Michael J. Arbouet talks with Michelle Amor who co-wrote PLAYIN’ FOR LOVE, directed by and starring Robert Townsend (FIVE HEARTBEATS, HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE) and Jenifer Lewis (BLACK-ISH), wrote OF BOYS & MEN starring Academy® Award-nominated actress Angela Bassett (BLACK PANTHER) and Robert Townsend, and co-produced and co-wrote the documentary film TUPAC SHAKUR: BEFORE I WAKE. In November 2019 she and collaborator Ali LeRoi (EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS) sold her one-hour drama THE HONORABLE to CBS, a project inspired by her childhood in Chicago.
Amor is serving her third elected term as co-chair of the WGAW Committee of Black Writers (CBW), whose mission is to create career and networking opportunities for Black writers in Hollywood. She was the lead author of the committee’s ”Dear Hollywood” letter released on June 12, 2020, which demanded sweeping changes in the business to end systemic racism in media and entertainment.
Her projects have garnered numerous accolades. PLAYIN' FOR LOVE debuted on the UP Cable Network in July 2015; on the Urban Movie channel in November 2015; was released on video and Amazon Prime in February 2016; played on Magic Johnson’s Aspire TV in November 2016; and aired on Bounce TV in January 2017. Her film OF BOYS & MEN won Best of the Fest at the 2008 Chicago International Film Festival and was the 2008 Pan-African Film Festival’s Centerpiece Selection. It was released on Warner Bros Home Video in 2011. TUPAC SHAKUR: BEFORE I WAKE sold 4 million copies worldwide.
Michelle has developed stories, written scripts for, and has had original work optioned by veteran producer Todd Garner, Academy® Award-nominated director Lee Daniels, and international film company Atlas Entertainment, R&B singer Michel’le, and Academy® Award-winning producer Al Ruddy (The Godfather & Million Dollar Baby). She is currently shopping a TV drama series with New York Times bestselling author Shaka Senghor (Writing My Wrongs). She's also developing numerous other film and TV projects. A proud native Chicagoan, she resides in Los Angeles with her family.