Are book adaptations generating sufficient revenue for the film industry?

With the film industry making science fiction master pieces into blockbusters and generating a great deal of revenue why would they stop when they have a good thing going?

They did it with Jurassic Park, a 1993 science fiction thriller based on the novel by Michael Crichton. The film grossed more than $914 million worldwide, becoming the most successful film released up to that time and is currently the highest grossing feature film in North America. It is also the most financially successful film for NBC Universal and Steven Spielberg. This feature is regarded as a landmark in the use of computer-generated imagery, and development.  This success has encouraged great developments in film. Recently with the Harry Potter franchise. Harry Potter is a fantasy-adventure film series based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, Harry Potter’s “Half-Blood Prince” a 2009 film, broke the record for the biggest single-day worldwide gross of all time. In five days the film made $394 million, breaking the record for biggest five-day worldwide gross in history. With a total gross of $934 million, it became the 8th highest grossing movie of all time and the second highest-grossing film of 2009 (behind Avatar).  The film was also nominated for many awards, including best visual effects, best production design and best cinematography. There is currently another literary franchise due to hit the big screen:

http://anime-artbooks.com/anime-artbooks/akira-animation-archives-artbook-otomo-katsuhiro/

Also a science-fiction masterpiece, the Japanese comic (manga), “Akira” created in 1988, by Katshuhiro Otomo is no different. The fiction masterpiece stretches over 2,000 pages, 6 volumes and has won almost every Japanese Manga award imaginable. Each volume has its share of blood and gore and is over 350 pages long.

To bring the live action comic to life, Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures are set to distribute the film. Along with Leonardo DiCaprio who is due to produce the film, and with Book of  Eli’s Albert Hughes as director. The original story was set in post nuclear war, Tokyo, However the movie is expected to set in New Manhattan 2019. The story revolves around a neo-nuclear biker gangs that get caught up in a genetic experiment run, bringing on heat from the police state that controls their expansive city. The story is set around the (motorcycle), gang leader who is responsible for stopping the destruction that follows. The project entails politics, physic forces and futuristic weaponry. Recently, Albert Hughes has confirmed that Warner Bros. wants a PG-13 version of the project that will run as two features, although he may not return for the sequel. According to Slash Film reports, there are also talks of Oscar winning Morgan Freeman (Red, and Seven) earning the role of Colonel Shikishima and Zac Efron (of Charlie St. Cloud), also playing the role of Shotaro Kaneda (the gang leader). Although these acting roles have not been confirmed, there is much controversy and rumors being set around the project that is set go into production sometime around 2013.

http://anime-artbooks.com/anime-artbooks/akira-animation-archives-artbook-otomo-katsuhiro/

The project is centered around Member Kaneda whose latent powers are exposed after he is subjected to a government experiment - was set in post-nuclear War Tokyo in 2019 while the new movie is expected to be set in New York. As the Gang leader, Zac's character would be responsible for stopping the destruction which follows. This live-action adaptation of the popular Manga Akira for Warner Brothers already has a following of fans and critics who are tweeting and blogging about the anticipated production and release of the popular comic.

Hopefully the two-part adaptation will be as powerful as the comic was. If the adaptation touches the least bit on the literary storyline the project will definitely be far from a PG-13 rating however the action and suspense that viewers are used to seeing will of course be as close to the original storyline as possible. I'm sure that Warner Bros. will get their moneys worth with so many anticipating the following of such a high grossing series that although it was created in the 80s, continues to have a great deal of demand.

You can find more information on this topic at:

Fisher, Russ. (2010, Feb. 10). Re: The Hughes brothers negotiating deal to direct the live action Akira remake. Retrieved on Dec 06, 2010. from www.slashfilm.com At
http://www.slashfilm.com/the-hughes-brothers-negotiating-deal-to-direct-the-live-action-akira-remake/. or

Fisher, Russ. (2010, June 23). Re: New screenwriter hired for live action Akira remake. Retrieved on Dec. 06, 2010. from www.slashfilm.com at http://www.slashfilm.com/new-screenwriter-hired-for-live-action-akira-remake-albert-hughes-talks-pg-13/.

