Flashback Friday - Rick Astley - "Never Gonna Give You Up"

I'm working on a new spec script set in 1987. I had a great time putting together my script's playlist.

One of the biggest hit of 1987 was from this gentleman.



Buon Weekend!

Jumping The Broom Mondays - JTB is nominated for 6 NAACP Image Awards

I had no idea until people started e-mailing me.

THE HELP leads the nominations with eight.

Our film, Jumping The Broom, was nominated for six including, Outstanding Actor, Outstanding Actress, Outstanding Motion Picture, and Outstanding Writing For A Motion Picture.

The general membership (or as Hollywood folks would say, civilians) will vote and the winners will be announced on February 17th. These awards cover film, TV, books, and music.

The show will be broadcast live on NBC at 8:00 p.m. EST. I wonder if Angelina will be there. She's nominated for her directorial debut.

HERE is a complete list of nominees from The Hollywood Reporter.

My Word For 2012... YES

Late last year I told a good friend that my "word" for 2012 was going to be YES.

Michelle at Bleeding Espresso has written a beautiful post about her word UP here.

2011 was very stressful when it came to my career. I cannot have another year like that.

I must change how I'm responding to the fact that the industry I have worked in for over fourteen years continues to shrink. This is the new normal. If the economy started booming tomorrow, the situation in Hollywood would not improve.

Even during the best of times, it was rough going in Hollywood for writers who happened to be women. Being a black women who writes films? Bwahah. We are rarer than pink unicorns.

I won't give up though. At this point I really don't care about the dumb racist stuff some people in Hollywood say. The complete lack of understanding that there is a big ass world west of the 405 is hurting our industry.

I live in Italy and will be spending more time in the Caribbean. I can't worry about the people in Hollywood who insist on seeing me in a very narrow way.

Being in St. Martin and Anguilla these last few weeks has been extremely helpful and inspiring.

Instead of obsessing about the word NO from L.A. I'm going to work on myself and say YES to new opportunities.

I tend to over think things. It's not necessarily a bad trait. There is nothing wrong being organized and/or having a plan of action.

However, I can get so worked up, doubt takes over, and I start to second guess myself.

I was speaking to an expat friend who's struggling with her writing. She works in film production, but that is not her passion. We were talking about how we admire people who just go for it. We sit here and think, "I have to return to school so I could be qualified to do this creative job."

There isn't a right or wrong way to pursue a creative endeavor. An Italian couple were asking me about interior design for their office. Instead of saying YES and looking at the space, I thought, "Oh, I'm not qualified. I've only been interning a few months and I'm focusing on residential."

Another expat friend who had to completely reinvent her career in Italy, told me to I can't keep thinking linear. I should have at least seen the space, then get back to them. They know me and that I don't have a Master's in design. They were asking my opinion anyway.

All around me I see people who pursue their goals and make things happen for themselves. Yes, some have had help from their famous and/or successful parents or boyfriends. Connections can open doors, but it was still up to them to deliver.

I have spent a life-time believing in the whole go to school, climb the ladder, meritocracy thing. It was drilled into me that I had to work twice as hard in order to succeed. Okay, so why am I still broke?

In mid-life it's time to do something different.

2012 is going to be a great year. I'm saying *YES.



*Within reason. I won't be saying YES to the cold cuts dude that keeps asking me out.

World's Oldest Interior Design Intern Strongly Recommends "Restoring A Home In Italy" by Elizabeth Helman Minchilli

I wrote about Elizabeth's book Italian Rustic.

RESTORING A HOME IN ITALY is one of her earlier books, written in 2001. I LOVED it and know I will be using it as a reference for a long time.

It's a gorgeous book. Very inspiring. It's a perfect gift for anyone who has an interest in home decor/design, Italy, or beautiful photography.

Twenty-two homes are featured from all over Italy. Elizabeth has divided the book in areas; Northwest, Northeast, Tuscany, Umbria, Rome, and the South.

There is a range of homes from restored farmhouses to apartments in Rome.

One of my favorites is the former candle factory in Trastevere that is now an incredible apartment with a courtyard.

