Deon Taylor
Encyclopedia
Deon Taylor is an American film director and screenwriter for horror films.
. During high school he and his mother moved to Sacramento, California
, stating that, “Gary, Indiana is the murder capital of the world, so my entire freshman basketball team is dead." Taylor slept on the floor of a family friend’s house and finished high school in Sacramento. During high school he played basketball and earned a full-tuition basketball scholarship to college. The first student to receive a full-tuition scholarship from his school or the district, Taylor attended college at San Diego State University
and received a degree in Biology. During college he was named “Newcomer of the Year,” and went on to play professionally, earning a spot in the NBA Entertainment
League. While briefly playing basketball in Kemnitz
, Germany for the Kemkatz, Taylor wrote his first script for Dead Tone (originally titled 7eventy 5ive). However, it would not be until years later Taylor would act on the project, first having a minor encounter with the music industry. Taylor set up his own independent record label in Northern California, but later changed his mind about the industry, saying, “I was selling someone else, and that was the artist." Taylor made up his mind to go into film after this and bring Dead Tone to completion. Currently, Deon Taylor is head of Deon Taylor Enterprises, CEO of Ether Marketing, and partnership owner of the American Basketball Association
. "
and Blade II
. Taylor founded Deon Taylor Enterprises in Sacramento, California and wrote and directed his first movie, Dead Tone. Taylor went on to shoot a horror series for BET
, Nite Tales: The Series, a low budget series starring Flavor Flav
that drew one million viewers on its first airing, but later lacked support from television because it was independently done. Taylor’s slasher/thriller Chain Letter
will be given a national release to select theatres in October 2010. Taylor currently resides in Sacramento, California, filming in both Sacramento and L.A. three days a week.
in Chicago, Illinois on Friday nights at midnight in 2009. Nite Tales: The Movie was released on DVD in 2008 with a DVD release of the series pending in the future. Taylor has paired with Jamie Foxx
to co-direct a future national television release titled Tommy's Little Girl.
Early life
Deon Taylor was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Gary, IndianaGary, Indiana
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The city is in the southeastern portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The population is 80,294 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh-largest city in the state. It borders Lake Michigan and is known...
. During high school he and his mother moved to Sacramento, California
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
, stating that, “Gary, Indiana is the murder capital of the world, so my entire freshman basketball team is dead." Taylor slept on the floor of a family friend’s house and finished high school in Sacramento. During high school he played basketball and earned a full-tuition basketball scholarship to college. The first student to receive a full-tuition scholarship from his school or the district, Taylor attended college at San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
and received a degree in Biology. During college he was named “Newcomer of the Year,” and went on to play professionally, earning a spot in the NBA Entertainment
NBA Entertainment
NBA Entertainment is the production arm of the National Basketball Association and produces numerous NBA-related films including team championship videos and blooper and entertainment reels. It was previously associated with CBS/Fox Video, but now distributes its films through Warner Bros....
League. While briefly playing basketball in Kemnitz
Kemnitz
Kemnitz is a municipality in the Vorpommern-Greifswald district, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany....
, Germany for the Kemkatz, Taylor wrote his first script for Dead Tone (originally titled 7eventy 5ive). However, it would not be until years later Taylor would act on the project, first having a minor encounter with the music industry. Taylor set up his own independent record label in Northern California, but later changed his mind about the industry, saying, “I was selling someone else, and that was the artist." Taylor made up his mind to go into film after this and bring Dead Tone to completion. Currently, Deon Taylor is head of Deon Taylor Enterprises, CEO of Ether Marketing, and partnership owner of the American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
. "
Film
Taylor says he loved horror movies since he was a kid and made up his mind to go into film-making after college and departure from the music industry. After his screenplay was rejected in L.A., Taylor partnered with an independent film company who later encouraged him to create his own business. He also received some mentoring from Jon Divens, co-producer of BladeBlade (film)
Blade is a 1998 vampire superhero action horror starring Wesley Snipes and Stephen Dorff, loosely based on the Marvel Comics character Blade. The film was directed by Stephen Norrington and written by David S. Goyer. Blade grossed $70 million at the U.S. box office, and $131.2 million worldwide...
and Blade II
Blade II
Blade II is a 2002 superhero vampire film based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Blade. It is the sequel of the Blade film series. It was written by David S. Goyer, who also wrote the previous film...
