,” “3:10 TO YUMA”) and Brion James (“THE FIFTH ELEMENT,” “BLADERUNNER”). “BUSINESS FOR PLEASURE” starring Joanna Pacula (”WARLOCK,” “PRIVATE LESSONS”) and Joeron Krabbe’ (“TRANSPORTER,” “DEUCE BIGALOW,” “SOLDIER OF ORANGE”). “SHAME, SHAME, SHAME” starring Costas Mandylar (“SAW,” “DELTA OF VENUS”), Valerie Perrine (“SUPERMAN,” “LENNY,” “SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE”) and Olivia Hussey (“ZEFFIRELLI’S ROMEO AND JULIET,” “DEATH ON THE NILE”).“BLACK SEA 213” starring Timothy Bottoms (“NERO WOLFE,” “THE LAST PICTURE SHOW,” “THE PAPER CHASE”), Anthony Addabbo (“RED SHOE DIARIES”) and Brion James (“THE FIFTH ELEMENT,” “BLADERUNNER”).  “WIND ON WATER” starring Bo Derek (“10”).  “CHROMIUMBLUE.COM,” 16 original half-hour episodes of a sensual/erotic series for The Showtime Networks.“FORTY DEUCE,” a reality mini-series for the Bravo channel chronicling the expansion of the enormously successful L.A. burlesque club into the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas. King also co-wrote and directed the theatrical film “IN GOD’S HANDS” for Sony Pictures/Triumph Films, a dramatic surfing epic about riding 40-foot waves brought together many of the top competitive titleholders in the surfing community and was released worldwide by Triumph.  Saunders served as Executive Producer. Most recently, King and Saunders created “BODY LANGUAGE,” a new television series that will be broadcast on The Showtime Networks in the United States in the spring of 2009 and is also currently being licensed throughout the world.  King directed all 13 episodes of this new series and Saunders was an Executive Producer.

 

Zalman King, (content/film development/production)

Zalman King has firmly established himself as the inventor and pioneer of the sensual/romantic genre in motion pictures and television. Beginning with “9½ WEEKS,” King has gone on to write and direct a series of films that explore the hidden passions and desires of his characters with an elegant style that has become his signature. Labeled “the high priest of erotic filmmaking” by Premiere magazine, King’s signature is unmistakable in its lush visual style, quality and content. King’s projects have been extremely successful in the international marketplace. He wrote and produced “9½ WEEKS” which has become an icon of the erotic/romantic genre. The film, which was directed by Adrian Lyne, starred Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger and has generated over $200 million in worldwide revenues. “WILD ORCHID” starred Mickey Rourke, Jacqueline Bisset and Carre’ Otis and has earned over $110 million worldwide. King has also successfully turned his trademark style to the television screen with “RED SHOE DIARIES,” the highest rated original series in Showtime’s history, which has played consistently for more than ten consecutive years. Sixty-six episodes were produced and helped launch the acting carriers of David Duchovny (“X FILES,” “CALIFORNICATION”), Ally Sheedy (“SHORT CIRCUIT,” “ST. ELMO’S FIRE,” “WAR GAMES”), Steven Bauer (“TRAFFIC,” SCARFACE”), Arnold Vosloo (“THE MUMMY,” “DARKMAN”), Adewale (“THE BOURNE IDENTIY,” “OZ”), Lydie Dernier (“ACAPULCO H.E.A.T,” “TARZAN”) Sheryl Lee (“TWIN PEAKS”) as well as such international stars as Tchecky Karyo and Arielle Dombasle. King began his career as an actor. He quickly landed a starring role in a breakthrough television series of the early 1970’s, “THE YOUNG LAWYERS”. He then went on to star in many films, ranging from “THE SKI BUM” opposite Charlotte Rampling to playing Jesus Christ in the controversial “PASSOVER PLOT.” He began his writing and producing career at the same time. Among his earlier writing/producer credits are “ROADIE” and “ENDANGERED SPECIES” both directed by Alan Rudolf. Often working in collaboration with his wife, Patricia Louisiana Knop, King went on to produce “SIESTA,” starring Ellen Barkin, Gabriel Byrne and Jodie Foster, and directed by Mary Lambert. In 1994, King wrote and directed his acclaimed version of Anais Nin’s controversial erotic masterpiece “DELTA OF VENUS.” Hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “A sweepingly romantic celebration of a woman’s sexual awakening… an elegant stylish film of shadowy beauty and a fine example of a film that looks more expensive than it surely cost…” the film was released by New Line Cinema throughout the world. King then went on location in Bali, Mexico and Hawaii to direct “IN GOD’S HANDS,” the theatrical film he co-wrote for Sony Pictures/Triumph Films. This dramatic surfing epic about riding 40-foot waves brought together many of the top competitive titleholders in the surfing community and was released worldwide by Triumph. King then moved into the network television mainstream creating “WIND ON WATER,” a one-hour prime-time series for NBC. He also directed and executive produced “CHROMIUMBLUE.COM,” an original half-hour series for The Showtime Networks and is the Executive Producer and Director of “FORTY DEUCE,” a reality mini-series for the Bravo channel chronicling the expansion of the enormously successful L.A. burlesque club into the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas. Most recently, King directed all 13 episodes of “BODY LANGUAGE,” a new television series that will be broadcast on The Showtime Networks in the United States in the spring of 2009 and is also currently being licensed throughout the world. 

