Stomp the Yard - Page 6

laylo · #76 12-16-2006, 11:35 AM

Quote:

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.

Dynamite-AHA · #77 12-17-2006, 12:42 AM

I don't know if anyone else has seen it, but in the trailer, the part where he tries to run through the Mu Gamma lines, and they push him, if you PAUSE it, the sigma letters on the Deltas are backwards. I don't know if that's a camera glitch or not, and it seems to happen on the gamma letter as well.

Might just be something that happened in editting for the trailer.

hazelle · #78 12-17-2006, 02:02 AM

pardon my jumping in...but just watched the stepping program on ESPN2 tonight...amazing....the brotherhood and sisterhood displayed are fantastic!! but the trailer for the STOMP THE YARD did hit me just as you said...like Annapollis didnt do anything for the Naval Academy, or any other movie which is just seeking an audience but not for the enrichment of the school or organization...for me, I would like to know the true beginning of stepping in colleges. Tried to do it on line but not good enough. I know it has to have a wonderfully historic and important source. My kids all did Color Guard and they worked as hard as the groups on the ESPN show....know how tired and exhausted they got but the adrenaline was amazing until they got thru their moment--then they practically drooped from relaxing. The commercialism of the show was also apparent due to the movies' support and the many trailers shown and the source of the checks for the winners came from "Army Strong" the US Army. Who knows? But despite the commercialism, I adored the show and am furious that the tv programs all had it wrongly advertised...if it werent for GC, wouldnt even have known about the show!! Dumbass ESPN

PinkPop · #79 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 · #80 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 · #81 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 · #82 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.

Honeykiss1974 · #83 12-17-2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladygreek

And again, if you really just wanted to make a point with the movie why not just fictionalize the names?

Thank you.

I thought I was the only person wondering why they didn't just do this.

Quote:

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

I guess this is the ultimate catch-22 for those in entertainment. Does social responsibilty to your race/ethnic group superceed creativity? (Creativity meaning the right to create or produce whatever you want - where its music, screenplays, etc. regardless if its for pure entertainment or eucation). Thoughts?

SKEEphistAKAte · #84 12-18-2006, 10:59 PM

Quote:

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.

7thSonofOsiris · #85 12-19-2006, 03:05 PM

From what I understand about the creation of this movie, as you all may have seen by now, one of the main dudes behind the creation of this movie is an ALPHA. Now, I thought that Drumline was wack as hell, and I pray that this movie isn't too wack either because of what the power of stepping means to those who have actually stepped in representation of their organizations. I don't think that we have to be so eager to de-mystify pledging and an action that is associated with becoming greek. Some things should be kept as secretively important as the secrets themselves. Now, I know that when we step, its in front of non-greeks and greeks alike, but, the power is in knowing that its all sacred and doesn't have to be added to the pile of hollywood entertainment. Stepping ain't 'crunkin' and all of that other stuff. Stepping is bigger than that.

"06!" the 7thSonofOsiris

Jody · #86 12-19-2006, 08:47 PM

I'm lost, 7thofOsiris, umm, what organizations do you know that have pledge periods?

AKA_Monet · #87 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 · #88 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"?

AKA2D '91 · #89 12-21-2006, 07:00 PM

December 20, 2006

To Whom It May Concern:

Previously, I disseminated a written notice of the Fraternity's objection to references to the Fraternity in the film "Stomp the Yard." The Fraternity made its concerns known to Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., Screen Gems, Inc. and Rainforest Pictures. After several weeks of meaningful and productive discussions with the executive leadership of Sony and Screen Gems, the film has been revised to the satisfaction of the Fraternity. Sony and Screen Gems have also agreed to make a donation to the MLK Memorial Foundation.

The Fraternity raised its objections to the Film without regard to financial remuneration, but to protect its history and its legacy. The removal of all references, in the film, to the Fraternity is based in part on the fraternity's leadership insisting that we observe our written policies and internal protocols' regarding the commercial use of our symbols and marks.

Sony's decision to make a donation to the Washington DC MLK, Jr. Memorial Foundation Project, Inc., is very much appreciated, and helps to secure, in history, the legacy of our brother, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and helps to celebrate his selfless contributions to the fabric of America and the world. The construction of this memorial on the national mall is the only one dedicated to an African-American.

(Signature would not copy...fyi)

Darryl R. Matthews, Sr.

General President

mccoyred · #90 12-21-2006, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKA2D '91

December 20, 2006

To Whom It May Concern:

Previously, I disseminated a written notice of the Fraternity's objection to references to the Fraternity in the film "Stomp the Yard." The Fraternity made its concerns known to Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., Screen Gems, Inc. and Rainforest Pictures. After several weeks of meaningful and productive discussions with the executive leadership of Sony and Screen Gems, the film has been revised to the satisfaction of the Fraternity. Sony and Screen Gems have also agreed to make a donation to the MLK Memorial Foundation.

The Fraternity raised its objections to the Film without regard to financial remuneration, but to protect its history and its legacy. The removal of all references, in the film, to the Fraternity is based in part on the fraternity's leadership insisting that we observe our written policies and internal protocols' regarding the commercial use of our symbols and marks.

Sony's decision to make a donation to the Washington DC MLK, Jr. Memorial Foundation Project, Inc., is very much appreciated, and helps to secure, in history, the legacy of our brother, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and helps to celebrate his selfless contributions to the fabric of America and the world. The construction of this memorial on the national mall is the only one dedicated to an African-American.

(Signature would not copy...fyi)

Darryl R. Matthews, Sr.

General President

Sorry but the motivation seems monetary to me...