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Companion Scripted Series Also in Development
LONDON, UK (18 February, 2021) - Disney+ has ordered the unscripted series, “Choir." Produced by Blumhouse Television, Maniac Production and Campfire, the series is based on the moving and motivational story behind “America’s Got Talent” finalists, the Detroit Youth Choir (DYC). The order marks the first for Blumhouse for a Disney+ original series.
Ayo Davis, EVP, Creative Development and Strategy, Disney Branded Content said: "Disney Branded Television continues to seek out creative talent that is diverse, inclusive and representative of our multi-cultural landscape, and we are proud to team with Anthony White and the young voices of the Detroit Youth Choir to present this true-to-life story that is sure to inspire audiences of all ages. We guarantee you’ll be singing along with this joyful group as they learn lessons about music and life in general."
A Choir scripted series by the same production team is also in development at Disney Branded Television for the streaming service. Award-winning writer/producer and showrunner Anthony Sparks (“Queen Sugar,” “The Blacklist”) is attached to develop and create the scripted drama series and will serve as showrunner and executive producer.
The unscripted series is inspired by DYC Artistic Director Anthony White’s story. As a teacher, mentor and father figure in the heart of Detroit, Anthony has impacted and empowered more than 1000 kids through music for over two decades. His efforts with DYC captivated America in an incredible rise to the finale during the sensational fourteenth season of “America’s Got Talent.”
“’Choir’ is the exact right kind of feel-good, hopeful programming we need at this moment, and we’re thrilled to be establishing a relationship with Disney+, for the first time, on both a scripted and unscripted version of this particular project,” said Chris McCumber, Blumhouse Television president.
“We’re excited to work on these shows with the extraordinary kids of the DYC and Disney+. On a personal note, it’s an added thrill to be able to do this with Ayo Davis, whom I’ve worked with and been friends with for many years,” said executive producer Michael Seitzman.
"The DYC kids shocked the world with their astonishing performance on ‘America’s Got Talent’,” added Campfire CEO and Executive Producer Ross Dinerstein. “Documenting what’s next for them, and for the gifted Anthony White, is an honour for all of us.”
The six-episode unscripted docuseries will be directed by Rudy Valdez and produced by Maniac Productions, Blumhouse Television and Wheelhouse-backed Campfire. The scripted series is being produced by Maniac Productions and Blumhouse Television, with Campfire CEO Ross Dinerstein (“Heaven’s Gate,” “Special,” “Jiro Dreams of Sushi”) attached as executive producer.
About Disney+
Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, as well as the new general entertainment content brand in select International markets, Star. As part of Disney’s Media and Entertainment Distribution segment, Disney+ is available on most internet-connected devices and offers commercial-free programming with a variety of original feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. Alongside unprecedented access to Disney’s incredible library of film and television entertainment, the service is also the exclusive streaming home for the latest releases from The Walt Disney Studios.
About Blumhouse:
Blumhouse is known for pioneering a new model of studio filmmaking: producing high-quality micro-budget films and provocative television series. Regarded as the driving force in the horror renaissance, Blumhouse has produced over 150 movies and television series with theatrical grosses amounting to over $4.8 billion. The company has produced iconic, genre, film franchises like Halloween, Paranormal Activity, The Purge, and prolific films like Leigh Whannell’s The Invisible Man; Glass, The Visit and Split from M. NIght Shyamalan; Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman; Get Out from Jordan Peele; among several others. Blum’s television company operates in horror programming - with streaming anthology series like Welcome to the Blumhouse for Amazon and Into the Dark for Hulu - and has also expanded beyond genre with provocative and acclaimed scripted and unscripted series and documentaries, such as The Good Lord Bird, starring Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke, for Showtime; The Loudest Voice, starring Golden Globe winner Russell Crowe for Showtime; A Wilderness of Error (FX); The Jinx for HBO; A Secret Love, from executive producer Ryan Murphy, for Netflix; and lauded HBO series Sharp Objects, starring Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson, among others.
About Campfire:
Founded in 2014 and helmed by producer and CEO Ross Dinerstein, Campfire is a premium production company known for its broad bench of content across scripted and unscripted, for both feature film and TV/streaming platforms. Part of Wheelhouse Entertainment, Campfire’s projects include Disney+’s Choir; docuseries Heaven’s Gate: The Cult of Cults for HBO Max; FX’s The Most Dangerous Animal of All; Netflix’s true-crime documentary series John Grisham’s The Innocent Man, as well as the streamer’s Emmy-nominated, scripted series Special, (currently in production on Season 2). Campfire’s feature documentaries include Hulu’s WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn; A Glitch in the Matrix with Magnolia Pictures; CNN’s The Lost Sons; and upcoming comedy doc Hysterical. Among the company’s scripted features are Rattlesnake; thriller1922, based on the Stephen King novella; and comedy The Package – all for Netflix – as well as IFC’s cult horror movie The Pact. Over the last 15 years, Dinerstein has produced or executive produced 40+ series and films, including debuts at Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca and TIFF. His credits also include the feature documentaries Jiro Dreams of Sushi and Silicon Cowboys.
Disney+ Media Relations
Paula Riera
Paula.Riera@disney.com