Issa Rae Uplifts Next Gen Through Stubios Initiative
In a powerful move, actress and writer Issa Rae is joining forces with streaming platform Tubi. Their new project, Stubios, aims to empower aspiring filmmakers from diverse backgrounds.
Stubios flips the traditional studio model. It lets fans directly engage in deciding which filmmaker projects get produced:
“Not only investing in the audience, but they’re investing in creators to make long-form work for that audience and putting it in some ways in their hands to determine whether or not the work produced is worthy enough to continue,” Rae explains.
This democratized approach echoes Rae’s own grassroots beginnings leveraging YouTube. Through Stubios, selected filmmakers gain funding, mentorship from Rae’s ColorCreative team, and audience feedback.
Overcoming Funding Barriers
Accessing financing is a major hurdle for up-and-coming creatives of color. Rae understands the struggle:
“It’s hard to be scrappy. Nobody wants to make a film {on a shoestring budget}…The importance of making sure these creators have an opportunity to make what they want to make is critical.”
By providing resources, Stubios tears down that barrier to entry. It allows storytellers to bring their authentic visions to life.
An Industry Accelerator
Beyond money, Stubios offers unparalleled guidance from ColorCreative’s talented roster:
“We’re giving these creators a fast track…being able to crew up these productions. We’re going to tap into our client base to give them mentorship and guidance,” explains ColorCreative co-founder Talitha Watkins.
With industry expertise on their side, aspiring filmmakers can accelerate their transition into long-form content creation.
Empowering Underrepresented Voices
For Rae, the partnership upholds her mission of prioritizing diverse narratives in Hollywood. Stubios creates a pipeline for fresh perspectives typically excluded:
“This feels like a really awesome way of letting us in the game with financial support, with mentorship, and community,” Watkins states.
Through Stubios, Rae continues using her influential voice to uplift the next generation of underrepresented storytellers.
