Latest news with #TheIntruder
Japan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Atsuko Okatsuka's brings big 'dad' energy to new special
It was a dad joke that nobody saw coming. There stood comedian Atsuko Okatsuka, sporting her signature bowl cut, beside a man she hadn't seen in decades — her estranged father — under the dim lights of Tokyo Comedy Bar in Shibuya. Looking at his shoulders, she suddenly says, 'This whole time I've had the body of an engineer!' This was back in April 2023, at a 'secret' stand-up set advertised with only a silhouette — and that bowl cut, an obvious giveaway to anyone who had seen the comedian's viral videos or her first special, 'The Intruder,' which had come out a few months prior on HBO Max. What the small crowd gathered to see her didn't realize was that they would get a rare chance to witness a family reunion, too. The comedian's previous special, 2022's 'The Intruder,' won her rave reviews and in some ways led to an unexpected family reunion in Tokyo. | JOHAN BROOKS Okatsuka — who is Japanese on her father's side and Taiwanese on her mother's — was only 8 when she last saw her father. At that time, she was living with him in Chiba Prefecture, attending elementary school there. One day, her mother and grandmother took her for a holiday to Los Angeles and simply never brought her back. As comedians often do, Okatsuka now finds the humor in her complicated history, joking about her life as an immigrant with both daddy issues and Stockholm Syndrome. 'My vibe is kidnapped. That's what I'm giving,' she says on stage with an exaggerated wail. 'I could have had a whole different life in Japan. Now I am an American ... with a story. You don't want to be that.' Grandma and the 'drop challenge' Her story will be a major part of her new comedy special, titled 'Father,' set to be released worldwide via Hulu and Disney+ on June 13, just in time for Father's Day weekend. 'I didn't want to leave and I had no choice,' Okatsuka says earnestly over an early morning video call from her home in LA. 'I lost my friends. I lost some family. And then I had to become a famous comedian to be able to come back.' Okatsuka, now 37, changes her voice as if to mimic her grandmother, 'I'll take her to LA, she'll be a star!' While she doesn't necessarily use the word 'grateful' when it comes to these past parental decisions, she clearly isn't resentful either, even referring to grandma as her 'best friend.' She backs the sentiment with actions, too. Fans will recognize her grandmother from many of the videos she posts to her million-plus following on Instagram, including her viral 'drop challenge' clips, which see her sink to the ground during a beat drop inspired by Beyonce's 'Partition.' Okatsuka says giving people a relatable look into her life during the pandemic is what helped build her fanbase, which in turn enabled her to tour. 'I had been doing stand-up for so long. I was ready to tour but you need an audience to tour,' she says, adding that eventually the audience grew to allow her 'to go back to places that I came from ... Taiwan, Japan.' Okatsuka's complicated family history — which included living as an undocumented immigrant for seven years and living with her mother's schizophrenia — is laid bare in her comedy. 'Nothing is private with me,' she says. If you've been following Atsuko Okatsuka, you'll be familiar with her complicated past. "My vibe is kidnapped. That's what I'm giving," she says. | JOHAN BROOKS As a comedian who built her career over social media during the pandemic, Atsuko Okatsuka says by giving people a look into her 'relatable' lifestyle she was able to acquire fans, which in turn led her to being able to tour internationally. | JOHAN BROOKS In 'Father,' she also riffs on her husband (and the special's director) Ryan Harper Gray's vasectomy, and, judging by sets she tried out in Tokyo during her month-long stay in January, we're likely to hear about naked bathtime awkwardness with her grandmother as well as her dentist's suggestion to have a threesome. Don't mistake Okatsuka's candidness for an intention to shock, though. Her delivery is whimsical, even naively child-like at times. She says she learned English from watching cartoons, which might explain her style, the vibrant and colorful outfits she's known for, and her comedic physicality: She often pulls funny faces or suddenly freezes on stage, a la 'Scooby Doo.' (Come to think of it, Velma had short hair and wore bright colors, too!) When Okatsuka talks about wanting to do something wacky, like ride a tandem bike with her husband, it's not that hard to imagine her doing it. Her humor is sharp, but never cruel. 'Male comedians come up here and what do they want to know? 'Are you two together? Are you fucking?'' she says to the audience in 'Father.' 