Abiola Abrams
By Kamah Alicia Scott
Screen Gem Abiola Abrams- Host, Author, Filmmaker and Motivator
A Creative Talent says, 'We Have To Reach For Who We Imagine We Can Be'
She tells Center Stage how She Dares to Be a strong Black woman in the film industry, how she deals with love and love lost and her passion to empower women. She remains in Harmony with herself and stays to her art. Her hot new novel DARE is burning up the literary scene and her TV show The Best Shorts is a big hit as well.
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Center Stage: 'Dare' your new hot novel was released by Simon & Schuster December 2007, what do you expect your readers to gain from it?
ABIOLA: My debut novel Dare is the story of Maya Hope, a sociologist who goes undercover as a rapper and winds up in too deep. It is a fun, sexy, comedic story and because it is a hip hop novel it falls in the urban literature genre. However, I reference Alice Walker, Maya Angelou and Ntozake Shange in the telling of the story because it is most definitely literary. I, like most female authors, hate the term chick lit, however I use it and embrace it because I understand the need to put people in boxes to reach audiences. My primary obligation is to my audience, so it can be called whatever as long as they check it out. That's the long winded way of saying that the book is intended to be motivational chick lit. Its lesson, in a non-preachy way, is to be your own hero. It is fun, sexy and inspirational. I hope that women and men of all and experiences embrace it. Oh, the novel is in stores everywhere, and the interactive website is www.daretogetalife.com.
Center Stage: How did you arrive at BET Jazz?
ABIOLA: With all TV and film jobs you generally interview and audition. My two amazing producers Sean Joell Johnson and Ralph Scott were looking to go in a new direction with the show in its early stages. They felt that as a working indie filmmaker and former actress with an MFA in Film Arts I had the energy, fun and the thoughtfulness that their audiences were seeking. Oh, and BET Jazz officially became BET J in May 2006, so it's no longer called BET Jazz.
Center Stage: What are you most passionate about?
ABIOLA: That is a challenging question because I am a naturally very passionate woman. I can be moved to tears watching a commercial or a bird with its chickadees! (laughs), I am most passionate about people knowing their capacity and opening their minds.
Center Stage: Your screenplay Knives in My Throat was a dark screen play, how do you cope when things aren't going well for you?
ABIOLA: That's a great question. A few years ago, I went through the most painful experience in my life, when the relationship I'd been (for what I thought would be) for the rest of my life collapsed simultaneously with the death of two very close family members. I have very powerful faith, which gets me through those moments. I focus on knowing for sure 'this too will pass' , that's a good thing to repeat, and reach for a better feeling from wherever I am standing. There is a Chinese proverb that motivates me: 'My barn having burned to the ground, now I can see the moon.' I wouldn't change a thing because I love who I have become as a result of everything, positive and negative, that I have experienced.
Center Stage: As a filmmaker, what are your thoughts on film competitions such as HBO's Greenlight where they pretty
much mold filmmakers into what they think they should be?
ABIOLA: Any corporate entity seeks to stamp its brand on those affiliated with it. Colleges and universities do the same thing, as do business/ work environments. We live in a capitalist society where unfortunately art for arts sake, without monetization, is rare. You have to embrace the market you've chosen. If you're a filmmaker, definitely seek out competitions like The Best Shorts on BET J and others. Not that I am partial or anything, but we give away $30,000 per season, and my executive producers and entire team really, love film!! Okay, maybe I am a wee bit partial!!
Center Stage: Have you ever been in a predicament where something you wrote or directed got into the hands of someone else, taking away from your creativity?
ABIOLA: YES, yes, and yes! However, like I stated before, we live in a capitalist society. So, we as artists have a choice, love or money? Oftentimes thankfully those things are one in the same. Occasionally, they are not. It is the choice of the artist. However, I have found that for the most part, this forces me to be more creative in coming up with other options to stay true to my original intention. Some things though you may have to release independently to retain control.
Center Stage: How has having your work released changed you?
ABIOLA: Everything changes us. As Dr. Michael Beckwith says, we should strive to go to bed a different person than who we are when we wake up. Change tends to terrify us and we'd often rather stay stuck or paralyzed for fear of the dreaded words, you've changed. Of course, I feel more confident in my work, now that it is being released and my phone calls are now being returned. (But this can also create new insecurities if you let it!) I work with a great team of people on every front, and have the best friends and family in the world, so I am blessed with a capital B. We all are, sometimes we have to remember that and reach for who we imagine we can be on our best days instead of the memories of who we were on our worst.
Center Stage: Is there a side of yourself that you didn't know existed until you started making films professionally?
ABIOLA: Yes, I am a bossy woman! Lol, It is pretty arrogant to think that people want to share the pictures you have in your head.
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Center Stage: Who has been your biggest director- influence?
