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‘Black Love’ Producer Tommy Oliver on Navigating the Post-Peak TV Marketplace, Paying a ‘Black Tax’ and Banking on BIPOC Stories


Producer Tommy Oliver explains why Hollywood puts a 'Black tax' on projects from creators of color on the Variety podcast 'Strictly Business.'

TV and film buying activity has dropped significantly as the industry resets the bar for content volume and profitability while studios slash, burn and reorganize themselves for a different era. Tommy Oliver, the producer-director who is founder and CEO of the Confluential Company, is working through the downturn with cautious optimism that a saner business landscape will open up more opportunities for independent players. With great detail — down to the dollar figure that he was offered for the critically praised Sundance film “Fancy Dance” last year — Oliver explains how Confluential has prospered by understanding the value of BIPOC stories that others missed.

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