By YEtunde Adeyeri
One of the most historic thing that happened in showbusiness. Not only because there have been a fraction of movie studios that control the production of over 80 movies produced in Hollywood.
For a long time, Black people in America who are seen as the minority race, have always been stereotyped. The types of roles they play and the kinds of movies they are cast (for the sake of inclusion or diversity). For a long time, they were portrayed as cliches; gangsters, the loud third friend, the ruffian or other parts.
Although as time progressed we started to see more black actors like Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Kerry Washington, Halle Berry, take on lead roles in big budget movies which paved the way for new generation of black actors and filmmakers; its no news that there is still a long way to go before that disparity is fixed. Presently one of the youngest producers in Hollywood, Marsai Martin (from Blackish) who got her producer credit for her debut film ‘Little’, can attribute her success in Hollywood to the present clime where there are more opportunities for colored girls like her to shine. And these and more opportunities will be created with the Tyler Perry Studios.
Other studios like Walt Disney, Paramount and Warner brother which has been in existence for years, have become household names because they had years to build on that. But for a man to come out of almost nothing and rise to the position of owning his own studio (presently one of the largest ever in history), this means for the years to come, African American movie productions will no longer be regarded as B-rated or stereotypical, it would grow to become franchises like the Marvel and X-man and even explore other creative options. The impressive feat Tyler Perry has accomplished will go down in not just American history but also in the world at large.
A 330-acre former military base Fort McPherson located in Atlanta was acquired and converted into a studio by Perry in 2015. 50,000 square feet of the site is dedicated to standing permanent sets, including a replica of a luxury hotel lobby, a White House replica, a 16,000-square-foot mansion, a mock cheap hotel, a trailer park set, and a real 1950s-style diner.
This doesn’t just mean growth for the African Americans, it means growth for other races that are seen as minorities and for other countries. America is the largest exporter of Pop culture. Most of the ideas we have about the country are based on what we see in movies. And now, what we see is no longer going to be black and white, but a blend of the finest talents the world has to offer.
The Tyler Studio in Atlanta is one of the most historic things that happened in show business. Not only because there have been a fraction of movie studios that control the production from a black man, but there was also truth in it. But the honest truth was that it was relatable to black people. Tyler Perry has put down deep roots in the state of Georgia, becoming the first African American to independently own his own studio — one whose acreage exceeds that of Warner Bros, Paramount and Walt Disney’s Hollywood lots combined.
Perry purchased the 330 acres of land for $30 million in 2015, formerly the Fort McPherson Army base, Perry recently revealed that he poured another $250 million into the expansion.
“We just finished Phase 1, which is the 12 sound stages,” he said. “The second phase that we’re starting late next year is the six-lane highway, the backlot, the small little European town, a bigger lake and pond on it. So there’s so much more that I’m gonna do here.”
Perry marked the historic achievement in grand fashion, hosting a two-day, star-studded grand opening, dedicating sound stages to black celebrities who inspired him. “I feel this tremendous sense of obligation for all the people who helped me get here. Ones I don’t know, ones I may never know… all the way back to the ancestors who prayed for one day a generation to be able to be in this position. So I’m humbled by it.”
In addition to opening the studio, Perry is also promoting the debut of his latest shows, BET’s “The Oval” and “Sistas,” the first projects from a landmark multi-platform deal with Viacom that will last through 2024. Perry’s new partnership takes effect as his first-look exclusive with Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network is ending.
“It’s been incredible working with Oprah. I loved it, the only issue is OWN is one channel,” Perry explained. “When you have a facility like this, you have the capacity to do many, many different things. So the great thing about the Viacom deal and BET is starting off with those two shows, which is soon to be 5 or 6 shows and then launching BET Plus… and also being able to program VH1 and Comedy Central and Nickelodeon.”
Perry’s library of content is also being used to help launch BET’s streaming service, a venture he’s excited to get involved with because “streaming seems to be the way that everything’s going.”
“I have so much content that I want to create. I don’t have enough hours in the day to fully do all that I want to do,” he shared. And though the streaming world is becoming a more crowded marketplace, Perry believes the key to his and BET Plus’ success lies with their content.
“The great thing that I’ve been given is an audience who’s extremely loyal, extremely faithful. And as long as I’m giving them content and what they wanna see, they’re in,” he shared. “What I know about my audience… Black women, when they are with you, they’re like country music fans. Nobody can take them away from you.”
So what’s next for the media mogul and his billion-dollar empire? Perry is currently focused on expanding the studio, but he also has his sights on adapting his 1995 play about a jazz singer and holocaust survivor titled “A Jazz Man’s Blues,” as well as mulling over telling the story of Hurricane Katrina which struck his hometown of New Orleans. “[I want to] be the voice, the place for the ones who are marginalized, disenfranchised, who are discarded, because what I want this to be is a place for the underdog,” he shared. “That’s what I’ve always felt like I was because I didn’t play by anybody’s rules. I felt like I had to do it my way. And I can’t wait to see all the dreamers and the people who come through this gate, who get it and go out and do amazing things.”
