Stampede Ventures announced today the start of principal photography for K-POPS!, which marks the directorial debut of 8x Grammy award-winning artist Anderson .Paak. Yvette Nicole Brown (Community) and Jonnie “Dumbfounded” Park (Raya and the Last Dragon) join the cast of the dramatic comedy and will begin principal photography October 30 in Los Angeles. Additional filming will take place in South Korea and AlUla, a historic and culturally significant region located in Saudi Arabia, which was scouted through Film AlUla, the film agency of The Royal Commission. Former Paramount Executive Michael Tadross has been brought on to head up the film’s physical production.
Live Nation Productions has made an equity investment into the film’s production, alongside Stampede Ventures, and will come on as a strategic partner.
“Anderson .Paak is an exceptional storyteller and creative talent, and we’re looking forward to supporting him as he steps out for his directorial debut,” said Ryan Kroft, Head of Production & Development for Live Nation Productions.
“K-POPS! is a prime example of what Stampede is all about. We develop, package, physically produce and finance the film, creating a 360 degree approach to franchising the brand beyond just the movie, including music and cross-promotional opportunities for the brand. We are thrilled to have Live Nation Productions as a strategic partner and investor in the project,” said Stampede Ventures’ President, Chris Bosco.
K-POPS! is about a washed-up musician from Los Angeles who attempts to reinvigorate his career by joining the band for a K-Pop competition show in Seoul and discovers that his long-lost son has the chance to front one of the country’s hottest new groups. He jumps at the opportunity to capitalize on his son’s stardom for his own renaissance but learns that fatherhood is much more fulfilling and meaningful.
Greg Silverman and Jon Berg will produce on behalf of Stampede Ventures, Jaeson Ma on behalf of EST Studios, and Jon “Dumbfoundead” Park on behalf of Big Dummie, along with .Paak via his company APESHIT Films. Khaila Amazan will executive produce alongside Stampede Ventures’ Gideon Yu, Chris Bosco, Grant Torre, and Michael Tadross, and EST Studios’ Eric Tu
