By Justin DeFreece
NFL Player Engagement
For some, it’s been just a few short months since they left the NFL’s customized film and television education program held in Universal City.
For others, the realization that breaking into Hollywood will be an uphill climb, similar in difficulty to making it into the pros has begun to sink in.
Looking to be taken seriously for their acting and movie mogul efforts in Tinseltown and not just for their speed and strength; the previous two seasons of NFL Pro Hollywood Boot Camp participants have begun to use their network of mentors and contacts to land roles, leverage financing deals and package film projects.
Strategically, the NFL has made a massive effort to ensure that post-event mentorship is a major component to improve their chances of success and has tapped The Film Life and leading talent agency, William Morris Endeavor to offer a robust set of internships, access to deep rolodexes and industry advice to these budding stars and executives.
Jamie Silva, a 3-year NFL vet, was fortunate enough to wow HR reps over the course of multiple interviews with his understanding and enthusiasm for film and was offered an enviable internship with heavy-hitting, Legendary Pictures. 2013 participants had the pleasure of hearing directly from Legendary Entertainment Chairman & CEO, Thomas Tull (member of the Pittsburgh Steelers ownership group) on the merits, work ethic and relentless vision it takes to be successful. A philosophy that Mr. Tull has mastered, with a growing streak of blockbusters which include The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, The Hangover series, passion project 42 and the recent successfully navigated revival of the Superman franchise via Man of Steel.
Following the April 2013 program, two lucky attendees Zoltan Mesko of the New England Patriots and Ramses Barden, wide receiver for the NY Giants leveraged their impressive comedic performances from this year’s movie shorts to land cameos in the upcoming “Draft Day” (2014) starring sports movie buff Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner and Tom Welling. Tracy Perlman, VP of NFL Entertainment Marketing and her team proved to be instrumental in securing roles for the aspiring comedians.
In tandem, several of the members of the 2013 class attended the 17th Annual American Black Film Festival in Miami produced by The Film Life’s CEO, Jeff Friday & Ghana Wilson. The prestigious festival is a star-studded week of film and sales in South Beach, co-sponsored by HBO and Cadillac.
Brandon Miree, Ryan McNeil and Phillip Buchanon attended the soirée and picked up Prestige Festival passes giving them full access to panels, workshops, film screenings and networking opportunities with high level film and television executives from HBO, NBCUniversal, CNN, Fox Searchlight, Disney, 20th Century Fox, Nickelodeon and Universal Pictures. Brandon also submitted a script to the ABFF’s GMC Sponsored Faith & Family Screenplay Competition and took part in Bill Dukes Actors Boot Camp.
Former NFL players Ryan McNeil and Brandon Miree pose with ABFF producer Ghana Wilson and free agent Phillip Buchanon.
After meeting the group on-site, Executive Producer Roger Bobb of (Tyler Perry Studios fame) generously offered the opportunity for players to intern and shadow him from April to June on the set of his TV show, “The Rickey Smiley Show.”
VP of Production at HBO, Janet Graham Borba, E.R. veteran, Eric La Salle and numerous PHBC instructors have all maintained ongoing communication with their mentees. UCLA film instructor Myrl Schreibman was even able to land Jared Oldrick of the Miami Dolphins a visit to the set of Man of Steel.
To date – many players have made great strides in developing, producing and pitching their own film projects including Jamie Silva (“Family Values”, “Glimmer”, “Dear Zoe”) and Jon Alston (“Red Butterfly”). Clearly, the stadium lights of optimism have stayed bright for this hopeful team of film producers, actors and directors.
“We are excited to continue providing opportunities for active and former players to explore and develop valuable professional contacts in a wide range of career fields.”
Troy Vincent, Senior Vice President of NFL Player Engagement.
The verdict is still out on which NFLer will be the first to open a film alongside cinematic heavyweights such as George Clooney or rising star, Rooney Mara (daughter of NY Giants co-owner, John Mara). But if history and the drive of an athlete has taught us anything; it would be wise to bet on a pro.
Click here to learn more about Pro Hollywood Boot Camp.