The book is well-written and the project notes sections are useful and accessible. You don't need to be a contractor to understand the building methods Elizabeth writes about.

I read Elizabeth's book the same week I started an internship with a prominent Italian furniture/interior designer (a big fat thank you to a certain friend for the introduction).

The timing was not great as I was in the middle of finishing my novel. The last few weeks have been a little bananas. No, make that extremely bananas.

But it's been a great experience. I'm learning a lot. Also, my Italian is improving now that I'm in an office with Italians and not at home all day writing only in English.

In a bizarre way everything has come full circle. My first job of out college was in the Buyer Executive Trainee Program at Bloomingdales. I interned in the Buying offices at the flagship store during college. After I graduated, I was assigned to the Home Furnishings division.

I've been reading shelter magazines and books since the sixth grade. My friends here thought I was nuts to bring my copies of DOMINO (RIP) and Elle Decor magazines to Rome. I wondered about that too, now it all makes sense.

I'm still writing and will continue to do so. However, my post JUMPING THE BROOM experience has been a real eye-opener.

At some point I will start a separate blog that will focus on design/decor.

In the meantime, I'm very excited about this opportunity. To be able to work in this area in Italy is a plus as many of the top textile, kitchen/bathroom design, furniture, etc. companies in the world are Italian.

So while it's difficult at times to be the World's Oldest Intern (hello, a few years ago I had an assistant), hands-on experience is important. Everything I'm doing now is laying down the foundation for my future.

Diving Into The Self-Publishing Pool

Ciao Bloggisti,

The last few months have been very hectic. I'm working on a few film/TV projects (all on spec) with various producers and my novel.

I cannot believe it's November. What the heck?

My manager and I decided after much discussion to self-publish my novel.

There has been a great deal of press lately about the massive changes in the publishing world. Nobody knows how things will shake out.

Hundreds of e-books are uploaded everyday. While many people dream of making some serious money, the reality is most e-books don't sell. The reason we hear about the success stories is because they are rare.

It's a lot of work. The writer is responsible for doing all the things a publishing house would normally do, editing, designing the cover, marketing, etc.

So why do it? I am tired of book agents (before reading a single word of my manuscript) telling my manager that it's impossible to sell Womens' Commercial Fiction to publishers, especially if the protagonist is African-American.

I know the agents are right. It IS very difficult to sell commercial fiction to publishers unless you're a reality star or writing about vampires.

We're going to try to sell directly to readers.

This will be a very interesting process. Who knows what will happen? I hope readers connect with the characters in my novel.

The goal is to have the book up later this year.

Have any of you self-published? How was your experience?

The Washington Post had a very interesting ARTICLE on the subject a few months ago.

Jumping The Broom Mondays - JTB is in Italia

My friend Annie just sent me an email saying JTB is in Italy on PPV (2.50 or 5 euros) for those who have SKY Cinema.

It's on Channels 362/363 and HERE is the schedule for the next days.

The logline called it an explosive comedy. So dramatic.

Flashback Friday - The Rascals - "A Beautiful Morning"

Grazie Dio it's Friday.

This week was rather... unpleasant. I had a stupid cold and heard frustrating news from LaLa land.

I woke up this morning and my cold was finally gone.

I cut through Doria Pamphili Park after an errand. I was so freaking glad to be back outside after spending all week stuck indoors.

The weather in Rome has been spectacular lately. Cool in the mornings and evenings, not too warm during the day.

I plan to enjoy as much time as possible outdoors before the rainy season hits.

The interview I did with Blackexpat.com is up. HERE it is.

I love this song. Buon weekend!!

Flashback Friday - Earth, Wind & Fire - "September"

Last night I had my weekly conference call with my manager. She had some not great news regarding one of my projects.

I started to go down that negative road.

Then I had to run out the house to meet my friends for Rome's Fashion Night Out. One them asked me how things were going and I vented for a minute.

I stopped and not just because I had a delicious prosecco in my hand. I realized earlier in the week I had received excellent feedback about another project. I barely spoke about it. Instead I was zeroing in on cryptic comments made by one person.

