Luv-A-Bull Productions Presents
BALANCE OF POWER
ABDUL MALIK ABBOTT
DIRECTOR / EDITOR / MUSIC PRODUCER
An Artist from birth and raised in Harlem, NY, Abdul Malik Abbott a former member of the Boys Choir of Harlem, attended the acclaimed High School of Music & Art as a painter and illustrator and grew up in the world of hip-hop. Wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps as a photographer and filmmaker, Abdul received his (film) Bachelor’s degree at the School of Visual Arts. He got his start in the biz working in the sound department on Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing” & “Mo’ Better Blues”, as well as “Def by Temptation”, “New Jack City” and 100’s of commercials, movie & TV projects.
Abdul earned his creative reputation first as a Music Video editor, then made his way up the ranks at the helm of music videos, directing many of Jay-Z’s first videos, including, “Ain’t No…” and “Dead Presidents”, both going to #1 on MTV and BET. Abdul directed, co-wrote & edited the Platinum-selling, music video-mini-movie starring Jay-Z entitled “Streets is Watching”. It earned a #1 slot in Billboard. Specializing in narrative/story-telling structures within a lot of his music videos, Abdul directed several #1 and top 10 music videos for National and International music artists. Abdul also directed and edited a live concert video for Kenny Lattimore “Live from the Warner Theater”, which aired on ABC and BET.
Abdul’s feature film debut was the hip-hop infused gangster drama entitled “State Property” (Lionsgate), starring Beanie Sigel & Jay-Z. Soon after a brief theatrical release, the modestly budgeted movie was released on home video & DVD and charted as Billboard’s 10th top selling video in the U.S and has grossed close to $11 million to date.
While Abdul continued on his journey as a narrative and music video director, he has added to his directing credits, “Artist Found in Port Washington Flat," a multimedia production for Oscar™ Nominated actor/writer Burt Young and directed the first four episodes for a web series entitled “Who Da Man?” in 2010 and co-wrote and produced an independent feature film in entitled, “My Normal”, (Wolfe Releasing).
Following his other passion, Abdul also composes & produces songs for his music group B.O.S.S. and other artists under the stage name “DJ ABBY AB”. B.O.S.S released their first EP “Tricky Kinda Love” and their tune ”Me & You” was featured on the soundtrack for the movie “The Loft” (2015, Universal Pictures) Abdul received a 2015 Telly Award for the music video he directed for the spoken word collaboration with poet Yazmin Monét Watkins entitled “Grateful”.
Currently Mr. Abbott is touring the film festival circuit with the award-winning short film he wrote and directed entitled, “Curse of War”, and the spin off music video from the film, which features the actors from the movie in a tune by his band B.O.S.S entitled “Let it all go." He is also in post on a feature documentary chronicling the rise and fall of the hip-hop mega-group Digital Underground as well as developing several feature films and TV shows. Abdul also works as a videographer for such networks as BET, TV One, E! and Centric, shooting entertainment news programs and docs.
Mr. Abbott is a current member of the DGA, WGA, SESAC and NARAS.
WRITER / EXECUTIVE PRODUCER / PRODUCER / ART DIRECTOR
Sybil Curry is a four-time Daytime Emmy® Award-nominated Producer and Telly Award winning Writer and Executive Producer with achievement in television, film and the music industry.
Sybil’s father, Andrew B. Ferguson, Jr. won an Emmy Award for the children’s program, “The Electric Company.” Following in her father’s footsteps, she has produced award winning shows such as; "The Dr. Phil Show," "The Tyra Banks Show," as well as nationally-syndicated court shows; "Divorce Court," "Judge Joe Brown" and "America’s Court with Judge Ross" among others.
Sybil has developed a niche casting style for finding that needle in a haystack. She has successfully cast the sensitive true crime docu-series for "Cold Justice: Sex Crimes" and "Cold Justice,” and the lifestyle show “House Hunters.” She has also cast and worked on reality competition shows such as: “American Idol" and "Kitchen Nightmares," "America’s Next Top Model," "Top Chef" and "The Apprentice,” along with live award shows for BET.
With her varied experience; Sybil has also worked in the radio and music industry as a Special Projects Coordinator. Among her many achievements within the industry, Sybil was presented with a platinum record for her contribution to the Ruthless Records album, "E. 1999 Eternal" by Grammy Award-winning recording artists Bone, Thugs-n- Harmony.
Sybil began her career in corporate entertainment as a Facilities Manager with Telepictures Productions. She was the liaison for Warner Bros. facilitating space for all of the studio’s on-going television programs and pilots. While at Telepictures, Sybil received the Warner Bros. Achievement & Quality Performance Award.
Sybil is also a writer and film producer having wrote, produced and cast the short docu-drama, "I Am History." The film was the official selection of The Los Angeles and San Diego International Children’s Film Festival and was highlighted during the Comic-Con International convention.
In addition, Sybil wrote, executive produced and was the Art Director of the fashion film short, "Balance of Power,” that recently won the coveted Telly Award. She also was the Executive Producer and Art Director on the short film “The Audacity.”
Sybil is a content developer and produces sizzle reels. She also produces events through her company, Luv-A-Bull Productions.
Sybil’s favorite saying is, “Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you’ll still land among the stars!” She continues to dream big, reach higher, and create entertaining content.
Sybil is a current member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Producers Guild of America.
HUNTER GULAN
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY / COLORIST
Hunter Gulan is an envisioned filmmaker who isn’t afraid to push the limits and step outside of the box. His cinematography and editing will breathe life into whatever is seen through his lens. A graduate of Columbia College Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, Hunter has learned to hone his craft using all the latest industry standards in equipment. His raw natural talent has been enhanced to its full potential, being taught by current industry professionals on a day to day basis.
MIRIAM JACOBS
CO-PRODUCER / UPM
Miriam Jacobs was born in former British Guiana (aka Guyana), South America, Miriam came to America as a teenager with the dream of working in the entertainment industry. Her career began as Executive Secretary to Oscar winner Producer, Marty Richards, Gill Champion of POW Entertainment and Tom Fiorello of The Casting Group in New York City.
Miriam also worked as casting assistant, production secretary, production coordinator in the productions of such major motion pictures as "The Education of Sonny Carson," "Death Wish 1 & 2," "Ninja Turtles II," "Thin Line Between Love and Hate," "The Distinguished Gentlemen," "Aaron Loves Angela," "Raise the Titanic," "The Legend of The Lone Ranger," "Body and Soul," "Report To The Commissioner," "The Stepford Wives," "Three Days Of The Condor," and "The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3." Her television credits include; "Tuskegee Airmen," for HBO, "Apollo 11," "Marilyn & Bobby," "The Outsiders," "Matlock," "Return to Mayberry," "Turner & Hooch," "One More Hurdle," and Production Supervisor for (10) BET Arabesque Romance Novels and many others.
Miriam also wrote and produced, "Roots Of Destruction" a Documentary on three (female) generations of gang violence and how to stop the dysfunctional behavior in the home. Producer of a short film, "The Club" starring Tommy Ford; Associate Producer on a TV game show pilot "Grammar Bee" with The Monk TV Producer Fern Field Brooks.