A 'Precious' Sequel? Wasn't the first project enough?

http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/movie/precious-based-on-the-novel-push-by-sapphire/stills/6

I recently read an article titled, Would a ‘Precious’ sequel be too painful? which suggests that Sapphire, the author of the novel Push and director Lee Daniels could possibly be working on a sequel project, following the success of the film, Precious. Sapphire is working on a sequel novel, “The Kid” due to be released next summer. The project will focus on Precious's son "as he approaches manhood -- alone, brutalized and with the soul of an artist." While giving reference to the idea of a sequel partnership between Daniels and Sapphire,  Rust says the movie Precious was a redemptive piece but I have to disagree. Rust, the writer of this article attests that watching Precious blossom under the guidance of a caring teacher and finding herself through writing, gave viewers hope. Perhaps being born under wretched parents, being over 200 pounds and illiterate, made viewers feel that her fighting spirit came through. However, the pain staking realities of her life didn’t give me any hope. Ms. Rust refers to the novel as “a literary punch in the stomach” and I had to agree that the book although detailed and vivid was very painful. The film itself was depressing and offered a false sense of hope because Precious found literacy and peace and was granted assistance to provide for her children only after learning of her HIV positive status from her mother who was visibly crazy and dying. Such a sequel would be too much although I’m sure someone would find the project to be refreshing because the boy simply survived.

Rust also concludes that before working with Daniels, Sapphire had been approached to bring her tale to the screen, but she repeatedly declined, for fear that her work would be turned into something exploitative. But after several years of persistence, Sapphire gave Daniels the green light on the project, which went on to earn acclaim in the following areas: Lee Daniels's nomination for best director, Geoffrey Fletcher’s win for best screenplay, Gabourey Sidbe’s nomination for best actress, and Mo'Nique's win for best supporting actress.

Rust refers to the movie Precious as being “yet another down-trodden story of blackness.”
However, she later contradicts herself by saying that “If Sapphire has another story to tell, and if it even comes close to work she did in Push, then, I say, bring it. Please.”

This article touched on a few emotions that i felt in the theatre after viewing Precious for the first time. None of those feelings were of hope or of empowerment. Precious was a very strong willed character that we wanted to win. Her desire to overcome was strong and powerful but it seemed as if Daniels crushed her attempts with one saddening event after another. I can’t say that I’m surprised because I saw his earlier movies, Monsters Ball and Shadow Boxer. Both projects included over the top, odd sex scenes that dictated a major theme in both films. Precious had a deeper tone to those scenes but they left me just as uncomfortable and angry.

I was under the impression that the stereotypical exploitation films died in 1970, perhaps I was wrong. Not outright racially motivated with pimps and hoes but its a bit more subtle. how Precious pictures herself to be of a light complexion with blue eyes and says that she wants a "light skinned boyfriend with good hair." How she leaves her body and enters another place with the red carpet and the fancy furs whenever she feels hurt or intimidated. Whereas her dysfunctional home relationship goes a step further and her mother calls her fat, black and stupid wherever the script allows. As if Daniels couldn’t get his point across without making ‘black’ skin seem so demeaning and associated with negativity. Perhaps the self esteem of the Precious character could have been touched up a bit. To have her wearing the most uncomfortable, tight, grungy outfits and speak of her desire to be of a lighter complexion was not enough. We can also associate the movie poster of the young black teenager looking distinctively like the “mammy” character. We don’t need to purchase pancakes to see this character duplicated. Perhaps Precious has made a successful journey into womanhood because she has moved on from the sexual abuse, verbal abuse and illiteracy. However the Precious’ character can also relate into the visual image as a young Mabel character that Tyler Perry plays to be viewed as Madea who he describes as being a mixture of his mother, aunt and other women in his family lineage. I personally feel that enough is enough with the weak, stereotypical, battered, over-sexed and abused characters of black womanhood that Hollywood has the nerve to constantly display. We need accurate images of our culture, not limited, under developed characters that we cannot associate nor relate to. I don’t blame Sapphire for providing us with a glimpse into the life of strong, young woman who went through the storm and dared to survive. The book was exceptionally deep and entertaining. However, the script version is quite different and didn’t convey a proper message. Hollywood should have known better to continue to convey a genre of emotionally battered black women that seems to be displayed in theaters everywhere. To include a sequel of this degree would be adding to the niche of disturbed blackness. With studios filtering what viewers are allowed to see. Its problematic that one can view a teenager living in a half way house with two children and a deadly disease as inspiring. Corruption and weakness have become the categories of  progression in film making to represent the life of African Americans. While exploitation once again has the driver seat towards the future in film making for our culture. The question we need to ask ourselves is not involving a sequel. Rather than when will we progress enough to appreciate films like Rosewood over Boyz in the Hood? When will actors like Denzel get the accolades they deserve for all the well received portrayals that characterized a strong black man prior to his role in Training day where he was corrupt and dangerous? One day we will see the scope of images for what they are and not be so blind as to believe that we are progressing.   

