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Posts published in “Entertainment”

Forest Whitaker Launches “Sharon Is Caring,” Teams Up With Indiegogo To Crowd Fund Films

By goodblacknews on November 7, 2012
Forest Whitaker AFI - P 2011
Forest Whitaker’s JuntoBox Films has greenlit production for romantic comedy Sharon Is Caring, while also announcing the shingle’s collaboration with crowd-funding platform Indiegogo.

Announcing the link-up at AFM on Nov. 5, the actor-turned-producer said the JuntoBox-Indiegogo partnership “represents another step toward using social collaboration and the elements of our digital world to empower the voices of independent filmmakers everywhere.”

As a result of the tie-up, entries on the website can now have the access to the production, mentorship and distribution services provided by Juntobox, a “collaborative” film studio chaired by Whitaker.

“Indiegogo’s roots were in film, so we’re excited to partner with JuntoBox to further extend our reach within the independent film community,” said Indiegogo co-founder and CEO Slava Rubin. “The JuntoBox Partner Page on Indiegogo will empower filmmakers to raise money for their films, tap into a global audience and bring more independent film projects to life.”

Founded in January 2008, the San Francisco-based portal aims at facilitating individuals to raise funds for their social or entrepreneurial projects from around the world.

Sharon Is Caring, revolving around two women avenging a man dating them at the same time and to be directed by New Yorker Wesley Mills, is JuntoBox’s fourth approved project this year. Aspiring filmmakers begin pitching the idea online, where members would vote on to pass judgment on whether they merit a launch.

article by Clarence Tsui via hollywoodreporter.com

Oprah Winfrey and Huffington Post Launch “HuffPost OWN”

By goodblacknews on November 4, 2012
Oprah Winfrey

(Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

Shonda Rhimes Sets Up Sci-fi Thriller At ABC Based On Novel “Mila 2.0”

By goodblacknews on October 31, 2012

Shonda Rhimes and her producing partner Betsy Beers, have teamed up with David DiGilo for a sci-fi drama/thriller at ABC titled Mila 2.0, an adaptation of a yet-to-be-released novel by Debra Driza of the same name.  Mila 2.0 is the first book in a what will be a series of novels about a teenage girl who discovers that she is an experiment in artificial intelligence.

It’s being described as a Bourne Identity–style trilogy with action, with a riveting exploration of what it really means to be human. DiGilio will pen the script and executive produce alongside Rhimes and Beers.

Rhimes also has I Hate L.A. Dudes, with Issa Rae, and The Mix with writer John Hoffman – both currently set up at ABC; and the FBI drama Under the Gun, with writer Peter Nowalk for NBC. All in addition to Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and Private Practice, all on ABC already, although Private is in its final season.

article by Courtney via blogs.indiewire.com

First African-American Female Chess Master Could Be Brooklyn Girl

By goodblacknews on October 29, 2012

Rochelle Ballantyne is a 17 year-old teenage girl from Brooklyn who is on her way to becoming the first Black female chess master. Ballantyne is one among a group of teens from I.S. 318 middle school in Brooklyn who will be the stars of a new documentary called “Brooklyn Castle”. The documentary chronicles the outstanding achievements of the middle school students.

65 percent of the students at I.S. 318 middle school in Brooklyn are living below the federal poverty level but the school still holds close to 30 national championships and is the highest ranked junior high team in the country. Rochelle is unique because until she joined the team, all the champions had been boys.

Ballantyne has been profiled in Teen Vogue where she shared her story and how she has stayed motivated along her amazing journey to chess stardom. The Brooklyn teen says that her grandmother is the woman behind much of her success.

She says:

“My grandmother taught me to play when I was in the third grade. I was really active as a child, and she wanted to find a way to keep me relaxed and get my brain going. When I first started playing, she introduced to me the idea of being the first African-American female chess master. I didn’t think about it much because for me it seemed like an impossible feat, and I didn’t think it could happen. I wasn’t as focused and dedicated as I am now. I didn’t think I was a good chess player—people told me I was, but it wasn’t my mentality at that moment. But then after she died, that really affected me, because she was the one person that always had confidence in me. She never pushed me, and she always respected me for who I was. I have to reach that goal for her.”