ABIOLA: My biggest influence, without a doubt would be Mr. Spike Lee. When I had the good fortune to work with him, it opened my mind to the possibilities for me. He was a trailblazer. I exist because of him and others like him. I am very aware every day that I stand on the shoulders of giants.
Center Stage: Who has been your biggest influence outside of the cinematic world?
ABIOLA: On a personal level, my parents are my biggest heroes. Then of course I am lucky to have grown up after civil rights, with Oprah and A Different World on TV and Madonna taking risks. I had many positive influences. I can't name one, but my company id named The Goddess Factory, in partial tribute to radical artist, Andy Warhol. I appreciate the maverick approach to life that he took.
Center Stage: If you could choose anyone in the world to direct your bio-pic, who would it be?
ABIOLA: Oh wow, my bio pic, Girl, let me get some more work done first!!! Hahahaa, See that's a trick question because my first instinct would be to say me, but I might be too close to honestly present the material so I would have to say Kasi Lemmons and Miranda July can co-direct! Kasi because she is a phenomenal storyteller capable of deciphering the drama dahlia, that is Abiola Abrams J and Miranda July, who is a West coast weirdo artist chick like I am to make sure the indie weirdness of me stays in!
Center Stage: What have you learned?
ABIOLA: All kinds of stuff! I have learned that there's only but so much animal print one woman can own! I have learned that red and purple can match in a weird way if you squint. I have learned that when you are having a fat day on TV you should wear sleeves. But most of all, I just keep relearning my pageant answer: with faith in a higher power, courage, commitment and hard work, absolutely all things are truly possible.
Center Stage: What advice would you give to aspiring writers / screenwriters and directors?
ABIOLA: Do your homework, don't be lazy and learn your craft. Investigate many ways of telling your stories and don't be afraid to be different or unique. Also use Google people. Many answers are there. Someone wrote me the other day asking how to adapt a novel into a screenplay. I did an Amazon search and the book with both words in the title was right there. Another person asked for screenplay submission advice and I suggested a production company. She wrote me back asking for their website. This honestly upset me because I couldn't understand why she wouldn't just do a Google or Yahoo search after I had taken the time to give her the answer. There's no magic formula other than believing in yourself with everything in you and taking action.
| Center Stage: Are you in a relationship? How do you as a woman turn down men and avoid the casting couch?
ABIOLA: I am single for the first time in my adult life and it feels wonderful. I feel so free I have to tell you. The way I handle the casting couch is to establish IMMEDIATELY in any business relationship a brother-sister vibe vs. anything else. Be clear. Shut it down. |
Center Stage: What's next for you?
ABIOLA: Well as you know I am the host of BET's The Best Shorts (Sundays and Tuesdays on BET J at 8pm) and my novel DARE is in stores. People are loving the book and I enjoy having conversations with book clubs about it. I plan to do more interactive things with my website because I have a solid and growing fan base that I love communicating with, so look for a new daily show in conjunction with blackplanet.com called Planet Abiola. Nothing but bigger and better from here on. For you, me and everyone reading your magazine, the sky is the only limit! My work is about making us more powerful culturally, emotionally, sexually and politically. Watch my films, read excerpts and check out more at www.abiolaabrams.com or hit me up on http://www.myspace.com/goddessfactory. If you like the book, please post positive feedback for me at amazon.com because people think that we don't read anymore and I'm taking center stage to prove them wrong! This was fun, thank you.
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J. Anthony Brown,
Comic, Tailor, Artist, the man that makes us Laugh. Just don’t call him Kat Daddy.
By Kamah Alicia Scott
History started when James Anthony Brown, a native of South Carolina moved cross-country to Los Angeles. The move led him to not only writing for the Arsenio Hall show, he proved to be a successful actor with reoccurring roles in Moesha and The Parenthood. Brown, also hosted Showtime At The Apollo as well as BET’s Comic View and has appeared in numerous films. | | Bringing his humor to millions of people in the morning along with his co-hosts, no wonder Brown is a star. Characters such as Reverend Adenoids the slick talking Southern preacher and Brown’s hilarious comments that make you look at your radio in disbelief or slap your thigh in uncontrollable laughter, Brown is determined to make you laugh... it comes effortlessly.
There is a time when Brown isn’t laughing. When it comes to a disease that afflicts many African-Americans. The fight against Diabetes has been a personal one for him.
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J.A.B.: “We have to get healthy, it’s a constant fight but it’s worth it.”
Centerstage: Mr. Brown, you are a comedian; actor, tailor, are you Caribbean?
(J.A.B. Laughs) as he always says in a Caribbean accent in his comedy sketches “Yes, I got tree Jobs.”
