Friday, June 5, 2009

Rapper's Delight

from Writer/Produce/Director Fran Harris


Rapper’s Delight premiers in Dallas on July 10th at the Bishop Arts Theater. The cast includes some of the brightest young actors in the metroplex…and soon-to-be in the country. I feel so blessed to have attracted these folks. They’re fun to work with. They’re eager to deliver killer performances. And they have sensational chemistry.

If you’ve been toying with the idea to write or produce your own play, JUST DO IT. The only things I regret are the things that for some reason I DIDN’T do.

Writing, producing and directing are all such amazing experiences. I’ve written about 35 - 40 screenplays; which means that I’ve got tons of material for my next stage production. I’m thinking of doing a script I wrote 3 years ago called “Moxie’s Song”. It’s a hip hop story too.

Monday, June 1, 2009

The Comedy Gym Auditions

If you're a comic (or you know one)

Audition for The Comedy Gym
a hot, new "clean" comedy show
produced by Fran Harris Entertainment.

AUDITIONS
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
5 - 6 pm
Po Bill's Cafe (some of the best soul food in Dallas)
2933 Commerce St. (east of Downtown Dallas)
Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 741-6601

FIRST SHOW
Friday, June 12, 2009
8:00 pm (also at Po Bill's)
***and it is a BRINGER (at least 2 peeps)

Spread the word.
Come, be funny and get booked
so we can say, 'we knew you when'

***This is a TV show,
you will be required to sign
releases...

Thursday, May 28, 2009

‘Theatre Camp sets Final Auditions for Dreamgirls’


Shreveport/Bossier City, LA—Mahogany Ensemble Theatre in partnership with the Bossier Arts Council will hold final auditions for its summer arts program Camp Aspire youth production of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Auditions will be held on held on Saturday, June 6, 2009, at 10:00 am at the Bossier Arts Council, 630 Barksdale Blvd., Bossier City, LA.

Dreamgirls by Ted Eyen and Henry Krieger, a legendary Broadway musical is the rags-to-riches story following the lives of Effie White, Deena Jones, and Lorrell Robinson--the "Dreamettes" a hopeful singing trio from Chicago who experience the ups and downs of show business on the path to making their dreams come true. Youth actors and dancers are needed for this production. Auditions will consists of a cold read, 2 minute performance (song- a cappella or soundtrack and/or dance). Attendance in Camp Aspire is required for production.

Camp Aspire is a 3 week art experience for youth ages 7 and up. There will be two camp sessions, June 15-July 2, 2009 or July 13-July 30, 2009. Limited scholarships and internships are available. To schedule an audition, call 318-745-2787 or visit www.mahoganyensembletheatre.org.

The mission of Mahogany Ensemble Theatre is to enlighten, enrich, and empower communities through entertaining African-American theatre experiences while exploring the common ground of humanity.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Roadside Attractions and Liddell Entertainment Set to Rock with the Acquisition of Chris Rock's and HBO Films' "Good Hair"


Roadside Attractions and Liddell Entertainment have acquired worldwide rights to Chris Rock's "Good Hair," a documentary about the African American hair culture, produced by HBO Films. The film had its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival where it won the Special Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary. The deal was announced jointly by Howard Cohen, Co-President of Roadside Attractions, Mickey Liddell of Liddell Entertainment and Michael Lombardo, President, Programming Group and West Coast Operations, HBO. Roadside plans to release the film domestically this fall. Lionsgate will handle home video and other domestic ancillary rights and HBO will retain pay cable rights and will broadcast the film in their traditional pay TV window.

An expose of comic proportions that only Chris Rock could pull off, "Good Hair" visits hair salons and styling battles, scientific laboratories, and Indian temples to explore the way black hairstyles impact the activities, pocketbooks, sexual relationships, and self-esteem of black people. Director Jeff Stilson follows Chris Rock on this raucous adventure after Rock's daughter, Lola, came up to him crying and asked, "Daddy, how come I don't have good hair?" Celebrities such as Ice-T, Nia Long, Paul Mooney, Raven Symone, Maya Angelou, and Reverend Al Sharpton all candidly offer their stories and observations to Rock while he struggles with the task of figuring out how to respond to his daughter's question.

"I'm very happy to be working with the good people at Roadside Attractions. I loved the job they did with 'Super Size Me' and hope we can have similar success." says Chris Rock.

