Boogie Town
Encyclopedia
Boogie Town is loosely based on Arthur Laurents
1957 stage musical, West Side Story
. On December 22, 2008, Variety
reported that Vivendi Entertainment acquired worldwide theatrical distribution rights for the film and that Chris Stokes would be directing, writing the screenplay and producing the film. The distribution agreement also covers television, home video, internet/digital and mobile rights. It was also reported that Monique Scott and Cheryl Trimmer will also serve as producers of the film, additionally, Stokes has brought Shane Sparks to choreograph the film. The film has been described as You Got Served
meets Twilight
.
The film will also be distributed by Christopher Brian Films, Stokes film company. This will be one of the first projects to be put into development by Vivendi Entertainment next to the Natalie Portman
and Scarlett Johansson
-directed film, New York, I Love You
.
Tom O’Malley, president and CEO of Vivendi Entertainment said, "Chris' vision for You Got Served inspired a new generation of dance films. We’re thrilled that Chris will now call VE home. Boogie Town is the start of what we expect to be a long and rewarding relationship."
Stokes, who is also the founder and CEO of Christopher Brian Films said: "We are excited to partner with Vivendi Entertainment. Tom O'Malley has created an open and collaborative culture committed to helping independent filmmakers like myself. VE is the perfect creative home for Boogie Town as well as for my future films."
, U.S.A.
and was supposed to end in April of the same year. Several days before the announced production date, several members of the cast were photographed while headed to a wardrobe studio for fittings. Work was allegedly stopped on December 12, 2008 after payroll issues developed, because none of the background performers were paid at the time. In April 2009, principal photography was stopped due to Song's Suite Life schedule and the film's release date has been postponed. Song said in a June 2009 interview: "We’re actually not done shooting it yet. We had to put it on hold because of On Deck, so we’ll have to finish shooting it, but hopefully soon."
Brenda Song
's involvement in the project, wherein she will play Natalie, was first announced weeks before Houston was confirmed to work on the film.
which Houston is signed to.
and the film's official website (now offline), the film was planned to be released in theatres in 2011. A film poster was released in December 2010.
Arthur Laurents
Arthur Laurents was an American playwright, stage director and screenwriter.After writing scripts for radio shows after college and then training films for the U.S...
1957 stage musical, West Side Story
West Side Story
West Side Story is an American musical with a script by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and choreographed by Jerome Robbins...
. On December 22, 2008, Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
reported that Vivendi Entertainment acquired worldwide theatrical distribution rights for the film and that Chris Stokes would be directing, writing the screenplay and producing the film. The distribution agreement also covers television, home video, internet/digital and mobile rights. It was also reported that Monique Scott and Cheryl Trimmer will also serve as producers of the film, additionally, Stokes has brought Shane Sparks to choreograph the film. The film has been described as You Got Served
You Got Served
You Got Served is a film written and directed by Chris Stokes, manager of its stars, recording artist Omarion, Marques Houston and the members of boy band B2K. The plot concerns a group of dancers, who take part in a street dancing competition...
meets Twilight
Twilight (2008 film)
Twilight is a 2008 American romantic vampire film based on Stephenie Meyer's popular novel of the same name. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, the film stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. It is the first film in The Twilight Saga film series...
.
The film will also be distributed by Christopher Brian Films, Stokes film company. This will be one of the first projects to be put into development by Vivendi Entertainment next to the Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman
Natalie Hershlag , better known by her stage name Natalie Portman, is an actress with dual American and Israeli citizenship. Her first role was as an orphan taken in by a hitman in the 1994 French action film Léon, but major success came when she was cast as Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel...
and Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson is an American actress, model and singer.Johansson made her film debut in North and was later nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for her performance in Manny & Lo . She rose to further prominence with her roles in The Horse Whisperer and Ghost World...
-directed film, New York, I Love You
New York, I Love You
New York, I Love You is a 2009 romance film released in the United States on October 16, 2009. From the producer of Paris, je t'aime, it stars an ensemble cast, among them Bradley Cooper, Shia LaBeouf, Natalie Portman, Anton Yelchin, Hayden Christensen, Orlando Bloom, Irrfan Khan, Rachel Bilson,...
.
Tom O’Malley, president and CEO of Vivendi Entertainment said, "Chris' vision for You Got Served inspired a new generation of dance films. We’re thrilled that Chris will now call VE home. Boogie Town is the start of what we expect to be a long and rewarding relationship."
Stokes, who is also the founder and CEO of Christopher Brian Films said: "We are excited to partner with Vivendi Entertainment. Tom O'Malley has created an open and collaborative culture committed to helping independent filmmakers like myself. VE is the perfect creative home for Boogie Town as well as for my future films."
Filming
With more than 300 hired to become extras for the film, production began on December 3, 2008 in Downtown Los AngelesDowntown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles is the central business district of Los Angeles, California, United States, located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area...
, U.S.A.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and was supposed to end in April of the same year. Several days before the announced production date, several members of the cast were photographed while headed to a wardrobe studio for fittings. Work was allegedly stopped on December 12, 2008 after payroll issues developed, because none of the background performers were paid at the time. In April 2009, principal photography was stopped due to Song's Suite Life schedule and the film's release date has been postponed. Song said in a June 2009 interview: "We’re actually not done shooting it yet. We had to put it on hold because of On Deck, so we’ll have to finish shooting it, but hopefully soon."
Brenda Song
Brenda Song
Brenda Song is an American actress, film producer, and model. Song started in show business as a child fashion model. Her early television work included roles in the shows Fudge and 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd...
's involvement in the project, wherein she will play Natalie, was first announced weeks before Houston was confirmed to work on the film.
Marketing
Though it was still the first days of principal photography for Boogie Town, Vivendi Entertainment has already announced that Boogie Town will have several consumer products including a soundtrack based on the film which will include Houston and will be released by the Universal Music GroupUniversal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
which Houston is signed to.
Cast
- Marques HoustonMarques HoustonMarques Barrett Houston is an American R&B singer, songwriter, rapper, and actor. A member of the R&B singing group Immature/IMx until 2002, he went solo in 2003. He is also the cousin of J-Boog, former member of the R&B/Hip-Hop group B2K....
as Micah - Brenda SongBrenda SongBrenda Song is an American actress, film producer, and model. Song started in show business as a child fashion model. Her early television work included roles in the shows Fudge and 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd...
as Natalie - Mykal Anthony Bean as Jay
- Katerina GrahamKaterina GrahamKaterina Alexandre "Kat" Graham is an American actress, singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and model. She has appeared in numerous television shows and film productions, as well as music videos...
as Ingrid - Vanessa Simmons as Cicely
- Khleo Thomas as Gizmo
- Joseph C. PhillipsJoseph C. PhillipsJoseph Connor Phillips is an American actor and conservative Christian commentator and writer. He is best known for his role as Martin Kendall on the long-running NBC sitcom The Cosby Show.-Personal life:...
as Chief Salsbury
Release
The film was originally supposed to be released in the summer of 2009 in the United States and Canada. The original release date was June 16, 2009. The film's first version of the official trailer was released in March 2009. The film did not finish filming in June due to Song's Suite Life schedule and the film's shooting was postponed in the late summer of 2009 because of Houston's worldwide tour and Song's schedule. According to VivendiVivendi
Vivendi SA is a French international media conglomerate with activities in music, television and film, publishing, telecommunications, the Internet, and video games. It is headquartered in Paris.- History :...
and the film's official website (now offline), the film was planned to be released in theatres in 2011. A film poster was released in December 2010.
External links
- Boogie Town at Hollywood.com