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OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD

BEST IN SHOW...Looks like Logo, the digital network from MTV Networks and Viacom for the LGBT community, is on the come-up in terms of additional programming. Grand "dame" of the drag world, RuPaul has just been tapped to host a brand new reality show wonderfully titled "RuPaul's Drag Race." The series, executive produced by Randy Barbato ("What Perez Sez"), Fenton Bailey ("What Perez Sez") and Tom Campbell will consist of six, one-hour episodes in which contestants will compete for the crown of best Queen. One lucky contestant will actually be selected for a spot on the series via entry on the show's site, RuPaulsDragRace.com where on-line votes will determine the winning contestant. Teases RuPaul, "We're planning lots of surprises, plus stars who fit very easily into the dragosphere-biologically male and female." Hold onto your hats, Folks. This should be a good one, but you'll have to wait until early '09 for episodes to begin airing.

WEB WAR...Google and Yahoo! have a group of activists on the war path. A coalition of 16 civil rights and rural advocacy groups is speaking out against a penitential online advertising partnership between the two Internet giants and is urging federal regulators to investigate the potential combination. The coalition includes the Black Leadership Forum (an umbrella group of 36 civil rights organizations, including the NAACP and the National Urban League) and the League of Rural Voters. The problem: The deal would is predicted to give the Google-Yahoo union almost 90 percent of the search advertising market and strengthen its influence over Internet users' access to information thereby potentially limiting new business opportunities on the Internet for African Americans. (Click here: Web War).

MISSING SUPER HERO?...We should have known something was up when the intrusive Hancock ads around construction on Hollywood near Vine disappeared. Obviously, there may be trouble in future paradise for what had promised to be an action box office hit. Our connects at cineblend.com report that the next special-effects/action add-water-and-stir recipe upon which Will Smith seems to heavily rely for a sure-fire formula, may be missing an ingredient or two. Reportedly, the movie's world premiere that had been scheduled to take place next month in Australia has now been unceremoniously canceled. Cineblend.com says that due to reshoots the flick just won't be ready in time. But what really has us curious is the reason behind all this. Insiders say that the cause is "do-overs," which usually spells trouble. Whatever the case may be, we'll keep ya posted.


HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD
HYPE GETS NERDY...We've been waiting and wondering if famed video director Hype Williams might ever re-enter the cinema scene after the "Belly" scenario. Well, wonder no more. He's ba-a-a-a-ck. for the next Hype Williams (pictured) flick. The Belly revered, in-demand music video director has made a film about the hip hop super trio collection N.E.R.D.--you know, the group recording artist and multi-platinum producer Pharrell Williams fronts along with producing partner Chad Hugo of super production duo the Neptunes, and their partner Shay Haley. The untitled movie will hit theaters this December and is said to be a musical documentary of sorts. No word yet on the studio. Pharrell has been telling media folk it's like The Beatles' Hard Day's Night." So this we gotta see. Apparently the bad taste Hollywood supposedly left in Hype's mouth washed out after Belly's poor reception has wash out.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

TV One Names Michelle Rice Executive VP, Affiliate Sales & Marketing
Michelle Rice has been named executive vice president of affiliate sales and marketing of TV One. Rice joined TV One in January 2004 as vice president of distribution strategy and operations and in April 2005 was named senior vice president. Before joining TV One, she was Northeast regional vice president for affiliate relations and national accounts for iNDemand in New York. At iNDemand, she was responsible for affiliate sales and local marketing efforts in the Northeastern United States, including negotiating and implementing the company's affiliation agreements for carriage of pay-per-view, video-on-demand, event, and HD channels.


NEWS

TIME WARNER & TIME WARNER CABLE SPILT

Time Warner Inc. and cable television arm Time Warner Cable Inc. have announced their boards recently approved the companies' legal separation, with Time Warner Cable expected to pay a $10.9 billion one-time dividend to shareholders. As parent of the nation's second-largest cable operator, Time Warner will receive $9.25 billion of the payout, or $10.27 per share of Time Warner Cable common stock. The dividend will be distributed just before the deal is completed. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter, subject to a favorable Internal Revenue Service ruling on its tax treatment as well as regulatory reviews and local franchise approvals.

The A-List is: Lauren Coleman, founder/co-publisher...Ann Brown, co-publisher...Melissa Ross, European correspondent...LeAnne Lindsay, contributor...Anthony Davis, contributor...Gil Robertson, contributor...Dan Williams, contributor...Jaleesa Brown, contributor...Clemetine Clarke, columnist

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OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD

FREE NET NEWS...Folks for a net neutrality are celebrating--at least for the moment. Earlier this week, Democrats Rep. John Conyers (Michigan), who is African American, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (from the Silicon Valley area of California) introduced a bill--the Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act--that would subject broadband providers to antitrust violations if they block or slow Internet traffic. "Hollywood’s creative community depends on Net Neutrality to guarantee that the Internet remains a free-flowing medium for independent writers, producers and filmmakers," notes Jen Howard, spokesperson for Free Press (http://www.freepress.net/conference), the largest media reform organization in the U.S. whose efforts include SaveTheInternet.com. The bill's passage would result in keeping the Internet free and open. "The larger goal is affordable Internet access for everyone, everywhere. We need a competitive Internet that will bring lower prices, faster speeds and more choices to all Americans," says Howard. "If Internet service providers continue to block Web sites and services, Americans will be denied the economic and social opportunities that innovative technologies promise. You might want to mark your calendars for June 6-8 when Free Press holds its National Conference for Media Reform in Minneapolis. The Net Neutrality issue is of great concern, of course, to African Americans in new media as this new distribution avenue is vital. Shout out to Conyers for is efforts to push this forward. You know, we'll keep you posted on any other developments.