"Chris has been part of the HBO family for more than 15 years. We were thrilled to support his vision in making 'Good Hair' and we hope it reaches the widest audience," says Michael Lombardo, President, Programming Group and West Coast Operations, HBO.

"Chris Rock has always been able to come at everyday topics from a completely fresh perspective. His ability to mix incisive social commentary with huge laughs, I believe, makes him this generation's answer to Mark Twain," adds Howard Cohen, Co-President, Roadside Attractions. "'Good Hair' is revelatory, provocative, thoroughly-researched and, most importantly, just funny as hell."

The film was represented by ICM and the deal negotiated by ICM, Michael Lombardo, President, Programming and West Coast Operations, and Glenn Whitehead, Executive Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs on behalf of HBO, Howard Cohen on behalf of Roadside Attractions and Robb Klein of Sheppard Mullin on behalf of Liddell Entertainment. "Good Hair" is an HBO Films presentation of a Zahrlo production, an Urban Romances production. Produced by Chris Rock, Nelson George, Kevin O'Donnell and Jenny Hunter. Directed by Jeff Stilson. Written by Chris Rock, Jeff Stilson, Lance Crouther, and Chuck Sklar.

Forest Whitaker to Star in Family Wedding Picture

Forest Whitaker will join America Ferrera ("Ugly Betty") and Carlos Mencia (Comedy Central) in an untitled family wedding project for Fox Searchlight. Rick Famuyiwa ("Brown Sugar") will direct the film from a screenplay he wrote.

Described by Variety as a clash-of-cultures comedy, the story centers on two overbearing fathers (Whitaker, Mencia) who must put aside their differences to plan the wedding of their son and daughter (Ferrera) in less than two weeks.

Filming begins next month in Los Angeles.

Whitaker, who is filming the Sylvester Stallone-directed action flick "The Expendables," has six films in the can, including "The Repossession Mambo" and "Where the Wild Things Are."

Martin Luther King Jr. Biopic Set For Bigscreen

DreamWorks has acquired the life rights to Martin Luther King Jr. and is bringing a biopic on the slain civil rights leader to the big screen, reports Variety. Steven Spielberg, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones will produce.

King's estate owns the copyright to all the speeches, books and famous works of the slained civil rights leader. This will be the first film to be authorized by the estate and gives the producers the right to utilize King's intellectual property -- including his famous "I Have a Dream" speech delivered during the 1963 March on Washington.

"We are all honored that the King Estate is giving us the opportunity to tell the story of these defining, historic events," Spielberg. "It is our hope that the creative power of film and the impact of Dr. King's life can combine to present a story of undeniable power that we can all be proud of."

"In trying to tackle such an ambitious project, the question we had to ask ourselves is, 'Why now?' " DreamWorks CEO and co-chairman Stacey Snider said. "The answer lies in MLK's own words: 'All progress is precarious.' With every step forward, new obstacles emerge and we must never forget that his life and his teachings continue to challenge us every day to stand up to hatred and inequality.

King was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4th, 1968, at the age of 39.

Michael Baisden Show Is Looking For Interns In Dallas/Fort Worth Area

The Michael Baisden Show is currently looking for Interns in the Dallas Studio. All applicants must live in the Dallas /
Ft. Worth area.




POSITIONS OPEN:- Intern

Show: The Michael Baisden Show
Location: Dallas, Texas
Part Time Paid Position [1:00pm – 6:00pm daily]
-----------------------------------------------------------

INTERN: [Dallas, Texas]

Job Description / Duties & Responsibilities:
- Assist Producers in studio with show
- Set up studio daily
- Research as needed

Skills / Education / Experience:
- College Student or Graduate Related Field Preferred
- Part Time [Monday - Friday]
- Energetic Person with great personality
- Excellent communication skills
- People person skills a must
- Must own your own laptop
- Radio/Broadcasting experience a plus
- Energetic person with great personality
- Communication, organizational and computer skills are a must!
- Work well under extreme pressure
- Ability to take direction well and follow through
- Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast paced environment
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment
- Ability to pay attention to details and be organized
- Should be focused, driven and dedicated
- Must have good work ethic
- Must have good computer skills
- Ability to research and locate information quickly during
show time
- Basic knowledge of production equipment & techniques

Note: This job specification should not be construed to imply
that these requirements are the exclusive standards for the
position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and
perform any related tasks, as may be required by their
supervisor/s.

Send your resume to intern@minglecity.com

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