. Taylor founded Deon Taylor Enterprises in Sacramento, California and wrote and directed his first movie, Dead Tone. Taylor went on to shoot a horror series for BET
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
, Nite Tales: The Series, a low budget series starring Flavor Flav
Flavor Flav
William Jonathan Drayton, Jr. , better known by his stage name Flavor Flav, is an American rapper and television personality who rose to prominence as a member of the rap group Public Enemy...
that drew one million viewers on its first airing, but later lacked support from television because it was independently done. Taylor’s slasher/thriller Chain Letter
Chain Letter (2010 film)
Chain Letter is a 2010 horror film directed by Deon Taylor. It was written by Diana Erwin, Michael J. Pagin, and Deon Taylor. The film is about six friends who are stalked by a murderer that uses chains to kill them if they do not pass on the chain letter....
will be given a national release to select theatres in October 2010. Taylor currently resides in Sacramento, California, filming in both Sacramento and L.A. three days a week.
Television
Nite Tales: The Series was created after Nite Tales: The Movie due to the success of its airing. Episodes were shot in one day on a 35 millimeter camera and budgeted around $20,000 – $50,000. The series was later aired on WGNWGN-TV
WGN-TV, virtual channel 9 , is the CW-affiliated television station in Chicago, Illinois built, signed on, and owned by the Tribune Company. WGN-TV's studios and offices are located at 2501 W...
in Chicago, Illinois on Friday nights at midnight in 2009. Nite Tales: The Movie was released on DVD in 2008 with a DVD release of the series pending in the future. Taylor has paired with Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx
Eric Marlon Bishop , professionally known as Jamie Foxx, is an American actor, singer-songwriter, stand-up comedian, and talk radio host. As an actor, his work in the film Ray earned him the Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Actor as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a...
to co-direct a future national television release titled Tommy's Little Girl.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Cast |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Dead Tone (originally 7eventy 5ive 7eventy 5ive Dead Tone, originally released as 7eventy 5ive, is a 2007 horror film directed and written by Brian Hooks and Deon Taylor. It stars Brian Hooks, Antwon Tanner, Cherie Johnson, Rutger Hauer, German Legarreta, Gwendoline Yeo and Aimee Garcia.-Plot:... ) |
|
| 2008 |
Al Shearer Al Shearer is an American actor. He portrayed Nevil Shed in the 2006 Disney blockbuster Glory Road , produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. Shearer might be best known for his role on the MTV series Punk'd, or as "Hits" - host of the once-popular BET series Hits from the Street.Shearer was born in... as Freddy Manning David Alan Grier David Alan Grier , also known as "D.A.G." , is an American actor and comedian known for his work on the sketch comedy television show In Living Color.-Early life:... as Rev. Isaac Montgomery Paid Tamala Jones Tamala R. Jones is an American actress. She is best known for her roles in the movies Booty Call, The Wood, Kingdom Come, The Brothers, and Two Can Play That Game... as Nikki Kym Whitley Kym Elizabeth Whitley is an American actress and comedienne.-Early life:Whitley was born in Shaker Heights, Ohio. She attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.-Career:... as Miss Tanya Bai Ling Bai Ling is a Chinese actress known for her work in films such as The Crow, Red Corner and Wild Wild West, and in TV series such as Entourage and Lost. In 2011 she appeared in the fifth season of the VH1 reality television series Celebrity Rehab with Dr... as Han John Witherspoon John Witherspoon was a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Jersey. As president of the College of New Jersey , he trained many leaders of the early nation and was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration... as Mr. Wikes Brigitte Nielsen Brigitte Nielsen is a Danish model, actress, musician and reality television personality who began her career modelling for Greg Gorman and Helmut Newton and several years later made appearances in the 1985 films Red Sonja and Rocky IV and is also known for her marriage to Sylvester Stallone... as Rich woman Michael J. Pagan Michael Jamon Pagan is an American actor and screenwriter.-Biography:Pagan attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach and West Los Angeles College in Los Angeles. He has received training at the Tasha Smith Acting Studio and the Ivanna Chubbuck Studio... as Dee aka Dwayne David Faustino David Anthony Faustino is an American actor and rap artist primarily known for his role as Bud Bundy on the sitcom Married with Children.-Early life:... as Derrick Luenell Luenell Campbell , known professionally as Luenell, is an American comedienne and actress.She was born in Tollette, Arkansas and uses only her first name. She is the youngest of eight children... as Metermaid Ellia English Ellia English is an American singer, stage and film actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Aunt Helen on The Jamie Foxx Show. English was featured in a central role in the show, and was paired onscreen with Garrett Morris, who plays her husband Junior King.-Background:English was born... as Mama |
