Contona Thomas
Producer
Contona Thomas was born in Tampa but grew up in Orlando, Fl. His first performance was at the age of 6. His work includes national and regional commercials for Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal, and Publix. In television and film, he has been seen on Nickelodeon's "Welcome Freshman," "All That," and Universal Pictures "Problem Child 2" starring John Ritter. Mr. Thomas studied Theatre at the University of Central Florida; while attending, he was cast in "No Place to be Somebody," "To Be Young Gifted and Black," and "Soldier's Play" alongside Anthony B. Major, directed by Gil Lewis. In 2006 he joined up with People's Theatre in Spike Lee's "School Daze" and August Wilson's "Seven Guitars" along with Dennis Neal, directed by Russ Blackwell.
Seeing a need to revitalize the local entertainment industry, Mr. Thomas founded C-L.I.V.E. Productions LLC to provide local talent an outlet through diverse and original content. Through such an avenue, they will hone their skills and give the viewers quality shows of relativity. In 2011 Mr. Thomas produced a web series "Miserably Single" again, teaming up with Anthony B. Major as director. His next project was "Man of Da House," produced by C-L.I.V.E. Productions LLC in association with Valencia Motion Picture's premiering in May 2015.
In the spring of 2019, Mr. Thomas and Anthony Major, affectionately known as Tony, produced the live-streamed panel discussion title" THE STATE OF: BLACK STAR POWER," filmed at the Dr. Phillips Center for the performing arts. The panel consisted of film, television, and economic influencers who will explore the socio-economic importance of biographical films to the black community and what it possibly could mean to the future of filmmaking in Florida. The panel was moderated by Lady Dhyana Ziegler, Chairwoman of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. The special guest includes 2019 Academy Award Winning Executive Producer of Green Book, Kwame Parker, Boafoa Offei-Darko, Writer and Producer Assistant David Makes Man and A Wrinkle in Time. Robin Cowie, Producer of The Blair Witch Project and Narrative Producer of EA: Madden NFL, Marsha Haywood, Retired Executive Vice President at New Line Cinema and Orion Pictures. This event would be the last of Tony and Contona co-produced productions.
For more information: www.contona.co