The article can be found at:
Rust, Suzanne. (2010, Nov. 23). Re: Would a precious sequel be too painful. Retrieved on Nov. 24, 2010. From www.thegrio.com. At
http://www.thegrio.com/entertainment/would-a-precious-sequel-be-too-painful.php.

http://gossiponthis.com/2009/10/23/new-movie-precious-featured-on-the-cover-of-the-new-york-times/

In the world of entertainment, "free" comes with costs!

The site for the motion picture Association at www.mpaa.org produced an interesting article titled, "Digital music and movies report: The true cost of entertainment" produced by McAfee. In this industry report the mpaa informs us of cyber-crime and how to prevent it. The article can be found under the policy and research category. There is also a section titled industry reports which outlines independent reports. To view the article you can use the following link,
 http://newsroom.mcafee.com/images/10039/DMMRReport_US_25Aug2010.pdf.

This report offers a very accurate risk assessment for viewing, streaming and
downloading free content online. Findings include an increase in riskiness of the sites for users that type in the word “free” in the search engine. According to McAfee, there are highly suspicious URLs associated with fan pages and comment boards on sites.

Highly trafficked sites are targeted with downloading videos, streaming movies,
screen savers and live feeds. One example is that during April 2010. McAfee identified websites hosted in Russia and Brazil that advertised videos and  images for the FIFA world cup but led users to rogue anti-virus programs which accessed users personal or financial information.

The strong demand for free content introduces users to numerous risks. These so called, “free” sites have become a forum for attracting users that are unaware of the dangers but are searching for free content and media. Illegal content is now designed to look sophisticated and professional to exploit consumers. It is difficult for the average consumer to determine what services are legitimate. This type of ability fosters new more active sites that host or distribute illegal or illegitimate media.  On these host sites users can rank content, online media users download video content, along with music, movies, ring tones, etc.,

 Cybercrooks also take advantage of consumers who are attracted to breaking news, and hot topics. Searching a popular artist and their recent hit brings more risk than simply searching just the artist. These virtual crooks implement malware by redirecting users to download or click "ok" to material that they don’t want when they are attempting to view or download videos or movies. Researchers have discovered over 700,000 web pages that are identical to the look that youtube has, except they were created to spread malware. Online advertising on media sites are also opportunities to spread viruses, or get personal info from users.

McAfee noted that there's a 40% increase in websites that are delivering infected MP3 files or built for the sole purpose of conducting some type of cyber-crime. This includes malware infection and identity theft, towards anyone who's looking to retrieve MP3 files online.  Due to the demand for digital media, cyber-crime is a very big business. Any media that can be streamed is at risk including, TV, film and music.

McAfee suggests that when searching entertainment content without being aware of where the content is coming from, users become more exposed to risks.

Movie fan sites are likely to infect users. Cyber-crooks lay traps through in-demand movies. Movie fans expose themselves to a host of risks by using unauthorized illegal content they often become victims of identity theft, malicious code that's downloaded with a streamed movie. However, ratings, reviews and theatre inquiries are surprisingly safe.

The information provided in this report is important to the industry because we live in a technological society where young adults are the leading users of technology and teenagers are the future leaders in society who thrive off using gadgets, smart phones, uploading and retrieving information, video conferencing and streaming content and videos on youtube and sites identical to youtube. Their is no limit to the abilities that users have as they track responses, fans, followers and potential social networks that they also connect with. We are in a information age where technology gains status over all genres of material that may be accessed.

Article:
Greve, Paula. (2010.). Re: "Digital music and movies report: The true cost of entertainment." Retrieved on Nov. 10, 2010. From www.mpaa.org at  http://newsroom.mcafee.com/images/10039/DMMRReport_US_25Aug2010.pdf.

Non-Verbal Story telling

Non-Verbal Story telling at ted.com

I viewed an online video on ted.com that showcased a speaker named, Chris Anderson. Anderson’s video is called, “ideas worth spreading.” This clip can be shown on the following link http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/chris_anderson_how_web_video_powers_global_innovation.htm.

It was interesting because Anderson provides us with information regarding online video and explains why he believes that online video is far more advanced than print media. He shares evidence that video technology is a powerful source which replaces the face-to-face component that allows us to relate to elements of material that is presented.

