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Posts published in “Entertainment”

Peter Ramsey, First African American to Direct an Animated Film, Discusses His Career on CNN

By goodblacknews on January 1, 2013


In this day and age, when we see stories about “the first African American” to do something. Today is the start of 2013 and these “firsts” are still happening across geographies and industries.  One last one to cross off the list is “first African American to direct an animated film.” Peter Ramsey directed the DreamWorks film Rise of the Guardians, the blockbuster holiday movie that, over the course of its six-week release, has grossed more than $90 million. This week, it rounds out the top ten with $4.9 million, in a field packed with movies like The Hobbit, This Is 40, Django Unchained, and Les Mis.
rise-of-the-guardians1-pfRise of the Guardians, is about a group of Immortal Guardians, including a tough-as-nails Easter Bunny and tattooed Santa Claus, who must protect the Earth from an evil spirit. The film has been a great success overseas, and has helped Ramsey’s profile rise in the past few weeks. The 49-year-old never finished college, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, but takes the time to speak to schoolkids, to let them know that this is something they can work towards.
“I want them to know they can do it. You can start with a piece of paper and a pencil. There’s no limit to the kinds of stories they can draw,” he says.

Above, CNN talks with Ramsey about his rise in the animated film industry.

 
Read more at http://madamenoire.com/250126/peter-ramsey-first-african-american-to-direct-an-animated-film-discusses-his-career/#TPrtWvTKsrTkojxW.99

WC Handy’s Memphis Blues: The Song of 1912

By goodblacknews on December 31, 2012
W.C. Handy
“Memphis Blues” author WC Handy

One hundred years ago, in the autumn of 1912, an African-American musician by the name of WC Handy published a song that would take the US by storm – Memphis Blues. It launched the blues as a mass entertainment genre that would transform popular music worldwide.

In 1903 William Christopher Handy was leading a band called the Colored Knights of Pythias based in Clarksdale, in Mississippi’s Delta country, when one day he paid a visit to the little town of Tutwiler.

“A lean loose-jointed Negro had commenced plunking a guitar beside me… His face had on it the sadness of the ages,” Handy writes in his 1941 autobiography, Father of the Blues.

“As he played, he pressed a knife on the strings of the guitar in a manner popularised by Hawaiian guitarists who used steel bars… The singer repeated the line three times, accompanying himself on the guitar with the weirdest music I had ever heard.”

Henry Louis Gates Jr. Talks to Quentin Tarantino: A Podcast Special

By goodblacknews on December 27, 2012

HenryLouisGates

Hear The Root’s editor-in-chief, Henry Louis Gates Jr., chat with the Django Unchained director about the n-word and a possible sequel.

A Django Unchained and Inglourious Basterds trilogy? The historical accuracy of the n-word in 

Django? The unlikely connection between the slavery-themed film and The Birth of a Nation? How Django fits into Hollywood’s overplayed, often offensive white-savior stereotype? You name it, and The Root‘s editor-in-chief, Henry Louis Gates Jr., and Quentin Tarantino — whose latest film, Django Unchained, a “postmodern slave-narrative Western,” as Gates describes it, opened on Christmas Day — likely covered it in this exhaustive interview.

QuentinTarantino

When asked why he wanted to combine a slave narrative with a Western, Tarantino said this:

It’s two separate stories I’ve always wanted to tell. One, I’ve always wanted to tell a Western story. Two, I’ve always wanted to re-create cinematically that world of the antebellum South, of America under slavery, and just what a different place it was — an unfathomable place. To create an environment and again, not just have a historical story play out — they did this and they did that, and they did this and they did that — but actually make it a genre story. Make it an exciting adventure.

Listen to the whole interview by clicking here.

Also, read it in three parts:

Tarantino Unchained Part 1: Django Trilogy?

Tarantino Unchained Part 2: On the N-Word.

Tarantino Unchained Part 3: White Saviors.

 

Seven African Americans Make Hollywood Reporter’s Women In Entertainment Top 100

By goodblacknews on December 23, 2012

Shonda Rhimes (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

The Hollywood Reporter released its Women in Entertainment Power 100 and seven black women made the ranks this year. Oprah, naturally, was the top-ranking African American, at number 18, as the CEO of the OWN network.

Debra Lee, chairman and CEO of BET Networks, was number 23, while Vanessa Morrison, president of Fox Animation Studios, came in at number 27. Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, and Scandal, has always made a point to bring a diverse cast of characters to the TV screen and was number 47 on the list.