CANNON READY TO SERVE...He may best be known these days as Mariah Carey's new hubby, but Nick Cannon also has other developments. Will Smith has just recently tapped Cannon to play tennis legend Arthur Ashe in a biopic Smith's Overbrook Productions is bringing to the big screen. The unnamed project will start shooting later this year. Let's see if Cannon can serve up enough on-screen acting ability to put him the serious dramatic actor league.

ICEBERG HEATS UP...Mack Daddy Alert. Iceberg Slim's classic pimp novel Mama Black Widow is being brought to the big screen--after a heated bidding war over the book rights. "It was extremely difficult, says producer Erika Connor (co-producer, Idlewild). Ultimately, the producers had "to overbid by quite a high number to secure the rights/property," she adds. Now Darren Grant (Diary of A Mad Black Woman) is set to direct; Kerry Washington, Mos Def, Rhianna, Anthony Anderson and Macy Gray (pictured) are all attached. Currently in pre-production, filming is set to start on location in L.A .and Chicago this summer. Budgeted at $5 million, Connor says they are "still securing private financing" and are in talks with several studios about distribution. "Besides his familiar classics Pimp and Trick Baby critics have said Mama Black Widow, about a Black transvestite, is one of Slim's most important works," says Connor. "My fellow producers, Darren, and I all agreed that our goal is to have [the audience]understand this characters' psyche." While Connor and Grant seem to be on a roll with their film adaptation, the movie adaptation of Pimp (to be directed by Bill Duke and staring Ice Cube) seems indefinitely on hold. In 2004 rapper Pras acquired the rights to produce a movie based on the book. What would be equally as interesting as any of Slim's novels, would be a biopic on the life of the college-student-tuned-pimp-turned-convict-turned-author.

REALITY DREAMS...Hold onto your hats, comedian, actor Eddie Griffin is returning to TV. Lacking a great track record with scripted sitcoms, Griffin is going the reality route. VH1 has picked up a reality series starring actor Griffin tentatively titled "Eddie Griffin Going for Broke." Unfortunately it sounds like a rehash of Snoop's recent successful series on E! show as the concept is similar. Now even the reality shows are becoming bad reruns. As the reality show circus become dominated by people of color, it's going to be up to those in front of the camera, many of whom are co-producing the shows, to step up the game and keep this genre fresh and exciting.

SCHOOL NEWS...Looking to reach a younger audience, ABC News plans to open bureaus this fall on the campuses of five universities across the United States. While offering on-the-job training to aspiring journalists, ABC News said it would gain greater insights into the lives of the 33 million U.S. 18-to-25-year-olds--a demographic every major network news division is striving hard to reach. The initiative will be launched in journalism schools at Arizona State University, Syracuse University, University of Florida, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Texas at Austin. What's missing? An HBCU--Historically Black College or University. But ABC spokesperson Paige Capossela told The A-List exclusively, "ABC News considered several top rated journalism schools that were geographically and socially diverse...We wanted to begin with five schools in our first year, to insure they receive the proper attention and mentoring. We do hope to expand the program in 2009 and broaden our pool of schools involved." With more than 100 HBCUs, including Hampton University, Dillard, and Howard, who are considered to have some of the best journalism programs around--ABC shouldn't have a hard time finding one to partner with next year.

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

The Next Act…

While the power of Hollywood's television industry has long been the vehicle of choice for mass media political discourse, this may just be the first campaign in U.S. history that has used the Internet in now growing force. The campaign is being played out in Cyberspace. And, there's no doubt, the Internet is taking its rightful place, helping candidates to spread the word and boosting their fundraising budgets with the Web's unprecedented targeted outreach unlike the mass reach of TV.

In fact, according to a recent Pew Research study nearly a quarter of Americans (24%) say they regularly learn something about the campaign from the Internet,almost double the percentage at a comparable point in the 2004 campaign (13%). And the role of social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook has become a story in itself. Now when a celeb, such as Tom Hanks, wants to announce his endorsement of a candidate--in this case, Obama--he didn't hold a press conference. He uploaded a video announcement via his MySpace page.

On the flip side, the Pew study found that the proportion of Americans who turn to traditional news sources for information about the campaign has remained static or declined slightly since the last presidential campaign. "Compared with the 2000 campaign, far fewer Americans now say they regularly learn about the campaign from local TV news (down eight points), nightly network news (down 13 points)...Cable news networks are up modestly since 2000, but have shown no growth since the 2004 campaign," says the Pew report.

So where are folks surfing? According to recent reports/stats/metrics/ratings MSNBC (at 26%), CNN (23%) and Yahoo News (22%). But non-traditional sources of campaign information--the Drudge Report (3%), MySpace (3%), YouTube (2%)--are also in the mix.

And with the youth adoption of all things new media, there are numbers for young people seeking campaign info online is substantially higher. Overall, Pew research disclosed that more than a quarter of those younger than age 30 (27%) – including 37% of those ages 18-24 – have gotten campaign information from social networking sites. They are going online to view videos of campaign debates, speeches and commercials. In fact, about four-in-ten people under age 30 (41%) have watched at least one form of campaign video online, compared with 20% of those ages 30 and older.

