Tory Kittles is an American actor, writer and producer. He’s appeared in films such as Get Rich Or Die Trying, Next, Miracle at St. Anna and Lifetime’s Steel Magnolias for which he is currently nominated for an NAACP award for his performance as Jackson. Kittles also had a stint on the hit series Sons of Anarchy as the character Laroy and has appeared on stage in NY, LA and Atlanta in several productions, most recently in Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner, with Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, directed by Broadway’s Kenny Leon. Kittles can be seen in The Weinstein Co’s The Sapphires (Cannes 2012) and Antoine Fuqua’s Olympus Has Fallen this coming March.

I met Tory “virtually” on Twitter when I posted about how much I enjoyed the creature feature, Frankenfish, and Kittles’ turn as the lead and hero. It’s not often you see an African-American actor playing a lead role that could be a character of any ethnicity, and Kittles carried that movie. So I was ecstatic when Tory agreed to share his insights with FBC Films:

You were a lover of movies since childhood. What is it about acting that made you make your career here?

Yes I fell in love with the movies at a young age, though I didn’t put too much thought into it becoming my career early on. I was in college at the time, and I kept changing my major, because I wasn’t sure about any of the things I was studying. Then one day, while looking for a job, I noticed an add that said, “actors, models, extras” and gave a call to the number. Shortly after, I found myself on the set of the Keenan and Kel show as an extra, and something in me clicked, and I just knew.

What are you currently working on?

I have a few things that I’m working on currently, but I can be seen this upcoming March 22nd in the Internationally acclaimed hit The Sapphires and also in Antoine Fuqua’s action thriller Olympus Has Fallen which hits theaters in March as well.

You also composed a song for Tigerland, an early movie of yours. Are you still active in music? Any interest in other arts or in going behind the camera?

I did compose a song for Tigerland, yes, that was also my first film. I’ve always been a writer, still am, I have a few writing projects that I’m working on now.

As an actor, how do you decide what projects to take?

I think in terms of choosing something, it always begins with the script, but even if it’s a great script, sometimes I have to discern whether or not it’s for me. I think that’s been part of my maturation process…When you first start out, you want and think that you can do everything, but the more you learn about yourself, the more specific you become, so the more specific your choices do also.

I loved you in Frankenfish. How did that come about? Do you have an affinity for sci fi/ horror specifically?

Thank you. Wow. That was ages ago. At the time it was called The Bayou, and I went in to audition and they hired me. It was simple really. Though I wish they would’ve told me that they planned to change the title. Ha. As far as having an affinity for Sci-Fi…I enjoy it, but I have an appreciation for all genres of film, so I don’t try to get locked into one area…I like to do the things that I like to see.

How has the industry changed over the years?  Are you seeing diversity casting improve over time?

I think the industry is constantly changing — it’s become more interactive,for instance, ten years ago you wouldn’t have been able to connect with me for this interview as easily as we have. Twitter has opened all avenues, and as far as diversity, yeah, sure, I think it’s becoming more so.

What advice would you give an aspiring actor?  What do you know now that you wished you knew when you started?

Hmm….Joel Schumacher once told me to “trust your own instincts”. I think that’s the best advice anyone can give.

What I wish I knew then…..there are no do overs. Make the moments count.

Tell us something fun about Tory that’s not obvious from your resume!

Ha. If it’s not on the resume….yeah…there’s a reason for that!

I had the amazing privilege of attending a talk with director Ang Lee, screenwriter David Magee and TV critic Mike Hale at The Times Center. Of course, there were candid insights into Life of Pi, which Lee directed and Magee scripted. But I was particularly struck by how much Lee balanced talk about creative considerations with business objectives. Encouragingly, never did Lee imply that economic considerations hampered his creative vision. Art and business can co-exist. It is not an either/ or proposition.

• Art can emerge from underneath the marketing

The talk opened with a trailer from Life of Pi set to the booming sounds of Coldplay’s Paradise. Lee candidly shared that he was embarrassed by this slick, bombastic showing. Yet, he didn’t mind it because he understood that you need to sell a movie so people see it so more movies can be made. Lee noted that the economics and the art of filmmaking work in parallel and you need both. The marketing may not appeal to your creative vision but the art can still come out.