Doc McStuffins Doll Most Sought After Christmas Gift This Year

By goodblacknews on December 22, 2012
Photo courtesy of YouTube

Photos courtesy of YouTube

Doc McStuffins, the star of this year’s breakout children’s show, has been officially dubbed the most sought-after gift this holiday season.  The new doll has even unseated Elmo as this year’s must-have holiday toy.  The Disney series was introduced in March and has surpassed Dora the Explorer as the top-rated cable TV show for kids, reports the New York Daily News.

Doc McStuffins is a 6-year-old African-American girl who treats sick toys.

Trumpet Awards 2013 Honorees Announced

By goodblacknews on December 15, 2012

*The Trumpet Awards Foundation announced the 2013 Trumpet Awards honorees at a press conference in Atlanta.

The Trumpet Awards Ceremony is one of the most respected televised award shows saluting African American achievement in the world.  The following Trumpet Award honorees will attend and receive their award at the ceremony on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 4pm.

Chaka Khan – Legend Award
Debra Martin Chase – Entertainment Award
Michael McMillan – Community Service Award
Alonzo & Tracy Mourning – Humanitarian Award
Mayor Kasim Reed – Public Service Award
Charlie Wilson – Lifetime Achievement Award
Edward Welburn – Corporate Award

Black British Actors Making Waves in Hollywood

By goodblacknews on December 15, 2012
Colin Salmon attends the Royal World Premiere of 'Skyfall' at the Royal Albert Hall on October 23, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack/Getty Images)
Colin Salmon attends the Royal World Premiere of ‘Skyfall’ at the Royal Albert Hall on October 23, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack/Getty Images)

Black British actors are taking Hollywood by storm. In recent years more and more have been cast in on-screen roles, not just in big budget U.S. films but also on American television.  In fact, nowadays it is highly likely a Brit will be found starring in a major Hollywood movie or hit TV series. Currently, U.S. television boasts several black British actors who are regular cast members in popular shows like Homeland and Game of Thrones.

“I love British actors,” says Brooks Jackson Colyar, a Los Angeles-based agent who represents actors and comedians. “I am fascinated they can take that accent and turn it into everyday American English,” she adds.  Black British actor David Oyelowo, 36, is a classic example. Born in the Oxford to Nigerian parents, Oyelowo was best known in the UK for playing an intelligence officer in the television drama series Spooks.

T.I. to Launch New ‘Give Like a King’ Campaign to Support Homeless Veterans

By goodblacknews on December 13, 2012
Recording Artist/Host T.I. at AKOO's 2nd Annual 'A King Of Oneself Brunch' Hosted By T.I. at Ocean Prime on September 30, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for AKOO Clothing)

Recording Artist/Host T.I. at AKOO’s 2nd Annual ‘A King Of Oneself Brunch’ Hosted By T.I. at Ocean Prime on September 30, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for AKOO Clothing)

Rapper T.I. will announce the launch of his global “Give Like a King” campaign this Friday.  The rapper, actor and reality TV star is returning to his Bankhead neighborhood in Georgia to unveil his new campaign.

According to BCG, he is joining efforts with Veterans Empowerment Organization of Georgia (VEO) to help support homeless veterans.  VEO is an organization that brings food, shelter, and services to veterans in need.

Beyoncé and Pepsi Ink $50 Million Endorsement Deal

By goodblacknews on December 11, 2012
Beyoncé at a Pepsi photo shoot in October. The images will appear early next year as life-size cardboard cutouts in stores.

Beyoncé at a Pepsi photo shoot in October. The images will appear early next year as life-size cardboard cutouts in stores.

Singer Beyoncé Knowles and Pepsi have agreed to a $50 million endorsement deal, according to the New York Times.  The agreement includes promotional appearances, a new commercial and an investment into a few of Beyoncé’s creative projects.

“Pepsi embraces creativity and understands that artists evolve,” Beyoncé said in a statement. “As a businesswoman, this allows me to work with a lifestyle brand with no compromise and without sacrificing my creativity.”

Smithsonian Magazine Awards Esperanza Spalding with New Honor

By goodblacknews on December 9, 2012

Bassist Esperanza Spalding is still wooing crowds with her peculiar style of music; blending jazz, R&B, and classical for one phenomenal sound.

She was awarded for her groundbreaking compositions at the first annual Smithsonian Magazine American Ingenuity Awards. Artists in all categories, including technology, performing and visual arts, natural and physical sciences, education, historical scholarship, social progress and youth achievement were also recognized at a gala event at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. on November 28.

Herbie Hancock presented the award to Spalding, and said, “She is magnificent and poetic.”

Since stepping out onto the scene, Spalding has created a genre all her own, fascinating millions and winning over audiences with all types of musical interests. She’s been recently dubbed the “First Lady of Jazz,” and has played with Stevie Wonder for President Barack Obama.

article by Brittney M. Walker via eurweb.com