Inside the Bootcamp That Transforms NFL Stars Into Film Industry Pros

"The teams of players were assigned scenes from movies like "Trading Places," "Get Out," "Sinners," "Casino," and Taylor's own "Black and Blue." Someone would be tasked with directing the scene, others with acting, one would be the DP shooting on legit A7M4 and FX2 Sony cameras, and one would even be the producer responsible for calling the "bank" and figuring out how to secure funding for the project, optioning a script, and securing props and locations all with Monopoly money."

"The annual event, now in its fourth year in this iteration, is put on by filmmaker Deon Taylor and his indie production banner Hidden Empire, and in addition to lectures, panel discussions with industry professionals, tech demos, and tours of studio lots across four days, Taylor also puts the athletes through the paces of making their own movie... or their version of one."

Twenty-six former and current NFL players participated in the NFL & NFLPA Film and Entertainment Career Tour from March 3-6, an annual event designed to prepare athletes for entertainment industry careers after retirement. Organized by filmmaker Deon Taylor and his production company Hidden Empire, the four-day bootcamp combines lectures, panel discussions with industry professionals, studio lot tours, and technology demonstrations. Participants are divided into teams and tasked with recreating scenes from films including "Trading Places," "Get Out," "Sinners," "Casino," and "Black and Blue." Team members assume various roles including director, actor, cinematographer using professional Sony cameras, and producer managing fictional budgets with Monopoly money. Completed shorts are screened at a ceremony called the "Tyrones," and participants treat the experience as a serious career pathway rather than entertainment.

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