Artisha Mann-Cooper and Martin Ngongo chatted with Digital Journal’s Markos Papadatos about creating content for people of color via their recent partnership with Viewpark.
“The Viewpark/Louxor Deal is an opportunity for us to tell powerful and compelling stories that are told from those who identify as BIPOC and from other perspectives,” Ngongo said. “As media content consumption globalizes, we have seen,in the past few years, that the audience has proven that great stories could come from any part of the world and from every character’s angles and backstory, so Viewpark has given us this opportunity to bring those stories to life.”
“Viewpark is forward thinking and recognizes the opportunity we have in Hollywood right now, the demand of the market, the value of this market and how we can make an economic impact in the community,” Ngongo added.
“To add to what Martin is saying, it is a $60 million deal to tell BIPOC stories. The BIOPOC community has longed been unvalued and unserved and Viewpark recognizes the value and the importance of telling these stories,” Mann-Cooper said.
Regarding the important of this deal, Ngongo said, “We want amplifying voices of color and provide monetary support for BIPOCs who need funding for their films and also become a studio reference for auteur quality films such as those created by Bron Studio, Macro, and others. We need more studios and production companies like this in the industry.”
“We want to give those who have waited so long to speak about their authentic experience an opportunity to do so. It is no surprise the financial undervaluing, as stated in Variety a few weeks ago, of BIPOC films, and filmmakers. We have seen it time and time again.. just look at Marvel’s Black Panther. I couldn’t even find Black Panther shirts when it first opened, our community was just creating costumes and shirts to support the film, not even the studios predicted its monstrous success,” Mann-Cooper elaborated.
On being a filmmaker and producer in the digital age, Ngongo said, “I think, technology liberates creativity and gives power to those who were powerless in the past, the creators. New Technologies as streaming services, tech companies have switched the power from traditional studios to new media and have a totally different strategy to get subscribers and audiences to continue watching their content. It’s also a good thing for content producers because these new media platforms are still experiencing new ways to tell stories and create new franchises, so for independent filmmakers as in Louxor Films, we couldn’t be happier to get into this space now.”
Mann-Cooper praised Emmy award-winning producer Mike Manning. “Mike is the best person I know. 100 percent genuine and kind. Always a true professional and putting others before him. I absolutely love working with Mike,” she said.
For young and aspiring actors and filmmakers, Ngongo said, “Don’t be scared to be what you have to be. Don’t be scared to be authentic. because at the end of the day, as Oscar Wilde said: ‘Be yourself everyone is already taken’.”
Mann-Cooper added, “You are needed now more than anytime before. The world is ready for new voices, we need you to just show up, be creative, be professional, and be yourself.”
On the title of the current chapter of their lives, Ngongo responded “Grinding,” while Mann-Cooper revealed “Innovation.”
Each day, Ngongo is motivated by his family and his desire to be a better version of himself, while Mann-Cooper is driven by her family, friends, and the film community.
On their definition of success, Ngongo explained, “Success is just the final title, it’s like when you compete, you get the opportunity to fight for the gold medal, and everybody can acknowledge your skills and greatness but what is most important is the journey to get to success. If you’ve learned something on the road to success , then you’re stronger, humble and understand the real value of success.”
“Success to me means change and making a difference,” Mann-Cooper remarked. Never giving up on what you value and seeing it come to light no matter how long it takes or whether others feel it is possible. Noone can stop your vision or inhibit you from determining what success means to you because at the end of the day success will always be relative.”