Like I said, I'm trying to Live More and Worry Less. Instead of doing the whole "woe is me, why aren't things better?" rant, I focused on the moment and had a blast with my friends.

This morning I ran to Borghese Park and heard this song on the way up the hill.

Wait, I'm confused by those things in the video. Right, they are instruments!

Earth, Wind & Fire had a killer horn section. They are one of my favorite bands OF ALL TIME. Their outfits in this video are a trip. I love the enthusiasm of the bass player.

Have a great weekend.

COMMITTED by Elizabeth Gilbert, A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD by Jennifer Egan, THE CARRIE DIARES by Candace Bushnell and a few other summer reads

I read a few excellent/good books this summer. Below are a couple of them:


COMMITTED by Elizabeth Gilbert
I zipped through this book.

After her Brazilian-born Australian citizen boyfriend Felipe (they met toward the end of EAT, PRAY, LOVE) is arrested in the U.S. at the airport, they faced a tough choice. Either get married or Felipe would be barred from entering the U.S…. forever. Both Felipe and Elizabeth had gone through tough divorces. While they were committed to each other, they swore they would never marry again. The United States of America thought otherwise.

Elizabeth writes about marriage and the strain on their relationship as they live outside the U.S. waiting for Felipe’s paperwork. One little thing that jumped out at me was her comment that they were living off the fumes of her last book. While all this drama was going on, Felipe’s business was severely damaged. EAT, PRAY, LOVE had not been released yet. While Elizabeth was a respected writer (her book THE LAST AMERICAN MAN is excellent), her life completely changed after EPL became a phenomenon. As a broke writer her story gives me hope. You never know what the future holds.


A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUARD by Jennifer Egan
The winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Price for Fiction. I get the hype. Egan wrote one of my favorite articles about the fashion industry, “Jamie Is A Girl” years ago, but this is the first novel of hers I’ve read. The book chronicles the lives of a group of friends as life takes them in unexpected directions. It jumps around in time, past, present and near future. Most of the characters are connected somehow with music, but it’s not about the music industry Some say AVFTGS more of a series of short stories and the narrative is confusing at times. The “power-point” chapter told from the POV of 12 year-old Alison Blake is brilliant.

The book has been optioned for a series by HBO. Egan said THE SOPRANOS was one of her inspirations. Can’t wait.



THE CARRIE DIARIES/SUMMER IN THE CITY by Candace Bushnell
Yes, I read these YA books and loved them. I’m not into sparkly vampires, but books about nerdy/geeky girls trying to fit in… I’m there. These books are a wonderful palate cleanser for those who sat through SATC 2. The 17 year-old Carrie had more depth, and intelligence than the 45 year-old knucklehead caricatures in the movie.

TCD takes place during Carrie’s senior year in high school in a small town in Connecticut. Her mother has died. Her father is a good dad, but overwhelmed raising three girls alone.

SITC is set during the summer before her freshman year in college. Carrie is in NYC for a summer writing program. She meets Samantha (the older cousin of a high school classmate) and Miranda, a very opinionated young feminist. Both books have been optioned for a series on the CW. Writer Amy B. Harris is adapting. I would so watch that series.


ONE FIFTH AVENUE by Candace Bushnell
Ms. Bushnell is kicking butt this year. This book was just optioned for a series on ABC. Unlike SATC, Bushnell will be a producer on both projects. People assume she made a bunch of money on SATC. She did not. Once she sold the TV rights, she was not involved with the series.

OFA is about a very chic building in NYC and the lives of several women who live (or want to live) there. Good, soapy fun. I loved hating the humorless Mindy character. And Lola reminded me of many obsessed with becoming famous early-20 somethings I met in L.A.



FALLING MAN by Don DeLillo
This was tough read. It’s a fantastic novel about September 11th. Keith is a lawyer who escapes the rubble. He was recently separated from his wife. His young son is having major problems, post 9/11. Keith’s struggle to reclaim his life is haunting, but hopeful. Somewhat.


THE ART OF ACTING by Stella Adler
A good resource for actors and writers. The book is a little dated. However, there’s a reason Stella Adler is considered one of the most important teachers of acting in America.