His assertion that innovation emerges out of groups is very accurate. I believe his theories because I personally love to log on to youtube and watch interesting clips that people create. Most of the clips that I watch are referred to me and if I find them interesting I will refer them to someone else and the list goes on. The truth is that we thrive off entertainment and the way we learn of new material is often through word-of-mouth referrals. We are a social species that relate more through visual media than anything else. Although print media is still a popular source of information, we seem to be going away from the traditional way of reading and focusing on e-books, audio books and even online publications. With the way that technology is moving us forward we will soon be offering mini computers and technology to the k-12 student just so they can be prepared for the advancements that will be current during their time. To compete in today's society it seems that we must use computer technology and become familiar with it so we can be aware of whats current. 

In reference to the video. Mr. Anderson opens up to his audience by showing us a clip of children dancing and explains that these children are self taught how to dance through web technology. These clips not only piqued the audience but also kept their attention throughout the speech. He also shared a clip that was created in Kenya, Africa on the advancement of the people and the culture. Using video technology as a source we were able to see the vegetables that the natives planted and witness the development of their people by simply watching a simple video.  Mr. Anderson asserted that web technology is an eco system on how innovation emerges due to the fact that millions are connected and able to view a clip of material once it is uploaded. His examples offered me more of a visual representation of the facts that he explained. We are often told that great speakers are excellent story tellers. Mr. Anderson definitely provided us with a plethora of information and shared his findings by presenting facts in a excellent story telling format.

Antoine Fuqua...... Execution and project control ........ !

I read an interview on Antoine Fuqua, the director of Brooklyn’s Finest!
This interview discusses the creative direction and control that encompasses a Fuqua film.

For those of us who dream of making it big in Hollywood. We must acknowledge Fuqua’s efforts and allow ourselves to do the footwork if we hope to reap the benefits of a successful Hollywood icon and project manager.

If you are not familiar with the work of Antoine Fuqua his resume includes, Training Day, and is followed by Tears of the Sun, King Arthur, and Shooter. In 2001, his movie Training Day brought in $77 million at the domestic box office and earned Denzel Washington a Best Actor Oscar. While filming his latest movie, Brooklyn’s Finest, Fuqua involved the local community in the production by employing hundreds of residents of the Van Dyke housing projects, the central location in the storyline.  Prior to filming in Brooklyn, Fuqua started the Fuqua Film Program, a 12-week summer program for Brooklyn youth. 

The article can be found at:

Interview:
Nunziata, Nick. (2010, Mar. 3). Re:  Antoine Fuqua (Brooklyn’s Finest). Retrieved on Oct. 2, 2010. from www.chud.com. At http://www.chud.com/articles/articles/22772/1/INTERVIEW-ANTOINE-FUQUA-BROOKLYN039S-FINEST/Page1.html

You may also find more information on Antoine Fuqua at:

Talbert, Marcia. (2010, May). Re: ‘Backtalk with Antoine Fuqua’ Retrieved October 5, 2010 from blackenterprise.com/magazine. http://www.blackenterprise.com/magazine/2010/04/15/backtalk-with-antoine-fuqua/

Fuqua proves to his viewers that control and execution are key components that will make a project come to life. Fuqua stayed in Brooklyn prior to filming to prepare and get a feel for the characters, the neighborhood, the streets that he would reenact. This filtered the culture and the language of his project. He was prepared and did his homework and it obviously showed. Fuqua committed to the project but stayed true to his vision. He edited the project himself to ensure that he would get the ending that he wanted. “If it was a studio ending everyone would have walked away.”

With current television shows and films reinforcing the power of the badge and reflecting positive policing. Fuqua offered viewers a very different perspective. Shows today focus on the anatomy of forensics i.e., bones and forensic files. We also have options of shows that focus on old unsolved cases. Shows that find unique ways to solve cases and get in the mind of a killer to psychoanalyze criminals. The never ending re-runs of law & order and the new season openers for the show. Shows that follow and allow the focus to stay on different branches of law enforcement and focus on the police force itself. Of course we’d dare to forget the comedic shows that assist the police and its partnering agencies. The shows like medium, monk, numbers, criminal minds, the unit, CSI, NCIS, cold case, along with new shows such as Rizolli & Isles, Lie to me and the list goes on.

Fuqua releases a different frame of emotion with Brooklyn’s Finest. He executed this by putting the focus on the gritty, not so pretty action. Fuqua sold us with believable characters that dared to reel us in. Showing 3 different stories of men who served on Brooklyn’s police force. The film showed us a glimpse of the realities of the world behind the badge. Fuqua shares how he was able to present us with a raw street film and do it his way.

