Entertainment
executive Tracey Edmonds has been named president and chief operating officer
of Our Stories Films, a new film studio created by BET founder Bob Johnson and
the Weinstein Company (TWC). Under
the new position, Edmonds will run all studio operations as well as identify and
guide projects from development to production. She will also create a team of
executives to assist her in her duties. The
announcement was made Tuesday (Aug. 29) by Johnson and Weinstein Company co-chairs
Bob and Harvey Weinstein. The
company, a joint venture established last month with Johnson and TWC, was created
to produce urban comedy films. The creation of Our Stories Films marks a milestone,
Johnson said. "For
a long time, the African-American creative community has wanted to have a studio
where greenlight authority rests with an African-American," he said. "I’m
happy that Harvey and Bob have joined mein making this vision a reality. Edmond’s
accomplishments as owner, president and CEO of Edmonds Entertainment Group made
her a logical choice to run Our Stories Films."
Edmonds Entertainment Group found success with such ventures as the company’s
first feature film Soul Food, which spawned the Showtime television series
after garnering $43 million at the box office and a triple platinum soundtrack.
In addition,
Edmond’s independent film production company, e2, released the films Hav Plenty
and Punks. Small
screen achievements include the BET reality shows College Hill, Lil
Kim: Countdown to Lockdown and DMX: Soul of a Man."When
looking for someone to lead Our Stories, we identified an executive who has a
track record of innovation and success, the respect of the industry, and a strong
understanding of, and relationships with, both business and talent," Harvey
Weinstein stated. "Tracey is the ideal choice, and we’re thrilled that she
will be heading up Our Stories."Edmonds,
one of two African-American executives on the board of the Recording Industry
of Association of America (RIAA), is currently inproduction on Good Luck Chuck,
a romantic comedy for Lions Gate starring Jessica Alba and Dane Cook.
