Jeff Pollack
Directing
Biography
Jeffrey Ian Pollack (November 15, 1959 – December 23, 2013) was an American film director, screenwriter, television producer, and writer. He was known as the co-creator, writer, and producer of the '90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Following graduation from University of Southern California Film School in the early 1980s, Jeff Pollack traveled through Asia both as a tourist and documentarian. After three years on the road—and in the rice fields and jungle—Pollack returned to the U.S., dabbling in real estate development before devoting himself to an entertainment career. Pollack co-created the NBC TV series The Fresh Prince of Bel Air with friend and business partner Benny Medina, who was the inspiration for the show's title character played by then-rapper Will Smith. He wrote, produced and directed for the show until its end. Pollack and Medina also launched and ran a management/production company together, Medina/Pollack Entertainment (later becoming Handprint), with clients that included Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey and Tyra Banks. Pollack produced two Billboard Music Awards ceremonies in 1992 and 1993, produced the TV documentary Jennifer Lopez in Concert, and worked with Banks on her talk show. In 1994, under the banner of Medina/Pollack Entertainment, Pollack wrote, produced, and directed the urban feature film Above the Rim starring Tupac Shakur, Leon, Duane Martin, and Marlon Wayans. In 1995, Pollack and Medina renamed their company Handprint Entertainment, which has grown into one of Hollywood's most successful[citation needed] full-service management and production companies. Since that time Pollack took a production role on the Fox sitcom Getting Personal and remained behind the camera as director of the 1997 film Booty Call, starring Jamie Foxx, Tommy Davidson, Vivica A. Fox and Tamala Jones. His spec screenplay Gifted was one of Spec Scout's top 2013 submitted scripts, scoring above 90% of the scripts circulating by A-list agents and managers.
Known For
Will, a street-smart teenager, moves from the tough streets of West Philly to posh Bel-Air to live with his Uncle Philip, Aunt Vivian, his cousins — spoiled Hilary, preppy Carlton and young Ashley — and their sophisticated British butler, Geoffrey. Though Will’s antics and upbringing contrast greatly with the upper-class lifestyle of his extended relatives, he soon finds himself right at home as a loved part of the family.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The journey of a book smart teen whose life is forever transformed when he moves from the streets of west Philadelphia to live with his relatives in one of LA’s wealthiest suburbs.
Bel-Air
Story of a promising high school basketball star and his relationships with two brothers, one a drug dealer and the other a former basketball star fallen on hard times and now employed as a security guard.
Above the Rim
Darrin Hill, a slick-talking but down-on- his-luck NYC advertising exec, returns to his hometown in Georgia to claim the inheritance his aunt left him. But before Darrin can collect the money, he must fulfill his aunt's final wish -- to create a local choir.
The Fighting Temptations
Featuring all-new, original interviews with Jackson Browne, Don Henley, Michelle Phillips, Graham Nash, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Roger McGuinn and more, this uniquely immersive and experiential two-part docuseries takes us back in time to a place where a rustic canyon in the heart of Los Angeles became a musical petri dish.
Laurel Canyon
Pam: Girl on the Loose! is an American documentary series that debuted on E! on August 3, 2008. The program documented the daily life of Canadian-born American actress, producer, model, activist, Playboy Playmate and sex symbol Pamela Anderson, her family, and her friends, as she offers a real raw glimpse into her private life that the public and the tabloids don't get a look at.
E!'s Pam: Girl on the Loose!
In order to impress his beautiful French neighbor, Dylan Ramsey dognaps her pet pooch so he can return him and become a hero.
Lost & Found
Rushon is sexually pent-up and ready to take thing things to the next level with his girlfriend, Nikki. But when he calls for a date, she asks to make it a double — bringing along her brash friend, Lysterine, whom Rushon sets up with his lewd buddy, Bunz. Things go better than expected. As the evening transitions from the restaurant to the bedroom, the two men go on a madcap search for what will surely make the night complete: condoms.
Booty Call
This two-part docuseries celebrates the musical and artistic renaissance that exploded in the Bay Area from the mid-sixties into the mid-seventies. Featuring the music of Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead, Steve Miller, and many more.