Yes, election is now being played out daily by media affiliates blogs, and websites. Who can imagine life without cnnpolitics.com, politico.com, The Huffington Post, or msnbc.com. Urban coverage has been beefed up, not only on long-standing sites such as blackpoliticsontheweb.com and BlackElectorate, but with theroot.com and even on BlackVoices, BET and many Hip Hop portals..

Not only are formal media outlets themselves but the candidates are directly tapping this infinite resource. The candidates have, particularly on the Democratic side and especially the Obama camp, with its "Barack TV channel" and ringtones, are using the power of the Web. Whether it be emailing updates to constituency, sending videos/commercials/interviews via iPod, with new media, candidates can reach millions immediately. Just recently, as John Edwards was formally endorsing Obama live on air, the Jr. Senator's camp was downloading the up-to-the-minute photos of the two on stage to Obama's Flickr.com page. And while Sen. Clinton's Internet invasion has been well-thought out and organized, she has not been truly able to capture the attention of the Web's main force--the youth. Will adding her own ringtones, wallpaper and other mobile "accessories" help? Probably not, as her core constituency is older. John McCain even further illustrates the online age gap. His use of new media, well almost invisible. But candidates today and in the future should take caution. Another growing segment on the web are seniors. According to the Department of Aging, Americans over the age of 60 are the fastest growing segment of computer and Internet users.

As we continue to factor in and ponder new media's influence on the 2008 Presidential campaigns, I have to ask who wouldn't want to be a person on the true inside of politics right now. Much like the way we wrap our day-to-day lives in work, and play this phenomenon is beyond exciting. It's apparent that the Web has revolutionized the political scene and its on the way to changing the way people politic. In other words, the revolution won't be televised (we already did that) it will be downloaded. But just how connected will African Americans be if Urban issues are short shifted in the new media arena, as they have been else where, remains to be seen --Clemetine Clarke

Clemetine Clarke, owner of the governmental affairs, political strategy, fundraising and community relations firm CMH & Associates, strives to help women of color get elected to political office. Clarke has also served as the Executive Director of the San Francisco Democratic Party.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Boost Mobile Appoints Matt Carter Senior Vice President and General Manager

Boost Mobile has named Matt Carter as senior vice president and general manager. Most recently, Carter served as senior vice president, base management at Sprint. Carter holds a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

BEDI A. SINGH NAMED PRESIDENT, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER FOR MGM STUDIOS

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. has names Bedi A. Singh, most recently the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc., President, Finance and Administration & Chief Financial Officer of MGM. In this newly created position, Singh takes on the overall responsibility for the company's financial activities.

NEWS

SAMSUNG ANNOUNCES MOBILE TV PARTNER
Samsung Electronics has announced it is combining efforts with fellow Korean electronics maker LG Electronics to develop a new standard for mobile TV broadcasts. Harris Corp., an American broadcast technology company, will provide key elements of the technology, which will allow mobile devices such as cell phones to receive signals sent out by local TV stations. Mobile TV broadcasts will be one of the ways broadcasters hope to capitalize on a federally mandated switch to all-digital signals. After Feb. 17, 2009, all regular analog broadcasts will stop and older, non-digital TVs not connected to cable will need a converter to display broadcasts.

FEATURE: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

NOKIA "DOES THE RIGHT THING"

Has cell phone distribution of film properties come of age?

Well, if Nokia has it's way, whatever progress has been made will now move exponentially..By now you may have heard about the unique partnering of filmmaker Spike Lee and Nokia via a ton of different media outlets. But we decided to dig deeper.

If not, in a nutshell, Lee will direct a movie

compiled of cell phone footage from everyday people in what he calls the "democratization of film." The film by Nokia Productions (http://promotions.yahoo.com/nokiaproductions/) will consist of three acts: an "assignment" for each act will be announced online and people will then have four weeks to produce their submission.

But today's savvy consumers will understand that Nokia isn't heading into these productions for art's sake. The concept is a cross-promotion made in heaven. Not only can filmmakers strut their stuff, but Nokia gets to promote their product. "Nokia Productions platform was designed for consumers who are dedicated to the latest trends in social networking and technology. Through this, Nokia is creating awareness and increasing the appeal of its brand with the very consumers who can best take advantage of the latest devices and services that Nokia is today making available," says senior marketing manager Nicki Purcell, who is heading up Nokia Productions.

For Lee, the partnership will help push film into the next arena. And, Nokia and Lee seem to be reading from the same script.

"What appealed to Nokia was how Spike Lee is so well known for breaking the mold in his films. We see Nokia Productions as also breaking the mold in how people think about what a film can be," says Purcell. "One thing that he told us is that 'The future of filmmaking is changing and mobile-generated art is fast becoming the next medium for film. In five years, I believe we will be watching films in movie theaters that have been shot on a mobile phone.'"

But this isn't the first time Nokia reached out to Hollywood. The company previously tapped Gary Oldman in 2006 to create a short film, entitled Donut, on the then-new Nokia N93 multimedia computer. "The Gary Oldman project was quite well received, and we see Nokia Productions as something that builds upon prior programs that explored mobile filmmaking by adding a compelling community element to the mix that has never been attempted before," says Purcell.

As Nokia continues to develop phones that allow the users to create films, Nokia Productions is here for the long haul. And now with Lee on board, it would seem that at Nokia multiculturalism is in the, which will really take this project to the next level.

AROUND TOWN

It was double duty for singer Lyfe Jennings who teamed up with Lifebeat for a party to stress AIDS awareness recently in NY at hotspot Home. But it was also the night Jennings celebrated his CD release, Change. So of course we were excited as we hopped out of the cab just as many other guests were just arriving as well.

