Our Mission

MEBA Entertainment Studios exists to help visionary creators transform original stories into enduring entertainment properties by strategically developing, protecting, producing, expanding, and positioning intellectual property that creates lasting cultural, creative, and commercial value.

We believe a film should be more than a finished production—it should become the foundation for an audience, a brand, new opportunities, and a lasting legacy.

ABOUT MEBA ENTERTAINMENT STUDIOS

Big Independent Stories. Built to Last.

MEBA Entertainment Studios is a Cleveland-built, filmmaker-owned entertainment studio developing original stories across film, television, music, publishing, live experiences and strategic licensing.

We serve serious independent creators who want to do more than complete a production. They want to understand the business, protect what they are building, connect with the right audience and expand a strong story beyond one release.

MEBA builds the property.
Javon Bates The Legacy Films brings selected cinematic visions to the screen.

Too Many Independent Films End Too Soon.

Independent creators can spend years writing, financing, producing and promoting a film—only for the project to lose momentum after one premiere, one streaming placement or one distribution agreement.

The audience relationship ends too early.

Characters with more story potential disappear.

Music, publishing, live experiences and licensing opportunities are considered too late.

The filmmaker finishes a movie but never builds a lasting entertainment asset around it.

MEBA was created to challenge that cycle.

We believe a strong story should be prepared for more than completion. It should be developed with a clear audience, organized ownership, professional positioning and a thoughtful pathway for future growth.

THE LEGACY BEHIND THE NAME

She Wrote the Dream. We Built the Studio.

MEBA Entertainment Studios was created as a living tribute to Marian Ernnease Bates-Aidara—a creative spirit whose influence continues through the stories, music, books, films and opportunities being built in her honor.

Her belief in creativity, perseverance and legacy shaped the foundation of the studio.

MEBA is more than a company name. It represents the responsibility to create work that survives the moment, reaches people with purpose and opens doors for those who may otherwise be overlooked.

While completing Dying to Live, founder Javon Bates was also caring for his mother. She passed shortly after production.

That experience deepened the meaning behind the company.

Built by a Creator Who Had to Learn Every Side of the Business.

Javon Bates is a filmmaker, writer, director, producer, cinematographer, composer, author and entertainment entrepreneur based in Cleveland, Ohio.

His work spans filmmaking, screenwriting, production, music, publishing, performance, broadcasting and nonprofit leadership.

Rather than approaching entertainment from only one department, Javon has worked across the full creative journey—from the first written idea through production, music, promotion, audience engagement and release strategy.

That experience revealed a recurring problem:

Independent creators were often taught how to make the work, but not how to organize, position, protect and expand what they created.

MEBA Entertainment Studios was built to close that gap.

Javon’s founder-led cinematic label, Javon Bates The Legacy Films, serves as a potential production partner for selected projects ready to move from blueprint to screen.

WHAT WE BUILD

From One Story to a Connected Entertainment Property.

MEBA helps qualified creators examine and develop the larger opportunity surrounding an original story.

Develop

Story development, audience definition, project packaging, positioning

and property planning.

Produce

Proofs of concept, short films, pilots, features, documentaries, trailers and cinematic content through selected production partnerships.

Position

Audience strategy, marketing materials, pitch materials, rights organization, partnerships and distribution readiness.

Expand

Books, soundtracks, live experiences, educational programming, licensing, sequels, series and other extensions supported by strategy and audience demand.

The Vision Is Already Being Built.

Dying to Live

A psychological supernatural thriller being developed as a connected entertainment property across:

Feature film
Official novelization
Original motion-picture soundtrack
World-premiere experience
Impact campaign
Future licensing pathways

WHAT MEBA BELIEVES

The Work Should Be Built to Last.

Ownership Before Applause

Creators should understand what they own, what they are licensing and what should remain under their control.

Audience Before Assumptions

Strong stories need defined audiences—not vague marketing aimed at everyone.

Preparation Before Opportunity

The project should be ready before the meeting, submission, premiere or buyer conversation arrives.

Expansion After Evidence

Not every story needs every format. MEBA develops additional pathways where strategy, audience interest and commercial potential support them.

Purpose With Structure

Community impact should be responsible, transparent and connected to credible partners.

We are not trying to become Hollywood in Cleveland. We are building a new independent studio model from Cleveland—one that helps creators own the story, understand the business and expand the property.

ONE VISION. DISTINCT ROLES.

MEBA Entertainment Studios

The parent entertainment-property studio responsible for development, audience strategy, positioning, rights preparation, partnerships and expansion planning.

Javon Bates The Legacy Films

MEBA’s founder-led cinematic production partner for selected projects requiring directing, cinematography, producing and visual execution.

Reel Opportunity Bridge Foundation

An independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner supporting education, access, workforce development and qualified community-impact initiatives.

Tomahawk Entertainment Group

Supports selected music, broadcasting and media operations where aligned with the larger property strategy.

BUILDING THE STUDIO IN PUBLIC

Tomahawk Entertainment Group established in 2011.
Multiple films, books, music projects and media programs developed.
MEBA Entertainment Studios created as a parent studio model.
Dying to Live produced as the flagship demonstration of the MEBA property model.
Official novelization and soundtrack developed.
World-premiere experience planned for October 29, 2026.
Reel Opportunity Bridge Foundation established as the nonprofit impact partner.

Do Not Bring MEBA Only a Movie.

Bring a powerful story.

Bring a clear purpose.

Bring the willingness to prepare, build and think beyond one release.

MEBA works with serious independent creators who are ready to examine the audience, ownership, production pathway, marketplace position and long-term potential surrounding their work.