The brainchild of filmmaker + culture fanatic Danny Lee, CALICO is a 100% BIPOC-owned, Emmy award-winning, culture-defining production studio dedicated to authentic storytelling through inventive filmmaking. In film + TV, CALICO has produced projects for HBO, Amazon, Hulu, Netflix, PBS, NBC, Showtime, FOX, ESPN, Starz, and more. In advertising, CALICO has produced content for Nike, Keurig, Nissan, Head & Shoulders, Red Bull, adidas, Gatorade, Jaguar, Intel, American Express, Vitamin Water, and McDonald’s. At CALICO, we believe in maximizing a project's creative and commercial potential, while being dedicated and efficient partners. CALICO is also an MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) certified company.
What was the genesis of CALICO?
In 2000, CALICO was founded to house and tell stories from a diverse perspective, in a very different entertainment climate where anything multicultural was regarded as niche. This was this story’s inciting incident. This set the wheels in motion for CALICO's first project, the visceral feature documentary Rock Fresh, a candid documentary about street artists making the leap from the street to the mainstream. The film bowed at the AFI Fest in 2004. Shortly thereafter, the film was snapped up by Showtime, where it made its world premiere.
What does CALICO specialize in?
We're not just observers, but participators in culture. We specialize in what we call this wheel of culture where each spoke represents a core passion of ours - whether music, sports, the arts, comedy, fashion, or lifestyle. And within that, we examine the stakes and human condition that propels each story forward.
What’s behind the name CALICO?
It stemmed as a shortened version of California Company – CALICO.
What sets CALICO apart from other companies?
We believe story and style should elevate each other organically, never forced. We put careful thought and take pride in every project we do, whether longform or shortform.
Since CALICO produces its own original content, are you guys available for production services?
Partnering with platforms, studios, and to deliver meaningful content is a cornerstone of our company. If you feel we could be right for the project, feel free and reach out - hello@calico.la
I love CALICO‘s work. How can I be down?
As a BIPOC-owned company, we take real stock in helping and elevating filmmakers of all walks of life in their career pursuits. If you're talented, let's collab – team@calico.la