Spike Lee Protege Michael A. Pinckney Strikes Major Deal For His Feature Directorial Debut

March 19, 2012 - PRLog -- Spike Lee Protégé Michael A. Pinckney Strikes Major Deal for His Feature Directorial Debut

New York, NY - Grindstone Entertainment, a subsidiary of Lionsgate, has acquired the U.S. domestic rights for the hip-hop thriller "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Kills You." The film was written and directed by Michael A. Pinckney who has worked as an Assistant Director for Spike Lee for more than 10 years. Lee is an Executive Producer on the film.

"You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Kills You" is an action-packed, gritty tale about two New York City homicide detectives forced into the high-stakes world of hip-hop when a serial killer with an appetite for the genre's biggest stars unleashes his wrath on the city. The edgy thriller leaves audiences breathless as a complex web of sex, money and murder unfolds before their eyes. The film immediately grabbed buyers' attention during its debut screening at the annual American Film Market.

The film stars Emmy-winning and "NYPD Blue" veteran James McDaniel, as well as Michael K. Williamswho is best known for his roles in "The Wire" and "Boardwalk Empire." Co-stars in the film include Michael Mosley from ABC's "Pan AM" and Nashawn Kearse, who has been featured in "The Sopranos," "Desperate Housewives" and "Entourage." Rounding out the standout cast are special cameo appearances by legendary hip-hop icons Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh and Ed Lover.

Locomotive Distribution brokered the domestic acquisition of the film and the company is slated to handle international sales and distribution rights. Locomotive recently launched a new genre called "Firebox," which will feature innovative films in the horror and thriller categories. "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Kills You" will be the first feature film released under the new shingle.

Gabriel Gornell, Chief Creative Officer for Locomotive Distribution added, "We are thrilled to launch this new label with "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Kills You," an innovative genre that blends hip-hop and horror. The gritty story will keep horror fans entertained and hip-hop fans craving new tracks." Locomotive is also looking to collaborate on another one of Pinckney's projects "The Badboy of R&B", the story of embattled R&B sensation Bobby Brown, a story that Pinckney also penned.

For more information, visit the film website at www.hiphophorror.com and follow the film on twitter @hiphophorror.


About The Director:
Michael A. Pinckney is the Founder and Managing Director of Black Noise Media, a full service production house based in New York City. He began his career more than 12 yeas ago under the tutelage of celebrated filmmaker Spike Lee. Soon after, Pinckney was accepted into The Director's Guild of America (DGA).

With more than a decade of experience as an Assistant Director, Pinckney's credits include films such as the academy award nominated film "Precious" in which he was nominated alongside Director, Lee Daniels for a DGA award. His additional film credits include "Inside Man," "25th Hour," and "The Best Man" among others. Pinckney's television credits include breakout hits such as "Law & Order" and "7th Heaven." He has also served as an Assistant Director for countless TV commercials for clients including Coco Cola, McDonald's, Nike, Microsoft and Burger King.

Pinckney has also directed short films, commercials, music videos and PSA's for clients like Goodwill Industries, The NY GIANTS, Select Media, Youth Communications, Def Jam and 4mm Games. In 2008 he won an award for Excellence in Media from The Black Men's Film Conference for his HIV film "The Candy Store" and has toured the film festival circuit with a number of projects from his short film collection.

Michael A. Pinckney is managed by Sean Mik'ael Butler of Serendipity Entertainment.

To view a special video profile about the director visit Link: http://youtu.be/XxfXA2uDYCA



# # #

The JDot. Agency is a full service public relations firm dedicated to the entertainment & fashion industries. We guarantee success for our clients. Our slogan is "EVOLUTION PHENOMENON." We help the client EVOLVE to the highest level attainable!