tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526861933315009124.post5348792407505563649..comments2023-11-05T01:31:45.483-08:00Comments on Invisible Woman.....Black Cinema At LARGE: 7 Questions...Invisible Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299734445263175345noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526861933315009124.post-10632080684832551192008-02-13T10:51:00.000-08:002008-02-13T10:51:00.000-08:00I was just made aware of this, so I'm coming in a ...I was just made aware of this, so I'm coming in a little late...<BR/><BR/>I think you were both a little overzealous in your initial responses to each other, which led to the "war of words" that ensued, and it seems like the core issue got forgotten along the way. <BR/> <BR/>First, I didn't get the impression that Carl was in anyway saying that blacks have finally "made it" in the biz and we should all shut up, stop complaining and be content with the status quo. But rather that while discourse and criticism are all necessary, they can prove to be rather useless and frustrating in the end, especially when not accompanied by action; and instead we should put more of that energy into actually doing. Essentially, less talking and more action. More positivity, less negativity! The industry is what it is and isn't going to change any time soon just because we want it to. Like any other business in a capitalist society, it's main objective is to maximize profit, regardless of everything else. So why expect anything more from it?<BR/><BR/>Secondly, I also get Qadree's point. Criticism and discourse are necessary and shouldn't be discounted. Ideas need to be challenged in order to be perfected and taught to others. While green is king in Hollywood, there is still a racial element that must be dealt with. Yes! <BR/> <BR/>So, I guess you're both right. Now, how do we combine both paths into one complete, effective ideology? Useful discourse complemented with directed, relentless action. If we can bottle that up and maybe drop doses into the water supply in our neighborhoods, so that we can all drink it up, maybe we'll see actual results :o)The Obenson Reporthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12327489832781036602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526861933315009124.post-46355774870421492062008-02-13T07:52:00.000-08:002008-02-13T07:52:00.000-08:00Cool Qadree.My approach is multi layered. It is a...Cool Qadree.<BR/><BR/>My approach is multi layered. It is applauding our successes in the major marketplace combined with creating change in the way we can 'where' we live.<BR/><BR/>I thought that was implicit in my interview, but if you didn't pick that up, it's fair.<BR/><BR/>One more thing I'll throw out there. In the mainstream marketplace, they trade on familiar terrain which in some cases include negative characterizations. Now from where I sit, outside of comic situations, the depictions of 'us' as criminals has dramatically decreased primarily because of 'political correctness'. We have seen the TYLER PERRY FILMS (which I believe are generally positive), THIS CHRISTMAS, FIRST SUNDAY, THE GREAT DEBATERS (which we didn't support like we should), MORGAN, DENZEL, CHEADLE & SAM continue to do their thing, etc.........<BR/><BR/>That was what I was talking about. There is NO HISTORICAL REFERENCE to these people (and I didn't mention them all) THAT is a lot we have to BUILD ON....and that is important to me....<BR/><BR/>But I got you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526861933315009124.post-11614752550847228392008-02-13T06:51:00.000-08:002008-02-13T06:51:00.000-08:00Don't wait for HOLLYWOOD to change. YOU GO OUT and...<I>Don't wait for HOLLYWOOD to change. YOU GO OUT and create change.</I><BR/><BR/>Finally!<BR/><BR/>If you were as up front in your interview as you're being now this exchange wouldn't have been necessary.<BR/><BR/>Since there are many aspiring filmmakers who may come across this, I must stress the value of criticizing art and the society in which it is created.<BR/><BR/>To advocate silence or the sharing of insincere ideas is to advocate ignorance. If progress is going to be made we must embrace the technology, not just in making films, but in sharing our ideas about them. Do not underestimate the power of discourse, it is essential to the advancement of all creative arts.Qadreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06694599367827916970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526861933315009124.post-13618327223653075782008-02-12T23:57:00.000-08:002008-02-12T23:57:00.000-08:00Oh, and a post script.I don't need to get a copy o...Oh, and a post script.<BR/><BR/>I don't need to get a copy of BILL DUKE's NPR interview.<BR/><BR/>He is a mentor and a friend and the main one responsible for my start as a filmmaker. He is a HUGE PROPONENT of the philosophy of making it happen yourself. <BR/><BR/>Don't be just an actor. Don't wait for HOLLYWOOD to change. YOU GO OUT and create change.