In the article he also shares his personal experience working with Ethan Hawke, Richard Gere, Don Cheadle and Wesley Snipes.  Let his success be a lesson to us all. Taking a pay cut to get total creative freedom on the project is not an ordinary action. His methods of execution were successful and serve as a great example as to how much work goes into a successful project! Fuqua also contends that his next cinematic goal is to do a film about Pablo Escobar. He is blessed with the gift of storytelling and he is disciplined enough to execute the story with hard work and the drive to do what others wont. I’m sure Fuqua will give us a great story along with an excellent movie!

Tyler Perry’s secret to success is his ability to “involve” others!

I read an article that posed a question in regard to the current film that Perry is promoting.  “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf” is the first movie from Perry’s 34th Street Films production company, which is distributed by Lionsgate. The project is an adaptation of the acclaimed Ntozake Shange play and serves as Perry’s directorial debut. “For Colored Girls” is also significant because it serves as Perry’s first time adapting another playwright’s work. The article asks its readers if this film will win Tyler any respect. Lets allow ourselves to reflect on this question....

The article can be found at:
Cummings, Jozen. (2010, Sept. 16). Re: ‘For Colored Girls’ Trailer: Will the Movie Win Tyler Perry Any Respect?  Retrieved Oct. 2, 2010 from wsj.com.
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/09/16/for-colored-girls-trailer-will-the-movie-win-tyler-perry-any-respect/.

Perry’s work on screen serves as a spiritual medium to help shape cultural consciousness.  His actions to relay a positive spiritual message serves as the birth to a new era of film making. A new era of incorporating the church, a lesson, a moral decision, some type of climatic martyr to emotionally involve his audience. The greatest blessing that Perry has as a writer and film maker is his ability to involve others to help them relate to whats happening on and off screen. Ask yourself can a person with this work ethic and talent ever lose?

His reputation, connections, relationships with people also his incredible relationship with studios and in the film industry allow him these opportunities. With two sitcoms (House of Payne and Meet the Browns), airing concurrently on TBS, Perry has also been on the road doing broadway shows while casting for the film, “For Colored Girls.”  This dramatic project is yet another piece which allows Perry a stage to give battered, broken women a voice.

Directing an all-star cast of black actresses, which includes Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Janet Jackson, Anika Noni Rose, Kerry Washington, Thandie Newton, Kimberly Elise, Macy Gray, and Loretta Devine. Perry's work ethic shows that team work is an important quality to have. Without having effective abilities to work in a team, Perry wouldn’t have been allowed to work on so many projects. The truth is that Perry allows forms of creative expression to be exploited in his films. Offering music and spiritual themes to be included in all his projects.

In Madea’s Family Reunion there was the message that the elders gave to the younger generation as they danced and gambled not truly appreciating being in the presence of family. In I Can Do Bad All by myself there were several scenes where characters break out in song and where a preacher and his congregation relate to provide testimony of the events and trials that took place in the film. In Meet the Browns, Why did I get Married, Diary of a Mad Black woman, The family that preys, Daddy’s little girls, etc., there were life lessons to be learned. Of all the effective ways to get audience participation and include positive themes Perry has mastered the power of offering people something that they need to hear. It seems as if Hollywood is following Perry. He has a dedicated audience of church goers who support him by going to theatre’s in record numbers. They Load their church and community buses to go out and support him.  

A film maker with Perry’s resume must have the ability to effectively communicate with clients, investors and effectively manage to work with people and get his vision across to the rest of the team. Lack of team work wouldn’t allow Perry to be as successful as he is and he wouldn’t have such a rewarding reputation in hollywood. 

Interview of Safe Passage!

Graduate of the Communications program at Clark Atlanta University and President of Operation Safe Passage, Daniel “Messiah Equiano” Bolden has taken the time to share his inspiration for the start of his non-profit organization and also the thought behind his projects. Bolden is also the creator of Dreams Deferred The Stageplay and new project titled, History Lesson!

Ques: What is your ultimate goal?

Ans: To spread the message of peace! To save the lives and dreams of our youth through life changing media productions.

Ques:What are some goals that you have accomplished once the doors opened towards the creation of your organization?

Ans: Through the company we were able to produce the groundbreaking stage play  that touched thousands of lives. Also by donating food, clothing and resources to needy children and families and other organizations. Feeding families for the holidays, partnering with Christ Universal Temple and A.C.H.I.E.V.E.  to deliver life skills lessons for youth every Saturday. Thats to name some of the progress we were able to accomplish through Operation Safe Passage.