The club had a smooth atmosphere--dark, nice acent lighting, and a real laid-back vibe. Not to mention the music was awesome, thanks to DJ Suss.One. The setting was straight out of a rap video.

We hung around a minute before making a beeline to the V.I.P section where Lyfe and his people had settled in. We spotted a few familiar faces including BETs own Cousin Jeff. Once inside the inner circle, we chatted with Jennings, who told us he is heading soon to the big screen--if he has his way: "I can act!," he said, then added jokingly, "I am around these industry cats all day, they tell me to do something different and I say ok I'll do it!"

After Lyfe's event wrapped, we all--include in Lyfe--headed across the street to hot new R&B singer Estelle's ("American Boy") own release party. But wait: We were stopped at the door. We waited for a while, but eventaully Lyfe grew tired and decided to jet. Just then someone from the club ran out and said Lyfe--but only Lyfe--could come enter. But believe it or not, Lyfe said "Forget that." Needless to say, we all left. But The A-List left felling good about having met such a gentleman in the game. And you know we'll have our ticket in hand when he does make his film debut. --Jaleesa Brown (aka L e e S a B*)

SPOTTED

Tosha Smith, Tisha Campbell and Sally Richardson enjoyin' a girl's day out while exiting Phipps Plaza in the exclusive Atlanta suburb of Buckhead during a break from filming Rockmond Dunbar's directorial debut Pastor Brown.

The A-List is: Lauren Coleman, founder/co-publisher...Ann Brown, co-publisher...Melissa Ross, European correspondant...LeAnne Lindsay, contributor...Anthony Davis, contributor...Gil Robertson, contributor...Dan Williams, contributor...Jaleesa Brown, contributor...Clemetine Clarke, columnist.

Tribeca Wrap up

2008 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL WRAP-UP

Day Five

It was early Sunday afternoon and Chevolution (Red Envelope Entertainment) fit the mood. Directed by Luis Lopez and Trisha Ziff, the documentary explores who is Che Guevera and the reason behind the fame of his image. The film asks rather interesting questions about how a photograph of the revolutionary and a close ally of Fidel Castro could become the selling tool of such diversified capitalist goods from beer to bikinis. This film effectively shows how co-option of a symbol, in this case a photograph, can dilute its intended purpose. One very well-presented cautionary tale of what happens when one does not protect his/her intellectual property be they revolutionaries or capitalist, this film should not be missed.

Then it was time to move on to something that offered something a little more light-hearted: the latest creation from the living legend Melvin Van Peebles. Confessionsofa Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha (Yeah Incorporated Productions) is an amusing yarn is about a boy from Chicago who wants to see the world and get rich but discovers that all he needs is the love of a good woman. Based on Van Peebles' 1982 Broadway show Waltz of the Stork, Confessions chronicles the adventures of a man who, armed only with a can of contingency cash, swims his way to New York, joins the merchant marine, romances women of all ages, and dances for his life. That Van Peebles, at 75, plays the title character from boyhood to age 47 only adds to the playful inconsistency of this saga. Van Peebles uses digital media not as a substitute for film, but as a brand-new toy, effectively exploiting HD cam, animation, stock footage, wipes, multi-exposures, split screens, and every other effect in the basic digital book.

Day Nine
Well, after taking off a few days from the festival we came back with some thoughts, questions and further reviews.

There were a few films that address African-American issues such as Mariah Carey's Tennessee, and the profound documentary Faubourg Treme: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans, to mention a few. But what seems missing at Tribeca a sense of lack cohesion when it comes to African-American films.

But, back to the reviews. May 1, and it's Movement for Workers and Immigrants Rights Day and if we had forgotten, the massive rally in Union Square one block away from the film's press office was a dramatic reminder. In tune with the mindset of the day, we headed off to Celia The Queen, a profound documentary about the life of the Queen Of Salsa--Celia Cruz. The documentary was listed in three categories at Tribeca: political, Latin, and "women" films, which speaks loudly to the impact the Cuban refugee has had on the world. The film is an engaging recapturing of Celia story and how she used her music to force down the barriers of racism and sexism.

Day Eleven
Not wanting to miss the 2008 winner of the Tribeca documentary award, we scurried to the press-screening library. Directed by Gini Reticker, Pray The Devil Back To Hell (Fork Films Production) is a film about the Liberian women's movement and how they used non-violence to bring positive change to Liberia when it was on the verge of total chaos in 2003. The film effectively documents how thousands of women, Muslims, and Christian came together with resolve to end the bloodshed that was tearing their country apart and without malice forced a peace accord in the country's civil will and culminated with the election of the first democratically elected woman president in Africa. Can we say Woman Power?!

Another African film we screened was War Child (18th St. Films), a poignant, profound and enlightened 93 minutes of film directed by C. Karim Chrobog. The movie manages to keep the human condition and the complexity of life on stage every second. War Child focuses on rising hip-hop artist Emmanuel Jai and his journey from child solider in Sudan (as in Darfur) to the international stage. Emmanuel is from the time we meet him at about age 10 an articulate, smart and savvy kid and just listening to him one would think he's just your average child holding his best friends hand and playing games, but then reality slaps the viewer right in the face. This seven- year-old is a solider with a gun and will kill to survive--one of 10,000 child solider in Sudan's civil war. It all seemed profound that a child who grew up in such complex circumstance would then becomethough his music the voice for a those who endured the pains of Sudan's civil war. He's using hip hop to bring attention to the bright of Darfur; he's using music to build schools; Jai is using music and his tumultuous past to bring hope.