• Even an Academy-award winning director still needs to be business-savvy.

Lee talked about needing over a year to finalize budget, so pre-production was challenging. Production itself was equally challenging because of the expensive 3-D and CGI requirements which meant there was no cushion to make mistakes, and shooting had to be very economical. Lee shot in Taiwan for location reasons but also because it was cheaper than Los Angeles. Throughout the talk, Lee toggled in-between his creative challenges and the business challenges, clearly keenly aware and respectful of both.

• Entertainment is becoming more global

Lee echoed comments from our earlier blogs with Jeff Geoffray of Blue Rider and Tom Vitale of SyFy and Chiller about the increasing importance of international viewers. Where Lee used to see North American distribution taking 50% of total, he now sees international distribution at a majority 60% or more depending on the movie. Life of Pi made 80% of its receipts abroad.

I’m excited about the focus on business considerations even by a creative giant like Ang Lee. For the creative reading this blog: Will this change what projects you decide to pursue? Will you focus your production time differently? Will you change your balance between creative and business pursuits?

If you saw the recent post by Bruce, then you know the deal with All My Babies’ Mamas. In thinking about that, I went back to an article I had read recently – check it out here. A disturbing piece about the exploitation of the poor on television, it reminded me of why FBC Films’ multicultural mission is so relevant. Some people think that poor treatment of certain groups in the media is simply a race issue – but its not! As seen by shows like Buckwild, the poor are an equally big target. These are not minority poor people, either; the ones all highlighted in the article are white. If that is not enough for you, just think of the countless reality shows that have washed through our televisions over the past decade. Or, just look at the granddaddy – Survivor. Isn’t that show all about exploitation? And yet, it still carries on.

As much as we would like otherwise, I don’t expect everybody to be committed to greater multiculturalism in the media. But, regardless of who you are, I think it is morally unethical to turn your eyes away from the blatant wrongs being committed on television everyday.

Just think: If you wouldn’t make fun of somebody to their face, then why laugh at them on television?

Here is the link to the Announcement on Color of Change, that All My Babies; Mamas is cancelled

http://colorofchange.org/campaign/tell-oxygen-and-its-advertisers-dont-exploit-black-families/

And there is a black President.  Again.  See, the world can change.

I grew up in the era of Blackxploitation films.  My dad was a camera man on Shaft and worked with Melvin Van Peebles a lot so I guess it was in my blood.  There is a fond and funky nostalgia for those films now- whether Tarantino or Black Eyed Peas – and everybody who considers themselves hip is not offended by any of the stereotypes. If you look at any of the writing of the day, you will see a lot of questioning and anger though.  That was, and now I am showing my age, a different time.   There were hardly ANY images previously in mainstream media of strong black people so, in my opinion, if it went over board on the macho side I understand.  I wonder, if in 25 years we will look back on this new show on Oxygen-   All My Babies’ Mamas as cool.  Obviously somebody finds it cool now.  A summary from Color of Change.org:

“Atlanta-based rapper Shawty Lo has 11 children by ten women, a girlfriend the same age as his oldest daughters, and — if Oxygen Media executives have their way — a provocative new reality show that they hope women of color will flock to this spring. According to Oxygen’s parent company NBC Universal, the show — tentatively titled All My Babies’ Mamas — will chronicle Shawty Lo’s attempts to “split his affection multiple ways while trying to create order” in navigating the “dysfunction” of his “drama-filled,” “unique ‘modern’ family.”¹ Leaked online footage from the pilot showing Shawty Lo struggling to name his children — and one mother rebranding each woman with nicknames like “Fighter Baby Mama,” “Shady Baby Mama,” “Baby Mama from Hell” and “Wanna-Be-Bougie Baby Mama” — drew immediate criticism from Black people across the country.² Despite the backlash, network executives remain intent on moving forward with the reality project.”

http://colorofchange.org/campaign/tell-oxygen-and-its-advertisers-dont-exploit-black-families/

