The following is from a local initiative that is undertaking making a Plainfield native’s book into a movie. The movie will star Jamie Hector from HBO/The Wire, and will be shot almost entirely here in our city. In addition, the production team plans to use local merchants, and create internship opportunities as well.
If you are looking to support some local folks undertaking a project that is sure to bring good things to Plainfield, visit their page and make a donation. Speaking from experience, they’re a genuinely nice group of people!
My Manz and ‘Em The Movie
Black Expressions Book Club & Essence Magazine Best Selling Author J.M. Benjamin, along with the 2011 Sundance Film Festival Award Winning Director Alrick Brown, have combined their energies to create a powerful adaptation of the book My Manz and ‘Em, written by J.M. Benjamin in 2007. The film will star Jamie Hector of HBO’s The Wire (Marlo) and will be produced by J.M. Benjamin and Film and TV Production Veteran Lamar David Mackson, based on the adaptation written by Adam Rauscher & Alrick Brown. All involved except Hector are natives of the City of Plainfield, New Jersey.
Scheduled to begin principle photography in the Fall of 2012, the film will be shot almost entirely in Plainfield, New Jersey. In an effort to stay true to the book and the story, the producers of the film want this project to have a positive impact on their city and others alike. This motion picture will contribute to helping transform and heal the societal pitfalls facing many of our young men and women today.
The Production Team for My Manz and ‘Em The Movie have considered the positive socio-economic benefits that accompany the presence of a film production to any area, therefore, this production will seek out community-based partnerships as a way to stimulate the economy and engage the local population. To continue, we will also seek to build relationships with youth-based organizations and institutions to create internship opportunities during the making of this film.
By joining in our efforts to create this film you can assist us in changing the cycle of self destruction and depravity that strike so many. Our combined contribution will empower people to think more closely about choices and the rippling impact one’s decisions can have on themselves, their families, and the world around them. This partnership offers the opportunity to make a great movie, stimulate the local economy and expand the minds of the public with the story of My Manz and ‘Em.
What We Need & What You Get
In order to implement the goals of a unified community partnership we are seeking to raise $50,000 in order to support a Film Student Internship program. This Internship Program will partner with educational and non-profit institutions in the Plainfield Area to encourage students and others to consider careers in the Motion Picture and Literary Arts. Award recipients will receive a staff position on the film crew and will gain valuable real world experience towards this career path with two of the best – Mr. Brown and Mr. Benjamin.
As a result, we will be offering several Film Internships to local area students, employing local actors and extras, utilizing vendors and businesses based in Plainfield as well as partnering with local nonprofits in an effort to foster community involvement.
Our success with Student Internship Programs was first demonstrated in 2011 during the “From Plainfield to Sundance” campaign, where we sent 5 Plainfield students to attend the Sundance Film Festival in Park City Utah. During the trip, students were equipped with video equipment in order to document the journey of PHS graduate Alrick Brown as he premiered his movie Kinyarwanda (and won!).The experiential environment opened the students up to new horizons and also provided them with a road map for success.
Upon completion all participants will receive a personal letter of reccomendation from the Producers of the film as well as a cache of experience and memories. The My Manz and ‘Em Production Team is convinced of the success of “From Plainfield to Sundance” and therefore will expand the program to include many more students in an intensive, hands-on educational experience that will encourage values of success and perseverance in each of them. The production goal will be to produce a behind the scenes documentary that will compliment the DVD after its release in the Spring of 2013.
Your participation in our efforts will be valued with a variety of recognitions which are described in the “Perks” section. Your commitment will help us to remain autonomous, self-reliant and liberated from the Corporate Hollywood Machine that robs filmakers of valuable creative power and control.
Remember, even if you cannot afford to financially support My Manz and ‘Em The Movie, you can always contribute by simply passing this campaign along to your friends and family, or just use the indiegogo.com share tools to help increase our visibility. Please help us to keep our Independent Film independent. Thank you so much!
Here are some links to refer to-
http://njmonthly.com/articles/lifestyle/filmmaker-is-a-winnertwo-ways.html
http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/news/2011/12/kinyarwanda-opens-scores-4-star-ebert-review/
With all of our gratitude,
The Production Team
My Manz and ‘Em The Movie