DELUXE: How Luxury Lost Its Luster by Dana Thomas
This is an excellent book on the $157-billion luxury industry, globalization, class and culture. I am very anti-fakes anyway, but reading about how some sweat shop factories break the legs of kids so they can’t leave made me sick. Thomas writes about how several luxury brands are not selling luxurious well-made items anymore, but just the brand. The portrayal of LVMH is scathing.

One luxury brand that walks the talk is Hermès. It’s not surprising it’s one of the few brands that is still family owned and operated. LVMH wants to buy them. I think that would dilute the brand and basically kill it. Why the heck would anyone pay serious money for a Birkin or a Kelly bag if they are no longer made by hand? In order to meet the profit margins demands of a big multi-national, Hermès would have to use cheaper labor/raw materials.

More books next week.

Operation "Live More, Worry Less" is in effect.

I hope everyone had a great summer. The locals are starting to return to Rome.

I'm looking forward to fall. It's time for a fresh start and I must make some changes in my life.

I don't know if it's the business I work in, being the first born of Caribbean parents with high expectations, being a Virgo, a New Yorker/Jerseyite, an anal retentive American or what, but I have a bad habit of winding myself into a super tight ball of stress.

This year, I really went over the edge. And for what? It's not like anything changed. I have to let go of my control freak ways and get a grip.

This will be hard for me to do. It's so against my nature. I always have a plan. Only recently did I stop with the whole five, ten, fifteen year plans.

Last week I celebrated another birthday. I realized I have a big one coming up in a few years. Do I want to look back on this decade as the one where all I did was worry and stress the hell out?

I'm at the age where friends are starting to lose their parents, or are battling cancer. Instead of wallowing in self-pity about what is not in my life (a house, a man, a savings account, financial security, my next job, a Birkin, etc.) I am going to do my best to appreciate what is in it.

I had a long talk with my parents about my work/money situation. They are very understanding and supportive. Without them I would have to forget about Hollywood and call it a day. Many people assume that because JUMPING THE BROOM was a hit, I must be rolling in dough or have a billion jobs lined up. That is not the case. Not even close. Post JTB I had a big wake up call. I will get into that in few weeks. I need to let the rage subside a bit.

At first I wasn't going to go away for my birthday weekend. Instead I planned to hold on to the birthday gift from my parents for living expenses.

Then I thought about it. What is a living expense, only rent, food, bills? Of course I can't/won't go crazy spending money I don't have. I'm not irresponsible.

The other extreme I was following, budgeting every single euro wasn't healthy either. I have to find a middle ground. The only things that are certain in this world are death and taxes. What I feared and stressed out about the most happened and yet I'm still here.

As I sat on a TERRACE on a hill in Piemonte I made a vow to myself to live more, worry less.

I'm not sure how things will go. I feel I did take a major step in the right direction last weekend.

I will write about Piemonte next week. I have a bunch a photos to go through. Grazie mille to Diana & Micha for making my birthday weekend so special.

If you have some good advice or links about how to become less of a control freak, I'm all ears.


UPDATE: Several friends have sent me the link below.

http://zenhabits.net/

When in Rome...

Well, at least my blog will be on vacation for Ferragosto.

I have to finish my novel and work on a TV pitch. No vacation for me.

My neighborhood is very popular with tourists and drunk American exchange students so it won't be as quiet as other areas in Rome.

Most of my favorite places are closed until September and the majority of my friends are out of town as well.

This summer has been stressful, but I'm optimistic something great is going to happen soon.

Buon Ferragosto! See in you September.

Jumping The Broom Mondays - DVD & Blu-Ray drop tomorrow!

I still don't have information for European dates, but JTB's DVD & Blu-Ray are being released tomorrow, August 9th, in North America.

There is a featurette. I think I'm in it judging from a clip on the JTB Facebook page. I was crazy nervous during my interview and it shows, &@*%$*!!!

Also, there's commentary track provided by director Salim Akil and actress Paula Patton.

The film did well theatrically (A big thank you to everyone who went to see it) and our fingers are crossed for a successful DVD launch.

