Stomp the Yard

PhDiva · #1 12-14-2006, 11:36 AM

Quote:

The premise of the film is that fraternities are RECRUITING some dude because he can dance and they want him to win the upcoming stepshow.

ACCURACY already went flying out the window, so it is no surprise to me that A Phi A wants nothing to do with this film.

Good point, LovelyIvy84. Additionally, all one has to do is to look at the trailer for the film and see how the main character comes out of a "gang culture" into fraternity life. Real or imagined, many people have a similar perception of Black Greek Life - like fraternities and sororities are legalized gangs. I would guess that no BGLO wants a film utilizing their symbols to be associated with anything that could potentially reinforce this negative perception.

Now, maybe I'm just getting old and conservative, but where is the balance? Drumline and Stomp The Yard even School Daze focused on the more "entertaining" aspects of Black college life but can we see somebody going to class, studying, or even graduating from college? I call this the "BET effect" - ever since BET went to Viacom, all of the educational and informative shows have been replaced with a Black man self-destructing (DMX: Soul of a Man), dysfunctional Black couples (The Christies), more of the same tired music videos being repeated over and over again and re-runs of The Wayans' Brothers. Where is the substance? Where are the inspiring stories and news about what's happening in our communities...I wonder if films like Stomp the Yard will further contribute to the stereotype that all Black folks are good for is tap dancing, cooning and showin' all our teefs. I know entertaining sells but we need some balance.

PhDiva

LoisLane · #2 12-14-2006, 06:43 PM

Unspoken, that was cute and kinda funny. LoisLane...stay in your lane!

But no one is answering the million dollar question. If the fraternity had come out and said we want a pay day, would you you still boycott this film? This lawsuit just ensures that the next time black filmmakers go to a studio with a script that involves BGLO's or similar story lines that the door will be shut in their face. And I'm not okay with that.

I saw a prelim screening of the movie. Do I believe that this film is the authority on BGLO's? NO, NO AND NO! Do I believe that this film disrupts or negatively impacts the image of BGLO's? NO! The fraternity (APA) has great power and resources. I just don't believe this film is the enemy.

DSTCHAOS · #3 12-15-2006, 02:24 AM

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Originally Posted by LoisLane

This lawsuit just ensures that the next time black filmmakers go to a studio with a script that involves BGLO's or similar story lines that the door will be shut in their face.

No.

But what do I know, I don't have a psychic friend like you apparently do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoisLane

I just don't believe this film is the enemy.

Damn! Just when we were about to put this film on the FBI list of terrorists.

DSTCHAOS · #4 12-15-2006, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhDiva

Good point, LovelyIvy84. Additionally, all one has to do is to look at the trailer for the film and see how the main character comes out of a "gang culture" into fraternity life. Real or imagined, many people have a similar perception of Black Greek Life - like fraternities and sororities are legalized gangs. I would guess that no BGLO wants a film utilizing their symbols to be associated with anything that could potentially reinforce this negative perception.

A lot of BGLO members used to be in gangs. Some still are. That's life.

I don't see how this film would reinforce an image of Greeks as legalized gangs or sway potential members. I think political parties are legalized gangs but that hasn't stopped folks from affiliating.

PinkPop · #5 12-16-2006, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhDiva

Now, maybe I'm just getting old and conservative, but where is the balance? Drumline and Stomp The Yard even School Daze focused on the more "entertaining" aspects of Black college life but can we see somebody going to class, studying, or even graduating from college?
PhDiva

Akeelah and the Bee, domestic gross = $18,848,430
Drumline, domestic gross = $56,399,184

So basically filmmakers can make movies all day long about blacks going to class, studying and graduating but it's not their fault people aren't going out to see them. Instead of blaming filmmakers for the lack of depth in movies one should really be blaming their peers for not supporting the movies that do dig a little deeper.

And on that note, I'm a firm believer that movies should entertain and not be responsible for educating people. It's fiction, a chance to escape reality for a few hours. If you look at the top grossing movies of all time, not one of them mirror real-life... Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Shrek, Finding Nemo, etc... People clearly want to see movies that are far removed from real-life so I never understood why many people feel black movies are supposed to be some kind of education tool.

laylo · #6 12-16-2006, 11:35 AM

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Originally Posted by PinkPop

I never understood why many people feel black movies are supposed to be some kind of education tool.

