The box-office muscle of “Straight Outta Compton,” a movie about rap group N.W.A, has led Goddard Film Group to obtain the rights to the story of a peripheral character seen in the film. Greg Mack, an L.A. radio host, has granted the rights to his life story to the North Hollywood entertainment company for a film that will go into production next year. Mack was afternoon host and assistant program director at KDAY-AM (1580), an influential station that was among the first to adopt a hip-hop format in the 1980s. N.W.A, Tone Loc, LL Cool J, Ice T and Queen Latifah all gained early exposure on Mack’s show, among other up-and-coming hip-hop artists. Working at KDAY was fun because he could play whatever he wanted, which radio stations don’t do much anymore, Mack said. The movie will tell the story of the rise of hip hop from the radio side and not so much the artist side, he added. “What I was allowed to create there changed radio,” Mack said. In “Straight Outta Compton,” co-financed by Comcast Corp.’s Universal Pictures and Legendary Entertainment in Burbank, Mack is portrayed by the film’s director F. Gary Gray. The real Mack’s voice is heard during the closing credits. “You cannot discuss the genre without including Greg’s contributions,” said Roger Lay Jr., executive in charge of production at Goddard and a co-producer on the yet-unnamed Mack film. Goddard was founded two years ago by Gary Goddard, who also owns a themed-entertainment design company in North Hollywood. He wrote and directed “Masters of the Universe” in 1987 and scripted “Tarzan, the Ape Man” in 1981. The company has other films in development but they are in the science-fiction and fantasy genres that will take longer to bring to the screen, Lay said. Mack’s story will be simpler to produce and will have a budget in the range of $20 million to $30 million. Music will play a central role in the film and Lay said Mack will be involved with creating the soundtrack. He does not foresee any challenges in getting necessary clearances for the music from that era because Mack still has relationships with the artists whose careers he gave a boost to. “That will be one his key roles is getting the musical approvals in telling this story,” added Eric Carnagey, executive in charge of development at Goddard and also a co-producer on the film. Having 100 percent control over the music side of the project will help make the film as accurate as possible, said Mack, who added that his role is to ensure that accuracy. One aspect of the film that Mack is not decided on is who he wants to see play him. “I have not thought about it,” Mack said. “I am looking to (the producers) for guidance on that.” Ticket Counter Hollywood Software has announced signing deals with two entertainment companies to use its programs for the distribution of feature films. The Woodland Hills company made the agreements with Broad Green Pictures in Los Angeles and Group 1200 Media near Dallas. Broad Green and 1200 Media will use the Distributor software that plans, negotiates, books and distributes movies and easily connects with systems used by major theatrical chains and industry providers such as Technicolor S.A. and Deluxe Entertainment Services Group. Distributor, according to Hollywood Software, is used by about 30 entertainment companies in North America, including 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures and Lions Gate. Travis Reid, president of theatrical distribution for Broad Green, said the company went with Hollywood Software because its product is the most versatile and comprehensive. Hollywood Software President David Gajda said that Broad Green was able to get up and running with Distributor right away. “From the moment we signed with them, it took only 24 hours to train their staff and enter their first booking – a remarkably fast turnaround,” Gajda said in a prepared statement. Upcoming Broad Green releases include “A Walk in the Woods,” with Robert Redford and Nick Nolte, and “I Smile Back,” starring Sarah Silverman. Group 1200 produces and distributes live-action and animated content for television and movie theaters through its FUNimation Entertainment and Giant Ape Studios divisions. Hollywood Software was founded by Gajda in 1997 to help theater owners and distributors book films and collect box-office receipts. He sold the business to Cinedigm Corp. in Century City in 2003 but bought it back last year with a group of investors. Staff Reporter Mark R. Madler can be reached at (818) 316-3126 or [email protected]