Florida A&M University (FAMU) graduate and film producer Will Packer will be the keynote speaker for today's homecoming convocation at 10:10 a.m. in Gaither Gymnasium.
Packer is co-founder and chairman of Rainforest Films. He co-founded Rainforest Films with partner Rob Hard in the summer of 1994 while both were engineering students at FAMU. After graduating magna cum laude from FAMU with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering in 1996, Packer decided to forego job offers in the field of engineering to capitalize on his entrepreneurial instincts and his passion for filmmaking.
His visionary and tenacious leadership fueled the production and successful independent distribution of the motion picture Trois, the company’s first film to be released theatrically. Trois grossed $1.2 million and became the fastest million dollar grossing film distributed by African Americans. Based on the company’s success as an independent distributor, Packer brokered a profitable partnership in 2001 between Rainforest Films and Sony’s Columbia Tri-Star to produce and distribute urban films. This partnership has resulted in Packer overseeing production and distribution budgets of numerous urban-themed releases including Motives and the independent breakout hit film, The Gospel.
One of their most successful projects, Stomp The Yard (Sony/Screen Gems), held the #1 position at the box office for two weekends in January of 2007. Stomp The Yard chronicles warring fraternities at a historically black college. Stomp The Yard stars R&B sensations Ne-Yo and Chris Brown, as well as rising stars Megan Goode, Columbus Short, and Brian White.
Also see: Grad bring new film to big screen
Homecoming has officially begun!
Homecoming has officially begun yall, shout to everybody who was at Cafe Cabernet last night where DJ "Oh My God" (O'Neal Larkins) rocked the turn tables and Alan William rocked the microphone as "hype man" last night, aided by FAMU's new Government Affairs Director Tolah Thompson. Cameo appearances were made by Gov. Charile Crist, "the people's governor" and actor Malik Yoba.
FAMU grads old and young were definitely "in the house".
Ol' skool Nupes holdin it down
ReplyDeletethem dancers today at convovstion were on point...not the ones in black
ReplyDeleteHas he written any checks to the university yet? Provided our students with internships?
ReplyDeleteMalik Yoba and Gov Crist came out?!? Dang FAMU *two thumbs up*
ReplyDeletedid anybody make mention of double rattler alum jesse mccrary's passing?
ReplyDeleteYes he has and did (Packer question).
ReplyDeleteYes, Gov. Crist has play a bigger role in the background for FAMU than most know. There are Rattlers that work behind the scene in his administration. He actually likes us.
Yes, a moment of silence was done for Jess McCrary by Darryl Parks.