May '00

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MAY 2000 - BLAST OFF

The motion picture industry can boast of many things. But by far its most incredible attribute is the many artisans that it uses to create each and every film. Granted, as digital filmmaking becomes more prevalent, less people will be utilized, but for now the actor, producer, director, writer, business-owners and other production pro's that make this industry tick should be celebrated. In this issue, we have interviews with actors John Amos and Wendell Pierce. In addition, we have interviews with writer/directors Reggie Rock Bythewood and David Koepp. Our business trailblazer this month is Laron Batchelor. These individuals have contributed to our viewing pleasure and blackfilm.com salutes them. Pull up your chair, point/click, scroll & stroll through this issue. We hope you enjoy it.
 


ARTICLES
 

BLACK FILM PLUS WHITE FILM CRITIC EQUALS?
There are some who purport that film is just film, that ostensibly there is no significant difference between films that feature predominantly white casts and films that feature predominantly black casts. Wouldn't that be nice?
by Sekou

THE GHETTO MATRIX
Like the Matrix in the movie, the ghetto matrix was developed to protect, maintain and enrich itself. It has evolved to be self-perpetuating, requiring little upkeep to stay functioning. It is not in the creators interest for the people to escape. The inhabitants are discouraged from leaving both physically and mentally
by James Richards

COMMENTARY
When Gwyneth Paltro said, "And the Oscar goes to Kevin Spacey," my hopes sank like the Titanic. My mind wondered if there is any real American Beauty for how could Denzel not win?
by Shelby Jones

JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, THE OSCARS WENT TO…
BEST PICTURE: American Beauty
BEST ACTOR: Kevin Spacey, American Beauty
BEST ACTRESS: Hilary Swank, Boys Don't Cry

THE OSCAR'S…DON'T YOU JUST LOVE EM?
We received numerous letters expressing dissatisfaction with the Oscar choices...Here is a snippet of what you had to say.

 


IN THEIR OWN WORDS
 

John Amos
JOHN AMOS - BEFORE COSBY, JAMES EVANS WAS THE FIRST DAD OF BLACK LIFE.
"When I would pose arguments about J.J.'s role being too stereotypical, I was regarded as a negative factor. It ultimately reached a point where it was inflammable, I mean, spontaneous combustion could happen at any minute."
Interviewed by Margretta Browne.

Wendell Pierce
PIERCE IS FIERCE
I moved to NY to study at The Juilliard School. While living with Wynton and Branford Marsalis, I studied at school during the day and went to the jazz clubs at night. I learned to act from Jazz musicians because they understood how…
Interviewed by Shelby Jones.

Wendell Pierce
SPIDERMAN IS COMING TO THE BIG-SCREEN THANKS TO THE PEN OF WRITER/DIRECTOR DAVID KOEPP
Writing parts for Blacks and Latinos, as well as casting them…is of enormous concern to me, and to most other writers I know… not out of any PC thing, but just because…
Interviewed by Shelby Jones.

TRAILBLAZER OF THE MONTH
As African-Americans involved in film there are so many people we owe our current artistic freedom to. If it weren't for people like Oscar Micheaux, Spike Lee and the many pioneers in between where would we be?

Our Trailblazer for the month is Laron Batchelor, partner Starpower.

Interviewed by Sekou

REGGIE ROCK BYTHEWOOD - BEING HONEST AND ALL ABOUT THE ART
After writing and directing his own plays, and completing the prestigious Disney Writers Fellowship, his first job as a television writer was on the highly praised A Different World. This experience was rewarding to him because...
by Nasser Metcalfe

 


INDUSTRY FEATURES
 

BLOWING A SPOT FILM FESTIVAL: NO ORDINARY FESTIVAL
Nearly 400 people attended Cinema Shorts:A Woman's Perspective 2000, a three day film and video festival which highlighted the work of emerging women directors with a special emphasis on Latin American and African American women films.
by Latrice Dixon.

 

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