So, it’s not cool.  It’s sooooo not cool.  The paradigm that Color of Change wants to change is primarily white controlled networks making money off degrading content featuring folks.  Go to their website and read.  Sign up for their petition too if you want.  What I want to know is: Is this entertaining?  Shaft and Cleopatra Jones were horrible, long held American stereotypes brought to life on the screen.  If you don’t think so read Toms, Coons, Mammies and Bucks by Donald Bogle to see how they fit into a long and degenerate line of black screen offenses.  But they were cool.  And they were entertaining.  I want to know what is entertaining about a black man with 11 children by 10 women.  I really do, because I am in the business of providing media entertainment and specifically entertainment that involves people of color.  So, if you know why people might watch this show- black people, white people, Philippinos, latin’s, educated, uneducated, rural or urban please email me privately or post it here if you are brave.  I really want to know.  And just so you know, I signed the petition.

The Battle Below follows Derek, now a college professor, coming back to his old neighborhood. The projects are giving way to Whole Foods, the rents are insane and kids are fighting in dungeons with swords and axes for money, because there are no jobs.

Written and directed by Bruce Faulk. Produced by Caroline Ceniza-Levine and Bruce Faulk. This episode features Anton Briones, Jimmy Burke, Bruce Faulk, Benton Greene, Leo Kubota, and Jennifer Loring.

Well, another year is coming to a close, and we are all a year older (and wiser – hopefully!). This has been a wonderful year for us, with the birth of FBC and the beginning of production on our webseries, The Battle Below. Anyhow, we figured that every film blog on the planet has a ‘Best of 2012’ list – so why can’t we? Read on!

Best Original Science Fiction Film – Looper

Smart, funny, thrilling, and moving, with great performances from all involved. Rian Johnson’s latest film made all our jaws drop.

Best Original Horror Film – The Cabin in the Woods

Joss Whedon showed once again that he is brimming with ideas and talent, as this film presented a clever (and entertaining!) meta-criticism of its own genre.

Best New Webseries – The Abandon

We couldn’t chose The Battle Below, for obvious reasons. But Keith Adkins’ The Abandon, a new sci-fi webseries with an all-black cast, is more than welcome to take the prize. The first episode was exactly the kind of programming that we aspire to, and we look forward to more. Check out The Abandon here.

Best Science Fiction Film Based on a Board Game – Battleship

All I am going to say is that Battleship is a wonderful board game for all ages.

Best Horror Film Involving Both Fish and Pornstars – Piranha 3DD

A unique cinematic achievement.

Best Space Jail Film – Lockout

Duh!

A. Benton Greene was born the son of Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants, Carol and Arthur Greene on December 14, 1972. He trained as an actor/director in high school, appearing on the longest running high school TV program, Just For You. He continued training throughout college in San Diego and went on to start his professional career in San Francisco. He currently lives in Harlem, New York. He is an avid martial artist who teaches and practices Wing Chun Kung-Fu daily.

You were an actor as early as HS. Did you always know you wanted to be in entertainment?

I remember watching old movies with my family as a kid; Uptown Saturday Night, the Bond movies with Connery and Moore and just going into a trance. I didn’t know how but I knew I wanted to be a part of that…And Billy Dee Williams in The Empire Strikes Back! Very cool. I was also lucky enough to grow up in New York when theater was affordable and my parents took us to Broadway shows whenever they could. That had a major influence on me.

You also have worked as a director, writer, producer, and editor. Are you migrating to behind the camera?

I did both throughout high school and got post-production certification (FinalCut, Avid) when I was pretty young so I could always have a foot in that door. Since then, I’ve shot a couple of shorts, a bunch of videos for different organizations, www.ficanewyork.org/media/videos/,  and directed a crazy web series last year, www.makelovejackson.com. I’ve been getting my toes wet without breaking the bank or doing the Kickstarter/Indiegogo thing before I had a better sense of what I was doing. The more I define what’s important to me as a man, the stronger I’m drawn to telling stories that broaden the expectations and re-evaluate the limitations of people of color.

What are you working on outside of The Battle Below?

I have a few projects in different stages of development right now. There’s a feature that I’m writing that’s an urban technology drama…if that’s a genre. And filmmaker Malcolm Murray asked me to come aboard his historical feature with a fantasy twist that’s set in Jamaica. I’m really excited about both projects because they’re original stories that I think haven’t been done before.