'Nuh-uh. Not me. I want to know, 'How did you become friends?' That's all I care about.' Okatsuka's draw isn't just about childish observations, eccentric outfits or that bowl cut — which is a common look with schoolchildren in Japan. It's also about the relatability of struggling with grown-up responsibilities — failing at 'adulting.' 'I didn't know how paperwork works, so me and Ryan didn't know we weren't married for the past seven years,' she says, explaining how the couple had forgotten to turn in the right forms at City Hall — which they finally got around to doing last year, filming it all for social media. In one of her comedy routines, she admits that she doesn't do laundry because, well, it baffles her. Her husband does it, though, 'and that is ... feminism.' Call her daddy In addition to touching on her family history, Okatsuka says, ''Father' is also a bit about the idea of gender role reversal. 'My fans call me 'mother,' but to me, mothers have it together. So, I'm more ... 'father' — thriving in life but clueless about the basics.' She pauses, remembering her own mother isn't the nurturing type either. 'What does it mean for her to be a normal woman? Nobody is normal,' she says. 'There is no being one kind of person, let alone one kind of woman. So, yeah, call me 'father.'' With that 2023 homecoming show under her belt, and visits to Japan on her international 'Full Grown' tour the year after, it seems like Okatsuka has been getting reacquainted with her homeland. She and her husband were back in Tokyo around the New Year's holiday period to live here for a month. During that time, she did multiple shows at Tokyo Comedy Bar where she made her audiences sing the Japanese national anthem and flexed her improving Japanese skills, courtesy of Duolingo or, as she puts it, 'that owl that told me I was good.' It's a reminder to know your audience — language-learning struggles are something a Tokyo crowd will understand well, whether they're new to Japan or locals who've tried to improve their English. 'So many people live in places they did not come from. So many people feel they don't belong anywhere,' she says. 'That feeling is in my comedy. That feeling is home for all of us. So we have each other, right?' Atsuko Okatsuka waits backstage before performing in Tokyo earlier this year. The Japanese comedian who grew up in California has been making more and more trips to Japan as of late. | JOHAN BROOKS Yurie Collins, a comedian who is bilingual and bicultural, and opened for Okatsuka during some of her 'Full Grown' tour dates, says she can relate to those themes on many levels. Collins says watching Okatsuka perform was 'nothing short of inspiring.' 'She reminded me that when you're a true entertainer, there are no borders,' Collins adds. 'The audience's familiarity with English or stand-up comedy didn't matter; she connected with everyone in the room. She proved that if you bring heart, charisma and craft, you can win over any crowd.' Future reunions? During her holiday stay, Okatsuka won over the crowds at Tokyo Comedy Bar testing new material ahead of the 'Father' release. It was yet another family anecdote where she got the most laughs, though, telling the story of meeting her half-brother for the first time. She insisted they meet at a theme park, 'her own turf,' as she puts it. So, they decided on Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture. 'I needed distractions. Samurai and ninja chasing after us,' she says. One thing they have in common? An odd sense of humor: He asked her to pose like a cat for a photo as soon as they met. 'Are you kidding me?' she recalls. 'We are the same person!' For those in Tokyo, we can only hope there are a few more relatives that Okatsuka has yet to meet. Maybe then she'll keep doing sets at Tokyo Comedy Bar. While remaining noncommittal, she doesn't rule out future visits. 'Anyway, if you have an apartment you want to let us rent, let us know,' she laughs. Atsuko Okatsuka says her comedy caters to those who feel like they 'don't belong anywhere.' | JOHAN BROOKS 'Father' premieres in Japan on Disney+ on June 13. For details, visit
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NFL players score a shot at Hollywood through hands-on training sessions with filmmaker Deon Taylor