Ques: What are your future goals for yourself and your company?

Ans: To continue to touch the lives of others by using all the possible resources that I can.

You can find out more information on Operation Safe Passage at, http://www.saveourdreams.com/

The Hughes Brothers Strike Again.....!

I read an article regarding the Hughes brothers, Albert & Allen Hughes and the latest project that they worked on together. The Book of Eli which is a film that was released earlier this year is discussed.

The following information allows you to check out the original article: Topel, Fred. (2010, Aug. 06). Re: The Hughes Brothers talk about The Book of Eli. Retrieved on September 16, 2010 from craveonline.com. http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/film/article/the-hughes-brothers-talk-about-the-book-of-eli-82437.

The article starts with The Hughes Brothers, who directed the film setting the record straight in regards to how the media is referencing the project. They are disturbed with the media using the words, “post-apocalyptic western” to describe the look of the film. Albert Hughes describes the main character, Denzel Washington who is protecting a book as he journeys across a wasteland 30 years after a disaster wiped out most of the world. Albert explains that the Eli character played by Washington was influenced by a character from “The Man With No Name.”

The directors have done their homework exceptionally well. Not only did they study to handcraft the look and style of the film but they also did their research on the mood and feel of how the world would be as a result of a nuclear disaster that would wipe out most of humanity.

The brothers explained that the movie was also inspired by references that were made by professors who in the 80s studied what would happen if a nuclear event occurred. As a result there would be a biological look of the atmosphere, and in the environment. Allen Hughes explains, “There’s like three definitive books on this. The environment, on humanity, on the animal kingdom and studied what the clouds, based on their research, to see what the reality was and if it wasn’t nuclear, if it was one of those 2012 things.” The Hughes described that everything along with the decomposition of the landscape, the color of the sky would be a certain way and there would be no vegetation. They assert that the conflict in the film is based on survival, human survival.  The Hughes brothers also explain that actor Denzel Washington was a great help in making this film work.  The brothers describe the battles that have occurred between them and the studio to make things happen and with the works of Washington the project was a success.

Versatility of Cubevision!

 I visited the official website of rapper/writer Ice Cube and his film production company, Cubevision at http://www.donmega.com/cubevision.php

In case you aren’t familiar with his work, Ice Cube has produced the following projects through his company: Next friday, Barbershop, All about the Benjamins and his most recent work, Lottery Ticket. On the site Cube includes an interview that he and actor Mike Epps did recently, speaking in reference to the the company as well as the projects that they have worked on together.

The interview on the site gives so much insight as to how Ice Cube contributes to the entertainment world and how his vision is unlimited. 

Remembering Cube in serious dramatic roles such as Three Kings and Boyz N The Hood make it almost ideal for him to stick to this genre but Cube however has turned the switch on his career and allowed us to see him as a versatile actor. Not only can he write scripts and cast but he can also star in comedies. Creating unforgettable everyday characters such as Craig from the Friday series. He can also make relatable expressions and effects that allow us to love him and his ingenuity as an actor. Being that none of Cubes films that he has ever worked on has ever lost money, Cube has not only seen a pattern of success but he has also shown longevity and growth in the film industry.

Cube makes a reference to production studios and the limitations that they put on marketing the type of movies that he likes to put out. “The studios, they're the ones with blinders on. They're the ones who don't understand that if people want to see it, they'll go see it. You don't have to target. People think they're so good at targeting. The people who make those decisions, they're not smart enough to see that it's a different world out there now. People just want to be entertained, they don't care about your color.”

 This quote hits the nail on the head to me. Cube is so genuine for telling it like it is. Studios are seemingly afraid to take the risk. Projects with a large black cast or with black supporting cast are often referred to as urban films or urban projects. Major studios don’t support a lot of urban projects because they feel that the audience will not support it or they aren’t so familiar with this target audience so they shy away from it, but the truth is that if you like movies you will go see it!

Cube continues, “It's hard to change Hollywood — that's some old-school money. It's real hard to change their minds.” Cube gave a perfect example of this in reference to the success of 
the movie, Barbershop which was distributed through MGM.  Cube states that MGM didn’t target a particular audience so they marketed the project the same as all the others and got a great return. Hopefully what Hollywood views as the small scale urban market will soon be obsolete. Maybe we will soon have an opportunity to see more creativity on screen because we are allowed more room to do what we do which is be creative and not worry about if its been done before. Artists like Ice Cube have handcrafted a model for success that has proven to work yet they are still limited as to what companies will spend to market those projects. If more studios took the chance that MGM took they would  be sure to reap the same or maybe even greater rewards!  Cube also explains that for a future project he wants to work on a hard-core crime story...we truly hope to see it Cube.

