KIRK FRASER
DIRECTOR+PRODUCER
about
Award-winning director, screenwriter and producer Kirk Fraser is the President and CEO of May 3rd Media/Films and owner of Camera, Lights and Grip. Kirk started his television and film career by directing music videos for such artists as Lil’ Kim, Biz Markie, and Elephant Man.
In 2005, Fraser's feature documentary film, “The Life of Rayful Edmond: The Rise and Fall”, was released to critical acclaim. The success and creative marketing behind the film landed him on the cover of The Washington Post and served as a catalyst for the "American Gangster" television series. Fraser continued to hone his skills in directing and producing and teamed up with A. Smith & Co. Productions to produce episodes of “American Gangster” which aired on Black Entertainment Television (BET). In that same year, Fraser collaborated with Hip-Hop starlet Lil' Kim to develop and produce the reality series; “Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown”, which also aired on the BET network in 2006. The show was the highest debuting series in BET history, at that time.
Fraser's strategic vision to incorporate marketing in the developmental process of production earned him a reputation that stuck with him throughout his career. In 2006, Fraser was the show-runner working alongside NBA Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban (2929 Productions), and NBA star Jerry Stackhouse to executive produce, "Against All Odds" for Fox Sports Network. In 2008, Fraser created, produced and directed “Party Boyz” a mini series for TV-One, which followed two of Washington, DC's biggest promoters as they planned parties and events during the Inauguration of President Barack Obama.
ESPN commissioned Kirk to executive produce and direct “Without Bias” for their “30 for 30” documentary series, timed to ESPN’s 30th Anniversary. The New York Times proclaimed the film to be “the most elegiac film in the 30 for 30 series.” Additionally, the film won the coveted Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the 13th annual American Black Film Festival, earned a 2010 Peabody Award, and was nominated for Emmy for Outstanding Sports Documentary in 2010.
In 2011, Kirk produced and directed “Road To The Championship”, a follow-up to “Against All Odds” for ESPN. Frasers close attention to detail, ability to think outside of the box has allowed companies such a Verizon, PepsiCo and Gatorade to entrust him with their brands. In 2015, Fraser partnered with PepsiCo and Gatorade to develop, produce and direct a documentary on the next rising tennis star, “Francis Tiafoe”.
In 2016, Fraser partnered with Anonymous Content to produce and direct the documentary film “From Scratch: The Birth of Hip Hop.” In 2017, Fraser Executive Produced and Directed a six-part documentary series that defines the culture and lifestyles of exotic dancers, ”Naked Hustle” for AMC’s streaming platform Urban Movie Channel “UMC”. In 2018, a documentary film, ”United We Stand” the story of Muhammad Ali 1967 Summit in partnership with IMG, and LeBron James’ Uninterrupted. In 2019, Fraser partnered with Kevin Durant’s Thirty Five Media and Showtime to produce a documentary film Basketball County: In The Water which tells the story of the basketball players of Prince George's County, MD. Since 2000, the county has spawned some 25 NBA players, more than a dozen WNBA players, and countless more who have competed at elite universities.
In 2020, Kirk produced and directed "Tuskegee Airmen: Legacy of Courage", for History Channel and Executive Produced and Narrated by "Good Morning America" Anchor Robin Roberts. Fraser explores the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, the legendary group of African American pilots - including Robin's father - that served in WWII, revealing how these warriors for change helped end segregation in the military and pave the way for the civil rights movement.