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — Isaac Ukwu's sights were solely set on just playing in the NFL — until two season-ending knee injuries in college served as a harsh reality of football's fragility. The setbacks reshaped Ukwu's perspective, showing him that football was part of him, but not all of him. Even after signing with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent last year, the defensive end knew he needed more than just the game. So, when the NFL introduced a program for players exploring careers in film and television, he seized the chance to build his off-the-field legacy. 'You can't let your entire identity be football,' said Ukwu, an aspiring actor, who was one of 20-plus former and active NFL players selected to join film training sessions at the NFL Career Tour hosted by Hidden Empire and Skydance Sports. During the three-day sessions, athletes explored the nuances of filmmaking — learning behind-the-camera roles like directing, producing and other essential elements of bringing a project to life — while also sharpening their skills as actors. The sessions recently concluded with the creation of short films at the Hidden Empire studios in Santa Monica, California. The power couple, Deon Taylor, director of 'Black and Blue' and 'The Intruder,' and Roxanne Avent Taylor, steer the company as co-CEOs. 'This experience is really invaluable,' said Ukwu, who hopes to break into acting before eventually exploring directing and producing. Some of the players featured in the sessions included Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, Cincinnati Bengals lineman Orlando Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward, Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley. It's the third year of program — which has featured panelists including entertainers Tyrese Gibson and Master P and retired NFL player Vernon Davis. 'They let you know there's a way to enter that door,' said Heyward, a seven-time Pro Bowler, who's interested in becoming a director or producer. 'It's not like you have to come from a film background. But if you appreciate films and you're a fan of it, there's a space for you.' Reshaping the future for athletes' storytelling Taylor's vision is to redefine storytelling and build a pipeline for authentic, culture-driven narratives straight from the world's top athletes. He sees the Hidden Empire Sports Collective — launched last month — as a key step in helping athletes prepare for life beyond the game. This new entertainment division focuses on amplifying athletes' voices through content creation and intellectual property development. 'We should be educating athletes on how to actually create content, make IP themselves,' said Taylor, who played basketball in East Germany before he ultimately directed other notable titles such as 'Meet the Blacks" and 'Fatale.' He's become a major player in the independent filmmaking space. 'But then more importantly, it's being a sound information highway for them to understand how they could take something that was great in their life or something that was painful in their lives, tweak it and make it become something that could be content,' he said. Roxanne Avent Taylor described the sports collective as a hub for creating 'stories that shape and define our culture.' The sports collective has partnered with several athletes, landing developmental deals with stars like boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., NBA champion Scottie Pippen and Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden. One upcoming project is a four-part docuseries on Mayweather's life. With the training sessions, Taylor believes athletes can find inspiration through the sports collective and Ephraim Salaam, who successfully transitioned from the NFL to Hollywood. After playing 13 seasons in the league, he has built a career as a screenwriter. Salaam stressed to pro athletes the importance of owning their stories. He noted that they can offer a deeper perspective on their lives that might captivate the masses. 'The No. 1 thing I always tell them is 'You're one of one,'' said Salaam, who is the sports collective's creative executive. 'You've been able to look and see life through a lens very few people have. That information is valuable in a writers room.' Taking notes from Hollywood industry leaders In just a few days, athletes dove into filmmaking with the same intensity they bring to studying playbooks. Players broke into different groups to film scenes for their own movie using iPhones. They went through career and educational panels along with interactive workshops that included a tour of Paramount Studios. Many assumed acting was their standout skill — until they realized every role on a project is just as crucial to the final score. For Ukwu, he learned that a film producer wears many hats, much like an NFL general manager, overseeing everything from reading scripts to securing directors and funding projects. He credits Taylor for guiding him and his peers through their early filmmaking journey. 'It's like if I was in high school and I had access to Dan Campbell just to talk and coach me up on some things that can lead my success in the future,' said Ukwu. The project took shape after an NFL Career Tour stop, an initiative designed to provide insight into the entertainment industry. This tour is part of Skydance Sports, a joint NFL-Skydance venture offering athletes a behind-the-scenes look at sports programming and storytelling. The collaboration aims to equip players with the tools to transition into media, content creation and production to share their own narratives with the world. 