A project that began with promises and fancy drawings ended in a court fight between Jackson socialite and perennial mayoral candidate Charlotte Reeves and a filmmaker.
Reeves dreamed of converting her eyesore of a property on Mill Street into a movie studio. She and her husband Monte created Mill Street Studios to achieve her goal. The Clarion-Ledger reported in January 2023:
If long-time Hollywood insider Robert Schnitzer has his way, Jackson could soon be a hub for international movie making. Schnitzer, along with local landowner and investor Charlotte Reeves want to create Mill Street Studios, a motion picture and media production facility, providing two 6,000 square foot studios, two jumbo 17,000 square foot sound stages, a 20-acre movie ranch, production offices and related support services. As its name suggests, the campus would be located on Mill Street in Jackson on the edges of Midtown....
There is a website with artist renderings of the project.
Schnitzer created Movicorp, Media, to produce movies and video content. The filmmaker and his company entered into an agreement with Reeves and Mill Street Studios on October 1, 2025 so Schnitzer could help Reeves develop the property into the movie studio pictured above. The movie pro was already working with Reeves prior to the formation of the contract:
8. The Agreement set out Mr. Schnitzer's services and work at various points during Movie Garden Studio's development. At the time of the Agreement, Mr. Schnitzer had already performed work for the "Initial Term," during which Movicorp loaned Mr. Schnitzer's services out to Reeves and MSS/MGS to perform work including creative and business consultation and assistance in establishing crucial relationships with government entities, governance and management teams, and potential partners and lenders.
The agreement (posted below) states Mill Street Studios would pay Schnitzer $350,000 (upon close of construction funding), corporate expenses paid monthly, and a 15% ownership in the project. The contract promises to appoint Schnitzer to the Board of Directors. Schnitzer would receive $50,000 as a member of the Board.
Unfortunately for Schnitzer, the partnership was soon to end. Reeves rescinded the agreement in a cease and desist letter sent to Schnitzer on November 2. The letter claimed Reeves signed the agreement "under duress". Schnitzer allegedly pressured her to sign to reassure a "major investor" in his company, Movicorp. She accused him of "deliberately" sabotaging a deal with a developer. Reeves claimed Schnitzer was bilking her for his expenses:
I never intended for my credit card and checks to cover all of your personal and Movicorp expenses. Such as, commercial/residential rent, cell phone bill, car insurance, utilities, food, gasoline, travel expenses, IRS payment, repair of A/C in vehicle, etc. These expenses are not responsibilities that Mill Street Studios, LLC/Movie Garden Studios - or me personally - should be expected to pay. Despite numerous written and verbal instructions for you to stop all further charges to my credit card and use of my checks, you have continued to charge my credit card and issue or attempt to issue checks. Such conduct is unauthorized, unlawful, and constitutes potential fraud, because most of the charges were for expenses for you personally and your company, Movicorp.
The lawsuit charges Reeves and her company with breach of contract, fraud, breach of good faith, and negligence. Schnitzer asked the Court to compel specific performance of the contract and award reasonable damages against the defendants.
Attorney William Kellum represents the plaintiffs. The case is assigned to Hinds County Circuit Judge Adrienne Wooten.
12 comments:
If long-time Hollywood insider Robert Schnitzer has his way, Jackson could soon be a hub for international movie making.
I was unware the legislature had legalized crack.
Who was grifting who? Sora was well known long before this deal took place.
For those of you in Flowood, Sora is an AI video generator which can basically create millions of dollar special effect videos for Pennies on the dollar. You don’t need a movie studio anymore.
Mill Street/Farrish Street, no matter what, the promised developments always seem to come to something like this.
Jackson, Mississippi -- The Land of Perpetual Pipe Dreams
12:40 PM is correct
Nobody needs movie studios or special effects people anymore.
That’s why Adam Savage spends his days on YouTube unboxing expensive movie toys for soy boys with his new boyfriend. He’s basically unemployed.
Mr. Gump said stupid is as stupid does. That seems to be a fair description of both parties in this deal.
Sora has shut down already. That experiment lasted just a couple of months. And sure, there are other AI video tools out there, if you like text on any background signs to be gibberish and your hands to have six fingers.
Who would sink that knd of money in such a crime -ridden location?
Oh, I forgot about those Farish Street redevelopments--
This will happen after the luxury condos and giant Ferris Wheel are built at Metro Center.
The ditzy, angry redhead gets sued. This is freaking hilarious.
Ron White says “You can’t fix stupid”.
Ah yes. From slumlord to defendant accused of fraud.
What ever happened to Monte after he shot into a moving vehicle?
Post a Comment