Starring in the comedy film Lottery Ticket, alongside Bow Wow, Mike Epps, Naturi Naughton and Teairra Mari, Cube also has a new album, I Am The West that is due to be released September 28th. The project is his ninth studio album and also includes West side veterans DJ Quick, E-A-Ski and Sir Jinx.  You may send Cube a message on his blog or simply go out and see his latest project, Lottery Ticket which is now in theatres.

Interview of opportunity....

 This year I was blessed to attend a free webinar with screenwriter Michael Elliot in regards to an online forum that Mr. Elliott started which allows aspiring screenwriters an opportunity to get hands on advice from him through live video conferencing. Well, Mr. Elliott has set up a packaged Webinar titled, "PITCH TO SELL" Part 2 for the month of September and of course I also participated....After attending The Ladder: Produced Screenwriters Helping Aspiring Screenwriters once again I am definitely on fire with ideas!

His goal is to give ‘insider’ tips and advice from a self-taught writer who has sold over 25 projects and written four studio produced films including Like Mike, Brown Sugar and Just Wright. Im here to tell you that he did that and a lot more. He allows you, the participant to be interactive as we ask questions that he responds to while sharing his story and techniques. The package that I purchased included a copy of pitch materials that he used to sell his ideas and win over the executives that he met with.

Ques: when it comes to writing, why is it important to use a beat sheet?

Ans: its important to use a “beat sheet” as a blueprint for writing your script from beginning to  completion. Its important to write without stopping. Don't even stop to edit until you have a complete story. It's important to get the story out of your head.

Ques: Why is it important to have pitch materials?

Ans: Its not really about the materials more so than just being prepared. You have to command the attention of the room and show that you know what your vision is.

Ques: How did you pitch Brown Sugar as a project?

Ans: Well I didn't pitch Brown Sugar I sold it as a Spec script.

Ques: What advice would you give to upcoming writers and directors?


Ans: Make a list of the last twenty films that have come out and study them. If your craft is film, then you should know film. Know your craft. Don't be lazy because it will show.

Mr. Elliott not only sold us an idea and gave us an opportunity but he also gave us tools. I’m preparing to use those tools and not sit them on a counter to collect dust. Indeed, I would like to thank Mr. Elliott for sharing his story and his time. :)

A few steps forward, A few steps back.......!

I read an article and I'm a bit disturbed by its contents....... the following information will allow you to locate and read the article:

Thomas, S. Geneva. (2010, Sept. 10). Re: Sidibe’s Elle cover makes case for black fashion directors. Retrieved on September 11, 2010 from www.thegrio.com.
http://www.thegrio.com/entertainment/sidibes-elle-cover-makes-the-case-for-black-fashion-directors.php      

This article asserts that actress Gabby Sidibe, who starred in the movie “Precious” has recently graced the cover of Elle magazine. The writer argues that the staff at Elle magazine and perhaps Sidibe’s team are at fault to how horrible her hair was on the cover. Sidibe was seen earlier on several red carpets and on Oprah with her hair looking great so they argue that the Elle magazines cover is the exception....

Perhaps we are a society that does not allow Hollywood to take a day off. If the issue at hand is really due to the ill regards that magazine staff have towards black celebrities and their hair then lets address that....

On several occasions, I have seen Beyonce’s edges along with her blonde hair and sandy roots (while the hair is two different textures), being featured on magazine vanity covers and in hair magazine spreads. This has happened more than a few times yet none seemed to have noticed or blantedly disregarded it what so ever. This is not to mention the braid styles that needed to be redone and touched up. But are we so shallow as to ignore a celebrity that is often regarded as a sex symbol who is sure to wear a body suit in her music video despite the fact of what the storyline entails. However, a new actress that does not have the 5-7-9 shape and the cosmetic model look, is under constant attack although most of America looks like her!

The average woman is a size 14-16, although Hollywood does not seem to acknowledge her as a woman as much as they acknowledge her flaws. We have few characters that we can give reference to in the film area that are allowed to remain in our sights on our television screens. These characters include, Queen Latifah, and Monique who have taken leading roles and have more to handle than the  overly exploited 5-7-9 shape. i.e. “Just Wright,” “Bringing Down the House,” “Phat Girls,” and even Nia Vardolos in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding!”