'Without the players, there is no game,' said Tracy Perlman, senior vice president of player operation for the NFL. 'We don't want to build athletes. We want to build people." Dion Dawkins said the opportunities are ripe for the taking. 'You have to create your lane without that helmet on,' said Dawkins, a four-time Pro Bowler who's an aspiring actor with a big personality. He gets inspired watching former NFL players who transitioned into the TV and film industry such as Salaam, Terry Crews, Laith Wallschleger and Vernon Davis. 'If you think you're bigger than a football player, you have avenues that can show it,' he said. 'Because we have OGs that have done it, and doing it currently, it gives you that bit of ... I'm not an outsider, I'm an insider. As long as I conduct and control myself in the right manner, I'll have a chance.' Some former NFL players who broke into the film and TV industry Terry Bradshaw, quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers Jim Brown, running back, Cleveland Browns Terry Crews, defensive end, Los Angeles Rams; Green Bay Packers; San Diego Chargers; Philadelphia Eagles; Washington Vernon Davis, tight end, San Francisco 49ers; Denver Broncos and Washington Tony Gonzalez, tight end, Kansas City Chiefs; Atlanta Falcons Ed Marinaro, running back, Minnesota Vikings; New York Jets; Seattle Seahawks Ephraim Salaam, offensive tackle, Atlanta Falcons; Denver Broncos; Jacksonville Jaguars; Houston Texans; Detroit Lions O.J. Simpson, running back, Buffalo Bills; San Francisco 49ers Bubba Smith, defensive end, Baltimore Colts; Oakland Raiders; Houston Oilers John David Washington, running back, St. Louis Rams (practice squad) Carl Weathers, linebacker, Oakland Raiders Jonathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press
Washington Post
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
NFL players score a shot at Hollywood through hands-on training sessions with filmmaker Deon Taylor
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Isaac Ukwu's sights were solely set on just playing in the NFL — until two season-ending knee injuries in college served as a harsh reality of football's fragility. The setbacks reshaped Ukwu's perspective, showing him that football was part of him, but not all of him. Even after signing with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent last year, the defensive end knew he needed more than just the game. So, when the NFL introduced a program for players exploring careers in film and television, he seized the chance to build his off-the-field legacy. 'You can't let your entire identity be football,' said Ukwu, an aspiring actor, who was one of 20-plus former and active NFL players selected to join film training sessions at the NFL Career Tour hosted by Hidden Empire and Skydance Sports . During the three-day sessions, athletes explored the nuances of filmmaking — learning behind-the-camera roles like directing, producing and other essential elements of bringing a project to life — while also sharpening their skills as actors. The sessions recently concluded with the creation of short films at the Hidden Empire studios in Santa Monica, California. The company is led by independent filmmaker Deon Taylor , best known for 'Black and Blue' and 'The Intruder,' and his wife Roxanne Avent Taylor. 'This experience is really invaluable,' said Ukwu, who hopes to break into acting before eventually exploring directing and producing. Some of the players featured in the sessions included Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, Cincinnati Bengals lineman Orlando Brown , Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward , Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley . It's the third year of program — which has featured panelists including entertainers Tyrese Gibson and Master P and retired NFL player Vernon Davis. 'They let you know there's a way to enter that door,' said Heyward, a seven-time Pro Bowler, who's interested in becoming a director or producer. 'It's not like you have to come from a film background. But if you appreciate films and you're a fan of it, there's a space for you.' Taylor's vision is to redefine storytelling and build a pipeline for authentic, culture-driven narratives straight from the world's top athletes. He sees the Hidden Empire Sports Collective — launched last month — as a key step in helping athletes prepare for life beyond the game. This new entertainment division focuses on amplifying athletes' voices through content creation and intellectual property development. 