JTB is a perfect early Labor Day gift, suitably for the entire family!

Melissa Silverstein of WOMEN AND HOLLYWOOD was very kind to ask me to write a guest post about how our film made it to the big screen on her popular site.

The post is HERE. Thanks Melissa!!

Jumping The Broom Mondays - DVD & Blu-Ray drop August 9th in North America.

Thanks again to everyone who went to see JUMPING THE BROOM. The box office total in America is 37 million. The film's budget was only 6.5 million.

Our movie will be out on DVD/Blu-ray next month in the United States and Canada.

The DVD market has completely imploded thanks to privacy. Hopefully, JTB's DVD sales will avoid this trend.

The movie will available for rental on Netflix, and other places. You can buy the DVD on Amazon.com, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Blockbuster, Target, Wal-Mart, any official retailer.

Please do not buy bootlegs. They are killing our market. One of the main reasons the studios are not making more films like JTB is because of the bootlegging.

I got into a big fight with a friend of a friend. He told another friend to not worry about downloading music for free because "those people" make a lot of money. When I disagreed with him, he couldn't understand why a screenwriter would take issue with his comments.

He said he was a writer too. This man works full time for a huge multi-national and make a very good salary. He writes short stories sometimes. Writing's a hobby for him. I assume that's the reason he felt he could be so dismissive about what I was saying.

Sure Lady Gaga and Beyonce are not crying over missed royalties. However, most writers, singers, and actors are not in the top 2%. The majority of people in my industry are unemployed. The reason you hear about big script sales and large book advances is because they are rare.

I'm not sure why people who would never shoplift from a store think it's okay to download first-run movies or those that are on DVD. I get watching certain American TV shows when you live aboard, as not all of them are available on iTunes.

I do think at some point how the studios release movies is going to open up and change. Of course movie theater owners are very resistant to the idea of releasing a film theatrically and on a platform like iTunes, or the studio's website on the same day. It won't happen tomorrow, but as technology improves, the window between the theatrical release and the DVD/Internet release is going to continue to shrink. We can't put our heads in the sand like the music industry did.

There will be special features on the JTB DVD, including commentary with director Salim Akil and actress Paula Patton.

My novel and Stephen King's great advice about writing.

Very funny. Apparently, TWILIGHT fans are very upset with Mr. King.

I've been working on my novel, aiming for 2000 words a day. I get up at 5:00 or 5:30 a.m. eat something light while I check e-mails from L.A., work out, shower, start writing.

Earlier I used to meet friends to work out in the morning. Until I'm done with my first draft I can't do that anymore. I need that quiet time in the park to work and think about the novel.

I wrote a very rough outline. I wasn't sure how to do one for a novel. I realized early on my outline wasn't long/detailed enough. I haven't looked at it since I hit the 30,000 word mark.

What I've been looking at are my characters. I spent a lot of time working on them before I wrote the outline.

It's interesting to work on a new novel after focusing on scripts the last four years. Screenwriting is very structured. Working on a novel is a completely different experience. I thought I knew what the ending would be when I wrote the outline. It's changed.

I also thought I knew what certain characters would do. I don't. It's fun to see what direction the story will take. However, to be honest, I have no idea what the hell I'm doing. I didn't go to grad school for a MFA. I did take creative writing courses in college, but that was a while ago.

I've been re-reading Stephen King's book on writing. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interesting in writing. It's part memoir, part advice. All of it is inspiring.

It was rough going after I returned from L.A. for a variety of reasons. His book is helping me get back to basics. It's about reading and writing. Yes, it's true Snooki is a NYT bestseller "author" despite telling a reporter she has read only two books in her life. Her ghostwriter has probably read more than two.

There a lot of things I cannot control in my career. What I can control is how much I write and how much I read.

Every project I work on is an opportunity to improve and grow as a writer. That must be my focus, not getting upset that nothing has changed since I co-wrote a hit movie. In fact, at a later date I should write about some of the jacked up BS I heard while in L.A.

