The company, founded by the actor, producer and Emmy-winning writer in 2015, is at a pinnacle moment, but it’s also just getting started.
For example, Waithe and Rajani first booked Rockwell to work on their BET show “Boomerang” based on her short film “Feathers” and then it was on to developing her feature. With Shao, the key was giving him his first writing job before producing “Chang Can Dunk.” “A Thousand and One” is perfect example of how that formula has paid off. Rockwell’s feature directorial debut was acquired by Focus Features before it got into production and set for a March 31 theatrical release. Its debut at Sundance was met with rapturous reviews — particularly for Rockwell’s vision and star Teyana Taylor’s commanding performance.The story behind “Kokomo City” is a little different.
In fact, by the time the Sundance awards were announced on Jan. 27, the producers were on opposite ends of the world — with Waithe in London and Rajani back in Los Angeles — so they celebrated the happy news via their text thread.