War Child seems to have come at the right time, it seems to remind one that things aren't ever hopeless, just as long as you believe and are willing to fight for that belief.

Between all the screenings, celeb sightings, and NYC happenings there was actually business being done. A number of films, especially the documentaries, found buyers. Among the flicks that landed deals were: Cocaine Cowboys 2: Hustlin' With the Godmother and Bigger, Stronger, Faster, which were both bought from Magnolia Pictures by NonStop Entertainnment. Meanwhile, Magnolia Pictures picked up North American rights to writer-director Peter Tolan's Finding Amanda, starring Matthew Broderick. Hammer Films and Spitfire Pictures has acquired remake rights to a Swedish flick called Lat den ratte komma in.

According to Tribeca organizers, attendance of just under 400,000. Some 199 directors attended the Festival from 23 different countries. All in all, another successful year for the Tribeca Film Festival.--dan keith Williams

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OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD

WEB OR BUST...It's all about the Web for movie producer Deepak Nayar (Buena Vista Social Club, Bend it Like Beckham) and Sandy Grushow, the former head of Fox Television Entertainment. The pair recently launched one of the first online studios to reach aspiring moviemakers called Filmaka (http://www.filmaka.com/). The site solicits short video clips for a competition judged by industry notables and Web users. The site just announced a winner of its first film contest The winner will direct a feature film budgeted at $5 million-plus and produced by Los Angeles-based Filmaka.

A second filmmaking contest begins April 28, with submissions being accepted until June 2. "Every month we'll have competitions and, a little over a year from now, we will announce another feature film winner," explains Nayar. "We also have a monthly documentary competition. And, FX enlisted Filmaka to develop a comedy series. Filmmakers have until May 11 to submit a short comedy film. The winner will create a full-length TV pilot." Such ventures as Filmaka can only further open sometimes difficult-to-navigate Hollywood circles to people of all cultures--and that is a good thing. Concludes Nayar, "We are in the business of getting behind talent and building their careers."

WHAT TO WATCH...Teamwork. That's the new Hollywood buzzword. Viacom Inc. and five Hollywood studios will join forces to create a new television channel and video-on-demand service. Starting fall 2009, the venture will show movies and television series from Paramount, Paramount Vantage, MGM, United Artists and Lionsgate. Access to the service will cost viewers on a pay-for-play basis. This way of consuming entertainment on viewers' time frame is evident with this model; however if it still misses the multicultural boat, it won't be nearly as successful as it could be.

TOXIC COCKTAIL...Talk about a hot ghetto mess. Gossip blogger Perez Hilton will be joining urban radio station HOT 97's controversial deejay Miss Jones on her show "Miss Jones in the Morning." The Hollywood motor-mouth will only drop in for segments, but we can guarantee the mix of these two will be more than volatile. We're sure Wendy Williams will be listening.

THEN THERE WERE NONE...What's going on with the CSI family? First, Gary Dourdan jumps ship--due to a number of reasons. Now we hear actress Khandi Alexander of "CSI: Miami" won't be returning as medical examiner Alexx Woods. Again, the official statement is it was a mutual agreement. Let's see, however, if the brand continues to include diversity in its casting when replacing both Dourdan and Alexander.

THE THREE PERCENT...The Minority Media and Telecommunications Council (MMTC) has called for the government to get involved in increasing minority media ownership. This follows a Government Accounting Office comprehensive report released last week on the paucity of minority and women broadcast ownership that found, surprise, surprise, "ownership of broadcast outlets by minorities and women is limited" due to three factors: (1) the large scale of ownership in the media industry, (2) a lack of access to sufficient capital for financing the purchases of stations and (3) the repeal of the tax certificate program. According to the MMTC, minorities own just 3% of the nation's commercial television stations and 7.8% of the commercial radio stations. Always right on time, The A-List has been calling for not only government involvement but for corporate America to partner with minority media owners.

CASE CLOSED...Remember when Keith Beauchamp's 2005 documentary The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till and his investigative work prompted the FBI to reopen the 50-year-old murder case? Well, now the feds are looking to the filmmaker to help them solve other Civil Rights cold cases. He will do so by creating a series of documentaries about each one that will air on History Channel and TV One. Move over "48 Hours Mystery," Beauchamp's on the case.

CHANNEL SURFING...African Americans seem to be loving some ABC. According to the Nielsen ratings for last week, ABC held onto gains made with Black households following debate week. While "American Idol" led the list of top of the 25 most popular TV shows in Black households, overall ABC was the network of choice. The total number of Black viewers watching the top 25 shows was 33.7 million. It remains to be seen if this will ultimately result in ABC adding at least one show of color this fall. We'll be watching.

GOOD FIXINGS...Your heart may crave caviar, but your wallet is leaning toward chitterlings. Veteran media strategist Karen Taylor Bass, founder of TaylorMade Media, will debut "Caviar & Chitterling" (www.blogtalkradio.com/Caviar--Chitterling) on BlogTalkRadio.com, May 6. To get the party started, LeGrande Green (http://www.legrandetv.com/), former senior booker for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" will join Taylor Bass to discuss how to package, pitch, and get noticed by top TV producers.

