“While I am sad to say goodbye to Ozzie, I am excited for this next chapter in his career” — Tyler Perry
It had been rumored for a while, and then it happened. Ozzie Areu, who has for the past decade has been the President at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, has left to launch his own studio with his brother Will Areu. The newbie company will be purchasing the former Delta Airlines campus in Greenbriar, Tyler Perry’s former studio space in Southwest Atlanta. Areu Bros. is building a multi-faceted media campus encompassing music, tech, motion pictures and television operations. While Ozzie launches the venture, Will is staying on at TPS as the President of Production.
Read all about Ozzie Areu here
Ozzie and Will Areu are first generation Cuban-Americans. They will be the first Latinos to run and own a major film and television studio in the United States. A renowned leader in the Latin American community, Ozzie has received various awards, such as the Hispanicize 2016 Latinovator Award and the CEO Executive Excellence in Entertainment Award by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Ozzie his time as president of the Tyler Perry Studios helping to build Tyler Perry build on content and studio businesses. During that time, the Areu brothers have helped oversee the production of 900 episodes across nine television series, fifteen feature films and several plays.
Ozzie is grateful for the time he spent learning and honing his skills under the leadership of Tyler Perry, a pioneer and visionary in media entertainment.
“I look forward to following in the steps of Tyler, my mentor, by owning a studio that also creates content and I’m especially inspired to build a 360 world that supports minority storytellers, creators and innovators,” said Ozzie Areu.
“Ozzie has been a trailblazer in the entertainment industry since his start at TPS where he and Will have worked tirelessly to contribute to our success,” said Perry. “While I am sad to say goodbye to Ozzie, I am excited for this next chapter in his career of entertaining people, as he continues to push the limits in Hollywood.”
“Both Ozzie and I feel so blessed and grateful for Mr. Perry and all of the amazing people we have worked with along the way, and owe so much to our families for supporting us on this amazing new journey ahead of us,” added Will Areu. “I am also extremely honored to serve as President of Production at TPS.”
In Ozzie’s role at TPS, he helped oversee the vision: “A Place Where Even Dreams Believe”, intertwining worlds through storytelling and family friendly entertainment. His productions have received many awards such as numerous NAACP Image Awards, including three for For Colored Girls (outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for Kimberly Elise, Outstanding Directing for a Motion Picture/Television Movie for Tyler Perry, and Outstanding Motion Picture). The film also won top honors at the 2011 BET Awards for Best Picture.
Previously the world headquarters for Delta Airlines, the lot in the Greenbriar area of Southwest Atlanta was the home for TPS from 2007 to 2016. It sits on 60 acres and includes five sound stages, four office buildings (126,000 square feet) with executive offices, post production facilities, a theater, a commissary and fitness center. The studio also has a back lot consisting of a suburban neighborhood with eleven homes and a city street.