Preston Whitmore has been hired to write Zoom, the new music-themed drama being produced by Brian Grazer and N.E.R.D.'s Pharrell Williams.
Zoom follows a troubled West Virginian youth who attends a music academy which allows him to find his voice and place in the world. We're betting that, along the way, he has to overcome snobbish, close-minded fellow students and teachers, but does so with the help of some encouraging friends and a mentor among the faculty. Still, let's hope that it's more 8 Mile and less Step Up, eh?
Williams is writing the score and soundtrack for the film, as well as producing. Whitmore previously wrote, produced and directed This Christmas last year (with Delroy Lindo, Chris Brown, Idris Elba and Loretta Divine) and Crossover with Anthony Mackie before that.