'We should be educating athletes on how to actually create content, make IP themselves,' said Taylor, who played basketball in East Germany before he ultimately directed other notable titles such as 'Meet the Blacks' and 'Fatale.' He's become a major player in the independent filmmaking space. 'But then more importantly, it's being a sound information highway for them to understand how they could take something that was great in their life or something that was painful in their lives, tweak it and make it become something that could be content,' he said. The sports collective has partnered with several athletes, landing developmental deals with stars like boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. , NBA champion Scottie Pippen and Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden. One upcoming project is a four-part docuseries on Mayweather's life. With the training sessions, Taylor believes athletes can find inspiration through the sports collective and Ephraim Salaam, who successfully transitioned from the NFL to Hollywood. After playing 13 seasons in the league, he has built a career as a screenwriter. Salaam stressed to pro athletes the importance of owning their stories. He noted that they can offer a deeper perspective on their lives that might captivate the masses. 'The No. 1 thing I always tell them is 'You're one of one,'' said Salaam, who is the collective's president of talent strategy and creative executive. 'You've been able to look and see life through a lens very few people have. That information is valuable in a writers room.' In just a few days, athletes dove into filmmaking with the same intensity they bring to studying playbooks. Players broke into different groups to film scenes for their own movie using iPhones. They went through career and educational panels along with interactive workshops that included a tour of Paramount Studios. Many assumed acting was their standout skill — until they realized every role on a project is just as crucial to the final score. For Okwu, he learned that a film producer wears many hats, much like an NFL general manager, overseeing everything from reading scripts to securing directors and funding projects. He credits Taylor for guiding him and his peers through their early filmmaking journey. 'It's like if I was in high school and I had access to Dan Campbell just to talk and coach me up on some things that can lead my success in the future,' said Okwu. The project took shape after an NFL Career Tour stop , an initiative designed to provide insight into the entertainment industry. This tour is part of Skydance Sports, a joint NFL-Skydance venture offering athletes a behind-the-scenes look at sports programming and storytelling. The collaboration aims to equip players with the tools to transition into media, content creation and production to share their own narratives with the world. 'Without the players, there is no game,' said Tracy Perlman, senior vice president of player operation for the NFL. 'We don't want to build athletes. We want to build people.' Dion Dawkins said the opportunities are ripe for the taking. 'You have to create your lane without that helmet on,' said Dawkins, a four-time Pro Bowler who's an aspiring actor with a big personality. He gets inspired watching former NFL players who transitioned into the TV and film industry such as Salaam, Terry Crews, Laith Wallschleger and Vernon Davis. 'If you think you're bigger than a football player, you have avenues that can show it,' he said. 'Because we have OGs that have done it, and doing it currently, it gives you that bit of ... I'm not an outsider, I'm an insider. As long as I conduct and control myself in the right manner, I'll have a chance.' Terry Bradshaw, quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers Jim Brown, running back, Cleveland Browns Terry Crews, defensive end, Los Angeles Rams; Green Bay Packers; San Diego Chargers; Philadelphia Eagles; Washington Vernon Davis, tight end, San Francisco 49ers; Denver Broncos and Washington Tony Gonzalez, tight end, Kansas City Chiefs; Atlanta Falcons Ed Marinaro, running back, Minnesota Vikings; New York Jets; Seattle Seahawks Ephraim Salaam, offensive tackle, Atlanta Falcons; Denver Broncos; Jacksonville Jaguars; Houston Texans; Detroit Lions O.J. Simpson, running back, Buffalo Bills; San Francisco 49ers Bubba Smith, defensive end, Baltimore Colts; Oakland Raiders; Houston Oilers John David Washington, running back, St. Louis Rams (practice squad) Carl Weathers, linebacker, Oakland Raiders
Fox Sports
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox Sports
NFL players score a shot at Hollywood through hands-on training sessions with filmmaker Deon Taylor
