As audiences across the country prepare to dance down the aisles to soon to be released pop culture movie "Stomp the Yard", the creation of the film's storyline has proven to be just as exhilarating. Conceived by writer Gregory Anderson in the mid 90's, the film is an ode to fraternities and sororities at Historically Black Universities. This has special resonance because while writing the original draft, Gregory was a student at FAMU where he and his classmates Rob Hardy and Will Packer (Producers of "Stomp the Yard") dreamed of making it in Hollywood. After college, Gregory worked on the script, as he produced independent films with Rob and Will, but eventually other projects took center stage. Gregory hoped one day they could bring that story to life.
In 2004, when the opportunity arose for a possible movie to be made, Gregory, a member of Omega Psi Phi, quickly dusted off the script from his parent's garage. But, taking a script written about frat life in the 90's and giving it a new millennium spin proved to be another journey altogether. "I was inspired by Cameron Crowe; a powerful storyteller. I remembered he spent a year posing as a high school student in preparation for writing the movie, Fast Times at Ridgemont High." Taking a cue from Crowe, Greg returned to FAMU to gain a deeper sense of authenticity as he rewrote the script.
Next up for Gregory is the Warner Brothers / Asylum Records film "American Dream" which he produced as the President of Tri Destined Films.
Stomp the Yard opens in theatres this Friday.
Greg Anderson bio
Grads bring new flim to big screen
I remember Dr. Anderson speaking so highly of his son in class.
ReplyDeletehelp me to understand how...when someone is slanging mud around FAMU there are thirty thousand responses and comments...
ReplyDeleteBut when a positive story highlighting a positive experience about a FAMUan is listed...one comment?
Things that make you go hmmmm...
It's not that positive of a story. I'm glad the guy found work, but he obviously isn't making anything meaningful.
ReplyDelete"It's not that positive of a story. I'm glad the guy found work, but he obviously isn't making anything meaningful."
ReplyDeleteAre you serious???
To prove a point.. what about these:
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Rattler is a Dreamgirl
FAMU researchers get $9 Million from Congress
Allied Health Sciences Awarded $6 Million Grant
On the Sidelines Pam Oliver is One of TV's Best
100rd Marches its Way on to National News
FAMU students to engage in Semiconductor/IT Research
Former FAMU QB Signs 3-year pact with KC
Students to get new $6.8 million recreation center
FAMU gets nice bounce in doctoral degree production
All aforementioned received NO comments... at that's just Jan 06's...
Other poeple do a good enough job tearing us down... do we REALLY need to help them???
Ok so I mulled it over and I am going to respond. ARE YOU SERIOUS??
ReplyDeletePeople STOP WORRYING ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS IS A MOVIE ABOUT STEPPING! There was stepping and dancing in the opening credits of "A Different World" so should I say that too was not "anything meaningful" eventhough it was the greatest marketing tool for HBCU's ever?
There I have gotten past that so you can too. ONE point in the movie is stepping... Unless you have seen a screening and in that screening you never saw a Black Male with a book on a college campus then your assessment of the movie would be awesomely true... However, knowing what I know about the previews I have seen, I know different and do not need more to rebut your statement.
I am glad this brother found employment as well...but here are just a few positives that you should be cognizant of...
1) That a black man WRITES and is respected for his ART
2) That he supported and is supported by a Black Business
3) That his movie is depicting Black Males actively engaged in a college environment, enjoying the MANY aspects of College life
4) That this brother graduated from FAMU
5) That his father thought enough of FAMU that he paid his hard earned money to support this brother in his educational goals at FAMU
6) That he is NOT the first generation in his Black Family to go to College
7) That he is entreprenueral in thought and mindset enough to follow his own light instead of allowing the first roadblock to kill his vision, a quality needed to support other black men as a role model.
8) That this movie is getting major distribution and will probably be on more screens than Dreamgirls showing Black people not on the block as the only option to a better life.
9) That the profits from this film will support Black families
and 10) That no one died as a result of a brother getting ahead.
But I am guessing that since he is not changing the world by curing aids, positive portrayals of Black people in the media just ain't enough... for you. Fine. Don't be proud of any of the 10 things I listed here... instead keep your focus where it is...hope that works out for you.