Here is a discussion about the making of the new comedy film Girls Trip with star Regina Hall, producer Will Packer, and director Malcolm D. Lee at the 2017 ABFF that took place in Miami this weekend.
We just discovered the news that comedian TuRae Gordon took home the winning trophy at The Comedy Wings Competiton at the 2017 American Black Film Festival in Miami.
If you are not familiar, The Comedy Wings Competition is a national search for the new stars of comedy. The goal of the competition is to provide a platform for talented yet undiscovered comedians to break into film and television. Semifinalists are selected from around the country to participate in the live audition, and the finalists are hand picked by the judges to proceed to the event that took place at the 2017 ABFF in Miami this past weekend.
See some highlights below:
More details soon!
Variety has chosen its 10 Comics to Watch for 2017.
The honorees will be recognized in the July 19 issue of Variety and at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal at a cocktail party on July 27, followed by a panel and showcase on July 28.
The comics are chosen by a group of Variety editors, reporters, and critics after extensive discussions with the comedy community, including those that scout, book, represent, produce, and cast comics on a daily basis.
The list began in 2000 with such now-recognizable names as Louis C.K., Zach Galifianakis, and Patton Oswalt. Along the years, other honorees have included Amy Schumer, Kumail Nanjiani, and Rebel Wilson.
“Since Variety started entertainment industry’s original ’10 to Watch’ series almost 20 years ago, we’ve become the most important showcase for new names in writing, directing, acting, comedy, and more,” said Steven Gaydos, Variety’s vice president and executive editor. “This year’s ‘Comics to Watch’ is a great example of why: cutting-edge talents, exciting diversity, and original and creative voices we feel certain to shake up, invigorate, and power new films, TV shows, and more.”
The Just for Laughs Festival runs from July 12 to July 31 in Montreal and is regarded as the premier destination for comics worldwide.
“Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch is the definitive list of comedy talent that industry executives need to have in their sights,” said Paul Ronca, director of industry and special events programming and strategic partner development. “Many of the comics that have made it to this list have gone on to star on stage and in film, TV, and online. Just For Laughs is proud to partner with Variety on this initiative and excited to be providing a platform for new and emerging talent.”
Then 10 comics selected this year are:
Brian Jordan Alvarez — Alvarez writes, directs, produces, and stars in “The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo,” named IndieWire’s best web series of 2016 and nominated for a 2016 IFP Gotham Independent Film Award for breakthrough series — short form. He’s been seen on The CW’s “Jane the Virgin.”
Rhea Butcher — Seen on such shows as “@midnight” and “Conan,” Butcher co-created and stars in the acclaimed Seeso series “Take My Wife” with her real-life spouse, Cameron Esposito. Her debut stand-up album, “Butcher,” was released earlier this year.
Vir Das — The star of Bollywood hits “Badmaash Company,” Das recently released the Netflix special “Abroad Understanding,” shot at a stadium in India and a club in New York.
Desus Nice and Kid Mero — Hosts of the hit podcast “The Bodega Boys” and a series of web videos for Complex Magazine, the pair currently hosts the talk show “Desus & Mero” for Viceland.
John Early — Currently onscreen in the indie hit “Beatriz at Dinner,” Early has appeared in the TBS comedy “Search Party” and Netflix’s “Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp.” His solo show “Literally Me” was a New York Times critics’ pick
Tiffany Haddish — Seen on screen in last year’s Key & Peele comedy “Keanu,” Haddish is next set to star in “Girls Trip” with Queen Latifah for director Malcolm D. Lee and has a Showtime special “Tiffany Haddish: She Ready!” due this year. She is a series regular on NBC’s “The Carmichael Show.”
Hasan Minhaj — Minhaj has been a correspondent on “The Daily Show” since 2014 and earned raves for performing at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner. His Netflix special “Homecoming King” premiered in May.
Esther Povitsky — A scene-stealer on The CW’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” Povitsky also appears on Netflix’s “Love” and “Lady Dynamite.” She hosts the popular podcast “Weird Adults With Little Esther” and the TruTV series “Cocktails With Esther.”