<BR/><BR/>THAT IS BILL DUKE......off NPR.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526861933315009124.post-78484203380197839992008-02-12T23:52:00.000-08:002008-02-12T23:52:00.000-08:00Quadree......I'll leave this conversation with you...Quadree......<BR/><BR/>I'll leave this conversation with your own outlandish MAN IN A BUBBLE STATEMENT.<BR/><BR/>You write:<BR/><BR/>This seems to be the key difference between our way of thinking. By your logic every film for an entire year could consist of a thousand black people raping, killing, stealing, and have one white hero and your dreams will have come true. Statistically it's a winning formula, I suppose your only question would be, when do I get paid and where is the next audition?<BR/><BR/>HUH? HUH? EVERY FILM? RAPING? KILLING? EVERY FILM QUADREE'? Then you go on with your shallow little insult about auditoning for the next little acting job? Well let me tell your dreamy self something. FIRST. I don't just talk on a blog. I have PRODUCED 4 films and consulted on a half dozen others. NONE OF THEM had BLACK FOLK doing ANY of the things you mentioned. SECONDLY, there is a whole community of talented artists who are making wonderful films, but I guess your exposure is limited to STUDIO GENRE and EVENT FILMS....but even when you look at those.....you have many, many films where AFRICAN FOLK are NOT DOING the things you mention.<BR/><BR/>But at any rate......this convo is useless. WAVE the RED BLACK & GREEN HUEY and KEEP HOPE ALIVE!<BR/><BR/>Oh yeah.<BR/><BR/>I actually talked with CHARLES BURNETT today. He is making wonderful films OUTSIDE OF THE STUDIO SYSTEM and THAT IS HOW YOU CHANGE IMAGES.....not by BEGGING, whining and BITCHING about what the majority culture is doing. You get yourself out there and you make films with other likeminded people.....<BR/><BR/>THAT is what I advocate.<BR/><BR/>HOW MANY FILMS HAVE YOU MADE?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526861933315009124.post-73511713087137743982008-02-12T18:46:00.000-08:002008-02-12T18:46:00.000-08:00Is the white man stopping YOU from doing that?Wher...<I>Is the white man stopping YOU from doing that?</I><BR/><BR/>Where did this come from? You seem to have some preconceived notions that are clouding your judgment. I'll quote myself unless you didn't understand it the first time.<BR/><B>"Diversity is important, but I'm more concerned with the mentality of the people creating the images than the color of their skin at this point."</B><BR/><BR/>You say:<BR/><I>However, to ignore my challenge to make an objective analysis of what indeed IS HAPPENING in our business is suspect on your part.<BR/><BR/>You 'should' always be able to back your rhetoric up with some factual or statistical analysis. If you can't do that, it is emotional.</I><BR/><BR/><BR/>This seems to be the key difference between our way of thinking. By your logic every film for an entire year could consist of a thousand black people raping, killing, stealing, and have one white hero and your dreams will have come true. Statistically it's a winning formula, I suppose your only question would be, when do I get paid and where is the next audition?<BR/><BR/>I am more concerned with creative control and since you like research you should pull up as many interviews as you can of the people you listed and when you're done tell them to <I>move to the next level in the game. This business is a tough one for EVERYONE</I>. For the most part, they seem to agree with what I've been saying. I know you probably want me to hold your hand and walk you through every word they've ever said, but if you were serious you would know these things and wouldn't need me to spoon feed you.<BR/><BR/>Spike Lee needs to be enlightened with the research and analysis that disproves what he says about "the gatekeepers" and I do too, but you conveniently forgot to include any of it in your commentary. Please let us emotional people know about this archetype shattering information so we can step our game up.<BR/><BR/>You should also let Spike, along with many others, know that Hollywood is to thank for what they've done. They seem to think that they had to work harder and deal with things that white filmmakers don't have to deal with and that the success they have had is in spite of Hollywood not because of it. On this very blog there was a post about Bill Duke's appearance on NPR, on which wasn't thanking Hollywood for how good it's been to him, but quite the opposite. You might want to set these people straight, their emotions have gotten the best of them.<BR/><BR/>It's strange that you would question my integrity because I assumed you knew what is essentially common knowledge to those that are serious about cinema. If you think I'm fabricating the information about archetypes and trends there's plenty of research on this subject out there. I can lead you to it (email me), but I'm not going to hold your hand.