Queen Latifah Returns To Daytime on CBS in Fall 2013

By goodblacknews on October 29, 2012

Queen Latifah is returning to daytime television with The Queen Latifah Show, a daily syndicated talk show which will air on CBS TV stations across the country starting in fall 2013, according to Deadline.com.  Produced by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment, in conjunction with Latifah’s Flavor Unit Productions and Sony TV, this is Latifah’s second foray into daytime talk – the first occurring from 1999-2001 on the identically-titled The Queen Latifah Show.  The new show intends to feature celebrity interviews, human interest stories, comedy, pop culture and musical performances.  It is also expected to showcase Queen Latifah’s talents, blending comedy and music into her hosting duties.

article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland Honors Chuck Berry

By goodblacknews on October 28, 2012
Honoree Chuck Berry performs during the 2012 Awards for Lyrics of Literary Excellence at The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library And Museum on February 26, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Marc Andrew Deley/Getty Images)

Honoree Chuck Berry performs during the 2012 Awards for Lyrics of Literary Excellence at The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library And Museum on February 26, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Marc Andrew Deley/Getty Images)

Berry, a rock pioneer with early hits that included “Roll Over Beethoven,” ”Sweet Little Sixteen” and “Johnny B. Goode,” was in 1986 the first inductee into the Hall of Fame.  To mark the American Music Masters award presentation, the rock hall has mounted a special exhibition with items including Berry’s stage clothes, a guitar and his 1958 Chess Records recording contract.

Born On This Day in 1911: Gospel Powerhouse Mahalia Jackson

By goodblacknews on October 26, 2012
“You going to be famous in this world and walk with kings and queens,” an aunt told  twelve year-old Mahalia Jackson. Born on October 26, 1911, in New Orleans, where she shared a shotgun house with thirteen people, the future could only get better. 

But before it did, Jackson’s mother died when she was just four and she had to leave school in the fourth grade to help out at home. She had music though — the jazz bands that entertained the city and the gospel that healed souls, with some Bessie Smith in between. On Every Wednesday, Friday and four times on Sunday, when Jackson sang at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, the sound wafted out into the street so that, one imagines, sinners also could enjoy her energetic contralto voice.

Mellody Hobson Appointed Chairman Of DreamWorks Animation

By goodblacknews on October 25, 2012

Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Investments, LLC, a Chicago-based investment firm managing over $3 billion in assets, and one of the largest African American-owned money management and mutual fund companies in the United States, has been named DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. Chairman of the Board.  Roger Enrico, who served as Chairman since 2004, has resigned, effective immediately. 

DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series and live entertainment properties, meant for audiences around the world.  DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE® Magazine for four consecutive years. In 2012, DreamWorks Animation ranks #14 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature films are now being produced in 3D.

The Company has theatrically released a total of 24 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of “Shrek,” “Madagascar,” “Kung Fu Panda” and “How to Train Your Dragon.”  The Company’s theatrical releases for the current year are “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” on June 8, 2012 and “Rise of the Guardians” on November 21, 2012.

article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

“Walking Dead” Actress Danai Gurira Wins Whiting Writing Award

By goodblacknews on October 24, 2012
Danai Gurira, best known for her role of Michonne on AMC’s The Walking Dead, has been awarded the Whiting Writers Award.

For those who may not be familiar, Danai Gurira, who made her Broadway debut in 2010 in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone by August Wilson, is an accomplished playwright in her own right.  She co-wrote In the Continuum with Nikkole Salter which received the Obie Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for writing.  Gurira also received a Helen Hayes Award for her performance in In The Contiuum.  Other work written by Gurira includes Eclipsed and The Convert.

Another woman of color honored was Sharifa Rhodes-Pitt a non-fiction writer.  She graduated from Harvard and was a Fulbright Scholar. 

HBO And Oprah Developing Drama On Wealthy Black College President

By goodblacknews on October 24, 2012

HBO and Oprah Winfrey are teaming up to produce an original drama series that will center on “a wealthy academic who has become the first black president of a prestigious liberal arts college. He and his family are thrust into national headlines, forcing them to present an idyllic public façade, all while engaging in agonizing personal battles and struggling with dark obsessions,” says THR.  The series will be penned by playwright Thomas Bradshaw, who will also co-executive produce with Winfrey and Harpo Studios’ Kate Forte.  This is part of a long-term deal Harpo has with HBO to develop miniseries, films, documentaries and scripted series for the network.

article by Tambay A. Obenson via blogs.indiewire.com