A. Troy Atterberry, (content/ screenplay writer)

A. Troy Atterberry has been writing since age 11. His early days as a songwriter began with the White Rock Baptist Church Youth Choir, in Mt Vernon NY, which he was a member of. From there he moved on to the  world of Rap, Rhythm & Blues with Untouchables/LaFace Records where he worked along with and under the guidance of Eddie F of “Heavy D and the Boyz”, LA Reid and Kenneth Baby Face Edmunds. His work at this major recording label landed Troy in studios working with and along side of a slew of some of the music industries finest producers such as Dave “Jam” Hall Nevelle Hodge, Easy Mo B and Anthony “Spunk Bigga” Blagmon, who between them, have produced songs for the likes of  Mariah Carey, Nas, LL Cool J, Foxy Brown, Brownstone, Mary J Blige , Madonna , Allure, Joe, K-Ci and JoJo, Stephanie Mills, Intro, Usher just to name a few. As for Artists;  Troy has worked on such projects as The Motown compilation featuring Mad Drama, Al B Sure, Tupac, Notorious BIG, Grand Puba, Christopher Williams, Donnell Jones and many more.

 

In 2002 Troy became the Senior Music Editor of Flossin’ Magazine where he conducted up close and personal interviews and wrote articles on Ice Cube Marquis Houston, Remy Ma, Sean Paul, Juvenile, Twista, Yukmouth  Salvador Santana son of the legendary Carlos Santana and a host of other heavy hitters in the entertainment industry.

 

He is an accomplished poet and spoken word artist, releasing his debut CD “Project: PC-04” in 2004 and having his first book published in 2005 under the title “Something Deep Within Me Roars”. As a play write Mr. Atterberry has written and produced such stage plays as “Afro’s, Perms, Weaves & Locks” and “Falling Down is Easy” which are both scheduled to be released. As a screenplay writer Mr. Atterberry has written a slate of films that are now in the very capable hands of some of the film industries “top guns”.

With a world of opportunity before him A. Troy Atterberry is an up and coming filmmaker to keep an eye out for.            

Jack Hudgins, (master writer, storyteller, film producer)

 Jack is a brilliant writer – one who gives attention to fine details – one with an ability to “paint pictures with words” – one who captivates his readers or viewers with his words or scripts – one who makes every story “pop” - one with a world of experience, literally. Jack attributes some of his writing prowess to his experiences, research and observations while traveling and touring for over 15 years. He has seen the world from many perspectives. In 1997 Jack began filming (Rapper /Actor) DMX for personal archive footage. Jack teamed up with entrepreneur Randy Acker of Island/Def Jam, as Executive General Manager, to co-produce music videos. The dynamic dual produced “Lord Give Me A Sign”/bonus DVD footage and videos for three DMX albums. Jack also co-produced Reality Television Series/six episodes for BET called "DMX Soul of a Man". As co-producer, Jack’s creative writing was used to script out some of the shows most interesting storylines. For example, Four City Guys on Unfamiliar Turf (the golf course)/Classic scene. . For years, Jack has launched the careers of several Rap Artists. He also produced quality work in the film industry. Previous film projects include "Never Die Alone " directed by Ernest Dickerson (2004) and Warner Brothers Film "Cradle to the Grave"(2003), directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak. “Writing provides a platform for me to showcase my ability to passionately place my characters in real life situations that connect to viewers”, says Jack Hudgins.  

Karen Stein, (product development/soft lines)

Karen Stein, with over 27 years of experience in the apparel industry, Karen Stein is a wonderful asset to Fashion & Film Studios, Inc.’s apparel division.  Karen managed and consulted for various successful multi-million dollar apparel companies.  She was a partner of a highly successful sportswear company named Pieces from 1993 to 1996, and she owned and managed her own retail store named Lifestylz from 1998 to 2004 before starting her own company of infant accessories and gifts named Daydreamer in 2005.  She is experienced and has hands on knowledge in every aspect of the design and production process, and her merchandising savvy is unparalleled in the industry.  Her extensive background in design and merchandising is the perfect blend of creativity and business savvy.  She has planned and directed market strategies for major department stores; specialty retail stores, and catalogues with great success.  Karen is currently a professor of Apparel and Production Development at Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising where she has taught for the past eight years. 

 

Frederick Harris, (product development / soft lines)

Fred Harris, Jr., with over 23 years of experience in the active sportswear industry/garment industry as a fashion designer, Fred’s vision and conception of everything he designs has always been at the fore-front of style—he designs unique commercially viable collections that communicate to consumers’ desire.  His knowledge of the fashion industry from design to production is unsurpassed, and his talent as a fashion illustrator and graphic artist brings a powerful energy to Romar Motor Sports, Inc/Fashion & Film Studios’ Apparel Divisions.  A true Nuevo-Renaissance man, he received his B.S. in Economics at UCLA, and his transition into the creative field began in 1978 when he worked as a stylist for William Connors LTD.  Since then he has worked as a designer for numerous companies including Speedo, Bugle Boy, Jimmy Z, Body Glove, Gitano Swimwear/Bodywear, Faremon, Perfetto Sportswear, and the Estee Lauder Corporation.   He has also designed for various sports organizations such as the Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors/NBA, Tampa Bay Devil Rays/ MLB, and the Toronto Argonauts/CFL.  Mr. Harris’s belief that “all puzzles are graciously organized designs” is apparent in his artistry.