Associated Press SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — Isaac Ukwu's sights were solely set on just playing in the NFL — until two season-ending knee injuries in college served as a harsh reality of football's fragility. The setbacks reshaped Ukwu's perspective, showing him that football was part of him, but not all of him. Even after signing with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent last year, the defensive end knew he needed more than just the game. So, when the NFL introduced a program for players exploring careers in film and television, he seized the chance to build his off-the-field legacy. 'You can't let your entire identity be football,' said Ukwu, an aspiring actor, who was one of 20-plus former and active NFL players selected to join film training sessions at the NFL Career Tour hosted by Hidden Empire and Skydance Sports. During the three-day sessions, athletes explored the nuances of filmmaking — learning behind-the-camera roles like directing, producing and other essential elements of bringing a project to life — while also sharpening their skills as actors. The sessions recently concluded with the creation of short films at the Hidden Empire studios in Santa Monica, California. The company is led by independent filmmaker Deon Taylor, best known for 'Black and Blue' and 'The Intruder,' and his wife Roxanne Avent Taylor. 'This experience is really invaluable,' said Ukwu, who hopes to break into acting before eventually exploring directing and producing. Some of the players featured in the sessions included Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, Cincinnati Bengals lineman Orlando Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward, Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley. It's the third year of program — which has featured panelists including entertainers Tyrese Gibson and Master P and retired NFL player Vernon Davis. 'They let you know there's a way to enter that door,' said Heyward, a seven-time Pro Bowler, who's interested in becoming a director or producer. 'It's not like you have to come from a film background. But if you appreciate films and you're a fan of it, there's a space for you.' Reshaping the future for athletes' storytelling Taylor's vision is to redefine storytelling and build a pipeline for authentic, culture-driven narratives straight from the world's top athletes. He sees the Hidden Empire Sports Collective — launched last month — as a key step in helping athletes prepare for life beyond the game. This new entertainment division focuses on amplifying athletes' voices through content creation and intellectual property development. 'We should be educating athletes on how to actually create content, make IP themselves,' said Taylor, who played basketball in East Germany before he ultimately directed other notable titles such as 'Meet the Blacks" and 'Fatale.' He's become a major player in the independent filmmaking space. 'But then more importantly, it's being a sound information highway for them to understand how they could take something that was great in their life or something that was painful in their lives, tweak it and make it become something that could be content,' he said. The sports collective has partnered with several athletes, landing developmental deals with stars like boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., NBA champion Scottie Pippen and Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden. One upcoming project is a four-part docuseries on Mayweather's life. With the training sessions, Taylor believes athletes can find inspiration through the sports collective and Ephraim Salaam, who successfully transitioned from the NFL to Hollywood. After playing 13 seasons in the league, he has built a career as a screenwriter. Salaam stressed to pro athletes the importance of owning their stories. He noted that they can offer a deeper perspective on their lives that might captivate the masses. 'The No. 1 thing I always tell them is 'You're one of one,'' said Salaam, who is the collective's president of talent strategy and creative executive. 'You've been able to look and see life through a lens very few people have. That information is valuable in a writers room.' Taking notes from Hollywood industry leaders In just a few days, athletes dove into filmmaking with the same intensity they bring to studying playbooks. Players broke into different groups to film scenes for their own movie using iPhones. They went through career and educational panels along with interactive workshops that included a tour of Paramount Studios. Many assumed acting was their standout skill — until they realized every role on a project is just as crucial to the final score. For Okwu, he learned that a film producer wears many hats, much like an NFL general manager, overseeing everything from reading scripts to securing directors and funding projects. He credits Taylor for guiding him and his peers through their early filmmaking journey. 