<BR/><BR/>Everyone, from the well knowns like Spike Lee, and the not so well knows like Charles Burnett, have spoken out about the issues I have raised. For you to feign ignorance, or to actually be that ignorant says more about you than it does about anyone else. You seem to be engaged in some serious self deception.Qadreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06694599367827916970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526861933315009124.post-72910924917141063132008-02-12T11:40:00.000-08:002008-02-12T11:40:00.000-08:00Hey Qadree.Your call, but unfortunately, it is not...Hey Qadree.<BR/><BR/>Your call, but unfortunately, it is not based in fact.<BR/><BR/>I never said that we had arrived, but to ignore the GREAT STRIDES that have been made since BLAXPLOITATION would be an error. Moreoever, you have a ride to quantify what 'you' feel is adequate strides in the business for Black folk.<BR/><BR/>However, to ignore my challenge to make an objective analysis of what indeed IS HAPPENING in our business is suspect on your part.<BR/><BR/>You 'should' always be able to back your rhetoric up with some factual or statistical analysis. If you can't do that, it is emotional....<BR/><BR/>And you are entitled to have that.<BR/><BR/>BLACK FOLK need to move to the next level in the game. This business is a tough one for EVERYONE. We do need to make some improvements to our images, but also WE NEED to support films that promote said images. WE don't do that. Check the most recent example in THE GREAT DEBATERS.<BR/><BR/>If you do an objective analysis of BOX OFFICE and employment data, we are doing quite well. We can always do better, but try doing an analysis of BOX OFFICE and employment data vs percentage of population (12%). You might surprise yourself......<BR/><BR/>This industry is not designed to meet every sensibility all the time. If you don't like the images?<BR/><BR/>Go out and create your own.<BR/><BR/>Is the white man stopping YOU from doing that?<BR/><BR/>I don't think so.<BR/><BR/>Just food for thought.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the dialogue, my good brother....Twice Married Brotherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10281021043098150461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526861933315009124.post-17314293288390274462008-02-12T09:46:00.000-08:002008-02-12T09:46:00.000-08:00I think it's a matter of perspective at this point...I think it's a matter of perspective at this point.<BR/><BR/>Call it emotional, but I'm not ready to tell people what a great job Hollywood is doing with black representation.<BR/><BR/>When we address the peaks and troughs it's important to note that each one is different because they have to respond to different issues. It would be suicidal for Hollywood to respond to issues of race today in the exact same way they did in the 1920's or any other era. The archetypes get updated, but they are still there, some of the people you listed are on record speaking out against this.<BR/><BR/>Stepin Fetchit made similar comments about Hollywood during his day, about how there were more black people in the industry than ever before etc. It's easy to count heads if you're willing to overlook the images some of these people are creating.<BR/><BR/>Diversity is important, but I'm more concerned with the mentality of the people creating the images than the color of their skin at this point.Qadreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06694599367827916970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526861933315009124.post-41736753686406509812008-02-11T20:52:00.000-08:002008-02-11T20:52:00.000-08:00Qadree...Thanks for your comments. I have to chal...Qadree...<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your comments. I have to challenge you to do some objective research. I don't know how old you are, but I was 12-15 years old during BLAXPLOITATION. I was there. What we have TODAY is NOT the same. TODAY we have films and stars that are geared right AT the BLACK AUDIENCE (like BLAXPLOITATION), but today we have many more Black Actors playing in 'crossover' films with BLACK DIRECTORS and PRODUCERS actually working in these films as Producers and Directors. I named some of them. Antoine Fuqua, F Gary Gray, John Singleton, Spike Lee have ALL DIRECTED mainstream films,then you have others who direct URBAN FARE like DAVID TALBERT, MALCOLM D LEE, TYLER PERRY, BILL DUKE, THOMAS CARTER. Black Producers like James Lassiter, Broderick Johnson...<BR/><BR/>These cats were NOT around during BLAXPLOITATION, in fact, many of those films were directed and produced by WHITES. SAMUEL Z ARKOFF (American International Pictures) was one of the most prolific Black Exploitation producers.