LIVE FROM...The Newport Beach Film Festival. This year the fest (April 24-May 1) opened to sold-out screenings. Media darlings Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt from MTV's "The Hills" surprised fans with an impromptu walk down the red-carpet at Fashion Island for the screening of Sherman's Way. Due to its high-profile exposure at the Newport Beach Film Festival Inside The Circle: A B-Boy Chronicle was picked up for distribution by Cinema Libre Studio. Steve Wozniak (Co-Founder of Apple) along with the rest of the cast arrived on Segways for their screening of Camp Woz: The Admirable Lunacy of Philanthropy. In the film, Joe Patane, a social worker, and Wozniak welcomed ten emotionally and behaviorally challenged young men from New Jersey, ages 14-20, into Wozniak's home, for the inaugural week of Camp Woz, which is focused on community sensibility, creativity, independence, and technology.

HOLLYWOOD HIP HOP

WEEZY, MOVIE STAR?...Lil Wayne, who once told a reporter he thought he was too "ugly" for films, has just signed on to star in Patriots, based in his hometown of New Orleans. He'll join Forest Whitaker, Isaiah Washington, Taraji P. Henson and Bow Wow in the true-life sports drama about high school basketball coach Al Collins, who a year after Hurricane Katrina takes his team of displaced students from various city schools to a state championship. Tim Story (Fantastic Four, Barbershop) directs the The Weinstein Co flick.

NEWS

AT&T DEBUTS MOBILE TV SERVICE

AT&T Inc. has announced it will launch a new video service for cell phones on two of its phone models via AT&T Mobile TV. This joins AT&T's other mobile video service, CV, which is based on different technology and works like Internet video, providing short clips on demand. The new service will be more like traditional TV broadcasts, constantly streaming shows on airwaves that run alongside regular cell-phone spectrum. AT&T Mobile TV will be available in 58 markets, including Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. The only AT&T handsets that will initially work with the service are the LG Vu and the Samsung Access. In all, there will be 10 channels available.

FEATURES

JAMIE JOHNSON: MOVING BEYOND HIS LEGACY

Being the heir to Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical company millions didn't pigeonhole Jaime Johnson into becoming the male version of Paris Hilton--flitting about the globe from one party to the next.

As we all know, Johnson instead decided to explore his wealth in a usual way: He's making films about it. First came Born Rich, a 2003 documentary film in which he followed around other 'rich' kids and introduced us to a world rarely seen by the masses. "It was just me with a camera, and it wasn't even a professional camera," says Johnson from New York City where his production company Wise & Good Films is based. Johnson's "little" doc got picked up by HBO, received two Emmy noms and set Johnson off on a mission. "Those [the Emmy] nominations were a total surprise. This was just a little film I was making; I didn't even think I would sell it," he says.

Due to that endeavor's success, he decided to further assess the impact of wealth and has completed another documentary called The One Percent, which analyzes the impact of one percent owns roughly 40% of the country's wealth. In it, he interviews Bill Gates Sr., U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich and economist Milton Friedman. "I wanted to explore why so few have so much while the masses are struggling," says Johnson. "And to be able to talk to people like Bill Gates about this was incredible." To say The One Percent is timely during this election year is an understatement. "I made this film because it was something I don't think people in power, the politicians are talking about," says Johnson. "It's for this to be talked about in order to solve this problem."

Johnson, who majored in American History at New York University, says studying people has always been a hobby and filmmaking was a natural progression. Though he admits Hollywood isn't always easy to navigate. Luckily he got a few tips from his uncle, screenwriter and novelist Dirk Wittenborn. "He was extremely helpful [in explaining the industry] and encouraging," says Johnson. Wittenborn is credited as one of the producers on Born Rich.

With two much-acclaimed docs under his well-money belt, Johnson says he is next venturing into feature films, though again his base will be small. "I don't want this large production company with a lot of people. Right now it's just me and a camera person," says the scaled-down Johnson. "I just want to do films I am interested in making. Nothing more." And, obviously, nothing less.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

RUSHMOREDRIVE.COM DEBUTS: SEARCH ENGINE FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS TAKES ON THE WEB

Internet usage among African-Americans is growing--with recent reports projecting 25 million African-American Internet users in 2011, up from 19.6 million in 2006. So it was only natural that sooner or later a full-scale search engine would be created to fulfill what is pegged as a lucrative market segment on the Web: African-American's online research needs.

"We found that while people are used to search engines like Google, many complain that it is hard to find in searches information that is specially related to African-Americans, " says Kevin McFall, Vice President, Products. "The information may come up on the search but it is way down on page 10. We bring it up to page 1."

RushmoreDrive.com was officially launched April 10th and is a venture by Black Web Enterprises, a company owned by Barry Diller's IAC, the $6 billion giant behind Match.com and Ask.com, among others.

"We have major backing behind us," says McFall. "When our president Johnny Taylor, who worked at IAC, proposed the idea to Barry Diller, he liked it immediate. And we had to be ready to roll as soon as possible. When you get the go from someone such as Barry Diller, you go full force."

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, RushmoreDrive.com promises to deliver an unparalleled digital experience by combining mainstream search results with those tailored to black audiences, which includes African Americans, Afro-Latinos, Caribbean-Americans, and others of African heritage. "Since this is a global venture, we wanted to include all people of African descent," says McFall. "I think we are the only Internet venture to do so."

But RushmoreDrive, which is named after its street location, won't stop with just being a search engine. According to McFall, the site will include original content. "We will offer helpful articles and information for our users," he says.

On paper, RushmoreDrive appears to have all the bases covered. But can it take on a giant like Google? "Well, we are serving a market that is underserved by Google," says McFall. "We want people not to Google It, we want them to Drive It!"

TRIBECA ROUNDUP

Once again, the Tribeca Film Festival has invaded Manhattan. Taking place from April 23 to May 4, this year's event featured a ton of interesting flicks, lots of star watching (including Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon at the premiere of her film Tennessee), must-attend industry panels, music showcases, and hopefully for the filmmakers, plenty of dealmaking. And The A-List was hot in the midst of it all.