'It's like if I was in high school and I had access to Dan Campbell just to talk and coach me up on some things that can lead my success in the future,' said Okwu. The project took shape after an NFL Career Tour stop, an initiative designed to provide insight into the entertainment industry. This tour is part of Skydance Sports, a joint NFL-Skydance venture offering athletes a behind-the-scenes look at sports programming and storytelling. The collaboration aims to equip players with the tools to transition into media, content creation and production to share their own narratives with the world. 'Without the players, there is no game,' said Tracy Perlman, senior vice president of player operation for the NFL. 'We don't want to build athletes. We want to build people." Dion Dawkins said the opportunities are ripe for the taking. 'You have to create your lane without that helmet on,' said Dawkins, a four-time Pro Bowler who's an aspiring actor with a big personality. He gets inspired watching former NFL players who transitioned into the TV and film industry such as Salaam, Terry Crews, Laith Wallschleger and Vernon Davis. 'If you think you're bigger than a football player, you have avenues that can show it,' he said. 'Because we have OGs that have done it, and doing it currently, it gives you that bit of ... I'm not an outsider, I'm an insider. As long as I conduct and control myself in the right manner, I'll have a chance.' Some former NFL players who broke into the film and TV industry Terry Bradshaw, quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers Jim Brown, running back, Cleveland Browns Terry Crews, defensive end, Los Angeles Rams; Green Bay Packers; San Diego Chargers; Philadelphia Eagles; Washington Vernon Davis, tight end, San Francisco 49ers; Denver Broncos and Washington Tony Gonzalez, tight end, Kansas City Chiefs; Atlanta Falcons Ed Marinaro, running back, Minnesota Vikings; New York Jets; Seattle Seahawks Ephraim Salaam, offensive tackle, Atlanta Falcons; Denver Broncos; Jacksonville Jaguars; Houston Texans; Detroit Lions O.J. Simpson, running back, Buffalo Bills; San Francisco 49ers Bubba Smith, defensive end, Baltimore Colts; Oakland Raiders; Houston Oilers John David Washington, running back, St. Louis Rams (practice squad) Carl Weathers, linebacker, Oakland Raiders recommended
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
NFL players score a shot at Hollywood through hands-on training sessions with filmmaker Deon Taylor
Isaac Ukwu's sights were solely set on just playing in the NFL — until two season-ending knee injuries in college served as a harsh reality of football's fragility. The setbacks reshaped Ukwu's perspective, showing him that football was part of him, but not all of him. Even after signing with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent last year, the defensive end knew he needed more than just the game. So, when the NFL introduced a program for players exploring careers in film and television, he seized the chance to build his off-the-field legacy. 'You can't let your entire identity be football,' said Ukwu, an aspiring actor, who was one of 20-plus former and active NFL players selected to join film training sessions at the NFL Career Tour hosted by Hidden Empire and Skydance Sports. During the three-day sessions, athletes explored the nuances of filmmaking — learning behind-the-camera roles like directing, producing and other essential elements of bringing a project to life — while also sharpening their skills as actors. The sessions recently concluded with the creation of short films at the Hidden Empire studios in Santa Monica, California. The company is led by independent filmmaker Deon Taylor, best known for 'Black and Blue' and 'The Intruder,' and his wife Roxanne Avent Taylor. 'This experience is really invaluable,' said Ukwu, who hopes to break into acting before eventually exploring directing and producing. Some of the players featured in the sessions included Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, Cincinnati Bengals lineman Orlando Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward, Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley. It's the third year of program — which has featured panelists including entertainers Tyrese Gibson and Master P and retired NFL player Vernon Davis. 'They let you know there's a way to enter that door,' said Heyward, a seven-time Pro Bowler, who's interested in becoming a director or producer. 'It's not like you have to come from a film background. But if you appreciate films and you're a fan of it, there's a space for you.' Reshaping the future for athletes' storytelling Taylor's vision is to redefine storytelling and build a pipeline for authentic, culture-driven narratives straight from the world's top athletes. He sees the Hidden Empire Sports Collective — launched last month — as a key step in helping athletes prepare for life beyond the game. This new entertainment division focuses on amplifying athletes' voices through content creation and intellectual property development. 