Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 December 2002 — Page 18

PAGE C2

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27,2002

Washington says he's now hooked on directing

BOOKED ► Continued from Pag* 1

didn’t give me any money. You beeause I figured that at about

$13 million, we should make our money back, and be successful. Was the directing itself very

► Continued from Pago 1 many Blacks in the industry say they have a hard time finding Hollywood backing for such an endeavor? Did your name open some doors? DW: Do you mean that because I was attached to it, they gave me the money to do it? Yeah. DW: I don’t know, (laughs) I don’t know. I think anyone could have directed it I don’t even think a Black person had to direct this. I really do feel that it’s a universal story. There are certain cultural things, I guess, that we bring to it that maybe I might know more about than the next person, but not necessarily.

How was the experience of directing for the first time challenging for you? DW: Workingwithout getting any sleep, for one. Acting while directing is not something I’d like to try again. Why’d you even try to do both during your directorial debut? DW: Part of the reason I was in the film was because the studio wanted me in there. That way we could get a little more money in the budget. Did the studio pressure to get some other big names attached to the film? DW: How could they? They

know, we made the movie for only $13 million. How could they pressure me if they didn’t want to pay

anybody.

How could someone of the stature of Denzel Washington not get a blank check from a studio once you announced your interest in

directing?

DW: Because Denzel WashingtoiThas never directed. If it were my money, I’d be concerned, too. Just because I’m a good actor, doesn't mean I’m going to be any good as a director. Also, I didn’t want to learn how to make a film with that kind of pressure. I didn’t want to spend too much money,

taxing? DW: It was difficult because I had these young actors. Especially in working with Derek (star, Derek Luke), I wanted to keep my eye on him, and help him out But I also had to jump into the film, go back and look at myself on the video, which I wasn’t used to doing. So, it was kinda tough. How did you come to cast Derek in the title role? He was an unknown who worked for Sony Pictures, just like Antwone had before he got his book deal. DW: He just came in and won the part I had no idea that he knew Antwone. And I told him later on, that I was glad I didn't know, because it might have hurt his chances, had he brought it up. How did you feel about the responsibility of bringing to the screen the story of someone who had suffered so much abuse in life? How were you able to ensure he wasn’t just exploited once

more?

DW: Everyone who met Antoine and read his story wanted to become a part of it I knew Antoine had been through a lot already, and I promised him that I would take good care of him. That was my prayer every morning in the trailer. I said, “God, don’t let me mess up this boy’s life." What was Antwone’s reaction after he saw the film? DW: He hugged me and said, "Thank you. I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe it”He’s so humble, soft spoken and kind. So, I was relieved that he was pleased. How did you choose the people you included on this project? DW: Twenty-five years of experience had taught me to put the best people around me and let them do their job. So, it was going to be hard for me to screw

it up.

What was it like the first time you were the one yelling, “Ac-

tion?”

DW: Although I couldn’t sleep the night before, I was so prepared, it was almost as if I was acting like a director. Was it enjoyable overall? DW: I had fun, I really did have fun. But there were long days and short nights. Will you direct again? DW: Yeah, I’m definitely going to direct again. I just have to find something to do. So, you enjoyed the process in the end. DW: I loved it. Loved it I’m hooked. How do you want audiences to react to “Antwone Fisher”? DW: I try not to answer that because it depends on what each personbringstoit Antwone talks about wantingyoung kids who’ve been abused to know that they can make it We had a screening in Washington for abused children and orphans. Needless to say, it was a tear-filled evening. They just fell in love with Antwone. He’s their hero. But I think the point of the story is that they can be Antwones too. Would you be surprised if you received an Oscar nomination for Best Director for this movie? DW: What am I supposed to say? (laughs) That would be a great surprise. But it would be a nice one. Halle Berry got most of the attention at the Oscars after her acceptance speech, but you won one, too. You were much more composed. Was that because you’d won one for Best Supporting Actor before? DW: Both my Oscars weigh 15 pounds. At the time, I figured, “Either they are or they aren’t going to give it to me.” So, I was quite relaxed. I didn’t see any point in jumping up and down about it This time they did, and I just felt real calm. But wasn’t that the biggest moment of your life? DW: No, it was having my children. No doubt about ft. I was there when my first child came out I caught him. There is life, and there is making a living. That’s what I learned the day my

Celebrate Kwanzaa at The Chikiren’s Museum Celebrate the rich traditions of Kwanzaa that commemorate the African harvest and values. Visitors will enjoy music, storytelling and craft idea workshops designed to help make family celebrations complete.

Jolly Days woSdSSSSuid NOW OPEN! Follow our new O-gauge train from Indianapolis to the North Pole! Bundle up, grab a pole and go fishing at the Fishing Shack. Cozy up at the Cookie Cafe and experience the Yule Slide. Experience it all this holiday season at The Childrens Museums Jolly Days Winter WontUrland!

Presented by

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The W. Brooks Fortune Foundation, Inc.

Mitten Drive

The holidays arc a time of giving and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is ready to lend a hand. For the second year, the museum will collect gloves and mittens during our Minen Madness initiative, Dec. 27 - 28, 2002 in the museums Welcome Center. & Each person who donates a pair of mittens will receive a Jolly Days Winter Wonderland Yule Slide sled bag to take home and

jag^kpersonally decorate, while supplies last.

