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CoCo Studios Partners with D Street Media Group and Expands into Television, Film and Theatrical Distribution.

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Atlanta, Georgia, April 11th, 2018: Serial entrepreneur, CorShonda “CoCo” Springer has inked an equity partnership deal with the international production and distribution company D Street Media Group, based in New York City, and with offices in Berlin, Cape Town and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Ms. Springer is acquiring a 20% stake in the company and will be involved in all D Street’s activities as an executive producer, producer and company executive. D Street is setting up it’s new television division in Atlanta this fall, where Springer will be instrumental in developing content for the U.S. and international market.

“I have long wanted to become a player in the film and television business, not only as a creative, but also on the business side of the industry. This partnership allows me to spread my wings in a meaningful way and having ownership in businesses that I’m involved with is key to my personal and professional growth,” said Springer. She went on to say. “D Street has done a tremendous job of positioning itself as a global player, with offices around the world, a movie studio in the works in South Africa, and content development for the international market.  I feel we can move the needle and change the narrative with our projects that not only have African Americans at the helm, but very importantly with casting black folk in leading roles with other international stars.”

One of the five projects D Street is producing this year that exemplifies the model is ‘The Blue Mauritius,’ the $20M dollar heist film starring Anthony Mackie and a host of other actors from all over the world.  The film is slated to start production in late August in Cape Town, South Africa and will also be shot on location in Berlin, London, Paris and Acapulco Mexico. CoCo is executive producing alongside Hollywood super producer Michael Benaroya who’s responsible for such hits as ‘Lawless’ with Tom Hardy, Jessica Chastain and Shia LaBeouf.  ‘The Words’ starring Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana  and ‘Queen of the Desert’ with Nicole Kidman, James Franco and Robert Pattinson to name but a few of his films. CoCo will executive produce the Atlanta based film ‘Team Joy,’ to be directed by Emmy Award winning director Joe Tripician and produced by Joe Newcomb of Truth Entertainment, the company behind the Oscar winning film ‘Dallas Buyers Club.’ She will also serve as an executive producer for the 1960’s period piece, ‘A Dangerous Road,’ directed by the incomparable Neema Barnette, who was Ava Duvernay’s “Secret weapon” on OWN’s smash hit ‘Queen Sugar.’

 

“With CoCo Springer, I could not have asked for a better business partner to help take D Street to the next level. She is a smart, creative, strategic and talented business person, period. She started CoCo Studios in 2013 in Atlanta and has seen it grow into an important venue for events, high-end music video production, reality television and a successful props business,” said Dexter Davis, CEO of D Street Media Group. “I know a little bit about hard work and perseverance and CoCo delivers on both fronts. I’ve position D Street as a global player and after 15 years of working internationally, I thought it was time for us to make a play for the domestic market here in the U.S.  I couldn’t be more pleased with our deal and look forward to expanding our presence to include the amazing city of Atlanta.”

The two met through Askia Innis of Luxe Concierge Connection in Atlanta, who thought they really should know each other. While running her studio and executive producing award shows for TLC, plus working with the Neighborhood Awards, Essence Festival and the Democratic National Convention, Springer also found time to develop a television pilot called ‘Greenwood Avenue,’ the story of “Black Wall Street,” an historic account of what happened in early 20th Century America when African Americans where successfully building businesses in Tulsa Oklahoma, before the race riot in 1921. The project caught the attention of Davis, who was impressed by CoCo’s relationship with William Morris Endeavor, who is packaging the series and Malcolm D. Lee, Director of the famed  ‘Girls Trip’, with whom she’s taking meetings with to set up the project in Hollywood.

CoCo Springer and Dexter Davis share a vision for a truly integrated black owned international media company that also includes music publishing, a sales agency and theatrical distribution. D Street’s distribution arm started in 2007 with the help of Volkswagen who in 2006 signed a “logo placement” deal to support P&A or the marketing cost for D Street’s specialized films in North America.  They plan to bring in other non-entertainment companies to support marketing campaigns geared towards building a wider domestic audience, while reducing the financial risk in a highly competitive industry.

“African Americans should definitely be looking globally to produce and distribute television and film content. Our stories travel, and we shouldn’t have to wait for others to give us permission to tell them or release them in the marketplace. D Street is serious about the business behind the entertainment industry and I’m ready to work hard to help it grow into a major force like a Lionsgate. Who knows, I might be buying into them one day,” said Ms. Springer.

