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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Now the CEO of The Story Company and living in LA with his wife and three children, Story is able to call the shots. “Having the highest total box office revenues of any African American director in the history of films is such a blessing,” Story tells BE Modern Man. “Making just one film is an accomplishment and to have had a career that has allowed me to direct seven feature films
with six of them debuting at #1 at the box office is something that I am very proud of because it shows the next generation that it is possible for them.” But directing on film takes a back seat to his family. “My family means the world to me and nothing is more important to me than they are.”Talented and persistent, Story offers this advice to young BE Modern Man
hopefuls. “Design your life so you can focus on your dreams. The ability to leave a city and move to where the work is is invaluable.”Impacting the film industry as a whole, Story realizes the importance of his role in serving the community, and feels that being present is how he accomplishes this. “It is important to just to be present in it,” says Strory. “What I mean by that is, it’s important for young people to see you existing with your family.”
Dedicated to his family and his craft, Story tells us what being a BE Modern Man means to him. “It means I am current in my thoughts on how to be successful in my family life, my profession and my health. It means I’m looking to the future and using technology, relationships and creativity to improve myself, my situations and opportunities as well as the communities in which I exist.”
The BlackEnterprise.com team congratulates Tim Story for the tremendous success he continues to have in the film industry. His success will undoubtedly open up the eyes of many young men throughout our communities that are interested in pursuing a career in film. We look forward not only watching your films but watching you become arguably one of the greatest directors of our time. We are proud to have you represent us and be a BE Modern Man.
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