'We should be educating athletes on how to actually create content, make IP themselves,' said Taylor, who played basketball in East Germany before he ultimately directed other notable titles such as 'Meet the Blacks" and 'Fatale.' He's become a major player in the independent filmmaking space. 'But then more importantly, it's being a sound information highway for them to understand how they could take something that was great in their life or something that was painful in their lives, tweak it and make it become something that could be content,' he said. The sports collective has partnered with several athletes, landing developmental deals with stars like boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., NBA champion Scottie Pippen and Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden. One upcoming project is a four-part docuseries on Mayweather's life. With the training sessions, Taylor believes athletes can find inspiration through the sports collective and Ephraim Salaam, who successfully transitioned from the NFL to Hollywood. After playing 13 seasons in the league, he has built a career as a screenwriter. Salaam stressed to pro athletes the importance of owning their stories. He noted that they can offer a deeper perspective on their lives that might captivate the masses. 'The No. 1 thing I always tell them is 'You're one of one,'' said Salaam, who is the collective's president of talent strategy and creative executive. 'You've been able to look and see life through a lens very few people have. That information is valuable in a writers room.' Taking notes from Hollywood industry leaders In just a few days, athletes dove into filmmaking with the same intensity they bring to studying playbooks. Players broke into different groups to film scenes for their own movie using iPhones. They went through career and educational panels along with interactive workshops that included a tour of Paramount Studios. Many assumed acting was their standout skill — until they realized every role on a project is just as crucial to the final score. For Okwu, he learned that a film producer wears many hats, much like an NFL general manager, overseeing everything from reading scripts to securing directors and funding projects. He credits Taylor for guiding him and his peers through their early filmmaking journey. 'It's like if I was in high school and I had access to Dan Campbell just to talk and coach me up on some things that can lead my success in the future,' said Okwu. The project took shape after an NFL Career Tour stop, an initiative designed to provide insight into the entertainment industry. This tour is part of Skydance Sports, a joint NFL-Skydance venture offering athletes a behind-the-scenes look at sports programming and storytelling. The collaboration aims to equip players with the tools to transition into media, content creation and production to share their own narratives with the world. 'Without the players, there is no game,' said Tracy Perlman, senior vice president of player operation for the NFL. 'We don't want to build athletes. We want to build people." Dion Dawkins said the opportunities are ripe for the taking. 'You have to create your lane without that helmet on,' said Dawkins, a four-time Pro Bowler who's an aspiring actor with a big personality. He gets inspired watching former NFL players who transitioned into the TV and film industry such as Salaam, Terry Crews, Laith Wallschleger and Vernon Davis. 'If you think you're bigger than a football player, you have avenues that can show it,' he said. 'Because we have OGs that have done it, and doing it currently, it gives you that bit of ... I'm not an outsider, I'm an insider. As long as I conduct and control myself in the right manner, I'll have a chance.' Some former NFL players who broke into the film and TV industry Terry Bradshaw, quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers Jim Brown, running back, Cleveland Browns Terry Crews, defensive end, Los Angeles Rams; Green Bay Packers; San Diego Chargers; Philadelphia Eagles; Washington Vernon Davis, tight end, San Francisco 49ers; Denver Broncos and Washington Tony Gonzalez, tight end, Kansas City Chiefs; Atlanta Falcons Ed Marinaro, running back, Minnesota Vikings; New York Jets; Seattle Seahawks Ephraim Salaam, offensive tackle, Atlanta Falcons; Denver Broncos; Jacksonville Jaguars; Houston Texans; Detroit Lions O.J. Simpson, running back, Buffalo Bills; San Francisco 49ers John David Washington, running back, St. Louis Rams (practice squad)