J.A.B.: “Dammit, I am going to do it all. There are many people sitting around 80 years old and always wanted to do ‘it’. I will do songs, scripts, whatever it takes. I am not a boss of any one trade but I don’t give up, I just do it.”
"It can be anything, if you have a passion for it, you do it for free.I did Murder the Hits for my man Rico Reed for five years. FREE. (The segment is one where J. Anthony Brown changes the lyrics of popular songs with his comedic wit) The whole segment that I did was free. If you are good enough, they pay to keep you. You have to have a passion, the drive and the belief in what you do. Arsenio Hall (host of nationally syndicated late-night talk show) heard about me and gave me an opportunity. The rest is history.”
Centerstage: You have worked with Mr. 3000 himself (Bernie Mac), Holly Robinson-Pete, Mo’nique and have been on Oprah and that is only a small fragment. How have you stayed so busy in a business where your first movie or cameo can be your last?
J.A.B.: “I do the best that I can, I pray.”
Centerstage: There are always jokes about your divorces I guess it is safe to say that marriage is not in your future?
J.A.B.: “Hell No! A woman and I can date for any length of time but marriage, Oh No. Never again”
Centerstage: Are you sure?
Silence
Centerstage: Watching you cut up people on the Tom Joyner Sky Show is hilarious. Our readers wanted to know if in fact, you can dance?
J.A.B.: “People wonder that, can this big man throw down. I am just having fun. No really, I hate being called, "Big Man". I have issues with that.”
Centerstage: Can the women call you Kat Daddy
J.A.B.: “No! Don’t call me Pa-Pa, don’t’ call me Big man, I hate being called that. Call me Tired of being called all of that. I do have a party time spirit. I like to laugh obviously and make people feel good. I’m an entertainer.”
“I like to have fun you know. Just recently we did a show and this one young lady had on a gold glitter top, you know the sparkly sequin tops, she was pointed out. I mean we had so much fun, we said she looked like the sun and everyone around her was hot. The sun was just radiating off that woman and her sparkle top. She had her own personal sunshine.”
Centerstage: Speaking of clothes, anything strange in your closet?
J.A.B.: “You know what, I guess so. You know how your kids look at you like you’re crazy although you think you’re sharp. Sometimes children are funny, it’s like “Dad, are you sure you are wearing that.” It is like when you see a whole family of people looking crazy. They are the most comfortable people. They are comfortable in what they have on though.
My mother used to wear this big hat; it was like a turban type thing but a hat. We call them Tams. She had every color Tam you can think of and she would match them up too. If she had on red, she would throw on the red turban. That woman had a whole drawer full of them thangs.”
“For me, I’m sharp. You’ve seen my suits. “
Centerstage: You have the J. Anthony Brown Collection. (His collection was recently showcased at the MAGIC Show at the Las Vegas Convention center and Las Vegas Hilton.
J.A.B.: “Yes, I’m offering a wide variety of jackets, shirts. I went to school for tailoring. I can make a suit now. I draw and sketch them.”
Centerstage: you sketch your own designs, did that come before the Suits. How long have you been doing your art?
J.A.B.: My son told me to do something with my art. I guess he got tired of stepping over ‘em in the basement. “Dad you can make some money out of this, said my son”
Centerstage: Kids always encourage parents to make some money
J.A.B.: “Yes so they can take it.”
Centerstage: Of course
J.A.B.: “Seriously though, my son encouraged me so much. I am just a man doing my thing with help along the way. I have good people in my life. I like to encourage young people. If you have a dream, don’t let anything stop you.”
Centerstage: God has blessed you. You do a little bit of everything and you give back.
(Brown’s contest The Next Big Thing does just that, allowing people to display their talent)
Centerstage: How did you wind up in a radio venue with The Tom Joyner Morning Show?
J.A.B.: “I’ve been doing the show for eleven years now. What got me on the show was working for Arsenio Hall. I was head writer for the show, again it was faith. If you have God and good people around you and stay humble you can’t help but succeed.”
Centerstage: Who are some of your favorite new comics and why?
J.A.B.: “Melanie Comacho- because she is raw.”
“Sexy Marla-because she is really funny and I want to have sex with her.”
”Rodney Perry-reminds me of a young J. Anthony Brown except I wish I was this funny when I was his age.”
Centerstage: What would America be like with J. Anthony Brown as president of the USA?
J.A.B.: “Smoking weed would be legal. You would go to jail if socks didn’t match your shoes except, when you’re high [then] you would be exempt from that law.”
J. Anthony Brown words from a true comedian.
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So we've been busy over here moving in and all, but y'all know I can't stop myself from going to my favorite websites. And my favorite online mag, Dr. Hottie Mag.com, has done it again. And when they do it, they do it big! This week's feature is an interview with the hottest cabana boy this side of China -- I Love New York's 12-Pack.
