Janet Jackson is becoming a movie producer. The performer-actress has signed a production deal with Lionsgate to select, develop and produce a feature film for the independent studio.
Jackson has a thriving music career-she’s currently on world tour-but this is her first foray into film producing. She says movies have always been her first love.
“Many people forget I started out as an actor,” she tells THR. “I have been fortunate to work in the film industry, though not as much as I would like. I have a passion for storytelling, and have been doing it through my music for some time.”
A deal with Lionsgate was a natural fit. Jackson has starred in three Tyler Perry films–Why Did I Get Married, Why Did I Get Married Too and For Colored Girls. She also starred in John Singleton’s 1993 drama Poetic Justice.
Mike Paseornek, Lionsgate president of motion picture production and development, says the studio recognized Jackson’s instinct for great stories.
“She is a powerful on-screen presence, with a vast audience, and we believe she will be an equally powerful presence behind the scenes,” Paseornek says. “We are honored to be able to provide a home for her ideas, passion and immense talent.”
In terms of the film projects she might pursue, Jackson says she is drawn to diverse material. She says she is particularly captivated by film noir.
Just left the theater, the movie was very touching, bring tissue with you and be prepared to think. The movie is filled with poems that’s base on each person’s stuggle. All the ladies did a terrific job. Janet is in her element on the screen. Tyler is getting more comfortable in his role as a director/writer/producer. He didn’t rush it and gave the viewer what was needed to understand each character. A must see, a serious movie not a comedy. A few comedic elements, but main focus was drama.
Dream street, dream street
Will it all come true? Will it all just fade away
Dream street, dream street
Well, it’s hard to find and
It won’t let hope escape from dream street
Janet Jackson’s second album Dream Street had three single releases, “Two to the Power of Love”, “Fast Girls”, and “Don’t Stand Another Chance”. The title track was also scheduled to be released in 1984, but due to low sales the producers canceled these plans. Thanks to the TV show Fame, “Dream Street” did get a music video.
“Dream Street” was Janet Jackson’s very first music video. It is a girl’s rise to stardom in the 1950s. The video starts off with Janet on a bus to Hollywood, then she finds a roommate and a friend for an apartment. The next scene is of her struggling working in a restaurant having a hard time adjusting, but she meets a man who is attracted to her and gives her a card for an audition. She tries out in a dance audition for Debbie Allen. She gets the part and the video is up to date in 1984, with Janet wearing a red leather outfit doing a great dance routine.
We have actually had these pics for a few weeks now but we forgot to blog them! Here you can see Janet acting on the role of her new film which is Tyler Perry’s adaptation of the play ‘For Colored Girls’.She said in an interview that she actully cut her hair for this part. They did not ask her to, rather she was inspired to…
On September 3, 2009, Lionsgate announced it had acquired the distribution rights Tyler Perry’s 34th Street Films adaptation of the play, with principal photography originally scheduled to take place in Atlanta, Georgia in November and December 2009, with a planned 2010 release. The film will be written, directed and produced by Perry. The cast includes Loretta Devine, Kimberly Elise, Whoopi Goldberg, Janet Jackson, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, Jill Scott, Jurnee Smollett, Kerry Washington and Isaiah Mustafa. Mariah Carey had also been cast, but pulled out in May 2010, citing medical reasons; Thandie Newton has been cast to replace her absence.
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf is a 1975 play by Ntozake Shange. Initially staged in California, it has been performed Off-Broadway and on Broadway, and adapted as a book, a television movie, and a planned theatrical film. The 1977 Broadway production was nominated for a Tony Award for best play.