It seems as if celebrities with light complexions are allowed to “get away”  with a lot more. As the author of the aforementioned article failed to mention that Gabby Sidibe was dolled up wearing flawless makeup and a cute frilly dress. Instead there was an entire article addressing the issue she has with her hair. Not only does the writer Geneva S. Thomas use the words ‘brillo’ pad to describe how coarse she feels Ms. Sidibe’s texture was. I am not mad at the author of the article. However, I digress that her opinion may be similar to how other journalists in a similar position may feel. Our homework as a culture and as a society should be to step out the box with our opinions! Perhaps we’ve stepped back into the 80s version of the film “School Daze” created by Spike Lee where he portrayed the “gigaboos against the wannabees” whereas the gigaboos were of a lighter complexion with fine hair and the wannabees were of a darker complexion and had a more coarse texture of hair. Have we stepped back into the dark skin nappy hair, light skin, fine hair concept? Or have we always been stuck with this concept, never growing nor pulling away from it?

Education in the Media

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://humanities.osu.edu/news/express/yr2006/images/august_article03b.jpg&imgrefurl=http://humanities.osu.edu/news/express/yr2006/august_article03.cfm&h=242&w=300&sz=

The Education system in Los Angeles, California is it structured for failure? Why is there no talk of a shift in education in the media at all?

I'll start by saying, I’m not sure how many states utilize this new system but the media isn’t talking about it & parents should know whats going on! Its only happening in low economic counties of Los Angeles ...go figure!

 There are certain cultural norms such as education that plague African Americans far more than any other group in America. This has added to a structured system of despotism. There has been a recent  breakdown in education. This system is referred to as “being in compliance,” which canceled reading intervention for a class called ELD which is equivalent to ESL classes for second language learners. Along with elective courses these necessary classes were eliminated and speech and drama were among them.

ELD is a sheltered English class that allows 140 minutes of English instead of 50 minutes so they have more time to practice reading and writing. The majority of these students are natives of California which should put them at an equal status to African American English learners but there are no programs to recognize these students. Although this new program is being afforded necessary and continued attention there has been no discussion of any particular consideration or subversive activity towards participants who meet the requirements of being in need of remedial reading resources. 

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Is the purpose of this endeavor to condition African American children whose minds need to be structured and nurtured or is its purpose merely a ploy to cut costs and reserve teaching staff? We must ask ourselves, why aren’t children being equally represented in the classroom? While we must be alert of misappropriation of funds we must also be aware of what is affecting our children, the very leaders of our future and those who depend on us to lead them and pass the torch to younger generations.

Why is the structure being disturbed to counter African American children’s propensity for growth and literacy? If this continues to be positioned as it stands, these youthful minds will not exist in a future atmosphere that is currently disturbed by past, painful experiences of neutralizing action that may have led to increasing awareness in the status quo of white superiority and racial awareness in the future. An anonymous author once wrote, "Part of the mechanics of oppressing people is to pervert them to the extent that they become the instruments of their own oppression." SO, if these children are constantly ignored in the education system, they are prone to establish an unfavorable assessment of education in general. The question then becomes, why is this a necessity? The result is that a lack of mental activity may indeed result in future high school graduation rates (or lack thereof) and college admittance rates of Black people, Black males in particular.

 Literacy not only shapes consciousness and development, but it also builds confidence and guides young minds to unprecedented lengths. To expose an offensive system is one thing but the goal should be to implement a new force, whereas possible effort should be made to insure that a practical program be instituted. To upset order, breeds chaos. If plausible activities are not met towards equality, it will not take long for us to be affected by such a direct attack on the young mind. Evidence of these contradictions include but are not limited to, disruption of programs, and undermining activities that has set back the developing African American citizen deep into history. The government has African Americans living under economic prostration by using devious maneuvers and implementing specific operations to capitalize on existing conflicts in society and among organizations and groups that may encourage liberation or any impression of possible social progress. i.e. the development of the FBI’s counterintelligence program, false imprisonment, not to mention a lack of education and resources. These actions lead to recidivism, broken home structures and build barriers to success.

Today’s coalitions of intellectuals have acknowledged actions of subordinated interest that convey a superficial impression of progress, although there is little effort being made to encourage affiliation or promotion of liberation. The government has indeed found another direction to apply internal colonialism to the African American race.