musician Tagged Articles at Cinematical
It's A Wrap For John Sayles' Honeydripper
Filed under: Drama », Independent », Music & Musicals », Distribution », DIY/Filmmaking », Cinematical Indie »
Probably one of the reasons that people admire a director like John Sayles so much is that he really is an independent director. Sayles has sometimes been referred to as one of the original "DIY Filmmakers" and always managed to make films his way and with his own distinctive style. Production has just wrapped on Sayles latest film Honeydripper. The announcement came from the film's producer on the official production blog last Friday; Maggie Renzi posted that the film had just wrapped the 100-person crew in Alabama. Sayles must have run a tight ship, as the film only began shooting last September ... and the director has been aiming for a 2007 release. The film stars Danny Glover as the owner of a floundering "Juke Joint" in rural Alabama with a serious clientele shortage. Glover's character hires a new guitar player in the hopes of drumming up business. (I wonder if that counts as a mixed metaphor?) The film also stars real-life musicians Keb' Mo and R&B singer Ruth
Renzi is currently working with emerging pictures to get distribution for the film when she posted "And I'm damned if after all this work we're going to see another movie sacrificed to the Petty God of Bad Distribution". So if you are a fan of Sayles, stay tuned as Honeydripper fights it's way to a screen near you.
[via The Hollywood Reporter: Risky Biz Blog]
Lionsgate and The Gospel Of Kirk Franklin
Filed under: Drama », Music & Musicals », Deals », Lionsgate Films »
I think we might have officially hit the saturation point with musician biopics, but Lionsgate seems to think there is room for one more. Variety announced that Lionsgate Films have joined with Gospel music star Kirk Franklin for the film version of his autobiography Church Boy.The film will be co-produced with Franklin's Fo Yo Soul Entertainment; the company also includes a record label and youth ministry. Lionsgate's production rep stated that they had been looking to expand what they called "faith-based" properties. Franklin's film will be based on his experiences as a troubled youth, his religious conversion, and finally his success as a modern gospel artist. Franklin blended Gospel music with elements of hip-hop and R&B to become a platinum selling artist. It would appear that Franklin is truly a solo act as he will not only produce and star in the film, but he also plans on composing the soundtrack. Lionsgate Music Publishing has put a deal in place with Franklin for the music for the film.
Since Franklin looks to be busy for the next little while, the film is probably a long way off from production. Until then we can add Franklin to the list of Janis Joplin, Miles Davis, and Brian Wilson for biopics trying to cash in on a little Ray-style success.
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