I can't think about anything negative right now. I have to finish my book. Money and career worries are on the back burner. Maybe that's putting my head in the sand, but the amount of energy I use stressing about those worries is not healthy.

I am feeling very optimistic these days. It might be straight up denial. heh. That said, I'm excited about a new idea I have for another novel.

It helps that the weather has been gorgeous lately. We're enjoying a real spring in Rome this year. This is something I do not take for granted! I hope the blazing hot weather takes a while to get here.

Jumping The Broom Mondays - (Updated) JTB opens in the United Kingdom this Friday

Ciao Bloggisti,

Our film was scheduled to open in the UK this Friday, June 10th. It has been postponed. As soon as I have more info, will post it.

This UK SITE has some information.

My producers told me the dates for Italy are July 29th and Sweden, August 26th. I'm trying to find out which company will be distributing in Italy.

In America, JTB is still in the top ten and has just crossed the 35 million dollar mark. Thanks again to everyone who came to support our film!

Here's the TV spot that played the week after our big opening weekend.

I love the look on Loretta Devine's face. Mike Epps is hilarious.

There's a very good reason talented writers strongly suggest writing everyday.

Or at least, Monday - Friday.

The two weeks I spent in Los Angeles completely threw me off my writing groove. I said I was going to write while I was there. What was I thinking?

My schedule was so packed, I had to ask my manager's assistant to cancel two meetings. I was running all over town. One crazy day I had meetings in Santa Monica, Studio City and Beverly Hills. Anyone who has spent time in Los Angeles understands what a clusterf**k that day was.

Last week was not a good writing week. Part of it was jet lag, but a bigger part was my complete lack of motivation. I would open my laptop and just stare at a blank page. After a while, I would go online instead of writing (or unpacking) and next thing I knew, hours had gone by.

I started to get worried. What if I never get "it" back?

This week I forced myself to sit down and write. I wouldn't get online until after I had spent some time working on my novel. It was slow going at first.

After a few days of this, suddenly on Thursday I hit 1500 words without realizing it.

My goal is 2000 words a day. There will be days I exceed that, and others when I fall short. However, I finally feel like I'm back on track.

I'm also working on a new spec script. I writing with another screenwriter who is in the middle of staffing season (for American TV) so I we have to budget our time wisely.

The next time I go to L.A., I don't think my schedule will be as insane. The October trip was my first trip to the States after moving to Rome 2 1/2 years earlier and this last trip was for the JUMPING THE BROOM release. I get why my manager wanted to squeeze in as many meetings as possible.

If I had some money, I would go to a hotel somewhere nice and just write. It would have to be a place with a view and quiet like Ravello on the Amalfi Coast. Any place where there's a ton of sightseeing to do wouldn't work.

Or I would even check myself into a place in Rome. Several writer friends in L.A. do it all the time, especially for big deadlines. I completely understand why so many writers love working in hotels... no distractions.

In the meantime, I will be in my apartment trying my best to finish this novel.

CBS' Early Morning Show ignores JUMPING THE BROOM

Really, how difficult is it to notice a film that was covered all over the mainstream press after its big opening weekend?

This is not about slamming SOMETHING BORROWED and I really enjoyed BRIDEMAIDS, but how can the producer of this segment ignore JTB during this segment? WTF?! I mean, is it because we didn't have any shoot out set pieces, or because it doesn't take place in the 'hood or there wasn't a black man dressed up as big, fat, sassy black woman?

Stuff like this drives me crazy. Note to CBS Early Morning Show producers, I know that make up of the cast might have thrown you for a loop, but the film is "crossing over". Even if it didn't, it's still a major studio release and should have been included.

They had so many clips/mentioned older films about weddings. You're telling me the producer never heard of THE BEST MAN, MONSOON WEDDING or Ang Lee's THE WEDDING BANQUET? Isn't that part of a research department's job?

I doubt Good Morning America would make the same mistake.

I'm glad the Los Angeles Times wrote about it.

A big fat THANK YOU!! Jumping The Broom has a great opening weekend

Ciao bloggisti.

JTB far exceeded industry expectations opening weekend. Our movie's budget was 6.5 million and we grossed 15.3 million.

