Movie on Starz

We shared with you that in addition to Tryin’ to Sleep in the Bed You Made, Far From the Tree is also in development for film. And as those of you have kept up with our bulletins, blogs and newsletters know this summer we also talked a lot about Something Is Killing Tate, the first full length feature produced by our Far From the Tree producer, Jessica Funches. So we wanted to let you know that Something is Killing Tate will premiere THIS WEEK on the Starz (In Black) cable network on 11-25-08, 11:20PM PST / 11-26-08, 2:20AM EST. The film won 11 festival awards this year! So watch if you’re around and/or up and please TiVo or DVR it if you’re not!
Thanks a bunch!
D&V

We Can See Clearly Now

There is a point in any project we’ve done, where we look at it, or read it and we can sense—That’s it! All of the tinkering, tossing, turning, sweating and re-imagining have led us to the place where whatever dream we had when we started with a blank computer screen, is suddenly visible, tangible, real. That doesn’t mean we’re finished, and can kick back and congratulate ourselves on another completed caper. Usually, there is still a long march ‘til the end, but we can at least see where we’re headed and we know we’re going in the right direction.

We had that moment this week with the script for Tryin’ to Sleep in the Bed You Made—The Movie. Our screenwriter, Desha Dauchan, has been working diligently to get the screenplay to a reasonable length (because this cannot be a movie marathon), while keeping the heart and soul of Pat, Gayle, Marcus and Ramsey. This is a Kilimanjaro-sized task. To play up one scene, you have to remove another. To strengthen one character’s dialogue you have to gyp another. It was a constant struggle to find the balance, make the most with the least, make every second count. A page a minute—the whole movie opening to closing credits has to be under two hours. From a 400 page book! Aargh!

But this week, when we sat down to read the latest draft, we could both feel it. We could see Regina King as Gayle, in that maid’s uniform, cleaning up Pat’s hotel room, or looking up and seeing Ramsey for the first time, standing beside her car after her ‘marry me or else’ showdown with Marcus. It gave us both shivers. There are several actors we have been talking about for the major parts, and we could hear them saying the lines, imagine how they would be with each other as Pat and Marcus in the basement, sharing that kiss, or as Ramsey sweating to convince Bessie he’ll come up with the money. There is still tweaking ahead of us, but we’re there, ready to proceed to the next steps, and all four of us who make up 4 Colored Girls Productions (that includes our partners, Tyrha Lindsey and Tracey Kemble) are very excited.

So, while we’re getting the script copied, bound and ready to go, let us know who you see in the parts of Pat, Marcus and Ramsey. We have our choices in mind and have made phone calls to let them know the screenplay is coming (that just gave us a shiver, too), but we’d like to hear who you imagined when you read the book. Maybe we can reach out to them too.

Questions, Questions, Questions

We are so often asked--"How are the movies coming?" And while these blogs are from from Sherri and Jessica who are producing Far From the Tree, the process and progress is pretty much identical to what's going on with the production for Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made. We want to keep in informed and involved--after all they're your movies and we want you to understand that all of this takes time, effort, dedication and a positive attitude! So please give them a read--and your encouragement!

Thanks,
V&D
Questions, Questions, Questions
http://blog.myspace.com/farfromthetreemovie
This week Jessica and I worked on our pitch for investors. Before we sell the movie to you – the fans of Far From the Tree – we must sell the viability of the movie to prospective investors. Tons of questions must be answered and each presentation must be specifically tailored for the person to whom we're pitching. Whatever we say in our pitch, it must all add up to us proving that Far From the Tree makes good business sense.

Some of the questions we must consider include: How much creative information should we include? How do we make the case for this film and prove that it's a worthwhile investment? Should we focus exclusively on the film's profitability? What other movies like ours have been made in the past? Where is the audience for Far From the Tree? How much money can this film generate? How do we know that the fans of Far From the Tree will show up when the film gets to the theaters?

How we present the information is as important as what we present. For example, what pieces of information will be most important to this investor? Can this person write the check or must he/she take our pitch back to the person who can write the check? How does this person process information? Are they a numbers person or are they someone whose heart and mind comprehends better through pictures? And, how many pictures should we include? Will the images we've chosen appeal to this investor? Have we said too much? Are we overloading this person with data? How much information is too much information?

As we endeavor to find an investor for this picture, we don't know the outcome of this process. Will we find the investor who will get the vision we have for this film? Will he/she be ready and willing to write the check when we're ready for him/her to write the check? How long will it take for us to find the money for this film? What hoops will we need to jump through in order to secure this investment? What if we get some of the money but not all of the money? The list of questions can go on ad infinitum. There's little glamour in this process at this point.

Truthfully, none of these questions can be answered until the movie is in the theaters. That's the real proof. Still, Jessica and I must make the case for Far From the Tree convincingly enough that an investor sees what we see – that a movie with three African American women in the lead roles will not only be a good film but it will make money, too. Every element of our presentation has been crafted to sell this point of view.

Will we be successful? Of course we will. And, you, the fans, will be the first to know. You can expect a big fat e-mail in your inbox that shouts, "WE GOT THE MONEY!!!!!" If nothing else, the satisfaction of sending out that blog keeps us going.