We Speak Actors

Marvel Actor Sebastián Capitán Viveros (‘Capi’) Stars as Series Regular in ‘Fightland’

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Sebastián Capitán Viveros, better known as ‘Capi,’ has quietly built an impressive international career, appearing in major productions including Marvel Studios’ ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ and ‘Eternals,’ alongside acclaimed series such as ‘Halo,’ ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth,’ and the thriller ‘9 Bodies in a Mexican Morgue.’ He now stars as series regular Lazaro in the action crime drama ‘Fightland,’ now streaming in the U.S. on STARZ, with a UK release on Sky Atlantic and NOW planned soonExecutive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, the series marks another major milestone for one of the industry’s most exciting rising international talents.

Having grown up between Mexico, the United States and Switzerland before establishing himself in the UK after graduating from the prestigious Drama Centre London, Capi brings authenticity, emotional depth and remarkable versatility to every performance. In this exclusive interview, he reflects on his multicultural upbringing, working on blockbuster productions, landing the role he believes he was born to play, and why ‘Fightland’ represents the most exciting chapter of his career so far.

For readers discovering your work for the first time, could you tell us a little about your acting journey? Having grown up between Mexico, the USA and Switzerland before building your career in the UK, how has your multicultural background shaped you both personally and professionally?

The universe chose me to be an actor; there is nothing else that would sit right in my soul than living through the expression of my art. Growing up across different countries and learning several languages allowed me to see both the world and myself from different perspectives. Being away from my home country since I was five years old, theatre became my refuge. It gave me the freedom to discover who I truly was alongside my twin sister and soulmate, Ilse. We both found a sense of security on stage. My first acting coach, Judith Hall, taught me what it truly means to be a professional actor and helped me earn my place at Drama Centre London. That experience shaped me into the man I always dreamed—and knew—I was meant to become.

Courtesy of STARZ

Throughout your career you’ve appeared in productions including ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home,’ ‘Eternals,’ ‘Halo,’ ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth,’ ‘9 Bodies in a Mexican Morgue’ and now ‘Fightland.’ Looking back, which projects are you most proud of to date, and why?

“I went from serving Malaysian food in Camden Town to standing on a boat with Tom Holland and Zendaya in Venice while filming a Marvel production.”

That was my very first screen role in ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home,’ and it completely changed my life. It connected me to my higher self and made me feel aligned with my destiny. ‘9 Bodies in a Mexican Morgue’ was another unforgettable milestone because it was my first leading role. Filming alongside one of my closest friends from Drama Centre while portraying a Mexican lieutenant inspired by my grandfather—who was an admiral in the Mexican Navy—was incredibly meaningful. But ‘Fightland’ is on another level. The filmmaking, the people, the experience… It was one of the most profound, joyful, and unforgettable experiences of my career.

In ‘Fightland,’ you play Lazaro, a series regular. What attracted you to the role, what can audiences expect from your character without giving too much away, and what was it like working alongside such a talented cast?

The moment I read the audition scenes, I knew I was born to play Lazaro. An actor’s responsibility is to tell the truth, and Lazaro is my truth—apart from the criminal side! He’s a Mexican raised in the United States, and I connected deeply with him. Audiences can expect violence, strength, emotional depth and plenty of authentic Mexican swagger. Working with such an exceptional cast was a gift. Great actors elevate one another, and every scene became an opportunity to feed off each other’s performances. The showrunners, Damione and Raphael, as well as directors Otto and Seb, created an environment where I learned and grew in ways I can’t fully describe.

Courtesy of STARZ

Your role includes action and physically demanding scenes. How did you prepare for them, and what was the most rewarding or challenging part of bringing Lázaro to life?

The most challenging—and enjoyable—part was training with legendary stunt coordinator Will Mackay. We spent countless hours practising fight choreography, gun handling and knife work. 

“Audiences should prepare for intense action that will genuinely keep them on the edge of their seats.”

For me, preparation comes down to repetition. You rehearse until everything becomes instinct. Then, once you’re on set, you let go of all that preparation and simply live truthfully in the moment.


Looking ahead, what excites you most about this next chapter of your career, and what do you hope audiences take away from your performance in ‘Fightland’?

What excites me most is seeing a future where I can continue doing what I love—telling stories through art. I hope ‘Fightland’ introduces audiences to my commitment as an actor and demonstrates my versatility. While I’m proud of my Latino heritage, I don’t want to be defined solely by it. I’m an artist, a human being, ready to play any role—to be vulnerable or strong, funny or serious—and I’m hungry for every life I get the chance to live through acting.

Featured photo credit: Courtesy of STARZ

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