We came in number 3 ahead of SOMETHING BORROWED which was a surprise. SB was on almost 1000 more screens and had a budget of 35 million.

I don't know why some news reports have headlines saying THOR hammered the box office. Hello, counter programming?! We were not competing with a 100 + million budgeted super hero three/four quadrant movie.

We had an unprecedented jump from Saturday to Sunday. This explains why the early box office estimates were off. Usually films drop from Saturday to Sunday.

A huge grazie mille to everyone who wrote about and supported JTB. So many of my fellow expats helped spread the word Stateside.

The last few days have been bananas. I will try to post some pics from the premiere later today or early this week.

Jumping The Broom Mondays - Sony Ups The Number Of Screens

Ciao bloggisti from a very jet lagged ragazza.

Our director Salim Akil gave a great interview to the Boston Globe. You can read it HERE.

Sony has done an incredible job marketing JTB. Originally our film was going to have a small release, to go with our small budget, around 700 screens.

However, after the positive feedback from the advance screenings, Sony more than doubled the amount of screens. That's quite a vote of confidence.

I cannot stress enough how important opening weekend is in our business. By Friday afternoon PST the studios can predict the box office, and 95% of the time they are dead on.

Hollywood's obsession with the opening weekend is one reason why the majority of movies made are targeted to teen boys. They have time to go opening weekend. Adults might read reviews, have other things to do and care more about word of mouth.

The buzz on JTB is very good. However, we must get butts in the seats.

Bootlegging is a major problem. Please tell your friends who are going to see JTB to see the film in the theater. Do not buy the bootleg DVD from Pookie and 'em at the barbershop/street corner. Also check the tickets to make sure they are for the right film.

THOR is opening this weekend and the FAST FIVE will have a strong holdover. Our little film is counter programming along with SOMETHING BORROWED which is also being released this weekend. SB is based on two very popular books, has a much larger budget and will be in more theaters.

I saw Elizabeth (producer/writer) and Glendon (producer) yesterday. It's been a long road. Over seven years ago the two of them came into my office (I was an exec at a production company) and pitched the idea for a family wedding movie called JUMPING THE BROOM.

Two years ago I started working with them on the script and now JTB is coming out in a few days. Everyone keeps asking me how I feel. I'm super anxious. If I think about this weekend too much, I freak out.

Elizabeth and Glendon said to me, it's out of our hands at this point. We've done everything we possible can. We'll have to wait and see what happens this weekend.

I might need some Valium.

Jumping The Broom Mondays - Paula Patton And Laz Alzono Interview

I'm trying to find out what the international release schedule will be. I heard JTB might be in the UK in June. Once I know more, I will post.

I do know that JUMPING THE BROOM will be opening in St. Maarten on May 12th!! I can't believe tiny SXM is getting the movie.

My mom had quite the scare when a neighbor called her.

Her neighbor: Is your daughter Arlene Gibbs?
My mom: Yes.
Her neighbor: *gives a yell*
My mom: WHAT? Something happened?
Her neighbor: No, no, no, man. I just saw her name in the Daily Herald!!
My mom: WHAT?!
Her neighbor: Yes ma'am. They said she has a MOVIE coming out! Lord, you all must be so proud!

My dad said some of his friends are salty because he didn't tell them about the movie coming to St. Maarten. It's because he didn't know until a few days ago.

The local cable company gets a Tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT) feed along with French, Dutch and other channels. So St. Maartiners are seeing all the JTB ads that are running in America.

I bet Nestor, who works at the airport, will tell everyone and their mother about the film. He's seems to know all the folks on the island, including the many tourists who come back every year. Nestor recently turn 70 and has been working at the airport since 1966. I can't imagine flying into Princess Juliana International Airport and not seeing him.

JTB stars Laz Alonzo and Paula Patton were in Washington, DC for a special screening at Howard University. Laz is a DC native and graduated from Howard.

Below is their interview with Fox DC Morning show. They have a lot of chemistry and as Zoolander would say, they are really, really, ridiculously good looking.

Jumping The Broom stars on myfoxdc: MyFoxDC.com