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Mahalia! Got To Tell It
Screenplay by James V. Evering
Based on the book, Got To Tell It-Mahalia Jackson, Queen of Gospel by Jules Schwerin
MAHALIA! Got To Tell It tells the inspiring story of the legendary and internationally acclaimed gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson, from her dirt-poor beginnings in Depression-era New Orleans to her spectacular rise as an international superstar. She uses her fame to inspire and support the civil rights movement, but when confronted with failure and loss in her personal life, she has a crisis of faith and questions the value of her convictions.
Mahalia Jackson’s life has all the power and passion that comes through in her music. And in the film the viewer will hear Mahalia’s own story in her own voice. As her life unfolds on the screen, the remastered recordings of Mahalia’s magnificent singing will enhance the audience’s emotional connections to the joyous and heart-breaking moments that unfold before them. It is an uplifting, inspiring and touching film transcending color and/or race whose story can be appreciated and understood by all audiences.
Currently, gospel music is the best selling music genre as certified by NARAS and is a more consistent seller than rap, pop, or R&B music.
The film is based on the book by Jules Schwerin, Got To Tell It-Mahalia Jackson, Queen of Gospel. Mr. Schwerin was also a personal friend of Ms. Jackson, and has offered us the use of many hours of original footage he used in his award-winning CBS documentary of her for authenticity and accuracy. He was awarded the 1973 Grammy Award as the producer of a posthumous album of her music, entitled Got To Tell It. The documentary of the same title was awarded a Smithsonian Institute Award and is now in its permanent collection.
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In Development
COME FEEL THE JOY! A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO MAHALIA JACKSON
A live television concert special celebrating the Queen of Gospel.
She had the voice of an angel. She is the exemplar of fidelity and faith. Her deep, soaring contralto held each note, her breath and startling range illuminated the joy and inspiration that only gospel music can convey. The depth of her artistry revealed how the sorrows of life on earth can make way for the promise of a better world tomorrow.
Mahalia Jackson's impact on the world has not lessened in the decades since her death. She lives in the music of multiple generations of multicultural backgrounds. This two hour special concert will celebrate the career path of the little child born in abject poverty who grew up to become an international star and altered the direction of American music. She empowered the Civil Rights Movement and brought joy to millions of listeners in every corner of the globe. Those dimensions will be celebrated in the forefront in this event.
In this one time musical tribute, we will demonstrate her global reach across racial and genre lines. With Mahalia always present in archival footage, film clips and historical stills, she will share the stage with twelve to fifteen musical artists across all genres of music, including Pop, R&B, Gospel, Country and even Hip Hop/Rap. The artists will perform in their distinctive styles to songs Mahalia made famous.
This show will bring memories of her glorious past to the forefront, reinforce the power of her music and persona and inspire others to reach as high as Mahalia Jackson in her beliefs and in her transcendent musical talent. The actress who stars as MAHALIA in the film will be the major host of the night, supplemented throughout the evening by noted personalities.
In Development
SYLVESTER - BOTH SIDES
SYLVESTER-BOTH SIDES (based on the book Mighty Real by Sharon Davis) tells the story of the wildest, most outrageous, most glittery star of the Disco Era. He dressed more spectacularly than Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor or Irene Cara and could sing in a register higher than any of them!
He was the original gender bending star who did not try to hide his sexuality. He was not going to play the game in order to have a career. His defining mantra was, “I am who I am!”
In the film, the late Sylvester tells his story from a Disco Heaven on high. He tells how he broke the rules all his life. Thanks to a mother who gave him unconditional love, he was free to express himself as only he could. Whenever anyone (teachers, uncles, managers or record executives) tried to suppress his flamboyant, joyous personality, he would become more flagrantly himself.
His fabulous voice and spectacular stage presence brought him all the perks of a rock star. He partied hard, but always looking for the perfect mate. He never found him but that didn’t stop him from trying.
Though far from perfect, Sylvester had the juice of life, loving the madness and sweetness of living, always seeing the funny side. Even when he was diagnosed with AIDS, a death sentence in that era, he spent his last days with the one true love of his life, his mother, who always accepted him just the way he was.
This movie celebrates the life of a one of a kind star that blazes so brightly but has only a short time to shine. Sylvester’s light was dimmed at the age of 42.
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In Development
Rainy Days and Mondays
Why does the sound of Karen Carpenter’s voice touch us so deeply? Somehow the raw need, the quiet desperation and the vulnerable yearning that Karen’s singing embodies reaches everyone who has ever felt unsure or unworthy of love. Where does the purity, simplicity and heart-to-heart communication that her artistry engenders in us come from? That’s what Rainy Days and Mondays (based on the book Some Kind of Lonely Clown by Joel Samberg) explores.
The film centers on the dysfunction of the Carpenter family --- the dominating, controlling mother, Agnes, her well-meaning but ineffectual husband, Harold, and her children, the musical prodigy and golden child of the family, Richard, who overshadows his younger sister, the quiet, shy and unassuming Karen. Her mother dismisses Karen’s talent and finds fault with her looks and personality, always comparing her unfavorably to her extraordinary brother.
The Carpenter’s enormous success never brings Karen the stable life she longs for. The adulation and love from her fans are not enough to fill the hole in her heart. With her brother and mother still making all the decisions about her life and career, she needs to find a way to take some control. Unfortunately she chooses a disastrous way --- the eating disorder anorexia nervosa which eventually takes her life.
Rainy Days and Mondays will recreate exciting concert and television appearances by the Carpenters and will utilize their impressive music catalogue including "Goodbye to Love", "Yesterday Once More", "Close to You", "We’ve Only Just Begun", and "Rainy Days and Mondays" among others. They notched up ten gold singles, nine gold albums, one multi-platinum album and three Grammy awards. Karen's velvety sound and Richard's meticulously crafted arrangements stood in direct contrast to the louder, wilder rock dominating the rest of the charts at the time, yet they became immensely popular, selling more than 100 million records. Their songs remain relevant today and Karen’s peerless voice and artistry will always be with us.