Stomp the Yard

[DSTCHAOS]

LOL. Two points:

1. I guess people think that having members of BGLOs on the movie team and being married to other BGLO members means something. Yeah it gives the film more credibility than if it was done by a Hollywood studio with no background on BGLOs. However the larger point is that there are hundreds of thousands of members of BGLOs and many of them use their BGLO for some personal and professional gain. But having permission to use trademarks or present yourself as some type of representative or spokesperson is a different story.

2. My how the tables turn. I remember when people (some of whom are Alphas and AKAs) were acting like the Deltas had lost their marbles when President Rice's letter went out about the Black Sorority Project. Now the Alphas' and AKAs' national bodies are speaking out against Stomp the Yard and it's good that they are. Once again, this brings home the point that our organizations are bigger than the individuals who comprise them.

[ladygreek]

What I find interesting is that these guys are Alphas. Is this a trend? I already thought it ironic that A PHI A had issued a statement against the movie (considering the producers of the Black Sorority Project are also Alphas,) but to find out that these producers are also Alphas makes this even more crazy. What's even funnier is that Derek Fordjour was married to a Delta when he started BSP and used that as a justification for doing it.

Kudos to A Phi A and AKA for their stance. I hope they will support us in our stance against the Black Sorority Project. As stated, this issue of trademark infringement is bigger than our individual organiztions and a legal precedent needs to be set.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

What I find interesting is that these guys are Alphas. Is this a trend? I already thought it ironic that A PHI A had issued a statement against the movie (considering the producers of the Black Sorority Project are also Alphas,) but to find out that these producers are also Alphas makes this even more crazy. What's even funnier is that Derek Fordjour was married to a Delta when he started BSP and used that as a justification for doing it.

Well you know Alphas are always up in everyone's business because they think being the first makes them historians.

[SummerChild]

I wonder if Alpha Phi Alpha will seek a preliminary injunction to prevent debut of the movie.

SC

[PinkPop]

Has anybody actually seen the movie? I think if there are images of A Phi A then they should be removed.

IMO, it's just a movie. A work of fiction and while I understand it may associate Black Fraternities and Sororities with stepping, black people aren't so simple that we can't differentiate fiction from real life... and believe it or not, there are some people who can go see a movie just for entertainment purposes without trying to connect what they've seen to real life

This is a small movie that will make $15M top at the box office, half the people going to see it are probably already in BGLO's so we already know the deal and any youngins who see this movie who then go to college and think it's all about stepping will get a dose of reality day one when they go out for said frat/sorority.

So if the boycott is because of trademark infringement, I hope the filmmakers remove all trademarks and then we can all ban together and support black filmmakers in an industry that really doesn't want them.

Just think, if people had boycotted Animal House the world may have never gotten to know Jim Belushi or John Landis who both went on to contribute greatly to the cinematic world. Since most of us have never seen the movie we don't know what this movie has to offer...

[PhDiva]

IMO, it's just a movie. A work of fiction and while I understand it may associate Black Fraternities and Sororities with stepping, black people aren't so simple that we can't differentiate fiction from real life... and believe it or not, there are some people who can go see a movie just for entertainment purposes without trying to connect what they've seen to real life

But with mounting legal costs due to incidents of hazing, I'm not surprised that the BGLO's are taking whatever steps necessary to protect the image and reputation of their organizations. Plus, the issue here is about intentional fallacy - what the creators intend is often different than how the general public perceives it. If people take away from the movie that BGLO's are a form of sancitioned "gang", then this will have a negative impact on the actual organizations. The letter from the Alphas' president was clear about their disapproval linking the organization to a movie about and/or dealing with gang culture. This point alone deserves consideration from the movie producers, not to mentio the trademark infringements.

