Charles D. King and Ryan Coogler | In Proximity | Ep.08

Charles D. King is the founder and CEO of MACRO, a multi-platform media company representing the voice and perspectives of Black people, indigenous people, and people of color. Some of their projects include Dear Mama, Mudbound, Fences, and Judas and the Black Messiah, produced with Proximity Media and Warner Brothers. Formerly a partner/senior agent at William Morris Endeavor, Charles was the first Black partner in the company’s 100+ year history and the first ever Black partner at any major talent agency. In 2021, when Judas and the Black Messiah was nominated for Best Picture, Charles became part of the first ever all-Black team of producers nominated for an Academy Award alongside director Shaka King and Proximity founder Ryan Coogler. The team worked closely with an esteemed group of Black creatives, activists, and executives including Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. and Niija Kuykendall, then SVP of Production at Warner Brothers, now VP of Film at Netflix. Charles and Ryan talk about how they first met (2:40), the role of an agent (5:34), Charles’ transition to founding MACRO (10:27), Charles’ role in the launch of Proximity (23:30), the making of Judas the Black Messiah (26:00), and their Prox Recs for working in the entertainment business (40:03).
Learn more and read the transcript of this conversation at ProximityMedia.com.
LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITY:
Apple Podcasts: apple.co/inproximity
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4OIbqX6...
Find your favorite podcast app here: link.chtbl.com/inproximity
FOLLOW PROXIMITY:
Website: proximitymedia.com
Instagram: / proximitymedia
Twitter: / proximitymedia
TikTok: / proximitymedia
Text PROX to 510-998-3176 or head to subtext.to/prox for updates on new episodes and latest projects from Proximity Media.
CREDITS:
In Proximity is a production of Proximity Media.
Producer: Paola Mardo
Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Paola Mardo
Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
Episode Editor and Production Assistant: Polina Cherezova
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ABOUT PROXIMITY MEDIA:
We're the production company that helped bring you CREED III, JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH, SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY, HOMEROOM, BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER PODCAST & SOUNDTRACK. Coming Soon: STEPHEN CURRY: UNDERRATED, IRONHEART, ANTHEM.

[@imjustbaloo]

Amazing ! S/o from France

[@thebitcoinclassic9575]

Writing down goals and ideas!! Key to success!

[@worldofdevin]

the legendary coogler

[@judycarrasco74]

Ryan Coogler is one of my favorite creatives!

[@Gswaggerthe1]

I can't believe this only has 1k views, so many Jems here

[@WilkineBrutus]

💪🏿💪🏿 powerful conversation

[@broblacksteel]

Inspiring… 👊🏾🔥🎥

[@gracethemartyr]

The legendary Charles D. King & Ryan Coogler!

[@theresafortune8243]

I am so inspired. Community IS the CURRENCY! I love hearing about you two walking ten feet tall.

[@sityourassdown6742]

This was absolutely great! I know a guy that is sitting on heat and needs to partner up with these guys.

[@seraiahjoseph7407]

Thanks for explaining mezzanine financing lol

[@theresafortune8243]

Right! Happy Ryan knew to ask him to break that down for us. lol

[@johnwebb2442]

Love this.

[@arnoldsoko]

🙌🏿🔥🔥

[@ryanmassiah]

This was excellent!!!

[@KarltonMARZTV]

This was amazing !!! Plz keep this podcast going..so many gems!

[@shadrackboakye3288]

Love this ❤