WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 20, at 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: ASU's Leila Barlow Theatre in the Tullibody Fine Arts Center, corner of South Jackson and North University streets.
Want to break into television and the film industry, but don’t know how? Well, two award-winning filmmakers and producers -- Tony Williams, an Alabama State University alumnus (Theatre 2012), and Latisha Fortune -- will give tips on how to get started in the entertainment industry during an informative workshop this Saturday, Oct. 20, at 4:30 p.m. at the Leila Barlow Theatre in ASU’s Tullibody Fine Arts Center, corner of South Jackson and North University streets.
Admission is free.
The workshop is in conjunction with the fall theatre production of “Gem of the Ocean,” which runs Oct. 17-20 at 7 p.m. nightly.
The duo bring a kaleidoscope of industry experience to the table, and are back on campus thanks to Alabama State University’s Theatre and Dance department.
ABOUT LATISHA FORTUNE
Fortune recognized her calling for filmmaking while working at Tyler Perry Studios on the productions of “Madea’s Family Reunion,” “Daddy’s Little Girls,” “Why Did I Get Married?” “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne.” Working from the bottom up, Fortune gained invaluable knowledge by starting out as an intern, personal assistant, and finally as the office manager at Tyler Perry Studios. With a hunger for hands-on production, Fortune segued into physical production for various major studios. She worked up the ranks as assistant production coordinator, production coordination and now serves as a production supervisor with BET.
EXTENSIVE FILM CREDITS
Her credits in both film and television are extensive. They include her working on the Oscar-nominated film, “The Blind Side,” “Cell,” “+1,” “All Eyez on Me” (a.k.a. “Tupac”), “Surviving Compton,” “Survivors Remorse,” “The Read Road,” “Solace,” “The Detour,” “The Quad,” “Bobby Brown” and “American Soul.”
Fortune has produced over a dozen award-winning short films and TV pilots, including “Before I Wake,” which won Best Film in The Doorpost Film Project. In 2010, both “Before I Wake” and “The Black Cage” were two of seven top films in the BET Lens On Talent Competition. The short film “Standing Reign” was awarded Best Film of Atlanta in the 48 Hour Film Festival, Best Short in the TOMI Film Festival of New Orleans, Best Narrative Short in the International Black Film Festival of Nashville and also was chosen for distribution on the Best of 48 Hour Film Project 2007 DVD.
Fortune founded the production company Great Fortune Films Inc., where she produced “The End Again,” starring Columbus Short and his ex-wife Tanee McCall. The film was a prequel to the feature film “Really Love.” Her production company has several projects in development, including “Twin,” “Her Imperial Majesty,” “Symphony of Her,” “Barrs,” “3:30” “Close to Home” and “The Next Super Producer.”
Fortune studied producing at New York University and filmmaking at the New York Film Academy.
TONY WILLIAMS BACKGROUND
ASU alumnus Tony Williams works professionally in the film and television industry. He currently works on “American Soul” for BET. He also is the president of Physical Production at VH2 Networks.
Williams is now in pre-production for his first feature length film titled “3:30,” in which he will produce, direct, and perform. Production is slated to begin April 2019.
He has worked on the Emmy-nominated television drama "Greenleaf," seasons 1, 2 and 3 on OWN network; the Lifetime drama “Devious Maids,” season 3; Tyler Perry's hit show “The Haves & The Have Nots”; ABC's “Resurrection”; BET’s “The Quad”; and Tyler Perry’s “Boo Halloween.”
Inspired by his passion for filmmaking, Williams is the founder and CEO of the community-based program for youth called “Akting Out,” where he teaches skills for short film production and acting
EDUCATION
Williams excelled in his academic studies at Alabama State University where he graduated summa cum laude. He was also a Presidential Award Scholar recipient with a B.A. in Theatre (2012). He received his master’s in Film & Acting from the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles in 2014.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Wednesday, October 17th 2018 at 6:42PM
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