DAY 1
The opening day for the Tribeca Film Festival. So on this balmy spring morning we headed off to The New School to pick up press credentials and it's all rather smooth sailing. No lines, no major confusion except for a minor hiccup about the registration location at the last minute. But that was rather quickly resolved.

The options for Tribeca has always been a bit overwhelming, and this year with more than 900 screenings and 53 world premieres to choice from, we're torn as to what to see and what to do. But to make the fest more manageable, the organizers have installed a few new things. One of the most obvious changes is that the venues for screenings had been condensed to locations in the East Village in rather close vicinity to the press office--meaning one doesn't have to run around town. Plus, it gives the festival more of a cohesive feel. Also the intranet for the festival could not be more comprehensive and accessible.

DAY 2
The festival kicks off with a Hollywood red carpet frenzy with the screening of Madonna's new documentary, I Am Because We Are. Directed by Nathan Rissman, the movie depicts the struggles and hardships facing the children of Malawi, an African country ravished by poverty and HIV.

Madonna, who is in the process of adopting boy from Malawi, is the film's executive producer, writer and narrator. Among the celebs we spotted at Madonna shindig were gal pal Rosie O'Donnell, designer Donna Karan and actress Bernadette Peters. But there is so much else to see and do. So we head off to plot of the strategy for getting the most out of Tribeca. There was, however, a dark cloud looming just beneath the surface.

DAY 3
While a bright breezy day in New York City, a darkness was about to overcome the city. Just around 9:30 AM the verdict is back from the murder trial of Sean Bell, who was shot and killed by NYC police on the eve of his wedding. The not guilty verdicts seemed to almost immediately engulf all of New Yorkers, including those folks in town for Tribeca. Even jaded industry folks were buzzing about the outcome--and what might happen in the city in lieu of it. For us, we decided to now gravitate more gravitation towards movie/documentary Tribeca offerings that addressed social injustice.

One was Faubourg Treme: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans. It is a first-person documentary by New Orleans natives Dawn Logsdon and Lolis Eric Elie. The film addresses the trials and tribulations of the community of Faubourg Treme, better known post-Katrina via the media as the Ninth Ward in New Orleans. The documentary is powerful because it draws the viewer into the sensibility of the community. It's like a family reunion, going through the family album and getting a sense of one's past. Yes, you do find out how proud, smart African Americans were before and after the Civil War, but the viewer also see it all snatched away post Reconstruction. This is the story of Blacks' struggle for dignity, freedom and equality continues with exploration some of moderate gains due to the Civil Rights Movement and ends in a disaster called Katrina. But WAIT! - It's not over- the film seems to be saying "We've will not give up, give in or go away."

DAY 4
Today was Mariah's day. Mariah Carey, that is. After a horrible showing in her film debut, Glitter, the singer is easing back into the film world with Tennessee. The world premiere seemed well received. Directed by Aaron Woodley, it follows two brothers on a soul-searching road trip to find their estranged father. Along the way they meet a waitress played by Carey. While not blockbuster material, this should play well in art houses and small venues--and maybe pave the way for Mariah to make a bigger film in the future.

Taking a short break from the action, The A-List comes back rested and strong for the rest of the festival. More on that in our next installment, Monday.--dan k. williams

SPOTTED

The A-List was running a bit late for ASCAP's special invitation-only star-studded tribute to composer/producer/arranger/conductor Quincy Jones to celebrate the music master's 75th birthday. But as we approached we noticed we weren't the only ones. Some major A-List names were still making their way into the Nokia Theatre in NYC's Times Square. Once all got settled, they were in for a spectacular treat--each performance tribute topped the next. Among the serenading Jones were: the legendary Lesley Gore; the incomparable Tony Bennett; Tevin Campbell; Tamia, looking gorgeous in a gray dress adorned with a red belt, and sounding equally magnificent; James Ingram was EXCELLENT! and the crowd--especially the women--went wild during his set; Ashford & Simpson along with the extremely talented Siedah Garrett; James Moody joined Take 6; Gloria Estefan, who looked great by the way, performed her own hilarious version of "Me and Mrs. Jones"; Roberta Flack performed "Eternally." Al Jarreau, Patti Austin, Clark Terry, Opus 118 Harlem School of Music, Greg Phillinganes, Savion Glover, the cast members of the Broadway musical Stomp, and James D-Train, who sang "In the Heat Of The Night," also graced the stage. Jones was also honored with the prestigious ASCAP Pied Piper Award, presented to him by ASCAP president/chairperson Marilyn Bergman. The ASCAP Foundation also established a fund in Jones' name to benefit aspiring music creators. Proceeds from the evening were donated to the fund in his honor. And of course, the house was also packed with celebs, including Johntá Austin, opera diva Kathleen Battle, producer Jellybean Benitez, Hal David, Jon Faddis, Michael Feinstein, Whoopi Goldberg, Chuck Jackson, Hal Jackson, Johnny Mandel, Melle Mel of Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Julie Taymor, Jimmy Webb, Bebe Winans, singer/songwriter Gordon Chambers, and musician/TV producer Ray Chew. --Jaleesa Brown


The A-List is: Lauren Coleman, founder/co-publisher...Ann Brown, co-publisher...Melissa Ross, European correspondant...LeAnne Lindsay, contributor...Anthony Davis, contributor...Gil Robertson, contributor...Dan Williams, contributor...Jaleesa Brown, contributor...Clemetine Clarke, columnist.


