One of the biggest movies of the year opens this week and NATO of CA/NV is proud to have played a role in the career path of Writer/Director Ryan Coogler. Ryan was a NATO of CA/NV USC Fellowship in Film School scholarship recipient in the 2008-09 academic year.
Following the success of Black Panther back in 2018, it came as no surprise that there would be a sequel in Marvel’s lineup of upcoming movies. The film was set with Ryan coming back to write and direct - BLACK PANTHER WAKANDA FOREVER, one of the most anticipated films of 2022.
The Fund for Student Support was started in 2005 as the NATO of California/Nevada – USC Fund for Student Support. In 2017, it was changed to National Association of Theatre Owners of California/Nevada – USC SCA Fellowship in Film Award.
Ryan’s Thank You Letter to NATO CA/NV
Please accept my gratitude for your tremendous benevolence and generosity. This scholarship that you, The National Association of Theatre Owners of California/Nevada, have provided me with has provided me with the financial needs, and spiritual motivation to continue my journey at this prestigious university. Before learning news of this scholarship, I was not sure if I would be able to continue realizing this dream. Because I had run into tough times financially, and my family was not in a position to provide me with additional support, I was facing the harsh reality of having to move back home to Richmond, CA and find work outside of the industry. My hopes and dreams would have had to be put on hold. But the news of the NATO grant not only enabled me to continue learning my craft, but it gave me the boost of confidence I needed to return this semester and focus all my attention on quality storytelling.
When I learned of my acceptance to this program, I moved to Los Angeles with no family, and no home. For the first two weeks of school I was without a place to live. My friends and family back home questioned why I would give up football, and a potential business career, to move to a place where I had nothing, knew no one, and would have to completely start from scratch. Truthfully, it was faith that brought me out here. Fath and the desire to tell the stories of people whose voices too often go unheard in the theaters of America. And with this scholarship, NATO has provided me with evidence that my decision was not a mistake. I thank you for that.Ryan Coogler
About Ryan – A Standout Individual
From Oakland, California, Ryan was a football scholarship recipient for Saint Mary’s College. Saint Mary's canceled its football program in March 2004 and Ryan transferred to Sacramento State, where he had success on the field and academically. At Sacramento, he obtained a bachelor's degree in finance and took as many film classes as he could fit in with the rigors of college football. Following graduation, he was accepted into the highly competitive three-year master's program at the USC School of Cinematic Arts
While at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Ryan directed four short films, three of which won or were nominated for various awards.
In 2013, Ryan wrote and directed his first feature-length film, Fruitvale Station, which told the story of the last 24 hours of the life of Oscar Grant (played by Michael B. Jordan), who was shot to death by a police officer at Oakland's Fruitvale BART station on January 1, 2009. Produced by Forest Whitaker, the film premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the top Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize and was released in theatres on July 20, 2013. Made on a budget of $900,000, the film grossed over $17 million worldwide after its theatrical run.
In 2015, Ryan released his second film, Creed, a spin-off of the Rocky films, which Ryan directed and co-wrote with Aaron Covington.
In 2018, Ryan co-wrote and directed the Marvel film Black Panther, making him the first black Marvel Studios director.
