Filmmaker Deon Taylor has built a pipeline for pro athletes to transition into a filmmaking post career with the Hidden Empire Sports Collective.
Read full article: Jacksonville native turned ‘American Ninja Warrior’ star now flipping the script with pro wrestlingArgie’s Cat Rescue: Purr-suing a community effort to aid feral felines and how residents can lend a paw Read full article: Argie’s Cat Rescue: Purr-suing a community effort to aid feral felines and how residents can lend a pawSee these Insider Deals for home, beauty and sports enthusiastsThere's a new type of smart calendar that automatically organizes your lifeNext photo Isaac Ukwu , a defensive end for the Detroit Lions, acts out a scene from"The Matrix" during a filmmaking workshop for NFL players on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Santa Monica, Calif.
Filmmaker and former professional basketball player Deon Taylor, center, discusses the movie industry with NFL players Trayvon Henderson, left, and K'Lavon Chaisson during a filmmaking workshop for NFL players on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Santa Monica, Calif. Filmmaker and former professional basketball player Deon Taylor, left, discusses the movie industry with Las Vegas Raiders linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson during a filmmaking workshop for NFL players on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Santa Monica, Calif. Filmmaker and former professional basketball player Deon Taylor, right, discusses the movie industry with NFL player Trayvon Henderson during a filmmaking workshop for NFL players on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Santa Monica, Calif. Retired NFL player T.J. Wright, center, watches footage on NFL player Charles Harris' phone as they film a scene from the film"Meet the Blacks" during a filmmaking workshop for NFL players on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Santa Monica, Calif. Retired NFL player T.J. Wright, left, and current NFL player Charles Harris, second from left, direct retired NFL player Copeland Bryan, second from right, and current NFL player Daiyan Henley as they film a scene from the film"Meet the Blacks" during a filmmaking workshop for NFL players on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Santa Monica, Calif. Former and current NFL players, from left, Reginald Kahlil McKenzie, Dion Dawkins and Tevaughn Campbell listen to filmmaker and former professional basketball player Deon Taylor, foreground, discuss the movie industry during a filmmaking workshop for NFL players on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Santa Monica, Calif. Retired NFL player T.J. Wright, second from left, watches footage on NFL player Charles Harris' phone as retired NFL player Copeland Bryan, right, acts out a scene from the film"Meet the Blacks" during a filmmaking workshop for NFL players on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Santa Monica, Calif. Retired NFL linebacker Brennan Scarlett, right, directs actor and retired NFL player Miles Burris, left, and Isaac Ukwu of the Detroit Lions in a scene from"The Matrix" during a filmmaking workshop for NFL players on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Santa Monica, Calif. Retired NFL linebacker Brennan Scarlett, right, hugs Detroit Lions defensive end Isaac Ukwu after they finished filming a scene from"The Matrix" during a filmmaking workshop for NFL players on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Santa Monica, Calif. Isaac Ukwu, a defensive end for the Detroit Lions, acts out a scene from"The Matrix" during a filmmaking workshop for NFL players on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Santa Monica, Calif. 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. 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“This experience is really invaluable,” said Ukwu, who hopes to break into acting before eventually exploring directing and producing.“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.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.just to talk and coach me up on some things that can lead my success in the future,” said Okwu., 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."“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 Crews, defensive end, Los Angeles Rams; Green Bay Packers; San Diego Chargers; Philadelphia Eagles; WashingtonTony Gonzalez, tight end, Kansas City Chiefs; Atlanta FalconsEphraim Salaam, offensive tackle, Atlanta Falcons; Denver Broncos; Jacksonville Jaguars; Houston Texans; Detroit LionsBubba Smith, defensive end, Baltimore Colts; Oakland Raiders; Houston OilersCopyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Read full article: See these Insider Deals for home, beauty and sports enthusiastsThere’s a new type of smart calendar that automatically organizes your life
Entertainment Sports U.S. News Tony Gonzalez Dion Dawkins John David Washington Floyd Mayweather Jr. Business Kyler Murray Isaac Ukwu Jim Brown Deon Taylor Terry Bradshaw Carl Weathers Daiyan Henley Cam Heyward Vernon Davis Roxanne Avent Taylor Bubba Smith Orlando Brown Terry Crews Tracy Perlman O.J. Simpson Master P Dan Campbell James Harden
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NFL players score a shot at Hollywood through hands-on training sessions with filmmaker Deon TaylorFilmmaker Deon Taylor has built a pipeline for pro athletes to transition into a filmmaking post career with the Hidden Empire Sports Collective.
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NFL players score a shot at Hollywood through hands-on training sessions with filmmaker Deon TaylorFilmmaker Deon Taylor has built a pipeline for pro athletes to transition into a filmmaking post career with the Hidden Empire Sports Collective.
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