|
| 2008 | Nite Tales: The Movie |
Flavor Flav William Jonathan Drayton, Jr. , better known by his stage name Flavor Flav, is an American rapper and television personality who rose to prominence as a member of the rap group Public Enemy... as Himself – Host Dante Basco Danté Basco is an American actor, voice actor, poet, and dancer. He is best known for playing Rufio in the 1991 live-action Peter Pan film Hook... as Gerard Andrea Bogart Andrea Bogart is an American actress. She is best known for starring in Dark Ride.-Career:Bogart has appeared in episodes of Grounded for Life, CSI: NY, and Ghost Whisperer.... as Cindy Sandra McCoy Sandra Christina McCoy is an American actress and dancer who is best known for her role in the 2005 thriller Cry Wolf.-Early life:... as Serena Tony Todd Anthony T. "Tony" Todd is an American actor and movie producer, known for his height of 6'5", and deep voice. He is well known for playing the Candyman in the horror movie franchise of the same name, William Bludworth in Final Destination and for guest starring roles on numerous television... as Clown Jordan Woolley Jordan Woolley is an American actor. attended the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. Prior to acting, Jordan spent two years as a business major at Castleton State College in Vermont.-Life:... as Tom |
| 2009 | Nite Tales: The Series |
Flavor Flav William Jonathan Drayton, Jr. , better known by his stage name Flavor Flav, is an American rapper and television personality who rose to prominence as a member of the rap group Public Enemy... as Himself – Host Brigitte Nielsen Brigitte Nielsen is a Danish model, actress, musician and reality television personality who began her career modelling for Greg Gorman and Helmut Newton and several years later made appearances in the 1985 films Red Sonja and Rocky IV and is also known for her marriage to Sylvester Stallone... as Mona (episode Black Widow) |
| 2010 | Chain Letter Chain Letter (2010 film) Chain Letter is a 2010 horror film directed by Deon Taylor. It was written by Diana Erwin, Michael J. Pagin, and Deon Taylor. The film is about six friends who are stalked by a murderer that uses chains to kill them if they do not pass on the chain letter.... |
Nikki Reed Nicole Houston "Nikki" Reed is an American film and television actress, and screenwriter. She became known in 2003, after the release of the film Thirteen, for which she co-wrote the screenplay. Reed has since appeared in several films, including Lords of Dogtown and Mini's First Time... as Jessie Cambell Keith David Keith David Williams , better known as Keith David, is an American film, television, voice actor, and singer. He is perhaps most known for his live-action roles in such films as Crash, There's Something About Mary, Barbershop and Men at Work... as Detective Jim Crenshaw Brad Dourif Bradford Claude "Brad" Dourif is an American film and television actor who gained early fame for his portrayal of Billy Bibbit in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and has since appeared in a number of memorable roles, including the voice of Chucky in the Child's Play franchise, Younger Brother in... as Mr Smirker Noah Segan -Acting career:He has appeared in Brick, Adam & Steve, What We Do Is Secret , The Picture of Dorian Gray, Cabin Fever 2, All About Evil, an award-winning performance in Deadgirl, Chain Letter and others... as Dante Bai Ling Bai Ling is a Chinese actress known for her work in films such as The Crow, Red Corner and Wild Wild West, and in TV series such as Entourage and Lost. In 2011 she appeared in the fifth season of the VH1 reality television series Celebrity Rehab with Dr... as Jai Pham Betsy Russell Betsy Russell is an American actress who is best known for her role in Private School, and as Jill Tuck, the ex-wife of the Jigsaw Killer in the Saw film series.-Early life:... as Sergeant Hamill Matt Cohen (actor) Matthew Joseph "Matt" Cohen is an American film and television actor best known for playing Aiden Dennison on the teen drama South of Nowhere.-Life and career:... as Johnny Jones Michael Bailey Smith Michael Bailey Smith is an American movie and television actor. He is best known for his appearances on the hit television series Charmed, where he played Belthazor, The Source of All Evil, a Grimlock leader and Shax.-Early life:... as Chain Killer |
External links
- Deon Taylor Enterprises – Official website
- Deon Taylor at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...