[PinkPop]

Originally Posted by PhDiva

But with mounting legal costs due to incidents of hazing, I'm not surprised that the BGLO's are taking whatever steps necessary to protect the image and reputation of their organizations. Plus, the issue here is about intentional fallacy - what the creators intend is often different than how the general public perceives it. If people take away from the movie that BGLO's are a form of sancitioned "gang", then this will have a negative impact on the actual organizations. The letter from the Alphas' president was clear about their disapproval linking the organization to a movie about and/or dealing with gang culture. This point alone deserves consideration from the movie producers, not to mentio the trademark infringements.

Oh I agree 100%. All references to AphiA should be removed and the filmmakers should not in anyway infringe on any trademarks.

But I think BGLO's are ultimately responsible for their image. There is some truth behind hazing but I don't feel they should take it out on this little movie. As far as Alpha Kappa Alpha goes, we are a service organization that has changed the world through our existence and our 99 years of dedicated service to mankind can not be undone by one little low budget movie. Our efforts speak for themselves.

I'd have to see the movie first to give my true opinion but if it's anything like drumline, I don't think it will affect BGLO's negatively... if it does.. I think it's a sad testement on society that filmgoers can't go see a movie and leave what happens in the movie in the theater and just view this as the simplistic movie that it probably is.

But in the end, I think this is about trademark infringement and I agree without a doubt that should be dealt with.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by PinkPop

Just think, if people had boycotted Animal House the world may have never gotten to know Jim Belushi or John Landis who both went on to contribute greatly to the cinematic world.

Interesting analogy and conclusion.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Interesting analogy and conclusion.

You read my mind.

[PinkPop]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Interesting analogy and conclusion.

I don't know what you meant by this statement but as a avid film goer I know that Animal House began the careers of Belushi and Landis, both who went on to make classic movies that millions of people have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy for years to come including Blues Brothers, Thriller, Coming to America, An America Werewolf in Paris, etc... may not be your kind of movies but I for one appreciate their cinematic contributions.

[SKEEphistAKAte]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

I wonder if Alpha Phi Alpha will seek a preliminary injunction to prevent debut of the movie.

SC

This is what I was thinking. The lawyer in us... tee hee.

[SummerChild]

LOL. I know Soror. But we both know how expensive an endeavor that can be. Guess they found another, less expensive solution.

SC

Originally Posted by SKEEphistAKAte

This is what I was thinking. The lawyer in us... tee hee.

[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Kudos to A Phi A and AKA for their stance. I hope they will support us in our stance against the Black Sorority Project. As stated, this issue of trademark infringement is bigger than our individual organiztions and a legal precedent needs to be set.

Here is the rub. While I have since found out that Alpha Phi Alpha is supporting us in our issue with BSP, where was AKA when all of this started? Does AKA think they can get something for their 100th from these jokers or what? It seems that AKA jumped to the support of Alpha, their 'brothers' but is ghost when it comes to DST. After all, DST and AKA have a shared history. I guess we will see what happens when "BSP:The Genesis" is released....

Frankly, I think the BSP issue is much bigger than STY. After all, STY is a fictionalized account where the appearance of the trademarks is incidental to the movie whereas BSP is purported to be a documentary about a specific organization which is directly in violation of copyright and all other applicable laws.

Also, I don't hear anything from NPHC on these issues. I know that NPHC won the suit against converse but why not support the individual organizations that are battling this same issue? If there is information out there, please share because I haven't seen it!

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

Also, I don't hear anything from NPHC on these issues. I know that NPHC won the suit against converse but why not support the individual organizations that are battling this same issue? If there is information out there, please share because I haven't seen it!

Has the NPHC or the Council of Presidents met since the lawsuits were filed? If not then there wouldn't be statements of support until that happened and it was voted on.

[DSTCHAOS]

So this is the same as "The Yard" movie that I just saw the commercial for? Seems like a "Drumline" for stepping.

Just like with "Drumline," I'll wait for people to see it and tell me it's good. Then I'll catch it at the dollar cinema or DVD. I waited FOREVER to actually get over my skepticism and watch "Drumline." Good movie but I'm glad I caught it at home instead of at a regular theater.