Carmelo Anthony has partnered with Utopai Studios.
The former NBA player and Hall of Famer is the co-founder of Creative 7 Productions, a company launched in 2018 that develops stories across film, television, and digital media. It prioritizes stories that encompass perseverance, social justice, and untold histories, per LinkedIn, as well as “remarkable individuals whose resilience and determination have changed history,” per its Instagram page.
According to Best Media Info, the production company will partner with Utopai Studios — a cinematic AI video-generation company co-founded by Cecilia Shen (CEO) — to launch athlete-driven content and develop original sports and entertainment projects for film, television, streaming services, and digital media.
“We see a clear opportunity to develop sports-driven ideas rooted in authentic storytelling into original entertainment properties at scale,” Asani Swann, Creative 7 Productions co-founder, said, according to Best Media Info.
The partnership will first launch a short-form series and content that shares the backstory of Anthony’s creative involvement, per the outlet. Anthony also serves as a strategic partner to Utopai Studios through his company.
“We’re excited to partner with Utopai Studios. What stood out to me wasn’t just how advanced the technology is, but the vision and intention behind it,” Anthony said, according to Best Media Info. “Sports has always been grounded in real human stories that can translate to powerful entertainment IP, but bringing those stories to life hasn’t always been easy. PAI changes that. It gives us a more accessible way to create and build something with long-term value.”
Shen said:
“Carmelo and Asani immediately understood that this is bigger than using AI to make content faster. We are building a new studio system for the AI era, one that gives creators, athletes, and talent a more direct path to develop original IP while preserving authorship, ownership, and creative control. With Creative 7 and PAI, we can help turn powerful athlete-driven stories into entertainment properties built for film, television, streaming, animation, and digital audiences.”