Over the past few weeks, your words of encouragement, your overwhelmingly positive response to this blog and your trust in our ability to give you a movie you can be proud of have given us a boost each time we hear back from you. Keep letting us know what you want to see in this film. As much as we love this book and what it says to us, it's also something we're creating in love for you, the fans of the book.

Please tell a friend about this blog. We want as many people as possible to know that this movie is being developed. And, we can only do that through the help of fans of the book like you. Encourage someone to read Far From the Tree and then subscribe to this blog. And, when our film hits the theaters in 2009 and debuts at number one, we can all feel like we've created something great. http://blog.myspace.com/farfromthetreemovie

Does Art = Truth?

Does Art = Truth?

In another post from Sherri James (http://myspace.com/farfromthetreemovie) about making films, she ponders this question. And in many ways it reflects what rap and hip hop artists have been saying for years. That the music reflects the culture. The question we want to ask is: Is life on the street the only image of African American culture we want to send out into the world? Or is there more--and if there is (which we clearly believe), how do we get it seen and heard?

Responsibility of the Artist Part 2
http://myspace.com/farfromthetreemovie

At its best, an art form tells the truth about our experience, and in doing so, moves us forward as people. But, telling the truth is not always easy and certainly isn't always fun. We must look at ourselves clearly and report without judgment, without criticism, without flinching that which we see. Only then can we break the hold of our limitations. When our art does not tell the truth, it fails us miserably because then it functions only to reinforce stereotypes.

Artists bear the responsibility of waking up the rest of the culture and moving it forward. It is the art that transports us mentally from where we are today to where we can only imagine ourselves being. Who hasn't gotten lost in a painting or a book when, in the moment that you observed it or read it, it took you to another land, another time, another place? That's the great thing about it art – it creates breathing space.

With FAR FROM THE TREE, we hope to bring out the intricacies of African American families – what motivates us to keep secrets; how do our parents feel when we start digging around in their past, drawing back the curtain on things not talked about. You first fell in love with the characters because the book brought out a certain truth about their relationships.

Our job with the film is to honor that truth and bring it to life through our production.

One of the most important elements that helps us tell the truth in cinema is casting. The best actresses know how to find the truth in the moment. Therefore, we've made ANGELA BASSETT our top choice for the role of Celeste English. This role offers an opportunity for an in-depth character study, giving Ms. Bassett the chance to showcase the fullness of her dramatic range. As the seemingly well-put-together older sister, Celeste struggles with a strained marriage, an estranged relationship with her ne'er do well younger sister and an even more disjointed relationship with both her mother and daughter. Conveying the subtleties in these tenuous relationships is what Ms. Bassett does best. So, let's all hope that she agrees to be a part of this picture.

The truth really does set us free. And, we know it when we see it. It's why BOYZ IN THE HOOD and MENACE II SOCIETY resonated so strongly with their audiences. Conversely, the myriad copycats that followed only reinforced stereotypes.

As the producers of FAR FROM THE TREE, it's important to us that we create fully realized representations of Black womanhood. I remember how good it felt to watch WAITING TO EXHALE. That movie created some breathing space to be a Black woman in the United States.

We want to do the same with this film. Hopefully, after you see the movie, you'll hit me on this blog and tell me that you're able to breathe a little easier.

Art = Legacy?

We're back from the NBCC in Atlanta--just and haven't recovered enough to gather our thoughts into a blog yet. But the current post from Sherri at http://myspace.com/farfromthetreemovie reads like it came directly from one of the hundreds of conversations we had while we were away. We found ourselves in a number of discussions about the responsibility of art, culure and commerce and you will hear more from us in the coming weeks about the convergence and clash of these three elements in contemporary life.

But in the meantime--please check out Sherri's blog this week!

"When governments have crumbled and empires have faded away, what remains to tell the story is the art."

Thx,
V&D

"The Responsibility of the Artist - Part 1."
When governments have crumbled and empires have faded away, what remains to tell the story is the art. To the students in the year 2525 who study our music to know who we are, what will they say to learn that we routinely referred to our women as b's and h's and we thought calling ourselves the n-word was cool? Will it sustain them in the same way that we find power in the words of Langston Hughes? Or will it be so full of self-hate that no motivation can be found?http://blog.myspace.com/farfromthetreemovie.
Check it out. If you like what you read, leave a comment and if you really, really dig what I'm saying, please share it with a friend. The blog can be found at www.myspace.com/farfromthetreemovie.

Number One at the Box Office?

This blog is a repost from the producer of Far From the Tree—Yep it’s being made into a movie too!! Please take a read, visit their page at http://Myspace.com/farfromthetreemovie (if you’re on MySpace please “friend” them), and of course spread the word!!! Thanks—V&D

Imagine This: Far From the Tree Number 1 at the Box Office!

My name is Sherri James. And, I am the producer for Far From the Tree. If you'll allow me, I want to blog about what it takes to produce a thoughtful, entertaining feature film about Black women. I want to bring you along as I figure out how to make a great movie with Black women in the lead roles and not have the film end up going straight to DVD.

