Up & Coming

 

Ralph Scott: For Show, For Shorts, and All the Above

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By George Kevin Jordan

The film industry is full of prophets, analysts and executives who will tell you there is a formula to bringing a movie to life. Despite their best efforts, however, no one can really predict the success of anything. For every runaway hit like “The First Wives’ Club” there is a “Pluto Nash.” Pundits will say they know a successful franchise when they see it. But if that were the case people would not have passed on J.K. Rowling’s book when it came out, or “Twilight.” Everyone would not have scoffed at Tyler Perry, if there was a full proof formula for success. In the end you have to pursue your passion and follow your gut. School’s can teach technique, but your heart must lead the way.

So it should come as no surprise that a scheduled interview with master film promoter Ralph Scott was down graded to a phoner so he could care for his 6-year-old daughter. You have to follow your heart. It was his heart that led Scott to creating a festival and eventually executive producing Lens on Talent, the premiere location for black short films. The contest is so big now they just logged in 900 submissions for the last go round. Scott’s passion for showcasing amazing films was no less palpable through wireless phone than if we had been sharing coffee at a mid-town Starbucks, as planned. He is open and honest and chock full of…

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Al Thompson: Bring it On!

By Daralyn Jay

You’re a hot, young actor with some highly recognizable film credits like “The Royal Tenenbaums,” “A Walk to Remember” and “Love Don’t Cost A Thing” as well as a string of television guest star and voice appearances on your IMDB page.  Plus, you’ve got cash flowing in from your commercial spots. So, what do you do next? Buy your dream sports car, move to “The Coast” and hit the party circuit? If you’re Al Thompson, you fire up your computer and sink all your hard-earned currency into writing, producing, directing and starring in your own Web series, “Johnny B. Homeless,” inspired by your adventures coach-surfing in L.A. “Commercials are how I’m able to fund my Web series creations. A lot of actors don’t do that.”

It is clear that Al Thompson is not like a lot of actors. Introduced to acting in high school, he fell into work as a stunt double, filling the void of younger African American stuntmen. He also appeared in an NYU student film called “3D” that happened to screen at Sundance, leading to Hollywood attention and Hollywood roles.

Fast-forward to life after those IMDB credits. Thompson is decidedly focused on making his mark as a Web series content creator…and beyond. “I want to continue to make quality entertainment in the vein of old-school television—when we didn’t have reality shows. Every show had a cool, intro theme song…All the shows had really…

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Phyllis Stickney… And All This Time You Thought You Knew Her

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Her strength is immeasurable.  Her light…un-extinguishable. Who is this that I speak of? Her name is Phyllis Yvonne Stickney or as she refers to herself, “the authentic article.”

Ms. Stickney is known for her numerous roles in some of the most highly acclaimed films including “New Jack City,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “Jungle Fever,” and “The Inkwell.”  And we can’t forget her as one of our favorite natural hair rocking, African garment wearing professors on “A Different World.”  But who is Phyllis Stickney?  We know her as the actress, but she is also a poet, activist, fashion designer, comedian and inspirational speaker.  Her talents and capabilities span far and wide, yet the journey that took her to these various opportunities in life is just as astounding as the array of gifts she shares with the world through various outlets.

She walked into the small café in Harlem with the grace of a queen, yet with the humility of a child.  Adorned in head to toe in a beautifully woven winter dress with colors of golds, oranges and browns and a deep reddish/orange blazer; she sat across from me and smiled.  I proceeded to compliment her on her wardrobe of choice and she responded by getting up and creating her own catwalk in the middle of the tiny café. People smiled, laughed and complimented her on her clothing. That is when she revealed that it was from her own clothing line “Fashions…

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We’ve Only Had a Taste of All That Flavor

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No one can forget the quick-witted, fresh-dancing, gold-toothed,  slick-talking teen with the thick patois, from the critically acclaimed film “Precious.”  And the truth is, she was already unforgettable before you knew her name. Most of us have seen her before. Remember the commercial with the woman who just couldn’t get her hair together until she reaches through a bathroom mirror and Dr. Miracle gives her a prescription to make her hair shake and shine? You were viewing one of the many faces of Chyna Layne.

Layne, who was born in the Philippines to a Jamaican military dad and a community activist Filipina mom, always knew she would be in film. Coming from a colorful background in more than just ethnicity, her skill set includes dance, Chinese, martial arts,  eskrima (Filipino stick fighting) and of course the ability to morph into characters and change her dialect at the drop of a dime.

After acting in more than 30 independent film, Layne landed a big one with the Oscar-nominated “Precious,” now on the tip of tongues all over U.S. households. She says Lee Daniels not only directed a phenomenal film, but honed her into an even better actor.

Daniels was an essential part of brining unique and memorable personalities out of each character, from their hair to their jewelry to their clothes, Layne says. “Everyone hopes to work with a director like that,” she says.  “A director that’s not gonna settle for just, ‘You can do your…

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