Name: Tim Story
Profession: Film Director, Producer and CEO of The Story Company
Age: 45
One word that describes you: Fun
Director Tim Story is the number one grossing African American director in the world, and the only African American to direct a Marvel Comic superhero film. A graduate of the University of Southern California’s film school, Story began directing music videos in the 1990s, bringing his cinematic style to R&B, rap and pop music and quickly made the jump to longer-form work, writing, producing, editing and directing. The success of his 1997 indie film, One of Us Tripped, which won best feature in the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Film Festival brought him into the mainstream. He then directed the cult classic Barbershop in 2002 and later Taxi, starring Queen Latifah, Jimmy Fallon, Gisele Bündchen and Jennifer Esposito.
Story’s next move was a coup of superhero proportion. He went from comedies to comics and directed the greatest superhero family of all time, the Fantastic Four in 2005. The film was a bona fide blockbuster, raking in more than $330 million worldwide. That showing was fantastic enough to earn Story a sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, which brought in more than $289 million.
Up next for Story is Ride Along 2, that is locked for a January 15, 2016 premiere. He is also tapped as the executive producer and director for the new TV show, Brothers In Atlanta, that has been greenlit at HBO.
Making home movies with his family at an early age inspired Story to develop his talent. A long way from the home movies he shot as a child, Story has undoubtedly taken his vision and talent to the next level. But things were not always as glamorous for Story when he began his career in the 1990s. “I’m a nice guy at heart and that is not always the best trait when leading hundreds of people,” Story tells BE Modern Man. “I had to focus on not losing my spirit in dealing with the politics of the business.”
From music videos to blockbuster films, Story has navigated through the business by bringing a unique eye to the industry. “I can visualize something and then bring it into existence,” says Story. “Following through on a dream takes persistence and focus. I pride myself on having both.”
By developing creative relationships and remaining reachable Story has broken through the glass ceilings to make a enormous impact amongst his peers. “I’ve found that we are so isolated in the directing field that a simple phone call to just say “what’s up” means so much,” says Story.
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