Top L: Muhammad Ali clowning around with Charles Allen - he went to school with the Champ - Charles was a integral team member of Video Station that George considered part of his family ; Top R: Michael Nesmith, who won the first ever Video Grammy and was on the board of directors of Video Station from the Video Station catalog; Bottom L: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Rachel McLish from Video Station catalog; Bottom R: Jane Fonda, presenting an award to Sandra, George's second wife, who was very involved in the business. 

When he died in 2005, George Atkinson received many glowing tributes in major newspapers - and in Rolling Stone Magazine … as the man who revolutionized home entertainment.  And what a revolution it was! At the time of George's death, there were over 24,000 video stores in the US which had rented 2.6 billion DVD's and VHS cassettes. 

Cover of Rolling Stone issue that George's tribute was in.

Tribute to Geoge Atkinson, as it appeared in Rolling Stone Magazine

Despite George's larger than life experiences, he maintained personal modesty. He aggressively promoted his vision, his business, and steadfastly fought for his rights. But he rarely promoted himself.  So - despite his fantastic achievements and their enormous significance - you and most others have probably never heard of him! 

Until now.

A very rare, faded photo of George in his office. He was seldom photographed at work. 

ABOUT THE FILM

THE VISIONARY: The Story of George Atkinson is a feature length documentary that tells a fascinating mostly untold story, the nuances of which are not readily available in the public domain.  

The film will mix interviews with archival footage, photos, and subtle reenactments. Among the interviewees are George's family, co-workers, prominent people in the movie business, historians and other experts, as well as actors and other celebrities that knew George. 

Locations will include New Mexico, where two of his daughters live - both of whom were very involved in George's company. 

The film crew will also travel to Texas, where - believe it or not - there is still an original Video Station store that has been open for 39 years and counting! 

The Video Station in Taylor, Texas. 39 years and counting ...

Filming will also occur in Los Angeles, where The Video Station began and where his daughter Ashleigh lives, and Baja, where his second wife Sandra now lives - she was involved from the beginning of The Video Station to the end. Other locations are contemplated to be New York, Santa Barbara and Joshua Tree. 

FILMMAKER COMMENTARY

Says Pony: "This film is a real passion project for me. When I was young, I made Super 8 films with my friends. I always expected I'd wind up in entertainment. I spent 16 years at HBO. Although I've done some scripted work, I’m drawn to making documentaries. What drew me to making a documentary about George Atkinson, is that it's an amazing story filled with little-known facts.  Every filmmaker wants a subject like that. It's also very personal - I grew up with one of George’s daughters. We met when I was 12 and she was 13 at summer camp. I got to know the family and met George. I’ve always felt that it’s a story that needed to be told and I'm proud to be the one to help tell it."

MEET THE TEAM

Pony Gayle    Director and Producer 

Pony is an award-winning filmmaker and the founder of PMG Productions, an independent production company. She is the creator/director/writer/producer of OUTrageous, a docuseries that tells real stories of people in the LGBTQ community and their allies. It's in season 4 on Amazon Prime - currently shooting season 5 for a Fall 2023 release. Her current projects besides The Visionary include a feature thriller entitled The Contest, and Against All Odds aka The Marcia Gayle Story, about a disability rights activist and TV personality. 

Qumaru Nisa    Director of Photography

Qumaru Nisa is a filmmaker, photographer and activist, known for Shameless (2013), and Death and Taxis (2007). Qumaru started her career in 2002 as one of the creators of Tinseltown TV - a show which brought audiences the best in film premieres, celebrity interviews, behind the scenes exclusives, music events, fashion shows and celebrity parties across the globe. Qumaru’s latest produced feature documentary is We Are One (2014), which is narrated by Forest Whitaker and features Jimmy Carter and Monika Gandhi among others. She is also currently working with Pony Gayle on Season 5 of OUTrageous, on Amazon Prime. 

BUDGET, TIMELINE & USE OF PROCEEDS...

We've raised seed money to start shooting this fall in California and Baja but need money to shoot in Texas, New Mexico and New York. We will also need money for post production costs to hopefully complete the project by the fall of 2024.