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2008 Philadelphia Film Festival

FILM FESTIVAL LOG

THE 17TH ANNUAL PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL

The Philadelphia Film Festival (PFF) just wrapped up another successful screening of over 260 films, chock full of Q&As with the filmmakers, including celebs William H. Macy, Shane West, John Leguizamo, Jason Ritter and Patti Smith.

The A-List found the festival experience vast and varied, but with the question still posed from issue #102 (http://thealistmagzine.blogspot.com/2008/03/102-to-join-a-list-email-us-today-for.html): "Why only one film offering at the festival by an African American filmmaker? (Barry Jenkins' Medicine for Melancholy)?" It seemed only fair to let the festival’s curators have a chance to address this imbalance.

“As a film fest for international films we strive to seek out the very best in films representing the complete human condition. When we see films, while not blind to race, we certainly have no idea of the color of those behind the camera," answers Scott Johnston, Regional Films Curator. "There is an irony in the fact that if we fail to represent African-American creators we will be viewed as 'exclusive' or myopic. Yet, if we place work based chiefly on the race of the individual - we'll be accused of tokenism (at best) or exploitation (at worst)."

He continues: "If the films I see are reinforcing negative stereotypes, yet are very well produced - what do I do? You mention a disparity of African-American in the mainstream, but last year, Lee Daniels was our guest of guests and his film showcased to great effect. "

Johnston says that while there is no problem in attracting filmmakers of color, the submissions this year may have have fallen short. "Filmon Mebrahtu, Shannon Newby, Rodney Whittenberg and dozens of filmmakers have submitted films, which we've showcased, and will doubtless have back," says Johnson. "If this year’s line-up seems to fall short of anyone’s expectations to truly represent cultural diversity, I apologize. I certainly shoot for inclusiveness of all peoples each year, and (by and large) I am proud of every year achieving that.”

According to Mike Dennis of ReelBlack (www.reelblack.com), a full-service film and video production company dedicated to creating and promoting "good movies 'bout Black Folks," says that the time may be ripe for the city to have a festival dedicated solely to Black filmmakers. “I think there is a definite need for an African-American Film Festival in this city and I wouldn't expect PFF, which has its own niche to take responsibility for filling the void...I do know, that a number of the [Black] filmmakers I work with, prefer to have their work go straight to video and get it out there that way, rather than the expense of the festival circuit.” On to the happenings at the PFF. Our picks for standout films screened this year.

Lovely By Surprise (USA/Writer/Director, Kirt Gunn) This is a film in the vein of Adaptation or Stranger Than Fiction where the main character is a writer dealing with fictional characters who become all too real. If you are patient and give this film a chance to make sense, you’ll come away with a good tale, full of pathos. If you need a film to fully explain itself, than we doubt viewers will find it lovely at all.

Medicine for Melancholy (USA/Writer/Director Barry Jenkins) A 24-hour romance, a la Before Sunset but not as dialogue heavy. It would be refreshing if the film just dealt with a one-night stand and infidelity, which happened to feature a Black couple. However, in this case, the extenuating plot involves the complex issue of race. Micca (Wyatt Cenac) is a black man born and raised in predominately White San Francisco, where Blacks make up only 7% of the population, a fact that Micca is all too aware. Joanne (Tracey Heggins) is a transplant to SF, and not particularly affected by diversity. Her concern is that she’s cheating on her boyfriend, who is White. The Q&A with Jenkins revealed a lot of the charming and funny moments came from the improvisation of lead actor, comedian. Surprising too, this was Cenac’s acting debut!

The Take (USA/Philadelphia Director Brad Furman) This is an all too real and terrifying story of a decent family man (John Leguizamo) shot on the job while driving an armored truck. His struggles to recover from being shot in the head, deal with his anger over the incident, and clear his name when accused of being the “"inside man” on the robbery. A gritty and unnerving drama. Also starring Tyrese Gibson and Rosie Perez.

Then She Found Me (USA/Director Helen Hunt) Not to downgrade the film, but Helen Hunt's directorial debut will be an excellent renter; it will fly off the shelves as soon as it reaches Blockbuster and Netflix, but don't think it will do much box office. Hunt plays a 39-year-old Jewish (not by blood, but by adoption) woman who desperately wants to have a baby. But her new marriage to a very immature husband (Matthew Broderick) falls apart quickly. She soon begins an awkward romance with (Colin Firth), discovers she's pregnant with her husband's child, her adoptive mother dies and her birth mother (Bette Midler) bursts into her life. In the Bible, God often makes major changes and transformations in a period of 40, since the movie deals with religious overtones, one wonders if Hunt had this theme in mind.

ONE-ON-ONE

John Leguizamo (Carlito’s Way, Moulin Rouge, Summer of Sam) was given the Festival’s Artistic Achievement Award. The evening featured Leguizamo being interviewed Actor’s Studio style, revealing him to be the way we perceived him to be both committed artist and cocky comedian. We were treated to anecdotes of the time he nearly came to blows with Patrick Swayze, both of them ready to rip off wigs and “F- me" pumps to go at it when filming To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar, in which they were in drag. He also discussed the many mishaps during the shooting of his current film, The Take--like the Kraft Services chef being shot on location because the neighborhood kids wanted to eat for free; numerous crew members quitting (including hair and make up), which left Rosie Perez to do her own; and Leguizamo’s trailer being repossessed with him still in it!

Obviously, life is never dull for Legoizamo. --Le Anne Lindsay

ISSUE #104

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