Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins of TLC has launched a production company called ATLA, with plans to produce original programming for both film and TV.

ATLA’s first project, which comes from writer/producer Carlton Jordan (creator of the web series “Love Handles” and producer on reality shows “#TheWestbrooks” and “Big Freedia: Queen Of Bounce”), will be a teen musical film titled “What About Your Friends?” (WAYF), which will explore what happens when a national talent contest comes to a small Southern town.

Of course, as an aside, “What About Your Friends” is also the title of a track from TLC’s debut album, “Ooooooohhh… On the TLC Tip” released in 1992.

The Jordan project is currently in development, with plans to cast a new generation of talented African American “it” girls who can sing, dance and act.

“WAYF is a film where young black girls can see themselves as more than just a side kick or the best friend but all types of characters on the spectrum, existing in a world together,” Jordan says. “This film is #BlackGirlMagic #BlackGirlsRock personified… Everyone’s celebrating hip hop nostalgia… but this film is one big homage to R&B and the divas that created a new sound from the late 80’s to the early 2000s.”

WAYF is co-produced by music industry manager and publicist Erica Nailor.

T-Boz is certainly no stranger to film and TV production. She was an Executive Producer on the 2006 cult classic, “ATL” (Warner Bros. Pictures) and also an Executive Producer on the VH1 TV movie, “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story.”

Her ATLA staff currently includes Kayo Watkins, as well as Lila Brown and Richard Thorpe of Ella Bee Media Group as Producers.

Carlton Jordan is repped at Brady, Brannon & Rich.

What About Your Friends

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