Jesus Trejo — A “New Face” at last year’s festival, Trejo is a regular at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles. He appears on Comedy Central’s “Roast Battle” and was a recurring cast member on the TBS series “Sullivan and Son.”
Liza Treyger — A “New Face” at Montreal in 2014, Treyger has appeared on “@midnight” and “Chelsea Lately” as well as C.K.’s series “Horace and Pete” and her web series “How Many Questions” with Sabrina Jalees.
Source: Variety
Set to make its world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival (LAFF) next week (Wednesday, January 21 at 9:05PM), in the LA Muse section, is the feature film “Fat Camp” from director Jennifer Arnold, starring Chris Redd, Anabelle Acosta, Michael Cienfuegos, Mel Rodriguez, and Vivica A. Fox.
The film follows 20-something Hutch who thinks image is everything. He acts like a big shot, even though he’s not, and is evidently too spoiled to get a job. But when his mother kicks him out of the house and he’s forced to work at his uncle’s fat camp, he finds himself supervising an offbeat group of husky boys, who ultimately help him grow up.
Scripted by Chuck Hayward, based on a story by Shane Dawson and Hayward, the film, Arnold’s feature directorial debut, is further described as a willfully offensive adult comedy with no manners and tons of heart.
BET has acquired the comedy feature to air in July, the network announced.
“As the premier destination for lovers of African-American culture, BET Networks is committed to supporting independent filmmakers and engaging our viewers worldwide, ” said Maureen Guthman, BET Networks’ SVP of content strategy.
“Fat Camp” is produced by Tatiana Kelly, Jim Young, William B. Macomber, and Eleanor Nett. Valerie Stadler, Peter E. Blacker, and Shane Dawson are executive producers. Cinematography is by Patti Lee with editing by Brad Wilhite. Music by Siddhartha Khosla.
The film is a FLUENCY Productions, a division of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises.
No trailer yet.
Source: Shadow & Act
In the Mood for ‘Love Jones’ – The Academy Celebrates the Film’s 20th Anniversary
On June 13th, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hosted the event “In the Mood for ‘Love Jones’ – The Academy Celebrates the Film’s 20th Anniversary,” which included a special screening of director Theodore Witcher’s first and still only feature film, “Love Jones,” in front of a packed house at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. The evening also reunited the film’s cast including Nia Long, Larenz Tate and Isaiah Washington and more, in a panel discussion with members of the crew, starting with writer/director Witcher and others.
The conversation was moderated by Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight”) and was thankfully videotaped and has now been released online via the Academy’s YouTube page.
Watch the entire panel discussion below, split up into 5 individual videos, for a conversation during which Witcher’s start in Hollywood is talked about, as well as casting the film, the technicals including the film’s look and sound, the cinematography, editing and soundtrack, and more.
Source: Shadow & Act
Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston in TWC’s “Intouchables” Remake
The Weinstein Co.’s has set a March 9, 2018 release date for their American remake of the international blockbuster that was the French dramedy “The Intouchables” which helped make Omar Sy a star. It’s also a role for which he won the Cesar (the French equivalent of the Oscars) in 2012, for Best Actor.
The remake stars Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston in the roles originated by Frenchmen Sy and Francois Cluzet.
How the original French film (which was inspired by a true story) will be remade for an American audience, remains to be seen. When the remake was first announced 4 years ago, in an interview with Elvis Mitchell, Harvey Weinstein, when asked what his approach would be with regards to recreating Omar Sy’s character (who’s Senegalese) for American audiences, versus the real life man he played in the film, who is Algerian, the conversation dove into matters of immigration as experienced in France, compared to the USA, and how all of that will factor into the USA remake.
Here’s that segment of their conversation:
HARVEY: “Originally, the intention was to have a black actor do it, but you talk about immigration, and the whole Latino thing that’s happening right now, it’s opened up our eyes, and obviously there’s an explosion of thought.”
He then went on to talk about the unreliability of the Republicans on the immigration issue here in the USA, before Elvis jumped back in with this:
ELVIS: “In that way it could be a political film… the president decided to grant special status to people who live in this country… it felt like it could be a way into the story that you never thought about.”
