About

Coolwaters Productions LLC's President, Derek Maki, worked for ICONS Authentic Replicas (a company mainly known for creating prop replicas from various film franchises) heading up their celebrity representation division from 1997-2000. 

The “MEN BEHIND THE MASKS“ was the ORIGINAL & fully licensed actor appearance and autograph division of ICONS. Derek worked directly with Lucasfilm LTD. to provide authentic images from the archives to be autographed by actors from the “Star Wars” films! ICONS worked with 6 actors to start; Dave Prowse (Darth Vader), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Warwick Davis (Wicket), Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO). Derek then went on to obtain legends Billy Dee Williams and Mark Hamill to the roster as well! 

Sadly, ICONS went bankrupt in 2000 but it was a lucky break for Mr. Maki as two of ICONS’ former clients; Billy Dee Williams and Warwick Davis, contacted Mr. Maki directly and asked him to exclusively represent them for appearances and signings for various conventions, including third party autograph deals. With the vast knowledge he had acquired while working with the now defunct company along with his two clients, Mr. Maki created a fully licensed Management & PR firm: Coolwaters Productions LLC.

It wasn’t long before convention promoters started calling Mr. Maki looking for actors to book as guests and hence a new future was forged! Coolwaters now works with over 200+ promoters globally with firm relationships in countries like Mexico, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan as well as all across the United States. 

Coolwaters currently holds two licenses in the state of California and is also part of the official managers roster in Hollywood. Coolwaters Productions LLC organizes personal worldwide appearances for its clients while also seeking out and soliciting other jobs for its clients. During the company’s on-going business, Coolwaters has secured autograph deals for large companies such as TOPPS and DONRUSS trading cards. Other brands who have utilized Coolwaters’ services include Master Replicas and Toynami's Cinematheque. Coolwaters has also had the RARE privilege to create and execute licensing deals with D23 (the official Disney fan club) and Fan Sets (with CBS) creating lines of exclusive signed pins featuring some of its “TRON” and “Star Trek” actors respectively!

Coolwaters manages & represents over 90+ clients that includes celebrated personalities such as actors, directors & behind the scenes talent, including Academy Award Winners! Many of these talented folks are exclusive to Coolwaters Productions LLC for appearances, signings, seminars and red-carpet events.

Coolwaters has a staff of 7 part-time employees and a home office in Los Angeles, CA as well as official company reps in Mexico and Europe! Coolwaters’ goal is to bring celebrities face to face with the reason for their careers......the fans!In 2010, Coolwaters set out on another adventure. A live weekly web series featuring interviews with its clients called, simply, “Coolwaters LIVE!“. At the time it was one of the first ventures in the world to host live events for fans globally who could tune in and watch via the internet.

During the COVID pandemic Coolwaters revamped the live series into a weekly show that featured interactive live interviews where fans could actually ask questions as well as pre-order signed autographs (mailed out after the live show aired). This was called “IN-HOUSE CON”, and it included surprise guests and prizes as well as exclusive video content. Some of the series includes guests from franchises like “Star Wars”, “Star Trek”, “HELLBOY”, “V” and so much more!

VIEW FULL EPISODES of both series now exclusively on our You Tube channel!  CLICK HERE

Coolwaters and Mr. Maki have continued to grow in the entertainment business. Mr. Maki has been a producer on some major documentary series including “Icons Unearthed”, “In Search of Tomorrow”, “ALIENS Expanded” (that includes a RARE on camera interview with director James Cameron who was secured by Mr. Maki)! AND currently we are in production on a feature length documentary about actor Doug Jones, featuring interviews with many of the famous people he has worked with during his career. Slated for release in 2025.