INVESTOR INFORMATION:
A Matter Of Principle
Feature Film Project
What this film is about?
A Matter of Principle is a contemporary political drama. It is the story of David English, a west coast journalist who quits his job rather than compromise his integrity. When he accepts a new job as editor of a major newspaper in his hometown, Pittsburgh, PA, he discovers a scandal that could ruin his best friend's chances of making history as the city's first female African-American mayor. He must decide to print or bury the story.
Who is involved with the project?
CAST
The ensemble cast is composed of seasoned veterans of stage and screen. The film stars Carl Cofield (The Piano Lesson, Law and Order, and Miami Vice) as David English and Clayton LeBouef (The Wire, Homicide: Life On The Street) as James English, David's brother and architect. Currently, we're seeking talent to fill the roles of Brenda Taylor, attorney, mayoral candidate and David's best friend and Ashley Lawrence , community activist and David's love interest.
Production Team:
Sowande Tichawonna, Writer/Producer/Director, leads the talented cast and crew as the Director of A Matter of Principle. The award-winning filmmaker has 22 years of experience in broadcast television and film production. Prior credits include Talkin' Shop (2000), Victims of Circumstance? (1994) and Straight Up Go-Go (1992).
Eugene Haynes, Producer, was the Director of Production and Acquisitions from 1995-2000 for USA Films/October Films, Inc. New York, NY. He evaluated script packages and completed films for acquisitions, maintained communication with production companies to monitor costs and creative aspects of each project.
He also tracked film projects, creative talent and identified new media content. Prior indie films include Abel Ferrara's The Addiction (1995), Jim McKay's Girlstown (1996), Matthew Harrison's Kicked in the Head (1997), David Raynr's Trippin' (1999), and Val Lik's Latin drama Boricua's Bond (2000) among others.
Carl Jennings, Producer and business strategist, has worked on the management development side of independent film and television over the past 29 years. As founder, executive producer and editor of High Context Multimedia, he is working on Don't Ever Put a Body Down, a documentary on the life of pioneering African-American ultramarathoner, Ted Corbitt. Previously, as a founding member, with business partners Reuben Cannon and Norman B. Hall, of the independent production company Star Rise Entertainment, LLC, he functioned as Chief of Strategic Operations and Advisory Board Chair (1998-2000). Star Rise jointly produced the independent feature film, Dancing in September starring Nicole Ari Parker and Isaiah Washington. Mr. Jennings was the director of organization development and training for Jacaranda International, an independent television-consulting firm for the Nigerian Television Authority (1982-83).
Haywood Nelson, Development Consultant, is a New Media Executive and has been a member of the entertainment community for over thirty years. As an actor, he is best known for the role of Dwayne in the hit television series What's Happening! (1976) for TOY Productions based upon the hit movie Cooley High (1975) by writer Eric Monte. Mr. Nelson has held department key positions in film and television production, including cinematography, screenwriting, and ultimately V.P. of Sales and Marketing in international film distribution for Tanglewood Entertainment Group (1993-95).
Mr. Nelson has delivered enhanced interactive content and opened up niche market distribution channels in Asia, and Franco-Fone West Africa, in alliance with corporate clientele including Unisys Corporation, Echostar Networks, Orion Networks, Panamsat, Lucent Technologies, Cais Internet, Show Digital, HotelNet, New Otani Hotel Asia, J.W. Marriott, Helmsley Hotel Corporation, Roosevelt Hotel/New York, International Telecommunications Union, and others.
Currently Mr. Nelson is Executive Producer of Love Hurts, a new 1-hour drama/comedy series positioned for Fall 2007. In addition, he serves as President and CEO of IEG Holdings, Inc. a start-up New Media and IPTV content holding company.
Derek Allen, Director of Photography, returns to Race Man Tell-A-Pictures, LLC to shoot this film. He was also the Director of Photography for the short film, Talkin' Shop (2000). Other credits include Letter from Kristen (2003), Foggy Bottom (1996) and Creak Crack (1994) as well as numerous commercials, documentaries and corporate/industrial film and video projects.
Chepell Chase, Line Producer, brings his skill and experience with over 25 independent short and feature film projects, as a Line Producer, Post Production Supervisor and Production Consultant to the Matter of Principle production team. Most recently, he has produced several DVD projects, which include customized DVD's for Gucci, Bad Boy Clothing, Rocca Wear, The W Hotel and John Hancock. Chepell is currently Line Producer for the television pilot The Faizon Love Show scheduled to air in 2007 on The Black Family Channel.
Anthony Jamison, Editor, brings his talent and experience as the film's Editor. He has worked with several independent filmmakers including Spike Lee. His list of major motion picture credits includes Ice Age (2002), Addicted to Love (1997), Malcolm X (1992) and Jungle Fever (1991).
Gina Gordon is the Accountant for the production. As 2nd Accountant for Rob Reiner's Castle Rock Pictures she managed payroll functions for the feature film Music & Lyrics By (2007). Her responsibilities included accounts payable, purchase orders, check requests, per diem and other bank/accounting functions. In addition, she performed budgetary analysis. Other feature film credits include Edward Burns' Purple Violets (2006) and Alejandro Gomez Monteverde's Bella (2006) where she served as Payroll Accountant and Accounting Clerk respectively.
Who is the audience?
The target audience for A Matter of Principle is African-Americans 18 - 49 years of age that can relate to struggles in relationships, at the workplace and can identify with the politics of their community.
The story will primarily appeal to "baby boomers" and the segment of the "generation X" population who have entered the workforce. These two groups, which comprise the target audience for this film, also represent the majority of moviegoers who attend films on opening weekend.
The universal themes of A Matter of Principle lie within its relationships. The story exposes the complexities and the humorous side of family, love and job relationships in ways very familiar to our audience. This film has tremendous crossover appeal.
The parallel love stories and how they portray intimacy and the awkwardness of dating will draw in the female and younger audience. The older and professional audience will relate to how the characters deal with office and electoral politics and its impact on their lives.
Why make this film?
Now is the time for A Matter of Principle . Every year for the past nine years, African-American films with a theatrical release have enjoyed box office success. From The Best Man (1999) to Stomp the Yard (2007), dramas that realistically depict African-American culture resonate with African-American audiences and reap profits for the filmmakers and investors.
A Matter of Principle is unique. The film presents the diversity and complexity of African-American life. The characters are working class and professional, Democrats and Republicans, urban and suburban. In addition, the political issues highlighted in the film mirror those that will be played out-on a larger scale-in the 2008 elections. The production team has devised marketing strategies that will capitalize on the public's heightened interest in politics and on the media's election coverage. For this reason, we plan a theatrical release of the film following the Presidential inauguration.
The explosion of the independent DVD market and the simultaneous availability of high tech film production equipment at low cost has raised the production bar and increased the competition level regarding the sales, marketing and distribution of independent films.
What are the goals for the project?
The goals for A Matter of Principle are:
* Raise the production budget by selling units of Matter of Principle, LLC
* Secure funding to move from development to production
* Attach A-list talent
* Begin production once funding and cast is in place
* Negotiate a distribution deal for a wide theatrical release prior to the major film festival season
Why invest in this film?
A Matter of Principle has all the elements of African-American films that have achieved box office success-a story with a universal theme, characters with whom the audience can identify, a relatively low budget, high production value and an experienced cast and crew.
A Matter of Principle is a timeless story with a relevant message that will appeal to the American voter. The release of this movie during America's heightened political awareness and increased interest and participation in electoral politics will generate free publicity and media attention that builds audience support and culminates in box office success.
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