Maybe because the media does educate people whether we like it or not. It educates people to see us as entertainers, whores, and thugs, and to see Whites as diverse people with diverse interests, professions, and positions in life. Some Black people would like to see our own diversity also reflected.

As for movies which support stereotypes making more money...they are made for mostly White audiences. Of course when White people want to see us dance, they are going to pay to see it. Movies that portray Black history (i.e. Beloved), Blacks who are educated, etc. are made for much smaller mostly Black audiences.

PinkPop · #7 12-17-2006, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laylo

As for movies which support stereotypes making more money...they are made for mostly White audiences. Of course when White people want to see us dance, they are going to pay to see it. Movies that portray Black history (i.e. Beloved), Blacks who are educated, etc. are made for much smaller mostly Black audiences.

Who told you this?

laylo · #8 12-17-2006, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PinkPop

Who told you this?

I grew up around the behind-the-scenes of the film industry and have always been close with actors, producers, and directors. When a film like Akeelah and the Bee is made, they know very well that they aren't going to get too many Whites going to see it.

PinkPop · #9 12-17-2006, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laylo

I grew up around the behind-the-scenes of the film industry and have always been close with actors, producers, and directors. When a film like Akeelah and the Bee is made, they know very well that they aren't going to get too many Whites going to see it.

I've written several screenplays, won awards, had my work optioned and I am very close to many agents, producers and directors also- and to suggest that movies that perpetuate black stereotypes are made for "white" audiences is far fetched.

I can assure you Soul Plane, Booty Call, All of Master P's films, House Party, Baby Boy, etc...these movies were not made to appease white audiences.

laylo · #10 12-17-2006, 02:50 PM

We'll have to agree to disagree. In my experience, media which we think is made for us is often consumed mostly by White youth. Just as Whites make up 70-80% of the consumers of hip hop, today's minstrel show, they make up many of the consumers of other media which are in line with the same images and themes that hip hop puts out.

AKA_Monet · #11 12-19-2006, 09:34 PM

What are all the D9 showing the public?

Well, our organizations are about stepping because it is fun and hyped. I like wearing cute paraphrenalia, etc....

Then when an interest pops in and says all that chit, we clown him or her for uttering that...

Well, we are about wearing jackets with all our line names, and line's names and numbers and times and dates we crossed with our chapter name...

Then when an interest pops up and says he or she wants to join because our "crossing jackets" are fly, then we clown them for uttering that...

Well, we throw up signs and yell our calls when we are amped or hyped up. We say chants that belittle other D9 organizations during stepping. We "disco dance"--as some old head's think--around with "junie bug flips", hopping all over the place. Hayle, my last UG dance, they just line danced "round and round" in circles...

Then when an GDI sees that and makes a smart remark commenting on the level of NEGROES THINKING--WE ALL GO FOR THE JUGULAR! Trying to re-educate him or her, etc.

Why did we join? I don't need to know that answer, but it leaves us to think about the true meanings of each of our sororities and fraternities...

Well, I'm gonna have to side with the Alphas... Not because I share strong kinship toward them. But because I think the D9 is more than what the trailer shows. And by that little amount, like my soror said, when they had the guy recruiting the interest, it was inaccurate.

Besides, the boot leg will be out and none of "this" really matters...

AKA_Monet · #12 12-19-2006, 09:44 PM

As far as black filmmakers and the ability to make a movie:

Being a filmmaker is tough. Very few African Americans are involved in the entire process. Things have to get "greenlighted" to have a go ahead to get exposed or recorded on film or digi-arts equipment.

Editing time alone costs $1000 per hour. And if you want sound in that movie, well you probably will have a discussion with an A.S.C.

And folks are making little movies on YouTube and elsewhere.

Anyhow, we really fail to support black filmmakers. Oh we support the Spikes and the Will Smiths and maybe Ice Cube and Samuel L. Jackson & Denzel. But do we support my Soror Julie Dash?

This movie is something close to our hearts for 100 years... The director is an Alpha. But the storyline and plot are weak and difficult for folks to stomach...

Because it demarks all our organizations as some of entertainment rather than service oriented.

How will we keep our organization's non-profit status if all we have is a "song and dance"?