Of course this conversation was had while Obama was still president. The story could suddenly take on an entirely different meaning under a President Trump.
Harvey agreed with Mitchell, adding what he felt was a misunderstanding we here in the USA had about the French film – essentially that we didn’t get it, and we were looking at it through American eyes losing the message of the film in the process; one that was embraced not only in France, but all over the world.
I mention all this because of what has become a central issue of debate here in the USA recently – immigration, broadly speaking.
In the real-life story the film is based on, the character played by Omar Sy – Abdel Sellou – is Algerian. But they went with the Senegalese Sy in the French film. Omar Sy himself said that the Stateside equivalent of the relationship between the countries that the two men in the original film/real life are from, would be akin to the relationship between the USA and Mexico; so the character he plays in the original film should really be played by a Mexican actor in the Hollywood/Weinstein Company remake – if they want to be 100% authentic, as Omar Sy suggested.
Read our interview with Omar Cy (here) for more.
At the time, we felt that Harvey’s answers gave us a lot to consider in terms of the remake, and a closer look was warranted. But now that Hart is indeed playing the role originated by Omar Sy, let’s see how Harvey runs with this remake and if an America under a Trump administration has any influence on how the story unfolds; I can only assume that Hart is playing a black American man. Weinstein did say in the interview that they originally planned to cast a black (African American) actor, and but weren’t immediately certain of that.
Mitchell’s suggestion that the remake could be a “political film” with some aspect of the immigration debate incorporated (or as Weinstein put it “the whole Latino thing”), is indeed worth considering in terms of the story, with Hart now involved. There are after all Latinos of African descent, so he could very well be playing a black Latino man.
It was previously rumored that Jamie Foxx, Chris Rock and Idris Elba were all on the short list of actors being considered to play the lead role, in what would have been a film directed by Paul Feig. None of that was confirmed by Harvey, however.
Neil Burger is directing.
Story and character specifics for the remake have been kept mostly underwraps.
A Bryan Cranston/Kevin Hart pairing doesn’t immediately register. Although maybe Weinstein might be going for something less comedic and actually more dramatic, giving Hart atypical material to work with here. But a March 2018 release suggests that there are no Oscar plans for the film, even though the original French film was a multiple award winner for Omar Sy, picking up France’s highest acting honors for his performance.
Joining Hart and Cranston in the film are Julianna Margulies, Nicole Kidman, and Aja Naomi King.
Below is the trailer for the original French film, which is available on various home video formats in the USA. Catch it before the American remake.
Source: Shadow & Act
Performing at New York City’s Apollo Theater in any capacity is always an exhilarating experience for Cedric the Entertainer.
For his latest act, “The Original King of Comedy” will host the world-renowned theater’s 12th annual Spring Gala on Monday. The benefit event, which is the Apollo’s biggest fundraiser for artistic and education programs, will feature musical performances from the likes of CeeLo Green, Sheila E., Charlie Wilson and Wé McDonald of NBC’s “The Voice.”
The celebration will also honor Verizon with the annual Corporate Award for its philanthropy, and Peabody Award-winning director and producer Stan Lathan with the Trailblazer Award for his groundbreaking work as one of the first African American directors and producers in Hollywood.
Cedric told HuffPost that his experiences working with his mentor Lathan on shows like “The Steve Harvey Show,” “The Soul Man” and “Def Comedy Jam” taught him how to transcend urban comedy boundaries and become a business-savvy comedian.
“With Stan being on the forefront on the whole ‘Def Comedy Jam’ movement with Russell [Simmons] and all the guys who created the show, it gave urban comedy an opportunity to be seen in its rarest forms,” the St. Louis native said. “Being a part of so many great comedians getting their shine, he had that comfortability with it. It goes back with Stan to legends like Redd Foxx and being a part of their careers.”
“Especially in a TV environment with him, he was one to really help you, motivate and encourage you to push for your money,” he continued, “[or] let you know when it’s not gonna work for you in this brand of television. Like, ‘That might be funny on HBO, but you can’t do that on The WB.’ That’s the kind of ways he would influence you.”
