UP TV’s “Faith & Family Screenplay Competition†Yields Results
For four years UP TV has offered five aspiring screenwriters with the rare opportunity to have their work transformed into professionally produced projects that have aired on the cable network. The most recent screenplay selected by the 10-year old network that is dedicated to uplifting viewers every day is “Island In The Sun†by Christopher Brandt. “This is a phenomenal opportunity for next gen talent to truly break into the big leagues of professional production,†says Tracey Tooks, senior manager of Trades & Affiliate Marketing for UPTV. “Some of our previous winners have gone on to create additional projects for UPTV, and are being offered opportunities from other entertainment entities. We have been extremely satisfied with the outcomes for this competition and we are proud to be a catalyst to providing next gen talent with a chance to have their voices heard through our program.â€
Director Roger Bobb Receives SYNERGY AWARD
The African American Film Critics Association recently honored filmmaker Roger Bobb for his pioneering efforts to advance the cinema community in Atlanta, during the organization’s annual SYNERGY event. The 3-year-old event gathered leaders from Atlanta’s burgeoning film and TV community including 2012 recipient Terrell Whitley; Vice Chairman of UPtv, Brad Siegel; and Founder of the BronzeLens Film Festival, Kathleen Bertrand. Also present was actress and producer Terri J. Vaughn; Atlanta tastemakers Evelyn Mims and JaQuitta Williams; filmmakers Deborah Riley Draper and Cas Sigers-Beedles; and Sheryl Gripper, director of the Black Woman Film Preservation Project. In addition to being recognized by AAFCA, Bobb was also given the Phoenix Award, Atlanta’s highest and most coveted honor by LaRonda Sutton, director of the Mayor’s Office of Entertainment.
Next Gen Spotlight Ashly Williams
The 24-year-old singer who stunned America on “X Factor USA†is ready to take her career to the next level with the release of two singles, “No More You,†and “Take Me†in the coming months. No stranger to high praise, the singer plans to embark on a nationwide promotional tour this fall in support of the project. Stay tune!
Executive Talk
Congratulations to popular film critic Shawn Edwards who was recently named the director of the Kansas City Jewish Film Festival (KCJFF). Â An award-winning journalist for the Fox affiliate in the nation’s heartland, Edwards is expected to bring his considerable knowledge of the movie industry to the 16-year-old festival that takes place Oct. 11 to 19.
Hollywood South Spotlight
The City of Atlanta’s  continues to cement its positioning as a permanent location for TV & film production with a number of projects currently in production or planned for the coming months. Networks TV One, Bounce, and UpTV have projects in the greater metro area that join the recently wrapped “Hunger Games†sequel and “Vampire Diaries†that have made their home in that southeast city.
Miscellany
- Emmy award winner P. Frank Williams is at the helm of an upcoming segment of the popular TV One series “Unsung†that looks at music executive Shakir Stewart and the Atlanta music scene in the 1990s and the early 2000s.
- Filming is currently underway in Los Angeles for a “Babyboy†segment of “Hollywood Unsung.†Tyrese Gibson, Taraji Henson, and John Singleton are all on board for the segment.
- The Jus Blues Music Foundation honored “living legends†Ann Peebles, Tutu Jones, Cash McCall, Melvin Jackson, The Hi Rhythm Section, The Manhattans, and Logan Westbrooks during its annual Blues Music Awards in Tunica, Mississippi. The foundation’s mission is to preserve the rich legacy of American blues music.
Black Film Trivia by Purposeful Vision Media
What is the name of Melvin Van Peebles’ first full length film?
Answer: “The Story of a Three Day Passâ€
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