Hartbeat and Fox Entertainment Forge New Content Pipeline
Kevin Hart's production company, Hartbeat, has announced a significant partnership with Fox Entertainment, focusing on the development of vertical series into feature films and television shows. This collaboration aims to utilize short-form, mobile-first content as a testing ground for intellectual property with the potential for larger-scale productions.
Vertical Series to Fuel Film and TV Development
Under the agreement, Fox Entertainment Studios will have exclusive first-look rights to develop projects originating from vertical series released by Hartbeat's subsidiary brands: Codeblack, Essence, and Revolt. These brands collectively boast a social media following exceeding 20 million, providing built-in visibility for new content. The partnership extends the use of vertical storytelling beyond traditional genres, opening it up to multicultural, faith-based, and genre-driven narratives.
Launch Slate and Distribution Strategy
The initiative launches with a slate of 25 live-action titles, encompassing dramas, thrillers, and faith-based stories. These series are designed as the initial stage of intellectual property development, with the intention of advancing compelling narratives into film and television. The vertical series will premiere on a new Codeblack-branded channel hosted on My Drama, a vertical video platform operated by Fox's strategic partner, Holywater Tech. Following their initial runs on the platform, Fox Entertainment Global will handle worldwide distribution.
Strategic Partnership for Audience Connection
Hannah Pillemer, head of scripted at Fox Entertainment Studios, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "Hartbeat has a powerful creative voice and an exceptional instinct for stories that connect with audiences." She added that the partnership offers an opportunity to identify promising ideas in the vertical space, gauge audience reception in real time, and provide a pathway for these stories to evolve into film and television projects.
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