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(www.deloresthorton.com) leased her work of contemporary writes historical fiction and is a fiction entitled. Different Shades veteran self-publisher. Friendships Come In, this fall. Thornton will soon be releasing Like Yates she chose print-on-her fourth book, Anybody Seen demand publishing. Junebug?She started Marguer- All four authors are currently ite Press in 1997, and has trav- available for readings and book eled the country extensively pro- signings and can be contacted moting Ida Mae, Ida Mae: The through their respective Web sites Saga Continues and Babe her or via Elevations Book & Coffee three previous books. Shop at 388-8133. Yates who writes Christian The “Booked for Success" writinspirational works is currently ers’ tour is currently accepting unveiling her first novel, Carrie bookings from colleges/univerOand Me: What a Woman God sities, community organizations. Made. Yates is utilizing print- writers groups, book clubs and on-demand technology to pub- other organization. If you are inlish her novel. terested contact “Booked for SucT u n s t a 1 1 ( w w w cess" by calling Crystal Ink Pub.latinamarietunstall.com) re- lishing, 328-1704.

► Continued from Pago 1 part of this production. Himes is others. the founder and Artistic Director During the last 11IRT sea- of the St Louis Black Rep. This is sons, he’s proud to say he’s per- his second time directing at die formed in 10 of them, in at least IRT, the first being George Wolfe’s one show per year. The Colored Museum” in 1990. HedirectedTheColorofJus- "Blues for an Alabama Sky” tice,” last spring’s drama about begins previews Jan. 8, with the the Brown vs. Board of Educa- official opening on Jim. 10. It runs tiontrialattheIRTandhasalso through Feb. 1 on the IRTs performed and directed at the Mainstage, with performance Phoenix Theatre, and in Seattle, times varying Tuesday - Sunday. St Louis, Los Angeles, Haiti- American Sign Language Intermore, and St Paul. Anderson pretation and Audio Description also works in film and televi- will be offered on Sunday, Jan. 22 sion and can currently be seen at 2 p.m. in a Steak and Shake ad. Tickets may be ordered online The IRT is also honored to at www.indianarep.com or by callhave director Ron Himes be a ing 635-5252.

GRAIN

► Continued from Page 1 “What we're frying to do is take it back to old school. Letting it be about the music and not about the hype." - Thornell Jones Rucker of the pop/rock group, Hootie & the Blowfish. Rucker wanted to do a solo album and felt that H BR was the best label for him. Hidden Beach’s line-up consists of a blend of neo-soul, alternative and jazz artists. Included in the HBR family is Kindred, a husband and wife duo that soulfiilly chronicled the joys as well as the challenges ofBlack love. Then there’s Brenda Russell. Russell is best known for her earlier hits such as “If Only for One Night” and “Get Here,” Now Russell has “Paris Rain,” her new album that speaks of

hope and universal love. Mike Phillips is also a HBR artist that plays the saxophone in a very unique and sensual way. In2001 Hidden Beach released “Unwrapped Vol. 1,” a CD that featured great jazz artists who applied their creative flavor to contemporary and classic hip-hop songs. The album was such a hit that HBR recently released “Unwrapped Vol. 2,” which is much like die first, but has an added twist “Basically, we tightened up the formula,” said veteran producer Tony Joseph. “We were kind of scattered the first time, so in turn we tightened up the whole formula. The musicianship is much better as well as the overall sound. We wanted something both the parents and the kids could listen to, and I think we really hit it on this one.” In the future, there will be an HBR review tour, which will bring all of its artists “out onto the marketplace.” The company is even considering having aclothingline and doing alternative marketing. For more information on Hidden Beach and its artists, visit www.hiddenbeach.com.

JONES ► Continued from Page 1 relates to me. It all started in the Pacific Northwest, (where Jones grew up) where if there were three or four fine sisters, they were nailed down already. I expanded mycriteriaquickly.” Music enthusiasts will also enjoy the first person account of American music histoiy as Jones describes touring witm the Lionel Hampton Band, playing back up for Billie Holiday. Arranging albums for Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, and Sara Vaughn. In a chapter entitled Thriller," Jones answers his peers who “misread his presence in the pop are Ml* He writes. “Since age 13 in Seattle I’d played rhythm and blues, swing, big band, Sousa, marches, polkas, Debussy, and be-bop. I even played for strippers and sang backup vocals. It was always a 360-degree gumbo. Every step along the way prepared me tor wherever I needed to go musically. There were never any limitations.* It is his seemingly limitless passion for all things that is the genius of Quincy Jones. Long time friend Clarence Avant describes Jones’ unquenchable ffiirst for knowledge shout all things, in the chapter he sub-

mitted. ! “Quincy survived in this record business because he’s like that Duke Ellington song *New World a-Coming.’ He knows what’s coming and going before anyone else. He knows about Bill Gates and eBay and music on the Internet and all that s..., and he shares it with whomever he knows. He knows what a bottle of 1922 blah blah is, and whose grandma made it and why they sit on the grapes or whatever the f... they do. I have no idea why he cares for all that dumb s..., but I love him. Only in heaven, will I find a better friend.” At 69 Jones is still aladies man, although now he looks more like a grandpa than the womanizer of years ago. He’s still passionate and gracious about the opportunities that have come to him. He is currently working on a musical about the life of Sammy Davis Jr, and wants to write and compose ashowbased on the evolution ofBlack music. Jones continues to be a wellspring of creativity, love and compassion. It must have been quite a challenge to fit such a full life into 37 chapters. Readers will take away enduring lessons on, integrity, personal triumph and living your dreams. Oh! If we could all live like Quincy!