Blacks in the Executive Suite - Is that enough?

Will this be the solution?

What would be the difference?

- Arrange funding for our films
- Hire black writers, directors, actors, crew
- Greenlight “our” films

Do we need more?  Do we need the mega rich, too?  What would be the difference?

- Fund our own films
- Own our own movie theatres?  (Uh, I dunno.  Is that even profitable?)
- Become major, profitable players in internet delivery systems for our movies
- Become players in the distribution of our films*

All those things would be nice and lovely.  Of course, there would be one more hurdle.

How would be ensure quality?

Comments

[Shion]

I have been hearing this for years about how to ensure quality roles for Blacks in Hollywood.It is always something just like you said if we had this particular thing : more Black directors,screeen writers,etc. There are plenty of Black directors now that direct major films (Tears of the Sun,Fantastic Four,etc.)too numerous screen writers (especially on t.v. dealing with urban dramas (N.Y.P.D.,The Wire,etc.)Producers (tracey Edmonds,Madea 's creator (can't think of his name )Master P was producing his own films,etc.
I think it really comes down to the actor/actress choosing what they will and will not do.
Vanessa Williams turned down Monster's Ball because of the nudity (I guess she wasn't going through that again)but Halle had no problem with it and got an Oscar for it (although personally ,I don't think she has done anything worthwhile since then,IMO. Eriq LaSalle had his character 's budding interracial romance with a white female on E.R. dropped from the storylines because he thought it would send the wrong message to Black community considering his character's failed relationships with black women in the past.Richard T. Jones threaten to quit Judging Amy because of lack of quality screen time. All and all , I think iut all comes down to the individual.

[theblackactor.com]

I agree, Shion... at the end of the day it is up to actors to choose good roles. And it is about their own personal choices to raise the bar for themselves. I suppose when this happens, enough times, long enough we will begin to see quality filmmaking and quality roles.

I didn't know Vanessa Williams turned down Monster's Ball.

As far as nudity, I figure if you're gonna be a successful motion picture actress these days, nudity is often called for; exposed boobies, at the very least. Whether that is wrong or right is for another post but even A-list white actresses do that.

[theblackactor.com]

So you like movies, too, huh Shion? I'm pleased you comment on the blog and bring value to it. :)

[Shion]

Thanks Black, I can go on and on about the of African -Americans in general so please forgive me if my post tend to ramble on and on.BTW, Julia Roberts is the only one I know who hasn't done a nude scene and has an Oscar and one of the highest paid actors/actress in the late 90's /2000's.She said she never read a screenplay where one was necessary to that film in general.
Angela Bassett also turned down Monster's Ball because of the nudity and the portrayal of the central character.

[Kimi]

Had no idea Vanessa Williams also turned down MB, but I'm glad she did, no reason for her to go back there!

I'm not sure having us all up & through the movie studios will make much of a difference, hate to say.

I think Hollyweird is willing to put out X number of films directed at us, & I think Latinos are getting more flicks directed at them lately.

But in the end I believe the majority of films any studio churns out will be stuff that can cross color lines that (they hope) everyone will go see.

Love my peeps but most of us will buy the bootleg before we shell out all that $ to go to the movies these days & I can't blame people. Going to a movie these days is an INVESTMENT & you have to choose wisely.

[aulelia]

shion, thanks for that information about eriq lasalle. i find that very interesting that he didn't want to give off the wrong message. go eriq!