Has it been done before? Absolutely! My sister in spirit, Stephanie Allain, did it with Something New but Black women didn't show up for the film in big enough numbers and the movie quickly went away from the box office. And, she went on Oprah!

So, I guess the real question is why do I think my film is any different. Actually, I don't. Stephanie did a great job and so did all the Black women who worked on the film - Sanaa Lathan (actress), Sanaa Hamri (director), Kriss Turner (writer)...amazing women!

Even though Black women didn't vote with their dollars in favor of Something New, I'm hoping you'll make my movie an event film like Sex and the City! I'm bold enough to hope that you'll fall in love with the characters in Far From the Tree, see yourselves in the women we're portraying and return to the theaters again and again for your Far From the Tree fix! I'm betting that perhaps you didn't know enough about Something New to support the film. I'm betting that if I give you enough information about Far From the Tree, then you'll support us when the film hits the theaters on the first weekend.

Okay...I'm going to stand on my soapbox for a minute. Bear with me...

Stories about Black women are WORTH putting on the big screen. I believe you want to see more than just a story about a woman who cannot choose the right man. I believe the intricacies of our lives are actually INTERESTING and COMPELLING enough to carry a feature film. I'm betting that if you and I get to know one another through this process, I'll learn EXACTLY what you want to see in a film and you'll learn enough about what I'm doing as a filmmaker that you'll decide to support that effort by going to the box office on the FIRST WEEKEND.

Okay, I'm off the soapbox...for now...For past three months, Jessica and I have been working on the business plan for Far From the Tree. We are raising approximately $2.5million to shoot Far From the Tree. Both of us are excited about the prospect of creating a movie that fans of Virginia and Donna's book will be proud of. We're both fans of Virginia and Donna and look forward to turning this book into a visual masterpiece.

As the producer for the film, I am very concerned about making sure Far From the Tree doesn't get overlooked in the marketplace. Films like Far From the Tree are considered "softer" fare - read movies made for women - and they tend to get squeezed out of the marketplace by larger studio films - read movies made for boys, probably white boys, ages 15 - 35.

While Jessica has to answer the question of what to include in the movie so that you have a satisfying movie experience, the perennial question on my mind is WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO MAKE YOU COME OUT TO THE THEATER ON THE FIRST WEEKEND, see the movie and then tell your friends about it so that they come out on the second weekend.

I think about Tyler Perry and I love the success he's enjoying right now with his films and I'm hoping that we can do the same kind of business with this film. i know you don't know me. And I don't have a funny character like Madea to entice you. But I promise you, we're creating an incredible story that will entertain you, make you laugh, make you cry and MOST IMPORTANTLY, depict positive images of Black women that will make you feel good about yourselves.

I think about Lil Wayne and how he just sold 1 million albums in one week and I'm astonished. Someone - I don't remember whom - told me that he spent hours each day building an audience for his music through social networking sites like myspace and facebook. And, I think to myself, "could I do the same thing for Far From the Tree?" so that when the film hits the theaters, MY AUDIENCE SHOWS UP and makes the film a number one movie. Do you think that can happen for this wonderful book? Do you think we can do that for one another? I give you a movie that makes you feel good and you give me a number one box office hit. Hmmm...imagine that...

I'm willing to dream big! I'm willing to imagine Far From the Tree is No. 1 at the box office!

SAY WHAT? IT'S KING DAY

While we were out of the office the other day, an attempt was made to deliver a certified package to our film company. When Virginia went to the Post Office next day to pick it up, the clerk looked at the claim slip and said, “You have a business—a production company, right? With that name we can’t say.”

Huh?

So Virginia said, “Do you mean 4 Colored Girls Productions?”

The clerk said yes, then told her what a flurry of activity the envelope had caused, because nobody could figure out how to refer to it without saying the name. Seems it was against Postal workplace regulations to use such language.

Amazing Grace. We are both of an age when we remember it as one of the more dignified names we were called. And we in no way mean for the name to be demeaning, shuffling’ or head bowing. For us, it is a reminder of how far we’ve come, where we came from, and all that we were taught about being proud of who are and working hard to accomplish our goals. We believed it was the content of our character that counted, and that Black is beautiful. We still do. Those early lessons are always in our minds and on our hearts when we write. There is no one who expressed with more power or eloquence the necessity to treat people with the dignity and respect they are due than Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. He fought specifically for the rights of Black people—Negroes or Colored people as we called ourselves at the time—but he spoke to the humanity of all people.

The celebration of Dr. King on the anniversary of his birth is unique. It is not a memorial. The focus is on the possibilities of what we can achieve. So, we celebrate the fact that four Black women can come together as 4 Colored Girls Productions in order to produce movies, and reasonably expect to get it done. We celebrate the fact that there is a Black man running for president who can reasonably expect to win. We heard a young man on the radio this morning, talking about why he was honoring Dr. King today by participating in a program to mentor younger children instead of hanging out with friends. He said it was because Dr. King, “Knew he had to get stuff done.” Well, there is a lot of stuff left to get done. King Day is our annual reminder to keep doing it.

Have a thoughtful, inspired, and motivated King Day. Get stuff done.