Michael Hubbard

Michael began his Entertainment career at the William Morris Agency in 1987, where after receiving both a BA at UCLA and a Masters degree in Psychology, he was accepted to their prestigious Agent Training Program. Michael’s passion for entertainment kept him focused on advancing up the ranks at William Morris as one of the rare African Americans there, where he worked with power agents and talent such as Julia Roberts and Patrick Dempsey.

During this period of time Michael and his brother David continued their work with educating and inspiring young disadvantaged youth by developing and implementing a LAUSD targeted project called the ACE program (Acheivement & Commitment to Excellence). This program was designed to be a dynamic catalyst for young people to not only develop greater levels of personal esteem and confidence, but to also excel at a higher level in school. The initial program pilot was so successful that school systems and youth groups both city and nation wide, and tens of thousands of youth have participated in ACE, which is now a key program in The Educare Foundation, where Michael and his brothers now sit on the Board.

After 4 years at William Morris working in both the talent and literary areas, Michael left to head the entertainment management division of Artists & Athletes International, where he signed and represented such artist as Martin Lawrence, writer/director Akosua Busia, and writer/director David Raynr. Michael spent a majority of his time working with the rising star MARTIN LAWRENCE’s, both managing his personal appearances and overseeing all of his successful tours. In 1991 Michael co-produced Martin’s first concert film “YOU SO CRAY”, which opened the door for him to begin to develop and produce film projects not only with Martin, but for many of his other clients as well.

Michael continued his work in community service and giving back to others less fortunate by becoming a key member of The Heartfelt Foundation, a 501-C3 non-profit organization who’s mission is to assist those in the greatest need in our community. These programs serve the homeless, elderly, and abused youth. Here Michael learned that service is one of the keys to a fulfilling life.

In 1992, Michael Hubbard along with new wife and partner Beth founded GOTHAM ENTERTAINMENT, an independent film and television production company. Since then Michael and Beth have produced such feature films as the Martin Lawrence concert feature film “YOU SO CRAZY” (The Samuel Goldwyn Company), “TRUE CLASS” starring Jasmine Guy and Hill Harper (Short film), “WOO” starring Jada Pinkett Smith and Tommy Davidson (New Line Cinema), and “RITUAL” starring Clarence Williams III(Urban Entertainment), “MY LITTLE HAVANA” (short film),“MARTIN LAWRENCE LIVE: RUNTELDAT” (for MTV Films/Paramount), and the soon to be released “SPIRITUAL WARRIORS” starring Jsu Garcia. In 2007 Michael also co-created the reality television pilot entitled “ALMOST FAMOUS PEOPLE” featuring Alisha Keys and Eddie Murphy for TV One.

Michael and his partners most recently created a new production company called Bright Idea Entertainment, which is dedicated to a more evolved and innovative form of Industry model they have termed Conscious Filmmaking. Conscious filmmaking is the concept that when a film is made, not only is it the film’s goal to become a profitable and successful venture, but also that the film and its filmmakers give back to the community in which the film takes place. Conscious filmmaking requires that a film actually contribute to the world -- and leave the community in which it takes place, better than it was before the film was made. Conscious filmmaking is ‘green’ and allows the film industry to recycle and give of the enormous overflow that is the result of just one film’s small but powerful lifespan. ‘Christmas in Compton’ will be Bright Idea’s first conscious film.

Currently Michael continue to focus on doing impactful service work in the community, and now also sits on the board of The Semans Art Fund, which gives scholarships and grants exclusively to the students and Deans of the schools at The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, in Winston-Salem North Carolina.

Michael and the Bright Idea team have recently completed work on the short film “NAPOLEONIC”, which was shot in New Orleans and directed by partner David Raynr. Michael is also in pre-production on his new film “CHRISTMAS IN COMPTON”, starring Kevin Hart, Loretta Devine, David Allan Grier, and Anthony Anderson, and is also developing several new films and television shows under the Bright Idea banner, including the film “ACAPULCO GOLD” (Universal/Shady Acres) with Martin Lawrence attached to star.