For Apollo Theater President and CEO Jonelle Procope, having the award-winning comedian participate in honoring Lathan’s career continues the Apollo’s legacy as a center that recognizes thought leaders in the creative field who have pushed the arts forward.
”We are honored to present Stan Lathan … with the first-ever Trailblazer Award, recognizing his groundbreaking work as one of the first African-American directors and producers in Hollywood,” Procope told HuffPost in a statement. “Stan not only paved the way for other African-American artists, but he also created a platform for emerging artists, particularly comedians.”
“So a comedy legend like Cedric The Entertainer is the perfect person to host this year’s Gala because he can truly appreciate Stan’s contributions to the arts and especially comedy,” she added.
All proceeds from the fundraising event will benefit the theater’s year-round performing arts programming, innovative education initiatives and community programs.
“These are rare circumstances where young people are being encouraged and motivated to not only be in front of the stage, but because they work hard can be behind the scenes as well,” Cedric the Entertainer said. Lighting engineers, set designers. And so, this is the kind of programming that is very important.”
To purchase Gala tickets or to make a donation to the Apollo Theater, please visit the theater’s website.
SOurce: Huffpost/Black Voices
On This Day In Comedy on March 30, 2005, Queen Latifah’s ‘Beauty Shop’ Was Released!
Beauty Shop was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer!
This spin-off of Ice Cube’s Barbershop franchise stars Queen Latifah as Gina, a character introduced in 2004’s Barbershop 2. The plot in this installment has Latifah moving from Chicago to Atlanta to give her daughter a better life and so she can attend a private music school. Latifah is a great hair stylist but is driven away from her home salon by her jealous boss (Kevin Bacon) so she opens her own shop. It’s a shop of misfits: old ornery customers, new dumb and lazy stylists and a rapper wannabe (Lil JJ) who’s always filming himself.
Eventually things start to look up. Latifah’s old clients return to her, her old boss’ clients come her way and the new people start to trust her and give up some business. Then the jealous ex-boss sends in a guy to destroy Latifah’s business. It almost works at a crucial time, but thanks to Latifah’s loyal employees it all turns out right. That also means Kevin Bacon gets paid a visit by some folks from the shop who give him a proper shaving.
Beauty Shop was directed by Billie Woodruff and co-stars Alfre Woodard, Alicia Silverstone, Andie MacDowell, Mena Suvari, Della Reese, Paige Hurd, Octavia Spencer, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Golden Brooks and Djimon Hounsou. It also features the comedy talents of Adele Givens, Sherri Shepherd, Laura Hayes and Sheryl Underwood with cameos by LisaRaye McCoy, Birdman, Kimora Lee Simmons and Wilmer Valderrama.
The film received numerous award nominations for directing, acting (Latifah and Bacon) and writing (Kate Lanier, Audrey Wells and Norman Vance, Jr.). On a $25 million budget, Beauty Shop earned $37,245,453 at the box office.
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
Check out this clip:
On this day in comedy on March 28, 1997, Halle Berry’s B*A*P*S was released by New Line Cinema!
Directed by Robert Townsend and written by Troy Beyer, B.A.P.S stars Halle Berry and Natalie Desselle-Reid as Decatur, Georgia waitresses trying to come up. They want to open the first combination beauty shop / soul food joint and go to make a music video in Los Angeles, California to raise the money. Since we are talking about Halle Berry (no matter how ghetto they tried to make her look); they instead wind up in Beverly Hills at a sick old millionaire’s mansion helping his butler (Ian Richardson) take care of him and living the life of Black American Princesses (thus the title).
However, the girls are ghetto. They’re not skanks. So, once they see how other gold-diggers are trying to financially abuse the old rich guy (Martin Landau), they decide to pump the brakes themselves and look after him on the real. Of course, when he finally dies he leaves them half his money. So, they were ghetto, but not ‘ignant’.
B.A.P. S. features comedians Bernie Mac, Faizon Love, Rudy Ray Moore, Pierre and Anthony Johnson. It was panned by critics and audiences were too enthusiastic either. The film grossed a grand total of $7,338,279 on a $10 million budget, but we are talking about Halle Berry. She got nominated for Best Actress by the Acapulco Black Film Festival.
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
Check out this clip: