EverStar Entertainment, a development and finance company specializing in NFT and blockchain participation, has announced two new animation partnerships. The news was announced by EverStar co-founders Clayton Guiltner and Ryan McKee.
The first is a co-production with Glass House Studios, represented by Evan Anglin at Zero Gravity Management, along with Compton-based producer Cli-N-Tel (real name Marq Hawkins, part of the World Class Wreckin’ Cru) and Bronx producer Sharif Murphy (Da Code) to co-produce Bill Lee’s New Katt City — an animated feature showcasing the musical history of hip-hop.
“We’re excited to partner with Bill Lee and David Campiti (Glass House) on this exciting project,” said McKee.
Guilner added, “Hip-hop has become a global cultural force and there’s a huge opportunity to support Bill’s vision of bringing some of the most influential names in Hip-Hop to an international audience through a family friendly animated feature film.”
“Partnering with EverStar has been a great decision for us because their connections and resources in the entertainment industry are getting this project in front of the right people”, said Lee.
“We also see a huge opportunity to use this film as a launching pad for creative partnerships with various organizations and artists in the hip-hop community through NFT and metaverse development,” noted McKee. “At the end of the day, our goal is to honor the hip-hop fans all around the world and have them be excited to watch this film with their families and share their love of hip-hop.”
The second partnership is with television producer Paul Shavelson (Crossing Over with John Edwards) on Wing Ding. Created by Shavelson, the limited television series takes a comical, behind-the-scenes look at Franklin Peters, who hosts a controversial television program on the paranormal, as he grapples with early stage, embarrassing symptoms of dementia.
“I’m thrilled to work with Ryan and Clay on this limited series. They’ve been such an innovative team to catapult this project into fruition as we tackle the serious subject of a powerful man who’s struggling with keeping himself and his successful series together in a very humorous and heartfelt way,” said Shavelson.
EverStar Entertainment is looking to break through traditional Hollywood business models and leverage a global community of fans through engagement and grassroots funding sources. Currently, the company’s development slate boasts half a dozen feature films and a handful of series. Wing Ding will become one of the first projects to evolve via EverStar’s ability to harness the global community through NFT and blockchain participation.
“We’re looking to develop NFTs that allow our community opportunities to participate in our upcoming slate of films, by offering various perks and rewards such as VIP behind-the-scenes access, merchandise, community engagement and more.” Guiltner said. McKee agrees, “We want NFT holders to feel part of the process with the projects they believe in … it’s like crowdfunding on steroids.”
McKee, an award-winning film producer and serial entrepreneur, has founded a number of companies ranging from real estate development to retail stores. Prolific writer/director/producer Guiltner has worked extensively in film and theater, most recently as Producing Artistic Director for The Grex Group Theatre in New York and Los Angeles. Guiltner is a lifetime member of the Director Unit of the Actors Studio.
