George Tillman Jr

George Tillman is an American producer, writer, and director. He was born on January 26th, 1969 in Wisconsin, United States. His father worked at the American locomotive plant, and his mom worked as a secretary, for a livelihood. During his childhood, he would click pictures with his father’s camera. At the tender age of 8, he wrote his first script All My Children, and also his first serial. It was the beginning of his writing career. In 1975, after watching Cooley High, Tilman was inspired to write his film.

After watching Claudine, and Five on the Black Hand Side, he became emancipated, and decided to become a director. He was determined to get involved with the misuse of Blacks. He joined the John Marshall School in Milwaukee. He also took Mass Communication Magnet Classes there. As a teenager, he made layman videos and created a short film, Splice of Life. After school, he graduated from Columbia College with majors in film and video. While in college, he made a short film, Paula. This movie focusses on the life of a 17- year old African mother who works in a cafe and is a source of inspiration to many people around her. In 1991, Tilman graduated from the Columbia College, and with one of his fellow mates, made a company, Menagerie Films.

He supported by working as a production assistant. While working with the director of Mo’ Money, he got a chance to be close to a director for the first time. The director of Mo’ Money wanted some African Americans to be a part of his team, and that is primarily the main reason why Tilman got hired. At the sets, Tilman worked as a set dresser. It was from here that he got to know and learn about the actual reason for being a production assistant to a director. During this period, he also worked on various commercials.

The budget for Tillman’s script Scenes for The Soul was million dollars, but Tilman and his partner, Teitel could not raise a million. They invited investors for the screening of Paula, and by the end of two years, they started shooting. In 1994, he wrote his first movie, Scenes for The Soul. But the movie could not make it to the theaters. Disappointed due to the failure of the same, he wrote the script for his second movie, Soul Food. In 1997, Soul Food launched. It was a huge success and earned 11 million dollars in the first weekend itself. It got produced under the banner of Twentieth Fox Productions.

Soul Food is the story of an African American family residing in Chicago. Tilman’s other hit movies include Men of Honor, Barbershop, and The Longest Ride Click to look into! >> Read More... . Tillman is married to actress Marcia Wright. They have been blessed with one child and are happily married together. He says that the would move back and settle in Chicago shortly.