In light of the several hate crime hoaxes that have come out recently, Jussie Smollett has decided to create a production company to compete with what he calls "the amateurish recent offerings."
He sat down with The Peoples Cube to talk about his shift from starring in these features to producing them.
TPC: What is your motivation for this career shift?
JS: Most recent hate crimes have been reality TV versions; attacks on churches, pregnancy support centers, Jewish schools. There have been a couple ones that were actual hoaxes, like the ones in Ohio and Texas but both were obviously low budget / 'B movie' type hoaxes. I think we're ready to get the industry back to professionally produced 'big budget' hoaxes.
TPC: What changes are you considering?
JS: Well, for one thing - better acting. No offense to this past year's releases, but the acting has been... subpar. You can tell these folks aren't professional actors. I also think more work on plot and the scripts in general would help. Finally, a bit more Hollywood pizazz, you know? Maybe add some musical numbers or special effects. I have a lot of ideas.
TPC: Some critics say audiences are experiencing hate crime hoax fatigue. What do you say to them?
JS: I think that is one factor involved with why the genre isn't as popular as it once was, but not the only one. Look back at the giants of the industry - people like Trayvon [Martin] and Michael Brown. They taught us that you have to start with compelling storytelling and follow up with strong, focused marketing. The industry seems to have strayed from these basic truths and now just slaps anything together and expects success. Audiences pick up on the hubris. The lack of results speaks for itself.
My strong feeling is audiences still yearn to be swept away in a fantasy world where all white people are racists and the KKK is terrorizing people with impunity, as if it's still 1872. But these things have to be done right and the flops we've seen lately can mostly be attributed to shoddy production. I see that as my opportunity to show them how it should be done.
TPC: Any final thoughts?
JS: Just this - when the next blockbuster hate crime hoax comes out don't be surprised if it says "A Jussie Smollett Production!"
Statistics: Posted by Panem Et Circenses — 11/30/2023, 7:21 am — Replies 3 — Views 394