You’re an avid martial artist. What is it about the martial arts, as opposed to other forms of exercise or sport, that appeals to you? 

Kung-Fu has been a big part of my life for a long time. It’s mental and physical exercise, it’s meditation and it’s not a bad thing to know how to use your hands as a New Yorker. Martial artists tend to be really family oriented which works for me too. I have martial arts brothers I haven’t seen in years but we can get together today with our families and catch up like no time has passed.

How has the industry changed over the years?  FBC Films focuses on multicultural casting within the sci fi/ horror genres.  Are you seeing this improve over time?

Wow, the industry has changed completely since I first started. I came out of school right when the reality tv trend was starting. I think that that race to the bottom in terms of producing profitable shows on the cheap has been one of the most major changes in tv history. On the other hand I couldn’t ask to live in a better time than now with digital filmmaking being what it is. Really high quality movies are being made all over the world for a fraction of the price they would’ve cost just five years ago. I think storytelling is being rewarded again not just big, flashy flicks with high production value and that’s very exciting.

I love what you all are doing at FBC Films. Everything is so visually oriented today that it’s more important than ever to see multiculturism in films. I look forward to the day when we’re no longer surprised when we see ourselves being portrayed honestly.

Tell us something fun about Benton that’s not obvious from your resume!

I don’t know, I’m terrible at these kind of questions. I love pranks and have to keep it together when on set or backstage. I was playing Carbon, an Army Captain, in a production of Cyrano at a large regional theater and had a scene where I was showing my men a map and have this speech, blah, blah, blah. So one night deep in the run I tape a nude centerfold on the map and use it during the scene. Thee poor guys were doing everything in their power to keep it together on stage. 🙂

Tom Vitale is an Executive Vice President, Programming & Original Movies, for the SyFy and Chiller channels of NBC Universal. I spoke with Tom about trends in entertainment, advice for aspiring science fiction/ horror producers, and the state of diversity in the industry today:

• Exclusive, original content is more important now

Vitale has been in the business for 25+ years and noted that a critical trend is the need for exclusive, original content to compete with viewers’ increased access to entertainment (via YouTube, video-on-demand, DVR technology, etc.). To this end, Vitale focuses not just on acquiring and scheduling, but now also commissioning up to 24 original movies per year for SyFy. This is in addition to other original content that his colleagues are creating for different arms of SyFy, such as TV programming.

• Aspiring producers take comfort — channels do buy from smaller companies

According to Vitale, there is no single source for ideas, and Chiller especially looks at smaller production companies. In addition to production company pitches, ideas might flourish internally, not just from the creative side but from the business side, such as marketing. Inspiration for plot lines has even come out of real-life news — a CNN story on snakehead fish migrating from Asia to the US inspired Snakehead Terror). That said, production companies in consideration for selling a movie to these channels have produced something else that has sold – you don’t have to be a big-budget house but you have to have a track record.

• Diversity in both cast and crew includes race, gender, age, and familiarity

These movies often have international distribution so the diversity in the audience demographics requires diversity in the casting. This is not just racial diversity, but Vitale mentioned looking for gender balance and strong female roles. In addition, off-screen diversity is present in the producers and writers tapped for projects, including career changers who might come to the business later in life. Finally, diversity includes a mix of familiar and fresh faces, so while brand name actors help to sell a movie, there is emphasis on introducing new faces as well.

Title says it all, folks!

The Battle Below follows Derek, now a college professor, coming back to his old neighborhood. The projects are giving way to Whole Foods, the rents are insane and kids are fighting in dungeons with swords and axes for money, because there are no jobs. Written and directed by Bruce Faulk. Produced by Caroline Ceniza-Levine and Bruce Faulk. Episode 1: ‘Kids Today’ features Jim Burke, Jennifer Loring, Leo Kubota, Andy Zou, and Anton Briones.

We here at FBC are all thrilled with how it turned out – and hope you are, too! Thanks to our crew and cast for helping to make it all happen. Stay tuned for more episodes in the near future!