<BR/><BR/>You also write this:<BR/><BR/>"If you look at the history of Hollywood there are always peaks and troughs that correspond roughly to how well Hollywood is doing financially and the amount of non-whites getting work, the most extreme example is the black exploitation era." <BR/><BR/>And? As I said in my interview, this is show 'business'. 'Business'. I am not suggesting there is no race component at play, but not NEARLY AS MUCH as it once was...NOT EVEN CLOSE.<BR/><BR/>Do your own research, and with all due respect, REMOVE and EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT to whatever perceptions you have about RACE and the BUSINESS. TODAY? There is no excuse to use there anymore....<BR/><BR/>I, for one, would CHOOSE to be BLACK in this business today. <BR/><BR/>By the way, I didn't even NAME ALL THE FOLK I COULD HAVE NAMED....:)<BR/><BR/>And IW.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the opportunity to talk to your audience!<BR/><BR/>Carl Gilliard.Twice Married Brotherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10281021043098150461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526861933315009124.post-47886061315621416552008-01-31T09:09:00.000-08:002008-01-31T09:09:00.000-08:00I know...I always do the replacement curse thing, ...I know...I always do the replacement curse thing, unless I'm really pissed off, then I don't give a f**k! haha<BR/><BR/>Btw, Carl made me reflect on being more positive as well.<BR/><BR/>qadree: I always value your opinions...I will shoot you an email in a day or 2 about this.Invisible Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08299734445263175345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526861933315009124.post-74297821749127700972008-01-28T20:19:00.000-08:002008-01-28T20:19:00.000-08:00I think he was playing it safe with his answer abo...I think he was playing it safe with his answer about Hollywood and I can understand that. In the past I have entertained the notion of Hollywood being loyal to the dollar and nothing else, but I can't support that idea any longer, politics are an integral part of Hollywood.<BR/><BR/>Remaining in control is more important than sheer profit. America presents itself to the rest of the world through film, television, and music. These are the only ways most foreign people form their ideas about what it's like to live in America and the established players aren't trying to lose control of that. There is a definite fear of what could happen if the "wrong" people were to have a say in things.<BR/><BR/><I>"We have more BLACK DIRECTORS and PRODUCERS working than ever..."<BR/></I><BR/>If you look at the history of Hollywood there are always peaks and troughs that correspond roughly to how well Hollywood is doing financially and the amount of non-whites getting work, the most extreme example is the black exploitation era. <BR/><BR/>The first wave was when sound was introduced to film. People promote this nonsense about the black voice being needed to make the most of sound in the beginning, but the simple fact is that the introduction of sound bankrupted most independents and sent the majors into panic mode. How much do you think it cost to shoot a black cast movie back then, next to nothing compared to a white cast, and if the films conform to certain preconceived notions everyone will pay to see it and that's just what happened.<BR/><BR/>The same thing happened with the black exploitation era. The box office was suffering and you could shoot a film with a black cast for under $400,000. They made a killing off of these and then the traditional films started making money again and non-white films suddenly became scarce.<BR/><BR/>There's so much that can be said about this, but I wouldn't give to much weigh to the number of non-whites getting work at any particular time in Hollywood.Qadreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06694599367827916970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526861933315009124.post-66309696897782492702008-01-28T11:57:00.000-08:002008-01-28T11:57:00.000-08:00Good post! He's right about relentless positivity....Good post! He's right about relentless positivity. I'm starting to really believe that now... I hereby renounce my "hate" card, and embrace Will Smith, Tyler Perry, and others of their ilk. But I will uphold my right to revisit them and vent once in awhile, whenever they fu*k up! Side note: I just wondered why we replace letters in curse words with other characters, when we write in forums like this, like what I did above with "fu*k," or, as I've seen others do with "sh*t," and more. What's the point? It's not like others don't know what the word really is that we intended to use... just a moment of "deep thought" there. As you were... :o)The Obenson Reporthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12327489832781036602noreply@blogger.com